Late February, Long Island, New York, Computer Associates headquarters building.
On the wall of the chairman's office on the top floor hangs a framed New York Islanders hockey jersey, and in the corner there's even a Spalding basketball with a worn-out patina casually tossed about.
"Lin, the Boston Celtics played really well. I watched your game against the Lakers, Gerald Wallace was fantastic!"
The speaker was in his fifties, with a sturdy build, wearing a shirt without a tie, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He spoke extremely quickly, with the rough and direct manner characteristic of Queens New York.
Charles Wang ( Wang Jialian ), founder of Computer Associates, a software tycoon worth billions of dollars, and the current owner of the NHL's New York Islanders. This first-generation Chinese immigrant, who fled from Shanghai to New York with his judge father and two suitcases when he was eight years old, fought his way out of the scorn and boycotts in Queens, never understood the meaning of tact.
"If I were Phil Jackson, seeing your roster where even your center can shoot threes, I definitely wouldn't be able to sleep at night." Wang Jialian strode to the sofa, sat down, and casually tossed Lin Qi a bottle of mineral water. "Speak up, you busy man, you flew all the way from Boston to Long Island to see me today, definitely not just to talk about basketball. I don't like beating around the bush, just get to the point."
Lin Qi took the bottle of mineral water, unscrewed it, took a sip, and, following the other party's rhythm, went straight to the point.
" Charles, you want to buy the New Jersey Nets, right?"
Wang Jialian paused for a moment. He leaned back on the sofa, his smile fading, and his gaze sharpened as if Lin Qi were staring at prey.
"I am indeed a basketball fan," Wang Jialian didn't deny, his voice becoming low. "I have indeed been watching that lousy New Jersey team for a long time. But what does that have to do with you?"
"Because the Nets ' current holding company, the YankeeNets, is on the verge of collapse." Lin Qi placed his water bottle on the coffee table and leaned forward slightly. " Katz and Chambers, those guys, simply don't know how to run an NBA team. The Nets are currently 12-45, at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Continental Airlines Arena is barely half full, and they're burning through cash every month. The New York Yankees have had enough of this garbage asset; they're planning to break it up and sell the Nets off as a separate entity."
"I've heard rumors," Wang Jialian scoffed. "That Brooklyn real estate developer, Ratner, is lobbying around. He wants to use the Nets as leverage to get land from the New York City Government to build his Atlantic Ocean Yards project."
" Ratner is a construction bastard who has no respect for basketball," Lin Qi said, looking directly into Wang Jialian's eyes. "But if you want to beat him in the bidding, your current offer and terms aren't enough. Ratner's real estate pie is huge, fitting David Stern's appetite for expanding the New York market. And your connections within the NBA owners' circle are still weak; many veteran owners in the league aren't fond of you. Simply relying on political resources and bidding terms, you'll find it difficult to outbid him."
Wang Jialian frowned, his face grim. "I've experienced firsthand the xenophobic clique of those white and Jewish people. Are we just supposed to watch that real estate developer buy the team?"
"If Ratner can use building a new arena to develop real estate projects, why can't we?" Lin Qi's voice was calm and confident. "If you want to buy, I can not only fully support you within the league as the Celtics ' owner, but I can also help you persuade the Suns ' owner to join. I will provide personnel and resources to jointly develop the real estate project with you. I know a professional team with extremely mature experience in building sports commercial complexes in Europe, which can help you completely revitalize the commercial plaza and arena."
The office was silent for a few seconds.
Wang Jialian looked at the excessively young Boston businessman before him, his eyes filled with scrutiny and inquiry. He didn't immediately respond, but instead leaned back, crossed his arms, and asked directly, "Lin, although we're both Chinese, business is business. There's no such thing as a free lunch. You've provided me with funding, manpower, allies, and even offered me resources for business development... Why are you doing this? What's in it for you?"
Lin Qi met Wang Jialian Jialian's sharp gaze, his tone completely calm. "Because I want to change the power structure of the NBA, and change the situation of North America Chinese in this circle."
Wang Jialian was slightly taken aback.
"In this league that has long been monopolized by white capital, we will always be outsiders," Lin Qi said slowly. "If Ratner succeeds, the league's power structure will be further controlled by Wall Street's old money. I need a Chinese ally in the Eastern Conference who truly understands sports, is willing to spend money, and has low communication costs. Helping you gain a foothold in the league will only benefit me."
A long silence fell over the office.
The wind and snow outside the window lashed against the glass, making a rustling sound. Wang Jialian looked at Lin Qi, his mind flashing back to the days when he was boycotted by a group of people when he bought a house in Queens, and how he fought his way out of the business world.
He remained silent for a long time, the coldness on his face gradually fading, replaced by a surge of emotion after being touched.
Wang Jialian suddenly stood up, walked to Lin Qi, and extended his broad and strong right hand.
"I hate those bankers in suits who talk big, but I like people with guts." Wang Jialian stared intently at Lin Qi, his voice booming like a bell, "I want that mess in New Jersey. All those real estate resources and alliance support you mentioned, as long as they're in place, I'll fight those white guys to the death this time!"
Their hands were clasped tightly together.
"Once the acquisition is complete, come to Long Island, and I'll treat you to the finest Maotai." Wang Jialian grinned, revealing a hearty smile.