Chapter 10

Dina was originally unwilling to attend such gatherings. Although for Westerners, parties are as common as daily meals, with small gatherings every three days and large ones every five, this had nothing to do with her personality. It was simply that mice have their own holes, and snakes have their own paths. She really didn't want to mingle with those so-called socialites who talked endlessly about art while subtly or not so subtly showing off their jewelry. Compared to this, she would rather spend her time with her well-behaved daughter or practice yoga.

However, Dina eventually came, with the condition that Lin Sen must serve as her free tour guide during the summer. The host city for this year's Olympics happened to be Beijing.

Lin Sen's impression of China was no longer very clear. He only attended primary school in China before moving to Europe with his parents, traveling through several European countries—England, Germany, France... He had almost visited all the major European countries. This rich experience had its benefits: Lin Sen was familiar with these countries and mastered several languages that would make others headache. The cost was that he had few friends. After all, friendship requires time to cultivate; otherwise, it is easily forgotten. In his memory, Lin Sen had always stayed in Europe, occasionally returning to visit his grandmother. By now, his memories of China were just fragmented images: old-fashioned classrooms, stern teachers with thick glasses, and a rigid playground... Dina wanted him to be her tour guide? No problem. The 2008 Beijing Olympics would be a grand event, and whether or not he had a guide wouldn't make much difference.

Although she had said she was disdainful of such gatherings, once she arrived, Dina didn't plan to just go through the motions. She wore a deep red off-shoulder dress, her long hair tied back, and high heels. Despite the lack of sparkling jewelry, she still looked like a goddess. On the way to the gathering, Dina deliberately showed her white thighs in front of Lin Sen several times, nearly causing him to crash the car into a roadside pole. Later, he simply avoided looking at her. Seeing that her attempts were unsuccessful, Dina began to complain that Lin Sen's car was too low-end, saying that it was embarrassing to attend such a gathering in such a car. Lin Sen, however, ignored her and drove straight to the destination.

The gathering was held at a large private villa in the suburbs. No one knew who the owner was, but it was either a tycoon or a rogue. After driving into the villa, they had to drive along a long, tree-lined road. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Aguero. When he saw Dina, Lin Sen was sure his eyes lit up for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal, probably because a woman was standing next to him.

Giannina Maradona, Diego Maradona's daughter. It was said that when Aguero and Giannina first started dating secretly, Maradona almost challenged Aguero to a duel. But now, it was clear that Aguero had won the Ball King's approval.

No red carpet, no flashbulbs—perfect. Aguero hadn't betrayed him. If the journalists discovered that this acting coach had come to such a gathering after a loss, Lin Sen might not have to wait until the end of the season to be fired. Lin Sen was also puzzled as to why he had come to such a gathering, knowing that this situation might arise. Could it be that deep down, he still regretted becoming the most miserable head coach in history?

Women have their own topics, and Dina and Giannina, whose names were somewhat similar, seemed to get along well. They soon went to one side to chat privately. Aguero and Lin Sen exchanged a smile; that's what female companions are for.

"There's a small charity auction tonight. Some journalists are here, but don't worry; I've already spoken to them." Taking two glasses of wine from a waiter, Aguero was about to hand one to Lin Sen when he saw Lin Sen looking at his own glass and said helplessly, "I don't drink; I'm just pretending. Tell me, are you a coach or a team doctor now?"

"It seems you still have a conscience." Ignoring Aguero's dissatisfaction, Lin Sen took the glass and said, "Go do your thing; I'll look around."

Aguero smiled and walked away.

When Lin Sen said he would look around, he meant it. He really was just looking around.

The reason he came to this gathering was not to climb the social ladder. Football was both familiar and unfamiliar to him. Familiar because his profession, in a sense, was part of professional football. Unfamiliar because, beyond that, his understanding of the circle was purely speculative, like a fan's. So, he was just looking around, letting others see him too. In simple terms, he was trying to get familiar faces, the foundation of interpersonal relationships. He wasn't a big-name coach, and he hadn't even gone through the process of becoming an ordinary coach. So, he had to fight for everything himself. Of course, there was another meaning to "looking around" that only Lin Sen understood.

Lin Sen indeed saw many big shots he rarely saw in daily life. He also saw a few of his team's players. They merely raised their glasses slightly in greeting.

Soon, Dina walked over, accompanied by several male gazes that were somewhat hostile.

"How do you feel?" Dina sipped her red wine and asked playfully. Red wine was indeed more charming when drunk by a woman, especially when the red lips touched the liquid in the glass, like a close-up in a movie, elegant or vulgar, depending on the person.

"If you think I should feel inferior, you're wrong," Lin Sen said irritably.

"Oh," Dina laughed, "I came over to keep you company because you looked so pitiful. Did I overstep?"

"Of course not." Lin Sen accidentally met the gaze of someone who had just followed Dina over and noticed that the person seemed to be warning him. He moved to the side, his hand already on Dina's slender waist, his face close to her ear, and whispered, "Use me as a shield; consider it interest."

Thus, the hostility in those gazes became even more obvious, but Dina was more excited. She immediately linked her arm with Lin Sen's, adopting a dependent posture.

Well, in the eyes of the observant, their affair was now almost confirmed.

"Is he your coach?" Giannina asked Aguero with a smile from a distance. "He's so young. Didn't you always dislike attending parties with coaches?"

"He's an exception." Aguero looked at Lin Sen enviously, "If it weren't for him, I might have wasted another season. I met him a few times when he was a team doctor, but I didn't have a deep impression. The last time was when I twisted my ankle, and he became the head coach afterward. We talked, and it felt like we hit it off. In short, he's a very interesting person."

"But I heard he's just an acting coach?"

"Yes, the contract is only until the end of the season."

"Is that why you invited him to the party?"

"…Sort of. It's rare to find a coach I can talk to without always calling 'sir.'"

"Dear, you know, you always use a smile to cover up when you lie."

"…Alright." Looking into Giannina's eyes, Aguero said awkwardly, "He may not be a qualified coach, but he's definitely a qualified doctor. I need a personal doctor, Diego needs one, and our future children need one. I think he's very suitable."

"Do you think Dad will accept it?"

"Why not? I think he'll get along with Dad." Only on this point was Aguero certain.

---

"Are you the team doctor?"

Faced with this question, Lin Sen almost choked. But the person in front of him made it impossible for him to lose his temper.

"Yes, I am the team doctor," Lin Sen nodded after a moment, having calmed down.

"Apparently, you're now Aguero's head coach. If a team doctor can become a coach, why do I face so much opposition when I just want to be the head coach of Argentina?" The fat man in front of him said angrily, "Am I worse than a team doctor?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Aguero knew his hopes were dashed.

Lin Sen had thought about what might happen when he met the Ball King, but he hadn't anticipated this. He glanced at Maradona, the Ball King whose luster had remained undiminished for decades, but whose actual physical condition was a mess. The indulgence after leaving football had taken a heavy toll on the Argentine Ball King's once-healthy body, and the marks of time were becoming more and more evident. Looking at Maradona's graying temples, Lin Sen's anger suddenly dissipated. Well, respecting the elderly is a traditional virtue in China; he wouldn't argue with this old man.

"Lucky young man, don't give up. Not everyone gets the chance to coach the best players in the world," Maradona's tone suddenly changed. He pointed at Aguero, spitting out words, "Although this kid says you're a great team doctor, so what? What's more interesting than football? Don't listen to this kid's nonsense! Remember, never go back to being a boring team doctor. Be a coach, and you'll fall in love with football."

Lin Sen still didn't speak, but his attitude had completely changed. Only someone who truly loved football could say such things. As the legend went, Diego Maradona was a straightforward and generous person. For him, football transcended everything. When such a Maradona scolded you, you could take it as encouragement.

Aguero kept smiling bitterly. Although Lin Sen's head was lowered, Aguero could feel the hostility in his eyes. Sigh, his father-in-law had this one flaw: he would forget everything when it came to football.

The small auction that followed was something Lin Sen had planned to leave early, but Dina was very interested. Various football memorabilia from Diego's playing days were auctioned one by one. Although Lin Sen respected Maradona, he had no interest in these items. Collecting someone else's used shoes? No thanks, even if that person was Maradona. Of course, even if Lin Sen had been interested, he probably wouldn't have had the means.

After being a spectator for about an hour, the gathering ended.

"Remember not to be late tomorrow." As they were leaving, Lin Sen specially reminded Aguero, but in Aguero's eyes, this reminder was clearly malicious.