A Life-Changing Decision

"Xiao Qi, come here; Director Xu wants to talk to you."

Qi Ce heard his name and turned to see the team's executive coach, Jiang Bingyao. Although Jiang was the head coach in name, everyone knew that the real boss was Xu Genbao.

Qi Ce, who was lying on the bed, exited the virtual stadium. Although he was tired in real life, he continued training in the virtual stadium, which didn't affect his physical fitness in reality. He was getting the best of both worlds.

Since his journey, Qi Ce hasn't had a chance to chat alone with Xu Genbao. He remembered the stern old man on the training ground, and Qi Ce felt a sudden sense of unease, similar to when he was called to speak with the head teacher in elementary school.

"Director Xu, did you call for me?"

"Oh, Xiao Qi."

Xu Genbao's voice was somewhat hoarse; it was almost always like this after games or training.

Xu Genbao took a sip of tea, then pulled a black object from his bag and handed it to Qi Ce. Qi Ce took it in confusion and realized it was a PSP.

Seeing Qi Ce's puzzled look, Xu Genbao smiled. "Did you forget? This is your own stuff!"

With that reminder, Qi Ce suddenly remembered that when he was at the football base, he secretly saved some new year's money to buy a PSP. It was a versatile device at the time that could play videos, read novels, play games, and listen to music. It was the envy of everyone at the base, as it provided entertainment.

During a surprise room inspection at night, Xu Genbao caught Qi Ce playing games under his covers and confiscated the PSP.

The next day, he was scolded and fined for running laps, and the young Qi Ce cried while running.

Given the current time, the incident must have occurred last year. The device was still very new, and it was evident that Xu Genbao had not tossed it aside but kept it carefully preserved, even wrapped in a plastic bag.

"Director Xu, what is this?"

"I'm giving it back to you."

Holding the PSP, Qi Ce was still unsure of what Xu Genbao had in mind.

"Xiao Qi, how many years have you been with me?"

"Three years... four years, I think." Qi Ce hesitated, finding it difficult to recall the exact time as it felt like ages ago. He remembered that he joined the Chongming base around 2003 or 2004 after someone introduced him, and he wasn't among the first to arrive.

"If, just if, one day you weren't playing football with me, where would you want to play?"

Qi Ce paused, sensing what Xu Genbao was implying. He replied, "I want to go abroad, to Europe."

"Why?"

"Because Europe offers the best football in the world. Only there can I have the opportunity to become the best player in the world," Qi Ce said without hesitation.

Xu Genbao nodded, then asked, "Do you have any plans?"

"Not yet. I want to focus on playing well first."

"If an opportunity arose now, would you want to take it?"

For the first time, Qi Ce made direct eye contact with Xu Genbao. To be honest, he was a little nervous, but now he suddenly feels calm.

"Director Xu, I would take it." His voice was not loud, but his resolve was strong.

The carriage fell silent, with only the sound of the train moving along the tracks echoing in the compartment.

Through his thick glasses, Xu Genbao looked at the young man in front of him. Qi Ce met his gaze with unwavering determination.

In Xu Genbao's impression, this young man, who spoke little, had never shown this side of himself. Perhaps it was the power of dreams becoming reality. The boy's eyes seemed to be shining.

After a long silence, Xu Genbao spoke, "I have a friend who can help you."

Qi Ce stared at Xu Genbao, slightly puzzled. "Director Xu, so you..."

"As long as you focus on playing football, whether here or elsewhere, you are only fifteen or sixteen years old. Playing football should be your most important priority now. Understand?"

Qi Ce nodded repeatedly.

"You are the first player I've thought of sending abroad." Xu Genbao stood up and patted Qi Ce's shoulder. "Football must follow the laws of development. Europe is the best."

............................................................…

Back in bed, Qi Ce couldn't stop thinking about this. He found it hard to sleep. He had considered going abroad to play football, but he didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly. After just two professional games, the opportunity to go abroad had arrived.

Excitement, anticipation, and nervousness were intertwined. Unable to sleep, Qi Ce continued training in the virtual stadium to improve his technical skills.

While he was training, the system notified him of a new task.

[New task: Sign with any club in Europe and complete progress 0/1. Task reward: Precision Shooting Skill.]

