"Yi, long time no see!"
On January 1, 2007, New Year's Day, Su Yi welcomed a guest into his home: Yao Ming!
Yao Ming had brought his agent, Bill Duffy, to pay Su Yi a visit.
Yao Ming's excuse was that he wanted to celebrate New Year's Day with Su Yi.
But as soon as Su Yi saw Bill Duffy, he understood what Yao Ming was really there for.
After all, Su Yi was now the hottest prospect among agents. Every one of them was eager to sign him, a superstar in the making.
After exchanging pleasantries, Bill Duffy got straight to the point. "Su, I'm very sorry I haven't been able to reach you. I had no choice but to find you this way.
"I heard you still don't have an agent."
Bill Duffy immediately laid out his offer.
It did sound very tempting.
But Su Yi was Su Yi, a man with a cheat.
To be honest, he didn't need some agent to boost his commercial value.
He, Su Yi, was the commercial value!
"Bill, I really appreciate that you think so highly of me, but I'm sorry. I already have someone else in mind as my agent." As he spoke, he took out his phone and texted Xu Rui, asking him to come in.
Xu Rui then walked in.
Su Yi introduced him. "Bill, this is my future agent, and my childhood friend."
Bill Duffy nodded, but he wasn't optimistic about making a childhood friend his agent.
There were plenty of examples like that in the sports world. He was sure that one day Su Yi would change his mind.
Bill Duffy then exchanged phone numbers with Su Yi and took his leave.
Xu Rui tactfully stepped outside as well, leaving Su Yi alone with Yao Ming.