28: Chapter 28 A Touching Thought

Coming out of the head coach's office, Yu Bai felt like he was on a runaway roller coaster.

He was excited that his Premier League debut was imminent, conflicted by Mauricio Pochettino's heartfelt warning, craving the system's criminally tempting rewards, and harboring a lingering sense of unease about the unknown risks.

Was playing in the Premier League really too risky?

Would it be a safer path to stardom to go to EFL League One like Kane did, to dominate there, build up his physique and experience, and then come back?

He shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off these chaotic thoughts.

Forget it! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it! I'll just seize the opportunity in front of me, play well in the debut, and secure the rewards first!

With the addition of one more superstar-level skill, my options for where to go next will be even greater!

Yes, that's the plan!

...

Yu Bai will appear as a substitute in the match against Leicester City—this is still a secret to the media and the general public, but in the top circle of the football world, it is no longer news.

The well-informed Jonathan Barnett not only knew it long ago, but he even knew most of the content of the conversation between Mauricio Pochettino and Yu Bai.

He even "accidentally" leaked this news to that beautiful and shrewd Chinese woman—Miss Linda.

Thus, the news spread rapidly in certain circles like oil dropped into water.

In a small group of senior football reporters, a message popped up: "Heard anything? That Chinese kid at Tottenham is in the matchday squad this weekend, and Mauricio Pochettino personally promised him playing time."

"Really? Only 17, playing in the Premier League? Is Mauricio Pochettino that daring? Or is he aiming to break the record for the youngest appearance?"

"Internal news, it's highly likely to be true. Probably going on for the last twenty minutes to get a feel for the atmosphere."

"Feel the atmosphere? I think he's going on to feel the muscles of the Premier League defenders. (Dog head emoji)"

Meanwhile, on Chinese Tottenham fan forums and social media, some vague "rumors" began to circulate.

"Heard from my friend in the UK that Yu Bai might be in the matchday squad this weekend!"

"Really? Debut?!"

"Rational discussion, give Yu Bai 20 minutes, can he create a miracle?"

"Leicester City isn't a youth team; they'll teach the 'white-skinned chicken' a lesson in minutes."

"Playing in garbage time? How many times can he touch the ball? Probably just a few Passing."

"What if? What if he goes on and does a solo run? Dreams are still necessary!"

"I bet five houses, the playing time won't exceed 15 minutes, just to feel the atmosphere."

"Brother, wake up! You don't have five houses!"

"No matter how many minutes, playing is history!"

...

After Wen Wan learned the news from Jonathan Barnett, she was so shocked she almost knocked over the coffee in her hand.

She immediately dialed her sister Wen Qing's phone, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Sister! Yu Bai... Yu Bai might make his Premier League debut this weekend!"

Wen Qing on the other end of the phone was doing her pre-sleep skincare routine. Hearing this news, the bottle of serum in her hand fell onto the vanity table with a "clatter" and rolled to the floor.

"What?! Premier League debut?! How many days has he been in the first team?! Has the Tottenham coaching staff gone crazy?!"

After the shock came immense joy and a hint of complex bitterness.

She calmed her breathing and immediately rushed into the bedroom with her phone.

Yu Yun was leaning against the headboard reading financial news. Seeing Wen Qing rush in, he frowned: "What's wrong? It's late at night."

"Honey! Xiao Bai! Yu Bai might be playing in the Premier League for Tottenham this weekend! Debut!"

Wen Qing spoke extremely fast, her face flushed with excitement.

"Huh?!!!"

Yu Yun bounced straight up from the bed, almost throwing his phone, "My son is already that strong now?! Mauricio Pochettino is giving him that much face?!"

After the shock came overwhelming ecstasy and pride. He rubbed his hands and paced by the bed, "Quick! Wen Qing, book a flight to the UK! Help me buy tickets too, buy two! I want the best seats!"

Wen Qing was overjoyed. Was he going to take her to see their son?

She suppressed her excitement and asked softly: "Okay, I'll book it right away. When are we leaving? I'll check the recent flights..."

Then she heard Yu Yun continue, his tone matter-of-fact: "I have to call Yu Bai's mother. At such an important moment, it wouldn't be right if she, as the child's birth mother, isn't there, right?"

