Gan Guoyang has always enjoyed playing in San Francisco, where there’s no difference from playing at home.
After this short road trip, the Trail Blazers will return to Portland to continue their home games.
The November schedule is relaxed like this, which is undoubtedly good news for the injury-ridden Trail Blazers.
The team arrived at the destination in the early morning, and after resting for a night, Gan Guoyang asked Beelman for a leave during the daytime.
He wanted to visit his bedridden great-uncle, Gan Bingguang, in the hospital.
This summer, Gan Bingguang experienced discomfort in his stomach, and his bowel movements were unusual. A hospital examination revealed a tumor in his rectum, already in the middle to late stage.
The family immediately arranged hospitalization and treatment, and Gan Guoyang brought the best oncologist to perform surgery on his great-uncle.
But the elderly Gan Bingguang refused to undergo surgery and didn’t want chemotherapy, opting only for conservative treatment.
He said, "Life and death are fated. Surgery would only prolong a bit of unnecessary life. I’ve lived long enough at this age, and my life ends here. I don’t want to suffer more."
Gan Guoyang also tried to persuade his great-uncle at that time, saying that money was definitely not a problem. He was concerned that his great-uncle, having saved all his life, was afraid of spending money.
The great-uncle shook his head repeatedly, saying, "How could I care about money? If I were younger, I’d definitely want to live, but at this age, I’m already satisfied."
"Let me come whole and leave whole."
The family had no choice but to agree, unable to go against the patient’s wishes.
Now, in late autumn, the great-uncle was terminally ill.
He lay in the intensive care unit, still conscious.
His body was emaciated, barely holding on by a breath.
Nonetheless, his eyes still had spirit, and when he saw Gan Guoyang, his pupils moved.
He grasped Gan Guoyang’s hand, gently squeezing it, indicating he knew Ah Gan had come.
Gan Guoyang still remembers that when he first "arrived" in America, it was actually his great-uncle who invited him over.
In a sense, it was his great-uncle who brought him here.
Watching the life signs on his body slowly fade, Gan Guoyang felt deeply pained inside.
At the doorway of the ward, Gan Youwei told his son, "The doctor said there’s not much time left, and we should be prepared. I’ll let you know when the time comes."
Gan Guoyang nodded. Although the great-uncle’s family was supposed to be distant relatives, after so many years of interaction, they had long become extremely close family.
The great-uncle was the eldest in the family, and once he passed away, Gan Guoyang would certainly take part in handling things, both emotionally and logically.
His cousin Gan Youtang also came out and said to Gan Guoyang, "Grandfather said earlier, don’t be too sad. At his age, it’s a joyous funeral when he goes. He wants a low-key funeral and doesn’t want to make any news for you, so play your games well, we’ll be just fine."
Saying this, Gan Youtang cheerfully patted Gan Guoyang’s strong arm.
At this moment, the towering Gan Guoyang no longer seemed imposing, only like a child.
He knew his cousin only seemed optimistic, but probably shed many tears in private.
In the past decade, Gan Guoyang has made a name and achieved great things, truly shining bright.
But the closest Gan family has always remained low-key, living a relatively ordinary life in San Francisco.
They still run restaurants, just much bigger than before.
They still operate laundromats, just with a few more chains.
They live in better houses now, though not mansions.
They have more savings, but certainly not enormous wealth.
The Gan Family did not easily venture into unfamiliar fields just because they had a Golden Phoenix.
They resisted many temptations of evil creatures, keeping their circle simple and pure.
The great-uncle, adhering to traditional wisdom and morals, kept the entire family humble and low-key.
As Gan Guoyang gradually became famous, the phrase he often said was, "Don’t cause trouble for Ah Gan."
He practiced this literally until the last stage of his life.
Facing death, he remained calm and tried to make as little trouble for Gan Guoyang as possible.
Thinking of many things, Gan Guoyang sighed and said, "How can some things be called causing trouble?"
Gan Youwei looked at his son and said, "It’s not really about avoiding trouble, just a code of conduct, a life attitude, like..."
Gan Guoyang rarely heard his dad speak of such principles, he looked at Gan Youwei and asked, "Like what?"
With this question, Gan Youwei couldn’t find the words, hesitated for a while, and just waved his hand to signal Gan Guoyang to return to the team early.
"There’s a game tonight, work well, many Chinese fans are going to watch your game."
Whenever Gan Guoyang had a game in San Francisco, many Chinese people would travel to this city.
Watching Ah Gan’s game at Oakland Arena was part of their travel plans.
It’s even the most important part.
Gan Guoyang never lets his fans down.
Under his father’s urging, he left the hospital.
Somehow the news leaked out, and the hospital entrance was crowded with reporters and fans.
Gan Guoyang now has to have many bodyguards when he goes out, just like Michael Jackson.
A few years ago, his bodyguard Quentin started a security company, where he serves as the general manager.
The company primarily recruits veterans and retired combat athletes as bodyguards.
The company’s primary client is Gan Guoyang, with Quentin always providing close protection.
Under Quentin’s guard, Gan Guoyang got into the car and left the hospital, heading straight for Oakland Arena.
Throughout the journey, Gan Guoyang was in a bad mood, with a sullen face, not speaking.
Even though he knew before coming that his great-uncle’s condition was already very bad.