These few simple words of communication shocked Yao Ming.

He has been studying English diligently recently. Compared to Chinese, English is much easier to learn. However, Yao Ming suddenly discovered that Gentry could actually converse with him in Chinese.

A slight sense of frustration...

Yao Ming asked, "Coach, how long have you been practicing your Chinese?"

Gentry looked at Wei Guo with a puzzled expression.

Wei Guo laughed and said, "He only knows a few phrases, which I just taught him on the spot. If he wants to learn Chinese, he'll need at least two and a half years of practice. Enough talk... get in the car!"

......

Knowing that Gentry was also trying to learn Chinese, Yao Ming secretly started to compete with Gentry.

If Gentry has already learned Chinese, but Yao Ming hasn't learned English yet, that would be truly embarrassing.

Wei Guo's home was quite far away, taking almost an hour to drive there. On the way back, Wei Guo called a familiar restaurant.

When they passed by the restaurant, Wei Guo's food had already been packed up.

It was almost 11 o'clock when we got home with the groceries. It was the first time for both Yao Ming and Gentry to visit Weiguo.

Gentry was alright; he knew that Wei Guo's family was wealthy and that he played volleyball only out of hobby. If Wei Guo didn't work hard at volleyball, he would have to go back and inherit his family fortune, which was worth hundreds of billions or even trillions.

"Brother Wei, is this your home?"

Yao Ming was shocked.

Wei Guowen said in a refined manner, "This is just a temporary residence; my home is in China."

Wei Guo's family also has six security guards and a butler. Such a large place does need someone to manage it, even though only Wei Guo and Britney live here on weekdays.

Britney is currently filming and is very busy.

This is also why Wei Guo invited Yao Ming and Gentry to his home; the long nights alone are too boring.

Having a tall guy by your side makes you feel less lonely.

Wei Guo packed six dishes, all in generous portions. Yao Ming placed the dishes on the table, while Gentry slipped to the liquor cabinet and took out two bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

Do you want some or not?

Wei Guo took out three wine glasses and looked at Yao Ming.

Yao Ming hesitated before asking, "Can I just have one drink?"

Yao Ming said he doesn't drink alcohol, but that's just modesty... Many domestic players aren't very disciplined, and some even smoke. Yao Ming is an adult, and he has drunk alcohol before, and his tolerance is quite good.

but...

Yao Ming knew that if he wanted to establish himself in the NBA, he had to be self-disciplined.

Wei Guo was too lazy to urge him to drink, so he nodded and said, "Then have a drink. To make a living in this alliance, you have to be very careful about your diet and everything else. Alcohol and women can easily drain your body. Look at Lao Jin... his face is dark, that's because alcohol and women have drained his body."

Yao Ming, "???"

Wei Ge's words make so much sense, he really can't refute them. Gentry's forehead is really damn dark!

"Brother Wei, what are you guys talking about?"

Gentry, holding two bottles of baijiu, looked at Wei Guo with a cheerful expression.

"nothing..."

Wei Guo waved his hand and said to Gentry, "Yao Ming said he'd only drink one cup, so let's drink together."

Gentry said, "Yes, I did when I was the head coach of the Clippers, and I said that athletes are prohibited from drinking alcohol."

There were still some difficulties in communication between Gentry and Yao Ming.

Wei Guo was too lazy to do the translation, so when they were drinking, Yao Ming and Wei Guo would talk, and Gentry and Wei Guo would talk.

Yao Ming and Gentry communicated using only one word: Chelsea.

Seeing that Wei Guo had drunk half a jin of liquor, Da Yao advised, "Brother Wei, you should drink less too."

"My physical condition is quite special, so you can't imitate my lifestyle."

Wei Guo casually offered an explanation and then asked, "Brother, what are your career plans?"

Yao Ming said, "I want to make a name for myself in the NBA and prove that Chinese people can also become basketball superstars."

"You don't need to consider that."

Wei Guo laughed and said, "I've already done it for you. Now tell me about the rest."

"Forehead..."

Yao Ming is confused.

Let's get down to business.

"The actual..."

After thinking for a long time, Yao Ming slowly said, "That means making more money."

Wei Guo said, "That's a very honest answer... Basketball is a job, and since it's a job, you have to make money. However, you're so tall, you must be careful to protect your body."

I'll have Lao Jin control your playing time to minimize the risk of injury. Many players have had their careers ruined by injuries.

"Mmm~"

Yao Ming nodded vigorously.

He was lucky; he had a great mentor by his side as soon as he entered the league, and Francis and Mobley treated him well, which helped him adapt to life abroad quickly.

That night, Yao Ming and Wei Guo talked a lot.

Wei Guo gave Yao a lot of advice because, as a fellow Chinese, Wei Guo hoped that Yao could make a name for himself in this league.

During casual conversation...

Yao Ming also shared his thoughts: if he had influence and money in the US, he would like to open several Chinese restaurants, and he has already thought of names for them, such as Yao Restaurant.

Why did this idea come about?

It was because Yao Ming saw that Wei Guo would go to the restaurant to pack food when he got home, and his original intention was to have the restaurant serve Wei Guo alone.

......

The next day at 10 a.m.

When Wei Guo and Gentry got up, Yao Ming had already been practicing on the court for more than an hour.

"He's really working hard..."

Gentry stood on the second-floor window, watching Yao Ming practice his shooting, and thought, "A player like that is bound to make a name for himself."

......

At the beginning of the regular season, the Rockets faced relatively weak opponents.

After a five-game winning streak to start the season, the Rockets finally encountered their first formidable opponent: the San Antonio Spurs.

The first five games.

Yao Ming averaged 31 minutes per game, scoring 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks, which is quite impressive for a rookie.

Championship Standings...

The Spurs are ranked fourth, one place behind the Rockets.

But this is a team with two great inside players, Duncan and Robinson, and outside players like Jackson, Parker, and Bowen, with Ginobili sitting on the bench.

The Spurs' head coach is Gregg Popovich.

Popovich and Gentry are from the same school, but Popovich has already led the Spurs to one championship.

even...

When it comes to head coaches, few people compare Popovich and Gentry, just as no fan would compare Wei Guo and Kwame Brown.

The Rockets were playing away, and after warming up, the players from both sides simply shook hands before the game.

Starting lineup for this match:

Rockets: Francis, Mobley, Wei Guo, Thomas, Yao Ming

Spurs: Parker, Bowen, Jackson, Duncan, Robinson

David Robinson, who entered the league in the late 1980s, was a very strong center who averaged 30+10 in his peak season. Although he was nearing the end of his career, he should not be underestimated.

This is also...

The Rockets' first tough team of the season.