The smile on Wen Qing's face froze instantly, as if a basin of ice water had been poured over her from head to toe.

She stared blankly at Yu Yun, unable to believe her ears.

So... are you asking me to book tickets for your ex-wife? You and your ex-wife are going to see your son? What about me? A ticket-booking tool?

Yu Yun didn't notice her instantly pale complexion and dimmed eyes, and was still excitedly planning: "Right, just book a one-way ticket, no return needed. The old man's private jet happens to have business in London, I'll take that back after the match, it's convenient."

"...Um, okay."

Wen Qing squeezed two words out of her throat, lowered her head, and covered her instantly reddened eye sockets and falling tears.

She turned around silently, walked out of the bedroom, and went to arrange the booking.

Every step felt like stepping on knife edges, her heart was stuffy and panicked.

Yu Yun impatiently dialed Shen Muwan's number.

The ringing lasted for a long time, so long that he thought she wouldn't answer, before a cold, short, emotionless female voice came from the other side:

"Speak."

Yu Yun knew her too well. If the phone only rang a few times, she wouldn't answer, and she would never return the call afterward. Only when it rang long enough to make her think there might be something truly urgent would she answer.

"Our son is making his Premier League debut this weekend, away against Leicester City. No matter how busy you are, you must be there. I've already booked the tickets."

Yu Yun was concise and to the point, his tone unquestionable.

"Okay."

Shen Muwan didn't waste any words, didn't even ask another question, and hung up directly.

Although her heart was also churning with huge waves—

Can my son play in the Premier League so quickly?

How could Mauricio Pochettino give him a chance?

Can he adapt?

Countless questions flooded her mind, but she didn't want to say a single word more to Yu Yun.

Putting down the phone, Shen Muwan leaned against the headboard, her delicate face expressionless, but the slightly raised corners of her mouth betrayed her excellent mood at the moment. She picked up the phone:

"Qingqing, cancel all scheduled itineraries for the weekend. Book the earliest flight to the UK, and also, secure the tickets for Leicester City vs. Tottenham this weekend in advance, VIP box is best. We are going to see Xiao Bai."

The assistant Song Qingqing on the other end of the phone had suppressed excitement in her voice: "Okay, President Shen! I'll do it right away!"

Business trip on company money + seeing a handsome guy + witnessing a historic moment! This wave is a huge profit!

The little person in Song Qingqing's heart had already started dancing, and she had already started imagining the scene of seeing Yu Bai's handsome face up close in the UK.

Shen Muwan put down the phone, looked at the bustling city night view outside the window, and whispered to herself, with rare tenderness and pride:

"Xiao Bai, my good son... you really make your mother proud."

...

After Wen Qing instructed her assistant to book the tickets, she called her sister Wen Wan again. Her voice had returned to calm, even a little tired.

"Sister, what's wrong?"

Wen Wan's voice came through.

"Wanwan, I'll transfer a sum of money to you. Go and get Yu Bai a few sets of mature and stylish outfits. His status is different now; he is a player about to step onto the Premier League stage. His dressing taste must keep up; he can't always wear training clothes."

Wen Qing's voice didn't show much emotion.

"Ah... okay, I'll go do it right away."

Wen Wan agreed, but felt a little strange, why did her sister suddenly care about this?

"Wanwan..."

Wen Qing's voice paused, as if it was hard to speak, with a hint of imperceptible pleading.

"Sister, I'm here, tell me."

"Treat Yu Bai well. Sister... really needs it. Do you understand?"

Wen Qing's voice was very low, with a kind of almost humble meaning.

Wen Wan understood instantly.

Her sister had been trying hard to win Yu Yun's heart, even wanting to use her son to advance, but with little success.

And Yu Bai was the apple of Yu Yun's eye, the grandson most valued by the old man of the Yu family.

If she could get along well with Yu Bai, or even... then her sister's status with Yu Yun, and her right to speak in the Yu family, would naturally rise.

Letting Yu Bai speak for her sister was more useful than her sister trying hard for ten or twenty years.

"Um, sister, I know."

Wen Wan's voice was very light, but very firm, "I will."

The sisters' conversation was like an encrypted telegram, short, but tacitly understood by each other.