Chapter 91

Although Yang Zongxian could no longer participate in amateur leagues, his career was thriving. A few days ago, Liu Hao suddenly had the idea of starting a professional training school. Coincidentally, Yang Zongxian was really planning to do the same.

The two had a very good relationship. After Yang Zongxian communicated with Liu Hao, Liu Hao clapped his hands in approval. If Yang Zongxian could successfully establish the training school, it would also provide a fallback for Liu Hao.

Wasn't he worried about the short lifespan of his career? This school would provide him with future security, at least in theory.

Of course, just the two of them wouldn't be enough to make the school famous. They would need to leverage greater public attention, advertising, and the involvement of sponsors.

Just like Liu Jian, the former captain of Qingdao Zhongneng, any hint of news could get the entire nation of fans riled up. This was the true effect of a celebrity.

However, today, Liu Jian's identity had completely changed.

He was no longer the captain of Qingdao Zhongneng but had become a key player for Guangzhou Evergrande.

In the contract dispute, Qingdao Zhongneng had thoroughly lost to Guangzhou Evergrande. Liu Jian joining Guangzhou Evergrande as a free agent was now a settled matter. This transfer, which had been a big fuss for half a year, was finally over, with Qingdao Zhongneng being the ultimate loser.

Due to Liu Jian's departure, many fans were protesting on the training ground with banners.

"The club is incompetent, letting Liu Jian go."

Liu Jian held a very high status in the hearts of the fans. He joined the club at the age of 13 and stayed for 17 years. How many 17-year periods are there in a lifetime?

Why didn't the club offer him a contract extension when his contract was about to expire? Many fans thought this way. After much consideration, they felt the club was at fault. For a meritorious old player, it would be normal for him to retire at the club, but Liu Jian wasn't old at all. He was only half a year away from turning 30, in his prime, and joining Guangzhou Evergrande. Letting go of such an excellent player and old captain naturally made the fans very uncomfortable, and they blamed the club.

To make matters worse, a piece of news emerged on the day Liu Jian announced his official joining of Guangzhou Evergrande. Another piece of news about Liu Hao also appeared in the media.

"Evergrande extends its claws to Liu Hao, with Marcello Lippi's personal endorsement and Liu Jian's strong recommendation." This news was not baseless and caused a huge stir.

When a journalist interviewed Liu Jian about his feelings on joining Guangzhou Evergrande, Liu Jian mentioned Liu Hao in passing.

"I've seen Liu Hao play. His ability is unquestionable. He has the strength to join the Evergrande club." Good grief, joining Evergrande himself was one thing, but dragging Liu Hao into it to help the club recruit?

This made the Qingdao fans feel deceived. Was Captain Liu not as wronged as they thought? Why was he helping his new club recruit?

With the captain gone, was Liu Hao also being lured away? The fans definitely wouldn't stand for it. They finally remembered the club's explanation at the time: "Qingdao Zhongneng is a small temple that can't accommodate big-name players. It's not that the club didn't want to renew Liu Jian's contract; he just wanted to go to Guangzhou Evergrande."

"Does Evergrande really think they are Bayern Munich, trying to poach all the good players in China?"

"Lippi really showed his appreciation for Liu Hao a while ago. If Xu Jiayin makes a move, there's nothing he can't accomplish. Even if he uses money, he can still lure Liu Hao away."

"Shameless rumor! Xu Jiayin isn't even in line. Cai Zhuo is the dowry sent to our Qiao family. What does money have to do with it? Besides, doesn't Cai Zhuo, the boss of Xiguang Supermarket, have money?" This was said by Qiao Weiguang! Yes, the true boss of Qingdao Zhongneng Club, not just some club official.

With the big boss stepping in, this matter was a bit suspicious.

His personal intervention at this time clearly demonstrated Liu Hao's importance...

Qingdao Zhongneng, having lost the lawsuit, learned a lesson from the Liu Jian incident, which was the previous dispute involving Liu Hao.

If Liu Jian could join Guangzhou Evergrande as a free agent, why couldn't Liu Hao join Qingdao Zhongneng as a free agent? With Liu Jian's precedent, wouldn't Liu Hao's issue be easier to resolve?

What seemed like a loss might turn into a gain. It seemed there was still room for maneuver in Liu Hao's case. Xiguang Supermarket wanted to bring Liu Hao back, and this matter still needed to be discussed.

Liu Hao was the dowry, the gift from Xiguang Supermarket's boss, Cai Zhuo, to Qiao Weiguang...

What is dowry? It's what the groom's family gives to the bride's family when the groom marries the bride. Qiao Weiguang's move was a direct checkmate on Cai Zhuo. Businessmen are terrifying; for the sake of profit, they can use anything, even a daughter's wedding...

Would this cause some trouble? The Qingdao club's general manager was genuinely worried. Boss Qiao Weiguang said this to the media, but privately, he warned him to talk to Xiguang Supermarket.

Although Qiao Weiguang's words were not entirely credible, this was mainly a matter of face. If Qiao Weiguang said it, could Cai Zhuo deny it to the media? How embarrassing would that be? It's just a few million, right?

These days, a wealthy person's wedding costs at least a few million. Liu Hao's value in RMB is about that much. So, let's treat it as a dowry? Cai Zhuo was planning to swallow this dead rat for now...

This wedding fuss made Liu Hao a free gift to the in-laws, even though Cai Zhuo still didn't admit it. Family shame shouldn't be publicized, so he could only temporarily endure it.

"So, does that mean I don't have to return to Xiguang Supermarket for the second half of the season?" Liu Hao was speechless after learning the details. He didn't expect the two old men to use him as a marriage chip. Wasn't this a bit like kids playing house?

Cai Jin told him this. Cai Jin was gloating, "From now on, you're my servant. You're the dowry and gift for my wife, understand?"

"Get lost... I have to tell you, the three weddings I've been a best man at all ended in divorce. You better think twice about having me as your best man."

Really? Cai Jin almost spat blood.

"You're such a jinx!"

"Indeed, the first time I was a best man, the wedding car was hit that night, and they divorced within a year. He hasn't found a new one yet. The second time, they split up after just two months. The third time was even scarier; he's already on his third marriage..."

"Let me think about it..." This really scared Cai Jin. Although they were the best of friends, historical experience couldn't be ignored!

(These past two days, the internet has been down. The account was suspended by China Iron & Telecommunications, and it's free internet... Yesterday, I sent it to a friend via QQ, and I'll probably have to do the same today. There's another update tonight. For those who said there's too much urban content, I'll adjust it.)

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