"Remember this: they were already champions before you even got there!"
After saying those words, Chen Yilun walked straight out of Durant's mansion without looking back.
Durant froze in place as if struck by lightning.
"What's wrong, Kevin?"
Durant's agent, who hadn't left the conference room earlier, hadn't heard what Chen Yilun said. Seeing Durant's blank expression, he hurried over.
"I…"
Durant stammered for a moment. "My mind's a mess right now. The next meeting's with the Warriors, right? Richie, tell them to push it back half an hour. I need to clear my head."
Without waiting for a response, Durant turned and went upstairs alone.
"What… what just happened?"
Watching Durant's retreating figure, Rich Kleiman was completely baffled. Just moments ago, Durant had seemed fine—how had he suddenly looked like he'd lost his soul?
"I'm not sure," said one of the staff at the door, shaking his head. "That Hyena said something to Kevin, and right after that, he went like this."
"Hiss—"
Rich Kleiman sucked in a sharp breath.
He'd prepared for everything—but never expected Chen Yilun to land a hit like that at the last second. He didn't know what Chen had said, but Durant's dazed expression made it obvious—it struck straight at the heart.
Rich quickly gestured for his staff to inform the Warriors about the delay, then hurried upstairs, taking two steps at a time to find out what exactly Chen Yilun had told Durant.
...
Meanwhile, Chen Yilun was struggling to suppress a grin as he led his team toward the cars.
"Did Danny Ainge leave?"
Chen walked up to the business van and tapped on the driver's window.
Tang Zhou rolled it down immediately. "Yeah, he left not long after you guys went inside."
"Then who are those people over there?"
Chen leaned against the window, nodding toward the other vans parked behind them.
"Oh, those?" Tang Zhou stuck his head out for a look. "Those two are the Golden State crew. They showed up right after us. And the one further back looks like the Zen Master's van. Word is, they didn't even get official invites—they're just here trying their luck."
Golden State, huh?
Chen Yilun's eyes gleamed.
If the situation allowed, he'd have run over and hugged the Warriors' guys right then and there.
The Green Formula was truly the greatest invention of the modern NBA era. Whoever came up with that "Draymond thing" was a genius.
Once seated inside the car, Chen Yilun could finally stop holding back and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
Malone, who had been following close behind, leaned in curiously.
"Hey, what did you mean by that last line? Why say that right as you were leaving?"
"Let me explain."
After all the talking earlier, Chen's throat was dry. He pulled out a bottle of water, took several big gulps, and then continued.
"That one line alone just put us in the lead in the Durant sweepstakes."
"Why's that?"
Malone blinked. "Didn't you just say something obvious? Everyone knows the Warriors already have a championship."
"That's not just some throwaway line."
Chen turned to him. "That one sentence shattered Durant's last bit of wishful thinking."
"Durant's a proud man. In his world, only players like LeBron and Kobe are worthy opponents. He treasures his reputation."
"But he's not good at this." Chen tapped his temple. "He's too straightforward—easily swayed. That's why he sometimes makes choices that go against what he truly wants. I just helped him see the truth."
"What truth?"
Even Tang Zhou, who was driving, couldn't help but lean in a little.
"Durant's camp probably wants him to join the Warriors. The market's bigger, and the buzz would be enormous. But there's a serious problem with that move."
"The Warriors already won a championship before he arrived—and not just any title, but their most talked-about one in forty years. No matter how many rings Durant might win after joining them, as long as the Curry–Thompson–Green trio stays together, he'll always be seen as the guy who helped them win. His championships will forever be questioned."
"Hiss—"
The sound of collective gasps filled the van.
"Man, that's brutal. You didn't just hit him—you went straight for the heart," Malone said, rubbing his arms to calm the goosebumps.
"That's exactly it. I just laid out the cold truth for him. Unless he's completely clueless, he'll get it."
...
While Chen Yilun was breaking it all down for his team, Rich Kleiman was pacing anxiously in Durant's bedroom.
"Kevin, you can't let Chen Yilun's words mess with your head. Everything he said was just to trick you into going to Sacramento."
"But what he said—it's true, isn't it?"
Durant sat on the lounge chair by the balcony, his face dark and heavy.
"Yes… but…"
Rich tried to continue, but Durant cut him off sharply.
"No buts."
Durant waved his hand and rose from the chair.
"Maybe he was trying to push me toward Sacramento, but his take on the Warriors was completely right. No matter where I go next, I'm not joining Golden State."
Without another word, Durant walked out of the room, ignoring Rich completely.
Watching him leave, Rich Kleiman pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated.
"Chen Yilun! You're a damn troublemaker! No wonder they call you the Hyena—couldn't be more fitting!"
Cursing under his breath, Rich hurried after Durant.
Even though Durant had already made up his mind, the meeting with the Warriors was still on the schedule—and they were waiting outside. The meeting had to happen.