The Golden Age of Basketball

These three guys have different personalities, but in reality, they're all very shrewd. It's good enough that they're not plotting against others—they'd be hard to take down without some skill and background.

Only Michael Jackson possesses extraordinary talent and great luck in his career. He also has some shrewdness and is very smart, but his personality is too soft, he's too agreeable, and is easily trusting of others.

An incomplete childhood has left him with an overly persistent pursuit of happiness and trust and love between people. If someone shows a little kindness, he thinks about reciprocating a hundredfold to maintain the relationship.

However, surrounded by many self-serving and opportunistic people, along with those who want to exploit his fame, Jackson isn't as good as Gan Guoyang or Jordan in this regard.

Both Jordan and Gan Guoyang have their own extremely private circles. Any decisions are made within these circles, and their interests are highly interconnected, so there's practically no chance of betrayal.

Too many people surround Jackson, and it's a mixed crowd with many harboring ulterior motives. After all, the music industry is comparatively more complex than the sports world, with more entangled interests.

Old Tang treats Jackson quite well, but Gan Guoyang was still worried, so at the end of September, he went to New York to attend Old Tang's charity gala.

The news of superstars from two different fields, Gan Guoyang and Jackson, attending made the venue shine. Countless reporters showed up, greatly satisfying Old Tang's pride and vanity.

In the lounge, Gan Guoyang sat on the sofa to rest. He glanced at his watch—there were fifteen minutes left, but Michael still hadn't arrived.

How was he planning to come? Would it be like his concerts, where he suddenly springs up from underground? Then he'd stand there posing for five minutes.

Or would he arrive by helicopter, descending along a rope ladder under the spotlight?

Who knows? The guy has been so secretive lately, but in fact, he just wants to enjoy solitude and protect himself.

He just doesn't understand, or perhaps he understands but can't do it, that for a celebrity like him to protect himself, he has to learn to hurt others first.

Just like how Gan Guoyang goes on a rampage on the basketball court, the world of fame and fortune is just that cruel—a lot crueler than communities, schools, or small towns.

As Gan Guoyang was thinking, he suddenly felt like there was someone behind him. He turned his head and saw a pair of big fluttering eyes staring at him. The mask obscured the face.

"Wow! Who the hell!"

Gan Guoyang was startled and cursed, getting up to grab whoever's head was poking out.

"Hey Sonny, it's me, it's me."

Upon hearing this soft voice, Gan Guoyang immediately realized it was Michael.

"Damn, Michael! When did you get here!"

"About three minutes ago. I saw you were deep in thought, so I didn't disturb you."

"What was I thinking about? I was just tired of waiting for you! You almost scared me to death."

"Sorry, Sonny, I scared you..."

Gan Guoyang waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay, don't apologize. I've told you many times, don't apologize so easily, no matter who it's to—it'll make you seem weak, regardless of whether it's your fault!"

"Oh, yes, you did say that... Sorry, I didn't listen."

"... You really didn't listen. Anyway, how have you been lately?"

As soon as the topic of how things were lately came up, Jackson opened up, sat on the sofa, and eagerly talked to Gan Guoyang.

He talked about the troubles he's faced recently—things that didn't go smoothly here, problems there, physical pains, skin issues, and so on.

Gan Guoyang listened attentively. At this moment, Jackson seemed like any ordinary working person with plenty of small troubles.

"I've told you long ago, you should exercise, play some sports, boost your immunity."

"Oh no, Sonny, that would affect my flexibility for dancing... How about I teach you how to dance?"

The two of them often debated about "exercising" and "dancing."

Gan Guoyang would always advise Jackson to play sports and run to enhance his immunity, saying it would help his skin issues a lot.

But Jackson always refused, citing that it would affect his dancing, while Gan Guoyang used his lack of dance talent as a reason to decline Jackson's dance lessons.

There are so many people in this world who would love to receive basketball training from Gan Guoyang, and even more who wish to learn dancing from Michael Jackson.

Yet these two don't cherish it, though they do care deeply about each other.

"I... this might be a good idea."

Faced with Jackson's suggestion to dance, Gan Guoyang was about to reject it as usual.

But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly changed his mind—thinking Michael must be a little hurt by his constant rejections.

What's wrong with learning to dance a bit? Maybe it could even help his footwork under the basket.

So he actually agreed. Jackson didn't react at first, but when he did, he immediately jumped off the sofa.

"Are you serious? You agreed? Agreed to learn to dance with me?"

"Yes, yes, I agreed. But you also have to promise me that whenever you encounter any problems, discuss them with me first, okay?"

"Alright, Sonny, how about we start the first lesson now? Let me see your muscle control capabilities~"

Gan Guoyang decided to make a sacrifice for his friend and venture into the field of dance, which he was least good at.