The two of them said nothing more and paid obediently.
The store was lively for a while, and then became calm again as everyone left.
This was unexpected by Xu Xin. The target customers for opening this store are high-income athletes.
"Mr. Xu, am I right? I knew business would be booming today."
Li Cheng came over excitedly, remembering clearly what they had said during the drinking session last night.
Xu Xin gave him a thumbs up and had no time to talk to him. He was currently calculating today's income.
Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen are the five major clients, which is 5 million. Including other players, Xu Xin did a rough calculation and it was already over 10 million.
Xu Xin breathed a long sigh of relief, okay, okay, no loss. Xu Xin stood up and exchanged a few words with Li Cheng briefly before driving away in a hurry.
It was almost noon. He had made an appointment with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady for lunch. If he didn't start, he might be late.
It was still the century-old store in downtown Houston. Xu Xin walked in and found that Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady had already arrived.
"Sorry, there's a bit of a traffic jam on the road."
Xu Xin apologized.
"We just arrived."
Yao Ming said with a smile.
"Yes, and we are not idle either. We have been signing autographs just now."
Maddie smiled.
"I was quite busy in the store just now. I didn't have time to ask, how does it feel to be back in Houston?"
Xu Xin said.
“Nothing seems to have changed, but everything seems to have changed again.”
Maddie looked out the window and felt something.
"speak English."
Yao Ming suddenly said something.
"You really disgrace the scenery. I originally wanted to compose a poem."
McGrady smiled and punched Yao Ming.
Xu Xin watched the two of them being intimate without interrupting, waiting for their next words.
Yao returned to his famous saying and said seriously:
"The fans have not forgotten McGrady and I. How can we be willing to give up the basketball dream that we can continue? Just now, Tracy and I have decided that we must win the highest honor for this city this season."
"Okay, we will go for a physical examination later and we can sign the contract in the afternoon. But..."
Xu Xin hesitated a little, thinking about how to word it.
"Manager Xu just said it's okay."
Maddie said.
"The team's current lineup has been well integrated. I'm afraid that if you join the team, you need to start from the bench."
Xu Xin said with some embarrassment.
"Hey, what did I think? I am willing to accept all the team's arrangements."
Maddie smiled broadly.
"Me too."
Yao Ming nodded.
In the afternoon, in the training hall, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady were conducting the final physical test.
"Xu, how did you do it? Their condition is almost the same as it was a few years ago, especially Yao Ming, who doesn't look like someone who has retired for more than a year."
McHale was surprised.
He can understand McGrady. After all, he was still playing in the Chinese League some time ago and could easily score 40 or 50 points. But Yao Ming's state was completely beyond his understanding.
He has also retired. After retirement, let alone athletic status, it is very difficult to stay in shape.
Looking at Yao Ming now, his running and jumping data are even better than those in the 2009 season, and his weight has also dropped from 140 kilograms that year to 122 kilograms, a full 18 kilograms loss.
"They have actually been preparing for a comeback since I returned to China last month. Yao Ming's weight loss will be a great help for him to return to the game."
Xu Xin explained.
"It's true. Times have changed now. Although heavy centers still have a place on the offensive end, they are easier to target on the defensive end. Yao Ming's role now will be greater than Yao Ming's back then."
McHale said firmly.
"How long do you think it will be before they play?"
Xu Xin asked.
"It takes almost half a month to adapt to the intensity of the game and become familiar with the team's tactical system. It is not difficult for them."
McHale is confident.
"Okay, there are less than three months left in the Greedy Game. Let's try to start this year's championship journey with the best lineup and the best condition before the playoffs start."
Xu Xin clenched his fists and said.
"Xu, aren't you going to shout the championship slogan?"
McHale laughed.
"Don't tell me, being too high-profile is not a good thing."
Xu Xin looked at McHale and blinked.
In the office, Xu Xin handed over two contracts. The two contracts were exactly the same, both were 1.5 million a year.
"I'm really sorry, the team has no salary space, so we can only sign people with the veteran's minimum salary."
Xu Xin said, his words full of apology.
"We have made enough money, and now the only thing that attracts us is the honor."
Yao Ming smiled and signed his name on the contract without hesitation.
The same goes for McGrady next to him.
"Don't worry, I will find a way to make room this summer,"
Seeing that the two of them were not dissatisfied at all, Xu Xin immediately said seriously.
"There's no rush. At this stage, it's no longer important how big the contract is."
McGrady smiled freely, Yao Ming said nothing, but his approving eyes said everything.
That night, January 24th, the Rockets faced the Nuggets at home.
Pierce and Ray Allen went to Dallas and San Antonio respectively in the afternoon. It was not easy for them to take half a day off, and they would have to participate in the team's joint training tomorrow morning.
Xu Xin invited Yao Mai to watch the game in his exclusive box.
Although Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady had signed a contract, Xu Xin did not sign it and did not submit an application to the league immediately. He wanted to wait until the game was over before announcing the good news.
As for why they did this, of course they didn't want to steal Iverson's limelight. Before tonight's game, under Xu Xin's instruction, the Rockets' official media hyped the news that Iverson would play in the game.
As soon as the news came out, the football market was extremely hot and tickets were hard to come by. Fans were full of expectations for Iverson, who had been away from the game for several years. Some Philadelphia fans even flew halfway across the country to cheer for Iverson.
The happiest person is none other than Alexander. The Rockets basketball market has come back to life this season, allowing him to make a lot of money. Xu Xina is quite satisfied.
At the Rockets high-level meeting two days ago, Alexander made it clear that as long as the current ball market can be maintained, there will be no problem paying some luxury tax next season.
The Huaxia Live Broadcasting Platform specially broadcast the game live, and specially invited Zhang Weiping to guide it.
"Good morning to all the viewers in front of the TV. Welcome to watch the live broadcast of the NBA NBA game, the Rockets vs. the Nuggets at home. I am the commentator Yang Jian, and sitting next to me is the famous basketball commentator, Director Zhang Weiping. Come watch the game with us.”
Yang Jian got straight to the point, and his lively oral broadcast was very comfortable to listen to.
"Hello, viewers, my name is Zhang Weiping."
Zhang Weiping introduced himself with a smile.
