Chapter 79: A Surge in Popularity! Tang Lei’s First “Date”

After Tang Lei fell asleep, the media—both at home and abroad—exploded with reports about the All-Star Game, with Tang Lei undeniably at the center of it all. In the past, even moments like buzzer-beaters and top-ten highlights rarely brought him mainstream American media attention. But after winning All-Star MVP and becoming the star of the event, he was front-page news everywhere.

Major sports brands, from Nike to Adidas, were reaching out with endorsement offers, signaling just how big his impact had become. Domestic media, on the other hand, went into overdrive with eye-catching headlines:

 • "Three Crowns! Chinese Player Tang Lei Sets an Unprecedented NBA Record!"

 • "Unmatched! Dunk King, Three-Point Champion, All-Star MVP—A Complete Sweep!"

 • "Confirmed: Everyone Else Came to Play, But Tang Lei Was Here to Clean Up!"

 • "Nike and Adidas in Talks with Rich Paul—Do Domestic Brands Stand a Chance?"

 • "One-Year Contract Only: Warriors GM Already Fainted in the Bathroom!"

 • "Tang Lei's Mysterious Girlfriend Revealed—It's Her?!"

Tang Lei knew nothing of the media storm around him. When he woke up at nine, he washed up and immediately called Caroline. The phone barely rang twice before she answered, as if she'd been waiting for his call.

"Caroline, where are you? I'll come pick you up," Tang Lei said warmly. His tone softened as he spoke her name, and on the other end, Caroline felt a warmth bloom in her chest. But she kept her cool and replied, "No need to trouble yourself! I'll come to you; I know Charlotte well enough."

"All right, I'm at the Shanda Hotel," Tang Lei agreed. As someone with a terrible sense of direction, he knew the struggles of finding places in a new city, plus his height didn't make hailing cabs very convenient. Caroline coming to him just made things simpler.

"I'll be there in 30 minutes." She hung up and set out, while Tang Lei waited in the lobby, feeling a thrill he couldn't quite hide. A small smile appeared on his face. Although they had talked countless times online, this was their first official meeting. In a way, it could almost be called… a "date," right?

"Wait, for a first date, shouldn't I bring a gift?" he wondered aloud. He glanced around, but the hotel didn't exactly have anything a girl might like—no flowers, jewelry, or accessories in sight. Time was ticking, and as he struggled to think of a solution, his gaze fell on his trophies: Dunk Contest trophy, Three-Point Contest trophy, and his All-Star MVP trophy.

"That's it—I'll give her the MVP trophy!" he decided. To him, a trophy was just a symbol of his achievements; whether he kept it didn't matter much. However, the trophy was neither small nor light, and carrying it outside would be too conspicuous. But he figured he could grab a bag from the hotel and surprise her later when they parted.

Half an hour later, Caroline arrived at the Shanda Hotel right on time. Tang Lei was waiting outside, and they both smiled when they saw each other. Caroline's appearance was stunning: at 5'9", with long legs and a toned figure, her subtle makeup gave her a fresh, natural look—like a lotus blooming unsullied. Her warm smile, complete with a hint of dimples, made her even more charming.

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