Basketball miracles

Chapter 77 [Gifts for the Christmas Party]

After a simple birthday party, Xiao Tu and Jennifer Connelly became closer. Even with Madonna present, Jennifer could chat and laugh with him naturally; her age was her protective shield.

She has officially signed a contract with the production team of "Seven Minutes in Heaven". When negotiating with the producer, the focus was on filming kissing scenes using camera tricks, which was clearly written into the contract.

Jennifer was willing to star in the film, and the producers also thought she was the most suitable candidate. The suggestion of using camera angles was reasonable, and both parties were happy.

If life were a game with a rating system, Xiao Tu felt that Jennifer's affection for him was almost maxed out. If things continued this way, their relationship... would be very predictable.

Madonna sensed something was wrong, but said nothing when she got home. Xiao Tu guessed it was because she was very career-driven and focused most of her energy on preparing for her tour.

How could the famous Madonna possibly be jealous of a child and then publicly admit it?

Actually, Madonna was planning to surprise Xiao Tu with a big surprise after the tour was a success; everything would have to wait until summer.

Before Magic Johnson could return, the Lakers started another winning streak.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Derek Chauvin played consistently well, with extremely high shooting percentages, making it very rare for the Lakers' outside shooting to collectively falter. In an era where most teams are barely shooting three-pointers, the Lakers' two leading scorers are averaging 60% from beyond the arc, making them seem invincible.

Michael Cooper is also a decent playmaker and can play multiple positions. With the addition of fringe point guard Ronnie Lester, the Lakers won't be short-handed at point guard.

Magic Johnson missed three games, and the Lakers only lost one.

With Magic Johnson's return, the Lakers' overall strength has increased, and they have won by large margins, scoring over 130 points in a row.

Xiao Tu led a fulfilling life, practicing and playing sports, and dating Madonna during his breaks. When Madonna was busy with work, he could also have meals and chats with Chris Ford and Jennifer.

Jennifer couldn't stop smiling when she first met Chris. Xiao Tu told her that he shared an apartment with "Red Dead Redemption 2," and he wasn't lying to her.

Without the internet, Xiao Tu wasn't so bored when he had a lot to do.

Xiao Tu opened a bronze treasure chest after winning the game, but unfortunately he couldn't put up any more super stats to get a silver treasure chest. 30+20 isn't easy to achieve, and he guessed that getting a large triple-double in a single game would also upgrade the reward, but unfortunately his passing awareness was average, making it even harder for him to get a 30+ triple-double than 30+20.

In addition to the training aura, premium grapes, and premium watermelon, he also received two new rewards.

Special whitening toothpaste and special whitening aerosol spray are both consumables.

The toothpaste comes in a two-pack, totaling 240 grams in one box. Like the shower gel, it has no label, so the brand is unreadable.

This toothpaste has many benefits. In addition to cleaning the mouth and whitening teeth, it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, promotes dental health, relieves oral inflammation, and freshens breath.

Xiao Tu tried it that very night, and the effect was ridiculously strong. His breath definitely became fresher, as if he had chewed a lot of gum. The teeth whitening effect was even more immediate; he smiled heartily at himself in the mirror, and his teeth seemed to sparkle.

Of course, the glowing teeth are his illusion; that's something only animated characters, like Might Guy, can do.

Xiao Tu hasn't had much opportunity to try the special aerosol spray, but he believes it must be very effective. The aerosol spray's effects include promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling and pain, and is used for injuries from falls and blows, bruises and swelling, muscle aches, and rheumatic pain, among other things.

He liked both of the rewards very much, and he knew he would definitely need them in the future, so the more the better.

NBA interior players engage in a lot of physical contact every game, and bumps and bruises are inevitable. It's a bit better now, as there are fewer physically strong players. Back in 2000, bruises and swelling on interior players were commonplace because it was a team of muscular players; even Alonzo Mourning, known for his massive arms, was a small-sized center.

Unless their knees, ankles, or wrists are so badly injured that they can't bear it anymore, players can continue playing. The intensity of the NBA is very high; it's not something ordinary people can handle.

With this spray, Xiao Tu doesn't need to worry about minor injuries, but he still needs to take care of himself. These days, if a player suffers a knee ligament injury, they're likely to be sidelined; the surgical skills of doctors aren't up to par.

The league did not schedule a Christmas game for the Lakers this season, allowing the players to rest for a few days and spend time with their families.

