“Start with the player contracts! Mr. Perez, check out the transfers of Higuain, Van Nistelrooy, and Pepe. I believe you will find something useful!” Since it concerned his own interests, Li Shiguang didn’t keep anyone in suspense and directly revealed the key to the problem.
After a moment's thought, Florentino on the other end of the phone replied, "Li, I've tried what you're talking about, but it's difficult! Player contracts are almost all managed by Busello, Mijatovic's assistant. It's still a bit difficult for my people to get these things directly."
“Mr. Perez, you can try to approach it from other channels.”
"Other channels?"
“Yes!” Li Shiguang smiled mysteriously and said a name, “Real Madrid has a secretary who joined last year. Her family has worked for Real Madrid for generations. Perhaps this lady knows some of the secrets.”
"Secretary? The whole family works for Real Madrid?" Florentino repeated casually, starting to search his mind for the person Li Shiguang was talking about.
Fearing the Empress Dowager might not remember for a while, Li Shiguang added some more fuel to the fire: "I think her name was something like Christina..."
"Ah—! I know!" Florentino's eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered who Li Shiguang was talking about. "She's the daughter of the club director when Mendoza was president of Real Madrid. I've met this girl!"
“Yes…” Li Shiguang said slowly, “As far as I know, this lady is facing or about to face some difficulties! Mr. Perez, if you can lend her a helping hand, you might gain something unexpected.”
Florentino now fully believes Li Shiguang's advice, after all, he followed Li Shiguang's ideas after watching the Champions League and gained some insights.
But he must have had some doubts in his mind, after all, Christina is not a celebrity, how would Li Shiguang know about her?
“Li, I appreciate your help. But I’m really curious, why do I feel like you know more about Real Madrid than I do? You even know Cristina, a staff member of the club!?”
Li Shiguang knew that Florentino would definitely ask this question after he mentioned Christina's name, but he had already thought about how to answer the old man.
“Mr. Perez, there’s a saying in my hometown: ‘Help someone to the end, and see them through to the end!’ It means that if you choose to do a good deed, you should see it through to the end! So after our last conversation, I also had Allen investigate Calderon. And Ms. Christina is an unexpected bonus in the investigation!”
“Li, I must say, the culture of your hometown is fascinating,” Florentino said with a laugh on the other end of the phone. “Thank you for the information. If we can get some key evidence from this Ms. Cristina, I think you’ll soon see some changes at Real Madrid!”
“Hahaha, no need to be so polite, Mr. Perez.” Li Shiguang smiled as well. “We are friends, and friends should help each other.”
"Of course!" Florentino knew it was now his turn to show sincerity, so he brought up a promise Li Shiguang had asked him for last time. "So, you've helped me a lot, how should I repay you? You asked me to do you a favor last time, have you thought about it now?"
Getting it right!
As expected of the Empress Dowager!
When Florentino brought this up, Li Shiguang didn't hesitate and immediately said, "Mr. Perez, I am indeed facing a little trouble right now. If things are going well on your end, you might be able to help me."
“No problem, just say the word! I said last time that as long as it’s not arms dealing, I can help with anything that can be solved with money!” Florentino was in a state of excitement, and before Li Shiguang even said what kind of help he could get, he had already agreed.
"Cristiano, do you know this player?" Li Shiguang's lips curled into a wicked smile as he finally revealed his purpose.
"Of course I know! Although I'm no longer the president of Real Madrid, it doesn't mean I don't follow football." Upon hearing Ronaldo's name, Florentino's heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong.
No way!?
Does this kid want to buy Cristiano Ronaldo?!
At present, Florentino is not so obsessed with signing Cristiano Ronaldo. He actually admires Kaká the most. In Li Shiguang's memory, Kaká and Ronaldo were both considered as bargaining chips when Florentino ran for president of Real Madrid.
However, Florentino knew that Calderon wanted to buy Ronaldo, and Mendes had also spoken with him, saying that Ronaldo himself wanted to come to Real Madrid to play.
But Florentino Perez knew perfectly well that, given Sir Alex Ferguson's stubborn nature, he wouldn't let Ronaldo go so easily. Whoever wanted to buy Manchester United's rising star now, even if Ferguson agreed, would have to pay a hefty transfer fee!
Li Shiguang went through all this trouble and did me such a big favor, was it all just to buy Ronaldo? That doesn't make sense. The most important thing is, Ronaldo's decision to leave Manchester United isn't my own!
soon.
Li Shiguang confirmed Florentino's thoughts over the phone.
“Mr. Perez, Leeds United want to sign Cristiano, and I may need your help in this deal.”
“Uh… Lee, I have to remind you, Crisiano isn’t a Real Madrid player,” Florentino replied, bewildered. “Even if I regain my position as president of Real Madrid, I really can’t think of any way I can help you with this deal! Are you short of money? Need me to lend you some?”
"Hahaha, Mr. Perez, don't forget, this summer's record signing was Leeds United." Li Shiguang was also amused by Florentino's reply. "Do I look like I'm short of money?"
Not short of money?
Li Shiguang's answer confused Florentino even more, so he quickly asked, "Then how exactly do you need my help? To persuade Ferguson to sell Cristiano to you? Come on, he'll never agree to that!"
“It’s very simple.” Li Shiguang’s eyes gleamed with cunning as he lowered his voice and said slowly, “After you’ve taken down Calderon, just cooperate with me in putting on a show!”
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