After the interview with Wang, other reporters also gathered around Chris Paul to ask questions. But unexpectedly, the questions were still about Wang.One reporter asked:
"CP3, how would you evaluate your teammate Wang's performance tonight?"
Paul was in a great mood after the win. Especially after Wang checked in during the fourth quarter — the game became much easier for him, and his playmaking was extremely effective. Any team would dream of having a player like Wang — someone who doesn't demand the ball, doesn't hijack possessions, yet scores with incredible efficiency. Even Paul's own stat line improved thanks to him: he recorded a double-double — 13 points and 12 assists.Four of those assists went directly to Wang!
So the fact that Wang became the center of attention tonight genuinely made Paul happy. He smiled and said:
"Wang was fantastic. His shooting from beyond the arc was just perfect — everything was falling. Every pass I threw to him turned into points! That's why we were able to win tonight!"
The reporter continued:
"Congratulations on the victory and your three-game winning streak. You're now sixth in the Western Conference. You guys unfortunately missed the playoffs last year. Are you confident about this season?"
Paul frowned slightly:
"I'm very happy with our roster right now. After last year's disappointment, we started working harder and found better chemistry.""And now we've got great new players, including a potential Rookie of the Year like Wang.""I'm confident we're making the playoffs this time."
The journalists asked a few more questions, and the postgame interview came to an end. They understood one thing very clearly — both the head coach and the team leader, Chris Paul, were extremely pleased with Wang's performance. They didn't hide their praise and essentially confirmed that he would continue receiving consistent minutes in a competitive rotation.
After the interview, Wang couldn't stop worrying about Yao Ming's injury. After learning the details from the staff, he went straight to the Rockets' training room. At that moment, Yao Ming, having spoken with the doctors and received confirmation of his diagnosis, sat there depressed. Seeing Wang approach, he looked slightly surprised and greeted him casually:
"Xiao Wang, what are you doing here?""Congratulations! You dropped 21 points in a single quarter and carried the fourth quarter.""Your perfect performance today will definitely earn the coach's approval, and you'll get more and more minutes."
Wang saw Yao's strained smile — even in this condition, he still remembered to congratulate him. Wang nodded slightly and asked with concern:
"Your injury…"
Yao Ming gave a bitter smile:
"My body can't handle the NBA anymore. Honestly, at the beginning of the season, I was already thinking this would be my last year.""But I didn't expect it to end like this…""I'm ready for it. Eight years in the NBA — maybe that's not much compared to others, and it's a bit of a shame, but I did everything I could.""If only I could last one more year… with your emergence, at next year's Olympics, I'm sure our national team could have made a breakthrough…""What a pity…"
Yao sighed heavily. Even now, injured, he still thought about his country and wanted to make one last contribution to Chinese basketball…
Even Wang felt that it was unfair. Yao's body was overworked — he played in the NBA and then in China each year with almost no rest. That accumulated damage led to such a short career…
Wang tried to comfort him:
"Don't think so negatively. Modern medicine is far more advanced now — maybe the injury can still be treated. You don't need to retire yet. The most important thing is recovery.""If you get healthy, we'll still have a chance to play together at the Olympics!"
Yao gently shook his head:
"Maybe…""But my career is coming to an end, and yours is just beginning.""Don't pity me — the future belongs to you.""You have to work even harder!"
Wang nodded quietly and didn't continue trying to comfort him. They talked for a while longer — Yao gave him some important advice about NBA life, and they exchanged contact information. Then Wang didn't disturb him any further and returned to the Hornets locker room to change and study his system.
The system was nearly identical to NBA 2K, but even more convenient. Right now, it had four sections:
Player Attributes, Quests, Store, Lottery.
His overall rating was low — only 65. But he already had two badges: "Sharpshooter" and "Off-Ball Specialist", plus a great three-pointer and solid defense. Becoming a reliable rotation player was no longer a problem.
But he had to be ready all the time — strengthening his abilities and fixing weaknesses. He was still far from becoming a starter, let alone a superstar or GOAT.
He continued exploring the system, wondering how to upgrade his attributes.At that moment, a new quest popped up in the Quests tab:
[Activation Quest — Save Yao Ming: Convince Yao Ming, who intends to retire, to extend his career.][Deadline: Before next season starts.][Reward: Gold Badge "Giant's Legacy", +10 Attribute Points]
Giant's Legacy (Gold): When the player is on the same team as Yao Ming, Yao's injury recovery speed increases by 50%, physical decline slows, +30% stamina, and −20% energy consumption.
[Accept quest?]
Wang looked at the quest and its rewards, and without hesitation pressed "Yes!"
Ten free attribute points!!! That was a massive boost.
