1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 38 Epstein's Attention

Julie spent the whole day at Xu Shengjie's house!

During this time, Zhang Ping'an, Uncle Kenny, Tommy, Roger, and Tupac, who was far away in Los Angeles, all called.

The outside world is in complete chaos.

The violence that occurred at Madison Square Garden last night has sparked outrage across the United States.

This was Jordan's first Finals appearance after his three-peat, which already attracted a lot of attention.

The league's sponsors and broadcasters are all watching closely.

Vernon provoked the audience several times, including when he lost control and rushed into the audience, attempting to attack Julie, only to be killed by a Chinese-American man, leaving him covered in blood. The scene where Xu Shengjie beats up Vernon, in particular, caused a surge in ratings…

But this is not the scene Stern wanted to see.

That's outrageous!

The league reacted very quickly on the night the incident broke out and made a ruling.

Vernon was suspended for 30 games and fined $100,000.

After all, this wasn't the Palace of Auburn Hills era. If it weren't for Jordan's meteoric rise, the NBA would have been synonymous with barbarity and violence in the eyes of many. Although Stern wanted to impose harsher punishments, he ultimately opted for a lenient approach due to various constraints, with the severity of the punishments far less than those imposed on him at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Even so, the Rockets still suffered greatly.

Because they will be missing a starter in the upcoming games, and a starter with considerable three-point shooting ability and strong defensive skills at that. The general consensus is that the Knicks are likely to win their first championship in the post-Jordan era.

The Rockets appealed the following day.

But the league immediately fined the Rockets $50,000, meaning: it's a done deal, don't cause any more trouble!

The entire Rockets team was gripped by a sense of despair and confusion.

Vernon suffered a broken nose, a split eye, and multiple soft tissue injuries.

Even without punishment, he will be unable to play for three games.

However, no one cared about his injuries.

Everyone's attention was focused on the upcoming match and the two main characters in the incident, Xu Shengjie and Julie.

However, the two disappeared without a trace after the incident.

The reporter had to contact English and Spike, two people who had been in contact with him, to get some clues.

He is a writer and also a guy who is about to become a director.

His literary agent is Robert. His first work is already completed, and I don't know the specifics, but since Robert has taken a liking to him, I believe this bad boy must be quite good. I'm really looking forward to his first work.

----ABC's top producer: Diane English

I didn't know him well; we only exchanged a few words.

The guy said he'd be making an independent film next year, but I don't really know the specifics.

But I have to say, I like this kid! And I believe he'll make good movies, and I'm very interested.

Spike Lee

As for the Knicks players, they didn't say much.

They had no contact with Xu Shengjie at all; they were only impressed by his confrontation with Vernon.

That kid definitely knows Chinese Kungfu, especially that tackle on Vernon, it was really beautiful.

I'll challenge him to a match when the season ends.

He looked a bit thin... but tougher and more confident than most Chinese people I know, and I like him.

----Charles Oakley

Haha, that kid must be having a blast right now!

That girl is hot, I heard she's an actress, and they're probably getting really into it right now, so it won't be easy for you to find her.

----John Starks

"Jeff, you really are with that hot tomato girl..."

"Um!"

"Hey, you had a blast, didn't you?"

"Is there something you need?"

"It's nothing serious. I just ran into Uncle Gui on Mott Street this morning, and he said you actually bet $20,000 on the Irish victory?"

"yes!"

"Are you crazy? How could Ireland possibly beat Italy?"

"I'm so happy!"

Xu Shengjie hung up the phone, unplugged the phone line, and then dashed into the bedroom, leaping onto the bed.

"Honey, no one will bother us anymore."

"Jeff, are you alright?"

"Just kidding, I could fight you all day long."

Julie couldn't help but giggle, stretching out her arms to wrap around Xu Shengjie's neck, and said coquettishly, "I don't believe men who brag!"

"Ms. Julie, you're dead!"

Xu Shengjie pounced on her and pinned her down.

……

The following day, Julie left the apartment.

She left radiant...

I didn't want to leave, but I have a rehearsal today.

It's a stage play, and she'll be playing an important role in it.

Angelina Jolie is ambitious.

They have very clear plans for both their relationships and careers.

When she was a baby, her philandering father fell in love with Staspicoren because of a stage play, abandoned his wife and daughter, and ignored her completely.

