"You’re the only female boss in the League, and I’m just your employee."
"You don’t seem like an employee; everyone listens to you, even me."
"Hey, what’s wrong with you today? You look so preoccupied. You’re not... Damn it! Don’t tell me they’ve found something in your body too!"
Yao Ming felt a tightness in his chest as he saw Wang Fuxi’s frowning face, and he felt a bit panicked.
Wang Fuxi shook her head and said, "Don’t worry, as long as you’re alive, I wouldn’t want to die. It wouldn’t benefit anyone else."
"Then... are you pregnant again?"
Wang Fuxi punched Gan Guoyang and said, "You’re always joking, where would we find the time now?"
After speaking, Wang Fuxi sighed again, and Gan Guoyang sensed something was off. Sharply, he asked, "Did something happen to Wenshan?"
Gan Wenshan has been studying in Portland, he’s fifteen this year, on the path to adulthood.
Wang Fuxi nodded hesitantly and said, "There’s a girl in Portland, who’s pregnant and says it’s Wenshan’s child."
"What?" Gan Guoyang was shocked and then felt angry. He’s only fifteen; how could he do something so outrageous?
But soon, Gan Guoyang calmed down. He paced around the room several times before asking, "Is it certain? Is it true? Is she not just trying to scam us?"
"I sent someone to investigate, and I asked him, it’s true."
"When did this happen? How come I only know now!"
"It happened in January... You were so busy and focused on playing basketball, so I didn’t tell you right away. I waited until it was confirmed."
"Confirmed? What do you mean by confirmed? Confirmed she’s having the baby, or confirmed it’s his child?"
"Confirmed it’s his child. She’s already five months pregnant, a Chinese-American girl, two years his senior, studying in Portland. Her parents don’t know yet."
Now calm, Gan Guoyang again felt a surge of frustration. How did this guy suddenly stir up such a huge scandal?
While early fatherhood for men might be nothing to some in America—NBA players with no father are aplenty.
Many were impulsive products of teenage parents just fifteen or sixteen themselves.
But in a Chinese family, this is a big issue, one that Gan Guoyang cannot allow to happen.
After the initial anger, Gan Guoyang felt regret and guilt. Leaving Gan Wenshan alone in Portland was a mistake.
Though the Currys and Thompsons looked after him well, they weren’t his parents and couldn’t discipline him strictly.
Young Gan Wenshan was safe as an elementary student, but now, nearing adulthood and in high school, his age and development make him susceptible to temptation.
Without parents around, with his youthful vigor and privileged background, mistakes were almost inevitable.
In his career, Gan Guoyang was always cautious and controlled, never making big errors—a near-perfect record.
Who would’ve thought that his son would stumble so greatly, suggesting a failure in parenting.
The last time Gan Guoyang felt this lost was in 1993, when Petrović and Lewis passed away unexpectedly, and his father went missing.
This situation may not be as tragic, but it nonetheless caught Gan Guoyang off guard, leaving no room in his mind for coaching or All-Star concerns.
"What is Wenshan’s own stance?" Gan Guoyang asked.
"He said he will take responsibility for his actions."
"Bullshit! Like there’s anyone else involved!" Clearly, Gan Guoyang was still angry.
"Don’t be anxious. In America, this isn’t that huge a deal. After all, he created a life, not ended one."
"You’re good at comforting yourself. But as parents, we can’t escape the primary responsibility. What’s the girl’s attitude?"
"She wants to give birth to the child."
"If she wants to have the baby... then let her have it, we can afford to raise it."
"Don’t you care about your reputation?"
"What’s reputation compared to life? I don’t rely on it for a living. Besides, it’s my son who got someone pregnant, not me."
"You’re really bold. But don’t worry, focus on your games; I’ve already taken care of this."
Gan Guoyang was stunned; he’d thought about how to face the girl, her parents, the press’s harassment, the media’s criticism. Yet Wang Fuxi said to focus on his games.
"What do you mean, taken care of?"
"The girl has been sent back to China. I gave her a deal she couldn’t refuse. I’ve handled her parents. She’ll have the child in China and receive good care. As for their relationship, it’s something for the long term. Wenshan is too young, and so is the girl, unable to take responsibility for their future. I’ll give them time. If they choose to be together, I’ll support them. If not, let them go their separate ways. As for the baby, I’ve said, someone will take good care of him."
Wang Fuxi had already quietly settled everything before revealing it to her husband, choosing this time strategically during the All-Star weekend, ensuring it didn’t affect Gan Guoyang’s game mindset.
Gan Guoyang suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Criticize his wife? She resolved everything without informing him.
Even if Gan Guoyang were to handle it himself, he might not have done better than what Wang Fuxi accomplished.
With a long sigh, Gan Guoyang asked, "Where’s Wenshan? Tell him to come see me in Atlanta during the All-Star game."
Wang Fuxi said, "What good would it do for him to see you? Give him time to realize the issue. I’ve decided to have him return to Las Vegas for the next semester for school. He can’t stay in Portland, hanging around with the Curry and Thompson families."
"Those kids are all pretty good."
"I know, that’s why Wenshan can’t indulge with them anymore. Do you understand?"
"I... I understand, I do."
"Oh, by the way, after the checkup, it’s likely a boy in her belly. Since you’re going to be a grandfather, give the child a name."
Gan Guoyang couldn’t help but laugh. Not yet forty, and already a grandfather? Is this... appropriate?
After pondering for a moment, he said, "Let’s not give a lineage name for now. I hope this will be the end of such matters for Wenshan, that he won’t get into trouble like this again. Let’s call him Gan Weizhi."
"Gan Weizhi, it’s a good name."
This sudden and unexpected storm disturbed Gan Guoyang deeply.
He realized basketball had indeed taken too much of his time and space.
How long has it been since he played ball with his son or played games together? He truly had neglected parenting.
At that moment, Gan Guoyang considered retiring fully.
However, on February 7th, in Atlanta, during the All-Star game, when Gan Guoyang became the most voted player and started with Jordan for the Eastern, the cheering scene was intoxicating.
Yao Ming, with the support of Chinese fans, also became an All-Star substitute, another Chinese player to step onto the All-Star stage.
During the All-Star game in China, many places like SH and BJ held fan viewing parties.
Before and after the game, fans nationwide sent congratulations and greetings to Gan Guoyang and Yao Ming, creating a lively atmosphere.
Because this time coincided with the Chinese New Year, the NBA All-Star game became an important program of the Spring Festival for Chinese fans.
At these times, Gan Guoyang always felt a heavy burden of pressure and hope, as fans never wanted him to retire; they always wanted him to keep playing as new fans continually arose.
For a professional player, growing accustomed to big events, thrilling games, returning to a quiet life is truly not an easy choice.
Gan Guoyang thought about giving his yet-to-be-born grandson, Gan Weizhi, he wondered when he himself would reach a stopping point.