Qi Ce continued reading, finding more information about the skill.

Unlike the previous new star skill, precision shooting was a permanent skill once learned. It could be activated at will, with a cooldown time of one game. Once precision shooting was activated, shot accuracy would greatly increase, and the ball would follow an ideal route toward the goal.

However, it did not guarantee a goal. A skilled goalkeeper could still make a save. It was particularly useful for long shots or free kicks, and the success rate in the penalty area would likely be higher.

Of course, he needed to get the opportunity first.

A few days later, Xu Genbao introduced Qi Ce to a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties or fifties. The man was named Zhou Feng. Since Qi Ce was still a minor, he needed parental consent to make the trip. Zhou Feng wanted to meet Qi Ce first.

"I now conduct business in Central and Western Europe and am familiar with Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. In fact, several of the players I represent are also from these countries."

Qi Ce was a little disappointed. He had hoped to go to the Premier League, as it was the league he watched most often before his journey.

"In Europe, my colleague Xiao Dong—Dong Fangzhuo's agent Gao Qi—is much more skilled than me. He can connect with many strong teams and has a lot of connections in the UK, including with Manchester United and Tottenham. He's very powerful, but I don't think he's suitable for young players like you. What do you think? Which team do you want to join?"

Qi Ce thought for a moment. "Right now, I don't want to go to a strong team. Finding a place where I can play is more important."

"Yes, aiming too high is unrealistic. With the resources I have and your conditions, I would recommend Germany or the Netherlands. Director Xu also mentioned your excellent tactical awareness, which suits the German teams. Your strong goal-scoring ability suits the Dutch teams."

Qi Ce considered it. The Bundesliga was one of the top five leagues in Europe, and it must receive more attention than the Eredivisie. "Germany is good. I think it should be very suitable for me," he said.

"Oh, Germany is definitely a great option and very suitable for the development of Asian players." Zhou Feng nodded. "I'm already working on this. There are many procedures and processes to go through. Let's arrange a time to meet with your parents so we can discuss everything and get started."

Watching Zhou Feng talk confidently, Qi Ce was a little unsure of what to do. Xu Genbao gave him a nudge and said, "Stand up and shake hands! Don't you know basic courtesy? Now Teacher Zhou is your agent!"

Going to Europe is a big event, at least for the individual and the family.

Qi Jian and Zhang Huafang stared in disbelief at the slightly bald man in front of them. "Did you say our son Ce'er is going to Europe?"

Qi Jian seemed more composed, although he hadn't expected the opportunity to come so soon.

"Xiao Qi's level will definitely be better in Europe. This is Director Xu and my shared opinion."

"So... what do we need to do?"

"Leave it to me. But Xiao Qi is not an adult yet, so if I'm going to be his agent, I'll need your support as well."

"This..." Zhang Huafang looked at her husband, unsure of what to do. She couldn't believe her son was getting the chance to soar to new heights and go to Europe.

Qi Jian's expression was complicated, but he had a general direction in mind. He said he would definitely support his son's move to Europe.

The conversation between the three lasted more than an hour. They discussed Qi Ce's path to Europe. In this era, playing football was not a wise investment, and Qi Ce's family could only be described as ordinary. However, they ultimately reached an agreement.

"Think of it as sending him abroad to study. Prepare around 100,000 to 200,000 yuan." Qi Jian's expression twitched slightly. He had planned to buy a car after the Chinese New Year, but he decided to give up on that idea.

"Your son is also a man, and agreements between men must be honored. As long as he can go abroad, even if he doesn't succeed, he can return and find a team in the Super League, improving the family's life."

"Husband, are we really sending Ce'er abroad?" Zhang Huafang's voice was filled with reluctance. Sometimes she was disappointed with her son for being too quiet and stubborn about playing football, but he was still her son.

"Sending him abroad may bring regret for a year or two, but not sending him could bring Ce'er a lifetime of regret." Qi Jian shook his head and patted his wife on the shoulder. "In the future, Ce'er will go to high school and college, and we will spend the money anyway. It may be less, but that's fine. I'll take the risk."

"I have another project with my brother. I was considering not taking it, but now I plan to proceed. It may be a tough time at home for a while."

Zhang Huafang looked at her husband and bit her lip. "Alright, I'll listen to you."