Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered!

Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered! Chapter Twelve: A Favor Zhang Yu hurried to a corner of the gym, took out his phone, and called Curry. He set the phone down, left the room, came down from the attic, and stopped at the landing between the second and first floors to look downstairs. The sky had turned deep blue. The sun was about to set, and only a few people were left on Butler University's campus. Zhang Yu and Stevens walked side by side into the distance as the streetlights came on, stretching their shadows longer and longer. "It's nothing much. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. He was about to start his day's training. In his room, he was changing into his jersey, preparing to head to school. "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." Zhang Yu froze. He realized Dell had misunderstood. Dell thought he was asking for a bribe as "payment" for recruiting Curry. "Hello, Coach Ronan." "Tomato and beef? You didn't say there'd be that much just now, did you?" The call connected quickly, and Zhang Yu got straight to the point: Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. "Oh, you only need a million dollars? Is that enough... Wait! How much do you want to borrow? A million dollars?!" Dell's casual voice suddenly rose as he asked in shock. "Hello, Coach Ronan." "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. "No, just borrow whatever you need and pay back the same amount later. You can even extend the term to a year," Dell said. "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." "Is your dad in a good mood right now?" "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "I was asking what kind of pizza Tracy made today." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. "Of course. I'll buy the beer," Zhang Yu said with a smile. "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. Stevens turned around. "So you're borrowing money. How much do you need?" Dell readily agreed. "Ronan, I'm grateful that you believe in Stephen, but a million dollars is a huge amount. Stephen's goal is the NBA. If he gets caught up in a bribery scandal, he'll definitely be suspended. And if he can't play, no team will draft him. I'm sorry, but I can't take that risk." "What is it, Coach?" Curry called loudly from the other end of the phone, setting it down on the table. "What did you say?" "You've already read these books, haven't you?" He was about to start his day's training. In his room, he was changing into his jersey, preparing to head to school. "What is it? Just tell me. Without you, Stephen wouldn't even know where he'd be playing right now. If it's something I can help with, I'll do it." Dell found it a little funny. He'd thought it was going to be something serious. Curry went back to his room and picked up his phone. Zhang Yu froze. He realized Dell had misunderstood. Dell thought he was asking for a bribe as "payment" for recruiting Curry. A million dollars was no small amount. Even though Curry would earn close to twenty million dollars over his career in salary alone, after taxes he'd only take home a little over twelve million. He'd also bought property and made a few investments, so a million dollars would account for half the cash he had on hand. After making a shot, Julian Becko nudged Mike Green beside him with his elbow and whispered, "Is your dad in a good mood right now?" If something like this came to light, the head coach might not get into much trouble, but the player would certainly be suspended by the NCAA. And if he couldn't play in college, how would NBA teams ever notice him? Zhang Yu froze. He realized Dell had misunderstood. Dell thought he was asking for a bribe as "payment" for recruiting Curry. "What did you say?" "Thanks. I'll go to Charlotte tomorrow afternoon. Are you free?" Zhang Yu had given Curry the chance to play in the NCAA, and Curry had never forgotten the favor. "What did you say?" A million dollars was a lot, but his son's future mattered more. "What?" Curry put on his jersey, wondering if he'd heard wrong. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "What's going on, Ronan?" Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. Stevens turned around. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "What is it, Coach?" Curry called loudly from the other end of the phone, setting it down on the table. The coach had specifically called to ask if his dad was in a good mood. What was that supposed to mean? "You're not going to a casino, are you?" Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "...Hold on." This time, Curry heard him clearly. "Ha ha, that's good. That's good..." Zhang Yu gave an awkward laugh. Zhang Yu hurried to a corner of the gym, took out his phone, and called Curry. He set the phone down, left the room, came down from the attic, and stopped at the landing between the second and first floors to look downstairs. Stevens stopped and turned around, looking at Zhang Yu seriously. "No." Zhang Yu shook his head. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. A while later, Dell finally spoke. Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. It really was just supervision. With Stevens teaching the players their techniques, Zhang Yu only had to point out mistakes when they ran plays. At most, he'd praise a few players for working hard and scold Julian Becko for being half-hearted. He didn't have to exert himself at all, unlike Stevens, who was drenched in sweat. "Cough, cough... Well, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with." Zhang Yu hesitated for a long time before finally forcing himself to say it. "I've run into some trouble lately and urgently need money. I was hoping to borrow some from you." "Tomato and beef? You didn't say there'd be that much just now, did you?" Dell had given Curry the chance to play in the NCAA, and Curry had never forgotten the favor. "Sure." Curry went back to his room and picked up his phone. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. The next day, Zhang Yu flew to Charlotte alone, leaving the team's training to Stevens. Zhang Yu looked around. The players were all training attentively under the coaching staff's guidance, and no one was beside him. Only then did he speak, somewhat guiltily. "Then it's settled. See you tomorrow." Zhang Yu spoke sincerely. "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "That was when I was an assistant coach. Now I want to read them again from the perspective of a head coach," Zhang Yu said. "Yes!" That afternoon, Zhang Yu flew back to Indiana and went to the bank to cash the check. Three days later, he received a notice from the bank that a million dollars had been deposited into his account. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Coach, my dad's in a good mood." "Cough, cough... Well, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with." Zhang Yu hesitated for a long time before finally forcing himself to say it. He couldn't forget the despair Curry had felt after Sellenberg turned him away. After making a shot, Julian Becko nudged Mike Green beside him with his elbow and whispered, "Great. Is he free to take a call?" Zhang Yu pressed on. He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "What did you say?" Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. Stevens turned around. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "Tomato and beef? You didn't say there'd be that much just now, did you?" "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" "No." Zhang Yu shook his head. "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "Not many. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. Curry wondered. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. "Tracy made pizza today. Do you want to come over?" "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. A million dollars was a lot, but his son's future mattered more. "What did you say?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "...Hold on." This time, Curry heard him clearly. "Ha ha, that's good. That's good..." Zhang Yu gave an awkward laugh. Zhang Yu hurried to a corner of the gym, took out his phone, and called Curry. "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" Zhang Yu chuckled. "Tracy made pizza today. Do you want to come over?" Curry went back to his room and picked up his phone. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. The next day, Zhang Yu flew to Charlotte alone, leaving the team's training to Stevens. Zhang Yu had seen through the lies. He knew what this was really about. He couldn't forget the despair Curry had felt after Sellenberg turned him away. After making a shot, Julian Becko nudged Mike Green beside him with his elbow and whispered, "Great. Is he free to take a call?" Zhang Yu pressed on. He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "What did you say?" Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. Stevens turned around. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. "Tracy made pizza today. Do you want to come over?" "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. A million dollars was a lot, but his son's future mattered more. "What did you say?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. "Tracy made pizza today. Do you want to come over?" "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. A million dollars was a lot, but his son's future mattered more. "What did you say?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "...Hold on." This time, Curry heard him clearly. "Ha ha, that's good. That's good..." Zhang Yu gave an awkward laugh. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. The next day, Zhang Yu flew to Charlotte alone, leaving the team's training to Stevens. "No." Zhang Yu shook his head. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. It really was just supervision. With Stevens teaching the players their techniques, Zhang Yu only had to point out mistakes when they ran plays. At most, he'd praise a few players for working hard and scold Julian Becko for being half-hearted. He didn't have to exert himself at all, unlike Stevens, who was drenched in sweat. "Cough, cough... Well, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with." Zhang Yu hesitated for a long time before finally forcing himself to say it. "I've run into some trouble lately and urgently need money. I was hoping to borrow some from you." "Tomato and beef? You didn't say there'd be that much just now, did you?" Dell had given Curry the chance to play in the NCAA, and Curry had never forgotten the favor. "Sure." Curry went back to his room and picked up his phone. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. The next day, Zhang Yu flew to Charlotte alone, leaving the team's training to Stevens. Zhang Yu looked around. The players were all training attentively under the coaching staff's guidance, and no one was beside him. Only then did he speak, somewhat guiltily. "Then it's settled. See you tomorrow." Zhang Yu spoke sincerely. "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "That was when I was an assistant coach. Now I want to read them again from the perspective of a head coach," Zhang Yu said. "Yes!" That afternoon, Zhang Yu flew back to Indiana and went to the bank to cash the check. Three days later, he received a notice from the bank that a million dollars had been deposited into his account. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Coach, my dad's in a good mood." "Ha ha, that's good. That's good..." Zhang Yu gave an awkward laugh. Zhang Yu naturally didn't know Curry was making fun of him. He found Dell's contact information on his phone and, after taking a deep breath, called him. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. "Yes. I'll come to Charlotte tomorrow afternoon. Are you free?" Zhang Yu hung up, clenched his left hand into a fist, and let out an excited growl. He couldn't forget the despair Curry had felt after Sellenberg turned him away. Even the previous Wiseman had played three college games and shown off his elite physical gifts before the Warriors picked him second overall. "What did you say?