The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 748 The Long Season (3)

The Trailblazer One arrived at Portland International Airport, its bright lights shining like a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding weary souls longing to return home as they slowly descended.

Even as the plane was still gliding on the runway, many fans couldn't contain their excitement and went to the waiting area next to the runway, holding up brightly lit welcome signs through the wire fence to welcome Portland's basketball heroes back home.

Some signs read "Four-time champions," some depicted a giant broom, and others displayed the enormous number 60. The passion of Portland fans, along with these slogans, illuminated the night.

In 1990, the international airport underwent expansion and renovation, adding many buildings and facilities, including rain shelters for the disembarkation area.

During several playoff and Finals appearances, fans often gathered here to await the Trail Blazers' return.

Gan Guoyang saw the slogans at the airport through the porthole, among which the number "60" appeared particularly frequently.

60 points, another 60 points, the 60 points in the Finals, the American sports media has been in an uproar all day.

In fact, Gan Guoyang himself did not expect to score 60 points in the second game. His pre-game plan was the same as the first game.

He used his defensive presence to engage the entire team, employing sharp long-range shots to break down the Miami Heat's dense, high-intensity defense.

But plans never keep up with changes. As the game progressed, the situation changed. His touch was too good; he could make every shot.

Miami's basketball hoops are as wide as the Gulf of Mexico. Gan Guoyang stood on the fine sand and azure sea, enjoying the intense sunshine, tossing the balls into the sea one by one without making too much of a splash.

It was a crazy night, so crazy that even Gan Guoyang was a little dazed in the end.

His last two baskets were both three-pointers, both extremely long shots from two steps beyond the three-point line.

He wasn't even thinking about scoring, but he just darted into the basket like a pro, as if divinely inspired.

When his teammates and reporters rushed towards him after the game, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Gan Guoyang simply smiled and shook hands with everyone, and the others touched him as if they were touching a statue.

He knew that this was the culmination of his long-term self-torture and a major outburst.

Nerves, inspiration, and will, like the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, align at a certain moment.

It was like a small cyclone over the Gulf of Mexico that, with the help of countless unexpected events and the passage of time, developed into a terrifying hurricane, making landfall in Miami on June 12 and sweeping everything away.

Even after boarding the plane, everyone remained excited, and no one slept.

Gan Guoyang himself couldn't sleep, and he was chatting enthusiastically with everyone.

Everyone was discussing finishing the series in Portland and winning the championship.

Porter and Cauchy plan to travel to Cuba, departing from Miami.

Petrovic said he wants to return to Europe and hopes to make it to the European Championship.

Sabonis will stay in the United States to treat his ankle and knee, in order to extend his professional career.

PJ Brown wants to attend the "Big-man" training camp to improve himself.

Dell Curry is planning a family vacation to Hawaii.

Lewis asked Forrest Gump if they could go to China together this summer, as he liked the place.

Gan Guoyang agreed, but said, "We have to finish the series and win the championship first."

Although Gan Guoyang cautiously reminded everyone, an optimistic atmosphere still filled the entire team.

There's no way around it; with a 2-0 lead away from home, the advantage is simply too great for the next three home games.

The Heat, who had been riding high, were clearly stunned. Pat Riley looked completely devastated at the post-game press conference.

Hakeem Olajuwon calmly said, "We can win on the road," but anyone could see that being outscored by Forrest Gump for 60 points was a significant blow to him.

Hakeem Olajuwon fouled out in the fourth quarter, sending himself off the court. This was the first time Olajuwon had fouled out this season.

He was truly at his wit's end; Forrest Gump's combined inside-outside fighting style was too advanced for him to handle.

Everyone, even people in Miami, believed that the Portland Trail Blazers would win the championship this year.

They are very likely to be crowned in Portland, and their four-peat will be a glorious achievement, gilding the 1993 mark with a golden symbol.

"Is all of this real? It's... unbelievable."

As the plane gradually came to a stop, Gan Guoyang stared blankly at the night sky and the welcoming fans, his mind racing with countless thoughts.

Along the way, there were some bumps, but not many. He has always been very determined, extremely determined, far beyond what most people can imagine.

Because this is his second life, he cherishes it more than anyone else. He is like a child picking up seashells on the beach, treasuring every seashell and colorful stone he finds.

