Grandpa Mancini

"When you pack your bags and let go of that glory, all I can do is offer my deepest blessings…"

Vialli pushed the wheelchair, and Dejan Lu hummed a tune as they saw off the father and son with Soviet ancestry. The group then prepared to head to the restaurant for something to eat.

"Isn't that the vice-chairman of AC Milan?"

Mancini pointed at a bald man and asked.

"I don't know, there are so many bald guys, how could I recognize him from behind?" Vialli quipped.

"He probably isn't, I heard he really likes cycling."

Dejan Lu said.

"Is that so? By the way, when is your burger joint opening?"

Vialli asked.

He had heard Dejan Lu mention it before.

"It's already under renovation, but I need to correct you, it's not a burger joint, it's a restaurant!"

Dejan Lu said.

People's perception of burgers changes with societal development; they'll soon go from being a novelty to junk food, and then to ordinary fast food for workers. The fervent obsession some Russians have with McDonald's is rare.

Although Italians yearn for the lighthouse, they still look down on burgers.

Just like American coffee, they reject it just the same.

Well-prepared food is always tastier than fast food; that's an unchanging truth.

For Russians, McDonald's represents the taste of freedom.

So even if he, Lu, opened a branch in Moscow and made it taste the same or even better, his business wouldn't surpass McDonald's.

Except for that place, there shouldn't be too many problems in other countries.

The main battlegrounds are still Europe and Asia.

The group casually found a restaurant and sat down.

Just as they were ordering, they saw an unexpected person appear on the television.

An Italian television station was broadcasting an interview from a Brazilian station, and the person appearing on screen was the Brazilian Football King, Pelé.

Facing the camera, Pelé said, "I once wanted to play abroad and let people in other countries experience the charm of Brazilian football, but ultimately, I couldn't succeed.

Some Brazilian players have gone abroad; they don't represent themselves, but the image of Brazilian football. I saw the footage of the match between Fiorentina and Sampdoria, and I was furious. People should at least not be so shameless!

When I was playing, people would try to break my legs out of jealousy, but this time the perpetrator has become a Brazilian player, and I absolutely cannot accept it."

Good heavens, Pelé didn't give Dunga any face at all.

Now this guy is in trouble.

"You really have a lot of influence."

Vialli exclaimed.

"It's not me, it's that Dunga isn't well-liked."

Dejan Lu said.

This matter isn't over.

If he had acted like Sun Tzu's grandson and cried a little, his situation would be much better.

Although Dunga is a bit petty, he's also very proud.

It's likely that his life will be difficult for some time to come.

This guy might even think that not making it to the national team is Lu's fault.

With this, it's actually quite possible.

That scoundrel is not someone who likes to self-reflect.

After eating, the group returned to the hospital.

Later that evening, Mancini looked at the residual ink on his finger and complained, "You don't trust me that much, do you?"

"No, it's just to keep as a souvenir."

Dejan Lu said.

"Then can I have the IOU back?" Mancini asked, reaching out.

"It's not impossible!"

Dejan Lu said with a smile.

Mancini took a step back and looked at Dejan Lu, asking, "What are your terms?"

"No special requirements, just grant me permanent authorization to use your personal image for my restaurant." Dejan Lu said.

Among all his teammates, Mancini was indeed the most suitable.

"Really? That's over a hundred thousand, and you don't want it at all?"

Mancini asked in disbelief.

"Of course!"

"Deal!"

Mancini extended his right hand and shook Lu Deyang's firmly, as if afraid Lu Deyang would go back on his word if he hesitated for a second.

Vialli watched the scene with a smile, feeling that Roberto had been fooled again.

Although he had only known Lu Deyang for half a year, he had never seen Lu Deyang get the short end of the stick.

Would his good friend now have to sit outside a fast-food restaurant with a red nose?

After seeing the two off, Lu Deyang began to conceive of the plan.

If possible, he would have preferred to invite Baggio to be the spokesperson; that guy was invincible domestically.

However, this plan wasn't impossible.

Upon closer thought, Mantovani was working on facilitating the broadcast of Serie A.

This matter would take at least until next season to begin.

It would take several years for the fast-food chain to return to China.

In a few years, the stars of Serie A would already be quite famous in China. With his, Lu's, personal charm, inviting some friends for low-cost endorsements wouldn't be a problem.

When those people saw familiar star standees at the store entrance, wouldn't they eagerly give money to the Football King?

If all else failed, he could even get some stars to sing a jingle for the advertisement.

Hao Da Da Chicken Cutlet?

That jingle was a bit too risqué; Lu Deyang almost choked on water the first time he heard it.

How could a song sing about a big… well, that?

He only realized his misunderstanding after seeing the lyrics.

Yes, some athletes and celebrities in China weren't expensive now.

The one who endorsed mineral water hadn't increased his price in many years, and his image was quite good. Many people born in the 80s drank that mineral water because his photo was on it.

Thinking this way, Lu Deyang realized that business opportunities were everywhere these days.

No one would have expected celebrity endorsement fees to jump from hundreds or thousands to over two million per episode.

Feeling a bit bored, Lu Deyang opened the system and finally saw a new prompt.

[You have successfully attracted Pelé's attention. He considers you a phenomenal player. Your nickname says it all. He believes you might be the strongest No. 9 in football history. You are outstanding, possessing physique, speed, and skill. He has never seen such a well-rounded player like you. However, your relationship with Cooper has broken down. Even if you and Moratti are like father and son, you won't get playing time. Please work hard to earn the coach's trust and maintain it until the end of the season (If you play more than 25 games this season or leave during the winter break and win the championship with your new team, you will receive a reward at the end of the season).]

Just by reading the description, Lu Deyang knew it was referring to the Phenomenon, Ronaldo.

He was starting to understand the system's logic.

One of the current events, people, or items Lu encountered would be chosen as an anchor. Before, because he was about to leave after winning the championship, it treated him as [Neymar]. Now that he was praised by Pelé, it treated him as [Ronaldo].

This mission was quite simple.

Given how many matches Sampdoria played, getting 25 appearances was very easy.

Lu Deyang casually picked up the newspaper on his bedside table and glanced at it, only to discover that the next opponent was Juventus.

This was not an easy opponent either.

It seemed he couldn't just keep lying in the hospital; he had to have a good chat with Boskov.

Without the Football King, his teammates might not be able to defeat the Turin team.