The game is over, but the moon is still at work.

Very bright and round...

Just like every family reunited.

The game was intense. By the fourth quarter, the players were physically fit, but their mental strength was starting to give out.

Fortunately, the 76ers won the first game.

The fans yawned excitedly...

In this game, O'Neal battled against Wei Guo under the basket, and Mutombo would also come up to help defend, so O'Neal was limited. The Lakers were able to hold on until the last moment because of Kobe's performance, and Kobe also scored a game-high 41 points.

......

Wei Guo went home and went straight to sleep, without even having an overtime game with Britney.

I woke up the next morning.

Wei Guo received a call from an unknown number. The caller greeted him politely, "Hello, is this Wei Guo?"

Who is it?

"My name is Zhang Peng, and I am the head of the China Basketball Association."

"Hello, Mr./Ms. Zhang... Leader."

"Don't say that. I just arrived in Philadelphia and wanted to meet you. Are you free?"

"I'm playing in the finals, let's talk on the phone."

"It's like this... The Men's Basketball World Championship is about to start, and we would like to invite you to join the national team."

"......."

Wei Guo thought for a moment, "I know a good restaurant, let's meet there at noon and chat."

Men's Basketball World Championship?

Wei Guo would never refuse to do something to bring glory to his country, because his name is Wei Guo.

........

The team played too late last night and didn't have any training today.

Brown told the players to rest well and wait for Game 2 of the Finals, and there was also something very important to do.

The basketball hoops in the arena need to be refitted; the kind of thing that happened in the first game can't happen again. It's not just the 76ers; the basketball hoops in the Staples Center are also being replaced.

After a quick wash, it was almost eleven o'clock.

Regardless of Zhang Peng's identity, he is a visitor from his hometown, and the hospitable Wei Guo must make sure to arrange a good lunch for him.

Britney drove Weiguo to a Chinese restaurant, leaving Coach Thompson at home to eat instant noodles.

Zhang Peng was very punctual.

After finishing his phone call with Wei Guo, he rushed to the Chinese restaurant. By the time Wei Guo arrived, he had already drunk two pots of tea.

"I've long admired your name!"

Zhang Peng was very enthusiastic and took the initiative to shake hands with Wei Guo.

"Brother Zhang, how long have you been here?"

"Just arrived..."

"Let me order first, and we can chat while we drink?"

"While drinking...???"

Zhang Peng noticed Wei Guo's wording; he said they would talk while drinking, not while eating.

After serving two dishes, Wei Guo asked Britney to get some wine from the car.

Zhang Peng hesitated and asked, "Do you still want to drink?"

"Want some drinks?"

Wei Guo said nonchalantly, "Anyway, I don't have anything to do this afternoon."

"But you're playing in the finals..."

"The competition is tomorrow, it doesn't affect my drinking today."

Zhang Peng hesitated even more.

He knew that Wei Guo was a graduate of Georgetown University and then entered the NBA, so subconsciously he felt that Wei Guo was a very disciplined player. How come he gave him the impression of some unreliable domestic players when they first met?

After two glasses of wine...

Zhang Peng explained his purpose, "China has produced such an outstanding player as you, which is a source of pride for our country. We hope you will join the national team and win glory for our nation..."

actually...

Before coming, Zhang Peng was very nervous.

He worried that Wei Guo, influenced by Western culture, lacked a sense of national pride and refused to join the national team.

Because recently, there's been a player who's giving them a real headache.

"no problem!"

Wei Guo agreed readily, "My name is Wei Guo, and it is my duty to win glory for the country. I will report to the national team after the finals."

This...this is it??

Zhang Peng immediately poured himself a full glass of wine, "I toast you, you are a fine son of China!"

"You flatter me...you flatter me..."

Wei Guo and Zhang Peng clinked glasses.

Wei Guo had no ulterior motives. His willingness to join the national team was simple: to win glory for the country, as Zhang Peng said.

The more they talked, the more compatible they became...

Zhang Peng couldn't help but say, "Recently, because of Wang Zhizhi's situation, I was worried that you wouldn't want to return to China either."

"What's up, Da Zhi?"

Wei asked.

Zhang Peng probably told Wei Guo about this.

Wei Guo remained silent...

Everyone has their difficult moments, and it's hard to say who's right or wrong in this matter. However, Wei Guo also said, "You can tell Da Zhi about my joining the national team, and then let him make the decision."

There are some rules in the league.

For example, players need to purchase insurance when they return to their home country to compete during the off-season, but these regulations are irrelevant to Weiguo.

After the Finals, he'll be a free agent...

No rule dares to suppress Wei Guo, and all teams will pursue him relentlessly. Even if it's insured, teams will scramble to pay for Wei Guo's insurance.

They hit it off, and Zhang Peng added, "When you return to China, you can give some pointers to the young players there if you have time."

"I wouldn't dare accept such guidance..."

Wei Guo smiled and said, "But helping domestic players grow is my bounden duty. Regardless of whether they are national team members or not, I think as long as they are professional players... I should help them."

"pattern!"

Zhang Peng gave Wei Guo a thumbs up.

Wei Guo laughed and said, "Brother Zhang, you're the leader. When you get back to China, you must organize these players. A hundred or so is fine. I can talk to them. Even if there's not enough time, I can play a one-on-one game with each of them... It can help them grow."

"You're absolutely right."

Zhang Peng said, "I will arrange this matter as soon as I return to China."

"You really need to take this seriously..."

Wei Guo added, "Call all the professional players."

"That would require dozens."

"Dozens?"

Wei Guo frowned. "Brother Zhang, you still aren't taking it seriously. Are there only a few dozen professional players in the country?"

A club should have at least ten players, from starters to substitutes. How can so many clubs in the CBA only field a few dozen players?

"I understand what you mean."

Zhang Peng seemed to understand something, "You really want to help domestic players grow. After returning to China, I will notify the owners of various clubs and try to get all the professional players to attend."

"That's right!"

Wei Guo was very satisfied with this statement.

Consider the more than one hundred lucky draw gift boxes as a welcoming gift from the national team to him.

......

They enjoyed the food and drinks and chatted until after 1 a.m.

Britney sat next to him...

She is working hard to learn Chinese. Although she can't understand Wei Guo and Zhang Peng's conversation yet, Britney is happy to see Wei Guo's hearty laughter from time to time.

After having a good meal, Wei Guo invited Zhang Peng to watch the second final match the next day, and Zhang Peng readily agreed.

This is a rather rare opportunity...

It's a good opportunity to experience the basketball atmosphere in the US and then bring that experience back home.