He couldn't bear to miss any opportunity, every minute and every second, and he tried his best to do what he wanted to do and liked to do, giving it his all without reservation.

He also admitted that he was very lucky, and history changed with his arrival. Although some things were destined to be unchangeable, that was no longer something he could decide.

"Hey Sonny, time to go!"

Someone patted Gan Guoyang on the shoulder, and Gan Guoyang was brought back to his senses.

It was Dell Curry, and he looked slightly tired.

"Hey Dell, how's Stephen?"

"I don't know yet. He had a high fever before he came. I'm going to call him right away. How is Hill? Stephen must have infected him."

"It's normal for children to get sick, they'll be fine, don't worry. These two little ones are really worrying."

Hill is Gan Wenshan's English name. He and Stephen Curry came to Miami to watch their father's NBA Finals.

As a result, Curry caught a cold in Miami after getting caught in the rain, and developed a cough, fever, and body aches.

Gan Wenshan and Curry were hanging out together when Gan Wenshan also developed severe cold symptoms, and the two of them ended up in a Miami hospital together.

Fearing that long-distance travel would worsen their conditions, both families decided that the men would return to Portland for the game, while the women would stay in Miami to be with their children.

Once their fevers subside, they will fly back to Portland.

When he left, his son, daughter, and wife accompanied him, but when he returned to Portland, only Gan Guoyang and his bodyguard Quentin remained.

Gan Youwei did not go to Miami with the team. Traveling by plane would be too much of a hassle, so he wanted to stay home and watch the game via live stream.

As the Trail Blazers players disembarked from the plane, fans crowded under the rain shelter, chanting their names wildly.

A few drizzles are falling from the sky; it might rain heavily tomorrow or the day after. The nights in June are rather muggy.

Potter complained, "It was supposed to rain on the 15th, damn it."

"Weather forecasts are less reliable than a woman's words," said Cauchy.

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

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

Behrman looked sullen; he had a quarrel with his young wife.

Miami sparked his wife's desire for a warm, comfortable city life, while Bellman had no intention of leaving Portland.

The joy of winning did not dispel the resentment after the argument, but after thinking it over, Bellman felt that she might be right.

As the fans' frenzied cheers gradually subsided, Gan Guoyang called Miami while waiting for his luggage to inquire about his child's condition.

"There's nothing too serious. The fever has gone down, but you just need to rest. You must be careful at home and take good care of yourself. Don't be careless; many people are watching you."

Wang Fuxi reminded her husband that she was somewhat worried because of the recent Michael Jackson incident.

Although Gan Guoyang helped him get rid of a lot of shady characters, a tall tree catches the wind, and rats and cockroaches can't be completely eradicated.

Moreover, behind the scenes, a powerful force lurks in the shadows, seeking to smear and bring down Michael Jackson.

Unable to find anyone close to him to attack, some media outlets launched a smear campaign, accusing Jackson of having certain unusual fetishes.

Some unscrupulous tabloids even "speculated" that Forrest Gump and Michael Jackson were secret lovers.

Gan Guoyang, who was playing in the finals, was dragged into the mess, and some people dug up the old news that he was suspected of being an "Oriental bio-engineered human".

Especially after Gan Guoyang scored 60 points in the finals, the mystery article "Forrest Gump's Secret," written by Grace Gort, a third-rate writer in his early years, once again came into the public eye.

Riding this wave, "Forrest Gump's Secret" climbed to the top of the bestseller list, and various speculations about Jackson and Gan Guoyang spread like wildfire.

Gan Guoyang knew that if he could continue to win championships, these decryptions and rumors would be nothing but a joke.

But if he loses the finals, he will become the target of some people's attacks.

Condiments may not fill you up, have no nutritional value, or kill you, but they can make you feel sour, cloying, or choking—in short, make you feel uncomfortable.

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

"Yes. You need to take good care of Dad while he's home. I'm really not at ease with two men, one old and one young, living together."

"It's not just the two of us, there's also a housekeeper and bodyguards. Take good care of your son and daughter and come back as soon as possible."

The two chatted for a while longer. After hanging up the phone, Gan Guoyang felt empty and very uncomfortable.

Over the years, Wang Fuxi has been taking care of him, so Gan Guoyang doesn't have to worry about anything except playing ball and handling important matters.

