Chapter Twenty-Four: Between You and Me, There Is No Grudge or Enmity

Guo Xuequan looked back, his gaze passing over the gate that seemed to be deliberately shouting "I’m rich," and settling on the three buildings in the center of the training base that looked like they were plucked from a science fiction movie.

The press center, which housed the press conference hall, was in the outermost building—one story shorter than the main building.

He wasn't lucky enough to be the first journalist called on during the Q&A session, but he was the second.

And he was lucky enough that the BBC reporter who went first asked a truly idiotic question, which gave him the chance to ask his own.

He even felt his question was the most valuable one of the entire press conference. After all, details about Tyne’s tactical setup or training status were trivial; what everyone—every Chinese fan—cared about most was one thing:

When would Wang Lie get to play?

Although Wang Lie had made a substitute appearance during the Solf Union FA Cup, it had caused massive controversy.

But for Chinese fans, including Guo, the "playing" they cared about wasn't the kind of "on-again, off-again" substitution that involved internal power struggles, hidden agendas, ulterior motives, or drama outside of football.

That kind of "playing" hadn't been seen from Wang Lie for over half a season.

Everyone wanted the answer. And now, he had it.

Coming to Newcastle had been worth it.

Liu Zhong stood next to Guo, looking back with him, and said, "I don't think it’s as certain as Wang Lie made it sound... When Wang Lie said he would definitely play, I noticed McNeil beside him had a look of surprise, as if... Wang Lie’s answer caught him off guard."

Guo shook his head. "Maybe he just didn't expect Wang Lie to be so blunt. If Wang Lie doesn't play in the next match, fans back home are going to go ballistic. Even if it’s as a sub, he has to play. Tyne didn't sign Wang Lie purely for competition, right? They can't just ignore the influence of the Chinese market."

"But how long has he even been at Tyne? And he hasn't had a proper run of games in half a season. Isn't this too rushed?"

"We can't wait until everything is perfect before putting him on the pitch. The situation won't wait for us."

"Fair enough." Liu Zhong agreed and went back to scrolling through his phone.

Guo gazed at the Northumberland Football City and sighed. "To think such an incredible training base was finished in just two years. We have to thank the Middle Eastern owner for hiring a Chinese construction firm. If they'd hired a local British firm, this would still be a construction site. Maybe Tyne is just fated to be connected with China..."

"Holy shit!" Liu Zhong, standing beside him, suddenly exclaimed, interrupting Guo's sentiment.

"What? Why the sudden outburst?" Guo glanced at him.

Liu Zhong pointed at his phone screen. "Big news from Hellingham FC! Rost just went off at his press conference, saying he previously rejected Wang Lie’s attempt to join them and that Tyne basically picked up his leftovers! He even said Wang Lie shouldn't be thinking about when to take the pitch, but when to retire..."

Guo didn't need to hear more; he pulled out his own phone to see for himself.

All around them, journalists who had been leaving one by one stopped in their tracks, their eyes glued to their screens.

***

"Sam, did you secretly promise Wang he’d play in the weekend match?"

As soon as the press conference ended, assistant coach Cesar Vallo ran over to head coach Sam McNeil.

Because Wang Lie had stated quite confidently at the presser that he would play on the weekend—something Vallo, as an assistant, had heard nothing about—he had to confirm it with the boss.

McNeil shook his head with a bitter smile. "Not at all. He said that on his own initiative."

"What? Isn't he afraid of being humiliated if he doesn't get on the pitch?" Vallo was surprised. "Or is he trying to force your hand? Using this method to pressure you into playing him..."

McNeil shook his head. "I think he just wants to express his confidence. That’s his usual style. Others act first and speak later; he speaks first and acts later."

"Isn't he afraid of the backlash? He's leaving himself no room to maneuver..."

"You hit the nail on the head, Cesar. Wang probably wants to force himself to work harder by burning his bridges. Just wait, Wang will surely show us in the next two days of training that we have no choice but to put him on the squad list. Actually, he’s been training incredibly hard the last couple of days. You’ve seen it."

Vallo sighed. "Why push himself so hard?"

McNeil disagreed completely. "If he didn't push himself to the limit, how could he have snatched two Golden Balls and a World Player of the Year award from the decade dominated by Arthur and Ronier? Remember, before him, the whole world said it was impossible for an Asian player to win the Golden Ball, to be the World Player of the Year, or to stand at the pinnacle."

