"How is your injury recovery going?"
Blake Su asked.
That was what he cared about most right now.
"Um..."
Yao Ming thought for a moment and said, "Right now, the biggest problem is still my ankle. This ankle injury really isn't easy to recover from.
"There's still almost a year and a half until the 2012 Olympics, but the rehab specialist said that even if I can play by then, I'll probably only be able to perform at half my strength at most.
"The key issue is... once the physical contact gets too intense, it'll be extremely easy to get injured again.
"But Blake, if you're participating, then as long as I can get on the court, even if I can only play at fifty percent, I still want to help you as much as I can and contribute more to the national team."
Hearing that, Blake Su gained a rough understanding of Yao Ming's injury.
In other words, it was not that he absolutely could not play in the 2012 Olympics. It was just that because of the injury, he would not be able to perform at full strength, and there was a high risk of reinjury.
On top of that, aside from him, the national team's overall strength really was ordinary.
So after weighing everything, his original decision to withdraw made sense.
But things were different now.
Now there was Blake Su, a powerful player who had suddenly emerged onto the scene. More importantly, Blake Su also had a candy that could reduce injuries.
That changed everything.
After understanding the situation, Blake Su did not hesitate. He smiled and said, "I hope you can recover as much as possible."
With that, under the puzzled gazes of the two men, Blake Su took out a candy that looked no different from an ordinary one.
It was the [Injury Reduction Candies].
"A candy?"
Yi Jianlian looked surprised.
In a half-joking tone, Blake Su said, "Here, Yao. This is a magical candy. If you eat it, your foot injury will recover sooner.
"But when you eat it, you have to silently wish in your heart for your foot injury to heal."
"That mysterious?"
Yi Jianlian smiled, his tone clearly showing that he did not believe it.
"I see."
From Blake Su's tone, Yao Ming could sense that Blake Su genuinely wanted him to get better, and genuinely hoped they could all achieve something together at the 2012 Olympics.
Even though he knew the idea that this candy could heal his foot injury was fake, he still accepted it and smiled as he played along.
"I hope that after eating this magical candy Blake gave me, my foot injury will recover, and I'll be able to play at eighty percent or even better next year."
With that, Yao Ming ate the candy.
Done.
Blake Su narrowed his eyes slightly.
Seeing Yao Ming cooperate like that, he knew in his heart that Yao Ming definitely did not believe it. He only played along because he did not want to disappoint him.
And that was exactly Blake Su's goal.
If Blake Su had seriously told Yao Ming that this [Injury Reduction Candies] could treat his foot injury, Yao Ming would not have believed him. Worse, it could have caused serious trouble.
But now, Yao Ming had eaten it while not believing in it.
At the same time, the candy's effects would gradually take effect over the course of a month. By then, even if Yao Ming recovered, he would absolutely not suspect that the candy had anything to do with it.
That was exactly what Blake Su wanted.
He wanted Yao Ming to get better, while also making sure no one discovered the secret behind the [Injury Reduction Candies].
As for Yi Jianlian, of course he would not believe it either.
"Hehe."
Blake Su smiled and continued in a half-joking tone, "Now that you've eaten this magical candy, Yao, can you help me with something?"
"Tell me first."
Yao Ming smiled.
"Um..."
Blake Su thought for a moment, then said, "If it's convenient, I'd like the contact information for these people."
As he spoke, Blake Su handed over a list he had prepared in advance. On the paper were names of domestic basketball commentators such as Mike Breen and Van Gundy.
Yao Ming glanced at it and said, "Blake Su, are you planning to get into business?"
"Just trying it out."
Blake Su did not deny it.
"No problem."
Yao Ming nodded. "I'll get you as much of their contact information as I can. And I'll make sure they're willing to speak with you first whenever needed."
"Mm, that would be best."
Blake Su answered with a smile.
What he wanted was exactly that kind of access. It was not as if he could not get these people's contact information himself, but whether they would speak to him immediately was a different matter.
Of course, convenience was only one reason Blake Su was doing this.
The second reason was to distract Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, so their attention would not keep lingering on the [Injury Reduction Candies].
In fact, after Yao Ming ate the candy, he did not think about it again.
Yao Ming agreed to help Blake Su simply because he wanted to support Blake Su as he tried to develop his business.
And so, everything proceeded step by step according to Blake Su's plan.
After they finished discussing matters and eating dinner, Blake Su said before they left, "Yao, Yi Jianlian, I'll have to trouble you both with the national team's training."
"No problem."
Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian nodded repeatedly.
After the two left, Blake Su's heart sank slightly.
Yao Ming had already eaten the [Injury Reduction Candies]. I don't know exactly how serious his foot injury is, or whether it exceeds 10 injury points.
I'll have to see Yao Ming's condition after one month. If it can reduce 10 points of injury, he should be much better no matter what. After that, he still has a year and a half to recover.
I think getting back to eighty percent shouldn't be a problem.
...
The next day.
With All-Star Weekend over, the Suns' break was officially over as well.
Blake Su arrived at the arena for training that morning.
Tonight, they would host the Jazz at home.
During training, Coach Alvin Gentry came onto the court and said, "This year's All-Star Weekend, the top vote-getter, Rookie Challenge MVP, Skills Challenge champion, Three-Point Contest champion, Slam Dunk Contest champion, and All-Star Game MVP were all taken by our team.
"We Suns are the biggest winners."
"Wow!"
After the coach finished speaking, the players, knowing exactly who had won what, could not help applauding Blake Su and Curry.
Blake Su was fine.
Curry, however, smiled helplessly. He thought to himself, I only won the Skills Challenge. Is it really fair to put me next to Blake Su, who won four awards?
After the applause ended, Alvin Gentry looked at the schedule in his hand and said seriously, "Everyone did well during All-Star Weekend, but that's already in the past.
"Now we need to put our focus back on the regular season.
"Our next opponents are the Jazz, Hawks, Cavaliers, Nuggets, and Knicks."
"The Nuggets are a tough opponent."
George's voice turned serious.
"Hey, George, you shouldn't say the Nuggets are the tough opponent. You should say... the Knicks after the Nuggets."
"Huh?"
George was completely confused by Curry's words.
In his view, the Knicks, who were barely tenth in the East, could not possibly be stronger than the Nuggets with "Melo" Anthony.
But then Curry continued, "Just last night, the Nuggets and Knicks made a major trade. Anthony was traded to the Knicks."
"Are you serious?!"
George was shocked.