Gan Guoyang is the core of the team, and Wang Fuxi is the backbone of the family. Without the backbone, it's inevitable to feel a little anxious.

After returning home, the house, without his wife and children, suddenly felt empty and desolate.

Gan Youwei specially prepared a late-night snack for Gan Guoyang to warm him up, and then asked about the competition in the next two days.

Gan Youwei continued to ask very detailed questions, just like other parents who ask their children all sorts of questions about their work.

Gan Guoyang, preoccupied with his own thoughts, was unusually impatient and told Gan Youwei not to ask any more questions and to finish his meal and get some rest.

Gan Youwei didn't say much. After tidying up, he went upstairs. Gan Guoyang, however, tossed and turned and couldn't sleep. He was very upset.

He always felt that something was about to happen, and many scenarios went through his mind over and over again.

The Miami Heat will definitely bounce back strongly in Game 3 and fight for victory.

Also, how are your son and daughter doing in Miami? Are they likely to encounter any problems?
We need to contact the local security company tomorrow and ask them to send more staff.

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

These are all things to worry about. The more you worry, the stronger the feeling of being out of control becomes, and the less you can sleep.

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

The first time was in 1986, a major fight broke out in 1987, and in 1988, after the team changed hands, he was alone in the locker room with the trophy.

They clashed again in 1990, had their first showdown with Jordan in 1991, and witnessed the "Battle of the Century" in 1992...

Every championship brings memorable joy, so what will this championship be like? Will it be 60 points?

Gan Guoyang inexplicably remembered that Porter had been complaining about his legs hurting from the rain these past two days, but he hadn't felt any rain in Miami.

It seems like it's always sunny there, with pleasant sunshine and a gentle breeze; you can score no matter how you shoot...

As he pondered, Gan Guoyang finally fell asleep, carrying with him a sense of unease and anxiety about losing control.

However, everything was fine the next day. The day without games passed peacefully, and it was a sunny day in Portland, without rain.

The team held a simple training session, held a 2-0 lead, and returned to their home ground, so everyone was relaxed.

On June 14th, the day of the game, the Trail Blazers players arrived at the Rose Garden Arena full of confidence.

They remained undefeated at home during this playoff run, including a double victory over the Phoenix Suns in Portland in the Western Conference Finals.

Those two games completely shattered the Suns' resistance, and their subsequent victories were a foregone conclusion.

When the players from both sides entered the field, Drexler was booed by the entire stadium, and the boos continued until the start of the match.

Even now, many Portland fans believe that Drexler was a traitor whose betrayal ruined the Trail Blazers' chances of winning an eighth consecutive championship.

Imagine how powerful the Trail Blazers would have been if Drexler hadn't left, and they wouldn't have lost to the Lakers in 1989. In 1990, they would have acquired Sabonis and Petrovic.

Moreover, with Drexler on the team, the Trail Blazers won't trade Hornacek and Divac for Lewis, making their roster more balanced and deep.

It's fair to say that Drexler's departure changed everything. They could have become the Boston Celtics of the 80s and 90s, winning championships all the way.

Of course, things aren't bad now. Drexler got what he wanted, and he calmly smiled as he faced the criticism from Portland fans.

Before the game, Drexler and Olajuwon had a deep conversation, during which Olajuwon mentioned the 1986 Western Conference Finals.

At that time, the Trail Blazers were leading the Rockets 2-3 in the series. Hakeem Olajuwon and Sampson decided to stick together, and they won three straight games, almost upseting the Trail Blazers.

That was the most thrilling series in the Trail Blazers' championship run, a series that almost changed history, leading to different destinies for the two players and two teams.

"Now, we also need to stick together closely. Home and away games are not a problem. We can win in Portland."

Hakeem Olajuwon has recovered from the crushing defeat in Game 2. He is convinced that he is not as good as Forrest Gump, but that doesn't mean the team can't win.

Hakeem Olajuwon's determination inspired Clyde Drexler, who said before the game, "I don't know if we'll win or lose, but in Portland, I'm not going to let myself have any regrets."

This calm and determined mindset allowed the Heat to withstand the Trail Blazers' relentless attacks at the start of Game 3.

Back at home, the Trail Blazers were in high spirits. They seemed a bit impatient, eager to quickly defeat the Heat and establish an early advantage to secure the victory.

