Chapter One: The Man Left Behind

His phone rang. It was his agent, He Xiao. “Have you signed? Haiyue can give you a youth coaching job after retirement if the group keeps your image and training-data rights. Do not be stubborn. This is the best ending available.” Lu read the fine print: authorization term, perpetual; scope, name, voice, athletic data, and all future derivative digital likenesses. “I’m not signing.” He Xiao laughed. “You average 1.7 points. Who cares about your name?” Lu carried his bag toward the exit. Seventeen championship trophies shone above the tunnel, their glass cases cutting his reflection into fragments. He heard a basketball in the arena and turned back. A development-squad teenager was repeatedly attacking the rim. Lu stepped beneath it.