Late November in New York was nothing like Orlando. The air was bitingly cold, and by the evening of the 29th, snowflakes even began to drift from the sky.
In the waiting area outside the NBC Television studio for *NBA Showtime*, Wash, her blonde hair pinned up and wearing high heels, saw the tall Chen Yu approaching in a well-fitting suit. Her eyes lit up.
Her eyes lit up as she walked over to greet him. "Chen, you look very handsome today."
Chen Yu managed a smile. "Kate, thank you for coming."
Wash waved her hand. "Don’t mention it. After all, I’m also one of Hill’s attending physicians. When Billings called you a fraud and questioned your diagnosis, it was no different from calling me a fraud."
After speaking, Wash asked, "Are you nervous?"
Chen Yu didn’t deny it, nodding. "It is my first time on TV, after all."
Wash gave a knowing smile. Just as she was about to say more, the show’s director walked over.
"Five more minutes, Chen. You’re the main event today. Think about what you’ve been through, see yourself as a fighter, and tell everyone who the real fraud is." He made a fist, cheering Chen Yu on.
When it came to manufacturing news, these pioneers of free press were true masters of the craft.
With Billings chickening out, the big show of a head-to-head confrontation fell through. The ever-eager NBC Television immediately launched Plan B: put Chen Yu on TV to accuse the Magic of misdiagnosing Hill, engineering a massive reversal in public opinion.
They even specifically chose today for it.
Today, the Magic were set to face the Jazz at home. This game wasn’t originally scheduled for a live broadcast, but it was added at the last minute for the hype.
"They’re repeat offenders. Just hit them with your harshest words and you’ll be fine," the director added.
A reversal in public opinion, followed by digging up some dirt on the Magic’s management—they wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of news for the next week.
*NBA Showtime* was a pre-game show. It wasn’t long, only half an hour.
As the director counted down with his fingers, closing the last one, Chen Yu took a deep breath and walked into the studio with Wash.
Inside the spacious studio, the host, Hanna Strom, a stunning beauty with brown hair, and the former Phoenix Suns star Kevin Johnson, dressed sharply in a suit, both rose to shake hands with Chen Yu and Wash.
Chen Yu took a second look at Kevin Johnson.
This guy, who was the same height as him, was the best point guard in the history of the Suns—a beast who, in his prime, had dominated Stockton, posterized Olajuwon, and made Iverson cry.
What was even more amazing was that he had already announced his retirement the year before last. But in this year’s playoffs, after J Kidd got injured, he made an emergency comeback, staging a king’s return and helping the Phoenix Suns eliminate the defending champion Spurs 3-1.
Then, with a flick of his sleeves, he elegantly bid farewell to the court once more.
Afterward, he was invited by NBC to commentate on the playoffs alongside the "Smiling Assassin," Thomas.
However, Thomas had since left to become the head coach of the Pacers, while he signed a contract with NBC and became a permanent host of *NBA Showtime*.
The four of them sat down, and Hanna began to introduce the background of the situation.
Meanwhile, Johnson quietly sized up Chen Yu.
Likewise, Chen Yu was also studying Johnson. This man had retired at the young age of 32, a decision that was inextricably linked to injuries.
Under the Eye of All-Seeing, Chen Yu saw the shocking state of Johnson’s knees and ankles.
Ligaments that had healed haphazardly, cartilage and menisci riddled with damage, and extensive bone spurs.
Chen Yu surmised that he must have suffered a major injury like a torn ligament.
And the repair surgery hadn’t been done very well.
But since he was retired, it didn’t really matter anymore. As long as he could function normally like an ordinary person, it was fine.
Just then, Johnson spoke up. "Chen, I heard you just got your medical license?"
The media had already dug up Chen Yu’s credentials. The whole medical malpractice thing was, of course, nonsense.
Seeing Chen Yu nod, Johnson continued, "Compared to the highly respected Dr. Joe Billings, who has been practicing for over thirty years, you’re just a rookie. So, what was your reasoning for choosing to challenge his authority?"
Hanna shot Johnson a glance. This question wasn’t in the program script they had agreed on beforehand.
Chen Yu’s eyes, however, lit up. This was actually the perfect question.
"It’s simple. Because he was wrong," Chen Yu said without hesitation, continuing before Johnson could interject.
This was a rare opportunity, and Chen Yu had no intention of sticking to the script.
"On November 1st, I was at the Heat’s home arena when I happened to run into Hill. At the time, I noticed something was wrong with his ankle, so we chatted for a bit, and I gave him my contact information."
