Chapter 119: The Fortunate Long Bisheng

"The Austrian side Austria Wien has shown some interest in you. They are currently lacking depth on the left wing; their main left midfielder, Janke, is nearing thirty and lacks a capable backup. They are looking to bring in a promising young talent. While you might not be a starter immediately, you would certainly get opportunities to play. The club’s stance is that they are unwilling to settle for a loan or a full buyout; instead, they hope to purchase half of your ownership rights. If you agree, we will begin negotiations soon to resolve your transfer before the start of next season." Liu Lin pulled a stack of documents from his bag and handed one to Zhou Wei.

"What do you think?" Zhou Wei asked skeptically. "How is the level of the Austrian league? I don't want to spend my whole life in a second-tier league."

"It's roughly on par with our domestic league, perhaps slightly better than the China League One," Liu Lin replied after a moment of thought. "Besides, Austria Wien is a historic European powerhouse that frequently qualifies for the Champions League and the UEFA Cup."

"Then I'm in." Zhou Wei nodded. "I believe with my abilities, I should be able to break into the starting lineup soon. Once I’m there, I’ll take the Champions League by storm, create miracles, move to a giant club, and usher in the 'Era of Zhou'... Hahaha, just thinking about it makes me feel great!"

"You look like an idiot when you laugh," the others immediately jeered. However, they didn't criticize his delusions, for what Zhou Wei described was the very same dream they all shared—even if the road to turning that dream into reality was long and arduous.

"Wu Bufan, a club in the Belgian Second Division wants to take you on a one-season loan... Antwerp, the team that was relegated from the Belgian First Division last season," Ning Xi said with a mischievous smile.

Wu Bufan was taken aback. He expressed some dissatisfaction: "The Belgian Second Division? Austria Wien is at least a strong team in the Austrian top flight, so why is my suitor just a second-tier team?" Then he realized: "Antwerp, the club where Dalian’s Dong Yuzhuo plays? Damn, isn't his younger brother Dong Fanghong from the Dalian youth team? The one I fought last year?"

Ning Xi laughed even harder. "That’s the one... So, are you going or not? Antwerp failed to earn promotion last year precisely because they lacked a good goalkeeper. Goalkeepers need match practice, and these days, finding a club willing to start a young keeper is very difficult. They have promised you a starting spot. Think it over."

"Damn it, I'm going. The worst that can happen is I get into another fight with Dong Fanghong’s brother... who cares," Wu Bufan said firmly.

The goalkeeper position is indeed special. A backup keeper in Europe—even in the top five leagues—is often worse off than a starter in China. Take Chu Ran, who left Yunjia Tianyu, for instance. He nearly rotted in the Inter Milan youth team for two years because there was no spot for him in the first team. It is precisely for this reason that the club has been working hard to loan him out to gain experience; reportedly, he recently signed a two-year loan deal with Napoli.

"What about us? What about us?" Li Jie asked anxiously. "Why are you only talking about the Hubei guys? Tell us about us from Liaoning. Which club has their eye on me?"

"What's the rush? I don't even know who wants me yet," Dai Guangming said discontentedly.

"Li Jie, let's talk about you," Liu Lin said with a mischievous grin. "You're in for something big! A German club has their eye on you!"

Li Jie shouted in surprise, "Damn! A German one! Is it the Bundesliga? 2. Bundesliga would be fine too."

Liu Lin and Ning Xi exchanged knowing smiles. Even Long Bisheng could tell something was off. Li Jie began to feel uneasy: "Which team is it, exactly?"

"A strong team in the Regionalliga Süd—Hoffenheim. The club's owner is Dietmar Hopp, one of the founders of the famous European software company SAP. Mr. Hopp and our boss have had business dealings in the past, and there is a partnership between Hoffenheim and Yunjia Tianyu. They want to buy you out for 50,000 euros. If you agree, you could sign the contract as early as tomorrow. I've looked at the terms; they're good, really good. A 70,000-euro annual salary, a three-year contract, with a 25 percent raise each year. If the team earns promotion to the 2. Bundesliga during the contract, you'll get a 20,000-euro bonus. You're guaranteed to play in at least half of the team's official matches. They are very sincere." Liu Lin said with a straight face.

The others couldn't help but laugh at Li Jie’s pathetic expression as he pleaded, "Can I say no? Isn't there any other team?"

"Unfortunately, no other team has shown interest," Ning Xi said, shrugging. "Besides Hoffenheim, your only other option is to return home."

