Brewing Storm

They walked in and out of various specialty stores, and soon Lian Dao was covered in an array of handbags. He trailed behind, exhausted and bewildered by the relentless pace of the shopping spree. He couldn't fathom why girls seemed to have endless energy for shopping. Even with his impressive physique, he felt completely drained.

Seeing his weariness, Guo Yuwei couldn't help but giggle. She led him back to the Wrangler off-road vehicle, where they unloaded the bags and took a short break.

Next on their list was to purchase ingredients and some special condiments, so they headed to Chinatown.

Lian Dao, ever the cautious one, had tried to go incognito. He donned Gucci sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a mask. Despite his best efforts at disguise, he was quickly recognized. His 2-meter-plus height, combined with his yellow skin and recent fame from the NCAA, made him a standout even in Chinatown.

As they navigated through the bustling streets, some fans, delighted to spot their basketball hero, approached him with excitement. Despite the attention, Lian Dao handled it graciously, posing for a few quick photos and signing a couple of autographs. Guo Yuwei, amused by the situation, continued shopping, while Lian Dao tried to balance his public appearance with his personal exhaustion.

After being mobbed by enthusiastic fans, Lian Dao and Guo Yuwei managed to escape the crowd with a mixture of relief and embarrassment. They laughed together, finding humor in the situation.

With Lian Dao unable to return to Chinatown for more ingredients, Guo Yuwei took charge. Her deep knowledge of Chinese cuisine, honed from her love of food, proved invaluable as she navigated the local markets. They stocked up on everything needed for a grand feast.

Back at the villa, Lian Dao and Guo Yuwei set to work preparing a feast that showcased a variety of dishes: braised pork in brown sauce, sweet and sour pork ribs, Kung Pao chicken, double-cooked pork, husband and wife lung slices, West Lake vinegar fish, Jiuzhuan fatty intestines, Sixi meatballs, Babao chicken, Buddha jumping over the wall, Coke chicken wings, and braised fish, among others.

The sheer number of dishes—nearly twenty—meant that preparing and arranging them took up most of the day. Exhausted but satisfied, Lian Dao and Guo Yuwei enlisted the help of their two nannies and two bodyguards to enjoy the meal. The nannies and bodyguards, experienced and accustomed to working hard, shared their appreciation for the feast, making the occasion feel like a true celebration.

The large table groaned under the weight of the dishes, and as everyone dug in, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the delightful aromas of home-cooked food. It was a well-deserved reward after a busy and eventful few days.

...

As Lian Dao and his companions enjoyed their feast, a storm was brewing in the media. The trial training video from his Clippers session had been surreptitiously copied and sold to a gossip media outlet. Once in the hands of the media, it was heavily edited and distorted to paint Lian Dao in a negative light. Headlines like "NCAA Champion MOP's Professional Attitude Questioned" and "Sickle's Trial Training a Disguise" began circulating, fueling skepticism and criticism.

The maliciously edited video focused on selective moments, deliberately omitting the positive aspects of Lian Dao's performance and the context of the Clippers' training. This led to widespread negative coverage, with some teams starting to question Lian Dao's professionalism and suitability for the NBA.

Lian Dao initially suspected that the Warriors might have orchestrated the leak to undermine his value and ease their potential trade negotiations. However, after further investigation, including checking Guo Yuwei's contacts, he realized that the leak was not from the Warriors but from another source.

The Clippers were caught off guard by the leak, as the footage did not include any of their arrangements and training sessions. Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers' coach, was infuriated and demanded a review of the staff involved. The Clippers were concerned that the full version of the video, if released, could have a significant impact on their reputation.

Guo Yuwei's investigation, aided by her connections through Lian Dao's master, Guo Nianguo, revealed that Jeff Schwartz was behind the leak. Schwartz, a prominent NBA agent with high-profile clients like Sean Livingston and Kevin Love, was also the agent for another top draft prospect, Blake Griffin. It became clear that Schwartz was using the leak to undermine Lian Dao's draft stock and enhance Griffin's chances of being selected as the No. 1 pick.

Despite having the full, unedited video of Lian Dao's trial training, Lian Dao chose not to release it immediately. He wanted to gauge the sincerity and resolve of the teams interested in him, particularly the New York Knicks. His goal was to see if any team would remain steadfast in their belief in his abilities despite the scandal.

The situation worsened as the draft approached. Some media outlets went to extreme lengths to further discredit Lian Dao, questioning his physical fitness and drawing unfavorable comparisons to other players, including suggestions that he might have a career path similar to Grant Hill's injury-riddled trajectory.

The controversy surrounding Lian Dao became a major talking point, leaving him in a precarious position as the draft loomed on the horizon.

Guo Yuwei's frustration with the negative reports on Lian Dao was palpable. She was ready to organize a press conference to set the record straight by exposing the full, unedited video of Lian Dao's trial training. However, Lian Dao stopped her, reasoning that such a move might only fuel further speculation and doubt. He preferred to wait and see which teams would remain steadfast in their belief in his talent despite the swirling controversy.

Lian Dao's approach was based on the belief that, despite the noise, there were wise decision-makers in the NBA who would not be swayed by sensationalist media. He wondered if the New York Knicks, who had been playing poorly and were under intense scrutiny from their fans, would be one of those teams.

The Knicks were under immense pressure from their fans, who were clamoring for Blake Griffin over Lian Dao. The fans' discontent with the team's poor performance only added to the chaos, making the Knicks' decision even more critical.

Meanwhile, the Clippers, anxious to secure the No. 1 pick, attempted to negotiate with the Knicks. Mike Dunleavy offered this year's No. 2 pick, next year's first-round pick, and some cash in exchange for the top pick. However, Knicks GM Donnie Walsh rejected the offer, demanding the No. 2 pick, Eric Gordon, and a 2011 first-round pick instead.

Dunleavy's frustration was evident. Eric Gordon had made a strong impact during his rookie season, averaging 16.1 points per game and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Losing Gordon, a key part of the Clippers' rebuilding efforts, was not something Dunleavy was willing to entertain.

As the draft approached, the situation remained volatile, with the Clippers scrambling to make a deal and the Knicks facing mounting pressure from their fans. The outcome of the draft would be crucial not only for Lian Dao's career but also for the teams involved and their future strategies.