Chapter 96

At the dinner table, there were six people in total: besides Liu Yisong, Xu Zhiyou, Wu Tian, and Bian Xuedao, there were also two kind and generous neighbors who, over the years, often gave Liu Yisong and Xu Zhiyou zongzi, dumplings, mooncakes, and other treats during holidays. At the time, Liu Yisong couldn't express his gratitude in words, but he recorded every instance in his diary.

At the table, Liu Yisong asked Xu Zhiyou to toast Bian Xuedao, thanking him for his care for Xu Zhiyou.

Bian Xuedao said, "Brother Liu, I don't drink alcohol, and both Brother Wu and Little Xu know that. Besides, it's not really about taking care of him. I just get along well with Little Xu and the others, and we're friends. I'm just helping out a bit. Please don't overestimate me."

After saying this, Bian Xuedao stood up, raised his cup of tea, and said, "Brother Liu, everyone who knows your story knows you are a man of deep feelings. Today is the first time I'm having dinner with you, so I'll toast you with tea instead of alcohol, in respect of your character."

Liu Yisong, with tears in his eyes, said nothing and drank the wine in one gulp.

After eating a few bites of the dishes, Wu Tian said to Liu Yisong, "I've seen your work. In the grand scheme of things, it's just enough to get by. I don't think Little Xu is cut out for studying, but he has a good talent for football. The foundation you've helped him build is solid, but if he wants to make it in this field and stand out, it will cost hundreds of thousands of yuan. Also, even if he has the ability, to join a second-tier club now, he'll have to pay."

Bian Xuedao interjected, "Why do players have to pay the club to join? Isn't that the opposite, Brother Wu?"

Wu Tian looked at Bian Xuedao and said, "You play football quite well, but you don't understand the football world at all. I'm not wrong. It's a complicated situation, but that's the reality. Brother Liu can vouch for it."

After hearing Wu Tian, seeing Bian Xuedao's curious eyes, Liu Yisong nodded heavily at Bian Xuedao, "To join a club and play, you indeed have to spend money."

Wu Tian, seeing the atmosphere getting a bit somber, clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention, "Brother Liu, I have a partner in the development zone who is setting up an indoor football training center. My friend is just providing the money and doesn't manage anything, and I'm too busy to handle it all. I want you to help me. What do you think?"

Liu Yisong looked at his injured leg and said, "In my condition, how can I help you?"

Wu Tian said, "That's not a problem. You can't play, but your experience and eye for talent are still there. Especially with Little Xu and the others, their football basics are solid, which shows you have a good training method. That's enough. I'll give you three thousand yuan a month, and if the business does well, you'll get a share. How about that?"

Liu Yisong touched his injured leg and remained silent.

He wasn't thinking about the money, but about whether he could handle the job after so many years of inactivity. He was afraid that if he couldn't do it, it would damage their friendship, no matter whether he stayed or left.

But clearly, Wu Tian had great confidence in Liu Yisong, "Brother Liu, don't worry. Even if you have only one-tenth of your former ability, it's more than enough for me. Here's the deal: I have a minivan that picks up and drops off regular students. I'll have the driver take you to and from work every day. How about that?"

Liu Yisong knew he couldn't refuse, "No need, no need. There's a bus right outside. I'm not that precious."

Wu Tian refilled his own glass and Liu Yisong's, raised his glass, and said to Liu Yisong, "Let's toast to a successful partnership and getting rich together."

Seeing Wu Tian and Liu Yisong reach an agreement, Bian Xuedao guessed that Liu Yisong's training methods must be very advanced and comprehensive, which is why Wu Tian was so interested.

Bian Xuedao was originally very interested in Wu Tian's indoor football training center. Before coming, he even thought about going with Wu Tian to check it out and, if it seemed feasible, investing and learning some management skills.

But at the dinner table, Bian Xuedao changed his mind.

He needed to get to know Wu Tian better and observe him more. Besides, he knew nothing about the market demand for this industry. Proposing to get involved without understanding it would be unwise and wouldn't demonstrate his value. It would be better to observe further, and ideally, wait until Wu Tian's business faced difficulties and needed funding or a transfer, then make a move.

