NBA: A collection of super busts

Reed interjected, "Mr. Sonny, you're very sincere, but I have to remind you, Ye is Chinese, there are 13 billion people and hundreds of millions of fans there. Think about Yao Ming! He only joined a second-tier brand, and he was a pure center with an unpopular playing style that couldn't attract a large number of fans, yet he still increased Reebok's sales by 120%."

As Reed spoke, he started taking things out of the briefcase again. It was the same stuff he had just shown once. Ye Feng believed that if there was a third sneaker factory, Reed could use it a third time.

"Don't mention that guy to me, we don't need him." Sonny interrupted Reed, not even glancing at the data he presented: "This price already takes into account the potential Chinese market and even the entire Asian market. Otherwise, even if Ye is exceptionally talented and has a violent and crazy playing style, he wouldn't have gotten this offer."

"Because whether we acknowledge it or not, LeBron is a groundbreaking figure, the most watched super high school player of all time. There's a reason he's called the Son of America."

"At least before your careers began, no one could compare to him. In terms of the sensation he caused before entering the NBA and his commercial value, he is the greatest of all time."

"What if we add substantial bonus clauses to this?" Ye Feng added, "I've already felt your sincerity with this figure, and of course I hope it continues to increase."

"But I also know that I can't increase it too much. However, if we add the bonuses that LeBron rejected and increase the non-guaranteed amount, could the total reach 1 million this time?"

Sonny shrugged and said, "If that's the case, two hundred million is fine, but what's the point?"

"It makes sense," Ye Feng said. "I just don't want to be pinned down by him! Why does everyone think I'm inferior to him?"

"You know very well why our talks with Reebok broke down, right? Respect! Reebok didn't give me enough respect. They only offered James half the check. Yes, Fairman came in person, but it meant nothing to me."

"Only greenbacks represent respect! Only when you clearly tell me when I'll have my own signature shoes and when I'll become a true world-class superstar, that's true respect."

"And when it comes to you, to Adidas, it's still the same. Everyone is saying the same thing: You're not as good as LeBron. You've already won a lot. You're just slightly inferior to LeBron."

"I've heard enough of this, so I won't accept it."

"I want more than him, I want a bigger super contract than him! If I can't get it, I'd rather have nothing at all."

"You've got guts!" Sonny gave a thumbs up. "I like your attitude, but I still have to say: even with all those terms added, even if your contract shows a higher face value than his."

"But those details will be revealed by the media, and they will seize on that to laugh at you. They will say you are a clown who was played by Adidas' legal team."

"Therefore, those useless numbers will only bring you enormous pressure and unnecessary public opinion trouble, but will not deposit even a penny more into your bank account."

"So, are you still sure you want to do this?"

"I'm sure." Ye Feng nodded without hesitation: "Those so-called pressures, public opinion, and ridicule are all motivations for my progress. And there's another thing you've overlooked, sir."

"What if I do it? If I do it all, then all the ridicule and sarcasm will become a resounding slap in the face of those people."

"You've got guts!" Sonny said the word again. "Well then, no problem! Since you're sure, I have absolutely no problem with that. I can even bring you the contract for LeBron and let you sign your name on it."

"That's fantastic, Mr. Sonny!" Ye Feng grinned broadly.

"Then, I'll call right away and have someone send the contract over, and we..."

At this moment, Ye Feng kicked Reid in the leg, and the guy suddenly woke up from his daze. He knew that it was his turn to step in as the damn manager.

"Mr. Sonny, hold on, let's talk about the specific amount of the contract! What you just said about 7 years and 5000 million is great, but I think that number can be higher."

Sonny paused for a moment, then burst out laughing and started making a phone call too.

On his side, it was time for the "damn management team" to take the stage.

Over the next few hours, the luxurious suite that Reed had prepared for Ye Feng experienced a stark contrast between hot and cold.

There's hot water on one side...

No, it's not this duality.

On one side, Reed and his assistant Edwards were arguing vehemently and demanding exorbitant prices, while the Adidas professional team on the other side refused to budge and hoped to lower the price.

Meanwhile, Sonny was telling Ye Feng which nightclub in Los Angeles had the hottest girls, which strip club offered a secret chance to have real sex, and which apartment building had a top-notch entertainment venue that Ye Feng couldn't even imagine.

Dina listened with tears welling up in his eyes, which were filled with anticipation and longing.

"Tonight, I'll take you! Forget about whether these bastards can make a deal or not, I'll show you what it's like!" Sonny patted his chest and said, "I have to do my duty as a host, consider it giving the young men a shock!"

"A shock to adults."

At 7 p.m., Ye Feng, Sonny, and Dina left the suite, which had become a battlefield, quite disloyally, as if the arguments and bargaining had nothing to do with them.

And by the time they finished their uninteresting fun and returned to their suite, Kobe was probably just starting his training.

Reid and the others were still awake. Their eyes were bloodshot, and the table was littered with empty coffee and cigarette butts. Everyone looked disheveled and exhausted, yet they were also incredibly excited, as if the negotiations had just begun.

"Your agent is truly remarkable," Sonny said sincerely. "He single-handedly took on more than a dozen people for almost a whole day and night, yet he didn't fall behind at all. He'll definitely become the best agent in the future."

Several hours later, Ye Feng, who was fast asleep, was woken up from his bed by Reid. The exhausted Reid looked like he had been put into a duck concentration camp in northern Myanmar for a month and was as tired as a skeleton. But what he brought was absolutely good news.

"It's done! As long as you have no objections, we can sign the contract."