We had barely turned the corner when we were surrounded by a sea of fans.
The sidewalks on both sides were packed with fans wearing Purple Gold Jerseys.
Some held up posters of Wang Yi.
Some held up models of the championship Trophy.
Others shouted his name at the top of their lungs.
Wang Yi leaned against the car window and waved to the fans.
His arm was sore from waving, but he still couldn't bring himself to stop.
Aiton rolled down the window and grabbed a megaphone.
"We're the champions!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Street vendors seized the opportunity to sell championship commemorative T-shirts.
Ten dollars apiece, and business was booming.
The bus slowly made its way past the plaza downtown.
A temporary stage had been set up in the plaza.
Zen Master and the team owner were already waiting there.
The fans' cheers were deafening.
Wang Yi jumped off the bus with his teammates.
As soon as he reached the center of the stage,
Purple and gold confetti began raining down again.
He raised the FMVP Trophy high above his head.
The cheers below rose another octave in an instant.
King Arthur leaned close to his ear and shouted, "Isn't this great?"
Wang Yi grinned and shouted to the crowd, "It sure is! Let's do it again next year!"
His words drew an even louder roar.
Sunlight fell across his face,
across the gleaming Golden Trophy,
and across the smiling faces of every fan.
This city was completely swept up in a frenzy over basketball and the championship.
The parade bus circled downtown for two whole hours.
At every intersection, crowds of fans filled the streets.
Some held homemade signs with pictures of Wang Yi shooting the ball.
Some of the younger fans held miniature championship Trophies,