Marina: "Zhang, congratulations on winning the game, and congratulations on scoring four more goals and winning the best of the game. Did you hear what Sir Ferguson said about you? Will you choose to join Manchester United?"
Zhang Kuang:"What did Sir Ferguson say? I don't know!"
So Marina relayed what Ferguson said, and Zhang Kuang nodded while listening.
Zhang Kuang: "First of all, I am very grateful to Sir Ferguson for his recognition of my ability. I think any player in the world would like to receive such recognition, because it is an honor. After all, it was said by Ferguson, the top coach in the world.
Regarding transfers, who knows? It's too early to talk about this now. I am now a player of Auxerre. I don't want to talk about future transfers for the time being. This will make me look very unprofessional and will also make the current club dislike me."
Marina nodded, her man behaved very professionally.
"How does that feel to you Manchester United? How do you feel about the opportunity to collaborate with Sir Ferguson?"
Zhang Kuang: "Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs on the planet. Joining Manchester United is an honor for many top players. Working with Sir Ferguson is even more of an honor. Although I heard that he manages the players very strictly, it is also for the honor of the team and the players."
But many things are assumptions, and talking too much about assumptions will lead to misunderstanding. I said, I don't want to say too much about transfers and other clubs, and I don't want to distract my current energy. Thank you, and please don't ask similar questions again."
Marina:"Then I understand..."
This can be regarded as a qualitative statement for Mr. Zhang in the face of current scandals with many clubs. Now that he has not won the golden boot or won the championship, why are he talking about transfers?
After Zhang Kuang's response, the media no longer paid much attention to this aspect of his news.
Even people in the Auxerre club agree with Zhang Kuang, which shows that Zhang Kuang has not lost himself and has a clear understanding of himself.
--
On the afternoon of February 13, Auxerre, Stade Abbé-Deschamps News Hall.
Ligue 1's pre-match press conference for the 24th round of Auxerre's home game against Rennes.
Fernandez is sitting in the main seat, with a bottle of water and two cups in front of him. Reporters have already filled the press hall, nearly twice as many as usual - not because Auxerre is playing against Rennes is a strong conversation, but because tomorrow is the New Year of China, and Auxerre has the most watched China player in the entire Ligue 1.
The first question comes from reporters from France and L'Équipe.
"Mr. Fernandez, tomorrow is the new year of China. Will Zhang Kuang be the first release?"
Fernandez glanced at the reporter and said expressionlessly, "As long as he is healthy, he will be the starter. You don't need to ask me this question."
There was a burst of low laughter from the audience.
"Tomorrow is the China New Year. What do you want to say to Zhang Kuang? Or to the fans of China?"
Fernandez was silent for two seconds, and then he made a move that no one expected.
He raised his head, looked at the microphone, clasped his fists, and said in Chinese: "Happy New Year, wish you good luck."
The pronunciation is not quite standard, the word "cai" sounds a bit like "cai", but every word is clear.
The press hall was quiet for a second, then burst into laughter and applause.
"This is one of the few Chinese words I know." Fernandez resumed his French, his expression still calm, "Zhang Kuang taught me. He said this is one of the most commonly used greetings for China people during the New Year. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Zhang Kuang a happy new year, and also wish all China fans a happy new year."
He paused.
"Zhang Kuang is an important player for us. He has made a huge contribution to the team. I know that fans of China are paying attention to him and Auxerre. I want to say to you - thank you for your support, we will continue to work hard."
The reporters quickly recorded.
A China reporter raised his hand and stood up, his voice a little excited. "Mr. Fernandez, you just said 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' in Chinese. Is this specially prepared for today's release meeting?"
"It's not a special preparation." Fernandez said, "I asked Zhang Kuang after training yesterday, 'Tomorrow is your New Year, what should I say?' He taught me this sentence. I asked what 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' meant, and he said it meant 'Wish you money'."
There was another burst of laughter from the audience.
"So," Fernandez showed a rare smile, "I wish everyone money."
The atmosphere in the press hall has never been more relaxed.
But soon, the topic returned to the game.
"Rennes is currently ranked eighth. Their defense is very solid. They have only conceded 22 goals in the 22 rounds of the league. They are the team with the third fewest goals conceded by Ligue 1." The reporter of "France Football" flipped through the information, "Do you think Auxerre can score in this game?"
Fernandez's expression became serious again.
"Rennes's defense is really good. Their central defenders work well together, and their goalkeeper is also at the top level of Ligue 1. But... as we all know, we have Zhang Kuang."
He paused, smiled and raised his eyebrows at everyone.
