The Deal with Old Bass

At the end of August, Li Chen returned to the United States to attend Michael Jackson's birthday party, where he saw Britney again.

There were some changes in her, because he could clearly tell she had gained weight.

After talking with Britney for a while, Li Chen felt very awkward. He couldn't find that friendly feeling he used to have, and it was really embarrassing, so they parted ways after only a few minutes.

Li Chen came to repay a debt of gratitude. He had learned that Michael Jackson was suffering from insomnia and brought with him miraculous traditional Chinese medicine. After personally handing the gift to Michael Jackson, Li Chen left.

It wasn't that Li Chen was disrespectful to Michael Jackson; it was just that those socialites were too enthusiastic, and he simply couldn't handle it.

On September 27th, Avril's birthday, Li Chen meticulously prepared a birthday party for Avril.

Avril was delighted, but still teased, "Chen, it's really rare for you to celebrate my birthday so willingly! Tell me, did you do something naughty?"

Avril's teasing made Li Chen panic, because he really had something on his mind!

After her birthday celebration, a slightly tipsy Avril suddenly recalled the embarrassing incident when Li Chen had taken her virginity without her even realizing it, and felt depressed.

Then...

Alcohol really is a good thing, allowing Avril to perform at her best.

Two hours later, Li Chen looked at Avril nestled against his chest like a kitten.

He decided to be honest about his relationship with Britney, something that had been bothering him for a long time.

"Avril," Li Chen called out hesitantly.

However, Avril was already exhausted, did not notice the hesitation in Li Chen's tone.

She gave a soft "hmm".

After a short while, Li Chen recounted the entire incident in detail.

After hearing this, Avril trembled violently, completely dumbfounded.

The next day, Avril left New York and returned to Canada.

Li Chen was speechless; he never expected Avril to react so strongly.

After thinking about it, he decided to call Old Jack.

When Avril's grandfather heard Li Chen's account, he launched into a tirade of abuse.

"Kid, are you out of your mind? How could you tell Avril something like this? Did you get your head stuck in a door? Why didn't you discuss it with me first? Now that something's happened, you're coming to this old man for help, you idiot!"

Li Chen was stunned by the scolding, because Old Jack was speaking in Northeastern dialect.

"Jack, how did you learn Chinese?"

Although Avril's situation made him very anxious, he was still very surprised by Old Jack's problem.

"Of course, it's your grandpa who's incredibly smart," Old Jack said smugly. "I'll help you solve this. Avril very serious about relationships, so don't be silly and tell everyone you're stealing fish in the future."

Li Chen: "..."

He realized that this wasn't Avril's grandfather, but his own grandfather!

A moment later, Old Jack hung up the phone.

Just then, a woman in her forties, still plump and dressed in a floral print dress, walked to the table with a plate of dishes and asked, "Jack, who called?"

"Nobody else, my granddaughter and grandson-in-law had a fight and came to me for help."

If Li Chen saw this, his eyes would widen in disbelief. "You must be at least 60, right? Are you really 'capable'?"

Old Jack will definitely tell Li Chen very strongly that his grandfather is not only capable, but extremely capable.

After having his late-night snack, Old Jack picked up the phone and waited quietly for his granddaughter to come to his door.

Sure enough, Avril called less than half an hour later.

A moment later, Old Jack answered the phone.

"Grandpa!" Avril called out in a low voice.

"Oh! It's Avril. You don't seem to be in a good mood! Tell Grandpa what's bothering you, and I'll definitely help you sort it out," Old Jack said, feigning ignorance.

Hearing this, Avril seemed to have found someone to confide in and recounted Li Chen's story.

Old Jack knew what had happened, and before Avril could finish speaking, Old Jack interrupted, "First of all, Chen's honesty proves that he cares about you a lot. Also, think about his place in your heart. Think about it carefully!"

With that, he hung up the phone, and Old Jack shouted into the phone, "Little Red, I'm here!"

On the other side, Avril silently pondered her grandfather's words. At that moment, she saw the scene of Li Chen expelling the poison from her, and a happy smile appeared on her lips.

At that moment, she realized her own feelings. "Hmph! But this matter can't be left like this."

After thinking for a while, she made a few phone calls and finally found Britney's number.

When Britney answered the unknown call and found it was Avril, she was surprised. She then guessed the purpose of Avril's call.

Britney recounted the whole story without hiding anything.

