A Young Woman Waits at the Airport for Eight Hours Just to See Kaka
The Son of God Returns to Milan; the Rossoneri Set Sail for the New Season
Nicola Pozzi Loaned to Naples; a Wasted Talent Gets a New Lease on Life
Brodic Sandro: Milan Signs a Slovenian Prodigy Who Survived the War
Milan Signs Former Lyon Player Vikash Dhorasoo on a Free Transfer
Defensive Prodigy Abate Joins Naples on Loan
Tomasson Says He's Disappointed to Be Out of the European Championship, Hopes to Win a Title with Milan
Crespo Joins Milan on Loan, Hopes to Find His Form After Leaving the Premier League
As July began, Milan became one of the leading stories in Italian football. They may not have spent as lavishly as their cross-city rivals, who had signed Burdisso, Mihajlovic, Ze Maria, Favalli, Cambiasso, and Davids in quick succession, but Milan certainly weren't behind when it came to the number of signings.
Galliani now had the air of a long-distance cyclist touring Europe. Aside from Stam, all the other new signings, Huang Kaiwen included, had cost a total of just 1.5 million euros in transfer fees. And Milan had even signed more players than Inter Milan.
Stuck at home, Huang Kaiwen could only play on his PS2 and computer every day. Bored out of his mind, he shouted "SHIFR+right-click to duplicate pets" in Stone Age. As soon as someone dropped a pet, he snatched it up, giving the young newcomers to the internet a taste of just how ruthless people could be.
He did give the pets back afterward, but he still left a few psychological scars on those inexperienced young gaming addicts.
In the early days of online gaming, scams were everywhere. Naive youngsters always imagined that the "wife" behind a virtual character was just busy studying for exams, rather than refusing to return the +4 Purgatory they'd borrowed.
While recovering at home, Huang Kaiwen gave them a thorough lesson. He even got his cousin to buy a female Taoist character in Legend of Mir, then had Barbara help with a video call. This sparked an internal feud in the Guangmang server's Sand City, and the naive tough guys were completely bewitched by the foreign beauty. Only Huang Kaiwen, sitting behind his computer, was entirely satisfied.
Later, Barbara said she had to go on a business trip, and Huang Kaiwen's life grew even more boring.
The economic decline of Italian football was becoming plain to see. Even Juventus' big-money signing of Ibrahimovic couldn't hide the fact that Serie A had fallen far behind its former glory.
Meanwhile, Milan won another friendly.
Kaka, back in Milan, stole the show with a spectacular long-distance dribble.
Maldini hadn't forgotten about Huang Kaiwen. After the match, he brought his whole family over to visit him.
"Hi, Paolo."
Pushed out by a maid, Huang Kaiwen greeted the captain warmly.
Eight-year-old Christian was very sensible. He handed Huang Kaiwen the flowers and said in a clear, young voice, "Get well soon, Uncle Kevin."
Huang Kaiwen ruffled the little boy's hair, took Daniel from Adriana's arms, and invited them inside.
Adriana asked curiously, "You hired a housekeeper and a maid?"
"It was Barbara."
Huang Kaiwen rolled his eyes.
Barbara obviously didn't trust him, so she'd found a maid of rather ordinary looks to take care of him.
But she'd also hired a housekeeper, making sure he couldn't be alone with the maid. Hah, it wasn't as if Huang Kaiwen was desperate enough to take just anyone.
"Sir, the food has arrived," said Albert, the Mediterranean-looking housekeeper, bowing.
"Let's eat first."
Once everyone was seated, Housekeeper Albert poured the wine with white-gloved hands. The red wine had been decanted ahead of time, making the whole affair look very ceremonial.
"I've already spoken to everyone. They understand your situation, and the entire first team agreed to come over for dinner," Paolo Maldini said as soon as he sat down.
"Great. Thanks, Paolo."
"Don't mention it. This wine is more than enough." Maldini took a sip, his face alight with pleasure.
Huang Kaiwen couldn't taste anything special.
But if the Maldinis enjoyed it, that was all that mattered. The young heiress had left it at his house, anyway.
As usual, the food had been delivered by Michelin. His household always ate in such extravagant style.
The two little Maldinis couldn't sit still after a few bites and ran off to play video games.
Adriana apologized somewhat sheepishly. "They love playing games, but I don't let them at home."
"It's fine. I like the two of them. If it's ever inconvenient for you, you can bring them over. I don't need to train for a while anyway."
"That's so kind of you." Adriana thought Huang Kaiwen really was a good person.
He'd make a good husband someday, too. He was already so patient with children.
Huang Kaiwen mainly wanted to build a good relationship with the Maldini family.
Paolo's father had also been a legendary Milan player, and Paolo was the leader of the Milan Knights Table, a players' group that was something like a self-governing association.
In short, when they were happy, everyone followed their lead; when they weren't, they pushed back against the club. To some extent, they could influence the club's decisions and the coach's team selections.
Paolo Maldini was probably the leader of the Knights' Table now,
and if Huang Kaiwen hadn't been afraid of startling Paolo, he would've been ready to buy him a few cars or give him a house.
Then Huang Kaiwen could have the boss's daughter on one side and a legendary team captain on the other. Even if he collected his salary from the stands, nobody would dare talk behind his back, would they?
Still, Paolo Maldini was getting on in years. He'd have to keep an eye on the other players with influence at the club, too.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable meal for host and guests alike.
Huang Kaiwen played some Winning Eleven 8, released that year, with the two little boys. The European version was called Winning Eleven. In the end, the two little Maldinis reluctantly said goodbye to Uncle Kevin.
Anyone who played with children was sure to win their affection.
Huang Kaiwen felt that the dinner had brought him closer to the team's big boss, and that a bright future was beckoning.
But two days later, he was dumbfounded.
Barbara had brought back miracle doctors—not one, not two, but three!
Barbara stepped off her private jet, brimming with excitement, and headed straight for the love nest she shared with Huang Kaiwen.
She'd brought three people back and introduced them to Huang Kaiwen with an excited look on her face. "Gianni Nanni, an Italian specialist in knees and muscles. He treated Roberto Baggio, and Carlo Nervo returned to the pitch after just 105 days under his care for a severe cruciate ligament injury. This is Marc Martens from Belgium. He's operated on Van Basten, Rijkaard, and Ronaldo. And this is Lieven Maesschalck, also from Belgium, a specialist in muscle strains and rehabilitation. He's also Anderlecht's injury consultant."
Huang Kaiwen was speechless.
These three—
anyone who was a football fan, had played Football Manager, or regularly watched international matches would have heard of them.
They were all renowned masters of sports injuries in the football world.
Nearly all of them were national treasures who accompanied their national teams to major tournaments. Not one of them was any less accomplished than Bayern's miracle doctor, Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.
Lieven Maesschalck said with a smile, "Miss Barbara is very sincere. Rest assured, I'll do my best to get you back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Huang Kaiwen: ...
Was his recovery speed about to increase again?
Barbara really was the boss's daughter. She didn't want him taking paid leave at all.
Barbara was still beaming as she said, "Don't worry, darling. Mr. Nanni has already accepted my offer and will soon join Milan as the team's head doctor. Mr. Maesschalck is interested, too. He plans to visit the Milan Lab before making his decision."
Damn!
Huang Kaiwen felt that life was getting harder and harder.
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