They had agreed to meet at a cafe on Rodeo Drive . This street was undeniably one of the most famous streets on America's West Coast . Rodeo Drive was home to the epicenter of luxury, fashion, and lifestyle .
Kobe was easy to recognize since he was taller than most people . He wore a pair of sunglasses and sat behind a table . He tried to stoop low to remain unseen . Even so, he was still eye-catching .
The purpose of trying be inconspicuous was very simple . He didn't want to be recognized . He was extremely famous in Los Angeles as an iconic athlete . If he was recognized by his fans, they would definitely ask him for a photograph and an autograph .
Li Du went up to Kobe and shook his hand… after asking for a photo with him .
Kobe actually loved making jokes . As Li Du asked for the photograph, Kobe laughed and asked, "Are there any other NBA players you admire? I can arrange it for you, photographs, autographs, and so on . "
Li Du said, "That is not necessary . You are my favorite NBA player . Your playing style is just too cool . During my college days, I always imitated your playing style . I've even gotten a nickname . "
"What was the nickname?" Kobe laughed .
Li Du replied, "Kobe Jr . from Apartment 502 . "
Kobe laughed heartily . "That's sad . Here I thought you were some kind of Kobe Jr . at your school . I met a guy during an event . Do you know what they call him?"
Li Du shook his head and then Kobe said, "Black Bull Shaq . I threw a few hooks at him because I was not on good terms with Shaq at that time . "
People who were unfamiliar with the NBA would not know about the conflicts between them . Shaq was another NBA superstar, Shaq O'Neal . He once teamed up with Kobe, and they became the best duo of the 21st century . The two were able to win consecutive NBA Championships .
However, the managerial level of the basketball team incited a quarrel between them that affected their relationship . In the end, they took different roads and went their separate ways . They had also attacked each other through the media .
Later, Kobe led his team to two consecutive championships . He then slowly let go of his grudges against O'Neal . The fact that he could joke about it proved it .
Li Du calmly analyzed the situation . "You see, Kobe, from a fan's perspective, you should be honored because this means that you are two of a kind . I mean…" he paused and then continued, "Are you even certain that he is called Black Bull Shaq? Maybe he was just provoking you to get your attention . "
Kobe blinked and said, "I didn't think about it . Oh, no . Maybe I was too impulsive at the time . Maybe you are right . I might have been fooled by that b*stard . "
The jokes had brightened up the mood . Their conversation slowly veered to the main objective of the meeting .
Kobe asked, "Li, I recently found out that you have some connection with Harry Winston, Inc . Are you one of the shareholders?"
Li Du nodded . "Yes, I purchased some of its equity shares last year . Don't tell me, you are one of the shareholders, too? That would be a coincidence . "
Li Du nodded . "Yes, I purchased some of its equity shares last year . Don't tell me, you are one of the shareholders, too? That would be a coincidence . "
Kobe shook his head and laughed . "No, I am not that rich and overbearing yet . The thing is, to my knowledge, Harry Winston, Inc . will soon release a series of luxury jewelry, right?"
Li Du nodded .
Kobe said, "I saw their advertisement, and I'm interested in a set of earrings . You see, my wife is a woman of great beauty . It is only natural to compliment her with such gorgeous jewelry . "
Li Du understood and asked, "Are you asking me for help? I would assume that you could contact Cole through your network, no?"
Kobe shrugged . "I don't know anyone with the first name Cole, but I do know someone with the last name Cole . He is a basketball commentator . Obviously, he wouldn't be much help . "
Li Du said, "Leave this to me . " He pondered a moment and said, "Actually, there is a better option . Have you ever thought of customizing a set of exclusive jewelry for your wife? I have a batch of fine gemstones . "
"What kind of gemstones?"
"Black opal . " Li Du always brought his backpack along with him . He opened it and summoned the little bug . He pretended to take out a case with the black opal inside it . He opened it, and the gemstone sent out a dazzling glow .
Kobe whistled in appreciation . "Wow, that thing is gorgeous!"
Kobe whistled in appreciation . "Wow, that thing is gorgeous!"
Li Du said, "I do have quite a few of these . If you want to customize one, I can sell them to you . At the same time, I can also contact the designers at Harry Winston and have them design your jewelry according to your preference . "
Kobe responded without hesitation . "That's it then . What's the price?"
