Chapter 38: Rodman Can’t Bear to Watch Any Longer—the Big Worm’s Exclusive Masterclass!

"But you two have already had a falling out. Everyone saw it. Knowing Lin's personality, he definitely won't be the one to lower his head and concede." Jackson, an expert at manipulating human psychology, saw through Jordan's initial words—he was just annoyed, but he certainly didn't want Lin Tian to leave the team.

Jordan’s personality was sometimes as childish as a kid’s; one day he might be at each other's throats with a playmate, and the next, a single lollipop would turn the other person back into his entire world. At least in Jackson's view, Jordan would probably rather trade Harper, Longley, or Kukoc than see Lin Tian leave the team. Perhaps Jordan hadn't even realized it himself, but he was growing increasingly fond of Lin Tian.

Hearing Jackson’s words, Jordan rubbed his chin, suddenly clapped his hands, and said, "Simple! I'll just lower my head, won't I? They’re all in the weight room right now. I’ll go apologize to Lin and say my move was indeed a bit too aggressive."

As he said this, Jordan suddenly frowned, then quickly added, "And then I’ll invite the kid to keep matching up with me! Tomorrow, I’m going to destroy him! That’s it! That’s exactly what I’ll do!"

Once Jordan finished speaking, as if he had finally convinced himself, he strode toward the locker room. He left Jackson behind, eyes wide, staring in utter disbelief. What had he just heard? Jordan was going to back down? Jordan was going to admit a mistake? What was wrong with the world? Jordan was actually going to apologize to a little rookie? Had Jordan ever apologized to anyone in his entire life?

Yes, Jordan had said it was all so he could keep matching up with Lin Tian and keep crushing him, but anyone with half a brain knew that was nonsense—he was just making excuses for himself. Watching Jordan walk further and further away, Jackson suddenly had a feeling: this man, though formidable, had always been a nuisance and a villain, but perhaps he might actually change because of this little rookie.

Back in the weight room, Lin Tian hadn't taken the earlier conflict to heart. It was just a big elbow; let it go. Of course, if Jordan continued to be relentless and kept trying to stir up trouble, then he would just have to beat the hell out of him! He wouldn't show respect to anyone!

However, while Lin Tian hadn't taken it to heart, someone else had.

"Lin, got a minute?" Rodman wobbled over and leaned against the barbell Lin Tian was about to lift. "Don't you feel bad being crushed by Michael every single day?"

"It sucks! I want to crush him too! But I'm still lacking a bit right now. Give it a year; I think I can definitely crush him next year!" Lin Tian calculated and set his target deadline, then added, "Of course, if he doesn't know what's good for him, I don't mind beating him into submission with my fists!"

Rodman almost choked on those words. After coughing violently for a few moments, he looked at Lin Tian and said, "Actually, that's not what I meant."

I, Rodman, am not here to incite you to beat up Jordan...

"Look, what I want to say is, when you encounter dirty moves like Michael's, don't you feel a bit powerless to fight back? I mean, fighting back the basketball way." Rodman was notorious for being wild and crazy, but today, he felt he had met someone even crazier than himself. "The kind of way that makes your opponent furious and miserable, but the refs can't see it!"

By comparison, Rodman even wondered if he had been too normal lately. Had he been too normal for his own good?

At this point, how could Lin Tian not know what Rodman was getting at? He immediately wrapped an arm around Rodman’s neck and grinned wickedly, "As long as you teach me, I'll treat you to a month of drinks! Anywhere in Chicago, you pick the place!"

"That generous?" Rodman looked at Lin Tian suspiciously. "Do you have that kind of money?"

"I do. Michael gave it to me. On the plane last time, he insisted he lost to me, and he stubbornly forced a check on me!" Lin Tian insisted he was telling the truth. Jordan thought he had lost, and it was indeed Jordan who insisted on giving him the money! I, Lin the Honorable, never lie!

"So, you have four million on you?"

"I do!"

"Good! I guarantee I'll teach you!"

Rodman chuckled, and they reached an agreement! They would start right after training ended today! Furthermore, after every training session, Rodman would set aside half an hour to teach Lin Tian his "dirty little tricks."

Just as the two struck their deal, Jordan and Jackson walked into the weight room one after the other. Jordan cleared his throat first and said, "Um, here’s the thing."

Seeing that everyone’s attention was focused on him, he said quickly, "Lin, my move was a bit too aggressive today. I lost control. My fault!"

Jordan had actually apologized!

If there had been reporters on the scene, they would have ensured all the fans in America knew about this unprecedented event within 30 seconds! Such a thing had never happened before, and no one had ever imagined it could! But now, Jordan had actually apologized! And he apologized to a rookie who had only been in the NBA for a month!

"So, we're good, right? We'll keep matching up? Is that okay?" After saying this, Jordan didn't even realize he sounded like a new type of creature that would become popular 20 years later. A simp! He looked at Lin Tian with great anticipation, and judging by his expression, he was actually a bit afraid that Lin Tian might be angry!

"We're fine! Tomorrow, I'm definitely going to lock you down so you won't score a single point!" Lin Tian’s response was in his usual style.

"Yes, Lin will definitely hold Michael to zero points tomorrow! Because we don't have practice tomorrow anyway!" After Jackson cracked a joke, he continued, "Let's end today's training here. Consider this a warning. From now on, I don't want to see any real conflicts in this team!"

"You can compete, you can refuse to submit to one another, but it must be peaceful! Understand? Otherwise, I don't care who you are, I will kick you off this team!"

With those words from Jackson, coupled with Jordan’s earlier act of lowering his head, everyone naturally obeyed and nodded to show they understood. After all, when even the team leader was being so cooperative, the others certainly wouldn't look for trouble. Just follow the leader’s lead!

Following Jackson’s order, everyone in the weight room left quickly; they had long been waiting to go home and sleep. Lin Tian, however, held Rodman back, and the two of them went to the practice court, ready to train for a while longer!

Rodman stroked his bright green hair and let out his signature lazy voice, "Before we start, I have to tell you my rules! As everyone knows, I'm not a good person. My style of play is terrible—dirty, insidious, and 'scumbag' are words that have followed my entire career."