But one thing must be acknowledged: Joan Voight still wields considerable influence in Hollywood.

If Jolie wants to get Jon's resources, she must gain his approval. The best way to do this is to win Jon over with her superb acting skills.

She has been working on this for two years.

Having finally gotten the chance to perform on stage, she would never slack off in the slightest.

Xu Shengjie strongly agreed with this.

He saw Julie off, then slumped down at his worktable, looking rather dejected.

Julie is such an energetic little wildcat... The wisdom of our ancestors keeps getting stronger: There are only oxen that die from exhaustion, not land that gets over-plowed! As the day passed, if it weren't for the body being altered by time travel, he really wouldn't have been able to tame her.

He yawned and turned on the typewriter.

No inspiration...

I feel that what he's writing now is basically unsuitable for children.

So he got up and went into the kitchen, rummaged through the cupboard for a moka cup, then found a can of espresso, brewed a cup of espresso, and drank it down. It finally lifted his spirits a little. Sitting down at his worktable, inspiration seemed to return! He typed furiously, feeling his thoughts becoming increasingly clear and flowing…

Knock knock knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

Xu Shengjie was getting a little impatient, so he got up and opened the door.

"Justin, what brings you here?"

"Let's see if you're dead yet."

Zhang Pingan, Roger, and Tommy squeezed into the room.

Tommy sniffed. "The battle's fierce... Where are the tomatoes?"

"What tomatoes?"

"That hot girl of yours."

"She's gone; she has rehearsal today."

Also, her name is Angelina Jolie, not Tomato!

"Woof woof woof!"

Roger, standing nearby, immediately started barking like a dog.

What are you doing?

"He smells like a little puppy."

Zhang Ping'an and the other two burst into laughter almost simultaneously.

Why was the phone line unplugged?

"You guys are bothering me... and besides, I'm writing, what's the matter?"

As Xu Shengjie spoke, he stepped forward and plugged in the telephone line.

"Today is the 17th!"

"What's wrong?"

Forget your tomatoes, the party is about to begin!

Let's find a place to watch the game...

Xu Shengjie frowned slightly and said, "Today is the opening ceremony, I'm not interested. Besides, Germany and Bolivia, there are no great matches in major tournaments, I expect the first match will be very dull, and Germany will definitely win, what's there to see?"

With that kind of energy, I'd rather stay home and write; I could finish this book today.

Is Germany a sure winner?

"What level is Bolivia? But I don't expect a big score, 1-0."

The three exchanged glances, and Zhang Ping'an said, "Alright, writing is important, so we won't bother you any longer. We'll be going now."

Xu Shengjie nodded and saw the three of them out.

"Jeff, you look a bit tired. You'd better go to the clinic on Payah Street and get some medicine!"

"Vak Squid Justin".

I'm as strong as a wild bull!

Zhang Ping'an laughed heartily, then added, "By the way, we ran into Master Wu yesterday."

He also asked about you, saying that you hadn't visited him in a while.

Xu Shengjie was stunned for a moment.

Information about Master Wu immediately flashed through my mind.

His expression turned serious, and he said, "I'll go in the next couple of days!"

And so, Zhang Ping'an and the other two left.

But being disturbed by them temporarily dampened his inspiration, so he tidied up the room and prepared to go out to find food.

The phone rang suddenly.

He had already stepped out of the room, but when he heard the phone ring, he hurriedly returned and picked it up.

"This is Jeffrey Xu."

"Jeffrey, I can't get through to you on the phone."

It's Robert Gottlieb.

Xu Shengjie quickly explained, "Sorry, I was writing a book yesterday. I'm about to finish 'Canal Street' and didn't want to be disturbed, so I unplugged the phone line."

"Ha, I thought you and that hot pepper were enjoying some alone time together."

"Hahaha, how could that be!"

You guessed right.

Robert then said, "Then you should focus on your writing. I called because I have some good news to tell you."

Have you heard of Anchor Books? It's a brand under Doubleday Publishing and the originator of American paperback books. I chatted with Mr. Epstein, the editor-in-chief of Anchor Books, yesterday, and he was very interested in Buffett's book.

I've already given him the manuscript, so now all we need to do is patiently wait for good news.

……