Chapter 5

The so-called interim head coach, in plain terms, is just a temporary worker. Not only does he have little power, but he also cannot shirk his duties. Moreover, he must be prepared to take the blame at any time. If it weren't for some backing, Lin Sen would never take on this mess, even if his life depended on it. However, since he has taken the job, Lin Sen doesn't plan to just muddle through. As the saying goes, a new official starts with three fires. Lin Sen can't set these fires on the team, so he has to start with himself.

There are three ways to gain the respect of the team. The first, the least technical, is to rely on seniority. Being older has its advantages, but Lin Sen can't count on this unless he adds his unknown ten years. The second is the most revered in China: to win people over with virtue. Unfortunately, Lin Sen can't count on this either, because this isn't China, and more importantly, he, the former team doctor, has little influence. The third way, which Lin Sen plans to use, is the most technical: to win by a bet!

"I know what you're thinking, and you know my background, so let's be open about it. As I said before, I want to make a bet with you. In my country, there's a saying that I believe you have a similar one: 'A bet is a bet, and the loser must accept the consequences.' Of course, a bet must have stakes, or it wouldn't be interesting."

Lin Sen propped his chin with one hand and rhythmically tapped the table with the fingers of the other, looking relaxed. This wasn't an act; as he said, everyone knew each other's backgrounds, so there was no need for empty words. Expressing his ambitions, inspiring the players to fight with honor, and fighting for the beloved fans... such new official tricks were not for Lin Sen, who was a latecomer to the coaching world.

The reactions of the people in the room were varied, with red, yellow, orange, green, blue... It was like a dye shop. Some were skeptical, some were indifferent. Lin Sen inwardly scoffed: Those wearing green hats—what's with their excitement over his words?

"The bet is on the screen." Lin Sen pointed to the league table. Real Madrid was at the top with 66 points, followed by Barcelona with 59 points, and Villarreal, also with 59 points, was behind Barcelona due to head-to-head results. Then came Sevilla, Santander, and so on.

"The first bet: Will Rijkaard, who currently leads Barcelona in second place, leave at the end of the season?"

"The second bet: Will Villarreal surpass Barcelona?"

"The third bet: Will we concede more than five goals in the next three matches?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Sen finally saw a rare sight: a vast sea of orange.

"Three? How do we bet?" someone finally asked, and it was Aguero.

"Simple." Lin Sen was pleased that the first question came from a team leader. "Each bet corresponds to one match, starting from the next match. You can choose freely. If I lose, the winner of the bet can decide whether to play in the next match, and I won't force you."

"If you win, we have to focus on the game and fight for you, right?" Maxi Rodriguez took over, sneering. "What if we don't want to bet?"

"Those who don't want to bet have it even easier. You can start planning your summer vacation early." Lin Sen's face was calm, but his straightforward and resolute answer stunned everyone. Clearly, they never expected this young man, destined to be a puppet, to have such straightforward thoughts, especially since the questioner was the team captain.

"You probably think our cooperation won't last long, and many of you might even think I, an amateur, don't even count as a coach. But that doesn't matter, and I don't care if you see me as the head coach or the former team doctor. I just want to get along. Getting into a feud with me won't benefit you, and I don't want to make things difficult for you. So, I'm trying to solve the problem in a way that's more comfortable for everyone. I hope our possibly short time together can be more pleasant and simple.

Of course, if I win, I don't require you to focus on the game or fight for me. Focus is a harsh demand, and forcing it won't work if it's not voluntary. Fighting for me is out of the question. I don't think I have anything worth making you fight for, at least not yet. So, all I ask is that you forget I was once your team doctor and temporarily your head coach, and remember that you are part of the team. That's all."

"…Why three bets?"

"To give you more choices." Lin Sen smiled. "And to give everyone a chance to get along. Don't worry, you can choose freely. However, one thing I must mention is that whether you vote or fight, I will only accept one opinion for each bet. Otherwise, if one guesses right and the other guesses wrong, the game can't be played. Now, who's in, and who's out? Decide."

After speaking, Lin Sen sat down calmly. A moment later, he was relieved to see more green heads in the room.

That's right. These bets clearly put him at a disadvantage.

---

The bets began, and life continued.

As soon as Lin Sen returned to his office, he found someone already waiting there, legs crossed, casually flipping through the documents on his desk.

