Chapter Forty-Seven: I Am Chinese

"National live broadcast?" Hearing Biyombo’s words, Michael scratched his head. "Does that have anything to do with what we’re talking about right now?"

Michael was, of course, aware of ESPN’s national live broadcasts—after all, he’d been here for a while since crossing over. However, what he was discussing with Biyombo seemed wholly unrelated to any national broadcast.

"Of course it does!" Biyombo replied with certainty, clicking his tongue. "Michael, you are the main character in this national broadcast!"

"Me?" Michael was left stunned by Biyombo’s words. "I don’t even know anything about this."

"You’ll find out soon enough. Coach Frank must have missed practice this morning because of this." Biyombo nodded at Michael, then smiled and went off to continue his training, leaving Michael alone to process what sounded nearly impossible.

The main character of an ESPN national broadcast, and it was him? If anyone else had told him that, Michael would have thought they were crazy!

But soon, what seemed impossible was confirmed.

As the morning training session was wrapping up, Michael was sitting on the sidelines resting when the doors to the gym swung open. Magic head coach Frank Vogel walked in, followed by several media staff lugging heavy camera equipment.

Vogel greeted a few of the facility staff, then walked straight over to Michael.

"Sorry, Michael, I’m only telling you this now," Vogel explained as he approached. "I only got the notice myself early this morning."

"That’s alright, Mr. Vogel. I just want to know what’s going on," Michael replied, having no intention of blaming his coach. He was simply curious about what was coming next. "Am I really the main character?"

"Without a doubt, my dear Michael." Seeing that Michael wasn’t upset, Vogel relayed the notice he’d received that morning.

As it turned out, last night Michael’s name had become the third hottest topic after Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. The ESPN editor-in-chief immediately saw the potential. Fans had already seen enough of Westbrook and Durant—it was time for something new. Michael’s emergence was just what the editor wanted, so he contacted the first reporter to mention Michael, intending to dig up every newsworthy angle.

Thus, a special feature interview on Michael was born. The Magic, of course, welcomed ESPN’s proposal, but their executives had one condition.

If they wanted to interview Michael Wu, that was fine—but the interview had to be broadcast live nationwide!

"Without question, Michael deserves a nationally televised special," Editor-in-Chief Smith agreed to the Magic’s terms, but added his own: there must be a special segment at the end of the interview.

"Hello, Michael, don’t be nervous. This may be your first time in front of a live camera, but I have a feeling it won’t be your last."

Having learned all the background, Michael sat before the camera. The broadcast hadn’t started yet, but this big young man was obviously a bit shy. The beautiful host, Selina, gave him an encouraging smile.

"It’s alright, Miss Host. I’m ready whenever you are." That’s what he said, but inside, Michael was anything but calm. He’d never imagined he’d be interviewed live by America’s top sports network.

"Alright then, let’s get started." Selina greeted Michael and then turned to the camera. "Hello, viewers, I’m your old friend, Selina Green."

"Yesterday, last season’s Slam Dunk Champion, Zach LaVine, announced his personal picks for this year’s Dunk Contest. Besides Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon, the name that drew the most attention was this year’s rookie, Michael Wu!"

"Today we’re honored to welcome Michael Wu as our special guest…" Selina spoke professionally while introducing Michael to the camera. "Come, Michael, say hello to everyone watching."

"Oh, yeah. Hello, everyone. I’m Michael Wu, Chinese name Wu Rui."

"Alright, Michael, first, I have a question I’d like to clarify." As soon as Michael introduced himself, Selina got straight to the point. "Online discussions about you have been incredibly lively; after all, you’re the only Asian player remaining in the NBA besides Jeremy Lin."

"So, may I ask, what is your nationality?"

"China, without a doubt." Michael replied firmly to Selina’s first question. "I love my country; it is a great nation."

"Okay, some fans are speculating whether you might change your nationality…"

"Change my nationality? Oh, come on, are you joking?" Before Selina could finish, Michael responded passionately. "I would never change my nationality, because I am from China!"

Michael’s firm words shut down any attempt to stir up controversy, forcing the interviewer to shift to more standard questions, which Michael answered in equally standard fashion.

As a result, this special interview didn’t become a sensation like yesterday’s forum post. On YouTube and other ESPN live platforms, Michael’s interview wasn’t prominently featured—especially with the Warriors game airing that day—and with little controversy, the discussion was minimal. It was, by all accounts, a failed national broadcast.

But at the same time, halfway across the world in China, a sports forum saw a user—who had accessed foreign video sites via VPN—post a new thread.

"ESPN is interviewing a Chinese rookie. Does anyone know what’s going on?"

The words "Chinese rookie" immediately caught the attention of domestic fans, and the thread, which had few replies at first, was soon pinned to the top!

"Could someone with VPN access post a screenshot and explain what’s happening?"

"Exactly! What’s up with this Chinese rookie? I had no idea!"

Many fans waiting for the game replied, their curiosity piqued by this special interview.

Soon, users who could access foreign sites began posting screenshots—of Michael being interviewed at the Magic’s training facility!

"The broadcast is still live. Here’s the link. If you can get through the firewall, let’s all go and spam 666 together!"