With two short and one long final whistles, the second round of the English League One match between Southampton and Notts County at home finally came to an end.

The score was fixed at Southampton 6:0 Notts County! This was a hearty victory! It was a feast for all Southampton fans!

Gu Ran started the game and played the entire match. He made 3 assists and 3 goals, and scored a double hat trick. He completely dominated the game at home! Such dazzling data also made all Southampton fans crazy! The English League One championship promised before the game is just around the corner!

All Southampton fans, including 8 club executives who came to watch the game, stood up and applauded Gu Ran!

The Nottingham Forest players were so upset after being kicked that almost all of them left the field with sad faces.

Gu Ran and his teammates walked around the field and bowed to the fans to express their gratitude.

Southampton's male fans cheered for Gu Ran, and Southampton's female fans cheered for Gu Ran.

The comments and gifts in the live broadcast room were scrolling like crazy, and highlights of Gu Ran’s goals and assists were immediately played on major platforms.

Gu Ran's name once again topped the domestic hot search list in the middle of the night! After nearly half an hour of leaving the stadium, Gu Ran returned to the home team's locker room amid warm applause.

The atmosphere in the locker room was still warm. Every player and staff member took the initiative to high-five and hug to congratulate Gu when they saw him.

Team doctor Mike and physical therapist Gregory stepped forward impartially and pulled Gu Ran into the therapy room.

Just as Maverick took off Gu Ran's shoes to check his ankle, personal assistant Rick rushed in.

"Hey, Gu! You did a great job today!"

Gu Ran smiled, "Oh, thank you, Rick."

Mave frowned and said, "Rick, get out! Can't you see we are working?"

Rick pulled out a note, "I'm in a hurry! I'm here to give Gu a note."

Only then did Maf stop having the attack.

You know, those who can pass notes to players through club staff after the game are all important people.

Rick must have obtained approval from the club's top management before bringing the note here.

Gu Ran, who was lying on the therapy bed, was a little curious. "What's the note? Read it to me."

Rick asked, "Gu, are you sure?"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "There are no outsiders here, we are all family. Rick, just read it, and Mai Fu, you continue to help me check, let's save time."

"Okay, Gu." Mai Fu felt happy - it felt so good to be treated as one of his own by Gu Ran.

Rick unfolded the note, cleared his throat, and then his face turned slightly awkward.

Gu Ran waited for a long time and couldn't help asking, "What did you write? Is it so difficult to say? Is it a dirty word?"

Rick said: "I don't know if it's a swear word... I, I don't recognize these words."

Gregory burst into laughter. "Rick, are you kidding me? You can't read? Is there some shocking secret you're too embarrassed to read out? Here you go!"

Gregory snatched the note and immediately looked embarrassed, "Oh my god, I was careless, it's Chinese characters... I can't even recognize them."

Oh shit~ Are you two, Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick?

Gu Ran was suddenly at a loss for words, "Alright, alright, it's nothing! Give it to me."

Gregory quickly handed the note to Gu Ran.

Gu Ran picked up the note with a smile on his face, and then his expression became serious.

Mai Fu asked curiously, "Gu, what's written on it? Is it a swear word?"

Gu Ran exhaled, "...It's worse than swearing."

Gregory said angrily, "Fuck! Who wrote this note? How dare he say something worse than a curse word? Let's call our brothers to deal with him!"

Gu Ran waved his hand, "Don't worry about it, Rick, take me to find the person who gave you this note."

Rick quickly said, “Okay, Gu.”

Mai Fu said, "Gu, your routine physical examination is not yet complete, and you haven't had physical therapy yet!"

Gu Ran said in a deep voice: "The person behind this note is more important than the physical examination. I must go see him immediately."

Gregory said, "Gu, do you really not need us to go with you to fight him? I've practiced this too!"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "No need..."

After saying that, Gu Ran wiped the sweat off his body, put on a casual training suit, and hurriedly followed Rick out of the locker room.

Watching Gu Ran leaving, Mai Fu frowned and shook his head, "I've never seen Gu Ran so serious and anxious."

Gregory also shook his head and said, "Yeah, who is the other party? Can a note make Gu Ran so nervous? What exactly is written on the note?"

Mave said, "I'm pregnant."

Gregory looked back at Mave in astonishment.