After all, with this win, they lead the series 3-0, and the championship is no longer in doubt; being crowned is just a matter of time.

However, the Heat withstood the Trail Blazers' offense with their tough defense and relentless hustle, and took the lead in the first quarter.

Drexler, who was once criticized for his lack of defense, delivered outstanding one-on-one defense and rebounding, constantly driving into the paint to grab offensive rebounds as if he were a power forward.

The Heat suffered a major setback in the first two games, but Drexler played fearlessly against the Trail Blazers' twin towers in the third game.

In the second quarter, the Heat gradually gained the upper hand, and Bellman called a timeout to make adjustments.

"The series isn't over yet, what the hell are you guys doing? Have you already won the championship? How many random long-range shots have we taken! Get your act together! I'll say it again, defense, and efficiency. The Heat haven't given up, they're playing way better than us! A bunch of sons of bitches who think they've already got the rings on their fingers, look at your shooting, it's like you're desperately trying to get into a bathhouse for the first time!"

Berman, exasperated, started swearing. Then, pointing at Reggie Lewis, he said, "Reggie, what were you doing in the first quarter? Letting Clyde drive into the paint and grab so many rebounds? Are you desperate to go to China? If you let Drexler drive into the paint and grab offensive rebounds again when you're on the court later, I suggest you spend the summer riding the carousel at the Portland amusement park!"

Lewis faced off against Drexler tonight, but Lewis' performance looked weak and lacked energy, and he was completely dominated by Drexler.

Faced with Bellman's reprimand, Lewis nodded, his face expressionless, his eyes showing neither anger nor passion, appearing somewhat empty.

Everyone thought Lewis was tired. At this stage of the season, anyone would get tired; it's either this game or the next.

Berman regretted his words, wondering if he had spoken too harshly. But this was the finals, and they didn't want to let go of any chance to win.

In fact, Berman could sense the team's fatigue; everyone was dragging their heavy bodies and spirits as they persevered.

If it weren't for Forrest Gump's divine intervention in Game 2, the Trail Blazers might have lost a game in Miami, tying the series 1-1.

That would put even more pressure on the Trail Blazers, and it would be better for everyone if the series could end sooner.

Reaching this point, the championship is both a joy and an enjoyment, as well as a pain and a torment. Berman always believed that they were just a little bit away from collapsing, but they were able to hold on.

But this time, Bellman was wrong. A minute later, the timeout ended, and Bellman specifically patted Lewis on the shoulder, signaling the Trail Blazers' offensive possession.

Mario Elie passed the ball to Gan Guoyang in the low post. Gan Guoyang turned and was double-teamed, so he passed the ball to Lewis in the corner.

Lewis caught the ball and took a mid-range jump shot, and it went in! That was his first basket of the night. Bellman breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed Lewis was getting into form.

However, just a few seconds later, Lewis, who was making a full-fledged defensive effort, suddenly staggered, knelt on one knee, and fell face down onto the floor.

His right fist slammed onto the gleaming wooden floor with a loud thud, and everyone instantly assumed Lewis had slipped or tripped, waiting for him to get up.

This will become a well-known comedic moment in the Finals and part of the NBA's most embarrassing moments compilation.

But no, Lewis didn't get up; he lay stiffly on the floor, motionless.

Drexler was driving towards the basket with the ball when he saw Forrest rushing towards him. He used a crossover to get past him.

"So easy?" Drexler couldn't believe he had so easily beaten Forrest Gump.

He immediately realized that Forrest Gump wasn't there to defend him at all, but was yelling and running towards the sidelines.

"Doctor! Doctor, come quick! Reggie, Reggie!"

Gan Guoyang was the first person on the field to react. Something hidden deep in his memory crawled out like a venomous snake and bit him hard.

Basketball court, night, dazzling lights, suddenly to the ground... He instantly understood what might have happened.

"Quick, a stretcher! A stretcher! And a defibrillator! Get him to the hospital! The hospital!"

Before the team doctor could figure out what was going on, Gan Guoyang was already shouting loudly, and chaos began to break out on the scene.

Lewis lay stiffly on the ground, motionless, as if frozen. His wife, Donna, rushed over, frantic and at a loss for what to do.

Everyone was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. The Heat players stood there, their once determined eyes now filled with confusion.

