After listening to the translation, Cáo Jǐnfēng nodded frequently. Indeed, his son’s progress since going abroad was almost visible to the naked eye. Yesterday on the training ground, he had been filled with emotion.
Although Cáo Jǐnfēng hadn’t become a professional player back in the day, he still had a good eye for talent. Moreover, this was the number 10 jersey! In any club, this was recognized as the core number. Giving this number to Cáo Yì truly showed their attitude.
What he didn’t know was that no one had dared to wear the number 10 jersey in the competitive team before. When choosing numbers before the match registration, Cáo Yì saw the available numbers and unhesitatingly chose number 10. As someone with a System, if he wasn't the core, who would be? Besides, he had already worn the number 10 jersey back in school!
Just as Wright thought the emotional build-up was sufficient and was about to steer the conversation back to signing the contract, Xióng Shìjié spoke up beside him. His single sentence made Wright wish he could strangle Xióng Shìjié on the spot. Yes, all agents in the world deserved to be crucified. None of them were innocent.
“But the competitive team is, after all, just a small club, and not known for its youth training. Why can’t we find a better place for Cáo Yì, like Benfica off the field? They’ve produced Eusébio and Rui Costa. Their youth training is evident. Wouldn’t Cáo Yì’s future development be better if he signed with them?”
Xióng Shìjié’s casual remark almost choked Wright to death. After a while, Wright, his face ashen, asked, “Do these words represent Mr. Cáo?”
“The commission I received for this negotiation is a full power of attorney. Mr. Cáo made this decision by trusting my professionalism,” Xióng Shìjié retorted, not backing down.
“I think Mr. Cáo should be informed of what you just said.” Wright then signaled the translator to relay Xióng Shìjié’s statement to Cáo Jǐnfēng on the spot. But he saw no trace of guilt on Xióng Shìjié’s face. Moreover, Cáo Jǐnfēng also showed no significant change in expression after listening to the statement.
Didn’t we just agree last night that we were going to renew the contract with the club? Why does it sound now like Cáo Yì is preparing to transfer? You’re not thinking of persuading him to transfer back to China, are you!
However, as a sports teacher who was “periodically ill,” Cáo Jǐnfēng had long cultivated a calm demeanor when faced with sudden notices from teachers. Since he had entrusted Xióng Shìjié, he didn’t intend to interfere too much with the negotiations. After all, he and his son would still need to sign the final contract. Any problems could be corrected in time.
Upon further reflection, this should be Xióng Shìjié’s negotiation tactic, not an intentional sabotage of the contract signing. This is precisely why it’s best for agents to handle contract negotiations between players and clubs. It’s to avoid direct conflict between the two parties, which could lead to a breakdown. With an agent acting as a buffer, extreme situations can be effectively avoided.
Cáo Jǐnfēng then stated, “Regarding the contract negotiations, I have fully entrusted Mr. Xióng Shìjié. I don’t understand these matters very well. Manager Wright, please discuss it directly with him. I will be responsible for the final signature.”
After hearing the translation, Wright was silenced by these words but had no good recourse. They were following the rules, so he had to turn back to negotiate with Xióng Shìjié. Damn agents, all bloodsuckers!
Xióng Shìjié was very satisfied with Cáo Jǐnfēng’s perfect cooperation on the spot. To maximize profits, the agent had to play the 'good cop'. As long as the player provided support, it was enough. As long as they didn’t truly fall out, everything could be negotiated.
......
While they wereclashing verbally in the box, Nishiama Yuka was looking around with curiosity. It was her first time attending a football match live, and everything felt very new. Before meeting Cáo Yì, she had never imagined being connected to football. As her relationship with Cáo Yì grew stronger, she would only go to the training ground to cheer him on. At that time, Cáo Yì wouldn’t even be listed in the match squad, to avoid embarrassment. She had missed Cáo Yì’s four goals in the youth team match when she took leave to return home last time. Today was the first time she was watching Cáo Yì play live.
“Yī Jūn! Go!”
As the players from both sides entered the field, Nishiama Yuka, sitting among the fans, immediately waved her small flag and cheered loudly for him. However, with so many people around, her voice was easily drowned out.
The fans attending the match today filled about 70% of the stadium. This was the fifth round of the Portuguese Cup, only the round of 16, which wasn’t a big deal for the experienced Benfica fans. It was just that it was the first match after the New Year, which is why tens of thousands of fans had come. Among them, there were even fewer fans of the competitive team, numbering less than 300.
After all, it was the competitive team’s last Portuguese Cup match of the season, and quite a few die-hard fans had come to the venue to cheer the team on.
......
“......Let’s look at this attack. After the start, Benfica didn’t test the waters and immediately launched a breakthrough against the competitive team. Oswaldo on the wing got past Bernardo, and with an acceleration, he dodged Vitor. The entire right flank of the competitive team was torn apart by him. Fortunately, defensive midfielder Hugo made a timely recovery and held his position. Oswaldo was forced to slow down, and Vitor was chasing back.
