"You're really not coming with us?"
In the departure lounge, Malone looked at Chen Yilun in confusion.
"Go on ahead. I've got something to take care of here."
Chen Yilun waved him off, signaling not to ask further.
Having worked together for more than two years, Malone immediately understood.
Whenever Chen acted like this, it meant he was up to something.
"You want me to call Divac and Peja over?"
Malone looked at him worriedly. Leaving Chen Yilun alone in New Orleans didn't sit right with him.
"It's fine!"
Chen Yilun waved dismissively.
"Just leave Tang with me. That way I don't have to drive around."
"Alright then."
Malone turned to Tang Zhou.
"Tang, just stick close to your sir for the next couple of days. The team doesn't have anything major going on anyway. Keep your eyes open and learn all you can."
"Got it!"
Tang Zhou nodded firmly.
Ever since tagging along on that last trip with Chen Yilun, he'd learned one thing—whenever his sir called him by name, it meant he was in for some special, hands-on training.
Once the others left, Tang quickly turned to Chen Yilun.
"So, sir—who are we poaching this time? I saw Woj's tweet yesterday saying we're interested in Holiday. Are we going to talk trade?"
"Why do you always jump to conclusions?"
Chen Yilun shot him a glare.
"Tell me—why would we even want Holiday?"
"Why not? He's great!" Tang said, puzzled.
"A former All-Star, elite perimeter defender. If we got him, our perimeter defense would be top-tier!"
He got more animated as he spoke.
"With that backcourt, even the Grizzlies wouldn't match our defensive intensity!"
"Then what?"
Chen Yilun held back his urge to scold him.
"Say we trade for him—then what?"
"I sounded out the Pelicans' front office yesterday. Unless we give up CJ or Booker, there's no deal to be made."
"Holiday's contract expires after this season. If we trade for him, how do we re-sign him next year?"
"If it's CJ, we'll have full Bird Rights at season's end and can go over the cap to extend him. Worst case, with early extension rights, if we really can't keep him, we can still do a sign-and-trade for compensation.
As for Booker, we still have two team-option years—basically two more years on his rookie contract. So why would I give up either of them to gamble on Holiday?"
Tang Zhou finally got it.
"Oh, that makes sense. So, sir, what are we staying here for then?"
"Who says poaching's only for players?"
Chen Yilun smirked coldly. "We're going to poach the Pelicans' management."
"Huh?!"
...
At a hotel in New Orleans, Chen Yilun didn't meet in the lobby restaurant this time. Instead, he reserved a small private room at the rooftop bar.
He and Tang Zhou hadn't been waiting long when their guest arrived.
A well-built, middle-aged white man wearing a mask stepped inside.
"Welcome, welcome!"
Chen Yilun stood, adjusted his suit, and extended his hand with a polite smile.
"Didn't expect an invitation from the Hyena himself. That's rare."
After shaking hands, the man removed his mask and sat across from Chen Yilun.
"How about a drink first?"
Chen poured a glass of wine and handed it over.
"Thanks."
The three clinked glasses and took small sips.
Only then did Tang Zhou get a clear look at their guest—it was none other than the Pelicans' Assistant General Manager, Michael Blackstone.
"Mike, let's be straightforward," Chen Yilun said after setting down his glass.
"I want you to come to Sacramento and work with me."
The room went silent.
"Uh…"
Michael Blackstone gave an awkward laugh.
"So the rumors are true—Chen Yilun really does like getting straight to the point."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "If I remember right, your management team's already full. Your Assistant GM, Divac, seems to be doing fine. Why invite me over?"
"Divac is good—but not good enough," Chen Yilun replied.
"I know you specialize in handling player contracts. After this season, we've got a ton of extensions coming up. That's why I want you on our side."
"As for your position, don't worry. You'll get a Vice President title, same level as Divac. I'm not breaking up my current team just to add you."
"I'll admit, your offer's tempting," Mike nodded.
"But I'm doing well with the Pelicans. Trajano and I go way back. Jumping ship now might not look great, don't you think?"
Michael Blackstone and Trajano Langdon had been friends for years. Langdon had even helped him land his current job.
"Mike, everyone has a price," Chen Yilun said with a cold smile.
"The fact that you showed up today tells me you're open to change."
"Working under Trajano isn't exactly pleasant, is it? If my info's right, he's already got full control of the organization. To him, you're just another cog in the machine."
"Come on, Mr. Chen," Blacks said with a smirk. "Like working for you would be any different?"
"That's not the same thing."
Chen Yilun leaned forward slightly.
"Being a cog in a borderline playoff team and being one in a championship contender—do those feel the same? Do you get the same recognition from him as you would from me?"
"If you help me sort out all the contract work for my team, I guarantee I'll have you in a General Manager's chair within two years."
After saying that, Chen Yilun simply watched him, smiling faintly.
Mike fell silent for a long while.
It was an offer too good to refuse.
And this wasn't some empty promise—given Chen Yilun's status in the league and his vast network, finding a GM position for him wouldn't be difficult at all.
"You're serious?"
Blackstone swallowed nervously.
"Of course."
Chen Yilun smiled calmly.
"You know me—I keep my word. A promise is a promise."
After hearing that, Blackstone gritted his teeth.
"All right, deal! I'll go back and hand in my resignation right now!"