Mave said, "I mean, what the note said might be: I'm pregnant."

"Oh, I thought..." Gregory cleared his throat, "Ahem, it turns out that you, Maf, often read The Sun as well... So, is it Abby? Or Linda? Or Sister NO?"

Mave sighed, "It's time to learn Chinese characters..."

Under Rick's guidance, Gu Ran walked through the internal passage of the stadium and headed for the VIP room.

Along the way, Gu Ran's expression was more solemn than ever before.

Rick couldn't help but ask cautiously, "Gu, are you okay? Do you need me to ask Old Rice to intervene?"

Gu Ran smiled and said, "No need, I'm fine, don't worry."

Rick asked again: "So, what exactly is written on the note?"

Gu Ran handed the note to Rick, "It says here - Xinghui Sports Agency."

"Agency?" Rick blinked in surprise. "Your Chinese one?"

Gu Ran nodded, "Yes."

Rick smiled and said, "It seems like a good thing, Gu. Aren't you in need of an agent? Your domestic agent should be more convenient to communicate with, right?"

Gu Ran smiled, did not respond to Rick, and reached out to push open the door of the box.

The door opened, and two middle-aged men in suits and ties, with dark hair and reeking of alcohol, stood up from the luxurious sofa and came out to greet them.

The two men were of medium height and had harmless smiles on their faces.

As soon as they saw Gu Ran, they greeted him warmly like family members who hadn't seen each other for a long time:

"Gu Ran! Hello, hello! I finally meet you!"

"Before, we only saw you play on the Internet, but today we saw you play live. You are really amazing!"

The two of them shook hands and hugged Gu Ran one after another.

Gu Ran naturally felt very close to meeting fellow Chinese speakers in a foreign country.

but……

Gu Ran knew clearly that these were all false courtesies.

Xinghui Sports is not an ordinary agency.

In Gu Ran’s memory of his previous life, it was a famous white glove company. Many future international players came from this company.

This company is normally very low-key. If it weren’t for the later exposure of the “sea cucumber endorsement” incident, few people would have known that such a company existed.

Gu Ran said calmly, "I am also very happy to meet you two in a foreign country. I should have taken a shower and changed into more formal clothes, but I was worried that you two would be anxious waiting, so as soon as I saw the note, I rushed over immediately."

"Haha, it's okay!"

"We don't mind you being dirty."

The two of them held Gu Ran's hands affectionately.

Gu Ran laughed in his heart: It’s hard to say who thinks who is dirty.

"Come on, come on, come in first, let's talk behind closed doors."

The two men pulled Gu Ran into the box and closed the door.

"Sit down, Xiao Gu."

After entering the door, the middle-aged man who was not very tall and had a round face leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs.

Another middle-aged man, who was in good shape and had a body shape very similar to that of a player, very tactfully took out a cigarette and handed it to the leading middle-aged man, then swiftly took out a lighter and helped light it.

He was so skilled in this set of movements that he was even more skilled than Gu Ran's one-on-one move on the left side.

When people first meet, they are all polite. It is the call of "Xiao Gu" that reflects each other's true identity.

Gu Ran was mentally prepared for this and stood still. "Thank you, both of you. I just finished the game and it's not convenient for me to sit down."

"Okay, whatever you want."

"Xiao Gu, you may not know us, so let me introduce us to you first."

The middle-aged man who was lighting a cigarette extended his hand respectfully to the man with his legs crossed and introduced him, "This is the boss of our Xinghui Company, Mr. Guo Shan."

The big boss came in person, so the treatment is quite high.

郭山身后的点烟男子还不忘多谄媚几句，“国内目前的很多知名球员，还有很多年轻的国奥队的国脚，那可都是我们郭老板慧眼识珠，一手提携起来的。像继海啊，铁子啊、小智啊，等等等等，那可都是把我们老板当成伯乐一样呐。”

“小顾啊，其实按照你的级别，郭老板根本不需要亲自跑一趟的，但是郭老板很看好你，最近你的集锦在国内热度很高啊，郭老板看过之后，立刻就觉得你很不错，很有机会成为国家的栋梁之才，郭老板那可是出了名的爱才啊！所以啊，郭老板不辞劳苦，山高水远，亲自飞了过来，就为了要提携你！”

“小顾，我的意思，你应该听懂了吧？”

