The Golden Age of Basketball

Hill is Gan Wenshan's English name. He and Stephen Curry came to Miami to watch their dad's finals.

As a result, Curry caught a cold in the Miami rain, infected with the flu virus, coughing, feverish, and aching all over.

Gan Wenshan played with Curry and soon showed quite severe cold symptoms too, and both of them ended up in a Miami hospital.

Worried that long-distance travel might worsen their illness, the two families decided the men would return to Portland for the game, while the women stayed in Miami to accompany the children.

Once the fevers subsided, they would then fly back to Portland.

When leaving, son, daughter, and wife went along, but upon returning to Portland, only Gan Guoyang and bodyguard Quentin remained.

Gan Youwei did not go to Miami. Traveling back and forth by plane was too exhausting, so he preferred to stay home and watch the game via live broadcast.

The Trail Blazers players got off the plane, and the fans crowded under the awning frantically shouted the names of the Trail Blazers players.

Some rain was falling from the sky, and it's likely to rain heavily in the next couple of days. The June night felt a bit stifling.

Porter complained, "They said it would rain on the 15th, damn it."

Kossie said, "Weather forecasts are less reliable than a woman's promises."

Petrović was thinking about his girlfriend Shalanqi, who should be waiting for him in the parking lot.

Reggie Lewis rubbed his back, took a deep breath, and the humid weather made it hard for him to breathe.

Beelman looked sullen, as he had quarreled with his young wife.

Miami sparked a desire in his wife to live in a warm and comfortable city, while Beelman had no intention of leaving Portland.

The joy of winning did not dispel the resentment after the quarrel, but, after thinking it through, Beelman thought she might be right.

The fans' crazy chants gradually faded. Gan Guoyang called Miami while awaiting his luggage to inquire about the children's condition.

"Nothing major, the fever has subsided, they just need rest. Pay attention at home, keep yourself in check, don't neglect anything, many people are watching you."

Wang Fuxi reminded her husband, feeling a bit worried because of the recent Michael Jackson incident.

Although Gan Guoyang helped him get rid of some unsavory characters, the more outstanding you are, the more you attract trouble; rats and cockroaches can never be completely eradicated.

Moreover, there is a powerful force lurking in the shadows, aiming to tarnish and bring down Michael Jackson.

Since they couldn't find someone close to him to use against him, the media started launching vicious attacks, accusing Jackson of having certain special preferences.

Some unscrupulous tabloids even "speculated" that Ah Gan and Michael Jackson were secret lovers.

Gan Guoyang, who was playing in the finals, got dragged into the mess, and the old rumors of him being speculated as an "Eastern Cyborg" were revived by some people.

Especially after Gan Guoyang scored 60 points in the finals, early writings of third-rate writer Grace-Gert titled "Gump's Secret" resurfaced in the public's eyes.

Riding this wave, "Gump's Secret" hit the bestseller list, and all kinds of speculations about Jackson, Gan Guoyang ran rampant.

Gan Guoyang knew if they could keep winning the championship, these secrets and rumors would be a laughingstock.

But if they lose the finals, it would become fodder for some to kick him while he's down.

This fodder doesn't fill you up, has no nutritional value and won't poison you, but it can sicken you, choke you, and make you uncomfortable overall.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine, call me immediately if anything happens."

"Hmm. You also need to take care of dad at home, with just you two, a man and an old man, I am really not entirely at ease."

"It's not just the two of us, there's also the housekeeping staff and bodyguards. You take care of our son and daughter, and come back as soon as you can."

They talked for a while longer. After hanging up the phone, Gan Guoyang felt empty inside, very unaccustomed to it.

All these years, Wang Fuxi had always been by his side taking care of everything. Aside from playing ball and some major matters, he didn't have to worry about trivial matters.

Gan Guoyang was the core on the court, and Wang Fuxi was the mainstay at home; without her, he naturally felt a little anxious.

Returning home, the house without his wife and kids felt instantly empty and cold.

Gan Youwei made a special late-night snack for Gan Guoyang to warm him up, and asked about the upcoming game.

Gan Youwei still asked in detail, like parents asking their children about work.

But Gan Guoyang, preoccupied with matters, uncharacteristically lost his patience, telling Gan Youwei not to ask too much, to finish eating and rest early.

Gan Youwei didn't say much, cleaned up and went upstairs, but Gan Guoyang tossed and turned, unable to sleep, feeling very vexed.

He always felt as if something was going to happen, with many scenarios playing over and over in his mind.

The Miami Heat would surely launch a strong counterattack in the third game, fighting hard for victory.

Also, how were his son and daughter in Miami, would they run into any problems?

He'd have to contact a local security company tomorrow and add some manpower.

Within the team, Porter's leg injury, Petrović's knee, Sabonis' ankle...

These were all worrisome factors. The more concerned he was, the stronger the feeling of losing control, making sleep elusive.

Gan Guoyang forced himself to think of good things, recalling the joy of every past championship.

The first time in 1986, the big brawl in 1987, 1988 when the team changed hands and he was alone with the trophy in the locker room.

Another brawl in 1990, the first face-off with Jordan in 1991, the battle of the century in 1992...

Each championship brought memorable joy, so what would it be this time if they won the championship? Would it be the 60 points?

Somehow, Gan Guoyang remembered how Porter kept complaining about rain and leg pain these past few days, yet he felt no rain in Miami.