Chapter 62

"Four days have passed since the final of the Rio-São Paulo Championship, but the aftermath of the match has yet to subside. São Paulo won the last Rio-São Paulo Championship trophy by defeating Corinthians with a goal from the young Chinese player Rong... This final has made Corinthians a laughingstock, as media reports revealed that when Rong first arrived in Brazil, he originally intended to try out for Corinthians, but they refused to even let him in the door, and he ended up becoming a São Paulo player... As a result, his debut match was a 2-1 home victory for São Paulo over Corinthians. Now, in the final of the Rio-São Paulo Championship, he has directly ended Corinthians' hopes of winning..."

"Being defeated by a player they once rejected and losing the championship, Corinthians is truly tragic... The club's football director, Edvar Simões, is now in trouble. In a multi-racial society like Brazil, the exposure of a racial discrimination scandal is indeed shameful... There are rumors that Duaribe wants Simões to resign voluntarily, so everyone can save face..."

"The latest news is that Edvar Simões, the football director of Corinthians, formally submitted his resignation to club president Duaribe last night and was immediately approved... It is said that Corinthians made this decision to protect the club's image... I think if Simões hadn't made racist remarks, he wouldn't have had to resign... Rong is truly terrifying. Not only can he defeat Corinthians on the field, but he can also make Corinthians look bad off the field! His debut match led to the dismissal of Corinthians' head coach, Jairzinho. Now, Simões has followed in Jairzinho's footsteps..."

Godo saw the latest news about this on TV and laughed heartily, slapping his thighs in excitement.

He loved seeing this, especially Simões' misfortune.

How dare you treat me so arrogantly back then?

If you have the nerve, keep it up!

Watching Simões being surrounded and harassed by journalists, Godo felt very satisfied.

This is the consequence of offending me, your future big-name agent! Hahaha!

※※※

Rong Guang didn't know that the club's football director who once looked down on him had already resigned.

At this moment, he was continuing his special training on the lakeside park's tree-lined path.

Although he had scored a brilliant goal against Corinthians, perfectly showcasing the results of his special training,

Rong Guang knew that it was just one goal and didn't mean much.

To truly master this skill, he needed to continue training.

This was why he wanted to stay in Brazil.

Time was running out!

The morning sun was bright, and the weather in São Paulo was always so good.

Sweat on Rong Guang's face reflected the sunlight, shining with a golden glow, and as he moved, these golden droplets were flung out, like twinkling stars around him.

He was still reciting the incantations taught by the old sage while dribbling the ball.

Now, he was falling less often.

As he ran, the ball suddenly broke free from the net and rolled forward—the net had worn out again.

Rong Guang paused, not chasing after it, and the ball stopped when it hit someone's foot.

"Uh, sorry..." Rong Guang looked up, his expression turning to surprise: "Old Sage?!"

Standing opposite him was the old sage, dressed in white, with white hair and beard!

The old sage smiled at Rong Guang.

Seeing the old sage, Rong Guang was very happy and started gesturing excitedly: "I've been looking for you these past few days, Old Sage! You know, I won the championship! I'm the Rio-São Paulo champion! I scored a very crucial goal in the match! It was all thanks to your special training! They were all stunned! Haha!"

Seeing Rong Guang so excited, the old sage kept smiling and didn't interrupt him.

After he finished, the old sage spoke.

"Do you want to try an even better special training, kid?"

Rong Guang was taken aback. He had just said he wanted to stay in Brazil to improve himself, and now the old sage was here to help him achieve his dream... He must be a sage! Only a sage could hear his wishes and come to help him!

"Old Sage, you're amazing! How did you know I wanted to become stronger?"

The old sage chuckled, stroking his beard, looking mysterious and wise.

Rong Guang was even more in awe of the old sage.

The old sage's special training had indeed helped him improve, and now he was offering even better training. Rong Guang had no doubts at all. He asked, "Where will we train? Here, Old Sage?"

The old sage shook his head: "No, no, this time we're going somewhere farther away, and you won't be able to come home every day."

"Where are we going?" Rong Guang asked.

"To a place by the sea!"

※※※

After finishing his special training at the lakeside park, Rong Guang returned home.

Until he opened the door, he was still thinking about how to tell Godo that he would be away from home for half a month.

He knew that although Godo agreed to his special training, he still had a deep-seated disdain for the old sage and was resistant to him.

Rong Guang didn't care about who was right or wrong; he thought both were right.

But he needed the old sage's special training, and he really needed it. Godo, his agent, couldn't help him improve quickly, but the old sage could.

However, if he told Godo honestly, he would most likely not agree...

What excuse could he use?

He had just said he wanted to train to improve himself, and now he was saying he wanted to go on a trip?

That would be too fake, right?

Rong Guang was troubled, opened the door, and didn't see Godo in the living room.

Is Godo not here?

He closed the door and walked to his bedroom to change and take a shower.

At that moment, he heard Godo's angry voice from the next room: "No! I said no! Why not? Because I'm your father! I need to ensure your safety..."

Hearing this, Rong Guang shook his head and walked into his room. After closing the door, Godo's angry voice became much quieter.

Rong Guang was already used to this side of Godo.

Although Godo was usually very kind to him, Rong Guang rarely saw him get angry, except for the special training incident.

The only time he saw Godo so emotional was when he was on the phone with his daughter.