顾然扫过包厢桌子上的20万一瓶的罗曼尼康帝，心中冷笑，“听懂了。”

郭山则装模作样的摆了摆手，笑道：“哎，说什么提携，我们公司也是为国选材，一般的球员我们还真看不上眼。再说了，主要也是小顾踢的确实好，我这个伯乐嘛，自然也愿意把小顾扶上马，送一程。”

点烟男子赞叹的道：“听听，郭老板多么的崇高啊！小顾我跟你说，你是走大运了，我跟郭老板跑前跑后这么多年，真的是第一次见郭老板如此为一个年轻球员这么上心呢！你这把妥了！”

顾然笑了笑，“是吗？没请教你是？”

点烟男子笑了笑，“哦，我呢，叫王发强，是星晖公司海外部的负责人，如果不出意外的话，以后也就是你的经纪人了。”

顾然当即冷冷的道：“我好像还没答应要跟你们公司签约吧？”

“哈哈哈！”王发强颇为得意笑道：“小顾啊，这还有什么好犹豫的呢？这可是千载难逢的好机会啊！我们公司的运作能力在业内那可是首屈一指的，这么说吧——你想加入国家队，当然就得先跟我们签约。”

顾然的眉头控制不住的猛然抽动了一下！ 国足为什么差？

是14亿中国人真的选不出11个会踢球的球员们？

不是！真的不是！ 就算国内的青训水平低，就算国内的上升通道差，也绝不会是14亿人口连11个会踢球的都找不出来！

更不是因为中国人身体素质差不适合运动——奥运会健儿们能拿那么多金牌，中小学生的平均身高一再拔升，怎么可能是中国人身体素质差？ 说青训条件差，大羽大头等第一代健力宝小将在巴西留洋的时候，巴西当地的青训条件苦的连这些农村出来的孩子都受不了了，可人家巴西的孩子都饿着肚子光着脚在硬地上踢球，不也踢成五星巴西了吗？

青训和上升通道确实都不行，这是客观存在，但真正致命的原因，是选拔通道！

选拔通道，都被这些脏东西牢牢控制在他们自己的手里了！ 他们把为国争光的项目，搞成了为自己和子孙后代发财的门路了！

草！！！ 顾然感觉到一阵胸闷，脑海里突然冒出一个危险的念头来——给这两个人直接干死，会不会拯救国足的未来？ 这个念头瞬间就消失了。

当家里发现两只蟑螂的时候，就说明家里早已经全都是蟑螂了。

踩死这两只蟑螂，并不能改变什么。

见顾然不说话，星晖老板郭山便笑了笑，“小顾啊，看起来，你似乎不太相信我们的实力啊。不要紧，等你加入到我们星晖公司，你就会明白了。说实话，我刚才现场看了你的比赛，真的很喜欢你。像你这样的人才要是不为国效力，那真的是我们国家损失啊。”

这话说的倒是没毛病。

重生之后，顾然也思考过为国效力的问题。

这是一个任何球员都无法回避的问题，尤其是随着自己在国内知名度的提高，被国内找到并邀请，这绝对是再正常不过的事情了。

对于顾然来说，即便明知未来十几年国足都是在走下坡路，输完泰国输越南，脸都不要了，但是，只要国家召唤，作为中国男儿，无论结果会如何，顾然都会义无反顾的接受征召，贡献自己全部的能力！

这是义务，是本分，是刻在血脉中的使命感。

哪怕会输，哪怕会背黑锅，哪怕被千夫所指，哪怕明知是在跳油锅，顾然也会义无反顾的。

但是……作为重生者，顾然心里也清楚，跟星晖公司签经纪人合同意味着什么。

就见郭山随手往地上弹了弹烟灰，继续道：“小顾啊，你要相信我们公司的实力，我既然能亲自来找你聊，我就敢跟你保证，只要你跟我们签下合同，你就一定能得偿所愿的。为国踢球可是光宗耀祖的事情，多少知名球员都抢破了脑袋呢，咱们国内的情况你也知道，各大地方俱乐部的面子总还是要给的，各大资深教练的面子也是要给的，曾经的功勋球员面子也是要给的，你在国内一没有说得上话的教练，二没有地方俱乐部的支持，三没有资深的背景，想要挤进国家队，那可真是太难太难了。”