Two hours later, Avril hung up the phone, still feeling like she hadn't had enough. She and Britney had talked about music for almost two hours, and they felt like they had known each other for a long time.

At the same time, she could also understand the despair Britney felt after being drugged by her boyfriend, and at that moment she felt some sympathy for her.

So, out of consideration for Britney, she forgave Li Chen, since they were now musical confidants.

Although Avril had forgiven Li Chen in her heart, she didn't want to use that excuse to cause trouble in the future. Therefore, she had to teach him a lesson.

Li Chen was frustrated while waiting for good news. He called Old Jack several times to inquire, but Old Jack always said that the matter had been resolved.

But why hasn't Avril come back?

Later, Britney sent him a message, and he realized that the matter had really been resolved. This finally put Li Chen's mind at ease.

In October, Li Chen received some very important news: the Rockets' general manager, Carroll Dawson, was sick.

That's not the main point. The main point is that the Rockets officially announced that Daryl Morey will soon be appointed as the Rockets' assistant general manager.

It's obvious to anyone with eyes to see that Morey will be the Rockets' general manager in the future.

Furthermore, Carroll Dawson's illness meant that many trade-related matters had to be handled by Morey.

Morey will join the Rockets earlier than in the original timeline, but that's none of Li Chen's business; all he knows is that he can now act.

If we consider the largest multi-team trade in league history that took place on August 2, 2005, as a momentous event, then this was a truly earth-shattering affair.

So, if the Knicks were to complete this trade, it would be a game-changer in the NBA.

However, we need to discuss this with Dolan first.

With that in mind, he picked up the phone and dialed Dolan's number.

Dolan was somewhat surprised to see that it was Li Chen calling.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "Chen, what's up? Didn't I tell you, you can have anyone you want, money is no object?"

Although the Knicks won the championship, Dolan, the son of a wealthy businessman, always felt that the Knicks' roster was not impressive enough, so he kept hoping that Li Chen would suggest strengthening the team.

At this moment, Li Chen tentatively asked, "Mr. Dolan, if... I mean if, I can guarantee the team's competitiveness, is it possible to trade the current roster?"

Hearing Li Chen's words, Dolan frowned, wondering what Li Chen was up to. He wanted to ask Li Chen who he wanted to trade, but then he thought that as long as the Knicks had Li Chen, they would be fine.

After all, he had witnessed it firsthand last season. So he took back the question he was about to ask and instead said magnanimously, "Chen, Knicks except you is available for trade."

Hearing this, Li Chen was overjoyed; Dolan that mattered.

After chatting with Dolan for a few more minutes, I politely took my leave.

After hanging up the phone, Li Chen called Alvin Gentry again, since Gentry was the Knicks' general manager.

However, when Alvin Gentry heard that Li Chen wanted to trade JR Smith, Ariza, Crawford for Yao Ming, he shook his head vigorously.

Keep in mind that JR Smith alone could be traded for Yao Ming, but this rascal Li Chen actually wants to trade three for one – that's clearly a losing proposition!

"Chen, absolutely not! I cannot accept such a deal."

After making those confident statements, Alvin Gentry felt it was too heartless, so he changed his tune, saying, "Chen, even if I agreed, Mr. Dolan would never accept it."

Li Chen rubbed his nose and said, "But Mr. Dolan said that anyone on the Knicks except me can be put on the trading block."

Alvin Gentry "..."

Alvin Gentry cursed inwardly, "This little brat, he's completely slapped his teacher in the face!"

"No, I disagree." Alvin Gentry was adamant; he simply refused to agree.

Li Chen scratched his head, thought for a moment, and tempted, "Coach Alvin, would you like to have Popovich's right-hand man play under your guidance?"

Alvin Gentry was taken aback. "What... what exactly do you mean by that?"

Li Chen smiled mysteriously and started his deception again, which led Alvin Gentry, who had been at odds with Popovich, to compromise.

Having dealt with Alvin Gentry, Li Chen smiled slightly; it was time to move on to the next topic.

Kobe has been very unhappy in Los Angeles these past few days. The management has been slow to take action on the reinforcements he requested, so he came to see Old Bass again today.

Kobe's personality is straightforward; he doesn't mince words. He'll ask about strengthening the team right away.

Old Bass smiled slightly and said kindly, "Kobe, don't worry." As he spoke, he looked at Mitch Kupchak.