"I've been waiting for you." The man glanced at Lin Sen as he entered, not bothering to stand.

"Any orders, sir?" Lin Sen smiled, seemingly unfazed by the man's rudeness.

Dressed in a designer suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a meticulously styled hair and polished shoes, the man had a stern face. He was none other than Lin Sen's former superior, the head of the Atletico Madrid medical team, Jose Molinado.

"I'm here to get my report." Jose slowly put down his leg and said calmly, "Dina's copy."

"No need. I've already asked Dina to redo it." Lin Sen replied bluntly. "Your report needs to be revised."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Sen braced himself for Jose to jump up and curse at him. However, unexpectedly, Jose didn't get angry. He just smiled, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor, and said, "You seem to be enjoying your new role?"

"Why not?" Lin Sen shrugged.

"Of course. But you seem to have forgotten one thing." Jose glanced at Lin Sen. "Your resume is still in my hands. In a way, you're still my subordinate. You don't really think you're the head coach of this team, do you?"

"Are you threatening me?" Lin Sen frowned.

"Threatening? No, I'm just reminding you that I'm your boss, not Cerezo. Don't think that becoming an interim head coach gives you the right to challenge me. After the season, you'll be nothing! If you want to stay in the medical field, I suggest you show me some respect. You insolent little... "

Bang!

Before Jose could finish, Lin Sen suddenly grabbed a document from the desk and threw it at Jose's face, knocking his glasses off. Ignoring the shocked look on Jose's face, Lin Sen pointed to the door and said, word by word, "I'm glad you remember it's after the season. Now, get out of my office! Right now! Immediately!"

"You... you..."

Jose probably never imagined Lin Sen would dare to do this. Like many Spaniards, Jose seemed to have a natural prejudice against Chinese people. Lin Sen, his subordinate, had always fit his stereotype of a Chinese person: extremely polite and willing to endure any委屈. So, he thought Lin Sen would obediently accept his criticism, but he was wrong...

After the shock, a huge sense of humiliation distorted Jose's face. He pointed at Lin Sen with a trembling hand and muttered, "You... you're finished! You're finished!!"

Without caring about his glasses on the floor, Jose stormed out of the office and slammed the door.

Lin Sen smiled, scratching his head. Did he just act like a thug? And he probably can't be a team doctor anymore?

But it doesn't matter. For this gentlemanly scoundrel, Lin Sen didn't plan to kick him when he was down, but he came looking for trouble. Today, he finally got what he wanted. Ten years is not too late for a gentleman, but Lin Sen never planned to hold a grudge overnight, especially now.

Good news doesn't leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

Less than half an hour after Lin Sen threw Jose out, Dina appeared in his office, her alluring figure making it hard to resist criminal impulses. Dark stockings, black pencil skirt, white shirt... and a pair of black-framed glasses.

You're a fitness coach, why be so refined? What's with the pretense?

Lin Sen swallowed, afraid he might accidentally activate his scanning mode. The view before him was too tempting.

"Rumor has it you had a falling out with Jose?" Dina twirled a pen and sat down on Lin Sen's swivel chair without any hesitation.

"Hmph." Lin Sen pretended to snort, still sneaking glances.

"Rumor has it you even got physical? Jose was almost fuming when he left, even his wig was crooked." Dina crossed her legs, completely ignoring the impact on Lin Sen.

What a rumor! Who's so gossipy? Who's so accurate?

"Did you come just for this?" Lin Sen felt his throat go dry and hurriedly poured himself some water.

"Really?" Dina was finally surprised when Lin Sen didn't deny it. "Did you eat a bomb? Don't you know your position is temporary?"

"Isn't he just a team doctor?" Lin Sen drank some water and said arrogantly.

"..." Dina looked at Lin Sen strangely. "Do you know that Jose is actually Miguel's uncle, and Miguel is the son of the old Atletico Madrid chairman, old Hill, and the current largest shareholder of Atletico Madrid?"

"..."

"Alright. Looks like you know." Seeing Lin Sen's calm face, Dina nodded. "I admire you."

Seeing Lin Sen's tears, Dina laughed heartily.

"Let's have dinner tonight. Nora misses you." Dina said as she left.

"You just want to eat Chinese food, right?"

Lin Sen agreed verbally but inwardly scoffed.