The café, hidden among the greenery, is filled with the aroma of coffee.
Two similar baby faces across the table made it difficult for Lu Yu to match the images of the third and fourth sisters that Jiao Yuyin had mentioned.
She used to appear in domestic media and newspapers with a sophisticated and elegant style, but now she's all sporty, which is surprisingly a good match for her baby face.
As expected, heavy makeup and filters can obscure natural beauty.
Jiao Yuyin said, "The twin sister I was talking about—"
"Let me introduce myself. I am Jiao Huachu, and this is Jiao Huashun." The woman in the apricot-colored top interrupted Jiao Yuyin and introduced herself generously.
"Third sister, fourth sister," Lu Yu greeted them, sounding a little awkward.
Jiao Huashun, standing to the side, avoided Lu Yu's gaze somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Hearing you call me that, I actually feel a little unworthy of it." She laughed self-deprecatingly, "Before, the two of us weren't always at the Jiao family's old house. Yu Yin was even less likely to come over. Unless you dragged someone back directly, you basically wouldn't see him. Last year, we left in a hurry, and we didn't have time to take care of many things and people."
"Stop—" Jiao Yuyin interrupted, laughing as he said, "I'm not here to hear confessions. My husband has a competition in a couple of days, and his time is precious."
"Still the same." Jiao Huachu gave Jiao Yuyin a subtle glare. "After we arrived in Switzerland, we heard that you tried to leave the country but were stopped by your family. No matter what, your two older sisters are the ones who wronged you. They left without even saying goodbye. They really had their reasons. Don't worry, we did ask you and Lu Yu to meet because we had something to discuss."
Jiao Hua looked at Lu Yu and said, "Lu Yu, I would like to invite you to join the Swiss Hagen Basketball Club. Don't rush to refuse me, let me finish. This is a brand new team, and if you agree, the team will be built around you in the future."
"Compensation?" Jiao Yuyin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jiao Huashun remained noncommittal, swirling his coffee cup as he said, "My sister and I have finally established ourselves, and my mother has been able to provide us with a lot of support..." Jiao Huashun paused, considered for a couple of seconds, and then continued, "My sister and I can allocate a portion of our company to you. This way, you and Lu Yu can take advantage of this opportunity and simply stay abroad. That way, you can completely break away from the Jiao family."
Jiao Yuyin sighed. Judging from the reactions of Jiao Huachu and Jiao Huashun, he knew that they must have known something back then.
Only he was wasting his life in a decadent world.
Jiao Yuyin's self-blame was seen by Jiao Huashun as hesitation and concern.
Jiao Hua asked, "Do you know how the name 'Haigen' came about in the Haigen Group?"
Jiao Yuyin mechanically replied, "I don't know."
"It's a homonym for Regen. The language used in Switzerland is German, and Regen means rain. Because it was drizzling the day we arrived in Switzerland. Hua Shun, who usually hates rainy days, was so excited that she took a shower outside, saying it tasted like freedom. What every member of the Jiao family longs for most, I don't need to tell you, you probably understand better than anyone else," Jiao Huachu said slowly.
Jiao Huashun continued his persuasive campaign, saying, "Developing in European leagues would be entirely beneficial for Lu Yu. The business model and marketization of European sports are more mature. For athletes themselves, there are many restrictions in China. Regardless of their Olympic results, athletes will most likely return to their provincial teams after returning home. Even if their teammates' playing styles don't match, they still have to endure a long four years, which is too cruel for athletes. Moreover, the European women's basketball league operates in its own system, with high salaries, less interference from other sources, and a greater chance of producing superstars. It is also a more intense and dynamic competitive environment."
Jiao Hua looked into Lu Yu's eyes and said, "We cherish talent and have our own selfish motives, but we want to help Yu Yin even more."
If it were Jiao Yuyin a year ago, such conditions would indeed be exactly what he needed.
But now, Jiao Yuyin has reasons why he has no choice but to stay in the Jiao family.
Lu Yu was well aware of this.
Lu Yu shook her head and said, "The conditions offered by my third and fourth sisters are very tempting, but we really can't give up everything in China. If you need to form a team, the players from the French team today might be good choices."
Jiao Yuyin had just caught a glimpse of envy in Lu Yu's eyes. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he said, "Third sister, fourth sister, we accept this favor, but I still have reasons why I have to stay in the Jiao family." Jiao Yuyin's words were sincere, and his refusal was clear.
"Last year you tried everything to leave the Jiao family, so what are you asking now?" Jiao Huashun blurted out. "The news about the Jiao family is everywhere. Even if I didn't ask you in detail, I could guess what's going on. Your situation is clearly not good now, so why are you still insisting on staying in the Jiao family?"
Jiao Yuyin just smiled and didn't say anything, his gaze deep.
Jiao Hua seemed to see the flames of revenge in those eyes.
None of them spoke.
The unspoken past seems to have become an unspoken understanding between them.
Jiao Hua suddenly realized that she had overlooked a crucial detail.
Yes, from the moment they met, Jiao Yuyin never once asked why they had left.
Or perhaps Jiao Yuyin also possessed some of the truth, or rather...
Jiao Hua interrupted Jiao Huashun's incessant persuasion, quickly gave him a wink, and then said to Jiao Yuyin, "I wish you success!"
"Thank you to my third and fourth sisters today," Jiao Yuyin said with a hearty smile.
As Jiao Hua was leaving, he hesitated for a moment by the coffee table, as if he had made a decision, and said, "Try to gain Mi Yang's trust. I won't say anything else. If you ever want to come looking for us, feel free to contact me... I hope that day will never come."
Jiao Yuyin's eyes were calm as he nodded slightly. "Thank you for your kind words, Third Sister."
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