In late June in Beijing, the cicadas chirped incessantly.
In a spacious conference room, ceiling fans spun slowly. On the large conference table sat several enamel mugs bearing the Double Happiness, and the aroma of jasmine tea filled the air.
Seated on one side of the negotiating table were several Chinese sports management officials and representatives from the Bayi Team, all wearing short-sleeved shirts.
Seated on the other side was Lin Qi, dressed in a suit and tie, and a senior special representative of the league, specially appointed by David Stern, who wore the official NBA badge on his chest.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was open and focused, with both sides earnestly exchanging opinions.
"Mr. Lin Qi, and this representative from NBA headquarters," the Chinese representative at the head of the table said, raising his teacup. His tone was gentle yet earnest. "We are very grateful to the Boston Celtics for recognizing Wang Zhizhi. But you must understand that Wang Zhizhi's situation is rather special. He is still serving his mandatory military service, and next year is the Sydney Olympics. He is the absolute core of the national team's frontcourt. Sending him to the other side of the ocean at this crucial juncture presents many challenges that require careful consideration. Who will assist in ensuring his fitness? Who will guarantee his health during high-intensity games?"
The Bayi Team representative beside him frankly added, "Yes, the Bayi Team also has a heavy workload in the new season. To be honest, the $350,000 buyout fee you offered according to the collective bargaining agreement is hard to match Wang Zhizhi's value on the court, and it cannot fully meet the national team's needs for his training and preparation."
Lin Qi didn't rush to respond. He knew very well that the most important thing in such exchanges was to come up with a sincere proposal. He was here today not to unilaterally win, but to achieve a deep, mutually beneficial cooperation for the future.
"Director, Coach, the considerations you just mentioned are precisely why the NBA headquarters representative is sitting here with me today."
Lin Qi leaned forward slightly, placed his hands on the table with his fingers interlaced, and looked sincere and focused.
" The Boston Celtics, including President David Stern himself, never intended to affect Wang Zhizhi's responsibilities and honors in China. On the contrary, we are here to provide full support for the China Men's National Basketball Team's 'Sydney preparations.'"
Lin Qi turned his head and gestured to his assistant behind him to hand over a thick bilingual (Chinese and English) document, which he gently pushed in front of the Chinese representative. The cover of the document prominently featured the official NBA logo and the Boston Celtics team emblem.
"This is a 'China-US Basketball Infrastructure and Talent Exchange Program' specially approved by NBA headquarters," Lin Qi said calmly and persuasively, "It reflects our utmost sincerity."
The Chinese official carefully opened the document, his eyes scanning the clauses meticulously.
"First," Lin Qi held up one finger, "To express our gratitude to the Bayi Team for nurturing such outstanding players for China basketball, the Boston Celtics will, under the guise of 'technical exchange,' provide the Bayi Team and the national team with top-tier sports medicine equipment worth over $1.5 million free of charge. This includes the most advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber in the United States, an underwater rehabilitation treadmill, and a fully digital isokinetic muscle strength testing and assessment system. In addition, every offseason, we will send the Celtics ' chief physical therapist to Beijing to assist the national team in establishing a modern rehabilitation support system."
The meeting room fell silent. The Bayi Team representative's eyes were filled with joy. For domestic teams that had long yearned for better training conditions, these things were invaluable resources, like sending charcoal in snowy weather.
"Second," Lin Qi continued, making that weighty promise, "In the additional clauses of this contract, the Boston Celtics, on behalf of the team and the NBA, make a clear written commitment: regardless of the regular season or playoffs, as long as the China Men's National Basketball Team team has formal training and competition needs, including events at the Olympic Games, World Championship, and Asia Cup levels, the Celtics will unconditionally release Wang Zhizhi to return to the team and continue to provide full coverage of related benefits during his absence."
Lin Qi looked at the person in charge who was carefully weighing the options in the main seat and said the last key point.
"Director, Wang Zhizhi is going to Boston to hone his skills on the world's top basketball platform. There, he will compete against the league's best opponents every day and receive the most scientific physical training and dietary management. By the time of the Sydney Olympics next year, we will return a more competitive, experienced, and well-rounded Wang Zhizhi to the China Men's National Basketball Team in his entirety."
" Boston provided resources, technology, and a platform to support the national team's preparations. Wang Zhizhi will be remembered as an important bridge for Sino-US sports and cultural exchange." Lin Qi smiled and leaned back in his chair. "This is a good thing for everyone."
The only sound in the conference room was the whirring of the ceiling fan.
The Chinese representative carefully read through the "unconditional release" commitment letter word by word, then glanced at the NBA official representative beside him who maintained a constant smile. Stern's arrangement showed the Chinese side full respect, while Lin Qi precisely addressed their core concerns—the improvement of national honor and competitive level.
There were no disputes, no back-and-forth negotiations over the terms. In Lin Qi's blueprint, both sides found a perfect and mutually agreed-upon direction for cooperation.
The person in charge put down the documents, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of warm jasmine tea. He turned his head, exchanged a glance with the representative of the Bayi Team beside him, and the two nodded slightly.
"Mr. Lin Qi," the person in charge looked at Lin Qi again, a warm smile on his face, "We have felt President David Stern's sincerity. The Boston Celtics ' long-term plan for Wang Zhizhi is indeed very well thought out."
He stood up, walked across half the conference table, and extended his right hand to Lin Qi.
"Wishing us all the best in our cooperation in the new century."
Their hands were clasped tightly together.