What a perfect setup.
But Su Xi said, "I'd advise you not to make that bet tonight."
"No confidence?" Barkley taunted.
"It has nothing to do with confidence. If there's another chance, I'll let you know ahead of time," Su Xi said.
Barkley quickly pulled out his phone. "Give me your number."
Su Xi gave him the number.
A ringtone sounded from his phone in the locker room, then went silent.
But then, the screen lit up again as three text messages arrived in quick succession.
Su Xi didn't immediately see the messages that had come in at nearly the same time from Cavaliers owner Gordon Gander, Pacers President Larry Bird, and his agent, Mike O'Connor.
…
Su Xi and Barkley chatted for another ten minutes or so.
The players started to head off the court as the dragon and lion dance troupes and the acrobatics team from Chinatown came on for their rehearsal.
The Rockets and the NBA were taking this "China Derby" very seriously and had prepared a grand halftime show.