But even without the reward, he would've accepted it.Which Chinese player wouldn't dream of seeing Yao Ming extend his career?And judging by the gold Giant's Legacy badge, if they ever became teammates — Yao could play for years!
Inside-outside combination! Their championship odds would skyrocket!It was pure benefit.
Then he studied the other tabs.The Store was huge — everything imaginable related to basketball. But the more useful the item, the more expensive it was. The currency was Honor Points (HP).
Honor Points were earned only through games and quests — similar to NBA 2K:
1 point scored = 1 HP
Rebound/assist = 2 HP
Steal/block = 5 HP
Turnover = −2 HP
Foul = −1 HP
Plus other achievement rewards.
After today's game, Wang had 180 HP:30 from stats,50 for his first career point,100 for scoring 20+ points in a game.
He opened the store:
Training Card (1 month): ×2 training efficiency — 200 HP
Stamina Potion (1 game): −20% energy consumption — 200 HP
Basic Star-Moves Pack — 500 HP
Form Boost (1 game): +5 Overall — 1000 HP
Bronze Badge Pack — 1000 HP
Silver Badge Upgrade — 2000 HP
Gold Badge Upgrade — 3000 HP
Hall of Fame Moves Pack — 3000 HP
Universal Injury Healing Potion — 10,000 HP
Attribute upgrades:
below 50 — 50 HP per point
50–70 — 100 HP
71–85 — 200 HP
86–95 — 500 HP
96–99 — 1000 HP
Lottery spin — 200 HP.
Wang sighed, realizing how long the road ahead was. But with enough Honor Points — anything was possible.
He felt excited, like in a video game, and his motivation soared. The lottery was tempting — he could pull something valuable. But with only 180 HP, it wasn't enough. He decided to play another game first, then try his luck.
After showering, they flew back to New Orleans. At home, he was confident: after tonight's performance, the Hornets would convert his deal to a guaranteed contract.
He deserved it. And as a Chinese player, he brought enormous media attention and market value — a huge advantage for the Hornets. Wang was certain: if the GM wasn't a fool, he wouldn't let a young player like him slip away.
He wasn't thinking about joining another team yet. The Hornets were chasing the playoffs but not a superteam — perfect for earning playing time. Paul, the franchise star, was a pass-first point guard, and Wang excelled off the ball — they were a perfect match.
His competition at shooting guard:
Marco Belinelli — starter, 10.5 PPG, 41.4% from three, weak defense.Willie Green — defensive backup, 8.7 PPG, 34.8% from three.
But Wang was a 3-and-D type — shooting plus defense. A perfect fit for the starting lineup.
Imagine the starting five:
Paul + Wang + Ariza + David West + Emeka Okafor — perfect balance of offense and defense.
In his previous life, the Hornets finished 46–36, seventh seed, and lost to the Lakers 2–4 in the first round.With Wang, he hoped they could improve and avoid the Lakers.
After that disappointment, Paul considered leaving and was almost traded to the Lakers, but David Stern blocked the trade "for basketball reasons," and Paul was eventually traded to the Clippers, where "Lob City" was born.
Wang didn't know whether Paul would still want to leave now that he was here.
On the plane, he thought about the future and browsed the internet. It was 2011 — the early internet era. He opened a website and checked the news.
After tonight's game, Chinese media exploded:
"China Jordan! Wang erupts for 21 in the fourth — clutch win!!!""Who said China can't produce guards? Six threes in a row!!!""Wang is not second-round talent!""Chinese derby: Yao injured, Wang shines!""Yao Ming: Wang is the future of Chinese basketball""Paul: Wang's shot is perfect! I'm lucky he's my teammate!"
On Hupu, the topic "21 in a quarter, six straight threes, championship path!" hit the top instantly.
Comments flooded in:
"Was that really Wang? He's a monster!""Emperor Wang!""So proud!""Feel bad for Yao… but now we have Wang!""He's staying in the NBA for sure."
Wang didn't dwell on it — an athlete should focus on improving, not outside noise.
After closing the site, he started watching game film.Paul and the coach noticed and nodded approvingly.
After landing, they arrived at the arena, and when Wang was about to head home, head coach Monty Williams smiled:
"Wang, stay for a moment. Let's go to the GM's office."
They entered, and general manager Dell Demps was on the phone:
"Yes, Mr. President. We're going to convert Wang's deal into a guaranteed contract for the rest of the season.""Thank you, Mr. President."
Hearing the word "President," and then the name David Stern, Wang froze.He remembered: the previous owner of the Hornets had gone bankrupt, and since December 2010, the team had been under the league's control. The NBA President — David Stern — was effectively the team's owner and approved every decision.
He was the one who personally blocked the Chris Paul–to–Lakers trade…