*Chapter 228: Don't Move Around*

"Richard, pass the ball!"

In the indoor basketball court, Paul shouted with his hand raised.

Richard brushed off Fisher, throwing the ball to Paul, who yelled and jumped for an alley-oop. But halfway through, O'Neal rushed in and slapped the ball away.

"Wow, another block!"

O'Neal landed on the ground, let out a roar, and bumped chests with Fisher.

"Richard, pass quicker next time so that guy doesn't have time to defend."

Paul said with a stern face.

"Alright, I'll try!" Richard smiled.

"Hey, do you two really think you can beat us? When it comes to rebounds and defense, Paul is far behind me. As for ball-handling and shooting accuracy, Richard, you can't compare to Fisher. With your skills, how do you expect to beat us?"

O'Neal grinned, showing his white teeth.

"Tch, we just haven't found our rhythm yet. Once we get warmed up, we'll crush you."

Paul, unwilling to admit defeat, stubbornly retorted.

"Ha, stop talking and just start the game!"

The match continued, and Richard drove directly toward the inside. Fisher followed closely, defending tightly.

Paul tried to receive the ball inside, but O'Neal intentionally blocked him with his large frame. Unhappy, Paul pushed against him, and the two started jostling under the basket.

Richard ignored Paul, as Fisher was fast with high-level steal skills. Without hesitation, he drove inside and attempted a jump shot, but it hit the backboard.

O'Neal tried to grab the ball, but Paul held him down from behind.

Richard saw an opportunity. As Fisher approached, he jumped high, using O'Neal's shoulder for leverage, and slammed the ball into the hoop.

"Wow, great shot, Richard, you're amazing!" Paul shouted, pumping his fist.

"Hey, you two are crossing the line," O'Neal grumbled, annoyed that both of them were holding him down. "One person pressing is fine, but both of you? Do you think I'm easy to push around?"

"O'Neal, you can press me, but we can't press you? If you can't defend, just admit it," Paul sneered.

"I can't defend you? Let's go for ten shots, and if I let you score one, I'll consider it a loss," O'Neal challenged, pounding his chest.

"If you lose, you buy the drinks!"

"Let's do it!"

In the next round, the intensity escalated. Paul and O'Neal clashed under the basket, their minor scuffles and verbal exchanges gradually escalating into physical confrontations.

Seeing them about to fight, Richard and Fisher helplessly stopped playing.

"Hey, are you two here to play ball or to fight?" Richard threw the ball aside and pulled them apart.

"Don't blame me. Paul's trash talk is too much. His basketball skills are mediocre, yet he talks tough in front of me, the NBA's top center. Where does he get the nerve?" O'Neal scoffed.

"NBA's top center? With your skills? Even as an amateur, I could defend you easily," Paul said, crossing his arms.

"You can defend me? That's a joke. Richard, give me the ball. I'm going to teach him a lesson today," O'Neal said angrily.

"Forget it, let's stop. If we continue, I'm worried the court will be stained with blood," Richard waved his hand.

"No way, let's keep playing. Paul, this time neither of us should touch the other. If we do, it's a foul."

"Deal!"

"Ten shots! Let's go!"

Richard and Fisher reluctantly rejoined the game, letting the two continue their grudge match.

After playing for over ten minutes, O'Neal and Fisher scored ten points first, but Paul also managed to score. O'Neal had said earlier that if Paul scored, he would lose. After the game, they argued endlessly about the outcome.

Richard regretted it. He originally wanted to make peace between the two, but they seemed destined to clash. Every time they met, they bickered, with no chance of getting along peacefully.

After the game, they all headed to a bar together.

Paul brought his girlfriend, Venus, and O'Neal also called his new girlfriend, Shani Nelson. Shannon was a sports journalist and also African American. The two had met in 1997 and only recently decided to settle down.

"I have good news for everyone. Venus and I are getting engaged," Paul announced loudly, holding Venus's hand.

"Wow, that's great news! Congratulations!" Richard smiled. He had heard Paul mention proposing before, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly. However, Paul was almost 28, so it seemed like a good time to get engaged.

"Paul and Venus, congratulations on getting together!" Fisher, his girlfriend, and O'Neal's girlfriend, Shannon, all congratulated them.