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. Zhang Yu headed to a corner of the gym, took out his phone, and called Curry. "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "..." Stevens curled his lip and quickened his pace. "What are you planning to do next?" "That was when I was an assistant coach. Now I want to read them again from the perspective of a head coach," Zhang Yu said. "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I'm saying, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "What did you say?" Dell was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. Stevens turned around. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. "Tomato and beef? You didn't say there'd be that much just now, did you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "How's your dad's mood right now?" "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. A million dollars was a lot, but his son's future mattered more. "What did you say?" "You're not going to a casino, are you?" Stevens turned around. Curry listened to the "beep, beep, beep" in his ear and set down his phone, feeling a little puzzled. Zhang Yu smiled. "I've run into some trouble lately and urgently need money. I was hoping to borrow some from you." "Cough, cough... Well, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with." Zhang Yu hesitated for a long time before finally forcing himself to say it. "I've run into some trouble lately and urgently need money. I was hoping to borrow some from you." "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. "No, just borrow whatever you need and pay back the same amount later. You can even extend the term to a year," Dell said. "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. "Then it's settled. See you tomorrow." Zhang Yu spoke sincerely. "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "Yes." "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. "Then it's settled. See you tomorrow." Zhang Yu spoke sincerely. "Cough, cough... Well, there is something I'd like to ask you for help with." Zhang Yu hesitated for a long time before finally forcing himself to say it. He couldn't forget the despair Curry had felt after Sellenberg turned him away. After making a shot, Julian Becko nudged Mike Green beside him with his elbow and whispered, "Great. Is he free to take a call?" "That was when I was an assistant coach. Now I want to read them again from the perspective of a head coach," Zhang Yu said. "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "Stephen, there's something I want to ask you." "Dell, I know this is an incredibly sudden and difficult request, but you're the only one who can help me. I only need to borrow it for a month. After that, I can pay you back one million two hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, I'll fly to Charlotte tomorrow and write you an IOU." Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his tone very sincere. In the office, Zhang Yu was packing up when Stevens knocked on the half-open door and came in. "Do you need him for something? I can just hand him the phone." Curry was puzzled. "What did you say?" "No, just borrow whatever you need and pay back the same amount later. You can even extend the term to a year," Dell said. "Yes." "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. The next day, Zhang Yu flew to Charlotte alone, leaving the team's training to Stevens. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. It didn't take long for the call to connect, and Dell's warm voice came through the speaker. "See you tomorrow," Dell said slowly. If something like this came to light, the head coach might not get into much trouble, but the player would certainly be suspended by the NCAA. And if he couldn't play in college, how would NBA teams ever notice him? "No, just borrow whatever you need and pay back the same amount later. You can even extend the term to a year," Dell said. "Yes." He was sitting on the sofa watching the morning news, stroking the back of the American Shorthair cat at his home with his left hand. He occasionally chuckled, and seemed to be in a very good mood. "There's nothing much going on. I just wanted to check on Stephen's training. Has his shooting form improved?" Zhang Yu asked, though he already knew the answer. "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. "Those books have you read already, haven't you?" "Not much. Two million... no, one million dollars will be enough." He could barely contain his excitement. He'd gotten his hands on a million dollars. With sports betting, he could soon turn it into tens of millions. The seed money he'd dreamed of was within reach. "I mean, how's your dad feeling right now?" Zhang Yu lowered his voice and glanced around, looking a little guilty. "No." Zhang Yu shook his head. "What brings you to call? Is there something you need?" Dell got straight to the point. "...Hold on." This time, Curry heard him clearly. "I'm going to bet on sports." Zhang Yu lowered his voice and said it quickly. "See you tomorrow," Dell said slowly. If something like this came to light, the head coach might not get into much trouble, but the player would certainly be suspended by the NCAA. And if he couldn't play in college, how would NBA teams ever notice him? "Thanks, Dell. I'll head to Charlotte tomorrow. Don't worry—one month from now, I'll pay you back the full one million two hundred thousand dollars." "That was when I was an assistant coach. Now I want to read them again from the perspective of a head coach," Zhang Yu said. "You're not going to a casino, are you?" Even the previous Wiseman had played three college games and shown off his elite physical gifts before the Warriors picked him second overall. "I've discovered a great investment opportunity." Zhang Yu certainly couldn't tell him he was planning to use the money for sports betting. The call connected quickly, and Zhang Yu got straight to the point: Zhang Yu naturally didn't know Curry was making fun of him. He found Dell's contact information on his phone and, after taking a deep breath, called him. "I've discovered a great investment opportunity." Zhang Yu certainly couldn't tell him he was planning to use the money for sports betting. "..."