Chapter 89: New Endorsement Breakthrough! Tang Lei, the “Winning Koi”

Following the Warriors' big win over the Heat, the team got two days off to prepare for their upcoming game against the Washington Wizards. While the Wizards had strong players like Beal and Wall, Wall was still out with a long-term injury, so they'd be playing without him—a big blow to the Wizards' overall strength.

Upon reaching the hotel in Washington, Tang Lei received an exciting call from his agent, Rich Paul. He was bringing incredible news: besides Li-Ning, both Reebok and Anta had accepted Tang Lei's contract terms. The contracts were structured with multiple performance-based incentives, offering extra bonuses for achievements like All-Star selections, All-NBA appearances, and MVP awards. Injury clauses were also included, ensuring both sides' interests were protected.

Rich Paul had worked quickly to present Tang Lei with two exceptional offers: a four-year, $70 million deal from Reebok, and a five-year, $100 million contract from Anta. After a moment of thought, Tang Lei confidently made his decision: "I'll go with Anta. We have a game tomorrow, but let's meet with Anta's general manager in Atlanta the following day."

This five-year, $100 million endorsement made Tang Lei feel more motivated than ever. Once the season ended, he'd also have the chance to sign a max contract with the Warriors or another team, pushing his total annual earnings close to $50 million. This major financial boost would allow him to lay down the foundations for his longer-term business aspirations and, eventually, invest in projects tied to his bigger dreams.

The following night at 8 p.m., the Warriors faced off against the Wizards. Despite Beal's efforts—putting up 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists—the Wizards couldn't keep up with the Warriors' offense, and the Warriors secured another solid win.

Tang Lei scored in double digits again, extending his double-figure scoring streak to 29 games and contributing to the Warriors' impressive 29-game win streak. In China, media headlines buzzed with reports like, "Whenever Tang Lei scores in double digits, the Warriors win!" This narrative sparked talk about Tang Lei being the team's "Winning Koi," a title that playfully positioned him as a good-luck charm and earned him even more attention.

After the game, the Warriors flew straight to Atlanta to get ready for their next game against the Hawks. Currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks had chosen to focus on developing young players this season, especially their talented rookie, Trae Young. To aid Young's growth, the team had also brought on veteran Vince Carter as his mentor, helping prepare Young for a bigger role in future seasons. 

Upon reaching Atlanta, the Warriors were given a well-deserved day off. On the same day, Rich Paul and Anta's general manager, Xu Yang, flew into Atlanta as well. They planned to meet at a high-end restaurant to officially finalize and sign Tang Lei's historic endorsement deal with Anta.

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