Madonna hosted a Christmas party at her Los Angeles mansion, where she decorated a small Christmas tree beautifully and hired a professional chef to cook.

She didn't invite many friends, mostly work colleagues. Chris Ford, who didn't have family to spend the holiday with, was on the invitation list. As Xiao Tu's friend, he received many benefits; Madonna now considers him one of her own.

Xiao Tu greeted the guests like the man of the house, and greeted everyone.

Chris arrived early and brought his girlfriend. Xiao Tu saw him park and waved from afar. When the two reached the door, Xiao Tu asked with a smile, "And this is?"

"My girlfriend, Sheryl Finn, and I met while filming 'Boys' School Girls'. She played a supporting role like me, and we had two scenes together."

Sheryl Fen has long, dark brown hair and striking features that give her the appearance of a femme fatale, especially her unique triangular eyebrows and captivating eyes.

"Hello, nice to meet you." Xiao Tu was surprised that Chris had found a celebrity girlfriend after only a week.

Sheryl Fenn is a future Hollywood star. Xiao Tu knows her and asks her about her in a polite manner.

She is incredibly beautiful and rose to fame starring in the popular American TV series "Twin Peaks," directed by David Lynch. Before that, she also starred in the infamous erotic film "Stealing the Moon," which was extremely explicit.

The role that Xiao Tu will remember for the rest of her life is her cameo in "Friends" as Ginger, a disabled character. When Joey was dating her, he added firewood to the fire in the middle of the night, mistaking her prosthetic leg for wood, and then abandoned her and ran away. Although it's only Joey's account, this scene is truly appalling.

When Sheryl Fen saw Xiao Tu, her mouth dropped open in an "O" shape, clearly not expecting to meet an NBA star.

"Come in, make yourselves at home," Xiao Tu said, inviting the two into the house.

Chris asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, I was just greeting the people who came. Madonna was chatting with people from her record company, preparing to adjust the tour schedule, and holding a concert in Los Angeles in June to coincide with the NBA Finals."

With the season less than halfway through, everyone thought the Lakers would make it to the NBA Finals.

"Madonna?" Sheryl Fenn exclaimed in surprise. "She came to this Christmas party with you?"

“This is her home. Didn’t Chris tell you who threw this party?” Xiao Tu asked with a smile.

Sheryl Fenn was overjoyed. She is a Los Angeles native and only 19 years old. She had never met a big star before.

Chris grinned mischievously. "No, I just said it was a party at a friend's house. She'll find out when she gets there, won't she?"

Sheryl Fenn raised a sharp, triangular eyebrow and gave Chris a hard slap on the back. "You know so many big stars, and you still lied to me that your dad isn't Clint Eastwood?"

"..."

Chris's smile froze instantly, while Xiao Tu laughed uncontrollably. "Go inside and have fun with her, don't explain anymore."

Chris spread his hands: "Well, anyway, my face can't explain it."

Madonna hosted a Christmas party, which also served as a birthday celebration for Xiao Tu, who turns 19 today.

Jennifer spent the holidays with her family, and she was disappointed that the children weren't suitable to attend the party.

Madonna's birthday gift was a 1983 Jeep CJ8, a special edition Scrambler. This model is very famous and its performance is top-notch. Madonna thought it would be perfect for Xiao Tu, as it is spacious and comfortable.

Xiao Tu really likes it. The Chevrolet Impala is suitable for driving in the city, while this new car can be driven to the suburbs for fun.

Madonna's parties are nothing new; they're just an excuse for everyone to get together and chat. There are more creative parties, though, but those are organized by special circles, and the two of them wouldn't attend.

Those parties are incredibly exciting, like the kind of movie Tom Cruise's "Eyes Wide Shut".

Magic Johnson did it, until he ended up with AIDS. And in the future, there will be figures like "Puff Daddy" who will surpass him, reportedly taking 15-year-old Justin Bieber to see goldfish and practicing post-up moves with LeBron James, ultimately ending up in jail.

Xiao Tu gradually integrated into this era, where relationships between people were not so distant, and people were willing to interact, even if it was just awkward small talk.

In contrast, his life before his time travel was very unhealthy. After 2020, people are inseparable from the internet, can isolate themselves from others, and rarely gather together.

Humans are social animals, and no one wants to grow old alone, but people in the future are becoming more and more solitary.

(End of this chapter)