"Baptista, García, and Guti can be rotated freely. If you want to strengthen the attack, use Guti. If you want to reinforce the defense, use García."
"If we're short on players, then use Gravesen and the others."
"The backline doesn't need changes: Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Ramos, and Cicinho. Salgado's form isn't as good as Cicinho's, but if Cicinho gets carried away, bring in Salgado to keep him grounded."
"And of course, Casillas in goal."
Simon nodded repeatedly, occasionally jotting things down in his notebook.
Coming to consult Su Hang today had been more than worth it.
If Simon had pushed his own ideas on the squad, he would've faced massive pushback.
Because Su Hang's plan wasn't just different from Simon's—it was the exact opposite.
Why did Luxemburgo have to stir up all that "Superstar clique vs. Local clique" drama at the end of last season and the start of this one?
If he had just waited until now, the superstars wouldn't even want to play anymore.
Then the South American clique wouldn't be insisting on starting, and even Figo and Zidane would be demanding rotation.
That's just how it goes.
Luxemburgo tried to be too clever, but every move backfired.
Simon thought to himself: I'm the smart one.
Stick with Su Hang, and you won't get stabbed in the back.
Follow Su Hang, and the rewards never stop.
But honestly now—did Su Hang, Clara, and Jennifer really just play video games last night?
Simon thought: No way I'm buying that!
...
"Well then, my dear star reporter Clara, looks like you've got your headline again!"
After seeing Simon out, Su Hang sighed and glanced toward the stairs.
The next moment, Clara walked out with her hands behind her back.
"How did you know I was eavesdropping?"
Caught red-handed.
So awkward.
"For privacy reasons, I didn't install cameras in the bathrooms. But for security, I did install them outside." Su Hang pointed to his computer screen.
Clara's face turned red, then froze.
"But when I came out of the bathroom just now, I wasn't wearing… Oh my god! Last night after my shower I went straight from the bathroom to the bedroom!"
Su Hang shrugged. "I didn't expect you'd be applying body lotion outside the bathroom either."
Clara's face burned crimson.
Applying body lotion.
That meant… oh no!
She had been seen completely naked?
"Wait, we?" Clara's eyes shot upstairs. "Jennifer wasn't wearing anything either?"
Well, that balanced things out.
"Then consider this my payback, my dear Su." Clara didn't wait for his reply. She didn't bother showering, didn't even grab her clothes, and slipped into her car still wrapped in her robe.
She drove straight home.
She had a headline to write.
Real Madrid Lineup Shakeup!
Zidane, Figo, Raúl, Ronaldo and other superstars to face rotation!
How's that for explosive?
But unfortunately, at that very moment, other media outlets were already staking out Su Hang's villa.
They couldn't capture what was happening inside.
But they did snap Clara driving out in her robe.
"Huh? Not Jennifer?" An LA entertainment reporter was baffled.
What happened to the story about internet sensation Jennifer spending the night at the football superstar's mansion?
Why was another beauty leaving instead?
Bad intel?
This outlet had bet on exclusive information, hoping to dig up dirt on Jennifer.
Her surging popularity had taken endorsements, magazine covers, and live events away from other stars.
That kind of cutthroat competition naturally bred resentment.
If a scandal about her "being bankrolled by a sugar daddy" broke out, her career could be finished overnight.
But now it seemed those trying to smear Jennifer had gotten it wrong.
She wasn't even there.
Had she anticipated this and arranged a switch?
"Hey man, this woman looks like someone important too!" The LA paparazzi quickly identified the robed beauty. "Pack it up—we've got the real headline!"
"This is Spain's top beauty reporter, Clara!"
That afternoon—
Clara, still rushing to finish her article, hadn't published her story yet… but she herself had already made the front page.
"Sleeping Beauty Drives Out of Su Hang's Mansion—Real Madrid Captain Rich and Romantic!"
"Who Is the Mysterious Robed Beauty? Has Su Hang Already Begun Dating Her?"
"Exclusive! Real Madrid Captain's 'Scoring' Skills Shine—Conquering Spain's Top Beauty Reporter Clara!"
"No Wonder Clara Always Cheers for Su Hang—She's His Official Spokesperson! Putting in the Work for Him On and Off the Field!"
The news exploded onto the front pages.
The Hollywood paparazzi hadn't expected this story—barely a blip in the US—to go nuclear across Europe, topping news charts in over thirty countries.
Clara and Su Hang's names were suddenly everywhere.
Fans flooded the comments:
"No wonder Clara's column always had inside scoops—Su Hang was her source?"
"Is Su Hang betraying the Real Madrid locker room's secrets?"
"He's the captain! This is way out of line!"
"No wonder Su Hang doesn't push for much on the pitch—just being in the locker room gets him headlines."
"Wow, how clueless are you? Do you think gossip compares to Su Hang's goals? You think that can win us La Liga?"
"Exactly! Barça fans commenting on our captain? Go worship your water polo Ronaldinho!"
"Clara's body… damn, Su Hang scored big time!"
"You've got it backwards! With Su Hang's skills, looks, physique, and market value, Clara's the one who scored!"
Clara's phone was blowing up with calls from colleagues.
Then she saw the comments online.
She looked at the draft on her computer. Publishing it now would only make things harder for Su Hang to explain.
Should she still post it?
It didn't take long for Clara to decide.
Soon after, The Clara Column updated.
It featured screenshots of some of the online comments.
Clara appeared on camera herself:
"Honestly, it wasn't all that. I actually wouldn't mind some romance with Su—if he didn't tower dive me and kill me ten times in a row!"
She then posted her Warcraft III gaming record with Su Hang.
"As for the robe… Su's house has more than a dozen rooms. We played until late, and heading home wasn't safe. Staying in a guest room—is that really so hard to understand?"
"The robes at Su's place are ridiculously comfortable and stylish, like custom couture dresses. Once I put one on, I forgot it was even a robe. That's why I didn't realize I was still wearing it when I left."
"Oh, turns out they really are custom luxury brand pieces. Guess my instincts weren't wrong."