"As long as Zhang Kuang is on the court, we have the possibility of scoring a goal."
"Aren't you worried that Rennes will take special defensive measures against Zhang Kuang? For example, multiple double-teams and fierce tackles?"
"Every team has adopted special defensive measures against him." Fernandez said, "But so far, no team has successfully restricted him."
He looked at his watch.
"Okay, last question."
"Mr. Fernandez," a United Kingdom reporter stood up, "How long do you think Zhang Kuang can stay at Auxerre?"
The press hall fell silent. Fernandez looked at the reporter and remained silent for a few seconds.
"This is his business, not mine." He said, "I am only responsible for his current performance on the court. As for where he will go in the future - that is his choice, and I respect his choice."
He stood up and left, followed by an interview with Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti.
Reporter: "Mr. Antonetti, how do you plan to prevent Zhang Kuang tomorrow?"
Antonetti: "We already have a strategy and will not let Chinese Zhang score easily again. We are not a lower-tier team and our defense is very good. I believe that as the Ligue 1 team gets to know Chinese Zhang better and better, it will become more and more difficult for him to score goals."
"Can you tell me more about your strategy?"
"Sorry, tactics are confidential."
"..."
Beijing time is 14:00 noon on February 14, 2010, Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year. At this time, Paris time is 7 o'clock in the morning. In 16th arrondissement of Paris's apartment, Zhang Kuang is sitting alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, watching Eiffel Tower gradually light up with golden light in the morning light outside the window.
This is his first Spring Festival after time travel.
There were no firecrackers, no New Year's Eve dinner, and no background sound of the Spring Festival Gala. Paris outside the window was as quiet as a city with the mute button pressed, with only the occasional sound of passing cars and distant church bells.
He took out his mobile phone and opened Weibo.
Number of fans: 38.7 million. In just over a month, he went from an amateur to a football star with tens of millions of fans. Domestic football stars are too scarce, so once one person gets involved, he can take advantage of the entire market's dividends.
He looked at the constantly beating number, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and then started typing.
"Happy New Year to all my brothers and sisters in China! I wish you New Year greetings at Paris."
He paused, thought, and continued writing.
"I can't go back to China to celebrate the New Year this year, but my heart is with you all. I wish you all good health, all the best, and all your wishes come true in the new year.
I also wish all China fans - no matter who you support, criticize, love or hate - a happy new year, peace and joy."
He checked it again and felt it was almost done, so he added:
"By the way, today is the 24th round of Ligue 1. Auxerre plays against Rennes at home. I will try my best to score goals. This is a New Year's gift to you."
After sending it, comments poured in within 30 seconds.
"Zhang Kuang, Happy New Year! You should pay attention to your health when you are alone in Paris, and sleep less with girls!"
"Come on for today's game! Enter three of them, and tonight's women will sleep with four of them!"
"I accepted the New Year's greetings and will stay in front of the TV on time!"
"Zhang Kuang Aren't you going home to celebrate the New Year? Oh yes, you have no home... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned this... Come on! You are our pride!"
"It's not easy to be alone outside, take care of yourself."
"Zhang Kuang, I appreciate your performance on the court, but I don't dare to let my son follow you. How could you sleep with four women at once? This image is too bad. What if my son is proud of you... I can't imagine it."
"Owner, if your son has the ability to Zhang Kuang sleep four at a time, you should be happy."
"..."
Zhang Kuang did not continue to comment, but turned to the address book, found the number of Wu Guohua, and dialed it.
The phone rang twice and was picked up.
"Coach Wu, Happy New Year." Zhang Kuang said.
"Hey, Zhang Kuang, have a good New Year, have a good New Year." Wu Guohua's voice was smiling, and in the background there was the sound of the TV and the clatter of dishes and chopsticks, "You are alone France, how are you going to celebrate the New Year?"
"Originally, I planned to invite my teammates to a Chinese restaurant for dinner last night, but we have a game today and can't eat and drink too much. I have to invite my teammates to Chinatown for Chinese food tonight to let them experience the China New Year atmosphere."
"Haha, yes, yes, it is right to do this. We must have a good relationship with our teammates and promote the China culture."
Zhang Kuang smiled, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
"By the way, I'm optimistic about you in today's game. Rennes is not a strong team. You play well and score a few goals."
"Coach Wu, don't put pressure on me."
"Pressure?" Wu Guohua smiled on the other end of the phone, "You are playing alone in Ligue 1 and you are not afraid of facing tens of thousands of people in the stadium. Are you afraid of my pressure?"
The two chatted for a few minutes and hung up the phone.
Pack up, have breakfast, and then drive to the base.
--