Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 523: 522 Scam Master Chapter 523: 522 Scam Master “Hey, this is Li Wei.

Sorry, but I can’t take your call right now, whether I’m avoiding it on purpose or not even at home, anyway, it’s not your fault, so, no need to be scared, just leave a message.

Don’t worry, I won’t come kill you like John Wick, wait, who doesn’t know John Wick?”

“…”

“Beep.”

The phone went unanswered, and the answering machine automatically kicked in.

However, the answering machine’s message truly had Li Wei’s style — it ended abruptly without warning, leaving the caller on the other end completely baffled, not knowing whether to leave a message or not.

“Uh.”

Clearly hesitating, there was a noticeable pause on the other end of the line, and when the caller spoke again, there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in his voice.

“Hey, Li Wei, this is JJ, JJ Watt…”

Li Wei’s footsteps halted as he entered the room, then he leaned back again.

Watt?

The Watt from the Houston Texans?

But why would Watt be calling him?

Could it be a scam call?

“Sorry for calling you directly like this, it seems a bit impolite, but I thought it best to communicate with you directly, it’s more sincere that way.”

“So, I got your number from your agent.”

“Here’s the thing…”

“Whew, sorry, I didn’t realize I was speaking to an answering machine, I need to collect my thoughts, I’m still not good at talking to machines…”

His plain and simple words unintentionally betrayed a bit of awkwardness and nervousness, which, when combined with the mental image of JJ Watt, strangely seemed to fit albeit being slightly odd.

Li Wei’s mouth curved into a slight smile, and retracing his steps, he returned to the living room to answer the phone.

“Hey, JJ, I thought talking to machines was your forte.”

Watt: …

Obviously, Watt hadn’t prepared himself mentally.

He had been carefully considering how to speak with Li Wei, then got flustered by the answering machine, wondering if communicating through it lacked sincerity, and now the call was suddenly picked up—

What a roller coaster!

Watt was taken aback, “What?”

Li Wei, “The legendary training fanatic, who enters the gym twice a day for strength training, should be on excellent terms with machines, JJ Watt.”

Watt: …

Li Wei, “If the joke isn’t funny, the atmosphere is really going to freeze over.”

“Ha.” Watt couldn’t hold back, “Hahaha.” His laughter burst out loud, resonating in his chest, “I thought you wouldn’t get flustered.”

“That would make me a machine,” Li Wei replied calmly, his teasing flowing smoothly, “Wait, or do you prefer dealing with machines?”

Watt laughed heartily, his buoyancy felt even through the receiver.

After taking a couple of deep breaths, Watt composed himself, “No wonder TJ says you’re an interesting guy; he often brings you up even off the field.”

“Oh, so this is…

a good thing?” Li Wei’s tone went up at the end.

Watt caught on, “Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but what’s certain is, us brothers are ready to tackle you a lot next season.”

All three Watt brothers were football players, and all had made it to the NFL.

JJ is the eldest, TJ is the youngest, and in the middle, there’s Derek-Watt.

Maybe because JJ is so famous, Derek has always been overshadowed by his older brother, his performance is far from comparable; part of the reason is also that the two play different positions on the field, even in different groups, with Derek being in the Offensive Group, playing as a running back, and moreover, he is the kind of fullback that’s gradually being phased out.

“Including the middle one?” Li Wei couldn’t remember the name but remembered there was a second Watt brother.

The reason is very simple, Derek-Watt plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs’ archrivals within the division, meeting twice each season.

So, in his first professional season, Li Wei had faced all three Watt brothers.

Watt instantly got the joke and cracked a harmless little joke, “Facing off twice a season, yet the star running back still doesn’t remember Derek’s name.

Seems like Derek needs to work even harder.”

Li Wei simply shrugged, “Good luck.”

Watt, “Oh, this nonchalant attitude.

I must tell Derek about this.”

A smile appeared in Li Wei’s eyes, but he didn’t continue the banter, bringing the conversation back on track, “So, you made this solemn call, and even chose a landline to motivate Derek?”

Watt laughed softly again, “I didn’t want it to be this way.”

“I asked TJ for your number, but your phone was always busy, I’ve called three times.

If I kept going, it would turn into stalking, so I got your landline number from your agent.”

So that’s how it was.@@novelbin@@

Li Wei couldn’t help laughing, “These days, strange calls and telemarketing have been too much; I simply turned on the call-blocking feature.

Any numbers not in my contacts are blocked, and the world has finally become quiet.”

Watt was taken aback, “Wait, dear friend, are you subtly showing off as a Super Bowl Champion now?”

Li Wei, “Yep.”

Such a direct response was indeed abrupt, which made Watt burst into laughter once again.

It was this straightforwardness from Li Wei that Watt appreciated.

“Congratulations, brother.

Congratulations on reaching the top of the Super Bowl, your performance was absolutely insane.”

Li Wei joked casually, “So, have you considered joining us?”

Watt was caught off guard again, “You should know I still have two years left on my contract with Houston, right?”

Indeed, Watt is an honest man.

Even though Li Wei was just joking, the unexpected topic threw Watt right into Li Wei’s pace.

In 2014, when Watt was a junior, he signed a top-level contract: six years, one hundred million US dollars, of which $39 million was guaranteed, and an average annual salary of about sixteen million dollars, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league at the time, a historical milestone.

Li Wei grinned, “Of course, as you said, there are still two years left on your contract, and now is the time to think about the future, whether it’s a renewal or a transfer.

You’re just missing one Super Bowl ring now.”

“JJ, even if you haven’t considered it, are you sure Houston hasn’t?”

When Watt is healthy, there’s no doubt he’s one of the league’s top players; but after two consecutive seasons cut short by injury, the Houston Texans can’t help but have their own concerns—

They signed Watt to the league’s top salary, not for a one-and-done postseason.

Watt choked up but didn’t get angry.

Instead, a laugh came from deep within his throat, “Li Wei, I’m doing well in Houston, without Houston there’s no me today; do you believe that?

We’re still the favorites to contend for the championship next season.”

Indeed, with the offensive group’s rising star Watson, and the defensive group’s superstar Watt, the Houston Texans’ on-paper strength is indubitably formidable.

Li Wei could hear Watt’s loyalty and knew the jokes had gone far enough, not pursuing it further, “Of course, I have no doubts about that.”

That’s it?

Li Wei gave up too quickly, leaving Watt somewhat confused.

So, after all the roundabout talk, what was it really for?

Then, at that moment, Watt finally realized, “God, I completely forgot the purpose of my call.”

Li Wei asked innocently, “Oh, did you call me for something?”

Watt couldn’t help chuckling but didn’t dig into Li Wei’s just-now evasion, “Training, Li Wei, I was wondering, do you want to train together during the off-season?”