After the Asian Championship, Qin Yue didn't rush back to the United States...

First, he participated in Coca-Cola's marketing promotions in Shanghai with Yao Ming and James, then joined various Nike shoe events across China with James.

When it comes to approaching the Chinese market...

James exhibited an attitude starkly different from many other NBA stars.

During the Coca-Cola marketing event with Yao Ming and Qin Yue, James would intentionally leave the center stage for Yao Ming or Qin Yue every time.

The presence of three NBA top draft picks together made the event far surpass the expectations of the organizers in terms of popularity.

Furthermore, James, who was eager to build a friendly and China-loving image, not only performed his tomahawk dunk multiple times for the Chinese audience present at the event but also, knowing full well that Qin Yue was trying to prank him, he unhesitatingly ate the...

Sichuan-style Taco that Qin Yue had spiced up with extra chili peppers.

In that instant, as the indescribable sensation spread throughout his body, it took ages afterwards for James to recover, and he said to Qin Yue, "Do you know which nearby hospital has a good gastroenterology department?"

Qin Yue never expected James to be so professional.

Nor did he expect that, even in discomfort, James insisted on attending the next event to engage with young fans in China.

This is LeBron James.

You can question everything about him...

But in Qin Yue's memory of past China tours, James, and indeed the future Klay, are the absolute commercial models of the NBA.

This year, the events arranged in China by Nike in cooperation with Coca-Cola were a great success.

Thanks to the ever-dedicated James and Qin Yue, who simply wanted a proper look around China...

They were practically the perfect workers every sponsor dreamed of.

When traveling around to promote shoes, Qin Yue and James showed great rapport, often joking with each other.

For example, at the Beijing shoe event, Qin Yue and James joked about each other.

"LeBron, in the new season when we play against each other, please promise me... not to walk, okay?"

Hearing this, James laughed and said, "Then I must carry the ball from the backcourt and charge all the way to your basket, and touchdown score right in front of you."

Though not all fans could appreciate the humor in Qin Yue and James' American-style banter, wherever they were present, it was never dull.

However, during the shoe promotion in Chengdu, caught off guard again, James was unsuspectingly pranked by Qin Yue once more.

"Damn, did you add chili to my drink again?"

"This time I added less, you're definitely not going to need a hospital."

Despite being unhappy with Qin Yue's pranks, James' buddies nevertheless...

But on this day, James was heard telling his buddies, "Qin is one of my closest brothers, I won't allow any disdain towards Qin among you. If anyone is still dissatisfied, they can leave my team right now."

James, who valued the Chinese market greatly, knew well that even if he suffered some minor losses while hanging with Qin Yue, it was nothing.

Because as long as he could hold onto Qin Yue's coattails, he could be quicker than other NBA stars in capturing the Chinese market.

Historically, apart from Yao Ming and Kobe, James was absolutely the most popular NBA star in China at the time.

Then the question arose...

Was the investment James made in the China market really yielding him the results he wanted?

Regarding this, ESPN senior specialist Brian Windhorst once commented: "LeBron's investment and cultivation in the China market ultimately brought him unimaginable returns... his growing popularity in China even led David Stern to allocate a ton of resources to him." (Note 1)

Of course, Qin Yue didn't intentionally plan these pranks during the China tour this year.

It was just that in certain moments when interacting with James, Qin Yue always felt that despite being able to chat about anything and calling each other brothers...

James always gave him a very peculiar feeling.

This feeling was hard to express in words.

But it was undeniably real.

It's as if...

As if James wasn't a young man in his early twenties.

As if every time he spoke, it seemed like it was carefully crafted.

Qin Yue felt that, in front of him, James always wore a mask.

Qin Yue knew well that this mask was only worn when being interviewed or presenting oneself in public.

Especially that sentence James told his buddies that day... not allowing them to be unhappy with him.

No matter how Qin Yue thought it over afterwards...

It was an opportunistic moment where James showcased deep brotherly affection.

Nonetheless...

Overall, James still left a good impression on Qin Yue this summer.

Even on the eve of returning to the United States, James sought him out alone.

"Listen to me, brother, you're about to report to Oakland.

This will be the pivotal moment for you to establish dominance, and as someone who's been down this road, I feel it necessary to share my experience."

First, James broadly explained the long-standing rookie bullying culture in the NBA to Qin Yue.

"If the veterans just want to play a little prank on you, then you don't need to take it to heart, because it's a way for you to integrate into the team."

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