这话倒也够现实。

现实就是，所有球迷都在骂国足，但中国球员们却依然以能加入国足为目标。

没有任何一个球员敢说，因为中国队太烂了，所以我绝对不加入中国队，我就是要做一个精致的利己主义者，我要为了我自己能拿世界杯冠军加入巴西阿根廷。

顾然没有接话，只是安安静静的看着郭山的表演。

就听郭山继续道：“竞争很大啊小顾！所以，你一个没有任何平台的草根，只有跟我们签了合同，你才能挤进去。”

顾然冷笑了一下，“是吗？签了你们的合同，就能进国家队？不需要层层选拔？不需要主教练同意？”

旁边的王强哈哈一笑，“小顾！你说对了！这就是郭老板一句话的事儿！”

郭山倒是低调的摆了摆手，“话不要说的那么直接。我是真的爱才，我相信小顾有这个能力和才华进入国家队，我们公司呢，也会尽全力去帮你争取，帮你运营，至于最终敲定大名单的，那还得是上头说了算。”

呵，真是讽刺！

话都说到这份上了，傻子都能听明白这里面的勾当了。

顾然有意识的松开攥得快要出血的拳头，努力压制住内心的愤怒，“你们具体都需要我做什么？”

郭山笑呵呵的道：“小顾，瞧你这话说的，能需要你做什么？不过……我确实还有几个问题必须要先问清楚，这也是咱们公司的基本流程。”

“第一个问题：你现在是否还是中国国籍？你有没有其他国籍？有没有为其他国家踢过国家队性质的比赛？”

顾然坚定的摇头道：“没有，祖国是我唯一的国籍，至死不改。我没有第二国籍，也从来没有代表其他国家踢过国家队性质的比赛。”

郭山满意的点了点头，“很好！第二个问题，你是否愿意为了国家队的集训，放弃你在英国俱乐部的比赛？”

顾然抿了抿嘴。

这确实是一个比较麻烦的问题。

国内的集训安排其实不算科学，再加上英国距离中国很远，光飞行就得超过24小时，频繁的国内集训，肯定会影响到俱乐部的比赛的。

但是，国家利益至上，在俱乐部和国家面前，必然要优先国家利益，哪怕很有可能因此跟俱乐部搞得不愉快。

顾然沉声道：“只要祖国征召，我愿意放弃俱乐部的比赛。”

杜旺才再度满意的点了头，“最后一个问题，你现在是否有经纪人和经纪公司？”

顾然冷声道：“没有。”

“好极了！那就完全没有问题了！”郭山回头对王发强道：“给他一份合同，然后我们一起干一杯，提前庆祝一下！”

王发强当即笑嘻嘻的掏出一份早就准备好的合同递给顾然，“小顾啊，恭喜你，你现在已经一只脚踏进国足大门了！”

顾然不动声色的接过合同。

这份合同只有单薄的三页，内容也很简单，那就是所有的商业代言都由星晖公司安排，球员不得违反，让你代言什么就代言什么，哪怕是海参，另外，商业代言的收益三七分成，球员三成，星晖拿七成作为运营费，还有，球员不能单方面终止合同，球员自己的商业项目也必须给星晖公司分成……

这简直就是吸血证，不，是吸髓证！

Gu Ran then asked with a cold face: "What if I refuse to sign the contract with you?"

Wang Faqiang laughed, "Xiao Gu, don't be ridiculous! Don't you want to play football for your country?"

Gu Ran said coldly: "Of course I am willing to play for the country. This is the most noble goal in my heart. But whether I can join the national team has anything to do with your agent contract?"

Wang Faqiang frowned and said, "Necessary relationship? The inevitable relationship is that if you don't sign us, you don't want to come in."

Guo Shan waved his hand, "Don't be so blunt! But Xiao Gu, that's the truth. There are some things I can't tell you too bluntly, but you can think about it carefully - how can you get this opportunity among the major clubs and agencies competing for the national team quota? On your own? No, young man, don't be too confident in your own abilities! You have to have resources and a backer. Otherwise, do you think that the national team's players rely solely on their strength? Xinghui Company is your resource and backer. With our operation, you will have a chance to get in."

Wang Faqiang said: "Xiao Gu, our boss has been very open with you! He has made it very clear. If you still don't know our boss's good intentions, then you are wrong!"

