Chapter 24

"… Regarding Rong… I am pleased with his performance, and I believe he contributed a lot to the team today… However, I am sorry, I cannot tell you more. Winning this match is the result of the entire team's effort…"

On the TV, the post-match press conference that had taken place earlier was being broadcast live.

Facing the journalists' relentless questions about Rong Guang, São Paulo's head coach Oswaldo Oliveira appeared somewhat flustered.

He kept talking about the whole team, but the journalists kept asking about Rong Guang.

The table in front of him was piled high with microphones and recorders bearing different logos, the number of which clearly showed how interested the journalists were in Rong Guang.

This match was the "Austere Derby" between São Paulo and Corinthians, a major confrontation in São Paulo State, and a highlight of the season, which was already highly anticipated.

Now, with the emergence of a new star, Rong Guang, the journalists were like sharks following a slave ship, sensing the scent of blood and persistently trailing and纠缠不休.

Oswaldo Oliveira found his efforts to be in vain; the journalists were not interested in Kaka's injury, the significance of the victory for São Paulo, or his past with Corinthians. They were solely focused on getting information about Rong Guang.

He decided to refuse to answer any questions about Rong Guang, citing the need to "protect young players."

"I don't want Rong to be disturbed by you, so I will not answer any more questions about him," Oswaldo Oliveira said seriously.

He couldn't tell the journalists that he himself didn't know much about Rong Guang…

"This is the scene from the post-match press conference of today's 'Austere Derby'… This match might be the most attention-grabbing 'Austere Derby' in recent years, and the match itself was also legendary! Thirty minutes into the game, Kaka suddenly got injured, plunging the Morumbi Stadium into a deathly silence… At this moment, a mysterious young player suddenly appeared! He is São Paulo's number 33, a number that was meaningless before the match but is now a symbol of a miracle! As for what exactly happened… I don't think I need to say more; anyone who watched the game knows… Some say Corinthians lost to number 33 alone, and I think this statement is entirely correct!"

The scene returned to the news studio.

A blonde woman, a revealingly dressed news anchor, was posing in front of the camera, reporting the news.

Rong Guang sat on the sofa in the living room, grinning widely as he watched the TV.

It was unclear whether he was delighted by the high praise or by the deep cleavage and a glimpse of white from the female anchor's chest…

In Godo's half-open bedroom, the sound of his confident voice could be heard as he negotiated face-to-face interview times with the journalists.

Since they returned, Godo's phone had not stopped ringing, one call after another.

Some were asking for information about Rong Guang, while others were directly requesting interviews.

For Godo, who had been an agent for nearly twenty years, he had never received such treatment.

So many journalists were vying to interview him and were willing to wait for his availability.

The sound of a door opening came from behind, but Rong Guang, still watching the TV report about himself, did not turn his head and asked, "All settled, Godo?"

Godo threw his phone onto the sofa.

"It's dead." Godo plopped down next to Rong Guang and watched TV with him.

"You can charge it."

"Forget it, this is enough. I estimate that after I give the interviews tomorrow, at least twenty media outlets will report on your inspiring journey from China to Brazil, Rong."

"Godo, does this mean I'm famous now?" Rong Guang asked.

"Of course! One goal to fame! This is what every player dreams of!" The thought of so many journalists surrounding him made Godo a bit excited. "Not to mention tomorrow, maybe your photos will be on the newspapers the day after! In a while, you might need to wear sunglasses when you go out. Do you want to start practicing your autograph now?"

"Great idea!"

Rong Guang jumped off the sofa, rummaged through the drawers, and found a piece of white paper and a pencil, then began to practice diligently at the table.

He was all talk and action.

Godo watched him write slowly on the paper and couldn't help but shake his head.

Who signs like that?

How long would it take to sign for ten fans?

However, he didn't say anything to correct him. Given Rong Guang's elementary school education, it would take time. He would get faster with practice…

※※※

When Godo got out of bed, he found that Rong Guang had already prepared breakfast, but he was gone.

Godo was not surprised.

Rong Guang went out for morning exercise every day, came back to eat breakfast, and then went to training.

