Chapter 059 Preparations for the Intra-Team PK Tournament

“So that’s why you went to such lengths, President Shen!” After Shen Mengfei made her intentions clear, Lin Feng smiled. “However, President Shen, you’ve overlooked one point. Though I played for the Jiangning team this season, my official registration still belongs to the Beijing Sports Institute. You may have forgotten—I’m still a student at the institute and a member of their basketball team. My time in Jiangning was merely a temporary transfer. So if you want to sign me, you’ll need the school’s approval as well.”

“I’ve already sent someone to negotiate with the sports institute,” Shen Mengfei said with a gentle smile. “But the decision is really in your hands. As long as you agree to join our team, do you think your school could really keep you?”

Lin Feng shrugged. “It seems President Shen is truly determined to recruit me.”

“That only proves I’m here in good faith,” she replied.

Lin Feng nodded. “For you to come to my door personally, President Shen, really does show your sincerity. But, for now, I have no intention of transferring teams. First, I’m a Jiangning native and naturally wish to play for my hometown. Second, my father was once a member of the Jiangning team; his entire career was with them. I want to carry on that legacy.”

“You haven’t even asked about your annual salary yet,” Shen Mengfei remarked coolly.

“My decision to stay in Jiangning isn’t about the money,” Lin Feng replied, smiling.

“Truly?” Shen Mengfei’s beautiful eyes blinked, and then she held up a fair hand in front of Lin Feng, indicating a number.

“Five million?!” Zhou Mingxuan, who’d been listening nearby, couldn’t help but exclaim. As a national player with years of renown, even his annual salary was just over three million, yet Shen Mengfei was offering a five-million salary to a “newcomer” like Lin Feng. It was astonishing.

Lin Feng, too, was taken aback by the offer. Although he’d displayed extraordinary three-point skills in the finals, he’d only played three games; he had yet to prove himself over a long season. For Shen Mengfei to offer him a star player’s salary under these circumstances showed real boldness.

“We can discuss the price further. This is only my initial offer,” Shen Mengfei added, her meaning plain: if Lin Feng agreed, the salary could go even higher.

“You hold me in high regard, President Shen.” Lin Feng gave a wry smile and shook his head. “But you must know I’ve been banned by the Basketball Association for sixty games. Even if you pay top price for me, I won’t be able to play for your club next year.”

“I’m well aware,” she replied. “That’s why my only condition is that we sign a contract for no less than three years.”

“You’d really pay me a year’s salary just to sit out?” Lin Feng asked.

“Of course. I think that demonstrates our sincerity as well,” Shen Mengfei said.

Lin Feng nodded, his expression serious. “I have to admit, your terms are tempting. But I truly have no intention of transferring at present. As I said, it’s not about the money.”

“Very well—since your heart is set on Jiangning, I won’t press you. But if ever you do want to transfer, promise me you’ll call me first!” Shen Mengfei smiled, raised her glass, and said, “Cheers! No more business talk. I hope we can be friends.”

“Absolutely—cheers!”

Lin Feng and Zhou Mingxuan clinked glasses with her.

As expected, after that, Shen Mengfei didn’t bring up transfers again. She chatted with Lin Feng and Zhou Mingxuan as if they were old friends. Being close in age, the three found plenty to talk about, and by the end of the meal, they were much better acquainted. Lin Feng came away with a good impression of this beautiful CEO, and before they parted, they exchanged phone numbers.

The next morning, Kelly, Qin Ruolin’s agent, arrived in Jiangning—clearly to sign Lin Feng to a contract. Lin Feng was deeply grateful. It was obvious Qin Ruolin wanted him to get his money as soon as possible.

The contract was signed smoothly. In fact, Lin Feng didn’t even bother to read it—he simply signed. Kelly was efficient as well; within five minutes of signing, six hundred thousand had been deposited into Lin Feng’s bank account.

That afternoon, Lin Feng received a call from the “Original Songs” production team, instructing him to report to Beijing the day after tomorrow to prepare for the internal battle rounds of the show.

The competition was divided into three major stages: the open auditions, the internal team battles, and the ultimate knockout round. The internal battle was a contest among the twelve members of each mentor’s team. They would face off in two rounds of head-to-head matches, and the last three standing would go on to represent their mentor’s team in the final contest against the three other teams.

Two days passed swiftly, and Lin Feng once again boarded a plane to Beijing. This time, however, he was not alone; his mother, Guo Shuzhen, and his younger sister, Lin Wen, accompanied him.

According to tradition on “Original Songs,” each contestant was to bring a group of family and friends for support. Lin Feng had come to the auditions in secret and had brought no one, but now that he was openly participating, his family naturally joined him.

After landing, Lin Feng hailed a taxi without trouble and headed straight to Mingdu Hotel.

“Brother, isn’t this the hotel where you and Qin Ruolin were photographed together?” Lin Wen asked with a mischievous smile as the taxi pulled up.

“I’ve told you—it was a misunderstanding!” Lin Feng shot her a look.

“Yeah, right! Who’d believe that?” Lin Wen stuck out her tongue.

Lin Feng couldn’t be bothered to argue. He unloaded their luggage and checked in at the front desk. He took one room for himself; his mother and sister shared the one next door.

Once they had settled in, Lin Feng called Wu Daren, the assistant director of the show. Wu sent him an address, asking him to report there at six that evening.

When Lin Feng saw the address, he frowned—it was a restaurant called “Tang Dynasty.”

He changed clothes, tidied up, and arrived at the appointed time. As soon as he reached the entrance, he noticed cameras mounted on either side of the door. Clearly, footage from here might end up in the show.

He waved at the cameras and entered.

“He’s here! He’s here!”

“Lin Feng is here!”

No sooner had Lin Feng stepped inside than a group of men and women surged toward him. At the front was his chosen mentor, Hu Jiangquan, and right beside him was Chen Fan, who had missed earlier tapings due to illness. Flanking them were some unfamiliar faces—presumably other team members.

“Hello, Brother Quan. Hello, Brother Fan…” Lin Feng greeted his two mentors.

“Hey there, MVP!” Chen Fan grinned broadly and gave Lin Feng a hug.

“I want a hug too! He’s our big hero from Jiangning!” Hu Jiangquan laughed and gave him a hug as well.

“Me too! Me too!” A pretty female contestant spread her arms and rushed toward Lin Feng.

Hu Jiangquan quickly stopped her, joking, “Hold on, Qiao Qiao! You can’t go hugging him—there are cameras everywhere! Are you trying to get Lin Feng in trouble? Aren’t you afraid Mentor Ruolin will come after you…”

Everyone burst out laughing, while Lin Feng could only shrug in embarrassment.