"How can this team still contend for a three-peat?" Michael Jordan was truly on the verge of tears.
"If you didn't explode during last season's playoffs, you should be thankful!"
He Xi Meng had already adjusted his mindset and turned to comfort Michael Jordan.
"If we had exploded during last season's playoffs, we wouldn't even have won our second championship trophy, let alone contend for a third!"
"Do you know why so many top players in the league refuse to play for the Dream Team and represent world basketball?" Michael Jordan asked He Xi Meng, "Isn't it because they're worried about overexertion causing injury?"
"I understand all the reasons! But it's too late to say these things now. From now on, I will seriously consider withdrawing from the national team!" He Xi Meng assured Michael Jordan.
"Sigh... Alright!" Since He Xi Meng had said that, Michael Jordan didn't say any more.
"I don't know which bastard managed to book almost all the top sports medicine experts in the entire United States at once. I had to use all my might just to book one! Tomorrow, I'll have him fly to Los Angeles to examine you and formulate a surgical plan..."
"Uh... Thanks, Michael. The 'bastard' you're talking about might be me! I already have enough medical experts on my end, so you don't need to arrange anyone else! The surgical plan has been finalized, and I plan to undergo surgery as soon as I land..."
"Uh..." Michael Jordan was silent for a long moment, "I didn't realize you had such extensive connections, kid! Then I'll fly over tomorrow to see you..."
After hanging up the phone, the plane slowly landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
Kyla had canceled all her work and was waiting anxiously on the tarmac.
Accompanying Kyla were Mickey, John, and Cui Pangzi. These were He Xi Meng's closest friends.
The first thing He Xi Meng asked Cui Pangzi upon seeing him was, "Are my mother's flight arrangements made?"
"They're made!" Cui Pangzi quickly replied, "Auntie has already boarded the plane in Shanghai and is expected to arrive here in about 8 hours!"
He Xi Meng had originally not wanted his mother to worry about him and had intended to keep his injury a secret.
However, Kyla reminded him that given his fame in China, news of his serious injury and season-ending status would likely be reported through various channels. Hiding it was impossible, so it was better to bring the elder over as soon as possible to provide comfort...
He Xi Meng realized Kyla's words made sense, so he immediately had Cui Pangzi arrange for someone to pick up his mother.
As for He Xi Meng himself, he went straight to the hospital after disembarking to undergo surgery.
The subsequent surgery was a success. Bolstered by immense financial resources and the skills of some of the top surgeons in the United States and even the world, it was difficult for He Xi Meng's surgery to fail.
However, a torn Achilles tendon is a severe injury, and surgery is only the first hurdle. The subsequent rehabilitation period is crucial, as recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture can take 6 to 12 months.
Whether he could recover, and to what extent, the importance of the rehabilitation period was no less than that of the surgical period.
Therefore, a successful surgery was merely the first step in a long journey.
He Xi Meng had to have enough patience to cooperate with the upcoming rehabilitation plan.
News of He Xi Meng's serious injury immediately flooded the front pages of global sports media at an overwhelming speed.
Before Michael Jordan could fly to Los Angeles, Kobe, who had the home-court advantage, rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Kid, when did you start playing with such intensity?"
Kobe entered the hospital room and, seeing He Xi Meng looking well, set aside his words of concern and began to tease him.
"If I told you I wasn't playing intensely, would you believe me?" He Xi Meng countered.
Kobe looked unconvinced, "How could you get so badly injured without playing intensely?"
"This was purely an accident!"
"Alright! Although the media all call you the league's number one 'slacker,' I know that's just your disguise! Deep down, like me, you have an unparalleled obsession with winning... Ten years ago, I said it: you and I are the same kind of people! Xi Meng, you can't fool me!"
"Stop! Stop! Brother, I truly can't match you in terms of confidence..."
"You're just being humble! Hiding your strengths! I know that's the wisdom of you Easterners! I understand all of that! I've made up my mind, I accept your invitation!" Kobe said with a determined look, not giving He Xi Meng a chance to explain.
Now it was He Xi Meng's turn to be confused, "I invited you to what?"
"To join forces and buy a team, becoming behind-the-scenes owners and contending for championships together!"
"That was an invitation from a year ago, wasn't it?"
"What? You're going back on your word?"
"It's not that I'm going back on my word! It's just that last year, with you, I had confidence in contending for a championship! But now, with me..."
He Xi Meng pointed to his recently operated Achilles tendon, "With my current condition, my future is uncertain! Not to mention whether I can recover to my peak form, it's still unknown if I can even return to the court... What championship are we contending for?"
"Hey! I thought it was something serious! That's not important!"
Kobe waved his hand, "As long as you're willing to join forces with me, you don't need to recover to your peak form! You don't need to score; just help me organize the team's offense, and I'll carry you!"
Kobe's immense confidence in He Xi Meng, in fact, removed any path for He Xi Meng to back out.
He Xi Meng had been considering whether to take this major injury as an opportunity to retire directly.
Unexpectedly, Kobe's move made it awkward for him to even consider retiring.
"This... Isn't this not quite right?"
"What's not right about it? Back when you and I first joined the Lakers, wasn't it you handling the organization and me handling the scoring?"
"That was different! Back then, we had Shaq to hold the fort!"
"I'm not the same player I used to be either! Now, I've even pushed Shaq out! The Lakers are a team I carry alone! Last season, I averaged 35.4 points per game. Even in his prime, how many points could Shaq score?"
"This... How about this, after we buy the team, I retire and become the head coach, build a championship-caliber team for you, and help you contend for a championship?"
"Retire? Why would you retire at such a young age? Stop talking nonsense! Just use this time while you're recovering to finalize the team purchase! When you're healed and back, we'll each find an excuse to leave the Lakers and the Celtics, go to our own teams, fight for ourselves, sweep the league, and build another powerhouse franchise..."
It seemed that Kobe had genuinely thought this through. Even the goal of rebuilding a dynasty was already included in his plan.
The plan to jointly purchase a team was originally proposed by He Xi Meng to Kobe.
Now, Kobe had made up his mind and didn't mind He Xi Meng's injured body, believing he would recover. If He Xi Meng backed out at this time, it would be truly unfair...