44: Chapter 44 Ranieri: I'm like a bootlicker! Come to me, it'll be released the day after tomorrow!

"Of course I do! It's a very important matter!"

Claudio Ranieri's voice suddenly rose, full of infectious energy, "Yu Bai, I'm calling to ask you personally — are you interested in coming to Leicester City immediately, right now? Coming to my team? I, Claudio Ranieri, sincerely and formally invite you to join us!"

Yu Bai was a bit stunned by this straightforward approach. Holding his phone, he didn't know how to respond for a moment. This manager... was really playing by his own rules.

Claudio Ranieri didn't wait for him to overthink it, throwing out his chips with rapid-fire speed:

"Listen, kid. I'm not going to play games with you. As long as you nod and come to Leicester City, I guarantee your playing time — not as a substitute, but as an important rotation player, maybe even more! You don't need to worry about anything in your life; housing, cars, the club will arrange everything for you as quickly as possible! You only need to do one thing: focus on playing football and fulfill your talent!"

He paused, his tone becoming incredibly serious, even carrying a kind of near-"subservient" eagerness:

"Yu Bai, I've seen many young players, but I saw something most special in you. You perfectly fit my imagination of football, and I need a player like you to make my tactics take flight! That's why I called you personally. Can you hear it in my tone? My fondness for you is real! With you, I feel like a simp chasing after a girl, but I'm willing to do it!"

Yu Bai had heard that Claudio Ranieri had an excellent relationship with his players, that he would treat the whole team to pizza, and that he had no airs. But he never expected that this Italian manager would be willing to "simp" to this extent just to sign him.

Intuition told him that sometimes, choosing the place that appreciates you the most and needs you the most is more important than going to the place you "like the most."

A warm current surged in his heart. The feeling of being needed and valued washed away some of the depression from being "abandoned" by Tottenham.

He took a deep breath and said clearly and firmly into the phone: "Mr. Claudio Ranieri, I am willing to accept this challenge. I am willing to play for you and for Leicester City."

"Great! Fantastic!"

Claudio Ranieri almost cheered on the other end of the line, "Then come as soon as possible! Leave the paperwork and the haggling at the club level to me and your agent! You just get here! The day after tomorrow night, League Cup against Bury FC, I want you in the starting lineup!"

Starting lineup! The day after tomorrow! League Cup!

Yu Bai held the phone, and even after hanging up, his ears were still buzzing.

This was... settled?

Starting for a new team the day after tomorrow?

This efficiency, not even a rocket could be this fast, right?

He shook his head and quickly dialed Jonathan Barnett's number.

"Hey, my dear Yu! Are you calling to ask about the shortlist I screened for you? Let me tell you, there are a few that are very good..."

Jonathan Barnett's voice was as energetic as ever.

"Jonathan," Yu Bai interrupted him, speaking quickly, "I just finished a call with Claudio Ranieri, and I've agreed to go to Leicester City. He wants me to go over right now and start in the League Cup the day after tomorrow."

There was a full three seconds of silence on the other end.

Jonathan Barnett: "...What? Who? Claudio Ranieri? He called you directly? This old fox doesn't play by the rules! Wait... starting the day after tomorrow? How desperate is he?"

Yu Bai: "I don't know how desperate he is, but that's what he said. I have to rush to Leicester now. Leave the procedural stuff to you, get it done as soon as possible. It's Leicester City, no need to look at others."

Jonathan Barnett was silent for another two seconds, then burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha! Good! Well done, kid! This is the treatment a top-tier talent gets! Having the manager call personally to 'snatch' someone! I like it! Don't worry, leave the rest to me. I guarantee you'll be standing in the dressing room at King Power Stadium legally and compliantly the day after tomorrow!"

After hanging up, Jonathan Barnett rubbed his chin, his smile widening.

He could understand, he could absolutely understand.

When you set your eyes on a peerless treasure, how can you wait to go through all those tedious procedures? Of course, you take the initiative to strike first, get the person on board before anything else!

Claudio Ranieri's "straightforward" move was well played!

Yu Bai stood by the side of the road and quickly dialed another number.

"Wen Wan, now, immediately, come home and drive to pick me up. I've sent you the address, I need a driver."

An hour later, in front of Yu Bai's villa in Enfield.

Wen Wan rushed over; she had clearly been "conscripted" at the last minute from some important event.

She was wearing a sexy black off-shoulder crop top paired with white hot pants and over-the-knee boots, her makeup exquisite, clearly having dressed up carefully. At this moment, she looked at Yu Bai, who was standing at the door pulling a small suitcase and carrying a sports bag, her beautiful eyes filled with "anger that dared not speak."

"My dear young master Yu, what are you up to now? Calling me to be your driver in such a rush, where are you going?"

She pouted, her tone aggrieved.

"To Leicester."

Yu Bai was concise, putting his luggage in the trunk, "I've been loaned to Leicester City. Now, immediately, right away, going over there."

"Huh? Loaned? Leicester City?"

Wen Wan was stunned again, "When did this happen? Why didn't Jonathan notify me? Is the contract signed? Have you passed the medical?"

"It was just decided. Jonathan only knew two minutes before you did."

Yu Bai got into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt, "The paperwork will be done later. The opposing manager, Claudio Ranieri, called personally to ask for me and wants me to start in the League Cup the day after tomorrow. So, we must leave immediately."

Wen Wan: "..."

There was too much information; she needed to digest it.

The manager called personally? Starting the day after tomorrow? What kind of god-tier treatment is this? She started the car while asking weakly: "Then... do I need to pack my bags and move to Leicester too?"

Yu Bai glanced at her and said very "thoughtfully" and "seriously": "No. You drive me there, then leave the car with me. You take the train back to London yourself. As for work..."

He paused and gave a "conscientious suggestion," "You can consider resigning directly."

The smile on Wen Wan's face stiffened instantly.

Resign? What kind of international joke was that! If she dared to resign, her cousin Wen Qing could fly over from China and eat her alive!

The true KPI of this "assistant" job wasn't handling documents, but "tethering" this ancestor in front of her!

"Heh... hehe, resigning is impossible, it's impossible to resign in this life."

Wen Wan gave two dry laughs and pressed the accelerator, the car driving into the night, "Assistant work makes me happy! Let's go, I am full of 'anticipation' for the brand new life in Leicester!"

She gritted her teeth on the last few words, yet there was a hint of inexplicable excitement.

Taking advantage of the gap while waiting for a red light, Wen Wan quickly sent a text message to her cousin Wen Qing: "Cousin, emergency situation. Yu Bai has been loaned to Leicester City, the opposing manager Claudio Ranieri personally recruited him, and he has to start the day after tomorrow. I'm taking him there now, probably going to be stationed in Leicester for a long time."

A few seconds later, Wen Qing replied with only one sentence, but it made Wen Wan's ears heat up slightly:

"Wanwan, this is a god-given opportunity. Seize the chance and close the distance."