The next day, which was the day before the Rugby Golden Fleece competition, Gu Ran still got up early, had breakfast and took a taxi to school.

The excitement for the upcoming home game can be clearly felt throughout the campus.

When Gu Ran walked on campus, he would always meet strangers who would greet him in a friendly manner and cheer him on.

Many classmates also shook hands with him and wished him good luck in tomorrow's competition.

There was also a large group of enthusiastic and scantily clad female fans desperately trying to get close to him...

So annoying.

Gu Ran finally entered the training ground.

The Bucks Steelhorns' training on that day was still mainly focused on passing and new formation drills, and they also practiced set-piece offense and defense.

After a day of rest and two days of training, the Bucks Steelers' teamwork has improved a lot compared to before.

The Bucks Steelhorns' tactical style of play became completely clear after two actual battles.

Before, when Olin was still there, the Bucks Steelhorns used the left side breakthrough style, which was very simple.

After Olin left, the Milwaukee Bucks had to temporarily switch to the 9.5-meter formation with Watergate as the new core.

And now, Carter directly promoted Gu Ran to the position of "real core". Although he still uses the left back as the engine, the playing style with Gu Ran as the real core is full of on-the-spot changes.

This style of play is still mainly based on No. 9 and a half in the early stage, giving the opponent the illusion that Shuimen is the core force. But when Shuimen is targeted, Gu Ran can find an opportunity to start, and everyone else must actively cooperate with Gu Ran's running position to support.

Although Gu Ran can also break through from the left side, under normal circumstances, a left-back like Gu Ran who has weak feet is more inclined to cut inside after breaking through the half court, then engage the opponent's defense line and then pass the ball to the opponent's weak area.

The cut-in tactic alone is several times stronger than the previous "Olin Core" tactic.

Carter called this set of tactical routines with obvious changes the "dog-selling" tactic.

Minato: ...

The Bucks Steelers have been practicing this tactic all day today.

Gu Ran's performance was still eye-catching, without any flaws, while other players either failed to keep up with Gu Ran's sprint or failed to maintain a good offensive and defensive formation, causing Carter to criticize him.

With Carter's "assist", Gu Ran easily got 10 white training bubbles today.

The automatically exchanged talent points have accumulated to 3! With these 3 talent points, tomorrow's game against the Rugby School Golden Fleece Team will be more confident! Before the game starts tomorrow afternoon, it would be even better if I could get a wave of Golden Flees for free...

After today's training is finished.

Coach Carter called the main players together and gave them a speech: "Tomorrow is our last match in the group stage!"

"We had one draw and one win before and got 4 points. According to the points situation in Group E, as long as we draw in the next game, we will qualify!"

"Yeah!!!" The players of the Bucks Steelers couldn't wait to celebrate.

Coach Carter frowned and said, "Don't be too happy yet! The opponent is the Golden Fleece Team of Rugby School! They are frequent champions of the National High School Football Championship!"

"They are very powerful!"

"Their school is the birthplace of modern rugby. Every one of their players - even the substitutes - is very strong, and their sprinting, interception and collision abilities are the best among all high school students!"

"So I ask you to be fully prepared mentally! Tomorrow will definitely be a fierce battle!"

"Like I said before, Rugby Golden Fleece may not send their main players to play because they don't think highly of our three points."

“This is our best chance!”

"I don't ask for much! Just a draw!"

At this point, Coach Carter looked around with a sharp gaze: "Tell me, do you have confidence?"

"Yes! Coach! We have confidence!"

"Destroy the Golden Fleece!"

“Advance to the top 16!”

The players of the Bucks Steelhorns cheered in unison! Gu Ran was also excited and shouted along.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a middle school student or not. What’s important is... you must qualify from the group stage!

Coach Carter nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Go back home tonight and have a good rest. Don't think about random things before going to bed. Think more about the tactical drills of the past two days. Disband!"

"Yes, Coach!"

"Gu, come here." Coach Carter called Gu Ran to his side.

"Coach, what's up?"

"Gu," Coach Carter said softly, "How's your rest been lately? How's your physical reserve?"

Gu Ran immediately said: "Coach, my physical strength is full and my condition is completely fine."

Coach Carter asked again, "You haven't had any lovemaking in the last two days... have you?"

Gu Ran quickly replied: "No, no! Absolutely not!"

Coach Carter nodded in satisfaction. "That's good. Your physical fitness is your biggest shortcoming at the moment. If you need it, I can help you contact Teacher Maria and ask her to work overtime tonight and give you some good physical therapy."

Oh shit!

Don't! Something will really happen! My body is not under my control! Gu Ran said quickly: "No, no, coach! My physical fitness is really fine! No need to trouble Teacher Maria to work overtime."

