As a symbolic figure for the Chinese people, most wish for this banner of Gan Guoyang to stand tall, but some want it to fall.
Over the past decade, Wang Fuxi has dedicated much effort and strength behind the scenes, fighting against these people.
Some were eliminated, some were pacified, some were used; many shadows of the blade were hidden behind the scenes, unbeknownst to others.
As a result, they only raised two children, as there really was no time to have more.
By the year 2000, when Gan Guoyang retired, he was known to everyone as the Sun King, while Wang Fuxi was little known as the Empress Dowager.
Now, as Gan Guoyang has stepped away from the NBA and the spotlight, the Empress is slowly pulling back the curtains and stepping into the limelight.
In the past two months, Wang Fuxi has been contemplating how to settle nearly 1 billion US dollars in the United States and start the second half of her husband's life.
Although the wealth Gan Guoyang earned is enough to ensure a worry-free life for several generations, at this level, one's needs in life change, requiring a greater sense of achievement and some responsibilities.
"Do you know who I was just on the phone with?" Wang Fuxi asked playfully while hanging up Gan Guoyang's clothes.
Since Wang Fuxi asked this way, it must have been someone important.
"Let me guess, you weren't on the phone with Zipper Bill again, were you? He's almost not the president anymore, don't bother with him."
"Who wants to talk to him, he dirties my ears. Guess again."
"Could it be Old Tang? That dog; I retired, and he sold the team, making a big profit! And gained the reputation of 'loyal and true'; he really got off easy."
"Pfft~ What loyal and true, I'd say it's more like the rabbit is dead and the dog has been cooked. I've been in touch with Old Tang a lot lately, he really has vast connections and influence, I will continue to work with him."
"Then... could it be Stern? That old fox; look, I retired, and he doesn't even arrange a hotel for me, I have to pay my own way. He's already eager to support newcomers, that two-faced guy." Gan Guoyang wouldn't miss a chance to roast Stern.
"Stern is someone I need to contact for sure, I've been to New York twice to meet him recently, his attitude was lukewarm at best. But in New York, I met someone very important, and had a good talk with him. He just called me again, I said I've already arrived in Sydney and will discuss it with my husband."
Hearing Wang Fuxi say this, Gan Guoyang was intrigued and asked, "Who did you meet?"
"The mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman."
"Oscar Goodman? You mean the Mafia lawyer?"
"That's right, but now he's the mayor of the gambling city, a key figure who can decide the city's development direction."
Oscar Goodman is a controversial legend in America's legal circles, infamously known for being a defense attorney for the Italian Mafia.
(The bespectacled person at the back is Oscar Goodman, in the front is the famous 1980s Mafia member "Ant" Tony Spilotro)
However, in 1999, Goodman was successfully elected as the mayor of Las Vegas, starting a new chapter in his life.
As mayor, first on Goodman's city development agenda was to bring a major league professional team to Las Vegas.
However, Las Vegas is a gambling city, and all competitive sports shy away from gambling, especially the NBA, with David Stern saying he would never consider moving a team to Las Vegas.
However, where there's a will, there's a way, and Goodman encountered Wang Fuxi in New York, where they had an initial meeting at a café beneath the Olympia Building.
"Goodman said that if you invested, it might be possible to bring a new team to Las Vegas."
"Me? Why?"
"Because you are the embodiment of fairness, the guarantee of equity, the most reputable person, the most popular star, as well as the ratings king, America's double-standard darling in the hearts of people..."
"Okay, okay, why are you putting a high hat on me? But... don't you think, there's indeed a chance of success in this. Still, it will take at least another year."
"Why wait another year?"
"Timing is the most critical factor for many things to work."
In short, from this moment, Gan Guoyang saw a new possibility for his future.
Basketball, he just can't leave basketball, it's something that always captivates his soul.
A new world is quietly unveiling a corner.