Chapter 42

Lin Sen's expression was calm as he carefully read the seemingly polite fax in front of him, word by word. Then, he neatly placed the fax to one side, straightened it, and pressed it flat. Not only that, he even planned to have it framed. In the future, no matter where he went, this fax would follow him, and it would be hung in the most prominent place, openly and proudly.

If you dare to recommend yourself, you shouldn't fear rejection.

Lin Sen knew that the chances of his job application being rejected were much higher than the chances of success, especially at Valencia. And indeed, this was the case. Not only Valencia, but even the Segunda División team Real Sociedad said no. Of course, the tones varied. Real Sociedad was sincere, clearly stating that they already had a candidate and politely wishing Lin Sen all the best. Zaragoza's response was more procedural, completely formal, but even so, Lin Sen accepted it with pleasure. He was well aware of his status as a latecomer, and large clubs naturally had high thresholds, which had nothing to do with his abilities.

Facing the largest temple gate, Lin Sen never expected a friendly response. Even if Valencia chose to respond formally like Zaragoza, giving him a cold "no" or simply closing the door, Lin Sen would have left quietly. But Valencia chose a response that they clearly thought was brilliant.

Opening line: "Respected Mr. Lin Sen."

Content: "We regret to inform you that we do not need a team doctor."

Signature: "Valencia Club."

Pride and prejudice are indeed close siblings. Lin Sen did not think a well-known club would tease him, but it was clear that the person who responded to him at Valencia saw his job application as a humiliation. Thus, they gave such a response. Valencia certainly had the right to be proud, but now, this was not just pride, but also prejudice.

So, even though he was a latecomer, Lin Sen did not plan to be as calm and indifferent as a monk, letting everything pass with a smile. He would silently remember the name of this temple. One day, whether by tearing down walls or replacing beams, for Lin Sen, this was the cycle of cause and effect. In simpler terms, whoever made him unhappy, he would make even more unhappy.

Of course, before the cycle of cause and effect, Lin Sen now had to face a reality. If even Malaga rejected him, his first round of job hunting would be a complete failure. Lin Sen subconsciously flipped through the list again, looking at the names that would soon be famous in European football, feeling a bit helpless. People always mock those who sit on a treasure mountain without knowing it, but knowing it and being unable to do anything about it is even more painful.

However, the road must still be walked. Lin Sen quickly pulled himself together. Accustomed to observing others' emotions, Lin Sen gradually learned to stay optimistic, as he knew all too well that yellow was truly an unlucky color.

---

The next morning, Lin Sen was woken by a knock on the door. Just as he was wondering who would come to call so early, the person outside surprised him.

"Rod?"

Indeed, it was independent journalist Rod González. Lin Sen remembered him because, when he was still the coach of Atlético Madrid, this journalist was one of the few who did not "make things difficult" for him, and he seemed to appear at every press conference, though he only asked a question once.

"It's an honor that Mr. Lin remembers me." Rod was even more surprised, clearly not expecting Lin Sen to remember him, which made his carefully prepared opening remarks useless.

"How did you know I live here..." Lin Sen said subconsciously, but before he finished, he found the answer: it was thanks to Atlético Madrid fans. He quickly changed his question: "Do you have something to talk about? I'm not the coach of Atlético anymore."

"But you might soon be the coach of Malaga." Seeing that Lin Sen did not seem to want to invite him in, Rod decided to be straightforward.

Indeed, Lin Sen seemed to be stunned for a moment.

Seeing Lin Sen's reaction, the smug Rod was about to say something like, "Don't you want to invite me in for a chat?" but Lin Sen suddenly turned and darted into the room, slamming the door in Rod's face.

The sudden gust of wind from the door left Rod a bit dazed: What's going on? Did I say something wrong?

Before he could figure it out, the door opened again. This time, Lin Sen smiled and invited him in. Rod followed him to the living room in a daze, while Lin Sen went to the kitchen to make two cups of coffee. They finally sat down.

"How did you know I might go to Malaga? I haven't received any fax." Lin Sen asked, puzzled. Are journalists really that powerful? They know things even before the parties involved?

Fax? So he went to check the fax machine? Rod finally understood why Lin Sen had suddenly closed the door, and his forehead was covered with black lines.