Even on rest days, he never missed a day.

His outstanding performance as a substitute yesterday was inseparable from his consistent and hard training.

Godo sat at the dining table, eating while turning on the TV to watch the news.

It was still talking about last night's "Austere Derby."

Naturally, Rong Guang was the focus of everyone's discussion.

"… Corinthians was defeated by a rookie who has only been playing football for a little over a month, which is really laughable!"

In the news, a São Paulo fan who was interviewed laughed heartily.

Clearly, the media had already spread the information they had about Rong Guang.

Everyone knew that the substitute number 33 who played yesterday was a rookie who had only been playing football for a little over a month.

Godo laughed when he heard this, thinking about how Edvar Simões would react… But no one knew yet about Rong Guang's past with Corinthians.

But it didn't matter; everyone would know after he gave the interviews today!

※※※

Rong Guang sat by the roadside, watching the surging crowd, taking a break.

He was a bit disappointed.

When he ran from home, he started out with high spirits, but now he felt like a wilted eggplant because not a single person recognized him on the way!

The news yesterday was so hyped that he thought he had become famous overnight in all of São Paulo.

"I even chose this crowded route on purpose…" he muttered dejectedly.

Rong Guang adjusted his morning run route today.

In the past, he always ran around the lake—near Godo's apartment was a large park with an artificial lake, dense forests, and vast grasslands. The lakeside had an artificial beach where people often played football and sunbathed.

São Paulo is not by the sea, so residents who wanted to enjoy the beach had to come to such artificial beaches.

In fact, artificial beaches were very popular in Brazil because of a very popular sport—beach soccer.

Initially, it was beach soccer, but after conflicts arose between tourists and players, beach soccer gradually decreased. Beach volleyball became more common on the beaches, while beach soccer moved to artificial beaches, no longer limited to the seaside.

Rong Guang usually ran around the lake, about five to six kilometers, which was perfect for warming up. But today, he didn't take this route.

He chose to run through the crowded downtown area.

He thought he would encounter many people who recognized him and would stop him to ask for autographs and photos, just like the celebrities on TV who could cause a commotion wherever they went.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

He ran through the crowd, and no one recognized him.

Rong Guang suddenly noticed a newsstand across the street, where people occasionally stopped to buy a newspaper and read it as they walked.

Rong Guang remembered that his photo would definitely be in the newspapers.

So, he crossed the street and went to the newsstand.

He didn't go up to it but stood next to it, hoping that people who bought newspapers would recognize him after reading them.

He wanted to experience the feeling of being a celebrity.

To maintain his celebrity demeanor, he kept a smile on his face.

Unfortunately, even with his face almost frozen in a smile, no one came up to him and said, "Are you Rong? I'm your fan! Your performance yesterday was amazing!"

Instead, the newsstand owner noticed him and glared, "Buying a newspaper?"

Rong Guang, glared at, could only say "Oh" and went up to buy a copy of the "Lance," then quickly walked away with the newspaper under his arm.

Even the newsstand owner didn't recognize him!

Reality was truly cruel…

Rong Guang, who had come out to run early in the morning, fully experienced this.

When Rong Guang left with the newspaper, the newsstand owner suddenly frowned.

"Strange, that person seemed familiar… Where have I seen him?"

※※※

Rong Guang returned to Godo's apartment, opened the "Lance," and found that his photo was indeed in the most prominent position, but it was just a back view!

There was his number and name, but no front view of his face, and the headline was "Who is He?"

"Damn!" He threw the newspaper on the table in frustration. "Just a back view, how can anyone recognize me!"

Godo burst out laughing when he saw the photo.

He finally understood what Rong Guang had been doing.

"Did anyone ask for your autograph, Rong?" He teased Rong Guang, knowing the answer from his expression.

Sure enough, Rong Guang said dejectedly, "Not at all!"

Then he vented his frustration on the food, finishing two large plates of breakfast.

Godo was already used to Rong Guang's big appetite.

After filling his stomach, Rong Guang pulled out a stack of white paper and a pencil and began to write diligently.

Turning his sorrow into strength, he continued to practice his signature.