After the game ended, the President of the United States came to see Wang Yi in person.
In the locker room, the president met Wang Yi.
He shook his head, looking utterly incredulous.
"Oh, Wang, that was insane. Absolutely insane. That was the craziest performance I've ever seen, bar none."
Wang Yi shrugged and replied calmly, "Just business as usual."
"You're the greatest basketball player I've ever seen. I realize a lot of people might say that saying this is disrespectful to Michael Jordan, but I believe Michael Jordan himself would say the same thing."
Wang Yi smiled and shook his head. "He already told me that."
His words made everyone burst out laughing.
After chatting for a few more moments, the president finally said, "Wang, I heard about how you killed an armed gunman with your bare hands and saved more than thirty children. I'm planning to award you the Hero Medal when you win the championship in the final game of the Finals. What do you think?"
Wang Yi rejected the offer without a second thought. "I'm sorry, but I don't think that's necessary."
The president and his entourage were all taken aback.
Many others were equally surprised.
The reporters at the scene quickly snapped pictures of the moment, still astonished.
A general standing nearby said to Wang Yi, "Wang, do you know what the Hero Medal means? It's the highest honor every American servicemember wants to receive."
The president nodded.
But Wang Yi shook his head and replied casually, "You said it yourself: it's the highest honor for American servicemembers. First of all, I'm not American. And second, I'm certainly not a member of the American military."
The president thought for a moment. "Wang, I admit that this Hero Medal is normally awarded only to American servicemembers.