Li Du smiled . "I mined these myself . So the price that I am giving you is definitely lower than the market price . "
The two of them shared a similar personality . The way they handled matters was swift and decisive, passed like thunder and moved like the wind .
Kobe was keen to buy the black opal, so Li Du brought him to the Harry Winston, Inc . flagship store in Los Angeles . Li Du arranged a gemologist to determine the authenticity of the gemstone and to evaluate its purity .
While waiting for the result, Kobe said, " Hey, Li . You have plenty of fascinating stuff with you . I am starting to think that you are a professional treasure hunter, just like Chris Bell . "
Li Du replied, "I am . "
Kobe responded, "Are you kidding me? You are not only a shareholder in Harry Winston, Inc . but also own an invaluable gemstone pit!"
Li Du laughed . "This truth is, I didn't think that I would manage to own all of this . I started working at storage auctions . I was a professional storage auction treasure hunter . "
Kobe said, "In that case, I might be able to offer you some help . I have information with me . At first, I was going to share this with you as a thank you gift for helping me, but I realize now that you might not be interested . "
Li Du laughed . "This truth is, I didn't think that I would manage to own all of this . I started working at storage auctions . I was a professional storage auction treasure hunter . "
Kobe said, "In that case, I might be able to offer you some help . I have information with me . At first, I was going to share this with you as a thank you gift for helping me, but I realize now that you might not be interested . "
Li Du was intrigued and asked, "How is it possible? Say it . What's the information?"
Kobe said, "It's information regarding sneaker storage . Dahntay Jones . You do know of him, right? He's also an NBA player . He's now in Atlanta . "
Li Du loved watching the NBA during his college days . This name, Dahntay Jones, was unfamiliar to him . However, he did have some impression of Jones . He was a role player .
Kobe continued, "He just went to Atlanta . He was in Indiana . This guy has a hobby of collecting NBA star players' autographed sneakers . He has collected a lot of them and had them stored in a warehouse located in Indiana .
"In the end, two days ago, I heard that he did not pay the storage fee . As a result, the storage company froze his storage and is about to begin an auction . Are you interested?"
The warehouse was in Indiana, which was fairly far from Los Angeles . Li Du was not very interested, but he would still go and have a look if the items were valuable .
Kobe said, "Those sneakers are pretty valuable . As far as I know, there are over 1,000 pairs of them in there . In fact, many of those were custom-made for famous celebrities . In total, they are probably worth at least hundreds of thousands of dollars . "
Li Du took a cold breath . "Over 1,000 pairs? Did he plan on selling sneakers after retirement?"
Kobe laughed . "Who knows? He had always asked for autographs after a game . He's gotten over ten pairs just from me . "
They had agreed to meet at a cafe on Rodeo Drive . This street was undeniably one of the most famous streets on Americas West Coast . Rodeo Drive was home to the epicenter of luxury, fashion, and lifestyle . Kobe was easy to recognize since he was taller than most people . He wore a pair of sunglasses and sat behind a table . He tried to stoop low to remain unseen . Even so, he was still eye-catching . The purpose of trying be inconspicuous was very simple . He didnt want to be recognized . He was extremely famous in Los Angeles as an iconic athlete . If he was recognized by his fans, they would definitely ask him for a photograph and an autograph . Li Du went up to Kobe and shook his hand… after asking for a photo with him . Kobe actually loved making jokes . As Li Du asked for the photograph, Kobe laughed and asked, Are there any other NBA players you admire? I can arrange it for you, photographs, autographs, and so on . Li Du said, That is not necessary . You are my favorite NBA player . Your playing style is just too cool . During my college days, I always imitated your playing style . Ive even gotten a nickname . What was the nickname? Kobe laughed . Li Du replied, Kobe Jr . from Apartment 502 . Kobe laughed heartily . Thats sad . Here I thought you were some kind of Kobe Jr . at your school . I met a guy during an event . Do you know what they call him? Li Du shook his head and then Kobe said, Black Bull Shaq . I threw a few hooks at him because I was not on good terms with Shaq at that time . People who were unfamiliar with the NBA would not know about the conflicts between them . Shaq was another NBA superstar, Shaq ONeal . He once teamed up with Kobe, and they became the best duo of the 21st century . The two were able to win consecutive NBA Championships . However, the managerial level of the basketball team incited a quarrel between them that affected their relationship . In the end, they took different roads and went their separate ways . They had also attacked each other through the media . Later, Kobe led his team to two consecutive