Chapter 17: "Li Luo Introduces You to the Rising Model"?
The next day, 2 p.m.
The assistant coach uncle blew the whistle signaling the end of training. A gentle breeze from the banks of the Aller River stirred ripples across the ryegrass.
Li Luo walked to the sidelines, accepting a dry towel and a bottle of mineral water. He carefully reviewed the practice from the night before in his home yard. He realized that with 60 skill points, he could now proficiently master and apply six different shooting techniques in a non-competitive environment, with accuracy markedly improved compared to before. He hadn’t been slacking off.
Li Luo took his phone, ready to diligently study “Morata’s Step-by-Step Guide to Shooting.”
The atmosphere within the Wolfsburg team was very harmonious. His teammates respected boundaries and didn’t constantly bother the young Chinese player.
…Well, there were exceptions.
“Li, I used the goal bonus to pay off some gambling debts. I’ll share it with you after the next match,” said Bentner, approaching with a somewhat disappointed tone.
Li Luo sat on the bench, looking up: “You might not even start in the next game.”
Competition for the Wolfsburg forward line was fierce.
The Arsenal veteran scratched his head: “Well, it can’t be helped. My recent training has been good, so I should get a chance to play.”
This guy had picked up a gambling habit during injury recovery a few years ago. His luck wasn’t terrible, but he had lost millions of pounds so far. Fortunately, he later got addicted to booze and women, gradually quitting gambling. Even when he gambled now and then, the stakes were very small.
Historically, many football stars who were once hugely popular ended up destitute after retirement, mostly due to bad habits.
Li Luo smiled and shook his head: “It’s okay, I’m joking. Football is a team sport; your goals aren’t just my credit alone.”
Bentner grinned broadly and patted his own backside as he bid farewell: “Next time for sure.”
…
Tom came over with a folder, whispering: “Li, the advertising endorsement contract has been reviewed by legal; there are no issues.”
He then handed over two photographs.
Each photo showed a foreign girl in candid, makeup-free moments: “Pick one.”
Li Luo looked puzzled: “The club is even introducing potential partners now?”
Tom’s mouth twitched slightly: “No, they’re your colleagues… cough, your advertising partners. Around your age, not too tall, signed models from a reputable company, selected from thousands by Volkswagen Group. They want you to choose.”
“Alright then.”
Li Luo raised the two photos.
Around the training field, jets of water sprayed, droplets sparkling crystal-clear in the afternoon sun.
The girl in the left photo had blonde hair and blue eyes, standing on the stone steps of the Great Wall, wearing a panda hat, her smile radiant.
The girl in the right photo had black hair and green eyes, leaning against a wall, her figure curvaceous. Her light blue sheer dress was lifted, revealing a pair of perfectly proportioned long legs.
“Do I really have to choose just one?”
“Can’t I pick both?”
…
Three hours later.
Li Luo and Tom arrived at Volkswagen’s shooting studio.
The staff were bustling about.
Hans greeted excitedly: “Li, sorry if this timing interferes with your rest, but the shoot will finish quickly.”
“Come, I’ll introduce you — the darling daughter of Chanel.”
“Lauren de Graaf!”
“You’re the same age,” said a foreign girl with a golden ponytail, approaching gracefully, her smile gentle.
Li Luo recognized her as the girl from the photo with the panda hat.
“Hmm? Lauren, you look much better in person than in the photo.”
“Thank you, nice to meet you, Li.”
Which young woman hasn’t felt a flutter of spring in her heart?
Moreover, Lauren had watched Wolfsburg’s match highlights, where the Chinese youngster controlled the game with every touch, playing with effortless style and grace.
Li Luo had never met such a fresh and lovely girl before.
They exchanged a glance, then both instinctively lowered their heads, cheeks flushed.
“…”
Hans slapped his forehead and pulled Tom away: “Come with me to discuss details with the director.”
…
After a moment of silence,
Lauren, cheerful by nature, took the initiative to break the awkwardness.
“Li, I’ve been to China.”
“Where?”
“I have photos on my phone. Come closer, take a look.”
Li Luo was about to lean in when a faint scent of perfume quickened his heartbeat… Suddenly, an astonishing figure appeared in his sight.
He raised his head.
A black-haired girl with a cool, serene face walked slowly forward.
All eyes were fixed on her, unable to look away.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Seductively so, yet with an icy elegance.
Her green eyes held a magical allure.
Li Luo felt as if he had stepped into an animated film and met an ancient Egyptian princess.
The girl noticed the Chinese youngster staring blankly and blushed.
“Hello, Li, I’m Larisa.”
“Hello, Larisa, you look even more beautiful than in the photos.”
Which young woman hasn’t felt a flutter of spring?
Besides, Larisa had read news reports about Li Luo: his English Premier League debut equalizer and his tactful, incisive assist in the Bundesliga debut…
Li Luo had never met such a stunning and cool-tempered girl before.
They exchanged a glance, then both instinctively lowered their heads, cheeks flushing.
…
Lauren looked displeased, lightly stamping her foot: “Why does this guy blush whenever he sees a pretty girl?”
Clap! Clap!
In the distance,
The bearded director clapped his hands.
“Get ready to start working!”
“Chinese prodigy, Dutch girl, Brazilian girl, come over here!”
…
After a long time,
Walking out of the shooting studio,
The Chinese youngster couldn’t even remember what the commercial was about.
What was filmed? He had no recollection.
There was no gain this time.
Only two girls’ contact information had been added to his phone.
Tom said seriously: “Li, the sir told me to constantly remind you to focus on the pitch and not be distracted by girls.”
He couldn’t help but recall Ferguson’s old conflicts with Beckham and sighed quietly.
Li Luo nodded: “Mm-hmm.”
He thought to himself: Advertising endorsements are just a job. If I like both girls, then that means I don’t like either—just purely admire their beauty and figures.
I mustn’t get distracted by girls.
I need to train hard; the next Bundesliga round is coming soon.
…
Back home.
His phone chimed several times with message alerts.
Li Luo saw they were all from Lauren.
He ignored them.
He picked up a football and headed to the training ground in the yard.
The turf was freshly replaced with seasonal ryegrass.
Bang! Bang bang bang!
The crisp sound of ball contact startled three orioles perched in the branches.
…
An advertisement teaser leaked on Chinese social media.
It was lengthy.
The general story was Li Luo leading an expedition team to an ancient Egyptian ruin in search of treasure.
The story was wholesome.
No romantic elements, plenty of clothing.
The teammate was a blonde, blue-eyed foreign beauty.
In the end,
Li Luo slowly moved aside a mummy’s tomb, revealing an ethereal Egyptian princess.
At the end of the clip floated the slogan: “Unveil the eternal.”
Views and comments skyrocketed.
— “Wow, two at once!”
— “I think the title should be changed to ‘Li Luo Introduces Me to the Models’—more eye-catching.”
— “The Sun just reported: Li Luo prefers Asian girls, not interested in Western models.”
— “I think Lauren is prettier.”
— “Larisa looks more exotic after makeup.”
…
Hoffenheim.
A village under the jurisdiction of Sinsheim city, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with a permanent population of only 3,200.
The club’s head coach, Markus Gisdol, sat in his office, his face grave as he stared at the computer screen.
“In the next Bundesliga round, we must contain De Bruyne.”
“As for that Chinese player, Li…”