"Don't forget my profession. Didn't you go to Malaga yesterday?" As he spoke, Rod sipped his coffee, but almost spat it out. This is... coffee? Is it really not horse urine? No sugar, but why is it so bitter?

Lin Sen seemed not to notice Rod's twisted expression and asked in surprise, "Just because of that?"

"Of course not." After a long pause, Rod finally recovered, swallowing hard and frowning. "Someone saw you having coffee with Malaga's executives."

That's amazing!

Lin Sen was secretly amazed. After all, he was not a celebrity, at least not yet, so he did not have the pretense of privacy. Therefore, he found it more interesting than annoying that someone had noticed his meeting with Xiao Sans and Aguilar.

"That doesn't mean I'm the new coach of Malaga." Lin Sen shook his head.

"What if I tell you that Malaga's new coach was decided last night?" Rod smiled mysteriously, adding a weight to his words.

"Decided?" Lin Sen was taken aback. So soon?

"Yes, decided. A friend of mine at Malaga Club told me. Last night, the club's executives held an emergency meeting, and the new coach was one of the main topics. Although we don't know who it is, don't you think you have the highest chance?"

Lin Sen fell silent.

Indeed, if Malaga had decided on a new coach last night, he was one of the most likely candidates. After all, he had just met the two most decisive figures at Malaga. If Malaga had other coach candidates, it would be too coincidental. But the authenticity of this information?

Seemingly aware of Lin Sen's doubts, Rod quickly added, "You don't need to doubt the authenticity of the information. I can guarantee it. And I'm not the only one who knows; other newspapers might know too, though they might not know it's you. You might not be aware, but many media outlets have their own sources in many clubs. The bigger the media, the longer their reach, which is a characteristic of the industry. Malaga, as a newly promoted club, is no exception."

So, the information is true? I will become the coach of Malaga? Is Xiao Sans really willing to give me transfer rights?

A series of possibilities relaxed Lin Sen's mood. He looked at Rod, who was watching him with interest.

"Another cup of coffee?" Lin Sen suddenly smiled.

"No, thank you." Rod was startled and quickly replied.

"Did you come so early just to tell me this, Mr. Journalist?"

"That's the main purpose." Rod smiled, knowing it was time to get to the point. "Of course, even if I didn't tell you, you would soon receive the news."

That's why he needed to knock on the door so early.

"Let's get straight to the point."

"It's simple. When Mr. Lin officially becomes the coach of Malaga, I hope you will accept an exclusive interview with me."

"An exclusive interview? No problem. If I really become the coach of Malaga. But is it really necessary? Malaga is not a big club."

"It's very necessary. Malaga is not a big club, but I don't think you are content with being a small coach."

"Why?"

"To put it simply, because I think you have some similarities with someone."

"Who?"

"José Mourinho, who just became the coach of Inter Milan."

Rod was not trying to flatter Lin Sen. When Mourinho was still a translator, Rod was a young journalist. There are several versions of how Mourinho left Barcelona, and one version that Rod likes is that before leaving Barcelona, Mourinho actually thought he would become the coach of Barcelona's reserve team, but Barcelona chose someone else, which marked the beginning of his feud with Barcelona.

A translator, a team doctor, both fluent in several languages, both abandoned by their starting clubs, both skilled at handling the media... Rod could list many more similarities. In his eyes, Lin Sen was almost a Mourinho just starting out from Barcelona. He missed the chance to interview the young Mourinho; could he miss this opportunity again?

Even if he was wrong, so what? Just thinking about the possibility that if Lin Sen became a coach like Mourinho in a few years, this interview would be recorded in history, Rod could not miss this chance.

Lin Sen, of course, did not know what Rod was thinking. But no matter what Rod's motives were, he had no reason to refuse, which was why he agreed so readily.

Mourinho?

Lin Sen smiled and shook his head. Is there a Mourinho as unlucky as me?

Seeing that Lin Sen did not object, the satisfied Rod exchanged phone numbers with Lin Sen and then left.

After Rod left, Lin Sen finally picked up his coffee and took a sip. Immediately, he spat it out.

Yellow翘?!

Lin Sen winced, picked up the "coffee" and smelled it, finally confirming that he had used the wrong ingredients. His gaze shifted to Rod's cup.

Empty.

Page break, AD starts

Page break, AD ends