The Way of the Center

2014 is drawing to a close and the weather is getting colder and colder. The active An Xiang is now wrapped tightly, making him spend more effort than before every time he swings his arms.

After the weather is cold, no one wants to leave the warm bed. This is a pain for An Jie and Catherine, because in the middle of the night, An Xiang would always cry because he wet his pants.

An Jie is usually busy with training and often travels to other cities to play away games, so Catherine spends much more time taking care of the children than An Jie. Almost from the first day after An Xiang was born, Catherine never stopped.

"What's wrong with that kid?" Another An Xiang cried and made a fuss in the middle of the night, Catherine returned to the warm bed, and An Jie, who was waiting on the bed, asked concerned.

"It's time to pee again. Xiaoke is too active. He drinks a lot of water during the day and pees more frequently at night. It's okay. This time, we should be able to sleep peacefully until morning." Catherine moved her body and hugged Live strong Anjie.

An Jie touched Catherine's head. Recently, his wife has really worked hard. I can't spend Christmas at home by myself. Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, An Jie must make his wife feel at ease...

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In the early hours of the morning, An Jie suddenly opened his eyes. He looked at his wife beside him, she was still asleep in a tired state.

An Jie lifted the quilt carefully, for fear of waking Catherine up. It was not easy for Catherine to sleep peacefully for so long one night, and An Jie couldn't bear to wake her up.

Before the alarm clock got up, An Jie crawled out of the quilt. He lifted a corner of the curtain, and the surrounding air was still icy cold.

An Jie tiptoed into the kitchen and put the toast into the oven. Immediately, the whole kitchen was filled with the aroma of butter. It's true that An Jie is going to train today, but he didn't forget to prepare one for Catherine and An Xiang.

After making a cup of hot cocoa and two cups of milk, the sky outside the window was still gray. This is the case in winter, it always lights up very late. Catherine was still sleeping soundly, and Anjie also planned to let her sleep for a while.

While waiting, An Jie turned on the TV. On the TV, ESPN is playing a documentary about Anjie joining the Trail Blazers for more than three years.

This is a short film edited by ESPN after buying the copyright from Moslav and using existing information. Over three seasons, the ups and downs of Anjie and the Trail Blazers were all integrated into this short 15-minute documentary.

The documentary ended after Anjie scored a triple-double of 50+15+15. At this moment, the bedroom of Anjie and Catherine also rang on time.

Catherine seemed to realize that An Jie was not by her side. She rushed out of the room and went downstairs, only to see An Jie sitting on the sofa waiting for her.

Catherine smiled sweetly and rubbed her hazy eyes. Suddenly, An Jie's blurry figure became clear.

"Good morning, baby." An Jie walked up the stairs and kissed Catherine lightly on the forehead.

"What's the matter with you today? Woke up early in the morning to watch TV."

"Wherever you watch TV, I've prepared breakfast for you and An Xiang." An Jie led Catherine to the kitchen, just like they were walking hand in hand on the streets of Ames back then. Just like Christmas that year, when they met for the first time...

"Hey, I knew you could only use a bread machine to make toast." Catherine was complaining, but her expression was very happy.

"Who said that, I have prepared hot milk." Just after Catherine took a bite of the toast, An Jie took out a cup of steaming milk from behind.

"Ann, what are you today..."

"Merry Christmas, Catherine." Before Catherine could finish speaking, An Jie suddenly hugged his wife.

During the family reunion Christmas break, Angie has to scramble for an important game. But at this moment, Catherine felt that her Christmas was quite perfect...

※※※

"Pick and roll, pick and roll!" On the training field, the voices of the players came and went.

Lillard was shouting tactics, Meyers Leonard did not slack off, and immediately stepped forward, the pick-and-roll position was perfect.

"He followed Anjie and improved really fast." Ricard made a voice of praise. Meyers Leonard can be said to be one of the surprises of the Trail Blazers this year.

"Yes, I think we can slowly increase his role in the team." Divac next to Ricard agreed. Meyers Leonard may not be a star, but he can be a very good player. functional players.

Through the pick-and-roll, Lillard easily broke through the slower and slower old Miller. An Jie, who was still behind Meyers Leonard, reacted quickly and immediately chased after Lillard to the penalty area.

Lillard's speed is naturally much faster than Anjie, but when Lillard took off to lay up, Anjie did not give up defense, but stretched his arms in the air, and rushed as hard as he could, stunned by the basketball Pinned it to the backboard before it fell!

"Oh my god!" Even Ricard, who had seen An Jie perform countless performances, couldn't help but marvel. If this ball was defended by anyone in this league, Lillard must have successfully scored. But An Jie's obsession with blocking just now made him successfully complete an incredible picture.

"Damn, Ann, what medicine did you take today!" Lillard looked back in disbelief after landing, he couldn't believe that Anjie was able to rush back to block himself.

"Hey, I'm in good shape, there's nothing I can do." An Jie smiled happily. This warm morning made An Jie full of motivation.

"With this state to face the Spurs, I'm afraid Duncan and Popovich won't have to spend Christmas." Rickard instantly relaxed. It seems that the pressure from the outside world will not affect Anjie in the slightest.

"We killed them cleanly in the playoffs last season. Tomorrow, we are just repeating what we have done." Divac is full of confidence, and the Spurs are certainly one of the league's strongest. But the Trail Blazers are the one standing tallest among this group of powerhouses.

"Christmas game? I really miss the time when we were not regular visitors to the Christmas game. My wife's Christmas dinner has not been eaten for several years." Ricard looked at the players who were in excellent condition, and finally healed from his nervousness. Released in the state, chatted with Divac about homework.

"I haven't been home for Christmas for several years. For victory, these sacrifices are nothing." Divac turned on his phone and looked at the Christmas photos sent to him by his family. Although it is very worrying not to be able to go back for Christmas, isn't the Trail Blazers everyone's second home?

The fighters in the City of Roses are ready to fight, far away in San Antonio, another group of guys are preparing to board the plane and head for Portland.

Duncan couldn't help wrapping himself in the padded jacket. As he got older, he really couldn't bear the cold anymore. He looked around him, as long as the wind blows, Popovich, Ginobili and Parker will do the same movements as himself.

Not only myself, but this group of guys are not young anymore...

"Hey Tim, we're going to Portland again." Before he knew it, the already bald Ginobili walked up to the expressionless man.

"I hate that place." Duncan answered without hesitation.

"The City of Roses is full of thorns. We just passed through it, and we were easily injured." Ginobili said, patting Duncan's buttocks. "Come on, old man, we can't just quit the game."

Looking at the back of Ginobili going away, Duncan smiled slightly.

It's about this time, Manu, do you still want to continue playing? Playing with someone 12 years younger than you who is in his prime?

Old man, if you want to play, then I will accompany you!

"Whoosh~~~~" The strong wind blew up again, and Duncan could even feel his joints aching.

Cursing under his breath, the expressionless old man boarded a special plane to Portland...