Even the sullen Pat Riley relaxed his expression and began to show some unease.

Under Gan Guoyang's command, the team doctor brought a defibrillator and performed treatment on the spot, but there seemed to be no response.

"Hospital! Get him to the hospital right away!"

Gan Guoyang tried to calm himself down and help Donna calm down, and then get Lewis to the hospital as soon as possible.

Veterans Bernard King and Wayne Cooper worked together to lift Lewis onto the stretcher.

The Rose Garden Arena descended into chaos, leaving the previously passionate Bill Shawnley speechless.

“Reggie, Lewis…suddenly collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, and we don’t know his condition. All we can do is pray for him, pray for him…my friends…Reggie…”

He had a premonition that a tragedy was about to happen suddenly, very suddenly, without any warning. He became incoherent and unable to control his emotions.

The Trail Blazers players who had just witnessed Lewis fall up close all shared the same premonition: the way he fell was terrifying.

It stood upright, without any protective movements, like a felled tree, lifeless, crashing down.

Some people started to cry, tears streaming down their faces. The once bustling Rose Garden Arena became silent and empty; people seemed to have lost their souls.

The technical staff and referees then had a lengthy discussion, and David Stern came to the front of the table to speak with both teams. Ultimately, they decided to cancel the match until news of Lewis's death came out.

The score and time are frozen, and when the game is replayed, it will continue according to the current score and time.

The Trail Blazers players were clearly unable to continue the game, and Bobby Bellman sat on the bench with bloodshot eyes.

He clenched his fists tightly, resisting the urge to slap himself. He regretted treating Lewis that way earlier.

Back in the locker room, Behrman locked himself in the shower and wept bitterly, the icy water chilling him to the bone.

A somber and somber atmosphere enveloped the Trail Blazers' locker room; everyone sat there silently, lost in thought.

Gan Guoyang was the one who seemed the most normal. He always had his mobile phone in his hand, and he called Donna to keep in touch with her.

Donna was extremely anxious and vulnerable at that moment. She had just become pregnant in May, and this was their third child.

She desperately needed support, and Gan Guoyang also needed to know about Lewis's situation; perhaps he wouldn't die.

All the way, paramedics performed CPR on him, while Donna stayed by his side, asking questions, crying, and keeping in touch.

Gradually, the Trail Blazers players gathered around Gan Guoyang, all praying that Reggie would wake up.

Time ticked by, and the match was cancelled, but the fans lingered, eager to know Reggie's condition.

Gan Guoyang and his teammates stayed by the phone for more than two hours, anxiously waiting.

Bobby Bellman emerged from the shower soaking wet, looking like a drowned dog pulled from the water, more disheveled than ever before.

“Sonny, how is Reggie?” Bellman asked, his voice filled with exhaustion and unease.

Gan Guoyang did not answer, because he heard a shrill, uncontrollable sob coming from the receiver of the phone.

He suddenly realized something, put down the phone, and said, "What the hell are we doing here? We should be at the hospital, at the hospital!"

Everyone was stunned by the sudden event and forgot to go to the hospital to treat Lewis.

As soon as Gan Guoyang spoke, everyone immediately set off to open the door, and the reporters waiting outside the changing room were so nervous their legs went weak.

Ignoring the reporters, everyone drove to Portland Hospital.

Quentin sped off with Gan Guoyang toward the nearby hospital, when Gan Guoyang suddenly lowered his head and covered his face.

"Hey boss, are you alright? Reggie'll be fine, he'll..."

"No, Reggie is dead. He's dead."

Just now on the phone, Gan Guoyang heard the doctor tell Donna that the resuscitation efforts had failed.

But he couldn't announce the news in front of everyone, so he could only ask everyone to go to the hospital to send Reggie Lewis off on his final journey.

Thinking of this, Gan Guoyang's tears flowed again. He didn't understand how things had suddenly turned out this way.
-

"At 9:37 PM Pacific Time on June 14th, Portland Hospital announced that Reggie Lewis had died despite resuscitation efforts. The specific cause of death is still under investigation. During the Trail Blazers' game against the Heat that evening, with 4 minutes and 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Reggie Lewis collapsed suddenly while retreating on defense after making a jump shot and was quickly taken to a local hospital. The game was therefore canceled and is expected to be postponed and resumed in Portland..."

