Chapter 939: 938 Just Friends

“…I’m happy now, but whether I’ll stay happy in the future, who knows, right?”

No sarcasm, Kroenke maintained his composure, speaking in an unhurried tone that left plenty of room for interpretation, his words carrying a subtle weight.

Li Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, “If anyone thinks Silent Stan is meant literally, they must be dumbfounded right now. Like me.”

A small joke, attempting to change the subject.

But Kroenke wasn’t having it; he continued at his own pace, casually dropping bombshells.

“Next year will be your third year. If you come to Los Angeles now, we can offer you a history-making contract.”

The air suddenly fell silent.

In the NFL, rookie players are at the bottom of the food chain. Typically, it’s not until the end of their four-year rookie contract that they get to sit down with the team to negotiate. Because of that, young and inexpensive rookie players are often referred to as the “rookie contract advantage.”

Occasionally, for top-tier players after their third year, teams will show goodwill by talking renewal a year early. That’s already considered special treatment.

However, teams almost never start renewal negotiations for a player at the end of their second year.

The most direct example is Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. After his second season, Newton’s agent approached the team, requesting an early renewal. The Panthers had to take it seriously because they believed Newton was their franchise quarterback.

Even so, negotiations between the Panthers and Newton dragged on for over a year, spanning the entire 2013 season. It wasn’t until the offseason after Newton’s third year that both sides reached an agreement and finalized the contract.

Players have their own demands, but teams aren’t foolish either.

And now Kroenke unexpectedly offered a sophomore player, Li Wei, a contract–

A running back, no less.

Rare. Truly rare.

Li Wei looked at Kroenke, “My mom always told me, ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch; the seemingly free ones are often the most expensive.’ So I’m not curious at all, not tempted at all.”

Despite his words, Li Wei’s eyes were bright as he stared at Kroenke, full of curiosity.

Kroenke was amused by Li Wei’s expression. “Really? You’re sure you don’t want to hear the terms?”

Li Wei hesitated, “I’m afraid if I do, I might actually be tempted. Then I won’t feel like watching a movie tonight.”

Kroenke raised an eyebrow slightly, “You’re different. Others, even if they don’t agree or consider the offer, would at least want to hear our numbers.”

“After all, just a number, right? Listening won’t hurt.”

Li Wei shrugged lightly, “I’ve always believed that self-awareness is a virtue. I know I might be tempted; I won’t deny my desire for a better salary. To you, it might be just a number, but for me, it could lead to sleepless nights for days.”

“So, I should cut off the temptation at its root.”

Calm, rational, wise, yet sprinkled with self-deprecating humor.

Kroenke saw Li Wei in a new light. “But aren’t you curious about my number?”

Li Wei, “I am. But I’d still say no, because I’m worried you might give me an offer I can’t refuse.”

Kroenke: …”Were you just quoting a line from ‘The Godfather’?”

Li Wei, “Yes. Welcome to Hollywood?”

Laughter welled up in Kroenke’s eyes. “Now I’m certain we should extend an olive branch.”

Li Wei: ??? So all those previous conversations were just tests?

Li Wei sighed, “Ah, standing in front of a billionaire really makes me feel so small. I should leave here quickly and head back to Kansas City where I can regain my confidence.”

Kroenke couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter–ha, ha, ha.

The laughter couldn’t stop.

Kroenke was dead serious–

It was all just curiosity, nothing more.

Kroenke owned multiple professional teams and had long established his management style. He personally selected and vetted executives like the team president and general manager, entrusting them with maximum decision-making autonomy, leaving professional matters to the professionals.

Because Kroenke knew very well, while he excelled at investing and loved sports, it didn’t mean he was good at team management. Maintaining professionalism and independence within the team was the correct way for it to grow.

Kroenke rarely, if ever, got involved in specific team decisions.

So, his offer of an irresistible contract to sophomore Li Wei was purely a joke, a minor probing gesture fueled by curiosity.

Still, Kroenke genuinely felt that the Los Angeles Rams needed a player like Li Wei–

Not just a running back. Not merely an ordinary player.

A superstar. A leader. Someone who could change the mood and momentum on and off the field.

Kroenke was a businessman who understood the power of a figurehead in the competitive sports market.

Perhaps Li Wei was the key. The key to transforming the Los Angeles Rams, not only with championship potential but also by reshaping the team’s market outlook.

However…

Kroenke still wouldn’t say everything out loud.

He wouldn’t interfere with the Rams’ general manager or head coach’s work, nor let his business-focused perspective meddle with the team’s construction and growth.

Because he knew how foolish that would be.

Setting aside everything else, at least Kroenke could do the math. The NFL operates under a hard salary cap. If they handed Li Wei a massive paycheck, adjustments in other areas would be inevitable. Breaking records would mean significant sacrifices elsewhere.

As such, Kroenke wouldn’t say a word, not even a sentence like, “I personally think Li Wei fits our team.”

He’d remain silent.

That didn’t change Kroenke’s admiration for Li Wei. He thought, perhaps he and Li Wei could be friends–

Not the kind of friends who share heartfelt conversations over drinks, but more of a gentlemanly camaraderie rooted in mutual respect and engaging discussions about life.

At the very least, tonight had been worthwhile.

The smile lingered on his lips as Kroenke looked at Li Wei. “It’s not just you. Me too.”

Li Wei, “Oh, why?”

Kroenke, “Here, people look at me in only two ways: either with the thought, ‘I should convince him to invest fifty million dollars into my movie project,’ or thinking, ‘Did that old guy bribe the guards to sneak in, like some homeless drifter?’ I don’t think I belong in Los Angeles either.”

Li Wei shared a smile with him.

Kroenke, “Which is why I prefer Montana, staying in a desolate place far away from humanity.”

Li Wei shook his head slightly, “There’s a difference here. Some people live in Montana, embracing nature, sleeping under the sky and lying on the ground to return to their primal roots. Others reside in their three-hundred-million-dollar mansions, attended by ninety-nine servants. That’s not really ‘away from humanity.'”

“I only have fifteen servants in my house.”

“Oh, fifteen. That does sound modest.”

“Yes, considering it takes fifteen minutes by car to get from the kitchen to the living room–imagine that, fifteen isn’t much.”

“Haha, this must be a billionaire’s sense of humor, right?”

Through their back-and-forth, they unexpectedly hit it off.