DeRozan

Li Chen nodded. "This endorsement deal is pretty good."

Bill Duffy said, "Then let's go sign the contract today!"

Li Chen shook his head and smiled. "No, I still need to have a proper talk with Mr. Robert Greenberg from Sketchers."

At that, Bill Duffy froze for a moment, then his mouth fell open.

"Oh my God! Chen, you're not thinking of—"

"Mr. Bill Duffy, I'm pretty stubborn. I like a challenge."

Bill Duffy tried to talk him out of it, but he opened his mouth and couldn't say anything. At last, he said, "All right!"

Li Chen then rode with Bill Duffy to Sketchers' headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California.

Li Chen's plan was simple: Since you look down on me and think I can't do it, I'll ask for the moon and make you pay through the nose.

So, after meeting Sketchers founder Robert Greenberg, Li Chen demanded 10% of the company.

Li Chen's demand surprised Robert Greenberg and the others. They thought he was getting above himself.

But as the founder of a small company, Robert Greenberg was cautious, even though he believed Li Chen couldn't pull it off.

Out of business prudence, Robert Greenberg discussed it with the shareholders and decided that the most they could offer Li Chen was 2% of the company.

After a fierce back-and-forth with Robert Greenberg and the others, Li Chen finally got Sketchers to raise its offer to 3%.

After they reached an agreement and signed the contract, Robert Greenberg teased Li Chen, saying he should have become a businessman instead of playing basketball.

Li Chen smiled without confirming or denying it.

Sketchers also paid Li Chen's endorsement fee for the year up front to show its sincerity.

They also finalized the details of Li Chen's shoe line.

The first shoe in Li Chen's line would be called "Miracle."

He really liked the name.

By the time all the details had been settled, it was already four or five in the afternoon.

When Li Chen returned to Paravilla Stadium, James Harden showed up a little while later.

The kid had clearly been waiting nearby. "Sorry, I had some things to take care of today, so I'm late. Don't worry, I'll still pay you for today."

James Harden didn't seem very happy. He fidgeted for a moment, then said, "Sir, you were amazing yesterday..."

Li Chen gave the chubby kid a strange look. Wasn't he a Kobe fan? Why was he complimenting him today? As the saying went, there was no such thing as a free lunch.

Thinking that, he cut in. "James, just say what's on your mind. I don't like beating around the bush."

James Harden's chubby face turned red. He looked embarrassed, as if Li Chen had seen right through him.

Still, he said, "Sir, do you need another assistant here? The two of us would only need $150 a day."

Li Chen paused. He really did think James Harden was having trouble keeping up on his own. Besides, he'd just come into some money, so he could afford $200 a day.

After turning it over in his mind, he nodded. "Sure. Have him come by tomorrow!"

"No need. He's right outside. I'll go get him." With that, James Harden dashed out.

A moment later, a boy about the same size as Harden came in behind him.

"Sir, this is DeMar. DeMar DeRozan."

At that, Li Chen blinked. He hadn't expected James Harden's friend to be him.

Then Li Chen looked at DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan seemed a little uneasy.

"DeMar, sir's a really good guy. You don't have to be nervous."

James Harden patted his shoulder and reassured his friend like a little grown-up.

Li Chen found it amusing. The three of them began training.

The three of them were indeed faster than two. Li Chen was so focused on shooting that he lost track of time, and the two kids got so busy that they did too.

When Li Chen finally stopped, he realized it was already very late.

He glanced at the dark night sky. He knew this country wasn't very safe at night.

So he ended the training session, took the two boys to a Chinese restaurant for dinner, then drove them home.

"Sir, you're here a bit late today!" A waitress named Xiao Wan asked with a smile.

"Yeah! I got carried away with training and lost track of time," Li Chen said. "Xiao Wan, bring out one of everything on the menu, so these two kids can try some of our finest Eastern cuisine."

Xiao Wan's lovely eyes shifted to James Harden and DeMar DeRozan. Her big eyes curved into sweet crescents. "Of course, sir."

James Harden and DeMar DeRozan gazed curiously at the restaurant's somewhat old-fashioned decor. "Sir, are all places in the East like this?"

"No."

"Oh!" James Harden nodded, then changed the subject. "Sir, how did you get the referees to favor you?"

Li Chen's mouth twitched. What's that supposed to mean?

Did James Harden get the idea for his flopping from watching me?

After thinking it over, Li Chen decided he couldn't lead the kid astray. "In basketball, skill is what matters. Understand?"

Li Chen looked at James Harden and DeMar DeRozan as he advised them.

DeMar DeRozan nodded firmly, seeming to take the lesson to heart. But Harden seemed lost in his own thoughts, wondering about something else.

Seeing that, Li Chen sighed to himself. Harden really is attached to flopping.

Before long, dish after unfamiliar dish was laid out on the table.

The two boys' families weren't well-off, so they couldn't have eaten Chinese food before. With Li Chen's permission, they dug in until their mouths were slick with grease.

An hour later, as Li Chen paid the bill and was about to leave, DeMar DeRozan suddenly asked, "Sir, can I take these leftovers home?"

Seeing the hopeful look in DeMar DeRozan's eyes, Li Chen paused, then realized what was going on. He ordered a few more dishes and let DeMar DeRozan and Harden take them home.

A little later, Li Chen hailed a taxi and sent the two of them home.

Then he got back into the taxi and said, "Sir, could you please take me to Paravilla Stadium?"

Li Chen had decided to practice for a while longer. He wanted to level up.

He finally raised Open Three-Pointer to A-rank after practicing for over an hour.

At four in the morning the next day, Kobe's worst fear came true: he was bothered again.

In a fit of rage, Kobe gave Li Chen a scolding, and only then did his anger begin to fade.

He wanted to tell him not to call again, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

However, Kobe was astonished to discover that Li Chen had improved by leaps and bounds since the last time.

He couldn't help swearing to himself. Fuck, how does this bastard train?

No, I need to work harder too. If this bastard ever beats me badly, just thinking about it gives me the creeps.