After much consideration, Chen Yu ultimately decided not to attend the third game between the Phoenix Suns and the Mavericks.

Hardaway was on a hot streak, and Ewing was back from his injury. No matter how you looked at it, their chances of winning were much higher.

Chen Yu had it all figured out. He wouldn’t go to the game on April 28th.

If they unexpectedly lost, he would then go to Dallas for the fourth game on May 1st to see if he could help the team.

At the entrance to the medical center, Beckham leaned on his crutches, his gaze fixed on the parking lot like a statue.

Chen Yu was there too, sitting on a bench outside the lobby and talking on the phone with David Stern.

"Alright, I’ll be in Chicago tomorrow to get ready." After a few more words, Chen Yu hung up.

Chen Yu then sent a message to Brian, explaining the situation. He asked if he wanted to head to Chicago together.

It was because of Yao Ming.

With Yao Ming entering the draft this time, Stern was taking it extremely seriously. He had even arranged a private workout specifically for him.

It was scheduled for May 1st.

However, Yao Ming would be arriving in Chicago on the 29th.

Then, on the 30th, he was scheduled to undergo an official physical.

What Stern wanted was for Chen Yu to be in charge of this physical.

As a renowned medical expert in charge of player health for the league, Chen Yu was the obvious choice.

Brian quickly replied, agreeing to go.

Perhaps tired from standing, Beckham also sat down next to Chen Yu, leaning on his crutches. He said dejectedly, "Chen, I still don’t get it. Why doesn’t Gary want to play in the World Cup?"

His face was etched with worry.

After Chen Yu had told Neville he wouldn’t make it back in time for the World Cup no matter what, Neville had just accepted it with surprising calm.

Beckham couldn’t accept it. He’d had two long talks with Neville, but nothing had changed his mind.

"I know him. He’s extremely dedicated, a really responsible guy. He’s the most dependable player on our National Team’s defensive line. Doesn’t he feel any regret? This is the World Cup!" Beckham’s voice grew louder.

Chen Yu looked up at Beckham.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yu asked a question in return. "David, why are you so insistent on playing in this World Cup? You’re injured, too. You could easily take two months to recover. You have a perfectly valid reason to miss it. I don’t think anyone would blame you."

An injury is an accident. No one can do anything about missing games because of it.

Beckham was taken aback for a moment. He frowned in thought, then said through gritted teeth, "Because I don’t want the National Team to lose because of me ever again."

He seemed to be recalling a bad memory, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

"Four years ago, because of my impulsiveness, I got a red card and was sent off the field. My mind went completely blank in that moment. I can honestly say that the walk down the tunnel at Goffrey Guecha Stadium was the longest walk of my life."

"When I got back to the locker room, I can still remember how empty it was. There was no one there, just the roaring in my ears. And then... we lost on penalties, and everyone walked back into the locker room, completely dejected."

"Before that day, I was a hero in England. But after that day, I was a villain. In the newspapers, they said we were ’ten heroic lions and one stupid boy.’ That’s right, I was the stupid boy. I was so stupid."

Beckham buried his face in his hands, his expression pained.

Even though four years had passed, and even though he had redeemed himself during last year’s World Cup qualifiers, talking about it still felt like a nightmare.

"That’s why I have to play in the World Cup. I have to help the team." Beckham looked up, his gaze fixed resolutely on Chen Yu.

Chen Yu reached out and patted his shoulder. "So you see, everyone’s situation is different. You might feel you have to play in the World Cup, but it’s different for Neville. I know you two are good friends, but you also have to respect his decision."

Neville’s reaction at the time had been strange. Thinking back on it now, Chen Yu suspected it was because the pressure of playing in the World Cup was simply too great.

"Most importantly, his injury is more severe than yours. There’s no way I can get him fit to play before the World Cup."

In the end, reasons and desires didn’t matter. The crucial point was that even if Neville wanted to return, Chen Yu couldn’t make it happen.

Without that prerequisite, discussing anything else was pointless.

Beckham gritted his teeth, about to say more, but Chen Yu stood up and waved at someone in the distance.

He immediately stood up and turned to look.

In the distance, a tall figure in a baseball jersey was walking toward them.

Jordan!

The season was over, and he had given himself a week’s vacation. But he was likely dealing with an injury that was so uncomfortable he couldn’t relax even when he tried. So, Jordan had come to the clinic early to get his knee looked at.

"It really is Jordan." Beckham forgot all about his friend’s situation and stood up excitedly, completely forgetting about his crutches.

’Of course it is,’ Chen Yu thought. ’Did he think it was an impersonator?’

Handing the crutches back to him, Chen Yu went to greet Jordan.

Jordan reached out and hugged Chen Yu, then said, "Chen, why is it that my whole body starts to ache the moment I see you?"

Jordan couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of the training he’d gone through last year.

Chen Yu laughed. "Simple. Just see me a couple more times, and you’ll get used to it."

Jordan quickly shook his head. "Chen, I’m a patient this time. You can’t torture me again."

Chen Yu smiled and introduced Beckham to him.