"It's not about vanity, but the third tier of German football—that's just too low, isn't it? Can it even compare to our China League One?" Li Jie complained. "I would have accepted even a 2. Bundesliga team, but I've never even heard of this Regionalliga Süd!"

"Li Jie, rest assured, I won't lead you astray, and neither will the club." Liu Lin turned serious, his chubby face suddenly looking quite stern. "Do you know that when Mr. Hopp started investing in Hoffenheim in '89, they were playing in the eighth tier of German football? Think about that number. And the Regionalliga Süd they are in now is the third tier. In sixteen years, they’ve jumped five levels. The difficulty of doing that is no less than our boss taking Yunjia Tianyu from a newly formed club to the most successful club in all of Asia! This club has ambition and a plan. Our boss has inspected their facilities, and even he couldn't stop praising them. Do you think a club like that will stay in the Regionalliga forever? A third-tier club with ambition is far more promising than a second-tier club without any. Going to Hoffenheim is absolutely not a wrong choice. Besides, they are giving you a semi-starter position that no other club would offer. As long as you work hard, what is so difficult about securing a permanent starting spot?"

"I'll have to think about it," Li Jie said, his face losing its look of grievance.

"That's only natural," Liu Lin nodded, then turned to Hu Dangdang. "Old Hu, Go Ahead Eagles in the Eerste Divisie wants to loan you for a season. The Netherlands has always been the 'arsenal' of European football, and Go Ahead Eagles is a historic team in the second tier. They’ve been one step away from the Eredivisie for several seasons. Their attack is good, but their defense is weak. You’ll find it easier to fight for a starting spot there."

Hu Dangdang's response was as simple as his personality: "I trust the club's arrangement. I'll go."

"God, if only everyone were as straightforward as you," Liu Lin stretched dramatically before turning to Ning Xi. "You explain the situation for the remaining three guys. I'm exhausted; let me rest."

Ning Xi smiled, knowing why Liu Lin had said that—the remaining three had excellent destinations, a sign that Liu Lin was looking out for her.

"Zhang Yi, you're quite lucky... Metz in Ligue 2 wants to buy half of your ownership... The French league is a fertile ground for nurturing players, and your technical style is well-suited for it. What do you think?"

"Metz was a Ligue 1 team, right? They've been stuck in Ligue 2 for the last few years. What choice do I have? Fine, Ligue 2 it is. There’s always a chance to get to Ligue 1," Zhang Yi said with a smile. "Austrian top flight, Belgian second tier, German regional... Dutch second tier, French second tier... Zhou Wei, your destination seems the best, with a chance to play in the Champions League."

Zhou Wei looked smug. "That's because I'm talented. You guys need to step it up; don't let me leave you too far behind..."

The others collectively shook their heads, speechless at this arrogant and narcissistic guy. Ning Xi continued: "Dai Guangming, you have the most teams interested in you... One is Sporting Gijón in the Segunda División. They were a historic La Liga side, but unfortunately, they've been playing in the second tier since their relegation in '98. They have promised you a starting spot. Another is Saint-Étienne, newly promoted to Ligue 1, but their task for the new season is to avoid relegation, and they trust veteran players more... The third is Málaga in La Liga, but they want to sign you as a youth prospect."

"If I'm going, I'm going to a team where I can play," Dai Guangming expressed his opinion just as quickly. "I don't care about the salary, as long as it's reasonable, but I need to play more matches."

"A very sound judgment," Ning Xi nodded in approval. "That was our conclusion as well. Although Sporting Gijón is a second-tier team, they possess one of the best youth systems in Spain. David Villa, who is about to transfer to Newcastle, and Angulo of Valencia were both nurtured there. Given your style, you will be able to adapt better to the more relaxed physical intensity of the Spanish second tier."

Long Bisheng watched from the side as Ning Xi analyzed the options for the others with confidence. He felt very happy—it seemed that Ning Xi had successfully completed her transition from player to agent. Although Ning Xi and Liu Lin had left him for last, he wasn't worried at all. He trusted Ning Xi and Liu Lin, and he trusted that Yunjia Tianyu would not just shove him into any random team.

"Hey, it's time to talk about A-Long. Which club has their eye on him?" After determining their own paths, Dai Guangming noticed that Long Bisheng's destination hadn't been mentioned yet.

"Him? He's a lucky guy..." Ning Xi suddenly laughed. "The team interested in him is an Italian side! Napoli in Serie B!"