The Golden Age of Basketball

However, every time he saw Jackson happy because of everything he did, living the life he wanted, Gan Guoyang didn't know how to speak up.

After all, Michael Jackson is an adult, and he has the right to choose his own way of life.

Just like the other Michael, Michael Jordan, who likes gambling and also ends up causing a lot of trouble.

But Jordan knows how to seek help, and he's very psychologically resilient, not feeling ashamed at all for not repaying debts.

Nike and Ah Gan helped Jordan to smooth things over, ensuring Jordan was unaffected.

After all, Nike and Jordan are a community of shared interests; if Jordan is affected, Nike will also be impacted.

But Jackson is different; his relationship with the record company behind him is very bad, with disputes over copyright.

Once an individual lacks the support of groups, organizations, and capital, they are very vulnerable in the broader environment.

Even if you have thousands of fans and widespread fame, it's a distant source unable to quench immediate thirst, unable to truly protect yourself.

Gan Guoyang arrived at Dream Manor by car, looking at this magnificent entrance, believing Michael to be a romantic person indeed.

But the reality of the world is far from being that romantic; it's filled with coldness and cruelty.

Especially when vast interests are involved, people are no different from hyenas prowling the grasslands.

Gan Guoyang saw Jackson at the KFC Restaurant in Dream Manor, and he was holding a piece of fried chicken, greasy hands reaching out to grab Gan Guoyang.

"Sonny, I've recently developed and enhanced my mechanical dance steps, further improving my muscle control. How about we dance for a while together?"

Jackson didn't even care whether Gan Guoyang agreed or not, he put down the fried chicken, wiped his hands, turned on the music, and started dancing.

Gan Guoyang had no choice but to accompany Michael, dancing behind him for a while.

Jackson kept turning back to instruct Ah Gan's steps and posture, appearing very happy.

After dancing for a while, he asked Ah Gan if he wanted to play with those kids for a bit.

"They all want to meet you, really want to. You're their basketball hero!"

For some reason today, Jackson looked very happy.

Gan Guoyang asked, "What's up, Michael? You look so happy. Did something good happen?"

Jackson finally sat down, whispered to Gan Guoyang, "Michael, I've made a decision!"

Once Gan Guoyang saw Jackson's expression, he immediately understood what was going on.

Because he'd seen the same expression on Stockton's and Beelman's faces before.

"You're getting married, aren't you?"

"Bingo! You know me too well, Sonny!"

Gan Guoyang held his forehead, thinking to himself that this kid had no idea he was on the brink of danger.

And yet he was immersed in happiness and yearning for marriage, what could be said?

"I don't just know you; I know all of you too well. Did you recently appear on Oprah's talk show?"

"Yes, did you watch it?"

"I didn't really watch it; I didn't have time. But Fossy watched it. I called her last night; she said Oprah was too rude to you, and she wasn't really on your side."

"Don't say that, Sonny. Oprah is nice."

"Don't be too naive, Michael. I don't like her. Not that going on a talk show is wrong; I understand your mindset. You want to tell the world everything clearly, let sunshine in, let everyone see clearly, making all rumors and gossip collapse by themselves."

"Isn't that right, Sonny? I think I performed well on the show~"

Gan Guoyang solemnly told Jackson, "Michael, for those who believe in you, even if you don't go on the show to clarify, they will still believe in you. Now they'll only support you more. But for those who are obviously trying to slander you, who don't like you, no amount of explanation from you is worth it. You can't wake up someone who's pretending to sleep, and those who slander you aren't convinced of your innocence either."

Jackson said, "It's not that serious, Sonny. I'm not like a soft persimmon that can be easily squeezed. I have many friends and a great team of lawyers."

Gan Guoyang reached out and pinched Jackson's thin arm hard.

"Oh!!"

Jackson screamed, "You hurt me, Sonny."

"Look, you're easy to squeeze."

"You're too strong, Sonny."

Jackson rubbed his arm, but in his heart, he indeed had many worries.

For the past two years, he faced the pressure from work and slander from public opinion, always walking on the edge of collapse.

Often he couldn't sleep at night and relied on sleeping pills to make himself fall asleep.

But in front of friends, he always appeared happy and optimistic, not wanting others to worry about him.

Gan Guoyang ate a piece of fried chicken, wiped his hands, and said, "Aren't those kids wanting to see me? Take me to see them. I want to get to know them well. Your friends are my friends."

Jackson's eyes lit up, "Really? That's great! First, we'll go on the carousel, which is my favorite ride. Then I'll introduce you to my little friends..."

Gan Guoyang wasn't truly fond of Jackson's little friends; he wanted to get to know them, using his childhood method of identifying various children to screen for dangerous ones.

He grew up in a welfare institute and knew that children are a mix of angels and demons.

People all grow up from childhood; most are innocent and pure as children.

But being innocent doesn't mean being foolish or purely good; sometimes it also contains pure evil.

Because children don't know the consequences of many actions, a word or an action can cause ripples.

People say children don't lie; in fact, children not only lie but also talk nonsense.

Gan Guoyang not only wanted to learn about these children but also their backgrounds, families, and parental situations.

Of course, he asked Jackson about these in a casual way.

When the topic came to a child named Jody Chandler, Jackson scratched his head, speaking hesitantly.

Gan Guoyang promptly asked him, "What's up with Jody? You seem to have a good relationship with this child; you took him to participate in activities."

"Yes, he's a good kid; I like him. However, his father has been... discussing some things with me lately."

"Discussing some things? Does he want to extort you?"

"Oh, Sonny, you really shouldn't be playing basketball. You should work in the FBI or CIA doing interrogations. I don't think it's called extortion; he keeps asking me for help, asking for money to build a house or... to do business. I have money, but I feel that's not right."

"That's extortion, or rather, the prelude to extortion. Give me his information; I'll find someone to help solve this problem for you."

"What do you plan to do, Sonny? Don't harm him; that's not right."

"I won't harm him. Doesn't he need money and help? I can help him. But he might need to make some sacrifices. A person must pay the price for what they gain. If not now, it will accumulate in the future, and once it explodes, it will hurt many people."

"Some mistakes are unforgivable, Michael. You need to prevent them before they happen."

After much thought, Jackson gave Gan Guoyang the information of a man named Evan Chandler.

Their entire family are fans of Jackson; in 1992, Jackson became friends with them and maintained a good relationship.

But the identity disparity, combined with tabloid media hype, made Evan Chandler discontent with Jackson.

Lately, he kept asking Jackson for money, a lot of money. Of course, Jackson wouldn't accede to his unreasonable demands.

When a vile person's demands are unmet, they're bound to retaliate, without reason, without care of the consequences.

Gan Guoyang regarded Evan Chandler as a landmine and cataloged several similar landmines.

In the afternoon, on the way to the Great Western Forum from Dream Manor, Gan Guoyang gave this information to Quentin.

"After we return to Portland, give it to Fossy; have her find a way to contact them and handle their relationship with Michael."

"Got it, Sonny."

"Oh right, when I'm done with the game, go to the mall and pick some good bags to bring back to Portland for Fossy. Don't pick the styles I've bought before, remember."

"Don't worry, I have records of everything. Focus on your game."

With Quentin handling business, Gan Guoyang was completely reassured, as Quentin was absolutely loyal to him.

Even now as a security company manager, Quentin spent most of his time guarding Gan Guoyang.

But Jackson didn't have such a person by his side, perhaps not even his family doctor was reliable.