Coach Carter said: "Gu, you are now the core of our Bucks Steelhorns team. You have this privilege. Don't be embarrassed to ask for it."

Gu Ran said: "Don't worry, coach. When it's time to make a request, I will make it myself."

Coach Carter nodded. "Okay. Gu, to be honest, you are a good talent. I knew it the first moment I saw you. Of course, if you can help the Bucks Steelhorns qualify from the group stage and enter the round of 16, then you will have the opportunity to take a step further on the road to professionalism. Do you understand what I mean?"

Gu Ran was stunned for a moment, then shrugged helplessly, "Coach, I'm Chinese. You know, your country's labor permit is a hurdle that has blocked me."

Of course Gu Ran wants to become a football superstar.

But the reality is that if you don’t get a work permit, you can forget about playing in the professional league in the UK.

It is simply impossible to expect the national team to move up the FIFA rankings in the next few years.

Things like labor permits are not something that Gu Ran can handle alone.

Carter smiled mysteriously, "Gu, if, I mean if, there is such a club that can help you get a work permit, are you willing to sign a contract with them?"

Gu Ran's eyes lit up and he said excitedly: "Of course! Coach! You mean--"

Carter cleared his throat, "No, I just said if."

Damn...

This makes me excited, but the result is an if.

Gu Ran was too tired to complain.

Carter added: "No matter what, what you have to do now is to play well with all your heart and soul, unleash all your potential, and get more than 8...8.5 points in every game. Reaching the top 16 is the first step to prove that you can play in the professional league."

So, the implication is...

Is there a second step? A third step? A fourth step? Coach Carter, are you trying to PUA me again?

Okay, okay, I'll continue to cooperate.

Gu Ran had a firm expression on his face that was full of truth. "Coach, don't worry. In tomorrow's game, I will make the golden fleece into a silver bald man!"

Coach Carter almost couldn't hold back his laughter!

"...Ahem, yeah! Okay!" Coach Carter tried to keep a straight face, "Go ahead, go home and rest early."

"Yes! Coach!"

Gu Ran picked up his backpack and turned to leave the training ground.

Coach Carter turned around and chuckled, "Silver Baldy... Hahaha, this kid! He really looks like me when I was young!"

…

After returning home that night, Gu Ran sat by the swimming pool to soak his feet after dinner, and felt the tingling massage of the fish.

You know what, it feels pretty good to have a bunch of kissing fish biting your toes.

Just when I was feeling comfortable, the cell phone rang.

Gu Ran picked it up and saw that it was from an unfamiliar number.

Are you here to share the apartment? Gu Ran quickly answered the phone, "Hello? How are you?"

"Hey..." The girl on the other side was obviously stunned for a moment, "You, you are a boy?"

"Yes."

"I thought the person seeking rent was a girl."

"If you mind, then forget it." Gu Ran didn't mean to force it.

The girl on the phone giggled. "No, no, I don't mind. On the contrary, it suits me perfectly! I'm French, and I'm here to travel. I really like the environment of the dunes and beaches. It will definitely be a pleasant thing to live in your big house. But your rent is too high. If you can reduce it a little, I think I will be happier."

What does it have to do with me whether you are happy or not?

Gu Ran frowned slightly, "How much do you want to reduce?"

The girl on the phone smiled and said, "How about a half-off? Of course, it would be best if it were all waived. I can compensate in other ways. I...might do it."

The tone of the last sentence is a bit off.

Shit... She wants to use that method to make up for it!? Who do you think I am? Gu Ran immediately said seriously, "I'm sorry, miss, I'm a serious person. I only care about money, not people. You've got the wrong person, so please don't call me again."

"Oh...how about I show you my photo first?"

Pop.

Without waiting for the other party to finish speaking, Gu Ran hung up the phone.

Damn, what level, actually want to get it for free from me???

Gu Ran threw his phone away and continued to enjoy the service of the Kiss Fish.

…

On the other side, in a small hotel.

A female assistant in a business suit put down the phone and said to the woman sitting in the dark with her pretty face half covered by a large hat brim, "We have already done the investigation. The landlord of the sea view villa is a man. However, he sounds very upright. He said he only cares about money and not people."

"A boy?" The beautiful woman said slowly in a melancholy voice, "This is a bit troublesome, but if he is honest, then it can be considered. However... to be safe, try another phone number tomorrow and send him a few photos of that kind."

"But you can obviously stay at the Ritz Hotel! Why do you have to go to such a remote and unfamiliar place to share an apartment with a stranger? What if he finds out who you are and leaks your information to the tabloid reporters? What will I do then, my Miss Anne?"

"It's okay. Just prepare a confidentiality agreement for me. At worst, I can just pay him more money."

The beauty known as Miss Anne slowly looked out the window and said sadly: "...Now I just want to be quiet and be an ordinary person."

…

(End of this chapter)