Chapter 78: A Brand Giant’s Offer, Caroline’s Hint

Just out of the shower, Tang Lei was surprised to see Harden approaching from the other locker room, inviting him to celebrate the evening at a nightclub. Tang Lei was well aware of Harden's fondness for nightlife, so he politely declined. It wasn't that he was trying to be aloof; it's just that the typical nightclub scene—especially the crowd of curvy, exuberant Western women—didn't appeal to him. The mere thought made him queasy.

Harden made a few more attempts to convince him, but when Tang Lei remained unmoved, Harden left, a bit baffled. Watching Harden head off so soon after their intense game surprised Tang Lei. Even though the All-Star Game leaned more on entertainment, he found it odd. He'd heard that Harden often hit the clubs even during the season, right through the playoffs and into the Finals.

Declining Harden's invite, Tang Lei returned to the hotel. It was late, and as per the team's schedule, they would stay the night and head back to Golden State the next day, with a home game against the Spurs awaiting them.

As soon as Tang Lei entered his hotel room, his phone rang. Expecting it to be Caroline, he was surprised to see Rich Paul's name instead.

"Hello, Mr. Tang, Congratulations on winning the All-Star MVP! Your recent impressive performances have caught the attention of several major sports brands, and they're eager to offer endorsement deals," Rich Paul said.

"Oh, which brands?" Tang Lei asked, not particularly surprised. After all, with his popularity now spanning continents, it was natural. When he first gained traction in China, domestic brands had flocked to him, and now, after his stellar All-Star Weekend—where he not only won the dunk and three-point contests but also clinched the MVP—it was no shock that global giants were reaching out.

"There are quite a few," Rich Paul continued. "I've narrowed them down to five based on their influence, offers, and sincerity: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Li-Ning, and Anta. I'll send a summary of the offers to your email."

"Great, I'll look them over and give you an answer by the day after tomorrow," Tang Lei replied.

"Perfect. Congratulations again on the MVP, Mr. Tang. Sweet dreams tonight."

Within seconds of hanging up, the email came through, and Tang Lei had to admire Rich Paul's efficiency. However, he didn't immediately check it. Choosing among the five brands would still be a big decision, even if they were the top options.

As a time traveler from the future, though, one decision came easily: he instantly ruled out Nike. While it was undeniably the top sports brand globally, its complicated relationship with China and refusal to use Chinese cotton, in particular, made it a risk. Though the incident hadn't happened yet, signing with Nike now would feel like signing on with a time bomb. Breaching a contract might be simple, but the potential impact on China's reputation wasn't worth it.

As Tang Lei contemplated his options, his phone rang again, this time with the familiar name of Caroline on the screen. Smiling, he answered immediately.

"Hey Tang, congratulations on winning the All-Star MVP!" Caroline's voice was full of warmth.

"Thank you. I owe a part of this to you and to all the fans back home," Tang Lei replied cheerfully.

"Don't be modest. This is all because of your hard work. Every time I watch you play in person, I'm so proud of how well you do," Caroline said, sounding genuinely pleased.

"So, are you heading back now?" Tang Lei asked, steering the conversation in a new direction.

"The others have left, but I'm staying at a hotel. I've got a couple of days off, so I thought I'd spend some time exploring."

Tang Lei's heart skipped a beat. A couple of days off? The implication was obvious: she was hoping he'd ask her out. Despite his lack of dating experience, Tang Lei wasn't clueless about hints like these.

Without missing a beat, he asked, "Caroline, I have the day off tomorrow as well. How about joining me in Golden State for the day? We could spend some time together."

"Really? Are you sure it won't interfere with your training?" Caroline's voice held a blend of excitement and hesitation.

"Nahh. Our next game isn't until the day after tomorrow, and tomorrow is a gap day for everyone."

"Well… okay then," she agreed, sounding pleased.

"Perfect. I'll call you in the morning," Tang Lei said, his grin widening.

...