Vallo nodded repeatedly. "I know, I know. I’m not denying his past achievements. I’m just saying, he’s turning thirty-eight soon. What hasn't he won in his career? He could afford to relax and approach the twilight of his career with a calmer mindset."

McNeil chuckled. "If he were truly relaxed and calm, he’d still be a mascot at Solf Union, and we wouldn't have had the chance to pick him up..."

Before he could finish, his phone on the table lit up with a notification.

McNeil checked it reflexively, and his expression shifted.

Vallo noticed. "What is it?"

McNeil didn't answer; he handed the phone over.

Vallo took it and saw a report on social media from an official account: Sky Sports.

***

Vallo read the details:

"Hellingham FC head coach Kofi Rost personally revealed that Wang’s team had contacted Hellingham FC, but he, as head coach, vetoed the transfer. He criticized Wang for being someone who puts himself above the team... Rost also claimed that if Wang were at Hellingham FC, he would never get a chance to play... Rost hinted that it was precisely because he rejected Wang that Tyne was able to sign him..."

***

"Wang, have you had any conflicts with Rost?"

On the other end of the line, Fernando Clemente was asking Wang Lie.

Wang Lie was bewildered. "I don't think so? He was managing in the Championship last season, and in the Solf Union vs. Hellingham FC matches this season, I didn't even play. How could we have a conflict?"

"What about before? Further back?"

Wang Lie shook his head. "Who remembers? He certainly never left a deep impression on me. I don't think I have any beef with him..."

"Tsk..." Clemente found it strange. "That's weird. Why is he so malicious toward you?"

"Isn't it because the reporters at the press conference kept asking him so many questions about me that he got annoyed?"

"Even so, he could have handled it more professionally. I don't believe Rost is that reckless—he's faced aggressive questioning before without losing his composure like this..."

Wang Lie interrupted his agent: "It doesn't matter, Fernando. I don't care what color his inner world is, or what his journey of thought was. I don't want to investigate whether this is a distortion of human nature or a loss of morality... Let it be. He can say what he wants; it has nothing to do with us. Don't pay it any mind."

"But he exposed the fact that we approached Hellingham FC..."

"So what? Keeping it secret was to prevent Solf Union from sabotaging our contract termination, and to avoid rumors making it look like I was unwanted, which would affect teams actually interested in me. Now that I’ve signed with Tyne, there's no need for secrecy. Let them leak it if they want."

Clemente wasn't used to Wang Lie’s nonchalance, but thinking back to the press conference where Wang Lie promised he’d play, he realized: "Did McNeil promise you’d play?"

"No, how could the head coach make such a promise?"

"Oh? I thought you were so sure you’d play because you were itching to take a jab at Rost."

Wang Lie laughed. "You're right, Fernando. I am absolutely itching to slap Rost in the face. But McNeil didn't promise me anything. I’m just confident I can make the squad and earn a spot. The coaching staff has been training me in center-forward tactics all week; that means they plan to use me. As long as I train to their standards, I should be able to play."

"Fine... But even if you’re waiting to humiliate Rost on the pitch, our team can't stay silent. We need to put out a statement." Clemente understood, but as the head of the agency, he had his own duties.

"Handle it however you see fit. If you need to post it from my account, just use it." Wang Lie didn't care; the match was all that mattered.

***

Kofi Rost successfully made himself the most talked-about person in English football tonight, overshadowing the Wang Lie he disliked so much.

His comments from the routine midweek press conference were spread wildly in text and video, sparking heated debate online.

It wasn't just fans; major media outlets were reporting and commenting on it.

After all, Rost had revealed something no one knew: before leaving Solf Union for Tyne, Wang Lie’s team had actually approached Hellingham FC—and been rejected!

Being rejected by a giant was one thing, but Wang Lie had been rejected by a mid-table side like Hellingham FC!

That was embarrassing! And one couldn't help but wonder: if this was the one that leaked, how many others were there?

Well-known columnist and famous "Wang Lie hater" Lawrence Dadomo said on a live stream that night:

"We all knew Wang’s agent contacted many European giants, but none wanted him. I didn't expect they’d even approach a mid-table club like Hellingham... And now we know why it’s Tyne—it's simple: probably because every team ranked above Tyne didn't want him!"

The host chimed in, "No wonder there were no rumors about Wang’s destination before Tyne announced the signing. Must say, his team did a great job with security."

Dadomo smirked. "They had to, otherwise we’d see a serial of 'Team X rejects Wang' every day. Betting companies might have even opened a market on which team would reject him next..."

