Over the years, Gan Guoyang has been blazing trails on the basketball court, while Gan Youwei has not been idle.
He has been innovating and experimenting in the culinary field, combining Chinese and Western cuisines, and developing new dishes.
Many of his new Chinese dishes and new Western dishes are very popular in San Francisco.
In the famous chef selections of 1989 and 1991, Gan Youwei made the list.
For a chef, it has always been a challenge to satisfy every palate.
In the past decade, Gan Youwei has been focused solely on improving the taste of his dishes.
After dinner, the men played cards and smoked cigars, while the women chatted and played mahjong — Wang Fuxi had introduced mahjong to the ladies’ circle in Portland.
They stayed up until the early morning, when the children were too tired to stay awake. Everyone gathered to celebrate the New Year.
With that, 1992 was over, and 1993 arrived.
Old George H.W. Bush officially ended his term and gave his final New Year’s address.
America was about to welcome the era of Bill Clinton, the last American president before the 21st century.
After seeing the guests off and putting the two children to bed, Gan Guoyang lay in bed, lost in thought.
Wang Fuxi woke up half-asleep, saw her husband still awake, snuggled up to him, and asked, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"
"Just thinking about things."
"Thinking about what? Thinking about your basketball again?"
"No, I’m thinking about Dad."
"Dad? What’s wrong with Dad? I think he’s been doing great recently. Before he came, I was worried he’d get stubborn and want to go back after staying for a while. But he’s been living well here, very well every day. The grandchildren all love him, and he’s doing great."
Gan Guoyang turned over and said, "It’s because he’s doing so well that I think something’s off."
"You’re really something. Dad’s doing so well now, and you still aren’t happy about it, are you?"
"No, it’s just... when things are out of the ordinary, there’s usually something wrong. I just feel like something’s off."
The two of them always had a mutual understanding, and when Gan Guoyang said this, Wang Fuxi also suddenly realized something.
She turned on the bedside lamp and said, "Now that you mention it, there does seem to be something, especially after your great uncle passed away."
Gan Guoyang nodded and said, "Indeed, he seems... Do you think Dad might be dealing with something?"
"What kind of thing?"
"Do you think Dad might be in love?"
Wang Fuxi punched Gan Guoyang.
"You’re just talking nonsense. Dad wouldn’t. But if he really did fall in love, that would be a good thing."
The two of them joked about Gan Youwei, but Gan Guoyang didn’t feel at ease.
He would rather his dad wanted to remarry than for there to be something else going on.
"Tomorrow, you should arrange for the family doctor to come over and give Dad a thorough check-up. Just say it’s a routine check-up, all paid for, and you join in too. Check everything, and be thorough."
Remembering his great uncle, Gan Guoyang grew concerned about his father’s health.
He decided to give him a proper physical examination.
During the day, Gan Guoyang went to team training as usual, and in the evening, there was a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Just before the game started, Gan Guoyang received a call from Wang Fuxi, saying that the doctor’s examination found everything normal.
"Everything’s normal? Aren’t there some results that haven’t come out yet?"
"There are a few tests, due tomorrow or the day after, but the doctor says there shouldn’t be any issues. Overall, Dad seems quite healthy."
"Really? That’s good, that’s good."
After hearing his wife’s words, Gan Guoyang finally relaxed.
He had been on edge all day.
Afraid that his wife would call, announcing they found something seriously wrong with his dad.
With peace of mind restored, Gan Guoyang focused his attention back on the game.
The Clippers were their first opponents of the New Year.
Since Larry-Brown took over, the Clippers appeared to have found their footing.
Brown brought defense, discipline, and endless yelling to the Clippers.
Before the game started, Gan Guoyang walked over to the Clippers’ bench and warned Brown:
"Larry, you’d better keep quiet tonight, or I’ll make sure you do."
Larry-Brown’s face turned pale, then red with anger.
He complained to the referee and the president’s stand about Gan Guoyang’s threat.
The referee approached the bench and asked the Clippers player nearest to them, Vandeweghe:
"Did Ah Gan threaten Larry-Brown?"
Vandeweghe appeared bewildered, shrugged and said, "Uh, he just talked some trash, that’s all, hardly a threat."
Brown shouted angrily, "And that’s not a threat? You know what he means by making me quiet, right?"
Vandeweghe moved closer and said to Brown, "Coach, since you know, wouldn’t it be better to just be quiet?"
Brown looked at Vandeweghe, shocked.
But then he remembered that these two were old teammates.
And they had won a championship together.
After Vandeweghe was traded to New York, he played half a good season.
After that, due to injury issues, he withdrew from the ranks of first-line players.
Following the 88-89 season, Vandeweghe’s scoring plummeted to single digits.
There was a brief resurgence in the 90-91 season but only managed an average of 16 points.
He was no longer the high-caliber scorer who effortlessly scored over 20, 30 points per game.
And in terms of technical style, he was no longer suited for the confrontation and pace of the 90s.
After the 92 season, the Knicks didn’t renew his contract.
The Clippers gave him a contract to see if this former super scorer still had something left.
Vandeweghe was already 34 years old, and this season was highly likely to be his last.
Whether for money, fame, or a championship, Vandeweghe lacked nothing.
All he aimed to do was calmly finish his final season and transition into management work after retirement.
Thus, Larry-Brown couldn’t control him at all.
Between his former good teammate and the current coach, he obviously sided with Ah Gan.
Brown settled his emotions and could only swallow his pride in Portland.