"Thank you!"

"Heh, that's nothing. I'm planning to get engaged too," O'Neal said, holding Shannon's hand.

"O'Neal, there's no need to compete in this," Fisher laughed.

"Hehe, O'Neal, do you really think Shannon will accept your proposal?" Paul sneered.

"Hmph, this time I'm serious. Shannon, trust me, I'm having our rings made. I'll propose in a few days," O'Neal said earnestly.

Shannon smiled faintly, "Let's see how you do first."

"O'Neal and Shannon, congratulations to you too," Richard raised his glass with a smile.

"Thanks, Richard. What about you? You're twenty-three. I've heard you've been dating Bündchen for over three years. When are you planning to get married?"

Richard spread his hands, "Is there much difference between how we are now and being married?"

"Are you not planning to get married?"

"No, let's wait a few more years. Right now, both Bündchen and I are busy with work and don't have time to focus on a family. Getting married under these circumstances wouldn't make much sense," Richard replied with a smile.

"Hey, good afternoon, everyone," Andy walked in, greeting everyone around the table. "Paul, your next opponent has been confirmed, and you'll never guess who it is."

"Who?" Paul asked curiously.

"Roy Jones!" Andy announced with a grin.

"What? You must be mistaken. Are you sure you weren't supposed to tell Richard?" Paul questioned, confused.

"No mistake. Roy Jones moved up to heavyweight. Last week, he defeated James Toney, and now he's planning to challenge you and go for the heavyweight title," Andy explained.

"Tch, a light heavyweight wants to fight us heavyweights? Alright, Richard, I'm not talking about you—you’re an exception, not a regular light heavyweight boxer. But Andy, don't worry, I'll teach him a lesson with my fists," Paul said, clenching his fists.

"Paul, be careful. Roy Jones has some pretty good skills," Richard advised.

"Don't worry, I'll take it seriously," Paul nodded.

"Richard, there's still no one willing to raise their bid. Your plan hasn't worked," Andy said.

"That's fine. After the challenge in June, we'll shift to heavyweight in the second half of the year," Richard responded casually.

"Richard, you should've been fighting as a heavyweight long ago. I'm just waiting to see you fight Tyson. I want to know who’s stronger between you two," O'Neal said with a smile.

"No need to say, Richard’s definitely the stronger one. Tyson's level has dropped significantly. He couldn't even handle Andrew Golota last year. Andy, is there a chance you could arrange a fight between me and Tyson?" Paul asked.

Andy thought for a moment, "I can try to make some contacts."

"Great, I’m looking forward to it!" Paul replied with a grin.

After chatting for a while, Richard left the gathering early. He drove to Universal Studios to pick up Ms. Theron, who had just finished filming.

Last year, Charlie's Angels grossed $125 million, becoming a box office hit. Ms. Theron successfully joined the ranks of A-list actresses, with plenty of projects lined up. She’s so busy with four movies a year that she hardly has time for dates.

"Richard, I'm planning to start the Aileen Wuornos project. What do you think?" Ms. Theron lazily asked, leaning against his chest.

"Whose project?" Richard asked, stroking her shoulder.

"Aileen Wuornos, the serial killer. Don’t tell me you've forgotten?" Ms. Theron said, displeased, as she looked up at him from his chest.

"A serial killer? Oh, I remember now. We can start the project. I'll have the script sent to the company for approval. But do you have the time? Playing that role requires you to gain weight, and it would take at least six months. Are you ready for that?" Richard asked, tilting her chin up.

Ms. Theron thought for a moment, "I don't have time this year. Next year, I’ll be shooting the sequel to Charlie's Angels. Damn, it seems I won't have time for the next couple of years."

"Haha, there's no rush. The script is yours, the role is yours, and we don’t lack funding. We can shoot it anytime. How about we wait until after you finish Charlie's Angels sequel? By then, New Century Pictures will have grown, with better production quality and more award potential, which would benefit you more. What do you think?" Richard suggested gently, holding her waist.

"Alright, let’s do that. Mmm... you jerk, stop moving around!"

"I’m not!" Richard laughed heartily as he turned off the lights.

—

(End of the chapter)