Although Auxerre had received the trial footage and information from SportCover, the club's technical department still needed a set of data they had personally verified, so they took Zhang Kuang away for testing.
Meanwhile, Jona followed Jean Fernandez to the head coach's office. After inviting Jonathan to sit down, Fernandez had his assistant bring them coffee.
Once the assistant closed the door, Fernandez waved at Jonathan, signaling that he could begin, but then suddenly raised a hand to interrupt him.
"Let me go first. Zhang Kuang-is that how you pronounce it? He certainly meets my requirements, but don't ask for the lion's share. Otherwise, however tempted I am, I'll have to give him up. You know what kind of club we are. Being broke is our trademark. All right, your turn."
Jonathan gave a wry smile. "Coach, you've blocked off every possible basis for the terms I wanted to propose. How am I supposed to negotiate?"
"You've tested Zhang's ability. If I sell a player of his caliber to you for peanuts, how hard do you think everyone in the business will laugh at us? Would other promising players still dare to come to our agency?
"So I'll just have to take him to another club. I'm sure other Ligue 1 clubs will be willing to pay. If they won't, we'll try Serie A, the Bundesliga, La Liga, and so on."
Fernandez hurriedly pressed his hands downward. "Okay, okay, okay. As long as you don't go overboard. Tell us your terms first, and we'll see."
Jonathan said, "I'm pleased to inform you that the transfer fee is zero. In other words, you won't have to pay a transfer fee. Also, if you want to sign Zhang, even if he doesn't get the highest salary at the club, €15,000 a week isn't unreasonable, is it? Then there's the goal bonus..."
Fernandez said, "Are you sure you want €15,000 a week? That's our highest salary. Are you sure a newcomer should earn that much? Our boss will chop me to pieces."
"Is that so unreasonable? A UEFA Champions League-caliber forward can't even get €15,000 a week? Wow, then we really would become a laughingstock."
Jonathan shook his head as he spoke.
"No, if you ask for that kind of salary, it'll upset our wage structure. Our leading scorer, Jelen, would probably demand a raise immediately, and then we'd have problems within the squad.
"That salary definitely won't work. How about this? Tell me all your other demands as well. I'll discuss them with the boss, and then we can negotiate."
Fernandez spoke.
Jonathan shrugged. "If neither this nor that will work, forget it. Besides, you can't make the decision anyway. We might as well speak to your sporting director or general manager.
"By the way, we have an appointment with Serie A club Fiorentina the day after tomorrow. AC Milan also need a forward. I'm sure they'll be interested too.
"And, Coach, how long do you think a player like Zhang would stay at your club? You might be able to sell him for a high price after just half a season. Do you think we can't do the math? You get all the benefits?
"No transfer fee, an incredibly low salary, and then, after helping you win a championship, he makes you a fortune on the transfer market too? You think you can have every good thing to yourselves? Why should you?"
Fernandez lit a cigar and exhaled a puff of smoke.
"No, I don't have such grand ambitions. I'm only considering the squad's wage structure and the club's finances. Besides, Fiorentina and AC Milan might not be able to offer him a starting spot."
"Heh, do you think someone of Zhang's caliber needs to worry about winning a starting spot?"
Fernandez forcefully blew out a mouthful of smoke. "Wait a moment. I'll go ask the boss."
Jonathan pulled back his sleeve and checked the time.
"Make it quick. I'll wait half an hour at most."
"Mm-hmm. Very good."
Zhang Kuang returned to the changing room, took off his training kit, and gave himself a quick clean with the Cleaning Technique.
Just as he was about to leave, someone appeared in the doorway-the captain, Hengbart.
Hengbart walked in and sat on the bench opposite Zhang Kuang, folding his arms across his chest as he looked at him.
"You're Zhang Kuang?"
"Yes."
"Where did you play before?"
"China U20."
Hengbart fell silent for two seconds, then nodded. "You played well today. No, I should say you were formidable."
"Thank you."
"But I'll be honest with you." Hengbart stood up. "Ligue 1 isn't the same as training. The challenges are harder, the pace is faster, and defenders here won't give you room to shoot the way Grichting did."
Zhang Kuang looked at him and nodded without arguing.
Hengbart patted him on the shoulder. "If you come, life will be much easier for our back line-because you'll help us pin down their defenders up front.
"But let me tell you first: Jelen is the top dog here. Once you arrive, you'll need to learn to work with him."
"If I join the club, I'm coming to play football, not to be the top dog," Zhang Kuang said.
Hengbart glanced at him and smiled. "Good, then. Welcome. I hope I'll see you in the changing room again soon."
He held out his hand, and Zhang Kuang shook it.
When they left the training ground, Anthony was waiting in the car park to drive them to the station.
Nobody said much along the way. Jonathan kept sending messages, Anthony concentrated on driving, and Zhang Kuang kept looking out of the window.
This place was too small. He was a little worried that if he really came here to play, everyday life would be dull. There were no furnace cauldrons he wanted, and this place was neither particularly close to Paris nor particularly far away.
It was 180 kilometers as the crow flew and about 200 by motorway. The train took two hours, and driving took roughly two and a half.
If he lived in Paris, the daily round trip alone would eat up four or five hours. That really wasn't worth it.
But if he didn't come here, it seemed...
Zhang Kuang felt torn. Damn it, he couldn't cultivate with his own two hands. If his hands could solve the problem, anywhere would do.
Only after they reached the station and said goodbye to Anthony did Jonathan smile at Zhang Kuang.
"You performed very well today. Their head coach and the club are both very eager to have you. I had a preliminary discussion with them, and the chances look good. What do you think? Are you satisfied with everything?"
"The club or this place?"
"Hmm? Is there something you're unhappy with?"
"The club is fine, but this place is too small. I'll get lonely."
"Hmm? Lonely? You'll have plenty of teammates. Besides, there's a town here, shopping centers, and so on."
Zhang Kuang spread his hands without speaking. What could he say? Tell Jonathan there weren't any beautiful women he wanted here?
Jonathan said, "Then what do you think? Do you want to join this club?"
Zhang Kuang said, "We'll see. If there really isn't anywhere better, I'll have to come here. But I don't want to stay long. Half a season should about do it."
"Okay, then I understand."
From the train, Burgundy's endless fields stretched beyond the window. The sky hung low, and the clouds were thick.
Zhang Kuang took out his phone and sent Aisha a message:
[The trial's over. I want extra time tonight. You girls had better wash yourselves nice and clean.]