The next day, the director bidding went on as scheduled.
Brother Chen Kai opened with a poem he had carefully prepared. His voice was passionate, his tone dramatic, but as Zhao Dong leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the ceiling, he couldn't help but think: Brother Kai is all flair, no substance. This isn't a poetry contest—it's a national event. He's got no shot, just like in the last life.
When Ang Lee took the stage, he introduced a special assistant—the niece of the great architectural master Lin Huiyin. She gave a stirring talk about the beauty of Chinese classics. The room erupted in applause, but Zhao Dong shook his head. Too vague. Too abstract. Empty ideas don't build stadiums. Ang Lee won't cut it this time either.
Then came Zhang Yimou. Dressed once again in his signature bright red suit from the first round, he carried himself with humility—bowing, shaking hands, making sure every greeting felt genuine.
When it was Zhao Dong's turn, he flashed a grin and said, "Director Zhang, if you win this thing, dinner's on you."
"Of course!" Zhang Yimou froze for a moment before his face lit up with joy. He knew Zhao Dong's influence ran deep in China. His words alone, paired with Zhang's reputation, tilted the odds heavily in his favor. That Zhao Dong acknowledged him so openly meant everything—proof that his work was being recognized beyond the Beijing circle.
Brother Chen Kai, meanwhile, sat stiffly with his wife, Chen Hong. He muttered under his breath, "It seems Zhao Dong really doesn't rate me."
"You've followed his brother for years," Chen Hong whispered back. "You'd think he'd give you some face."
Chen Kai shook his head. "This is bigger than face. With over a billion people watching, Zhao Dong's not going to back me just for old times' sake."
Chen Hong could only sigh in agreement.
When Zhang finally revealed his proposal, it was practical, grand, and precise—down-to-earth but visionary, with a carefully detailed budget. Compared to the lofty but vague presentations from Chen Kai and Ang Lee, Zhang's stood head and shoulders above.
As expected, Chen Kai and Ang Lee's bids were rejected. Zhang's survived, and he was named director of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Afterward, Zhao Dong leaned toward Secretary Liu, who presided over the bidding. "Liu Ji, we still need an art director. I'd suggest Chen Kai. He's got real talent for artistic design. Zhang can stay grounded, and Chen can handle the creative flair. Together, they'll balance each other."
"Zhao Dong, finally speaking up, eh?" Secretary Liu smirked. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have even given you a box lunch today."
Zhao Dong chuckled. "Come on, Liu Ji, you're just forcing my hand!"
Secretary Liu teased, "I spoke with your wife, Director Liu, this morning. She mentioned setting up a bulk futures trading market in Beijing. I didn't know much about it, but the way she explained the necessity… it feels huge."
Zhao Dong grinned. "That's exactly the point. Control the pricing power of bulk commodities, and the benefits are massive. It's something we need to push forward immediately."
The two shared a laugh before Secretary Liu announced the results.
When Chen Kai learned he'd been appointed artistic director, relief washed over his face. The disappointment turned to a smile.
"Brother Kai, Director Zhang—looks like dinner's on you both. I'll skip the box lunch today," Zhao Dong said with a laugh.
"Deal," the two replied in unison.
"Director Li, you joining us?" Zhao Dong asked Ang Lee.
Ang Lee gave a shy smile. "Then I'll gladly tag along."
---
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the 2006 NBA Championship.
This time, Yao and Kobe were at their peak, while O'Neal was clearly declining. The Lakers fought hard and took down the Heat, securing the title.
After the championship came the draft. A-Lin had declared for the 2006 NBA Draft. Like Yao before him, he'd received professional training early, and after three years grinding in the NCAA, his strength and potential were undeniable.
He was drafted third overall, making him the third pick of 2006.
By then, Zhao Dong's quadruplets were already six years old. After two years in kindergarten, they entered Shichahai Primary School in early September, alongside the eldest child of Zhao Dacheng's family.
Little Qiaoqiao, meanwhile, had turned two. With her sweet smile and charm, she became the apple of the Zhao family's eye. Anywhere she went in Shichahai, people doted on her, spoiling her with food and play.
As for Zhao Dong, his routine hadn't changed. Between family life and his career, he made time to practice at the Dongcheng training base. Whenever possible, he also traveled to Wenchuan to inspect the ongoing reconstruction projects.
By then, the county's main structures were complete, and new schools and roads were already operating. From the second half of the year, all students—from kindergarten to high school and vocational school—transferred to new campuses.
Housing projects progressed as well: each completed section quickly filled with relocated families. Everything was on track to finish by the end of the next year.
By June 2007, another MBA summer rolled around. Yao and Kobe pushed even harder, and together they defended their championship title.
