Jordan Drops In! The Last Dance!

Beyond the frantic newspaper promotions.

Major television channels were also repeatedly broadcasting and scrolling through pre-game coverage for this year's NCAA championship.

Even the internet, which was not yet fully developed, was flooded with overwhelming advertisements for this match.

North Carolina vs. UC Berkeley.

The hype for this March Madness final was unprecedented and explosive!

Back in China, the game footage brought back by the Basketball Trio had already begun to spread throughout the country.

"Did I read that right? Li Fei actually led his team into the finals!"

"At first, I thought the news and media were exaggerating, but I never expected him to actually lead the team to the finals!"

"Holy cow! Over 50 points and 20-plus rebounds—this was the semifinals! He absolutely destroyed America's interior talents!"

"And that moment in the semifinals when he held onto Chris Webber? It reminded me of Charles Barkley!"

"Li Fei has already made enemies with NBA players before even entering the NBA!"

"It's not like Li Fei has few enemies; that guy named Rasheed Wallace has already publicly challenged him. This final is going to be good!"

"..."

Although Chinese fans only knew Li Fei through newspapers and game tapes, their expectations for him were already overflowing.

Right now, in the Chinese basketball circle.

If you don't know Li Fei, don't even call yourself a basketball fan!

On April 3rd.

All sports events in the United States were suspended to make way for the NCAA championship.

The cameras focused on Soldier Field in Chicago; this stadium, which could hold 70,000 spectators, was already packed with a sea of people.

The arena was split right down the middle into two sections, one red and one white, clearly demarcated.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the site of the NCAA championship final!"

NBC commentator Marv Albert was currently conducting the pre-game warm-up: "The two sides facing off are the University of North Carolina and UC Berkeley. There were no dark horse upsets; these two teams were the biggest favorites for the title this season!"

"The North Carolina Tar Heels dream of completing a repeat, while the team featuring Li Fei and Jason Kidd—two players projected as the number one and number two draft picks—is also determined to win the championship!"

"Both sides are incredibly strong; I simply cannot predict who will be standing on the podium two hours from now, enjoying the view from the mountaintop."

Buzz!!

"Hmm? Wait, what's happening? It looks like someone has arrived..."

As the commentator was speaking, the crowd suddenly became restless.

Immediately after, the cameras aimed at the fan tunnel.

Then, a bald head wearing a North Carolina jersey walked in with firm, powerful strides.

"OH! MY! GOD!"

"This seems to be the first time I've seen him appear on a basketball court in the past year."

"Just listen to the noise in the arena; it must be that man who has returned!"

"Michael... Jordan!"

Accompanied by the shouts of the commentator and the MC.

Jordan and David Falk arrived and sat down in the North Carolina fan section.

There were indeed many big shots at the scene; NBA All-Stars Karl Malone and John Stockton had both taken time out before the upcoming playoffs to drop in on the game.

The one true god of the NCAA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson, who had retired at his peak three years ago after contracting HIV, were also present.

The game venue could be described as a gathering of legends.

But even these people paled in comparison to Michael Jordan.

"I don't regret the official retirement announcement I made a few months ago."

Facing an interview from a reporter on-site, Jordan calmly chewed his gum: "The only thing I regret is that I couldn't be at the championship game last year when North Carolina won."

"I have more personal time this year, so I had to come here to support North Carolina."

After speaking, Jordan pointed to his own number 23 white and blue North Carolina jersey.

He was high-profile in his support for North Carolina.

In an instant, the atmosphere among the North Carolina fans at the venue was driven to a climax by Jordan.

However, when asked when he would return to the NBA, Jordan simply retorted:

"I've given you enough time; don't get in the way of me watching the game."

His arrogant attitude was essentially telling the reporter:

I don't want to answer your damn question!

At this moment, on the court.

During the California Golden Bears' warm-up session.

"Li, perhaps I'm just being too sentimental."

Jason Kidd looked at Li Fei, his gaze unexpectedly filled with deep emotion: "I have an urge to cry."

Li Fei reached out his large hand and ruffled Kidd's soft, short-cropped hair: "Don't be nervous, Jason. Just close your eyes and enjoy it; I will always be right behind you."

Kidd felt like something was a bit off after hearing that.

"I'm not nervous, I'm thinking..."

Kidd slowly lifted his lowered head, light flickering within his dark pupils as they dilated and contracted:

"Li, this might be the last time we fight side by side."

Li Fei's body stiffened, feeling a sudden sense of realization.

Just as Kidd said, both of them would be entering the NBA draft after this game, and the probability of them fighting side by side as teammates in an official match again would be extremely slim.

Li Fei hadn't really paid attention to it before, but this truly might be the last dance for him and Kidd.

Some people, once missed, might truly be gone for a lifetime.

"Li, I don't want our final bond to end in regret."

Kidd extended his fist. For the composed Kidd, this seemed to be his greatest gesture of encouragement: "Do you remember what I said to you when we first met?"

"I hope the memories between you and me will always be the scenery from the mountaintop!"

Looking at Kidd's extended fist, Li Fei's thoughts drifted back to that basketball court under the sunset, the day he first met Kidd.

"Do you want to see the scenery on the mountaintop with me, Li?"

"Please, you must join my team!"

Then he had joined the Golden Bears and become inseparable best friends with Kidd.

"Don't be so mushy, Jason."

Li Fei pulled himself together, then raised his fist and bumped it heavily against Kidd's:

"This mountaintop, we come, we see, we conquer together!"

(Please give this book a five-star rating!) (Also, every day that 5 "Update Reminders" are collected, I will add 1 chapter! 5 "Inspiration Capsules" add 2 chapters! 5 "Explosive Updates" will directly add 10,000 words!)

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.