"And I don’t want anyone interfering with my work again, okay?"
Scott’s face twitched, a mix of excitement and anger.
Excited because Sotu took the bait.
Angry because Sotu spoke without even bothering to look at him.
Sotu only communicated with Russell.
"I hope the team can get better. Of course, I’ll always respect your work," Russell said to Sotu.
Sotu nodded and then left the office.
"Will he make the players isolate Becher’s? I think..." Scott continued to badmouth Sotu after he left.
"Enough!" Russell halted Scott, "Sotu is my chosen person, I absolutely trust him... You, too, so I trust you as well. But you’re not in a relationship where you replace each other. I hope to see you work harmoniously with Sotu."
Scott sulked but didn’t say more.
After Scott left as well, Russell stared at the blank paper in front of him.
Two paths were drawn on it.
He knew everything!
Russell didn’t care at all about things like "Becher’s transfer for four million, eighty thousand annual salary, must perform, or it’s wasted".
Four million meant nothing to him.
He was still hesitant about which path San Remo should take.
Whether to accumulate strength, attract more stars, upgrade the team’s setup, and then break into Serie A, operating like those wealthy teams.
Or like a naïve child, bet everything on Lu Yang, believing in fairy tales.
Reason told Russell he should choose the former, as it’s the path to success summarized by countless capitalists.
But... why can’t people control themselves sometimes?
"Can I trust you... Lu... I hope you’ll give me an answer in the next match!" Russell murmured, writing Lu Yang’s name repeatedly.
...
February 9th.
The fifth round of the Italian Cup kicked off.
Currently, there are sixteen teams remaining.
Among them, eleven from Serie A, four from Serie B, and one from the Italian Third Division.
San Remo created a miracle, becoming the only low-level league team to advance to the Cup’s top sixteen.
In the future, every step they take will be a miracle.
One day before the match, Lu Yang received a message.
Diego Talista: "I thought we’d meet again in Serie A, but I didn’t expect you to move so quickly."
Lu Yang replied: "I wish you an early promotion to Serie A. And thank you in advance for once again handing victory to me."
Talista: "Accept your blessing, but refuse your thanks. This time, I should thank you... for giving me a chance for revenge!"
Lu Yang: "Shh! Keep it down, don’t say such ridiculous things from now on."
Talista didn’t reply, but Lu Yang could imagine his mood.
That’s right.
San Remo’s opponent in the fifth round is none other than Chievo, the current top of the Serie B standings!
Chievo got promoted to Serie A the year before last, relegated last year, and once again stormed toward promotion this year, like an elevator.
Their strength being above Serie B is an undisputed fact.
Moreover, this season they are far ahead of the second and third places, with Benevento, Brescia, and other teams competing fiercely, but Chievo almost certainly has a promotion spot, more exaggerated than San Remo’s situation in the Italian Third Division.
So, like San Remo, they have the energy to fight for something in the Italian Cup.
Today, they fielded seventy percent of their starting lineup, giving some rest to the veterans and opportunities to some newcomers.
But overall, their combat effectiveness wouldn’t drop much.
Especially with their ace forward Diego Talista starting, which almost guarantees Chievo’s attacking power.
In twenty-two rounds of matches, nineteen goals, five assists, no penalties!
Diego Talista illustrated what a Divine Striker truly is!
Last season playing in the Italian D Division was utterly pointless for him.
He might be a master at bullying weaker teams, but only stronger opponents can prove his value.
His performance this year in Serie B once again shook many Serie A teams.
Previously, due to another main forward covering Talista, plus Talista’s splendid appearance misleading fans about his age, most teams ignored him and chose the other forward from Chievo.
But whether Chievo’s relegation last season or that forward’s mediocre display in Serie A this season, it’s enough to show that perhaps Talista was the key reason for Chievo’s previous promotion.
Chievo’s lineup is very stable, their elevator-like performance perfectly aligns with Talista’s departure and return.
Who is the Divine Striker out of this world is already clear.
Because of Talista’s presence and the sixteen to eight matchup’s intensity, many media outlets are paying attention to this round.
Before the match, a reporter interviewed Talista: "Diego, will you transfer at the end of this season?"
Talista: "Get lost!"
Reporter: "How do you see the rumors of Juventus pursuing you? And Inter Milan, they both want you!"
Talista: "I’ll say it again, get lost! Don’t interrupt my game preparations. I’m not interested in Serie A. I know I have the ability to conquer even Serie A, but my real opponent is not in Serie A, but in the team right in front of me."
"So, don’t distract me. The great Diego won’t lose a second time!"
The reporters were quite puzzled.
What was Talista talking about?
But soon, someone provided the answer.
Live Football Report’s Hans published an article previewing this match, focusing on last season’s clash between Lu Yang and Talista.
That happened in the Italian D Division, although from the Italian D Division perspective, that match was "watched by thousands".
But looking at the entire Italian Football, those who followed and remembered it were indeed few.
Most people were watching the Sofia Goddess shed tears.
This article promptly awakened the entire Italian Football community.
Consequently, a series of sensational headlines emerged.
"Serie B’s Divine Striker, my only enemy, he’s not in Serie A!"
"Talista disdains further talk of Serie A, only one person exists in his sight!"
"Lifelong rival! A Divine Striker stronger than Talista in the lower league?"
"China Lu! The super dark horse that seized Talista’s championship glory!"
"All-out black horse? San Remo’s star Lu Yang once dominated over Chievo’s ace to take the cup!"
"The battle for the best star below Serie A! The untold story of Diego Talista and Lu Yang!"
"Behind Lu Yang’s divine battle lies the undeniable Serie B Divine Striker Diego Talista!"
The fans were exhilarated!
Didn’t expect such an exciting rivalry below Serie A!
Whether Talista or Lu Yang, both have surpassed the charm that stars in low-level matches possess. The former because of numerous top clubs’ pursuits, the latter because of his supernatural performances and goals, along with rumors involving Sofia.
The fifth round of the Italian Cup is bound to become iconic.
However, after seeing these reports, one person was severely provoked.
That is Becher’s.
All along, he’s been competing with Lu Yang for the position of the team’s number one star, even believing he’s way ahead.
But... it turns out, Lu Yang never really considered him in his sights.
Because among his competitors, there are genuine stars like Talista!
And not future stars like himself.
In comparison to Talista, Becher’s has no grounds for pride. If they were on the same team, he might not vie for stardom against Talista.
But it’s a shame that Becher’s dared to compete with Lu Yang, who Talista thinks is stronger.
This cannot be unrelated to the humble international image of easterners and the racial disadvantage of Asians in football.
Boom!
Becher’s clenched his fists.
He vowed, in this match, he won’t just stand as a lackey. He wants everyone to see the "me" called Becher’s. He wants to become the true star dominating this match.
No matter if it’s Lu Yang or Talista, they all have to step aside!
Step aside!