"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm at the arena. This round isn't very interesting. When we run into a strong team later, I'll get you a few courtside tickets—bring your family along to watch.
Don't worry, don't worry. Once I'm done here, I'll come find you. All that stuff is easy to deal with."
Chen Yilun hung up the phone and immediately noticed Divac staring at him with intense focus.
"Is there something on my face?"
Under Divac's unblinking gaze, Chen Yilun felt a slight chill crawl up his back.
"No, no."
Divac shook his head and continued, "Boss, who was that on the phone just now? I can't remember the last time I saw you talk to someone so politely."
"Who else could it be?"
Chen Yilun shot him a knowing smile. "With your intel network, you couldn't possibly not know. It was obviously Mr. Tsai."
"Holy crap—you're still in contact with Mr. Tsai?!"
Divac's eyes went wide. "That's insane, boss. You're already only hanging out with team owners now, huh?"
As he spoke, Divac shifted his massive body closer and lowered his voice.
"Boss, give me the truth. Why is Mr. Tsai looking for you? I heard he tried to lure you over with Nets shares before, and you still turned him down."
"Heh, you really are well-informed."
"Chen Yilun chuckled softly but didn't respond right away. That meeting with Mr. Tsai had been completely private—just Tsai and his wife, and it had taken place overseas."
Logically, no one should have known about it. Yet rumors were now flying all over the league, saying Chen Yilun might jump to the Nets once Mr. Tsai fully took control.
Who spread those rumors? Chen Yilun didn't even need to think—he could figure it out with his toes.
"He's just new to doing business in the league," Chen Yilun said calmly, eyes still on the court. "He asked me to help him think things through."
"What, you're tempted?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Divac waved his hands repeatedly. "Working with you is great. I know my own level. If you took me along, I wouldn't hesitate. But if it were just me going alone? Forget it. I'd rather not embarrass myself."
Hearing this, a barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of Chen Yilun's mouth.
This was already his fourth year with the Kings. Over those four years, one of Chen Yilun's other major achievements was making Divac and Peja realize that while they had been excellent players, they simply lacked talent as executives.
That was why Divac no longer took part in major team decisions. Even when his opinion was required, he would wait for Chen Yilun to speak first, then echo his stance.
He understood his place. Divac being able to serve as general manager today was entirely because he listened to Chen Yilun.
"If you're not going, then why would Mr. Tsai come looking for you?" Divac asked in a low voice, frowning.
"He wants to build his own core team. You know how awful Brooklyn's management was before. Once Mr. Tsai steps in, there's no way he can pretend he didn't see that. But he doesn't have his own people yet, so he came to talk cooperation with me."
"Damn…"
Divac sucked in a sharp breath.
"So you're saying… we're taking over the Nets too?"
Chen Yilun just smiled and didn't answer.
Taking over the Nets was a crucial part of his plan. Philadelphia and Sacramento were already under his control, but their markets were simply too small. Many ideas couldn't be fully implemented.
Brooklyn was different. That was a genuine top-tier market.
With Brooklyn as a foundation, many of his long-term plans could finally be realized. That was why Chen Yilun had been paying so much attention to Mr. Tsai's situation lately.
But unintended words often found unintended ears. Chen Yilun's recent closeness with Mr. Tsai made one person especially anxious—the current team owner, Ranadivé.
Just as the team stood on the verge of achieving something historic, news broke that Chen Yilun, the cornerstone of the franchise, might be leaving.
Ranadivé was naturally frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. Meanwhile, because of his own plans, Chen Yilun couldn't explain why he'd been so closely connected with Mr. Tsai recently.
And so, misunderstanding after misunderstanding quietly piled up.
"Oh wow, you're really popular, Boss Chen."
A strangely sarcastic voice suddenly sounded next to Chen Yilun and Divac.
Chen Yilun turned his head to see Anjali sitting nearby, glaring at them with clear displeasure.
"Oh, my dear lady."
Faced with Anjali's sarcasm, Chen Yilun could only sigh inwardly. "I've told you and your father countless times—I truly have no intention of changing jobs. Why won't you believe me?"
"You don't want to change jobs, yet you're constantly flirting back and forth with Mr. Tsai?" Anjali shot back angrily, her voice full of resentment.
"I've explained it to you, but you wouldn't understand."
Chen Yilun waved his hand helplessly. "Anyway, just put your mind at ease. I'm not going anywhere."
As the three chatted, the game on the court finally came to an end.
After five games, the Kings completed a gentleman's sweep, winning 4–1 over the Timberwolves and advancing confidently to the next round.
"How did it feel?"
Coach Malone asked as the Kings players walked off the floor.
"Don't even mention it."
Butler shook his head, grumbling. "They couldn't take a hit at all. After playing a few games like that, I didn't even get warmed up."
"Alright, alright, keep it down."
Gay, walking behind him, patted Butler on the backside to signal him to lower his voice. "The kid's still young. Don't traumatize him. You'll get your chance to really play next round."
At that, Butler seemed to remember something. He tilted his head and looked at Durant.
"Have your two little brothers decided a winner yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be soon."
Durant pulled a towel over his head and answered casually.
The Rockets–Thunder series was already at 3–1, with Houston holding a commanding lead and three match points. It would probably be over tomorrow.
"That little mustache guy really has something," Monty said from the bench while reporting to Malone.
"Even though they struggled in Game 1 when Westbrook and Griffin kept attacking the paint, D'Antoni adjusted quickly. After that, the Thunder barely had any chances."
"You really think that little mustache had to adjust anything?"
Coach Ham, sitting on the other side, snorted. "With historical-level tacticians like Paul and Harden on the team, he doesn't even need to do anything. Those two just talk it through on the court and solve the problem themselves."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser