In the eastern suburbs of Lille, France, just south of the University of Lille's Pont de Bois campus, a newly built low-rise apartment complex stood on the north side of Roger Salengro Street.
The neighborhood wasn't particularly large. Two rows of apartment buildings formed two back-to-back "C" shapes, with a straight road running through the middle. Small shops lined both sides of the road, catering to the residents.
At this moment, in front of a real estate agency, a young couple stood studying the rental listings.
"I think we should get a bigger place," the boy suggested, pointing at one of the listings. "It'll be more spacious, so you won't feel bored when you're at home."
He smiled. "If you want, you can even visit the university up north—it's really close."
The girl held his arm affectionately and shook her head. "We should go for something smaller. The rent is expensive."
"Don't worry about the money, Natasha. I just signed a new contract with the club. This rent is nothing," the boy said confidently.
They say money gives a man courage, and that was certainly true for him.
His youthful face radiated self-assurance, as if he could take on the world, especially when he saw the admiration in the girl's eyes.
Four years ago, they had met and fallen in love at first sight.
Back then, the boy had been shy and introverted. Just speaking to a girl for more than a few seconds would make his heart race, let alone holding hands or confessing his feelings.
But somehow, they had mustered the courage to express their love.
Many people don't believe in love at first sight, especially not in long-distance relationships.
And yet, as soon as they got together, the boy was scouted by French club Lille and moved to France to play football, while the girl remained in their hometown to continue her studies.
Long-distance relationships were tough but also sweet.
For four years, they endured the struggle that fate had thrown their way. Now, at last, she had completed her studies, and he had made a name for himself in Ligue 1, winning the league's Best Young Player award and securing a new contract.
He felt the time was right.
Now, he would bring her to his side.
His plan was simple: rent an apartment on Salengro Street and move in with her.
He had dreamed of this day for four years.
"Trust me on this one. I told you, I'll give you the best," the boy insisted stubbornly.
The girl no longer argued. She nodded softly and let him decide.
Just as they were about to step into the real estate agency, the boy's phone rang.
The caller ID: Jean-Michel Van Damme.
…
At a café near Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in the eastern suburbs of Lille, Gao Shen sat with Lucas and Brian Kidd.
He wore sunglasses, making it harder for people to recognize him at first glance.
The other two, lacking his notoriety, didn't need to disguise themselves.
The three had traveled from England to France for one reason—Eden Hazard.
A prodigy.
Anyone who had ever watched Hazard play could see it instantly, his talent was undeniable.
Even at a young age, he had attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Lyon, and Sevilla. At one point, Scottish club Celtic nearly signed him.
Lille had a strong reputation for developing young talent. Before Hazard, they had produced players like Franck Ribéry.
In fact, Gao Shen had always felt that Hazard bore some resemblance to Ribéry.
With Neymar and his father demanding an astronomical signing fee and a long list of conditions, Gao Shen had no choice but to walk away. It wasn't just about personal pride, it was about protecting Manchester City's interests.
He couldn't allow himself to be manipulated into a deal that would set a dangerous precedent.
Now more than ever, he needed to safeguard his reputation and the authority he had worked so hard to build.
So, he gave up on Neymar and turned his attention to Hazard.
The 18-year-old Belgian winger had just won Ligue 1's Best Young Player award. While his talent was widely acknowledged, he wasn't yet a household name.
The biggest reason?
He played for Lille—not Lyon.
Like it or not, a player's platform mattered.
Of course, at just 21 years old, Karim Benzema had already achieved far more than the 18-year-old Hazard.
"This kid is being watched by a lot of clubs," Brian Kidd noted. "But do you really think he can handle the Premier League?"
After all, Hazard was still very young.
Gao Shen smiled. "Don't worry. He'll be fine."
Before Gao Shen's time travel, Hazard had built an excellent physique before joining Real Madrid.
He wasn't the tallest player, but even in the Premier League, he had no trouble holding his own against defenders in physical duels.
But after moving to Madrid, injuries started piling up, eventually taking a toll on his performances.
Gao Shen believed the reasons behind Hazard's decline were complex.
For one, playing for a club like Real Madrid came with immense pressure, the kind that most people couldn't even imagine. Many players simply couldn't handle it.
Spanish midfielder Asier Illarramendi had once admitted that playing for Real Madrid had nearly broken him.
Under relentless scrutiny, players became more susceptible to injuries. The more they tried to prove themselves, the more likely they were to overexert and make mistakes—trapping them in a vicious cycle.
There was also a tactical element at play, but that was a discussion for another time.
