Listening to the management chattering away courtside,
Josh felt his head about to explode.
"Shut up already, you bunch of stupid groundhogs!"
He slammed the table hard, signaling for silence.
"The team needs someone who can actually get things done to take over. Blackstone's on his way out, right? But he can't hold things up alone. Mike, get in touch with Brett again. Have him step in as President of Operations. You two trained under the same mentor—work smoothly together."
"Understood!"
Brown struggled to suppress his excitement, forcing himself to nod calmly.
This was simply the perfect outcome. Blackstone had been successfully placed inside the 76ers' management, and the person above him was one of their own.
With this operation, the 76ers were essentially becoming Brown's team and his people's team entirely.
"Yeah, got it."
Still at Villanova watching training camp, Chen Yilun only nodded after receiving Brown's message.
"For now, keep this quiet. I'll find time to meet with mentor-senior Brett myself."
"No problem. He's a good guy. As long as you ask, he'll definitely say yes."
Brown stood in the stairwell, barely containing his excitement.
"By the way…"
Chen Yilun shifted the topic.
"That Markelle Fultz of yours—I've watched a few of his games, and something feels off. Keep an eye on him."
"You're making me mad just bringing that up."
Brown answered at once. "I didn't even want to draft him. It was old Colangelo who forced it through against everyone else. And now he's walked away clean, leaving us with a huge mess."
His tone changed, instantly becoming ingratiating.
"Bro, didn't we trade our first-round pick to you? Now we're all on the same side. How about giving it back?"
"Not a chance!"
Chen Yilun laughed.
"It's already in my stomach and you expect me to spit it out? No way! At most, I'll help you scout a couple of good players later. But the first-round pick? Forget it."
"Alright, alright!"
Seeing that Chen Yilun couldn't be swayed, Brown wisely dropped the topic. He still needed Chen Yilun for many operations.
"How about grabbing dinner tonight?"
"No need."
Chen Yilun glanced down at the group of Villanova Wildcats on the court.
"I shouldn't show up openly yet. I'll come by once Blackstone officially takes over."
They exchanged a few more words and then ended the call.
"How's it looking?"
Coach Jay Wright, standing nearby, cautiously studied his expression.
"Pretty good."
Chen Yilun rubbed the stubble on his chin, thinking.
"Coach Wright, no need to be that nervous. With the young guys you have now, even without me, they'll be able to make a living in the league."
"That's great—great!"
Hearing this, Coach Wright couldn't help letting out a long sigh of relief.
After all, the NCAA and the NBA operate on completely different standards. Many who dominate the NCAA barely get any attention from NBA teams.
Getting Chen Yilun's approval meant other front offices would likely approve as well.
This year was Villanova's peak. If things followed history, Villanova would claim another NCAA March Madness title. But after this year, their entire golden generation would enter the NBA.
And from then on, Villanova would no longer produce standout talent.
"I've seen enough."
Chen Yilun rubbed his hands together and stood up.
"I snuck in this time. Can't stay long. I'll head back now—let's keep in touch."
"Of course, of course!"
Coach Wright stood up to walk him out.
"No need, no need. You're busy."
Chen waved his hand quickly, signaling him not to follow.
As a well-groomed, handsome middle-aged coach, Wright had plenty of fans on campus—more female fans than many players. If he escorted Chen out and someone recognized him, that would be awkward.
…
A few days later, new headlines broke around the league:
The Philadelphia 76ers had rehired their legendary coach Brett Brown as President of Basketball Operations, and had also poached Mike Blackstone—Chen Yilun's former assistant—from the Kings to serve as General Manager.
"Boss!"
Blackstone knocked and stepped into Chen Yilun's office.
"Got plans tonight? I'm heading to Philly soon and wanted to take you out for a meal before I leave."
A sharp-minded guy like Blackstone couldn't possibly miss the connection—his boss disappeared for a few days, and right after that the 76ers contacted him about becoming GM.
He didn't even need to think hard to know where Chen had gone during that time.
"So polite, huh? Our great General Manager!"
Seeing him brimming with confidence, Chen Yilun laughed.
"Of course. The best hotel in Sacramento. I booked a table to thank you."
"Alright!"
Chen Yilun gathered a stack of documents.
"Nothing going on today anyway. A free meal? I'd be stupid not to go. I'll treat you like a big spender tonight."
The two headed to a members-only restaurant in Sacramento.
"You sure learned to enjoy life."
Chen Yilun glanced around at the décor.
"You're telling me? I've never been here either."
"Brand new. I got two memberships. One's under your name."
As he spoke, Blackstone expertly opened a bottle of champagne—pop!—the cork flying as bubbles surged inside the bottle.
Chen raised his glass. "Let me use your drink to say it properly—congratulations on the promotion, General Manager Blackstone."
"All thanks to your guidance!"
Blackstone clinked glasses with him and downed his drink in one go.
"Honestly, I never thought it'd be this easy."
He laughed and shook his head.
"When you recruited me from New Orleans, you said you'd get me a GM position within two years. I thought maybe you were just painting me a pretty picture. But in just one year, you actually made it happen."
"Nonsense. When have I ever made empty promises?"
Holding a cigar in one hand and a cutter in the other, Chen Yilun snipped the end cleanly.
"So—any thoughts about taking this job in Philadelphia?"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser