Evergrande Football School no longer contacted European clubs for Lu Chuan. They hoped Lu Chuan would return to China and join the League.
Lu Chuan was unwilling. He wanted to take the initiative.
It was January 2019, the winter transfer window.
Lu Chuan remembered that RCD Espanyol, in order to expand into the Chinese market, had signed Wu Lei for two million euros.
He was also a Chinese player, younger, and had the system's enhancement. The transfer fee only required a youth training compensation to Evergrande Football School, which was much cheaper than Wu Lei.
If Wu Lei could go, why couldn't he? As long as he could join RCD Espanyol, he wouldn't be buried.
No sooner said than done. Lu Chuan immediately opened his computer and created a resume. He searched the RCD Espanyol official website, found the recruitment department's and head coach's email addresses, and sent a package containing his personal physical data, enhanced by the system, as well as videos and posts of his performances in youth competitions in Spain.
He also left messages on Twitter and Facebook. His goal was clear: to get a trial opportunity and escape the fate of returning to China.
He didn't put all his eggs in one basket and sent his resume to other clubs as well.
Casting a wide net was his strategy. Lu Chuan mused that he must find an agent after a while, otherwise, dealing with these trivial matters would make it impossible to guarantee his training time.
Waiting was always agonizing. The Football School had suspended Lu Chuan's training, so he could only go to outdoor public fields to maintain his condition. He wanted to be in the best possible state for the trial.
On the flat artificial turf field, Lu Chuan wore the Evergrande Football School team jersey. He warmed up carefully, then began ball training.
The training content for professional players mostly consisted of basic exercises. Dribbling, passing, and shooting were all daily hard work.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi were no exceptions. Lu Chuan was meticulous, and the system's enhancement made him feel at ease.
He wanted to be in the best condition for the trial.
On the street, a middle-aged white man walked past.
He stopped, his gaze falling on Lu Chuan.
"Good ball control, explosiveness, speed, and body flexibility," he evaluated in his mind. Lu Chuan, on a whim, lifted the ball in an extremely flashy manner, then touched it with his head, chest, back, and feet with high quality.
That kind of casualness and agility emanated from within.
"From Evergrande Football School?" The middle-aged white man approached the edge of the field.
Lu Chuan stopped training. He could converse in Spanish daily. "Yes."
The middle-aged white man observed Lu Chuan's movements, his eyes full of interest. "Tell me about your situation?" His tone was calm.
Lu Chuan wiped his sweat, organizing his thoughts. "The Football School suggested I return to China, saying I'm not suitable for European Leagues. But I don't want to give up; I feel I still have potential."
"What are your strengths?"
Lu Chuan thought for a moment. "I'm technically well-rounded; my shooting, speed, and dribbling are all good. Also, my long-range shooting ability is quite outstanding."
The middle-aged white man raised an eyebrow. "Demonstrate it."
Lu Chuan nodded, placing the ball twenty-five meters from the goal.
He stood firm, his gaze fixed on the goal. A run-up, a swing of the leg, a shot! The ball flew towards the top right corner of the goal, with excellent curve and power.
The middle-aged white man's eyes lit up.
After the training, the middle-aged white man just nodded at Lu Chuan and turned to leave. He did not reveal his identity.
Although Lu Chuan was puzzled, he didn't think much of it and continued to immerse himself in training.
Early the next morning, Lu Chuan was packing his things in the dormitory, preparing to go to the public field.
His phone suddenly rang. It was Instructor Wang from Evergrande Football School.
"Lu Chuan, come to my office." Instructor Wang's tone was serious.
Lu Chuan's heart skipped a beat. Did the Football School have a new decision?
He put down his things and hurried to Instructor Wang's office. "Instructor Wang, you called for me?"
Instructor Wang pushed up his glasses, a smile on his face, his tone calm: "Xiao Lu, good news. Leganés contacted the Football School this morning, inviting you to trial for their B team."
"Leganés?!" Lu Chuan's heart pounded. "Is it Leganés from La Liga?"
"That's right, it's them. The trial is tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, at their training base," Instructor Wang added. "They are very interested in your technical characteristics, especially your long-range shooting. It seems your recent efforts weren't in vain."
The image of the middle-aged white man on the public field yesterday flashed through Lu Chuan's mind. It was him. He didn't ask further, just nodded vigorously, too excited to speak. "Thank you, Instructor Wang! I, I will definitely perform well!"
Instructor Wang waved his hand. "This is your own opportunity. Go, prepare well. Remember, this is your last chance to play in Europe; you must seize it."
Lu Chuan solemnly acknowledged, turned, and walked out of the office. He gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles white.
This was a real opportunity.