The Agent Who Came Knocking

Li Chen still didn't know about Elton Brand's bold claims. Even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

As he saw it, how could you know the outcome without trying?

At that moment, he was busy practicing Open Three-Pointers.

He focused on nothing else, as if he'd lost track of time. He kept repeating the same actions—shooting, shooting, retrieving the ball, retrieving the ball—like a machine, as though he'd entered a wondrous state.

It was as if time itself had slowed. No opponent could stop him. He felt omnipotent, like a god ruling the court.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Li Chen's ear.

[Notice: Congratulations, Host! Through your tireless efforts, you have acquired the Open Three-Pointer skill.]

[Open Three-Pointer]

[Level: D (Level can be raised through shooting; EXP: 0/3000)]

[Notice: Skills learned on your own cannot be improved with money.]

The system notification pulled Li Chen out of that wondrous state.

At the same time, he was delighted to hear that he had actually learned a skill.

He opened his Character Attribute Panel. Seeing the Open Three-Pointer skill and the 0/3000 experience bar beneath it, he fell into thought.

Did this mean he had to take 3,000 shots?

After thinking it over, Li Chen began trying to shoot.

But just then, his body suddenly staggered. Unable to keep his balance, he plopped down on the floor.

Li Chen was bewildered. What was wrong with him? Why were his legs so weak? He felt like he'd spent all night battling a beautiful woman from the Beautiful Country.

Wait, could it be because of that wondrous state he'd just entered?

The thought suddenly made everything clear. Right—how could such a powerful ability not have a downside?

Lying on the floor, Li Chen couldn't help raising his hand and gazing at his palm. He licked his lips, then clenched his fist.

He thought to himself, That feeling was so incredible. I wonder if I'll ever enter that wondrous state again in my lifetime.

The next day.

"Damn, Chen, don't tell me you practiced all night."

Elton Brand's exaggerated voice rang out.

Li Chen's eyelids fluttered. He rubbed his eyes, sat up, and yawned. "No. I fell asleep later, so I didn't practice anymore."

Everyone: "..."

Li Chen stood up and stretched. "I'm going to grab something to eat. When the coach gets here, tell him I'll be half an hour late."

But no one paid him any attention. The coach didn't supervise Li Chen's training anyway; he knew Li Chen was a very disciplined player.

As soon as Li Chen walked out of the Training Gym, he saw a man wearing a white shirt, a black tie, and a black suit. His hair was neatly styled.

The man walked toward Li Chen, which surprised him.

"Hello, Mr. Li Chen." The man extended his right hand.

"Hello." Li Chen politely reached out and shook it.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Bill—Bill Duffy. I'm an NBA player agent."

Li Chen nodded.

Bill Duffy continued, "I watched your game last night. You played flawlessly. You're going to be one of the NBA's greatest legends someday, and I think you need a professional agent."

Bill Duffy started with some flattery, then explained why he'd come.

Li Chen raised an eyebrow. He had no interest in finding an agent. Making money was far too easy for a time traveler like him.

All he had to do was get some money together and buy Google stock. He'd never have to worry about making ends meet for the rest of his life.

So there was no need for an agent. He just wanted to play basketball in peace.

Li Chen politely replied, "Sorry, Mr. Bill Duffy, but I'm not ready to think about that yet."

Bill Duffy froze in surprise. He'd never imagined Li Chen would reject him.

After all, Li Chen wasn't a star yet! How could he casually turn down an agent who'd come to him?

"Mr. Li Chen, you may not know this, but Yao Ming, who's from your part of the world, is one of my clients. You can ask him about my reputation..."

Bill Duffy went on and on, his words flowing like a river as he spun the most wonderful promises.

Li Chen started to get a headache. He had just one thought: this man was incredibly persistent, like Garnett the night before.

Li Chen knew that if he didn't agree, this guy could talk for an hour. No, maybe even longer.

After thinking it over, he finally agreed to Bill Duffy's request.

Bill Duffy then noticed that Li Chen hadn't eaten breakfast. He invited him to a nearby coffee shop to get something to eat.

Li Chen didn't stand on ceremony. He was genuinely broke right now, so he ordered a whole pile of food.

Bill Duffy didn't mind. Once Li Chen had finished eating, he pulled out a contract he'd prepared in advance and slid it across the table.

Li Chen wiped the grease from his mouth and looked at Bill Duffy curiously. "Mr. Bill Duffy, you're really confident, aren't you?"

Bill Duffy smiled, though he thought to himself, You're the hardest-to-handle rookie basketball player I've ever dealt with.

Li Chen, meanwhile, thought, If you hadn't kept talking so tirelessly, you'd have prepared that contract for nothing.

As his thoughts wandered, Li Chen picked up the printed contract and skimmed through it. Finding no problems, he picked up a pen and signed his name.

When Bill Duffy saw Li Chen's signature, he let out a long sigh of relief. He could already tell that this man from the East would become someone no less prominent than Yao Ming.

Don't ask why. It was the professional instinct of Bill Duffy, a seasoned agent.

That was why he'd been so persistent and patient.

Once everything was settled, Bill Duffy said, "Chen, you signed a seven-day contract with the Clippers, right?"

Li Chen nodded.

Bill Duffy said confidently, "Chen, based on your performance yesterday, I can get you a contract worth at least a million dollars."

"I want to stay with the Clippers." Li Chen looked at Bill Duffy, his expression serious.

Bill Duffy froze. He couldn't understand why Li Chen insisted on staying in Los Angeles.

After thinking it over, Bill Duffy cautiously suggested, "Chen, I can negotiate with the Lakers and get you a decent minimum-salary contract while making sure you get enough playing time. Would you consider switching teams?"

Li Chen was surprised by the offer, and a little tempted as well. It wasn't that he wanted to ride the coattails of the OK Combination. He wanted to train with Kobe.

A championship only felt worthwhile if you won it through your own efforts, didn't it?

Thinking it over, Li Chen decisively rejected the tempting idea.

He said, "I want to stay with the Clippers. You can handle the salary however you think best."

Bill Duffy was confused, and asked in surprise, "Why?"

"Hmm..."

Of course, Li Chen wasn't going to tell Bill Duffy that he was staying for Kobe, the perfect training partner.

After a moment's thought, Li Chen replied earnestly, "Coach Alvin Gentry gave me a chance to prove myself. I don't want to disappoint him."

He added silently, I don't want him to get fired, either.

Bill Duffy froze.

Was this what they meant by repaying kindness?

Bill Duffy didn't quite understand. But since Li Chen had made up his mind, he didn't try to persuade him any further.

The two exchanged phone numbers and went their separate ways. Li Chen returned to the gym to train.

Bill Duffy headed for the Clippers' general manager's office. He was going to secure Li Chen a big contract.