Chapter 5

Thank you to "Yuye Lin," "Tiancai 00," "Niang Rao Kaochi," "Xiao Maoqiu," "Yunhai Yinyin," and "Wo Zai Diyu Yangwang Wo Jia" for your generous support!

--------------------

Qin Xiong has not met Tang Tian many times, but the care and concern Tang Tian has shown him are evident to all.

Since the age of 8, Qin Xiong has been taken care of by a guardian and nanny like Freddy. At 12, he started living in his own apartment. Additionally, his reasonable requests during his growth, such as wishing to travel and relax, were all granted and supported—treatment that other children did not receive.

Tang Tian made no effort to hide his fondness for Qin Xiong. Upon seeing him, he invited him to sit beside him and kindly inquired about his life over the past period.

Because Qin Xiong's diet was strictly planned, the lavish dishes at the birthday banquet did not meet his dietary standards. Tang Tian specially asked the chef to prepare several delicious vegetarian dishes.

After the banquet ended and the guests left, Tang Tian asked Freddy and Qin Xiong to stay behind and moved to the backyard to talk under the moonlight.

Tang Tian has three sons. The eldest and second son do not particularly like Qin Xiong and look down on him, especially since he plays football.

Only Tang Le has a very good impression of Qin Xiong. They used to play football together, but after Tang Le graduated from university and began to take over the family business, he naturally had little time for entertainment. It had been two years since he last saw Qin Xiong.

Seeing his first two sons voluntarily disappear, Tang Tian shook his head in the backyard and said to Tang Le, "Your elder brother and second brother have always opposed my investment in the Jiangcheng Youth Football Home over the past twenty years. What about you?"

Tang Le smiled and replied, "As long as Dad is happy, and it's a good thing, why not do it?"

"Why not do it? Why not do it! Yes, although you may not fully understand your father's original intention, at least your stance is correct. Yes, it's a good thing, why not do it?"

Tang Tian turned his gaze to Qin Xiong, who was sitting on a nanmu chair. He did not let Qin Xiong relax, knowing his character. Qin Xiong was not nervous at all, as usual.

"Qin Xiong, what do you think is the significance of football?"

Qin Xiong answered directly, "My life, my future, only depend on football. It is everything to me."

Tang Tian was taken aback, lost in thought.

Without football, can Qin Xiong not survive?

No, Qin Xiong can survive. He has a healthy body, and even if he does manual labor, he can live.

But what about the meaning of life?

There are too many people in the world who are unknown or busy with trivial matters, and their lives are no different from death.

Tang Tian's eyes fixed on Qin Xiong, and he said solemnly, "In my eyes, football has three positive meanings. First, it strengthens the body and fosters team spirit among young people. Second, as the world's number one sport, its industrial chain has a significant impact on the economy. Third, this is the decisive factor for my nearly twenty years of investment in the Jiangcheng Youth Football Home. Football can enhance the cohesion and pride of a country and a nation! There are many countries that are economically backward compared to China, but those countries can generate an enviable sense of pride through football. Not to mention when millions, even tens of millions, cheer for their national team, the scene deeply moved my heart.

Qin Xiong, you should remember the spectacular scene on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and last year, when millions of people in the small country of South Korea took to the streets, turning the world red. That was the voice of a nation, shaking the world. Before the World Cup, South Korea faced numerous crises, both politically and economically, which worried the people. However, the performance of the South Korean team during the World Cup united the entire nation, making them proud and proud! Qin Xiong, I don't know if you understand what I'm saying. I started from scratch and have been working hard for over thirty years. Even if I earn ten times my current wealth in the next thirty years, I still cannot make this nation proud or create the cohesion that Chinese people share! But you can! Liu Yi can, Zhang Pengfei can! You can use football as a stage to bring unprecedented pride and cohesion to our nation!

