Back in the U.S.
The news that "Superman" Dwight Howard might join the Lakers had sent shockwaves through the entire league and drawn enormous attention.
Was the rumor true?
Yes.
However, the public backlash and pressure surrounding the proposed deal became so intense that the trade was ultimately called off.
And honestly, it was understandable.
Paul teaming up with Kobe had already taken the Lakers to another level.
If they added the best center in the East, with "Superman" Howard still in his prime, and formed a Big Three...
The rest of the league might as well give up.
Fortunately for everyone else, the deal ultimately fell through.
Plenty of Lakers fans were disappointed, while fans of other teams breathed a sigh of relief.
...
Meanwhile, Yi told Yao Ming about Blake's plans.
Since Yao had far more connections, Yi asked him to help organize the fan meet-and-greet, and Yao was naturally happy to help.
Yao, now a member of the Suns, flew back overnight.
At the same time, he immediately announced the event on social media so the fans would have time to prepare.
The reaction was immediate.
Fans were ecstatic.
They had waited an entire year for this day, and this time, no matter what, they were determined to go.
They wanted to meet their basketball hero.
They wanted to meet their idol.
They wanted to meet...
"The Emperor" Blake!
...
Meanwhile, Blake and Mia had arrived home.
"Mom, I'm back~"
The moment Mia walked through the door, she became like a little girl again, throwing herself into Charlotte's arms.
The two hugged affectionately.
"Mom!"
Blake smiled and hugged Dolores as well.
"Aunt~"
"Aunt!"
Only after that did they greet each other's mothers.
"Oh my, you really have gotten prettier again, Mia. You're looking much healthier too."
Dolores smiled warmly.
"Hehehe."
Mia smiled shyly.
"Not really~"
"Hahaha!"
Dolores clapped her hands happily before pulling Mia toward the dining table.
"Come on, come on. You two must be starving.
"Your mom and I made a whole table of food for you. It's all your favorites, so eat while it's hot."
"Thank you, Aunt~"
Mia nodded.
The table was filled with exactly the kind of food she had been expecting.
Charlotte smiled as well.
"Blake, come sit down too. Let's eat first."
"Alright~"
Blake sat across from Mia.
Dolores and Charlotte sat on either side of the table, looking at the son and daughter they hadn't seen in so long, constantly asking how they had been and talking without pause.
It felt as though they had an endless amount to say.
Blake and Mia answered with smiles.
The four of them ate and chatted together, filling the room with warmth and happiness.
More than an hour later, Blake and Mia finally made their way to the living room and collapsed onto the sofa, rubbing their slightly swollen stomachs after eating far too much.
"Come on, there's fruit too! I bought it today, so it's really fresh. Mia, try some."
Dolores brought over a fruit platter and placed it on the coffee table.
"Okay, thanks, Aunt!"
"Oh, silly girl. Why are you still being so polite with me?"
"Hehe, alright~"
Mia smiled, picked up two slices of watermelon, and handed one to Blake.
The two exchanged a glance.
Then they nodded to each other.
Blake spoke first.
"Mom, you must've been busy all day. Come sit down and rest.
"And Aunt, don't worry about making orange juice right now. Come sit down too.
"We have something we want to tell you."
"Oh?"
Charlotte, who was still busy in the kitchen, finally stopped what she was doing and walked over with a smile.
"What is it?"
Once Dolores and Charlotte were seated on the sofa, Blake took Mia's hand.
Then he looked at them.
"What I wanted to tell you is... Mia isn't just my cousin with no blood relation anymore.
"She's my girlfriend now.
"Aunt, you don't mind, do you?"
"Really?!"
"Seriously?!"
Both women's eyes widened.
The sudden announcement completely caught them off guard.
"Yes."
Blake nodded.
Mia gave a small nod as well.
Dolores turned toward Charlotte with a knowing smile.
Charlotte had a strange expression on her face too, almost as though she wasn't particularly pleased.
But the next second...
"Hehe~"
"Hehehe~"
Both women burst out laughing.
Dolores waved her hand.
"Blake, you have no idea how badly your aunt wanted the two of you to end up together.
"She was already thinking about trying to set you up.
"And now you've gone and gotten together all on your own. Do you really think she'd mind?"
"Really?"
Blake looked genuinely surprised, then smiled.
"Thank you, Aunt."
"Hehe~"
Charlotte waved him off.
"What are you thanking me for? A good boy like you ending up with my daughter is her good fortune."
"Mom, what are you talking about?"
Mia immediately protested.
"Blake is the lucky one for getting me!"
Dolores smiled without saying anything.
She was clearly more than satisfied with Blake and Mia being together.
Charlotte was smiling brightly too.
She ignored Mia's protest for the moment, then looked seriously at Blake.
"But Blake, there's something I need to make clear first.
"You may be outstanding, but I only have one precious daughter.
"You know girls are meant to be cherished.
"If you ever treat her badly or bully her, don't blame me for getting angry with you."
"I understand."
Blake nodded.
He wrapped an arm around Mia and answered seriously.
"Don't worry, Aunt. I'll take the best possible care of Mia.
"I'll make sure she stays happy, healthy, and well-fed."
"Hehehe~"
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Charlotte nodded with a smile.
Mia, however, immediately pinched Blake hard on the waist.
"Blake, what are you saying now? What do you mean, well-fed?"
"Hehehe~"
Dolores couldn't stop laughing either.
"Today really is a wonderful day. The kids are finally home, and we got the news we've been hoping to hear.
"What a great day~"
"Exactly!"
Charlotte smiled.
"And since today is such a good day, how can we not celebrate?
"Let's play some games!"
"Sounds good."
Dolores immediately raised her hand in agreement.
"I'm in!"
Blake had no objections either.
Naturally, Mia agreed too, though she insisted they first go to the supermarket and buy some snacks.
"You need the proper atmosphere if you're going to play. Blake~ Come with me!"
"So... by 'proper atmosphere,' you mean eating, eating, and more eating?"
"Oh, you're so annoying. Just come with me already~"
"We just ate until we could barely move, and now you want snacks too? See? I wasn't wrong when I said I was going to keep you well-fed."
"Blake~~~ You're asking for it!!!"
"Hahaha~"
Four people.
A table full of food.
A plate of fruit.
A bag of snacks.
A table for games.
Nothing complicated.
Just a few conversations and a simple evening together, yet somehow it was exactly the kind of happiness people longed for.
Sometimes, happiness really was that simple.
...
Three days later.
At a basketball arena in Beijing, the fan meet-and-greet Blake had planned as a way to give back to his supporters began right on schedule.
...
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