Gu Ran sneered and said, "I understand. In other words, if I don't sign this Xinghui agent contract today, I won't be able to get in."

Guo Shan narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone already somewhat unfriendly, "That's right, Xiao Gu, this is reality, don't be too idealistic."

Wang Faqiang also said, "That's right! Xiao Gu, you are still young, listen to your big brother's advice, this is a good opportunity for you to change your destiny. How many people have tried their best but couldn't catch the eye of our boss Guo! Boss Guo favors you so much, don't be ungrateful! Come on, sign the contract, and then you can wait for the national football team to recruit you!"

Gu Ran's teeth were clattering, and he no longer used realistic acting to cover up his feelings. He said with a righteous indignation, "As long as the motherland calls me, I, Gu Ran, will be ready to serve at any time! However, I will never sign this crappy agent contract! I join the national team to play for the country, not for my own reputation as a national player! And I will not work hard for your personal interests!"

Gu Ran threw the Xinghui agent contract back in a domineering manner! "You!" Guo Shan slapped the coffee table heavily, and the bottle of Romanee-Conti on the coffee table shook a few times.

"No, no, no, boss, please don't be angry," Guo Shan said with a smile, "A child doesn't know the depth of the situation. He may not understand the seriousness of this matter. Boss, please take a break first and let me talk to Xiao Gu alone."

Guo Shan snorted and turned his face away.

Wang Faqiang wanted to pull Gu Ran to the corner of the box, but Gu Ran pushed Wang Faqiang's arm away without any hesitation, "If you have anything to say, say it here openly! No need to be so coy!"

The muscles on Wang Faqiang's face twitched slightly, "Xiao Gu, you... Haha, young people are really a little naive. Okay, okay, it's okay, I used to be as passionate as you. Then I'll say it here. Xiao Gu, look at you, this is a great thing, a win-win for both of us, how could you make it like this? You want to play for the country, fine, just sign this agent contract, right? Do you know that other agencies, other clubs, if they want to send players to the national team, they have to spend real money! The amount I tell you will scare you to death!"

"Boss Guo and I are really here to help you. We sincerely believe that you can improve the combat effectiveness of the national football team. We are also doing this for the country. Otherwise, why would Boss Guo and I come here in person? If you are not satisfied with the terms in the contract, you can talk to me and we can modify it. However, if you are determined not to sign and insist on confronting us, then I really can't help you."

"Let me give you another lesson in reality. You are very strong, but you are too young. Even if you have fans who support and like you in China, it is useless. Fans are not your foundation. You have no foundation in China. The selection of national team players is decided by the top, not the fans below. You have no qualifications, no connections, no background. Let me put it this way - even if you want to give money to play for the country, you don't have the means to do so!"

"Let me put it more bluntly. If you sign the Xinghui contract, it's like you're on Boss Guo's luxury yacht! You don't have to spend a penny! You can also make a lot of money from the endorsement projects we get for you! Just be happy! From now on, fame, wealth, and status will all be within your reach! But if you don't sign this contract, you will never be able to join the national team."

Guo Shan said in a clear threatening tone: "This is your future. I advise you to think about it carefully and don't be stupid."

Gu Ran said contemptuously: "Don't think about it. I still say the same thing - as long as the national team recruits me, I will go without hesitation! But if you want me to play for the interests of you, a bunch of scumbags, and want to tie me together with you, then go to hell!"

Guo Shan stood up in shame and anger, pointing at Gu Ran's nose and yelling, "Gu! You have guts! I gave you a chance and you refused! I, Guo Shan, am putting my words here today. As long as I, Guo Shan, am here, you will never be able to join the national football team!"

Gu Ran raised his head, his murderous eyes staring straight at Du Wangcai, his voice like a dragon-slaying sword being unsheathed:

"In life, ten years of good fortune can change the course of the Yellow River. Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west."

"Do you think... you will have a good end?"

After saying that, Gu Ran turned around, kicked open the door of the box, and walked out without looking back.

The door of the box room was kicked away, leaving a 45-yard footprint on the door! Guo Shan and Wang Faqiang couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Half out of shame, half out of fear.

The words "Do you think you will have a good end?" roared in their minds like the Yellow River water coming from the sky... —— [PS: Manual dog head saves life. ]

(End of this chapter)