"Mr. Jerry Buss, our primary target for strengthening the team is Yao Ming, but the Rockets don't seem to be planning to trade Yao Ming, so I'm looking for other options."

"Kobe, look, we're already working hard to find you teammates. Your job is to wait patiently," Old Bass continued.

Kobe let out a long sigh, then nodded. Now, he could only wait quietly for the result, just as Old Bass had said.

Just then, his phone rang. He frowned, thinking to himself, "Who is it? How annoying!" Lost in thought, he said apologetically, "Excuse me, Mr. Jerry Buss, I need to take this call."

Old Bass nodded.

A moment later, Kobe took out his phone and saw that it was Li Chen. He was about to reject the call.

If you had to pick the person Kobe fears most right now, it would be Li Chen. He's terrified of Li Chen bragging in front of him.

After thinking for a moment, he reluctantly answered the phone, "Hello! What's up? Tell me quickly, I have things to do here!"

Hearing Kobe's impatient words, Li Chen was taken aback, but he had important business to attend to and didn't want to take it too seriously with Kobe, so he went straight to the point. "Do you know Old Bass's phone number?"

Kobe was taken aback, and he instinctively asked, "What do you want with him?"

"What? Do you think you can make that decision yourself?"

Li Chen is not one to suffer a loss easily; this was a rebuttal to Kobe's earlier impatient tone.

Kobe "..."

"My birthday wish for next year is fulfilled again," Kobe said through gritted teeth.

Li Chen: "..."

"Hurry up, or I'll go to your house and tell Junior about your embarrassing moments."

"I fucking want to punch someone!" Kobe gripped the phone tightly, seething with anger.

Kobe gritted his teeth again and said, "Fine! I'll hand the phone to Mr. Jerry Buss right now."

Upon hearing this, Li Chen was taken aback again, because he understood the implication in Kobe's words.

A moment later, based on Kobe's conversation with Old Bass and Kobe's strong personality, Li Chen seemed to guess why Kobe was with Old Bass.

Just then, a kind and gentle voice came from the phone, "Hello, little one!"

Li Chen snapped out of his thoughts and politely said, "Hello, Mr. Jerry Buss."

Old Bass didn't reply, but listened with great interest to what Li Chen would say next.

Li Chen added, "The reason for this visit is that I'd like to discuss a big trade with your Lakers."

"Oh? What trade? Those Knicks players aren't our Lakers' target."

Clearly, Old Bass still wanted to get an inside player to support Kobe.

At the same time, Old Bass was quite surprised, surprised by Dolan's trust in Li Chen.

"I believe he is the player your Lakers most wants to acquire," Li Chen said confidently.

"Haha! It's a good thing that young people dare to speak their minds, but don't be arrogant!" Old Bass joked with a laugh.

"Yao Ming, I can trade Yao Ming to the Lakers."

As soon as Li Chen said this, Old Bass frowned. He didn't know why Li Chen was so confident.

Lost in thought, Old Bass shook his head and said, "Kid, I won't lie to you, we made an offer to the Rockets to trade for Yao Ming, but the Rockets' response was that Yao Ming is not for sale. So, kid, that big trade you're talking about is simply impossible."

Li Chen smiled and countered, "Mr. Jerry Buss, in the eyes of a businessman, there are no such things as unsellable items. If there are, it's simply because you don't have enough leverage, nothing more. Don't you agree?"

"This..." Old Bass was shocked. He never expected that this young man, Li Chen, would see things so clearly.

Yes, that's absolutely true. If exploited enough, anyone can be traded.

At this point, Old Bass became interested. "Kid, I want to know what price you're willing to pay to acquire Yao Ming, and what you want in return?"

Kobe was shocked to hear that Li Chen was actually doing business with Old Bass. At the same time, he was also a little envious. Li Chen was too awesome on the Knicks.

On the other side, "That's a secret. As for what I want..." Li Chen paused slightly, then said, "I want a promise from you."

"Oh? What promise?" Old Bass asked with interest.

So, Li Chen explained his requirements.

His demands were that the Lakers vote in favor when he wanted to buy an NBA team, and that the Lakers side with him after he became the team owner, without compromising their own interests.

This trade did not harm the Lakers at all, and Old Bass had no reason to object.

And so, the old man and the child reached a verbal agreement.

As long as Li Chen can get Yao Ming to the Lakers, their verbal agreement will not become a reality.