"And you are?"

  "Oh, Chu, hello, I'm Su!"

  Chu was confused. Su?

  What the hell?

  Was this for real?

  Could it be a scam?

  Phone scams were everywhere these days. Maybe this guy would claim to be Su, say he was short on cash, ask for an emergency loan of tens of thousands, and promise to pay back a million once he returned to his club!

  "Oh..."

  Chu fell silent, not knowing how to respond.

  "Here's the thing—about that National Games call-up, I suggest you don't go. I heard your club is in a crucial period right now. You should focus on finishing the league first."

  The moment the National Games were mentioned, Chu perked up. Anyone who knew about that couldn't be a scammer. This really was Su.

  The real Su!

  The Su every football giant was chasing.

  "Su! Hello, hello! I'm sorry, I just thought it might be a fraud... Oh! No, I mean—I was just..."

  Now that he'd confirmed it was really Su, Chu got so excited his words tumbled out in a jumble.

  To every young player in China—no, in the world—Su was their dream, their idol.

  "Haha, it's fine. Hao and I already refused the call-up. Neither of us is injured, so you shouldn't go back either."

  "But Su, if I don't go, won't the Football Association blacklist me? I still want to play for the national team someday!"

  "If it were the national team, I wouldn't stop you. But the National Games? They're useless. And you know how dirty the politics are in that tournament. My advice? Focus on your league games first. The national team can wait. Even Hao—the vice-captain—isn't going."

  "I... I'm just worried."

  "Don't overthink it. It's settled. If anything goes wrong, Hao will take the heat!"

  Su's words instantly lifted Chu's spirits.

  If Su and Hao were both refusing outright, then any fallout would land on them first. The taller trees would catch the wind!

  "Okay, then I'll follow your and Hao's lead! I won't go either. I might even get my debut this week!"

  "Haha, congrats! Play well, and if you ever need help, just reach out to me or Hao. Take care of yourself on the pitch!"

  "Mhm! Thank you, Brother Su. Really... thank you!"

  Su's concern touched Chu deeply.

  Ever since he'd started playing abroad, his old teammates back home had either mocked him or turned bitter with envy. Never had he imagined that Su—someone he'd never even met—would care so much when he needed it most.

  After hanging up, Chu noticed Mané's curious expression and smiled.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  This Mané—dark-skinned, but genuinely kind-hearted.

  "Chu, you look happy. Does this mean you don't have to go back?"

  "Yeah. Su called me. He said if anything happens, Hao will take responsibility... Huh? Why Brother Hao?"

  ......

  Meanwhile, in Gelsenkirchen...

  Hao sat beside Su with an exasperated look.

  "Hey, hey, hey—Su, you little—why am I the one taking the blame if things go wrong?"

  "Hao, you're my big brother, right?"

  "Well... yeah."

  "And I'm your little brother, right?"

  "Mmm... sure, that's true."

  "Then isn't it your job as the big brother to take the heat?"

  "That logic sounds right, but why was Chu thanking you? If there's fallout, I'm the one carrying it!"

  "Isn't that what big brothers do? Working silently behind the scenes?"

  Su gazed at Hao with earnest, puppy-dog eyes.

  "You... Ugh, fine! But you owe me more of that healing ointment. Raul said his injury hasn't fully recovered!"

  "Hao..."

  Not long after Su hung up, Chu also announced his decision—same reason: "Unable to attend due to injury."

  Just like that, all three overseas players recruited by the Chinese Football Association had refused to return.

  The news quickly spread back home.

  Inside the Football Association's grand office...

  Director Li sat fuming in his chair.

  "What, they think they're hot stuff after playing abroad for five minutes? This is a direct slap to the Football Association's face! This—this is outright betrayal!"

  "They'll risk injuries playing for foreign clubs to make money, but won't lift a finger for their own country? After everything China has done for them?"

  "The nation nurtured their talent! Don't they have any gratitude?"

  "Punish them! Punish them severely!"

  "Players like this—no discipline, no patriotism—are to be blacklisted immediately! Call a press conference! Ban all broadcasts of their matches!"

  The secretary stood frozen, not daring to breathe under Director Li's rage.

  Only when Director Li slumped back into his chair did the secretary hastily offer a freshly brewed cup of premium Da Hong Pao.

  "Tch...!"

  Director Li accepted the tea, took a loud slurp, and finally calmed slightly.

  "Very well. Get it done. Though... right now, Su and Hao only have two Bundesliga matches left. Not even sure if those will air. The main issue is the sports channel..."

  The secretary's words suddenly made Director Li realize something.

  "This matter isn't so simple after all! Hmph! Still trying to play mind games with me, that milky-faced boy!"

  A faint smile appeared.

  Director Li already had a countermeasure.

  So they wanted to unite the overseas players against him?

  Fine. He wouldn't target their leader directly—he'd go after the smaller ones first. Let's see how their so-called leader would handle that!

  "This seems to be led by that Su!"

  "Here's what we'll do—have the Football Association send Su a 'letter of concern.' Remember, just like last time: emphasize how deeply the Football Association cares about his health. After all, he's the face of Chinese football!"

  Director Li's words made the secretary's eyes light up in admiration. Truly a man who had clawed his way up from the ranks!

  He immediately grasped Director Li's intention.

  What a masterstroke! Ginger truly gets spicier with age—this was brilliant!

  But as a top-tier sycophant, he promptly feigned indignation for his superior's sake:

  "Director Li! You can't do this! Even if you care about Chinese football, you shouldn't shoulder this disgrace! He's clearly the ringleader of the overseas players—the one stirring trouble! We should crush Su first! Then the others will fall in line!"

  Director Li set down his teacup with a thud.

  His expression turned fierce.

  "Heh! But I am the Director. When you sit in this position, you must bear such humiliations. It's fine—if my personal sacrifice lifts Chinese football and pleases the fans, it's worth it."

  Having said this, Director Li reopened his teacup lid.

  Though the cup was full, he deliberately stared at the secretary.

  One glance at that expression—

  The secretary's heart mirrored it perfectly.

  Damn old fox! Making me take the fall again!

  But what choice did he have?

  Resigned, the secretary bit his lip.

  "Director Li, we cannot let the Football Association's authority be undermined like this!"

  "That Chu is obviously refusing to return deliberately, and Su's injuries are questionable! I propose banning both Chu and Hao!"

  The secretary's suggestion seemed to satisfy Director Li.

  Yet Director Li still wore a pained frown—except for his right hand, which contentedly tapped the teacup lid.

  "Sigh... but that Chu is also..."

  "Director Li! You're too merciful! I'll make it clear this was my suggestion! It's precisely because you're too kind that these players dare disobey!"

  "Ah... fine! If there's no alternative... proceed."

  With that, Director Li slumped exhaustedly into his chair.

  The secretary nodded and turned to leave.

  But the moment the door closed, his fawning expression vanished, replaced by icy grimness.

  He glanced back at the grand office.

  His eyes fell coldly on the slogan plastered across the wall:

  "MAKE CHINESE FOOTBALL STRONG!"

  ...............