Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 478 - 89: Mr. 100 Million Yen (Part 2)

This is the confidence that Lin Guanglai brings to the table—a player who performs when needed, with commercial appeal and exposure. In negotiations, it’s a position where victory is assured.

After several rounds of back and forth, the Planning Minister and the Contract Minister engaged in a hushed conversation again. With years of negotiation experience, Nomura Katsuhiko could almost sense that the next offer would indeed be the final number.

"I understand," the Planning Minister said. "Alright, let’s increase the amount on the initial basis. These are the best terms of sincerity the team can offer at present."

As if making a resolute decision, the Contract Minister handed a piece of paper with the new annual salary figure to Lin Guanglai—

million yen.

Nomura Katsuhiko glanced at Lin Guanglai, prompting him with a look while also seeking the player’s opinion.

Lin Guanglai nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with the figure—compared to his current annual salary of 15 million yen, this new contract was a tenfold increase; with such terms, what more could he be dissatisfied with?

"We accept, and thank the team for its understanding and support." At the moment the contract negotiations were completed, Nomura Katsuhiko, who had been aggressive just a second ago, immediately became pleasant and agreeable.

The team’s management, relieved of a considerable burden, also wore a beaming smile.

The tension in the entire meeting room similarly eased instantaneously.

Lin Guanglai rose from the sofa and shook hands with the two ministers with a smile; moments later, the team’s staff brought a blank formal contract and a pen.

"Well then, Lin, please sign here!"

Under the guidance of the Contract Minister, Lin Guanglai signed his name in the designated spot—marking the completion of a new year’s contract at that moment.

...

Coming back to his senses, Lin Guanglai faced the reporters eagerly gathered before him, and flashed a dazzling smile—taking the SoftBank Team’s cap and his No. 21 jersey from the staff beside him, he completed the attire before announcing the negotiation results:

"Thanks to everyone’s support, the renewal process has been successfully completed! I had an excellent conversation with the team and am very satisfied with the final figure; I also thank the team for their recognition and trust—in the upcoming new season, I will work harder to repay this trust!"

After saying this, he felt it wasn’t enough and continued to add: "Before last season began, I said I would strive to win the Rookie of the Year, and I eventually achieved that..."

"In the upcoming season, I hope to go a step further, not only to bring the SoftBank Team back to where it belongs but also to aim for the Eiji Sawamura Award—just like the senior Masumi Kuwata did in 1988."

As Nomura Katsuhiko drove off with Lin Guanglai, watching the two gradually disappear from view, the reporters on site quickly shifted their focus back to the main issue of Lin Guanglai’s renewal:

Now that the renewal is completed, news articles can start being drafted, but the final publication is still missing one crucial and impactful figure:

What exactly is the amount of Lin Guanglai’s new contract?

Unlike North America, where sports leagues habitually release players’ contract amounts precisely via press releases, Japan doesn’t have such a practice; this results in reporters needing to gather relevant info through various means and estimate based on the player’s standing in the team.

Soon enough, reporters through their network connections obtained the number they sought—as soon as they saw the final signed number, those in the know broke into looks of disbelief.

[Giant Dome-Level Mega Contract! Heisei Monster, Second-Year Salary "Tenfold Surge" to 150 Million! Fastest to Break 100 Million!]

[This is the "Revolution"! SoftBank’s Lin Guanglai, Second-Year Salary at 150 Million! A Mega Contract Defying Common Sense!]

Later that day, news reports on Lin Guanglai’s renewal filled the sports sections’ front pages of major mainstream media, and the astronomical figure of 150 million stood out like a depth charge, shocking all of Japan.

In fan club chat groups led by die-hard fan Akane Kujo, Lin Guanglai’s fans started frantically sharing news links as soon as the news broke, festooned with exclamation marks and emojis, elated as if they had gotten a raise themselves.

In izakayas around various places, office workers gathered after work, discussing their views.

"Our Tokyo’s genius is worth this much; it’s a pity we didn’t draft him back then, or we’d be in the limelight now!"—said the Tokyo Giant fans.

"SoftBank will definitely regret this! How can a kid who only played well for a year get so much? We’ll beat them soundly next year!"—said the Osaka Hanshin fans.

"Wow, to get over 100 million in just the second year... But it’s okay, the face of the team for the future is indeed worth it!"—said the Fukuoka SoftBank fans.

For smaller teams like Hiroshima Toyo and Chiba Lotte, upon seeing the news, their planning ministers erupted in great anguish:

Lin Guanglai’s contract has further disrupted the market, and several players who have or are about to obtain FA status will probably use this offer as a benchmark, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to those with already tight budgets.

Conversely, the players’ agents seemed like wolves spotting prey, displaying thoughtful expressions.

"Wow—Guanglai, let me tell you, when you return to Fukuoka later, you must treat me and others to a meal! After all, you are now a hundred-millionaire! I’ve only made 58 million in three years of playing pro baseball!!!"

Almost the next second Lin Guanglai swiped to answer the call, a bellowing voice from Yanagida Yuuki came through the phone, clearly showing envy; after chatting for a bit, Lin Guanglai promised to treat him to a meal at the best restaurant upon returning, then hung up the phone.

After the call with Yanagida Yuuki, he climbed from his bed in his Tokyo home and walked to the window, gazing out onto the street: The night was deepening, and the weather grew colder, with little else on the street but salarymen returning from after-work functions.

With contract matters resolved today, he was set to attend Nippon Professional Baseball’s official awards ceremony tomorrow—barring any surprises, he was expected to receive the "2013 Rookie of the Year" and "Most Strikeouts" titles.

Beyond that, all other work had been scheduled: the signing ceremony with Mizuno, the team’s official promotions, the variety shows Nomura Katsuhiko had arranged... string after string of engagements made his offseason distinctly busy.

It is foreseeable that within the next month or so, "Lin Guanglai" will undoubtedly be a name frequently appearing across various media and screens.

The 150 million contract, with its 100 million sponsorship fee and substantial incentive bonuses—amounts beyond imagination—not only garner a massive amount of attention but also harbor an unprecedented level of pressure to respond to these expectations.

If the 15 million Lin Guanglai could be seen as a "hopeful star" or the "face of the future," where even occasional mistakes were forgivable, the 150 million Lin Guanglai in the new season will be scrutinized under a microscope by everyone, with any minor slip-up potentially inviting criticism.

For the average young player, this pressure might completely break them; but Lin Guanglai states—

"To those who hate me, prepare to be disappointed..."

"From here on, I’m going to keep winning!"