Chapter 919: 918 Charity Party

Li Wei’s charity party saw the Manning Brothers in attendance, and Tom Brady was also present.

But why?

Some say it’s a charity party, and if Brady failed to attend after receiving an invitation, he could face criticism from the public. Especially when heavyweights like Watt, the Manning Brothers, and Donald were all present, it would only make Brady appear petty.

Of course, that is part of the reason, but not the whole story–

If this were the only factor, Brady could simply sign a large check to show his goodwill, easily silencing the criticism without attending.

The real core reason lay in public relations and image.

Precisely because Brady had a hundred reasons to skip the event, that gave him even more reason to attend, showcasing his grace and poise.

After a buzzer-beater loss in the American League Championship, facing severe challenges to his position in the league, and seeing his status as the “Greatest of All Time” under attack from all sides, Brady had to be extra mindful of his image.

Indeed, he could have skipped the party and sent a large check to dismiss Li Wei. But he chose to attend, proving his magnanimity through actions–

He, Tom Brady, the GOAT, could hardly be rattled by a minor challenge from Li Wei. Li Wei still had a long way to go to catch up with him, and next season, Brady intended to prove just that.

Thus.

Brady made his appearance, arriving in style with his wife, Gisele Bundchen.

Brady believed the media would surely not miss such a spotlight moment, and he would once again score a victory in the battle of public image.

Since the Manning Brothers, top-tier stars entirely unrelated to Li Wei, attended, Brady had even less reason to skip. Falling behind his old rivals wasn’t an option. From every angle, Brady had to attend, and he had to do so in a grand and high-profile manner–this was the only correct approach.

In some sense, Brady was right–

“Curry vs. James,” “Manning Brothers vs. Brady.”

No one could have predicted seeing these combinations at Li Wei’s charity party. The sheer buzz exploded immediately across social media.

However, Brady underestimated Li Wei’s current pull and influence.

When global icons from other fields like David Beckham, Roger Federer, Lewis Hamilton, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Serena Williams began to show up one after another, the entire event’s caliber and prestige skyrocketed. The football stars’ glow dimmed in comparison, and even Brady found himself overshadowed.

And that wasn’t all.

Scarlett Johansson, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Rihanna, Chris Evans, and countless other Hollywood A-listers also made appearances, creating a dazzling, almost overwhelming scene.

Highs followed one after another, completely breaking down the barriers between industries and unveiling Li Wei’s current global influence.

The presence of Jay-Z, Rihanna, and this year’s Super Bowl performer Travis Scott was undoubtedly another focal point amid the whirl of attention.

In the midst of the backlash against the Super Bowl, Jay-Z and Rihanna stood up for Li Wei, an Asian player, actively opposing discrimination and prejudice. By ultimately conquering the Super Bowl, they demonstrated immense admiration.

Heroes emerge when the times demand them.

The crux lies in both timing and the hero, and in the end, Li Wei seized his moment.

Worth noting is how Li Wei acted as the facilitator, connecting Rihanna and Mahomes. Mahomes finally got to meet Rihanna in person, and if Brittany hadn’t also been at the party, Mahomes might not have been able to suppress his howls of excitement, radiating sheer joy from head to toe.

And the above still only scratches the surface.

Even Taylor Swift, the current reigning queen of popularity and chart-topping hits, was just a small part of the luminous whirlwind that was the party.

No wonder everyone said receiving an invitation to Li Wei’s charity party was an honor in itself, the most talked-about event in town.

Additionally, tech moguls, Wall Street experts, venture capital tycoons, and New York’s aristocratic descendants–along with the high-ranking executives of sponsoring corporations–formed the backbone of the charity party, ensuring the evening shone brilliantly as a wild celebration.

All of it, all of it.

The sheer volume of focal points and trending topics was staggering. Unexpectedly, Li Wei’s charity party turned into the social event of the year, flooding social networks with unprecedented viral traffic, creating a surge of attention that spread everywhere.

Against this backdrop, Brady’s attendance at Li Wei’s charity party seemed… not all that special, not worth making a fuss over.

Such a situation was something even Brady hadn’t anticipated.

Yet amid the countless discussions, Li Wei remained at the center.

On one hand, people marveled at Li Wei’s now-unparalleled influence, confirming his status as the “Number One in the NFL.” Even if Brady held a charity party, it might not reach the same scale or lineup.

On the other hand, the charity party was far more than a mere social showcase. The top-tier celebrities, elites, and prominent figures who attended never lost sight of the event’s true purpose–

This was for Annie Galas, and for the millions of children battling illness and desperately in need of greater support.

The party was just the occasion; the real stars were the kids.

Ultimately, one night, one party, the “Annie Galas Fund” raised an astounding $30 million.

An incredible figure, an extraordinary achievement.

All of it, thanks to Li Wei.

Yet, Li Wei refused to take credit.

“I’m merely a facilitator,” Li Wei said during an interview with the “New York Times.” “As the foundation’s name suggests, the real stars are the kids. And also every guest who attended the party; they are the ones who remind us to believe in hopes and dreams.”

Even so, Li Wei’s debut on the social stage achieved stunning and unimaginable success–something even more impactful than endorsements in numbers and stature. It proved that “Li Wei,” the name, not only captivated the general public but also held sway among the elite.

At this point, Li Wei officially ascended to the pinnacle of the industry, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best from all walks of life and industries, gaining the initial leverage to move not just the sport, but the world.

“A brand-new face–

An accidental outsider who inadvertently became the turning point for an entire sport.”

Time magazine, in a rare move, followed in the footsteps of Vogue, featuring Li Wei on its cover and dedicating an in-depth profile article to him.

Taking six entire pages, this profile recounted Li Wei’s career journey up to now, witnessed the miracles he had created, and placed him squarely in the spotlight as someone capable of reshaping eras, leagues, and even global professional landscapes.

Praise, and the pinnacle.