“Beautiful! Oswaldo and Rodrigo played a one-two combination, breaking into the penalty area. Cardoso had already reached the position and was asking for the ball! Good play! Oswaldo didn't get greedy and slotted a low pass.
“Oh, that was incredibly close. At the critical moment, the competitive team’s on-field captain, Hugo, made a timely recovery and intercepted the pass. The competitive team narrowly escaped! Cardoso gave a thumbs-up.
“Although this attack didn’t result in a goal, Oswaldo’s breakthrough and pass were both very brilliant. Just after the start, Benfica has dealt a heavy blow to the competitive team! It seems that Benfica is full of fighting spirit today, and the competitive team might face a massacre.”
Following the commentator’s voice, all the fans in the stadium let out a collective sigh, lamenting the missed golden opportunity. It was so close to a perfect start!
Many fans were still finding their seats and hadn’t expected to miss the first exciting attack of the game. The commentator was still reminiscing about the details of the attack, and the stadium’s big screen was replaying Oswaldo Nicholas’s breakthrough and dribbling, which was spectacular.
Then, the fans in the front rows couldn’t help but exclaim.
“My heavens! Who is that?”
Nishiama Yuka had already stood up, waving her small flag and shouting.
“Yī Jūn, go!”
Jorge standing on the sidelines was still talking to his assistant, “Nicholas is a bit antsy, but he’s in really good form today.”
Before he finished speaking, he saw his assistant’s expression change, and he frantically pulled him around, saying, “Look quickly, what is that?”
The commentator also seemed to snap back to reality, no longer focusing on the replay of the attack and shifting his attention back to the field: “My heavens, what happened? After Benfica’s attack just ended, the competitive team actually launched a quick counterattack!”
Let alone the commentator, even the competitive team’s players on the field couldn’t react. After goalkeeper Filipe received the ball, he didn’t delay and, taking advantage of Benfica’s midfield being somewhat exposed as they pushed forward, kicked a long ball. It landed precisely at Afonso’s feet. The Benfica players were retreating, and there was no one near him. He looked up at the front field and saw that Cáo Yì had some space around him and was waving for the ball.
Alright!
This match was primarily for team cohesion and to deepen mutual understanding. Afonso didn’t hesitate and immediately sent a diagonal pass. He then witnessed a scene he would never forget in his life. From goalkeeper Filipe to Cáo Yì receiving the ball, it took only two passes, happening in a matter of seconds.
【Counterattack Horn】 activation successful.
【BUFF Effect: Additionally increases host’s Speed by 20%, Dribbling by 20%, and Shooting by 20%! Stackable!】
【Current Stats: Speed 21, Explosiveness 21, Dribbling 14, Shooting 17, Long Shot 14,】
Benfica’s initial rapid attack was fierce. Although it was mainly a wing breakthrough led by Oswaldo, the midfield and both wings had pushed forward. Now, facing a rapid counterattack, only one defensive midfielder and two center-backs remained in Benfica’s backline.
In fact, defensive midfielder Matic had also pushed forward to support, but he was faster in retreating. At this moment, he could still move diagonally to interfere with Cáo Yì. As long as he could delay him slightly, left-back Bryan Garcia would catch up. His speed was quite good, and he was desperately chasing back.
The moment Cáo Yì received the ball, Matic had already caught up. He felt like he could grab the opponent with his hand. But,
At this moment, after receiving the ball, Cáo Yì nudged it forward. The ball rolled several meters ahead. Matic’s heart leaped with joy. This kid has no experience, probably too nervous. He clearly overhit the ball. Bryan was coming back and would obviously intercept it early. As this thought flashed through his mind, Matic reached out and pulled, intending to delay him slightly before letting go. This subtle move would surely avoid a foul and disrupt the opponent’s acceleration, and then Bryan would intercept the ball. The competitive team’s rapid counterattack would thus be stillborn.
“Whoosh!”
“Huh?”
Everything went as planned, but when Matic reached out, he couldn’t touch the person at all. He just grabbed a handful of air. And the young kid disappeared like lightning, without even blinking.
Matić missed his grab and almost stumbled and fell. When he stabilized and looked up, there was nothing there. The opposing striker who was right in front of him moments ago was now nowhere to be seen.
“My god, did this kid activate a rocket?”
Bryan, who was originally able to intercept the ball from afar, was clearly affected by the sudden turn of events. Although he was less than 2 meters away from the ball, he then saw the opposing player catch up to the ball and nudge it forward again. In the blink of an eye, the ball was more than 10 meters away from him.
“What’s going on?”
If it weren’t a match, Bryan would have stopped on the spot and rubbed his eyes. Was he hallucinating?
Before he could finish his thoughts, he saw the opposing striker rapidly approaching the edge of the penalty area. Guarding him was Anderson, a member of the Brazilian national team, while his partner, Da Silva, was on the other side, rushing over in a hurry.
Cáo Yì vs. Anderson!