Speaking of his daughter... Rong Guang was living in a three-bedroom apartment. Rong Guang had one bedroom, Godo had the master bedroom, and the third bedroom was always closed.

Rong Guang had never been inside, but he knew it was Godo's daughter's bedroom.

Rong Guang had been in Brazil for almost half a year and had never met Godo's daughter, only seen her photos in Godo's wallet.

That was back in China, when Godo was teaching Rong Guang Portuguese. During breaks, they would sit on a hillside covered in dirt, looking into the distance while practicing Portuguese.

Godo gradually told him many things about himself and Brazil, but some things Rong Guang understood, and some he didn't.

Godo didn't care and just kept talking.

His good friend Choi Ho had left, and Godo was left alone in the village. Apart from Rong Guang, he didn't know anyone else. If he didn't keep talking, Godo would have gone crazy.

During that time, Godo talked about many things, including his daughter and wife.

Godo's wife had passed away from illness ten years ago, and he had never remarried, raising his daughter alone.

Rong Guang never thought that this fat uncle could be so devoted...

In Godo's home, Rong Guang often saw photos of Godo's wife, a beautiful blonde. Standing next to her was a young Godo, who, despite now weighing over 200 pounds, was once a fit athlete. Together, they always gave off a "Beauty and the Beast" vibe.

It was in China that Godo showed Rong Guang a photo of his daughter.

Later, when Rong Guang came to Brazil, he noticed that Godo's wife and daughter looked a lot alike, but their hair colors were different. Godo's wife had blonde hair, while his daughter had brown hair, a result of being mixed-race.

In the photo, Godo's daughter was a young girl in her teens, radiating youth, and her smile was brighter than the sun.

"How about it? Isn't my daughter beautiful?" Godo said proudly. "But I warn you, don't even think about her!"

Rong Guang rolled his eyes. He wasn't interested in a twenty-year-old woman—Godo had told him that his daughter was in college and had just turned twenty. At fifteen, a woman five years older than him was indeed a "mature woman" to him...

Godo really cared about his precious daughter.

He called her once a week, but she rarely called him.

Most of their calls followed a fixed pattern: they would start with some casual talk about life and studies, and the atmosphere would be harmonious. But they always ended in an argument.

Rong Guang could hear Godo shouting into the phone from his bedroom through two doors.

The reason for the arguments was always the same: Godo, as a father, was too controlling, which made his daughter unhappy.

They would argue over the same things every time, and Rong Guang found it quite speechless...

He couldn't understand Godo's daughter. When he was in the mountains, his parents worked away from home and only came back for the New Year. He longed to hear from his parents every week... Godo's daughter had the opportunity but didn't cherish it, truly living in happiness without appreciating it!

※※※

When Rong Guang was about to take a shower, he opened the door and saw that Godo's bedroom door was open, with a large suitcase on the bed, and Godo was packing.

"Where are you going, Godo?" Rong Guang was curious.

"To Brasília!" Godo said, busy without turning around.

"Uh... Why are you going there?"

"I'm worried about Débora. I need to keep an eye on her. She's planning to go to the Amazon rainforest with a group of boys to study some Indian tribes... Damn! She's studying media marketing, not sociology! Why study Indians? Those guys must want to take advantage of my daughter! I have to stop her!"

Rong Guang's question seemed to open the floodgates for Godo. He kept talking while packing, explaining everything to Rong Guang.

Seeing this worried father, Rong Guang suddenly thought that if Godo left, he could leave too.

He wouldn't have to think of a lie anymore.

※※※

When Rong Guang came out of the shower, Godo had finished packing. The suitcase was in the living room, and Godo was waiting there.

Seeing Rong Guang come out of the bathroom with a towel on his wet hair, Godo came over.

"Here's some money. Go out to eat, don't cook at home. You need to consider your nutrition... When you run out of money, here's a card. Go to the bank to withdraw more. You'll have to make do for a while. I'll bring Débora back in a few days, and then I'll introduce you two. Otherwise, you only know about her through me..."

Hearing that Godo would only be gone for a few days, Rong Guang was a bit disappointed. He didn't know if a few days would be enough for the old sage's special training.

If Godo came back and he was still at the beach... would Godo think he was lost?

Godo didn't notice Rong Guang's expression.

He was completely focused on his daughter. As his only family, he cared about her more than anything else.

"Are you leaving now?"

Rong Guang asked.

Godo nodded: "I've booked the earliest flight to Brasília and called a taxi. You'll have to take care of yourself for a while..."

He seemed very anxious, eager to leave.

Rong Guang noticed his mood and quickly nodded: "Don't worry, Godo. I'm not an idiot. I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry about me... Also, I think you should spend more time with your daughter, not just call her once a week..."

He actually hoped Godo would spend more time with his daughter.

Unexpectedly, Godo looked at Rong Guang for a moment, making him think his true intentions were exposed...

"I'll consider your advice, Rong. But now I have to persuade her to come back. When I bring her back, I'll take you out to relax. Don't be too tense. Goodbye, Rong! Take care of yourself, I'll be back soon!"

Before he finished speaking, Rong Guang had already turned and walked out the door, and the last words came through the door crack after he closed it.

He must be in a hurry, not wanting to waste a second, anxious and worried...

Rong Guang looked at the closed door and rubbed his chin, thinking.

But will Godo really come back soon...

He prayed that Godo's daughter would help him keep Godo away for a bit longer.