Chapter 58: Li Jiajia's Best Friend

Eight teams had already finished the first round of the playoffs.

The Suns, Thunder, Heat, and Bulls advanced to the second round, while the Spurs, Mavericks, 76ers, and Knicks were preparing to go home and fish.

The playoff rankings had also changed.

The top three scorers were: Wade Dong with 36.8 points, James with 32.1 points, and Kobe with 31.9 points. Iverson, with his performance in the last two games, averaged 28.6 points, ranking fifth. The former scoring champion seemed to be back.

As for the top ten single-game scorers, the Suns occupied four spots: Wade Dong with 59 points in first place, Iverson with 49 points in third place, Iverson with 41 points in sixth place, and Wade Dong with 39 points in tenth place.

Wade Dong also had another statistic on the playoff leaderboard.

He averaged 2.3 blocks per game, ranking first in the playoffs.

...

The series between the Clippers and Grizzlies was still ongoing.

The Suns had plenty of time. After defeating the Spurs, Coach Gentry gave the team a day off.

During the day, with nothing to do, Wade Dong went shopping with Li Jiajia. They hadn't had a chance to explore Phoenix since arriving.

Now, Wade Dong had led the Suns to the playoffs and completed an upset.

He had become a superstar in the city. If he could bring Phoenix its first championship in history, Wade Dong would become a hero of the city.

In the mall, Wade Dong saw that the Suns' #7 jersey had sold out.

Although Wade Dong was wearing large sunglasses and holding Li Jiajia's hand, many fans still recognized him.

Fans rushed over to ask for autographs and photos, and Wade Dong obliged.

At noon, Wade Dong and Li Jiajia encountered a familiar face.

In a simple Western restaurant, Wade Dong and Li Jiajia sat by the window and ordered a vegetable salad, a steak, a pizza, and a pasta—a simple lunch.

As soon as they ordered, Li Jiajia pointed out the window and asked, "Wade Dong, isn't that Daisy?"

"Hmm?"

Wade Dong turned and saw Daisy getting out of a Hummer. He nodded, "It's Daisy. She seems to be coming to see us."

"Probably."

Li Jiajia also smiled because Daisy, after getting out of the car, looked around and saw Wade Dong and Li Jiajia through the window. She waved enthusiastically.

Daisy entered the restaurant and walked over. Wade Dong smiled, "Your nose is sharp. You found us in such a small restaurant."

Daisy sat next to Li Jiajia and explained, "I saw on Twitter that you two were out shopping, so I came to find you. I didn't expect you two to be a couple."

"I told you I have a girlfriend."

Wade Dong teased, "She's prettier than you, gentler than you, more considerate than you, more elegant than you, more refined than you, cuter than you..."

"Stop!"

Daisy raised her hand to stop Wade Dong from continuing. "If it were someone else, I might want to test it, but since it's Jiajia, I believe she's better than me in every way. So, from today on, I won't pursue you anymore... but you have to promise me one thing."

Wade Dong joked, "You gave up so quickly? You're not persistent enough."

"The competition is too strong."

Daisy said helplessly, "I have to give up."

"That's true..."

Wade Dong agreed.

Over the past two years, he and Li Jiajia had encountered many rivals, but all of them had failed.

Daisy continued, "You haven't asked me what I want you to promise."

Wade Dong shrugged, "We're not related. Why should I promise you anything?"

Hearing this, Daisy started crying again. Li Jiajia hugged Daisy's shoulder and comforted her, "Wade Dong is just teasing you. Tell us what you want, and we'll try our best to help."

Daisy wiped away her tears and smiled, "Actually, it's a simple request. I want you to introduce me to a Chinese boyfriend."

"Is this talent import or export?"

Wade Dong muttered, then said to Daisy, "If I find a suitable one, I'll introduce you."

"Thank you, Jiajia."

Daisy made a funny face at Li Jiajia.

"Hmm?!"

Wade Dong was puzzled. Clearly, he had agreed to the request, so why was Daisy thanking Jiajia?

...

After lunch, Wade Dong and Li Jiajia parted ways with Daisy.

On the way back, Wade Dong asked, "Are you really going to be best friends with Daisy?"

"Daisy is a bit arrogant, but she has no ill intentions towards us."

Li Jiajia smiled, "Besides, she's the daughter of the Shan Media Group, which controls almost the entire media industry in the US. Being friends with her has no downside. At least in the future, there won't be any negative news about you in the newspapers."

So that was Li Jiajia's plan.

Wade Dong understood. He knew that Li Jiajia was very perceptive about people and situations. This might be a talent, and without Li Jiajia's help in his previous life, Wade Dong would not have become a billionaire from scratch.

It can be said that behind every successful man, there is a woman who silently supports him.

Li Jiajia was a beautiful and quiet girl, but if you mistook her for a naive and sweet girl, you would be greatly mistaken. Which naive and sweet girl could become the top scorer in the college entrance examination in Su Province and enter Beijing University?

"I'm glad to have you."

While waiting at a red light, Wade Dong leaned over and kissed Li Jiajia on the cheek.

"Mmm..."

Li Jiajia felt sweet inside.

However, she still found it a bit strange. Wade Dong had indeed changed.

The light turned green.

Wade Dong continued driving and asked, "Jiajia, are you still preparing for that championship thing?"

"What thing?"

Li Jiajia was momentarily confused, then blushed, "Of course... I'm ready."

"That's great!"

Wade Dong was as happy as a child, singing loudly all the way home.

At this moment, Wade Dong was completely different from the cold-blooded killer on the court.

...

At seven o'clock in the evening, Li Jiajia was preparing to read a book before bed.

However, the game between the Grizzlies and Clippers was about to start at seven. Wade Dong grabbed a few cans of beer and some snacks they bought from a Chinese supermarket, settled on the couch, and prepared to watch the game.

Li Jiajia put down her book and lay in Wade Dong's arms to watch the game with him.

This was Game 6 between the Grizzlies and Clippers, held at the Clippers' home court. In the previous game, the Clippers had won the crucial Game 5. If the Clippers won this game, they would advance to the second round with a 4-2 series lead and become the Suns' opponent.

At this moment, it wasn't just Wade Dong watching the game. Almost all the Suns players were paying attention to this match.

Dudley even called Wade Dong, wanting to come over to watch the game together, but Wade Dong declined. He didn't want to disturb his time alone with Li Jiajia.