Around 3 a.m., Petrovich turned off the television and sat alone by the window, lost in thought.

News of Lewis's sudden death quickly spread throughout the United States and even the world, with a deluge of reports about him.

But compared to these simple, generalized reports, Petrovich's memory of this event is much clearer and more detailed.

He also remembered that Lewis sat next to him on the return flight, and the two had recently become very close.

They dreamed about their future basketball careers: Lewis wanted to work in a warmer place, while Petrovic looked forward to the next Olympics.

Their pleasant conversations in Miami are still vivid in my mind, but in the blink of an eye, Reggie became a cold corpse in the hospital morgue.

A huge tragedy occurred on the basketball court, which caught everyone off guard; everything happened too suddenly.

But was it really all without any warning?

Petrovich clearly remembers the first night they went for a walk together after arriving in Miami.

Lewis said he felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath and wanted to go for a walk outside. At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind: he had some kind of heart problem.

Petrovich told him he should go to the hospital, but Lewis didn't take it seriously, and neither did Petrovich.

That might have been the moment that saved his life. If only I could have pulled him to the hospital then, if only I had kept my teammate in mind...

As he thought about it, Petrovich sat there and cried, overwhelmed by a wave of regret.

"Pete, are you still crying? Pete~"

His girlfriend, Salanchi, walked over to Petrovich, hugged him, and tried to wipe away the tears on his face.

"Pete, let's go for a walk together tomorrow, to the mountains, to the forest park, to see the lakes and the blue sky. That will make you feel better. I've already made plans with my friends, let's go together. Pete?"

Petrovich remained silent, and Salanchi continued, "Or the day after tomorrow. You need to change your mood; there are some things you have to face."

Petrovich remained silent and motionless, simply staring blankly out the dark window.

Salanchi was somewhat disappointed. She released her arm and stepped back, leaving Petrovich to process her bad mood on her own.

"Clara, I want to go out for a walk."

Sharanchi smiled and said, "That's great, Pete. Everything will be alright."

Petrovich nodded. He hadn't wanted to go, but he suddenly realized he should keep Shalanchido in mind.

If he had paid more attention to Lewis, he would have been saved; he should have learned his lesson.

Moreover, he really could easily forget what Salanchi looked like, and he felt guilty about it.

“I’ll drive, you can just enjoy the scenery,” Sharanchi said confidently.
-

Gan Guoyang was the last Trail Blazers player to leave the hospital; he stayed with Donna until her family arrived.

As someone who owns a funeral home business and has died once, Gan Guoyang is familiar with the taste of death.

Death is a silent feast, where everyone consumes their own sorrow. When the feast ends, only the emptiness of scattered cups and plates remains.

Even the closest and most heartbroken people will one day have to accept this sudden and permanent farewell, looking back over the long years, and then forgetting.

Gan Guoyang was heartbroken, but he wasn't devastated. In his heart, he wished Lewis could go to a beautiful, interesting world where basketball is also present.

"Maybe you'll go back to 1981, and remember to dominate the NBA there."

Gan Guoyang used these words to comfort Lewis, and at the same time, to comfort himself.

The news reached Miami as well, and his wife kept calling him, worried that he couldn't handle it.

Gan Guoyang said he was fine. After returning home, Gan Youwei lay on the sofa in the living room waiting for his son to come back.

"You're back? You...have something to eat."

Gan Youwei didn't know how to comfort his son, so he could only give him some food.

Gan Guoyang shook his head; he had no appetite.

"Dad, you should go to bed early. You're getting on in years, you can't stay up all night."

"I know, I know, don't worry about me, you should go to sleep early too."

When Gan Guoyang woke up, it was already the evening of the next day, past dinner time.

He got out of bed, not wanting to turn on the TV, because he knew it would be filled with news about Lewis.

He turned off his cell phone, unplugged the phone line, and instructed Quentin not to disturb his sleep, as he was too tired.

The match wasn't over, but he was exhausted, his mental exhaustion far outweighing his physical exhaustion, and he also had to worry about Berman.

Upon entering the living room, Gan Guoyang saw Quentin, Feng Peiyu, and several bodyguards, all of whom stood up.

Seeing this, Gan Guoyang asked, "What happened? Why are you all gathered here? What's going on?"