The host laughed hysterically.

...

"Welcome to BBC 5's News Focus. Tonight, we’re discussing the breaking story from Hellingham FC head coach Kofi Rost. We’re joined by Solf Union legend Malvin Bullock to get his perspective..."

The camera cut to Bullock, who had spent twelve years as a star left-back for Solf Union.

"And also, famous football biographer Liam Adeyemo."

After the introductions, the host asked: "Bullock, what’s your take on Wang’s team secretly contacting Hellingham FC?"

Bullock replied, "Honestly, when you’ve been banished to the youth squad by the head coach, contacting other teams is understandable. I’d do the same. But the key isn't that he contacted them; the key is the 'secrecy.' If Rost hadn't gotten annoyed by reporters, we might never have known. I suspect Wang’s team didn't want Solf Union to know they were talking to other Premier League clubs before the contract was officially terminated..."

"Why not?" the host asked.

Bullock explained to the viewers: "Because Wang and his agent know that as a Solf Union legend, joining another Premier League side is seen as an act of war. They knew it would incite the fans and damage his image."

The host had an "aha" moment: "So Wang knew it was unethical, which is why he hid it?"

Bullock nodded. "Remember the speculation after he was sent to the youth squad? People thought he’d go to Spain, Germany, France, or back to China... But no one guessed he’d stay in England, right?"

The host nodded.

"Because everyone knew Wang Lie wouldn't stay in the Premier League; he couldn't and shouldn't turn against his beloved club. But he went to Tyne, a Premier League club..." Bullock shrugged. "Combined with Rost's revelation, it’s clear Wang wanted to stay in the Premier League from the start to take revenge on Solf Union! So, was my previous criticism wrong? He never had Solf Union in his heart!"

The host then turned to Liam Adeyemo.

The biographer raised a finger. "I want to point out a detail—Hellingham FC is Chinese-owned... I don't mean that's bad; the Premier League is diverse. But Hellingham FC would have been a perfect fit for Wang. He wouldn't have faced the issues he had at Solf Union. He could have been the 'emperor' there. I think Wang really wanted to go to Hellingham, both for the Chinese backing and the higher league standing. But Hellingham rejected him because of the head coach’s strong opposition..."

...

On the internet, the fighting was a thousand times more intense.

"I also want to point out a detail: why is Liam Adeyemo always jumping around like a clown whenever it's about Wang? Because Wang refused to let him write his biography. Wang said it was meaningless while he was still active..."

"Why is BBC 5 having Malvin Bullock on? It’s obvious where their loyalties lie! Everyone knows Bullock went on a rant after Wang’s farewell letter..."

"Did Bullock say anything wrong? Wang left the team and then wrote a letter trashing the management. Is that keeping the club in his heart?"

"Solf Union treated him like that! Why can't he fight back? They used him as a stepping stone for the new manager!"

"If that's the case, what face does Wang have to talk about his feelings for the club in that open letter? Looking back, it’s disgusting!"

"If you're disgusted, go to a hospital; maybe you're three months pregnant, you idiot! Wang Lie is the victim here, being put on public trial..."

...

After reading the statement Clemente sent him, Wang Lie replied: "If I had written it, I wouldn't have included that last part... But whatever, you handle it."

Clemente replied: "Should we delete the last bit?"

Wang Lie: "No, keep it. Let people know it was written by my PR team and has nothing to do with me."

Clemente: "[Laughing/Crying emojis]"

Wang Lie: "I'm good, send it."

Clemente: "[OK]"

***

At 9:38 PM, Wang Lie posted an identical statement across his social media:

"After Mr. Sven Helden sent me to train with the Solf Union youth squad and denied me access to the first-team canteen, Hellingham FC contacted my agent about a transfer.

"Mr. Kofi Rost did express opposition to my joining his team, but Hellingham FC showed great sincerity and worked hard to make it happen.

"I am very grateful for the recognition and respect Hellingham FC showed me at that time; it was a great comfort and honor.

"The reason I didn't join Hellingham FC wasn't money, tactical status, or the head coach; it was simply because Tyne was the first team to reach out, and Sam McNeil was the first to believe in me. I chose Tyne to repay that precious trust.

"Finally, I have never had a conflict with Mr. Kofi Rost. I admire his achievement in leading Hellingham FC back to the Premier League and wish him and his team all the best.

"Wang Lie (Hand-signed) January 28, 2037"