Perhaps this seems distant and unrealistic to you, but you have the opportunity to become a person who leaves a mark in history, while I do not have such an opportunity. I envy you, but I am also worried, fearing that you will go astray like many football talents in the past who were tempted by fame and fortune, lost themselves in the world of luxury, and became disabled before they could even run! They can never stand up again! Over the years, your growth and progress have made me happy. I hope that in the future, you will persist and set a higher dream for yourself, working tirelessly to achieve it and moving in that direction!"

Qin Xiong was silent.

Nation, nation.

He understood.

But he could not immediately feel the weight of the responsibility.

He is nothing yet!

When one is successful, one should benefit the world; when one is poor, one should cultivate oneself.

For Qin Xiong, who has nothing, all his attention is on his future. As for other things, sorry, he really cannot think too much about them.

Just as Tang Tian, with his billion-dollar fortune, can think about ideals and dreams.

But Qin Xiong must be down-to-earth. Thinking about other things is unrealistic.

Since the topic turned to football, Qin Xiong wanted to ask Tang Tian for help again!

He needed to leave China and go to Europe to find an opportunity to enter professional leagues.

He would not feel entitled to such an opportunity just because the Tang Group helped Liu Yi and Zhang Pengfei land in Europe. He would remember the Tang Group's help.

"Uncle Tang, it's your birthday today, but I didn't prepare a birthday gift for you..."

Qin Xiong's words were interrupted by Tang Tian's smile.

"You have no income, so what kind of birthday gift can you prepare? I'm already very happy that you came. On the contrary, I have a gift for you."

Saying this, Tang Tian beckoned to Tang Le, who went back into the house and soon returned with a file folder, which he handed directly to Qin Xiong.

Qin Xiong opened the file folder and carefully read it. The usually calm and composed Qin Xiong could not help but get excited, looking up at Tang Tian with disbelief.

"Uncle Tang, is this real?"

He turned to look at Freddy, wanting to share this news with him, but seeing Freddy's smiling face, which seemed unsurprised, he realized that Freddy had known about it all along!

The document in his hand contained a recommendation letter, recommending Qin Xiong to the Ajax club in the Netherlands for a trial. This opportunity came from Ajax's overseas satellite club!

It was clear that the Tang Group had made great efforts in this matter over the past period, securing this opportunity for Qin Xiong. There might even have been some form of exchange involved.

Tang Tian patted his shoulder and smiled kindly, "Go back and prepare well. Your flight is the day after tomorrow. We have already arranged your exit procedures. Qin Xiong, from the day you board the plane and leave China, your life will be completely in your own hands! You can only rely on yourself! Whether you disappoint me or not is not important, but you must not disappoint yourself!"

Qin Xiong nodded vigorously, said nothing more, and immediately got up to say goodbye, leaving with a light step. He needed to pack his bags and prepare to leave, to set out on his own path!

Tang Le got up to drive Qin Xiong back, leaving Tang Tian and Freddy alone in the backyard.

At this moment, Tang Tian put away his smile and asked seriously about Qin Xiong's situation.

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while outsiders see clearly.

Whether Qin Xiong's growth is good or not is not for him to decide, but for the coaches, teachers, and doctors who supervise and train him to make the judgment.

Freddy took out a detailed report from his briefcase and handed it to Tang Tian, which recorded Qin Xiong's growth over the past year.

"The overall trend is good, but it has slowed down compared to before. This indicates that the longer he stays in China after the age of 17, the more it hinders his growth. Now, his departure is not too late, and I think it is a good time."

Tang Tian nodded as he read through the report. Suddenly, he closed the file and asked with a serious expression, "I have always been worried about the potential risks of him going abroad. After all, he is a unique child. Do you remember that he was diagnosed with depression when he was young?"

Freddy also looked serious and said, "Yes, that's why we have paid extra attention to his growth, instilling a positive and optimistic mindset in him. Moreover, football itself has a role in educating young people about setbacks. After more than ten years, I believe Qin Xiong has grown strong enough, at least in the Chinese environment. However, if he goes to the more competitive and harsh European environment, it is difficult to predict how he will develop."