This marked Yao Ming's third championship and Kobe's second. The media marveled at how both stars were still in their prime, noting that a title defense the following year was highly likely.
Not long after the season, reports out of New Jersey claimed Tim Duncan's contract with the Nets had expired. Word spread quickly that he intended to test free agency.
Zhao Dong barely paid attention to the headlines. His focus wasn't on roster moves or trade rumors—it was on Wenchuan. The massive reconstruction project was nearing completion, and most residents had already relocated to the new county. That was where his energy went.
By December, the work was officially done. Roads, schools, housing—all in place. The relocation was complete, and Wenchuan was reborn. The calendar flipped to 2008.
---
The air in Beijing felt different. With the Olympics approaching, the city itself seemed to glow. Red lanterns hung across streets and alleys as the Spring Festival drew near.
On February 6th—New Year's Eve—the Zhao household buzzed with energy. After breakfast, the family began preparations for the big dinner.
The quadruplets, nearly eight years old now, had grown into four little tigers. Most kids their age stood around 1.2 meters tall, but the four brothers were already 1.4 meters, with the youngest brushing 1.5. Entering third grade next semester, they weren't just tall—they were dominant. Whenever the school held a sports meet, the four swept nearly every event, breaking grade records with ease.
The youngest even shattered the city records for high jump, long jump, and the 100-meter dash for 12-year-olds—at only seven years old.
Qiaoqiao, now almost four, was shaping up to be the brightest of them all. She had Zhao Dong's athletic frame and Lindsay's sharp mind. But her affection for Zhao Dong was so intense that Lindsay sometimes found herself feeling a little jealous.
---
After the New Year, Zhao Dong launched a plan he had been preparing for months: a large-scale disaster relief exercise in Wenchuan.
When he explained it to Mr. Zhu, the veteran leader raised his eyebrows.
"Why such a massive drill? Have you run the numbers?" Mr. Zhu asked, skeptical.
Zhao Dong's proposal was staggering—an exercise on the scale of a magnitude 8 earthquake, stronger than the Tangshan quake. That meant mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops and police, the kind of operation that looked less like relief work and more like a medium-sized war. The financial cost would be astronomical.
"Right now, the country's priority is economic growth," Mr. Zhu said slowly. "I can't say I understand your thinking."
Zhao Dong met his gaze and shook his head. "Boss Zhu, our country hasn't fought a war in decades. A large-scale relief drill will show the world our mobilization power and emergency response capability. It's not just an exercise—it's a signal."
Mr. Zhu sat stunned for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. Zhao Dong's logic carried weight.
Zhao Dong added calmly, "And I'll personally cover the expenses."
That earned a startled laugh. "Zhao Dong, you already spent tens of billions in Wenchuan on real estate and tourism. Now you're ready to burn tens of billions more on a drill? You're no businessman. You belong in the Sports Federation."
Zhao Dong just smiled. "Don't worry. I can afford the loss."
Mr. Zhu laughed again, but he knew the matter needed more than his approval. With retirement on the horizon and a new leadership team incoming, the decision might be delayed. Still, Zhao Dong used his influence to push the plan forward.
The result? Success. The higher-ups approved the exercise. It would happen.
---
Shifting Seasons
By March, the new leadership team had stepped in. Transition went smoothly. Lindsay, only 30, remained in her post, knowing she would need another term or two of experience before she could climb further.
On May 1, the basketball Management Center revealed the national team roster:
Zhao Dong
Yao Ming
Yi Jianlian
Zhu Fangyu
Wang Shipeng
Reserves: Sun Yue, Liu Wei, Chen Jianghua, Li Nan, Wang Zhizhi, Du Feng, Zhang Qingpeng.
Team leader: Li Yuanwei.
Head Coach: Edward.
Coaching staff: Guo Shiqiang, Nelson Jr., and Hu Weidong.
Hu Weidong, once a star himself, had retired. Under Zhao Dong's arrangement, he was now part of the coaching staff.
Another familiar face, Daba, returned to China but did not join the national squad.
For Zhao Dong, this was a full-circle moment. After eight years away, he returned as the undisputed core of the national team. The truth was, he had never really left. During his retirement, he'd spent countless hours at the Dongcheng training base, working with the program, mentoring players, shaping the team's future.
And now, the time had come.
That very day, Zhao Dong officially announced his comeback at the Beijing Olympics.
The news exploded across the sports world.
"For someone who's been gone five years, what's the point of returning now?" one commentator asked.
"Legends are meant to stay legends. Why risk tarnishing the myth by coming back?" another wrote.
The media storm was relentless. The majority doubted him, convinced that a five-year layoff guaranteed failure.
But Zhao Dong had already made his choice.
---
(End of Chapter)
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