Chapter 55

Li Xiaopeng's phone rang; it was a call from Liu Hao.

If any other player dared to be late for the pre-match tactical meeting, they would definitely face severe consequences.

But Liu Xiaopeng?

Li Xiaopeng listened to his explanation very patiently.

It couldn't be diarrhea again, could it? Li Xiaopeng was not really worried.

Liu Hao was his trusted player, and no one deserved his trust as much as Liu Hao did.

Fortunately, Liu Hao only said he had some personal matters and couldn't attend the team meeting on time.

Li Xiaopeng nodded, indicating his approval.

However, when Liu Hao said he couldn't even make it for the first half of the match, Li Xiaopeng became a bit unhappy.

This was too undisciplined, wasn't it?

It was too presumptuous...

Which coach would tolerate a player not showing up for the start of a match? This wasn't an amateur league where you could be late!

But Li Xiaopeng merely frowned, acted as if nothing had happened, and ultimately tolerated Liu Hao's request for leave.

After hanging up, he returned to the meeting room and continued to lay out the tactics.

The tactical meeting lasted for more than half an hour, and the players listened very attentively, especially at the end, when they all looked at Li Xiaopeng with great anticipation.

This was not surprising, as the final part of the tactics was the most important, because Li Xiaopeng would announce the final starting lineup.

Especially for Castillo and Mao Jianqing, who were sitting on either side of the meeting room, their eyes met with a fierce glare.

They were both left wingers, and their positions overlapped, so they were naturally in competition.

Li Xiaopeng would definitely choose one of them.

Who wouldn't want to start?

Mao Jianqing scored a goal in the last match against the Shenyang team, so he was quite confident about getting a starting position. In contrast, Castillo was a bit anxious.

However, Li Xiaopeng's next decision left Mao Jianqing puzzled.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

Castillo starts! Mao Jianqing goes to the bench...

Brother Xiaopeng, what are you up to? Mao Jianqing was naturally very upset, but Castillo smiled.

This doesn't make sense, who would put a player in top form on the bench?

Even in training matches, his performance wasn't worse than Castillo's!

Could it be... Mao Jianqing suddenly thought of the contract issue.

Because of the appearance bonus?

According to the contract signed with Qingdao Zhongneng, Mao Jianqing's starting rate was linked to his year-end bonus. If he started more than 70% of the matches, he would receive a 300,000 yuan bonus. If it was between 50% and 70%, he would get 200,000 yuan, and if it was below 50%, he would get 100,000 yuan...

No wonder he thought of this.

If Li Xiaopeng really thought this way, wouldn't he be treated unfairly?

There was a hint of resentment.

But, if a foreign player like Castillo had a high appearance rate, wouldn't he earn more money? Wouldn't the club have to pay more? Why would the coach still arrange for him to play?

It must be said that after entering his thirties, Mao Jianqing thought more comprehensively...

"Mao Brother, don't be upset, get used to it!" Someone patted him on the back, and a familiar figure appeared.

"Song Bo?" Mao Jianqing was stunned, as if he had seen a ghost. Did he know what he was thinking?

Song Bo had a nickname, "Little Shen Si," because he had played under former Chinese star Shen Si twice and received personal coaching from him. His free-kick and crossing skills were among the best in the country.

Unfortunately, he was also a left winger...

This meant that he and Mao Jianqing were also competitors, but he was the third choice for the left winger and left winger positions.

Having three players for one position was quite luxurious for Li Xiaopeng.

Seeing Song Bo, Mao Jianqing felt a bit embarrassed, as his joining the team had led to Song Bo not even making the bench.

However, Song Bo didn't seem to have much of an issue with Mao Jianqing and even called him "Mao Brother" warmly.

"Castillo is a foreign player specifically requested by Coach Li. If he doesn't start, wouldn't it be a failed transfer?" Song Bo, who wasn't a great player but was good at reading people, analyzed the situation clearly.

Wasn't I also invited by Coach Li with a high salary? Mao Jianqing thought to himself, not convinced.

Song Bo saw through Mao Jianqing's thoughts and smiled faintly, "Mao Brother, don't take it personally. The value of domestic players and foreign players can't be compared, and the risk of signing foreign players is much higher."

"Damn, this kid is really troublesome, he can even think of this!" This wasn't said by Mao Jianqing but by Liu Hao, who was hiding outside the door, muttering to himself.

He tried to sneak into the meeting room after the meeting, but found that Mao Jianqing and Song Bo were still there.

"If we keep playing like this, I'll definitely be the third substitute, and you'll only be the second. This season will be over for us." Song Bo continued, regardless of whether Mao Jianqing understood, "If we keep going like this, we'll both be out of the game. I don't mind, but aren't you still thinking about making the national team?"

