Chapter 101: Admit Defeat?

Orlando, United States. Inside the Amway Center, home court of the NBA team, the Magic, many fans clad in home jerseys still linger, their expressions filled with indignation.

“Go back to Milwaukee!”
“If you can’t win on the court, you resort to dirty tricks—shameful! Go home and raise pigs!”
The home fans vent their frustration at the visiting Milwaukee Bucks’ bench, unleashing their dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, the main referee’s decision is announced: the Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo is ejected from the game, and Jabari Parker, who shoved Ibaka at the onset of the conflict, is given a technical foul.

On the Magic’s side, Ibaka, who first stood up for Wu Rui, also receives a technical foul, though he seems unconcerned by it.

“Mr. Frank, can I get back on the court?” Wu Rui, itching to play as the game resumes with technical free throws, speaks from the bench. “I haven’t gotten enough shots in today!”

“Michael, just stay put. We don’t need you out there anymore,” Coach Vogel replies, his gaze fixed on the court.

Without Antetokounmpo and with Jabari Parker benched by Kidd to cool off, the Bucks appear lackluster, especially now. Although Ibaka is also substituted, the rest of the Magic starters remain unaffected, and the lead stays in double digits.

At this point, Wu Rui’s presence makes little difference.

“Coach, I really think the team needs me,” Wu Rui insists. “Jabari Parker could return any moment, and then I’ll need to be out there to defend him!”

“You won’t be back in this game,” Vogel maintains his stance. “Next game, I might not even put you on the active roster.”

“Your head injury only had a cursory check by the team doctor. That’s not enough. We need a thorough examination,” Vogel’s tone grows stern. “Until then, I won’t risk worsening your injury.”

“But I’m fine, Mr. Frank. You know my body best—this is nothing but a minor fall!” Wu Rui tries again, but Vogel offers him no opportunity. Helpless, Wu Rui can only watch his teammates fight for a home victory.

Without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, the Bucks’ third-quarter performance is beyond disastrous—it would be an insult to disaster to call it that.

In a single quarter, they find themselves utterly powerless against the hosts.

In the fourth quarter, Jabari Parker returns in full force, nearly unstoppable on offense, but the deficit from the previous quarters is too great. Coupled with Serge Ibaka’s stellar play, Milwaukee ultimately falls, swallowing a defeat.

“This game was certainly full of twists—no one could have predicted such an outcome,” the commentators exchange views after the final buzzer. “Absolutely. Before the third quarter, I thought the second half would be intense, but not long after it started, Giannis made that reckless move and got ejected!”

“Honestly, Michael could have scored 20+ tonight, but everything was ruined by Giannis’s impulsive act,” one commentator adds.

“Let’s hope this young player’s good form isn’t affected by today’s incident,” says the other, as his headset crackles with breaking news. His expression shifts oddly. “According to the latest from courtside, Michael Wu has just been interviewed!”

“Coach Frank Vogel allowed only three questions, so let’s hand over to our sideline reporter!”

The broadcast shifts to a blonde reporter with a microphone, who delivers the customary pre-interview remarks before pivoting: “Tonight’s game saw a bit of drama—Giannis Antetokounmpo made an irrational move against Michael Wu. Michael, do you have anything to say about this? If you’d been fully alert, how might you have responded?”

“That’s two questions,” Wu Rui notes playfully, catching the reporter’s words. “Honestly, if I’d been clear-headed at the time, I would’ve played dead on the floor—Giannis is just too big. He’s tall, strong, and built like a tank.”

“Built like a tank?” The reporter pauses, sensing Wu Rui’s words aren’t finished.

After all, strength often implies a lack of cunning.

He’s subtly mocking Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Ahem, but seriously, I wouldn’t have retaliated,” Wu Rui clears his throat and continues with sincerity. “What happens on the court should be answered by the game itself.”

“Fortunately, we won tonight—that’s my answer.”

As he speaks, Wu Rui gestures toward the camera. “Of course, if something like this happened in real life, I’d have one thing to say to troublemakers: Don’t let me catch you!”

“That’s enough, Michael. Your interview time’s up—back to the locker room,” Vogel interrupts from behind before Wu Rui can finish his performance. Wu Rui protests, claiming there’s one more question, but is nevertheless ushered back.

Though he seemed to answer only two questions post-game, it was enough for the American media to make headlines.

“Surrender! Chinese rookie fears the Greek Monster!”
“Michael Wu refuses to retaliate, admits: Giannis is much stronger than me!”
Some outlets even compare this incident to previous NBA player altercations.

“Michael admits defeat to Giannis—boxing kings and other tough guys!”
The infamous Palace of Auburn Hills incident heads the list.

This sparks outrage among American fans.

“Michael Wu is a softie—he should return to the cozy CBA. The NBA isn’t for good boys like him!”
“Agreed, Michael Wu is wasting his energetic physique—a coward!”
“Asians are all like this, cowards everywhere!”

Online opinion naturally places Wu Rui at the center of controversy. Even though he and Antetokounmpo each delivered a highlight dunk featured in today’s Top 5 Plays, they couldn’t escape the fans’ harsh criticism.

Yet Wu Rui pays these rumors no mind. All he cares about now is how he can play in the team’s next game.