"Gu! You're amazing!"
"Haha! Gu! You scored twice and assisted once, you're now the top scorer in the team!"
"Did you know? Our school's internal forum is going crazy!"
"The news of our 3-1 victory over Triangle River has spread across the campus forum!"
"The campus forum is flooded with posts praising Gu!"
"Gu! You're now the school's biggest star! Most of the posts are confessions to you!"
"F*ck! The forum crashed! Gu, you even took down the school's server!"
"Gu, you bastard! Almost all the girls in school are obsessed with you!"
"And even some female teachers!"
The players chattered, filled with envy.
This kind of spectacle was something they had never experienced before!
After all, the last time the Bucks Horns team made it to the national top eight was during Coach Carter's playing days.
Even Gu Ran himself was a bit surprised.
Damn...
Now it seems I can't even sneak into school over the wall...
I guess I really need to learn from Anne Hathaway on how to maintain a normal relationship with fans.
Sigh, I really don't want to be a big star.
I really don't want any female fans!
How many female fans actually understand football?
There must be some, but definitely not as many as male fans!
Although this sounds a bit strange, I'd rather have male fans chasing me...
I just want to play football quietly!
And... please don't make me pay for the school's server!
"No, no! Gu, you must treat us tonight!"
"Yes! We're going to the best bar in London! We're drinking the most expensive drinks!"
"Damn... no! Don't let Gu treat us! He'll outdo us!"
"Exactly! Don't let Gu treat us!"
Thinking of the terrifying training sessions a few days ago, all the Bucks Horns players couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Three intense sessions a day!
Who the hell can handle that?
Gu Ran looked puzzled, "What's wrong? I genuinely want to treat you all to drinks. Don't always think about saving money for me."
Watergate said angrily, "Who's saving money for you? We're just afraid you'll retaliate with your crazy training sessions!"
Gu Ran was startled and quickly explained, "I'm not retaliating because you spent too much! You guys, a dozen of you, spent only two thousand pounds on a night out at the bar. I thought you were holding back!"
Watergate was surprised, "So, you're not training us hard because we spent too much?"
Gu Ran smiled, "Of course not! I'm not short on money!"
"YEAH!!!"
"Gu! Good brother!"
"Haha! I knew it, my brother isn't that petty!"
"Now we can relax!"
The Bucks Horns players cheered and high-fived each other.
Then Gu Ran said seriously, "No matter how much you spend at the bar, entertainment is entertainment, and training is training. Whether you spend two thousand or twenty thousand pounds, I will still train hard."
—When Gu Ran first joined the team, his physical fitness was a fatal flaw, so naturally, his training volume couldn't be high.
Now, Gu Ran's physical attributes, especially his stamina, have improved rapidly, so his training volume must keep up.
Otherwise, how could he gain more attention from professional clubs in the next three matches?
And how could he be worthy of a goddess-level superstar like Anne Hathaway?
Right, I don't want to be a big star, I want to be worthy of a big star...
Thinking this, Gu Ran couldn't help but smile slightly.
Gu Ran's words, along with his subtle smile, left all the Bucks Horns players dumbfounded.
...This is insane!
We just defeated Triangle River, coached by Lampard, and Gu Ran is already thinking about intense training again!
It has nothing to do with how much we spend...
He's still going to train hard...
And next time, it might be even more intense...
...God!
This is just too crazy!
The Bucks Horns players were all inwardly complaining, wishing they could kill Gu Ran with their eyes.
Just then, Coach Carter walked in excitedly with a stack of technical statistics.
"Well done, my boys!"
Coach Carter came in and patted each of the Bucks Horns players on the shoulder, "Haha! We won! We're now in the national top eight! My boys, you were all fantastic!"
Bucks Horns players: ...
Thinking about the intense training sessions with Gu Ran, the Bucks Horns players couldn't get excited.
Coach Carter was shocked, "Hiss... You're all so calm about this victory? Good! You've all matured! I thought you'd be so excited after defeating Lampard, tying the school's best record, and making it to the national top eight that you wouldn't know your own names! Haha! Good, good! This is great! You must be thinking the same as me: what's the big deal about the national top eight? Our goal is—"
Coach Carter looked around eagerly, waiting for the Bucks Horns players to respond.
But no one did.
Coach Carter awkwardly cleared his throat, "Yes, our next goal is—to make history and reach the national top four! As long as we win the next match, all of you will have the chance to be selected by professional clubs arranged by the English Football Association, or you can enter university sports departments as sports scholarship students!"
Hearing this, all the Bucks Horns players' eyes lit up.