Far away in Miami, Ron Kap, who was lounging on his sofa watching TV, saw the somewhat familiar face of Chen Yu and froze for a moment. ’November 1st... isn’t that the day Chen Yu came to apply for the team doctor position?’
Chen Yu continued, "Everyone should know what happened next. On the 3rd, Hill sprained his left ankle and was examined at Florida Hospital. Billings was present at the time, and the diagnosis was a Grade 1 ankle sprain."
"Afterward, Hill contacted me privately and invited me to Orlando to perform a separate examination and diagnosis for him. I took Hill to get another MRI. All of this is clearly documented and verifiable."
"And your diagnosis was?" Johnson interjected.
Chen Yu said, "Cartilage damage. And that’s when Billings began to question and slander my diagnosis. The Magic’s management even went out of their way to persuade Hill not to trust my findings, talking him into getting another examination at the Mayo Clinic. The result was still cartilage damage. Dr. Wash from the Mayo Clinic can testify to this."
Beside him, Wash nodded and briefly explained the process, concluding, "Without a doubt, it was Billings who made the wrong diagnosis. And I have to say, Chen’s medical skills are incredible. He managed to reduce the swelling in Hill’s sprained ankle in just 24 hours. It was nothing short of a miracle."
At this point, the truth was already clear: Billings had made a misdiagnosis.
But Chen Yu wasn’t finished.
"For the sake of their record, for ticket sales, Gabriel tried to force Hill to return to the court, even knowing he had cartilage damage. What’s even more ridiculous is that while claiming it was for their record, they deliberately lost a game, staging a self-directed drama of ’we need Hill to come back,’ deceiving countless fans."
"That’s right, I’m talking about the game against the Hawks. Even a layman like me could see that the Magic lost on purpose."
Chen Yu’s words made the director backstage so excited he almost shouted.
’The Magic throwing a game? This news is even more explosive!’
"Of course, they didn’t hold back on slandering me, saying I deceived Hill. So, I’d like to ask Mr. Billings and Mr. Gabriel, who is the one really deceiving Hill?"
Chen Yu looked into the camera and demanded loudly.
"The truth is, when Hill told me he didn’t need me and was going to the Mayo Clinic for another examination, I stood outside his house for a long time, ready to leave and go back to Miami. After all, I had only met Hill once and spoken to him briefly. I had already given my diagnosis. Whether he believed me or not would have no effect on me whatsoever."
「Far away, in Hill’s home in Orlando.」
Hearing this, the color drained from Hill’s face. He turned to look at his wife beside him, his expression complicated.
"But you didn’t leave," Johnson said, sitting up straight.
Chen Yu nodded. "That’s right. I took a train to Jacksonville to prove my diagnosis in my own way. I knew that if I had left then, Hill would have returned to the court with a hidden injury, and that’s something that should never happen."
"How many professional players have had their careers destroyed by wrong diagnoses and improper treatment? Mr. Johnson, I imagine you understand that all too well."
Although Kevin Johnson’s performance was very consistent throughout his career, to the point he could still make Iverson cry in his later years, he was nevertheless plagued by injuries. Otherwise, why would he have retired at 32?
Johnson nodded, his gaze turning somber.
"So when faced with a wrong, I could have chosen to walk away. But I chose to stay and fight against it, because someone once told me that I was doing the right thing."
"So what about Billings? As a doctor, if you can’t even tell right from wrong, then what’s the difference between you and a veterinarian!"
"Sorry, I swore. But I don’t think I’m wrong. You’re a goddamn veterinarian!"
Chen Yu pointed at the camera, his voice a harsh rebuke.
The studio fell silent for a moment. The next, Johnson began to applaud.
Meanwhile, far away in Orlando, Billings, who had specifically stayed in his office to watch the live broadcast, heard the word "veterinarian." All the strength seemed to drain from his body, and he collapsed into his chair.
He felt he was finished.
Chen Yu’s one word, "veterinarian," would forever nail him to a pillar of shame.
Half an hour later, Chen Yu walked out of the studio.
"So? Feel better?" Wash asked with a smile.
Chen Yu nodded emphatically, feeling a great sense of relief.
Just as he was about to thank Wash again, Chen Yu’s phone suddenly vibrated.
He pulled it out and saw it was an unknown number.
After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Yu answered.
"Hello."
A gruff voice came through the phone. "Hello, Chen. This is Patrick Ewing. I heard from Monty that you wanted to see me?"

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