Quentin stepped forward and said, "Sonny, I received a message an hour ago that Petrovich was in a car accident and died."

Gan Guoyang stood frozen in place, as if he had been hit in the heart by an ice bullet. His mind went blank, his vision blurred, and his ears were ringing.

He shook his head, wondering if he was dreaming and hadn't yet woken up from last night's nightmare.

What Quentin is saying is that it was Lewis who died, not Petrovich; it was cardiac arrest, not a car accident.

What is he saying? How could two Portland Trail Blazers players die in 24 hours?
And it's Petrovic and Reggie Lewis? Impossible, a dream, it must be a dream.

Gan Guoyang found a place to sit down, and looked at Quentin, repeatedly asking, "Really? Pete is dead? Car accident? How could that be?"

Quentin said, "We also thought it was impossible, but it was reported in the news that he was involved in a rollover accident on his way to Mount Hud National Park, was thrown from the passenger seat, and died on the spot."

Quentin's voice was cold and seemingly devoid of emotion, yet tears were already streaming from the corners of his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot; he must have cried several times.

Why didn't you tell me immediately?

“You said not to disturb your sleep, we…we can only wait. Many, many people have called, many. Including Pete’s family.”

Gan Guoyang sat there, completely stunned. He could barely accept Lewis's sudden death, but he never expected that Petrovich would follow suit and die in a car accident.

His will was as strong as steel, and he could hardly understand or bear such a thing happening in a short time.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Gan Guoyang felt a sharp pain in his temples, a pain he had never experienced before.

Under such a tremendous shock, he couldn't even feel sadness, only annoyance and even anger.

He was furious that at this time, two close teammates and best assistants had to leave the field and the world in such a cruel way.

The disaster struck so suddenly, without giving anyone any preparation, like a meteorite falling from the sky, smashing everything to pieces.

He was furious and wanted to fight someone. He angrily questioned in his mind, "If my life were a book, who the hell wrote it?! What kind of fucking lousy writer are you to write a story like this?! I'll f*** your mother!!!"

Gan Guoyang vented his pent-up anger in his room, all of which stemmed from immense and helpless grief.

He cursed until his throat was dry, until he was rambling incoherently, until he was exhausted, until tears streamed down his face, before he slowly calmed down.

He still had many things to do: help them with their funeral arrangements, comfort everyone, bury them, give them a proper burial plot, visit them every year to remember them, and let the living continue to live well.

He washed his face, tidied himself up, plugged in the phone, turned on his mobile phone, and prepared to get to work.

"Beep."

He turned on the TV and switched to a 24-hour news channel.

Soon, news broke about Petrovich's car accident.

It's true, it's all true. Petrovich was riding in his girlfriend's car when they swerved to avoid an oncoming car and the car overturned.

Petrovich, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown out of the car window and died instantly.

The television footage showed him lying on a stretcher, covered with a white sheet, lifeless.

"This guy still doesn't wear a seatbelt."

"Beep."

Turn off the TV.

Gan Guoyang sat on the bed, staring straight at his reflection in the television screen, and could hear a buzzing static sound.

He got up, left the room, and slammed the door shut.

The room was empty.

This finals have become so long.

[P.S.: Writing this chapter was very painful, so I scolded myself a bit. However, their deaths are historical fact; I didn't kill them off for no reason. Perhaps letting them continue their lives in the novel would have been a good choice, but considering the later plot and the groundwork laid so far, their deaths were unavoidable. At least I tried my best to give them a better basketball career. Many readers have worried that the ending of the first book was too tragic, and this chapter certainly made me suffer, but the book's main theme is "hope," a theme that runs throughout. In the greatest despair, we often see the greatest hope, so there is some tragedy, but not too much. Forrest Gump's life restarts with his death, and his career will also be reborn in this death—that's the story of the second book, where Petrovic and Lewis will also have their legacy passed down. As for Forrest's father, whom everyone has been worried about, I have a plan, which I will explain later; I won't spoil it for now.] It's not that my writing is particularly clever or brilliant; I simply tried my best to let fate unfold naturally, based on my relatively limited knowledge and experience, and to avoid major emotional or logical inconsistencies, so as to provide a satisfactory explanation for both the reader and myself.

(End of this chapter)