Indeed, they are now in the top eight, which is already one of the best results in the school's hundred-year history, but only by reaching the national top four can they gain real benefits and advantages, and with official support!
It's worth noting that except for Gu Ran, the academic performance of the Bucks Horns players is quite poor.
But as long as they make it to the top four, they can be guaranteed admission to university, earn a university diploma, or choose not to attend university and directly enter professional clubs for a year of trial training arranged by the Football Association.
This is the upward mobility channel.
If a system doesn't have an upward mobility channel, it will eventually collapse.
As the birthplace of modern football, England has been using this widespread selection method from national high school championships for over a hundred years.
This is why every high school in England values the recruitment and cultivation of football talent, which is also an important part of the enrollment rate index.
Over time, this has formed a virtuous cycle.
This virtuous cycle ensures a continuous flow of football talent and the progressive development of football.
Youth training, of course, requires financial support, professional equipment, professional coaches, and professional football philosophy.
But these are just superficial conditions.
The core is how to provide upward mobility for young people who play football.
In China, young people who want to play football don't have the conditions in ordinary schools.
Not only is there immense academic pressure and insufficient after-school time, but the schools' lack of emphasis is also a significant issue.
Chinese schools pursue enrollment rates, so unless youth football championships, high school football leagues, and cups are tied to enrollment rates, schools won't be willing to invest time and money in these activities. Even if they do, it's often just for show.
In China, children who want to play football have to rely on their families to spend a lot of money to send them to specialized football schools. Most of these schools charge exorbitant tuition fees, turning football into a business, with every aspect of football permeated by profit.
China's youth football system has never been truly established, largely because it lacks this upward mobility channel.
This is also why Gu Ran had never truly been exposed to football before studying abroad.
Youth training is the key to a country's football development.
But without solving the upward mobility issue, without making ordinary families realize that their children can enter prestigious universities or be selected by professional clubs by playing football well at school, and without making school principals realize that football can also improve enrollment rates, so-called youth training is just a superficial project.
...Thinking this, Gu Ran couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
When Coach Carter mentioned the benefits of reaching the top four, the other Bucks Horns players immediately got excited again:
"Charge! Charge! Charge!"
"Make it to the top four!"
"We're going to set the highest record for Southampton High School!"
"Good!" Coach Carter nodded in satisfaction, then turned and grabbed Gu Ran's shoulders tightly, "Gu! Your performance today was fantastic! It was such a pleasant surprise! You've once again proven that you're a once-in-a-century, no, a once-in-a-millennium football genius! I can't wait to introduce you to the world! Really! But..."
Coach Carter pressed Gu Ran's shoulders a bit harder, "Don't rush, Gu, really don't rush. Trust me, okay?"
Coach Carter's tone even had a hint of pleading.
Gu Ran immediately said, "Yes, Coach, I won't rush."
Gu Ran knew his position very well.
Currently, his physical attributes are at most semi-professional level, and he might not even be able to stand firm in the lowest professional league.
Moreover, his skills are still rough. The reason these matches were won so smoothly was partly due to the effective use of star skills at the right moments, and partly because Coach Carter's defensive counter-attack system, centered around Gu Ran, suited his current situation.
Therefore, Gu Ran was well aware of the gap between himself and professional players.
The top priority was to steadily improve, continue to use the remaining knockout matches to enrich himself, solidify his foundation, and step by step move in the right direction.
So, there was really no need to rush.
Seeing Gu Ran so composed, Coach Carter was very pleased.
"Alright! Now I have an announcement: Our next match for the top four will be in six days, on June 15th. The Football Association hasn't released the specific schedule yet, so today you can all go and celebrate. Tomorrow morning, I'll have the drummer send the opponent's specific information to your emails. Tomorrow and the day after, the team is off!"
"YEAH!!!"
The Bucks Horns players cheered happily:
"We're off! Let's hit the bars!"
"Haha! Gu Ran's treating!"
"Today we're drinking to our hearts' content! Only the most expensive drinks!"
"Right, since he's going to make us train hard anyway, today we're finding the most expensive bar in London! Spending tens of thousands of pounds!"
"Hahaha..."
Gu Ran shook his head and smiled: Look at you guys, so easily satisfied!
Coach Carter frowned upon hearing this, "I don't mind you going out to celebrate, but not in London. You must return to Southampton with me. I've already booked the train tickets! No one is allowed to leave the team without permission! Otherwise, don't come back to the Bucks Horns!"
Hearing this, the Bucks Horns players all wilted.
In the locker room, Coach Carter's words were absolute commands.
Everyone had to obey.
Gu Ran's heart sank.
If we're not allowed to leave the team, how am I supposed to have dinner and spend the night with the goddess?