championships . He then slowly let go of his grudges against ONeal . The fact that he could joke about it proved it . Li Du calmly analyzed the situation . You see, Kobe, from a fans perspective, you should be honored because this means that you are two of a kind . I mean… he paused and then continued, Are you even certain that he is called Black Bull Shaq? Maybe he was just provoking you to get your attention . Kobe blinked and said, I didnt think about it . Oh, no . Maybe I was too impulsive at the time . Maybe you are right . I might have been fooled by that b*stard . The jokes had brightened up the mood . Their conversation slowly veered to the main objective of the meeting . Kobe asked, Li, I recently found out that you have some connection with Harry Winston, Inc . Are you one of the shareholders? Li Du nodded . Yes, I purchased some of its equity shares last year . Dont tell me, you are one of the shareholders, too? That would be a coincidence . Kobe shook his head and laughed . No, I am not that rich and overbearing yet . The thing is, to my knowledge, Harry Winston, Inc . will soon release a series of luxury jewelry, right? Li Du nodded . Kobe said, I saw their advertisement, and Im interested in a set of earrings . You see, my wife is a woman of great beauty . It is only natural to compliment her with such gorgeous jewelry . Li Du understood and asked, Are you asking me for help? I would assume that you could contact Cole through your network, no? Kobe shrugged . I dont know anyone with the first name Cole, but I do know someone with the last name Cole . He is a basketball commentator . Obviously, he wouldnt be much help . Li Du said, Leave this to me . He pondered a moment and said, Actually, there is a better option . Have you ever thought of customizing a set of exclusive jewelry for your wife? I have a batch of fine gemstones . What kind of gemstones? Black opal . Li Du always brought his backpack along with him . He opened it and summoned the little bug . He pretended to take out a case with the black opal inside it . He opened it, and the gemstone sent out a dazzling glow . Kobe whistled in appreciation . Wow, that thing is gorgeous! Li Du said, I do have quite a few of these . If you want to customize one, I can sell them to you . At the same time, I can also contact the designers at Harry Winston and have them design your jewelry according to your preference . Kobe responded without hesitation . Thats it then . Whats the price? Li Du smiled . I mined these myself . So the price that I am giving you is definitely lower than the market price . The two of them shared a similar personality . The way they handled matters was swift and decisive, passed like thunder and moved like the wind . Kobe was keen to buy the black opal, so Li Du brought him to the Harry Winston, Inc . flagship store in Los Angeles . Li Du arranged a gemologist to determine the authenticity of the gemstone and to evaluate its purity . While waiting for the result, Kobe said, Hey, Li . You have plenty of fascinating stuff with you . I am starting to think that you are a professional treasure hunter, just like Chris Bell . Li Du replied, I am . Kobe responded, Are you kidding me? You are not only a shareholder in Harry Winston, Inc . but also own an invaluable gemstone pit! Li Du laughed . This truth is, I didnt think that I would manage to own all of this . I started working at storage auctions . I was a professional storage auction treasure hunter . Kobe said, In that case, I might be able to offer you some help . I have information with me . At first, I was going to share this with you as a thank you gift for helping me, but I realize now that you might not be interested . Li Du was intrigued and asked, How is it possible? Say it . Whats the information? Kobe said, Its information regarding sneaker storage . Dahntay Jones . You do know of him, right? Hes also an NBA player . Hes now in Atlanta . Li Du loved watching the NBA during his college days . This name, Dahntay Jones, was unfamiliar to him . However, he did have some impression of Jones . He was a role player . Kobe continued, He just went to Atlanta . He was in Indiana . This guy has a hobby of collecting NBA star players autographed sneakers . He has collected a lot of them and had them stored in a warehouse located in Indiana . In the end, two days ago, I heard that he did not pay the storage fee . As a result, the storage company froze his storage and is about to begin an auction . Are you interested? The warehouse was in Indiana, which was fairly far from Los Angeles . Li Du was not very interested, but he would still go and have a look if the items were valuable . Kobe said, Those sneakers are pretty valuable . As far as I know, there are over 1,000 pairs of them in there . In fact, many of those were custom-made for famous celebrities . In total, they are probably worth at least hundreds of thousands of dollars . Li Du took a cold breath . Over 1,000 pairs? Did he plan on selling sneakers after retirement? Kobe laughed . Who knows? He had always asked for autographs after a game . Hes gotten over ten pairs just from me .
Chapter end
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