Chapter 6: Invitation from a Scout
The opposing players were exhausted from being dribbled around, and after 75 minutes, players constantly began to cramp.
The players of Holy Heart were not satisfied with the score and continuously organized attacks.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, Captain Mattotti seized an opportunity for a defensive counter-attack.
He dribbled the ball for 100 meters, shot powerfully from outside the penalty area, and the score became:
5:2
After securing the victory, Saint Heart High School executed their time-wasting tactics to perfection.
They delayed throwing in the ball and taking goal kicks.
Only when Royal High School players protested did the referee show a yellow card to a Holy Heart player as a warning.
But none of this changed anything; no one cared about yellow cards anymore.
Even if a red card led to a sending off, it would still be ten against ten.
The coach even used up all his substitution slots to waste time.
Finally, it dragged on until injury time, and Lin Nan began to show off his special skills.
Falling with a touch, leg cramps, tying shoelaces…
Finally, the whistle blew, and the entire match ended.
Although Holy Heart's performance later was shameless, no one cared.
A big victory could compensate for all the ugliness.
Led by their captain, Holy Heart players circled the field to thank all the teachers and students.
Royal High School, on the other hand, left in anger; they had lost in a very frustrating way.
The players returned to the locker room, and the coach was all smiles.
"You all performed very well today. I announce that everyone will rest for a week, and then we will start training to represent the school in the national competition."
Hearing the coach's words, everyone jumped up and cheered.
They waved their removed jerseys, jumped, and shouted, making a lively scene.
If there had been champagne, they would have opened it to celebrate immediately.
The locker room next door was filled with dejection; they changed their clothes and quietly left the disheartening place.
They couldn't understand it; Holy Heart was clearly suppressed, yet with just one change, how did they turn the tide of the battle?
The most frustrated was the player who received the red card; he felt wronged, why did no one believe him?
Various emotional values continuously arrived, and Lin Nan was overjoyed.
He just wanted to go home quickly to properly sort out today's gains.
Everyone changed their clothes and left the locker room.
As Lin Nan and Joshua walked out together, they were stopped by a chubby old man with white hair.
"Young man, may I have a word with you?"
Edward looked at Lin Nan, his eyes full of anticipation.
Lin Nan didn't recognize the old man in front of him and pointed to his nose, asking,
"Is it me?"
"Yes, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Lin Nan looked apologetically at Joshua and waved his hand.
Joshua said nothing, waved back at him, and turned to leave.
At this moment, the coach walked out of the locker room and was stunned when he saw Edward.
"Old Edward, why are you here?"
"This kid is good, you've trained him very well."
"What, you're interested in him? It won't delay our upcoming matches, will it?"
"Don't worry, it won't delay your matches. I'll just have a chat with him first."
Lin Nan instantly understood that this old man was not a spectator; he was clearly a scout.
And he was the scout who had been constantly giving him emotional value, which was excellent, wasn't it?
The more he looked at the chubby old man, the more pleasing he found him, and he also guessed his purpose.
Which team's scout is he?
Is he going to keep me in Milan, or push me elsewhere?
The coach seems very familiar with him, should I ask the coach?
As he was thinking, the coach patted his shoulder and whispered in his ear,
"This old guy is a gold-medal scout for Milan, with a mysterious background, and he hasn't been active for a long time.
However, the players he's scouted have all developed well, so you can have a good chat with him."
Hearing the coach's words, Lin Nan nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
The coach pressed hard on his shoulder and turned to leave.
Edward paid no attention to their conversation and watched Lin Nan with a smile.
"I know a good pour-over coffee shop, may I invite you for a cup?"
"Mr. Edward, you're too kind. It's an honor for me to have coffee with you."
Facing Edward, he put away his thoughts of earning emotional value.
This was an opportunity; no matter which team it was, as long as he was discovered by a scout, there was a chance to sign with a professional team.
At this point, being mischievous would mean his head was hit by an egg.
Edward looked at him with satisfaction, very pleased with his character.
"It's not about being too kind. I want to know what position you are best at."
Upon hearing this question, Lin Nan pondered for a moment and replied,
"I've always been a left winger; I haven't played other positions."
He answered very directly, and he didn't fully understand Edward's intention.
Lin Nan clearly knew that at this point in 2010, Milan's two giants were Inter Milan and AC Milan.
AC Milan was not in a very good state due to the Calciopoli scandal.
However, they had just replaced their coach with a local one, Uncle Jiong.
This season was AC Milan's most brilliant season, before they completely fell into a slump 12 years later.
Inter Milan became the treble winner this year.
They won the Serie A title, the League title, and the Champions League's big-eared cup, and their momentum was strong.
Such a team didn't need a player like him; even if he could go, it would be to the youth team, with no chance to play.
Given his current age, he might not have the opportunity to join a giant. Could it be that he wants me to go to Milan's youth academy?
Joining the youth academy would certainly be good too; although the attention isn't high, it's still a very good start.
His CPU was running at high speed, unable to understand Edward's intentions.
"Actually, you could try a different position; your mind on the field is very clear."
Edward's words surprised him.
His most outstanding performances today were two goals and two assists.
However, these were all due to the boost from the star player cards; normally, he couldn't do any of this.
Why did he say my thinking on the field was very clear? Does he want me to play midfield?
Seeing that Lin Nan didn't speak, Edward didn't continue the topic but started chatting about everyday things.
With questions and answers, the two arrived at the parking spot.
Edward walked to a black two-door Fiat, pulled out his keys, opened the car door, and motioned for Lin Nan to get in.
Lin Nan obediently got in and buckled his seatbelt.
After the car started, Edward brought the conversation back to football.
"What do you know about the two giants of this city?"
Straight to the point, is he testing me?
Lin Nan thought for a moment and slowly began to speak.
"Unattainable, they are the glory of Milan!"
Edward didn't expect him to say that, it was like punching cotton.
It seemed he wouldn't get anything out of him; this young man was not simple.
"If you had the chance to join one of the two giants, which would you prefer?"
This old man doesn't want to let me go, how should I answer this question?
Either one is fine! Only children make choices; I want to go to both!