Gu Ran opened his mouth, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Coach Carter quickly asked gently, "Gu, do you have something to say?"
Gu Ran quickly said, "It's nothing, Coach. I was just thinking... never mind."
Coach Carter said, "It's okay, Gu, if you have something to say, just say it!"
Gu Ran smiled sheepishly, "Coach, I was thinking of asking for leave to stay in London, but since you don't allow it, forget it."
Coach Carter frowned, "Gu, you want to stay in London? You're not thinking of... Lampard, are you?"
Damn!
Coach, how could you think that?
I'm actually doing it for Anne Hathaway!
Gu Ran quickly explained, "No, no, Coach, I promise you, I'm not interested in Lampard anymore. I actually want to... cough, have dinner with my life assistant in London."
"Oh, oh!" Coach Carter immediately relaxed and grinned, "So it's a date with a beauty! Haha, good! Then it's no problem. You can leave the team directly and return to training after the holiday—during the holiday, be sure to stay safe, maintain your stamina, and don't overdo it."
Damn?
Coach, you actually agreed?
Didn't you say anyone who leaves the team without permission will be kicked out?
This... giving me special treatment, I'm almost embarrassed!
And... what do you mean by overdo it?
Coach, you must have misunderstood!
I'm not that kind of person!
Gu Ran quickly said, "Thank you, Coach!"
Coach Carter smiled brightly, "You're welcome!"
Watergate said indignantly, "Coach! Why can Gu Ran leave the team?"
Coach Carter frowned and shouted, "Because he's Gu Ran! Because he scored twice and assisted once today! Because he single-handedly dragged the Bucks Horns to the national top eight! Are you satisfied with that answer?"
Watergate shrank his neck and smiled awkwardly, "Satisfied, satisfied."
Coach Carter scanned the room with sharp eyes, "Anyone else unsatisfied?"
The entire Bucks Horns team nodded, "Satisfied, satisfied!"
Gu Ran quickly said, "Sorry, everyone, I really need to stay in London for the night. It's very important to me. Although I can't return to Southampton with you, and although I can't go to the bar with you to drink, you can spend as much as you want, my treat. Just remember to give me the bill."
Watergate frowned, "Gu, are you really willing to leave us brothers behind?"
...Of course!
Gu Ran sighed, "I don't want to either."
Rusty asked in confusion, "Gu, the bars are full of beautiful women. Such a great opportunity to pick up girls, and you're giving it up?"
Gu Ran shrugged, "I don't know how to pick up girls, Rusty. You work hard."
Rusty nodded vigorously, "Okay!"
Coach Carter waved his hand, "Alright, everyone, hurry up and shower and change. We're leaving here as soon as possible!"
"Yes!"
The players rushed to the showers.
While showering, Gu Ran briefly summarized today's pickups:
He still had one pickup opportunity left, and one talent point unused.
Since most of the day had passed and the football match was over, it seemed unlikely he'd get a football-related bubble with the last pickup.
Should I use it on Anne Hathaway?
No, no.
I'd rather make Anne happy.
...
About ten minutes later.
The entire Bucks Horns team swaggered out of St. Paul's Boys' School gate.
Anne followed closely beside Gu Ran. Although her facial expression couldn't be seen, her body language showed she was very happy.
Bringing Anne to watch the game was indeed a better way to alleviate her depression than having her lick plates.
"Gu, goodbye! Don't overdo it!"
"See you the day after tomorrow! Don't overdo it!"
"Gu, we're leaving! Don't overdo it!"
"Gu, remember not to overdo it, okay?"
"Hehehe... when you do it, don't overdo it!"
The Bucks Horns' mischievous friends winked at Gu Ran as they boarded the bus.
Gu Ran really wanted to punch each of them.
The Bucks Horns' bus drove off towards London train station.
Anne breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked curiously, "Gu, why did they all tell you not to overdo it? What exactly is 'it'?"
'It' is...
Gu Ran cleared his throat and said seriously, "...Training."
"Oh, oh!" Anne suddenly understood and said earnestly, "They're right. You just finished a match, you really shouldn't train. As your life assistant, I'll supervise you."
Gu Ran: ...
"Let's take a taxi."
"Okay!"
"But it's still early for dinner. How about we go shopping first?"
If we eat too early, then after dinner, there would still be time to return to Southampton. How would there be a chance to get a room?
Anne nodded repeatedly, "Great, great! I rarely went shopping before; my assistant always bought things for me. It's wonderful that you can accompany me shopping today! By the way, Gu, are you tired?"