There was another crucial point: Bian Xuedao's current funds, though substantial, were not plentiful. He had just spent a third of his savings on a house. At the moment, buying more houses was more profitable than opening an indoor sports center. Unless his my123 website ranked higher on Alexa and he could sell it for a good price, he would wait.

After the meal, the two neighbors left. Wu Tian took out a cigarette, gave one to Liu Yisong, and lit one for himself. Seeing that Wu Tian had something to say to Liu Yisong, Bian Xuedao also stood up to leave.

Wu Tian called out to Bian Xuedao, "Xiao Bian, don't go yet. I have a problem and need to discuss it with Brother Liu. You're a college student, smart, and always online. You can help us brainstorm."

Bian Xuedao sat down again, took the cigarette from Wu Tian, and listened to what he had to say.

Wu Tian took a deep drag, almost finishing a third of the cigarette, then puffed his cheeks a few times and exhaled a large smoke ring.

Bian Xuedao found it a bit amusing. Wu Tian was in his thirties, yet some of his behavior was like a child's.

Wu Tian said, "The indoor football training center I run with my friend has a steady group of regular customers, but it's not meeting our initial expectations. You saw the banners around the field during the match. I agreed to play for Sen Da to get free advertising, and meeting you all was a bonus."

After flicking the ash, Wu Tian continued, "The university is a big market, but it takes time to develop. I've been thinking about how to advertise, but the local media say that small ads won't do much for a place like mine. They suggest using scene photos, which are expensive. I've been trying to think of other ways."

Liu Yisong had run a football school before. Even though he was a novice at the time, after a few years, he had learned some strategies. Hearing Wu Tian, he immediately guessed that Wu Tian's training center was mostly supported by friends and acquaintances, with limited new customers. If this continued, it might not be sustainable.

A few days ago, Liu Yisong was still a full-time homebody. No matter how clever he used to be, he couldn't find a solution now.

Extinguishing his cigarette, Liu Yisong rubbed his face and said to Wu Tian, "Why don't we contact some famous old teammates to come and do some promotion?"

Wu Tian nodded and then shook his head, "Brother Liu, times have changed. Last year, they had a stroke of luck and played in the World Cup. Now, they're all about money, not personal connections. Even if I could afford to bring them here, I'm not sure if it would be cheaper than advertising. How many people in Songjiang City would recognize them? Your idea is new to me, but unless we bring the entire national team, it won't make a big impact."

The two continued to smoke in silence, one after another. Bian Xuedao smoked lightly and stopped after one cigarette.

Seeing their worried expressions, Bian Xuedao cleared his throat, "To put it bluntly, you want to attract attention. I have an idea."

Deep down, Wu Tian had higher expectations for Bian Xuedao than for Liu Yisong.

Liu Yisong's strength was in understanding the football training system and methods. He was good at doing things, not coming up with ideas. Bian Xuedao was different. People say that drinking reveals character, and the same goes for playing football. During the "Dongsen Cup" final, Wu Tian played like a seasoned player, seeming to put in a lot of effort but actually conserving his energy. After all, he relied on his legs for a living. He was there to save on advertising costs. In amateur matches, some players didn't know their limits. If he encountered a reckless opponent and got injured, it would be a disaster.

So, for most of the game, Wu Tian was an observer. The first player to catch his eye was the midfielder and winger from the opposing team, followed by the awakened Xu Zhiyou and the determined Cheng Daqi. Then he noticed the soul of the team, Bian Xuedao.

Watching Bian Xuedao play, Wu Tian knew he was someone who understood how to use strength and technique. When strength could solve a problem, he would blast it in; when it couldn't, he would use finesse to create opportunities. In the media team, Bian Xuedao was one of the clearest thinkers.

This was the kind of person who could give him ideas!

Bian Xuedao said, "A few days ago, I saw a news article online saying that Real Madrid will be visiting China soon, and all the stars of the 'Galactic Fleet' will be coming."

Wu Tian and Liu Yisong were clearly surprised by this. They didn't see how Real Madrid's visit to China was related to their current problem.