In the Basketball Association office in Beijing.
The veteran coaches gathered around the television, their eyes reddening one by one.
Some nodded, while others quietly wiped their faces.
"Good, good. Our child hasn't forgotten basketball."
"With him around, China Basketball has a little more confidence."
Inside the China Men's Basketball Team's Training Hall.
The players who had been training stopped what they were doing.
Countless messages instantly popped up in the coaches' group chat.
"Brother Yi is back!"
"Hurry up and watch the news!"
The players gathered around to watch the livestream, their eyes shining.
Some clenched their fists, while others murmured, "We have to work even harder."
Outside a basketball equipment store.
The once-quiet shop was suddenly flooded with people.
Everyone rushed straight to the jersey section, looking for Wang Yi's number.
The clerk was overwhelmed, shouting, "Wait before grabbing them! Don't push!"
The jerseys on the shelves were swept clean.
On secondhand trading platforms.
The prices of Wang Yi's old jerseys and signed sneakers doubled in an instant.
The moment listings went up, they were snapped up.
The comments were filled with: "Buying! Paying top dollar!"
"Even if they've been worn, I'll buy them."
In the plazas of China's major cities.
The Big Screens played the news of his comeback on a loop.
Passersby stopped one after another and took out their phones to snap pictures.
Some stood there for a long time, muttering, "This is wonderful."
A group of fans gathered together and spontaneously began chanting, "Go, Wang Yi!"
In overseas Chinese communities.
International students organized small gatherings in their dorms.
Everyone crowded around a computer, watching the livestream.
Someone took out a cake they had prepared long ago and lit the candles.
"Welcome home. This is to celebrate the return of our hero."
Everyone sang together,