Gu Ran smiled, "Of course not. Not to mention shopping, even if it's... cough, anyway, I'm not tired at all."
Anne said happily, "Then I'm relieved."
Gu Ran hailed a taxi and gave the destination...
Half an hour later.
Frank Lampard, who had just lost his first coaching match 1-3, drove back to the club on Fulham Road.
Lampard parked his car and walked straight to the assistant coach's office.
"Hey, Frank?!"
In the office, a bespectacled, muscular black man in a fitted blue suit stood up in surprise to greet him, "I heard you went to coach a high school team? How was your first coaching experience? Did you win big?"
This man was Michael Kevin Emenalo, the current first-team scout and assistant coach of Chelsea Football Club!
Lampard plopped down on the sofa and smiled awkwardly, "Don't mention it, Michael. I lost 1-3."
Emenalo adjusted his glasses and grinned, "Haha, that's a good joke. Look, I'm almost laughing myself to death."
Lampard shrugged, "It's not a joke. I really lost."
Emenalo's mouth fell open in shock, "...Okay, so the other team must be strong."
Lampard said, "No, they're a weak team. They've only made it to the national top eight once in a hundred years, and today was the second time."
Emenalo: ...
I don't even know how to save face here.
Lampard smiled and said, "But I'm not disappointed at all, really. After the match, I should have gone home to rest and prepare for tomorrow's national team departure, but I couldn't shake a thought, so I came to find you."
Emenalo was puzzled, "What... thought?"
Lampard said seriously, "The school team that defeated me is very unremarkable; I can hardly remember their name, Bucks Horns. But they have a left-back named Gu Ran, a young Chinese guy. He's only been playing football for less than a month, but his awareness is excellent, his football IQ is high, and when he sprints, it's like watching Bale—although he's still far from Bale's speed, I dare say, Bale at 17 might not have been faster than him."
"Moreover, what amazed me even more was that Gu Ran can shoot beautiful long-range goals and deliver decisive through passes to his teammates! I think his playing style is very similar to mine. Yes, I'm his fan—no, I mean, he's my fan. He was the key player who single-handedly dominated the entire match!"
Lampard got more and more excited as he spoke!
Emenalo was somewhat amused, "Frank, you're talking about an amateur high school match. No need to get so excited, right? And, only been playing football for a month? That's impossible."
Lampard said, "You wouldn't get excited seeing a pile of rotten stones, but when you find a gem among them, you can't help but get excited! Michael, trust me, Gu Ran has a vision and game intelligence far beyond his peers. He's a genius engine-type player, and he will grow into one of the world's rarest B2B defenders!"
Emenalo laughed, "Alright, Frank. If he's really as good as you say, you should invite him to our Chelsea youth team for a trial."
Lampard sighed, "I did. But..."
Emenalo was surprised, "No way? He turned you down? Turned down Chelsea?"
Lampard said, "No, he didn't directly refuse me, but he didn't seem particularly excited about my invitation. Moreover, when I invited him, his school team coach—a very annoying guy—suddenly came over and interrupted our conversation. I could sense that the coach clearly didn't want me to talk to Gu Ran—maybe the coach wants to introduce Gu Ran to another professional club."
Emenalo nodded with a serious expression.
Lampard, after all, is a high-IQ player; this analysis is reliable.
"So," Lampard continued, "my invitation might not have been formal enough, and Gu Ran might not want a youth team trial contract. I want you to convince that woman to offer him a formal youth team professional contract through Chelsea's official channels."
...That woman.
Emenalo, who played rugby, instinctively hugged his head and then smiled helplessly, "Frank, you know that woman wouldn't pay attention to a Chinese kid who's only played amateur matches. She only likes to poach already famous players because when Mr. Abramovich hears about a famous player joining Chelsea, he gets especially happy. If I tell her about an amateur player, before I can even finish my sentence, she'll directly say NO to me, and when she says NO, the whole Premier League knows it's a real NO."
Lampard also smiled helplessly, "Yes, I know, that's why we call her the Premier League's NO Sister. But, Michael, your words carry weight with her. You'll eventually become Chelsea's technical director, and NO Sister will listen to your suggestions on poaching players. Michael, I think you can keep this from NO Sister for now. Go watch the kid play a match yourself, do some background checks. If you agree with my assessment, then submit a professional scouting report to NO Sister. If after watching the match you still think the kid is nothing special, then forget I mentioned it."
Emenalo laughed, "Frank, take my advice, this is a waste of effort."
Lampard smiled, "Brother, just do me this favor."
Emenalo pondered for a moment, "...Alright, for you, Frank."
"Thank you."
The two hugged each other.
...
(End of Chapter)