"So, Gar, did a night's rest change your mind?"
Chen Yilun, refreshed after a good night's sleep, lounged casually in his recliner, speaking with a touch of flippancy.
Across from him, Gar Forman sat with dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hadn't slept a wink.
"Ahem."
Gar Forman cleared his throat before finally speaking. "Our position is the same: the LaVine trade exception, plus your 2019 and 2021 first-round picks, and the 2020 first-round swap rights!"
As soon as his words fell, the conference room was swallowed by a strange silence.
The rebuttal Gar expected from Chen Yilun never came. Instead, Chen just leaned back, a cold smile on his face as he stared at him.
"Looks like we started too early today. Mr. Forman still isn't awake."
Without hesitation, Chen Yilun snapped his laptop shut. "I'm requesting a half-hour recess so Mr. Forman can take a nap."
He then stood up decisively and led the entire Kings delegation out of the conference room.
At the doorway, Chen suddenly stopped and turned back toward the dazed Gar Forman.
"Gar, we came here with genuine sincerity. But after two days of discussions, you haven't shown me a single offer with real sincerity. I'm not a man who likes to play games. In half an hour, I'll return to this room.
If you still can't give me a number worth negotiating over, I'll terminate this deal on the spot!"
Chen Yilun walked out without looking back.
"Boss, that was so cool!"
Just a few steps out, Anjali's eyes sparkled as she ran up beside him.
By now, Chen Yilun's stern demeanor had vanished, replaced with a carefree grin. He even took the time to explain.
"Negotiations in this league work like this. If you're too nice, people think you're easy to push around and throw out ridiculous offers. That's when you have to do what I just did—hit them hard, shake their rhythm, and then you've got room to bargain."
"You'll be on this path someday too. Watch and learn."
...
While the Kings' atmosphere outside was lighthearted, the Bulls' front office inside felt like they'd been plunged into an ice cave.
Gar Forman's face was so dark it looked like a storm cloud.
Chen Yilun's move had hit him straight in the gut. When reporting to the owner last night, he'd admitted that Chen Yilun's offer had already reached the owner's target price.
Today's whole task was just to squeeze out a little more value.
But if Chen really flipped the table, Gar alone would be held responsible.
After all, while other teams had made offers, none were as sincere as Chen Yilun's. If this deal blew up, his tenure as GM might not last much longer.
"Let's hear it."
After a long silence, Gar finally spoke, his haggard expression making him look years older.
"What number should we bring to the Kings in half an hour?"
Since the Bulls also had a game today, Jim and the coaching staff weren't present. Negotiations rested solely on Gar Forman's shoulders.
What Gar didn't know was that Chen Yilun had picked today to flip the table precisely because Jim wasn't around. Even if things collapsed, it wouldn't affect his mentor. The pressure would fall entirely on Gar Forman.
"We'll have to lower the asking price."
The assistant GM, seeing no one else speaking, finally sighed and broke the silence.
"Landing the 2019 first-rounder and the 2020 swap already gives us something solid to report upstairs. Maybe... we try for a near-term first-round pick too?"
"There's no way Chen Yilun would agree to that. And the risk is he just walks the second we put it out there!"
The assistant's suggestion was shot down immediately. No one wanted to be blamed if the deal collapsed.
"Then what do we do? Trading a late pick for an earlier one is already a step down. Go any lower, and won't Chen chop it in half?"
"Better he haggle than walk! The boss wants this deal done. If we can't sell, who's taking responsibility?"
Chen Yilun's strategy had worked perfectly. With no one willing to bear the responsibility, infighting was inevitable.
...
After enjoying coffee downstairs with his team, Chen Yilun returned to the conference room right on time.
"Well, Gar, did you come up with something good?"
Chen sat down again, casually placing his laptop on the table without opening it—a silent signal that he'd leave if he didn't hear a fair offer.
"Hahaha, let's talk calmly."
Gar Forman forced a smile. "Here's our new proposal: the 2019 first-round pick, the 2020 swap rights, plus a protected 2016 first-round pick. How about that?"
"Oh?"
Chen Yilun thought for a moment but didn't get up to leave.
"No. I won't accept any protection. When we traded Cousins, we only got two first-rounders and a swap. What level do you think Butler is that you can compare him to Cousins?"
Seeing Chen still seated, Gar finally breathed easier. "Alright then. If that doesn't work, what do you think is fair?"
"Everything else stays the same!" Chen absentmindedly traced circles on the table with his finger. "Swap the 2016 first-rounder for a second-rounder, and we'll throw in some cash."
"You're killing me with that offer!"
Gar let out a bitter smile and shook his head.
"But that's my final offer. You can pick whichever year for the second-rounder, we'll work with you—but forget about the first-rounder."
Chen Yilun sat upright, unwavering.
"Well then... how about one more second-round pick?"
Gar probed carefully, clearly terrified Chen might walk away for good.
Chen Yilun fell silent for a full minute.
"Deal."
To Gar Forman, the word sounded like heavenly music.
"But in that case," Chen added, "the second first-round pick must come with protection. Or swap rights will do too."
...
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