As Gao Shen had said before, the Premier League emphasized upper-body physical battles, while La Liga referees were stricter on physical contact, leading defenders to focus more on dispossessing players with their feet.
Transitioning between the two leagues took time.
And for Hazard, that adaptation period, combined with Real Madrid's chaotic environment and the crushing expectations placed on him, had led to his downfall.
Gao Shen didn't know if, in this timeline, Hazard would still struggle at Madrid.
But one thing was certain—Hazard was a world-class player.
…
Hazard arrived at the café with his girlfriend, Natasha, looking exhausted.
The moment he received a call from Lille's sporting director, Jean-Michel Van Damme, he rushed over without even finalizing his apartment rental.
As he walked in, he immediately spotted Gao Shen and his two companions.
The young Belgian, still panting from his rush, approached slowly. There was a hint of nervousness in his expression, his steps slightly hesitant.
Gao Shen, sitting with his back to the entrance, hadn't seen him enter. But Brian Kidd and Lucas, seated opposite him, noticed and gave him a heads-up. Gao Shen turned around and stood up.
"Nice to meet you, Eden. I'm Gao Shen," he said, removing his sunglasses and extending his hand with a smile.
"Hello… Hello, Mr. Gao, nice to meet you," Hazard stammered, clearly nervous, his breathing still uneven.
His reaction pleased Gao Shen, satisfying his vanity, Hazard was nervous upon meeting him!
Brian Kidd and Lucas exchanged amused glances. They often found it hard to understand Gao Shen's way of thinking. His actions sometimes seemed strange, but perhaps that was the key to his success.
After all, extraordinary people did extraordinary things and that was how they achieved what others couldn't.
Hazard quickly composed himself and introduced his girlfriend, Natasha, to Gao Shen and the others.
He then admitted that he was a die-hard Zidane fan and had been following Gao Shen's coaching career in recent years.
"Whether at Real Madrid or Napoli, your achievements have been incredible," Hazard said sincerely.
Though it was their first meeting, Gao Shen could tell that Hazard wasn't particularly talkative.
He didn't say much, but his genuine admiration was evident.
Gao Shen got straight to the point.
He told Hazard that he had watched his matches and video highlights from Ligue 1 and expressed his deep appreciation for his talent and ability.
The fact that Gao Shen was able to contact him directly indicated that Lille had already given permission for Manchester City to approach him. The French club's asking price for the Belgian winger was around €15 million—a negligible sum for Manchester City.
Sometimes, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel amazed at how money changed everything.
Back when he was coaching Napoli, he had to haggle over hundreds of thousands or a couple of million euros. But now, at Manchester City, €10 or €20 million barely mattered.
Of course, Brian Kidd was responsible for handling negotiations with Lille. Gao Shen didn't involve himself in the specifics of transfers—his only job was identifying the right players. Once he made his selections, Gary Cook and the club's management would take over discussions and finalize deals.
Gao Shen had built a reputation for developing young talent.
During his time at Napoli, he mentored some of the most exciting young prospects in European football, with an average squad age of just around 20 years old.
Sánchez started playing under Gao Shen at 18 and was now a world-class winger.
Di María, another world-class winger, had also grown under his guidance.
For young players like Hazard, Gao Shen was a living legend, more fascinating and influential than even Arsène Wenger.
Over the past three years, the media and internet had spread countless stories about Gao Shen's work with young players at Napoli, making him a topic of discussion among fans, journalists, and players alike.
Now, sitting across from him in person, Hazard couldn't help but feel thrilled.
"Mr. Gao, I'm really honored that you're interested in me, but I should mention that my parents and agent are involved in any transfer decisions," Hazard said politely.
"I understand," Gao Shen nodded with a smile. "But I didn't come here today to talk about your transfer."
"Not about a transfer?" Hazard was surprised.
Did he misread the situation?
"Eden, I came here today for one reason, I want to ask you a question." Gao Shen's eyes locked onto Hazard's, a smile playing on his lips.
"Go ahead," Hazard said humbly.
"Ever since you first started making a name for yourself, I'm sure you've dreamed of becoming the best player in the world, right?"
Hazard nodded.
Even if he hadn't thought about it before, after being scouted by Arsenal, Chelsea, and other top clubs, the ambition must have crossed his mind.
"You know, there are many players in this world with incredible talent but not all of them become the best."
"Talent only gives you a higher starting point than others. If you truly want to be the best, you'll have to push yourself further, make greater sacrifices, and endure hardships that most people can't even imagine."
Gao Shen's tone grew serious.
"I need to know, are you ready?"
He stared at Hazard, waiting for his answer.