What does he mean? Mao Jianqing was more confused, not understanding what Song Bo was trying to convey. If he couldn't play, he couldn't make the national team, but what else could he do besides training hard and fighting for a starting position?

"Can you just say it straight?" Mao Jianqing couldn't stand people who spoke in circles, finding it tedious.

"Actually, if Castillo gets injured, we can take turns starting, right? Competing with two people is better than competing with three, isn't it?" Song Bo still had a smile on his face, but his eyes showed a hint of mockery.

"When will Castillo get injured? How would we know?" Mao Jianqing rolled his eyes, genuinely not understanding what this guy was talking about.

Dark! Really dark! Liu Hao, hiding at the door, sucked in a breath. Mao Jianqing didn't even understand Song Bo's words, how could he play football?

From Song Bo's words, it seemed he wanted to team up with Mao Jianqing to get rid of Castillo and gain a starting position.

But does Mao Jianqing need such a despicable method to get a starting position? Liu Hao speculated that Song Bo might have other plans, possibly getting rid of Mao Jianqing as well and taking the position himself.

Stupid! Song Bo's mockery grew stronger, thinking he had chosen the right person to involve Mao Jianqing. If he didn't, he would have to make Mao Jianqing listen, "Aren't we going to have a pre-match training session later? We're in the same group. When we're defending, why don't we... " Song Bo raised his right hand and made a slashing gesture.

This gesture was clear, even a fool could understand.

Mao Jianqing's eyebrows furrowed, becoming more serious.

That means he wants me to help him get rid of Castillo!

He was tempted...

At least at that moment, he was tempted.

This could be a conspiracy.

Isn't it true that one should act in their own interest?

But he didn't say anything...

Song Bo didn't ask if he agreed, just patted Mao Jianqing's shoulder again, passed by him, and didn't look back, "Mao Brother, if you want to do it, give me a signal later."

This was too suspicious. If Song Bo wanted to get rid of Castillo, did he need to tell Mao Jianqing? It seemed more like a warning to Mao Jianqing.

The real meaning was: Little Mao, I'm definitely going to get rid of Castillo. If you don't want the same fate, you better behave and don't compete with me for the starting position!

Liu Hao had already hidden at the stairwell and pretended to be walking up, with a cigarette in his mouth.

"Brother Xiaopeng, you're so relaxed, you're still smoking before the match." As Song Bo passed by, Liu Hao's number 14 jersey caught his eye, and a hint of killing intent flashed through his mind.

Number 14, the number he had always wanted, but the club didn't give it to him. It was left empty, and then it was given to this fat guy...

"Brother Song?" Liu Hao looked at Song Bo in surprise, "Don't mention it, I was late for the meeting and just ran into Coach Li, who gave me a harsh scolding. I'm just smoking to relieve my frustration. By the way, Brother Song, when can I learn your crossing skills? You have the title of 'Little Shen Si'!"

With your physique? Song Bo smiled with a hidden knife, not showing his true thoughts, "Brother Xiaopeng, you're too kind. I wouldn't dare to show off in front of you. Everyone in the team knows that your footwork is the most terrifying."

"How can that be? I just guessed. I'll tell you a secret, your footwork is much better than Mao Jianqing's!" He couldn't let this guy know he had overheard their conversation, so he quickly made up an excuse. A guy with such ulterior motives couldn't be a good person!

Although he said it was a secret, the voice was clear enough for Mao Jianqing in the meeting room to hear every word.

Hmph, Song Bo thought with a cold smile, not saying anything.

"That's even less possible. I've always admired Mao Brother's footwork. If I get the chance, I really want to learn from both of you. I need to go practice now, sigh..."

"Okay... I need to go to the medical room, you go ahead." Liu Hao also made an excuse to leave but didn't move his feet. After Song Bo went downstairs, he struggled to grab his thigh and rushed to the meeting room.

His legs were shaking so much they almost felt like they were flying!

Mao Jianqing was about to leave, feeling upset, but was bumped into by Liu Hao.

Liu Hao didn't care and closed the meeting room door behind him.

"What's this?" Seeing Liu Hao's legs shaking wildly, Mao Jianqing's frustration disappeared, and he was surprised.

"Epilepsy, brother! Shh..."

"Uh... Is that what it looks like?" Mao Jianqing was confused again, not having read much and not knowing what epilepsy really looked like.

But seeing Liu Hao's wild state, he knew he needed help.

"What should we do?" After being surprised, he asked earnestly.

"Nothing... Just find a rope or something, help me tie my legs..." Liu Hao's lips trembled as he struggled to answer.

Mao Jianqing was speechless, grabbed a red banner from the corner, and tied Liu Hao's legs...

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