Chapter 124: Post-Game Interview – Taking Taylor Swift Home
Final score: 107-88.
The highly anticipated Chinese Derby ended with a statement win by the Phoenix Suns.
Post-Game Stats:
Houston Rockets:
Tracy McGrady: 32 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB
Yao Ming: 15 PTS, 10 REB
Shane Battier: 10 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST
Rafer Alston: 9 PTS, 4 AST
Chuck Hayes: 4 PTS, 7 REB
Only three Rockets players cracked double figures. Their defense—normally a point of pride—fell apart, and honestly, the loss wasn't surprising.
Phoenix Suns:
Chen Yan: 42 PTS, 6 AST, 6 REB
Amar'e Stoudemire: 19 PTS, 8 REB, 2 BLK
Steve Nash: 18 PTS, 10 AST
Boris Diaw: 11 PTS, 8 AST
Grant Hill: 10 PTS
Chen Yan absolutely stole the spotlight tonight with a 40+6+6 stat line. It was his show from start to finish.
---
Inside the visiting locker room—
Shane Battier, sitting with an ice pack on his ankle, was surrounded by reporters from Chinese media giants like Zhalang Sports, TX Media, and Sohu. Having been Chen Yan's primary defender all night, they were eager for his thoughts.
"Chen was harder to guard than I expected," Battier said, managing a smile. "His transition game is elite, and he controls the ball with such poise. He can drive, shoot, pass—and he's got this rhythm that's really tough to disrupt."
"I thought I was locked in tonight. Used every trick I had—blind contests, a little physicality, even a few fouls—but none of it worked. Honestly, there were times I felt like the rookie out there, not him. I'll definitely be watching tape of this game tonight… probably more than once."
Battier was honest, and you could tell the loss still stung. But his respect for Chen was real.
---
Post-Game Press Conference—
The ESPN reporter got the first question in.
"Chen, congrats on the win. How do you feel about this high-profile 'China Derby' matchup?"
Chen Yan kept it simple:
"I saw a basketball game. One team won, the other didn't."
That got a few chuckles from the room. The usually philosophical Chen was blunt tonight—no riddles, no metaphors.
Then, a reporter from Sports Illustrated piped up, grinning:
"Chen, can we see your hand?"
"No problem," Chen said casually, holding up his palm.
His hands, already trending online, looked even more massive up close.
"Mind if we compare?" the reporter asked, standing at about 5'10" with average-sized hands.
Chen gestured for him to come up. As soon as they lined up palms, the entire room laughed—it was like a grown man comparing hands with a high schooler.
For context:
Michael Jordan's hand measurements – Length: 9.75 in (24.77 cm), Width: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)
Chen Yan's hands – Length: 9.75 in, Width: 11.39 in (28.89 cm)
Yeah. Chen's got bigger hands than MJ.
---
Then came the juicy stuff.
A reporter smirked and asked, "So Chen, any truth to the rumors about you and Taylor Swift? She was spotted courtside tonight."
Chen didn't dodge.
"Yeah, Taylor's my girlfriend. We're dating."
He hadn't made it public before—no one had asked. But now that someone did, he owned it. He wasn't trying to be an idol, wasn't worried about losing fans. He was just keeping it real.
Backstage Tunnel—
After the press conference, Chen and Yao Ming lingered in the tunnel, deep in conversation.
Yao had looked off tonight, especially in the fourth. In that quarter, he touched the ball five times but took just one shot. Adelman was using him like a glorified role player, not the All-Star he was.
Chen leaned in:
"Big bro Yao, if it keeps going like this, maybe it's time to switch teams… drop some weight too. You've gotta look out for your career first."
Yao shook his head.
"Let's talk about that after the season. New team, new routine—it's a big move. I don't wanna jeopardize my form for the 2008 Olympics."
Chen understood. For now, Yao's priority was the national team. But still, losing weight had to happen if he wanted longevity.
As the two chatted, the media caught wind and made a beeline toward them, cameras in hand. Security rushed in to block the reporters.
Chen and Yao exchanged a knowing glance and dipped back into the Suns' locker room to finish their talk in peace.
---
Ten Minutes Later—
Yao boarded the Rockets' team bus, heading to the airport for their next road game.
Chen, on the other hand, had the luxury of being home. He drove straight to his apartment—with Taylor Swift riding shotgun.
The game might've ended, but for these two? The real night was just getting started.
Inside Chen Yan's Apartment—
It was Taylor's first time visiting, and Chen gave her the grand tour.
But when he opened one particular room, Taylor froze.
"Um… why do you have so many condoms?"
Her voice was sharp. Her eyes? Like she just caught him with a secret harem.
Chen rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly.
"I'm… uh… the brand ambassador for Dulux condoms. They sent all that."
Taylor narrowed her eyes. "Have you used all these?"
Chen stepped forward, arms slipping around her waist.
"Guess we better start trying."
It had been over a week since they last saw each other—way too long when you're in the honeymoon phase. And as the saying goes: absence makes the heart grow fonder… and the nights longer.
Chen carried her straight into the bedroom.
And just like that, game on.
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