Gan Guoyang looked much calmer as he ate an apple and said, "It’s not a big deal; the most important thing for a president is honesty. Problems in personal life are minor issues."
Gan Youwei took off his glasses and asked, "You’re friends with President Clinton, right? Do you think he’s an honest person?"
Gan Guoyang shook his head and said, "Not honest. How could an honest person become president?"
Gan Youwei chuckled and said, "You just said that the most important thing for a president is honesty. Now you’re saying that an honest person can’t become president. Isn’t that self-contradictory?"
Gan Guoyang finished his apple, threw the apple core accurately into the trash bin, and said, "The president just needs to make people feel he’s honest. That’s why Clinton confessed."
Gan Youwei scratched his head, feeling confused, indicating he didn’t quite understand.
"Let me put it in basketball terms. To get a big contract, first, you have to really be good, and second, you have to make others think you’re really good."
"Isn’t being good at basketball the same as making others think you’re good?"
"You don’t get it, Dad. There’s nuance to it. You should think it over yourself. It’ll be a good mental exercise."
"What kind of mental exercise? I might as well watch TV."
Clinton’s confession caused a huge stir, yet from a political standpoint, it was a strategic move.
Because if Clinton didn’t confess and admit, he would face blow after blow from Starr.
These blows included recordings of phone calls between Levinsky and her friend, Linda Tripp, and a blue dress with Clinton’s genetic sample.
As Gan Guoyang said, for a president, the issue isn’t his affair with an intern but rather lying to the American people.
Even though everyone knows politicians are full of lies, you can’t breach the lie of "honesty." That’s the rule, the unspoken agreement.
Before Gan Guoyang reminded Clinton, he was completely unaware, thinking he had covered his tracks perfectly, not realizing that as a nation’s president, how could others not leave any traces?
Especially under the spotlight and magnifying glass, who can be flawless?
No one can, so it’s better to admit it outright early on.
Though it means facing a barrage of public criticism, mockery, and even being pelted with rotten eggs and tomatoes, and having this scandal brought up for the rest of his life,
The benefit is that Clinton can avoid the brunt of the attack wave. All these other scandals are just minor; the issue of "lying" is the most fatal.
Clinton spent a day confessing to his wife, discussing, and analyzing the pros and cons of the situation, making a tough decision.
Gan Guoyang’s information played a crucial role, making Clinton realize that as president, he wasn’t safe. He couldn’t just tough it out and had to sacrifice lesser things to protect greater ones by confessing.
Of course, the Clintons were very puzzled as to how Gan Guoyang knew so much about these matters.
The key pieces of information he provided, including the blue dress, made Clinton instantly realize that everything he said was true.
The couple knew that Ah Gan had vast connections and was quite resourceful, but had he gotten to this level of resourcefulness?
It’s said he had a close collaboration with the FBI, securing major contracts for young players and agents with their help.
As for his entanglement with West Coast politicians, minority groups, and business tycoons, that was even more complex.
Oh, and he’s still a Chinese national, a Chinese person; there might be intelligence support from across the Pacific.
Clinton wondered if Ah Gan’s reminder was a demonstration of their intelligence capabilities from the other side or some political blackmail?
Uncertain, the two discussed it all night but couldn’t figure out how Ah Gan knew such information and what it truly meant.
Whether it was good or bad intent, they immediately united and held a press conference to admit the issue, bracing for the storm together.
As for Ah Gan? Let him win; he can win however he wants. For now, observe him and maintain a good relationship with him.
So, the next day after Clinton’s confession, Clinton called the Trail Blazers’ training office, saying he wanted to speak to Ah Gan.
"This is Larry, who are you, and why are you looking for Ah Gan? He’s in therapy." Bird answered the phone.
"I’m President Bill Clinton. I have something personal I want to discuss with Ah Gan."
"You’re Bill Clinton? Haha, I’m Ms. Lewinsky’s boyfriend. I think you owe me an explanation."
There was a brief silence from the other end before the voice continued, "Coach Larry Bird, it’s really President Bill Clinton. Can’t you recognize my voice? I have something urgent for Ah Gan."
Bird’s mind clicked; he thought, oh no, that really does sound like the President.
Bird went out and found Gan Guoyang in the therapy room, saying, "Sonny, you have a call."
Gan Guoyang asked, "Who?"
"Lewinsky’s boyfriend."
"What?"
Gan Guoyang was startled for a second, then realized what was going on.
"Shit, why is this guy calling here? Is he afraid of eavesdropping?" Gan Guoyang muttered.
Gan Guoyang went to the office, closed the door, and answered the phone, finding Clinton’s voice sounding very friendly.
He expressed his gratitude to Gan Guoyang in very warm terms, much warmer than when they were just friends.
Then, Clinton began subtly probing, trying to get Gan Guoyang to reveal why he knew so much confidential information.
Of course, Gan Guoyang couldn’t answer. How could he?
Would he say he knew this all along, having bought a magazine that detailed the event’s history, and it stuck with him for years?
That certainly couldn’t be said, so Gan Guoyang just hedged, continually deflecting Clinton’s queries.
Clinton was stumped in the end and asked, "Sonny, I’ve been wondering, how should I thank you, and is there anything I can do to help you?"
Gan Guoyang said, "Oh, nothing, just make sure the NBA survives. You helped me before, speaking up when I was in trouble, and I’m very grateful, so I just reminded you. It’s reasonable, right?"
"Very reasonable, very reasonable. I still hope I can help you in the future."
"I appreciate your kindness, and I’ll come to you when I need it."
"No problem, preferably while I’m still president."
After a few more pleasantries, Clinton hung up the phone.
Gan Guoyang let out a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling.
The fluorescent tube above was a bit old, flickering on and off, straining the eyes a little.
Gan Guoyang wasn’t sure if he did the right thing. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision with its own motives.
However, he could feel that having a powerful person owe you a favor is a very dangerous thing.
Especially when you make them feel you hold something over them, it’s like bargaining with a tiger.
This couple seemed glamorous but were ruthless at heart. In politics, nothing is clean.
The light continued to flicker, and after Gan Guoyang came out, he asked logistics to replace the office’s light tube.
Bird came over and said, "Sonny, I’m thinking maybe we should give up this season and not win the championship."
Gan Guoyang touched Bird’s forehead and said, "Since you don’t have a fever, you must be crazy. I’ll take you to the mental hospital immediately."
"Sonny, when I answered the call just now, I didn’t believe the person on the line was the president. I said... I said I was Lewinsky’s boyfriend... If we win the championship, we’ll have to go to the White House to be greeted. It would be very awkward."
Gan Guoyang thought, you son of a bitch, you’re considering giving up the championship because of that?
Of course, he knew Bird was joking. This bastard was too comfortable as a coach now and always needed to find something to occupy himself.
"That’s perfect, go to the White House and meet your in-law, exchange tips as kindred spirits."
The two joked and returned to the gym to continue training.
Logistics was replacing the lights; the flickering tube was replaced, and the lighting stabilized, emitting a buzzing electrical noise.