Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Click!
Click, click, click!
Who threw the flashbang at site A?
My eyes are blind!
Lance felt dizzy.
Not only his eyes, but his ears were also dizzy!
His head was buzzing.
"Stop taking pictures, stop taking pictures!"
Ms Hanna Mouller sternly dispersed the reporters present, telling them to turn off their flashlights immediately.
Behind him was the most talked-about star of the current transfer window, the most expensive player in football history, "Top three in the world," "on par with Messi and Ronaldo," "future GOAT," "Light of Asia,"—the currently most sought-after Lance!
Beside him were Atlético Madrid Club CEO Gil Marín and Chinese director Zhang Lin.
Lance held up Atlético Madrid's classic red and white striped jersey, the "Colchoneros" kit.
The words "LANCE" and the large "10" print on the jersey all indicated his treatment at the new team.
Absolute core!
This jersey alone, held by Lance, was later auctioned for a million dollars.
It was eventually bought by a collector from Hong Kong.
Just as Lance was being interviewed by Spanish reporters, a long queue had already formed outside the Atlético Madrid members' store.
The line stretched for 1 kilometre!
The online store's server crashed and was overwhelmed!
On the first day of sales for Lance's Atlético Madrid number 10 jersey, 7,000 pieces were sold in the first hour!
The total sales, online and offline combined, reached 87,000 pieces that day!
Including statistics from other distributors, the total exceeded 100,000 pieces!
Nike, the jersey manufacturer, operated its factories at full capacity, yet still struggled to cope with such enormous sales.
As a result, a player-version team uniform with an official price of 150 euros was resold by scalpers for 1,000 euros!
Lance hadn't even officially joined the team to play, but he had already ignited the passion of Atlético Madrid fans!
Only Atlético Madrid knew how strong the Chinese player who eliminated them was!
"Excuse me, Lance, how do you feel about joining Atlético Madrid? What are your goals for the new season?"
"I'm very happy to join Atlético Madrid. This is a Champions League-winning club with a group of excellent teammates. My goal is simple: Championships!"
"Specifically, which championships?"
The young reporters on site were still pressing for answers, but the experienced veteran reporters already understood Lance's meaning.
Indeed, Lance smiled confidently in front of many reporters and flashing lights:
"Of course, all championships!"
His initial goal was a treble!
Wow!
If it were anyone else, reporters would surely think he was boasting.
But this person was Lance, and a treble seemed not out of reach.
After a series of questions, Ms Hanna Mouller dispersed the group of reporters.
"Lance, get ready to go back and rest. You still have your unveiling ceremony later."
"Your jersey, boots, everything is ready in the changing room. I'll take you to change."
"Thank you, Hanna. Having you here saves me a lot of trouble."
"If you really thank me, give me a raise."
"Then you'll have to talk to Mr Mendes. Theoretically, he's your boss."
"No, you're my boss. I'm sticking with you."
"This..."
Ms Hanna Mouller felt that what she said was inappropriate.
The face of the sharp, capable businesswoman in a sharp suit flushed slightly, a rare display of girlish shyness.
The former press officer and PR manager of Bayer Leverkusen, due to her excellent ability and good chemistry with Lance, and a graduate of the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, was poached by the Mendes team with a high salary to serve as Lance's personal PR manager.
Lance, like big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho, had already begun to assemble his own professional team.
His former agent assistant, Harry Kane, was responsible for specific matters such as Lance's commercial endorsement negotiations, club negotiations, and daily life assistance.
Hanna Mouller was responsible for public relations and news-related matters.
Jorge Mendes himself was responsible for major strategic decisions and maintaining club relationships.
In addition, there were dedicated financial staff, daily assistants, drivers, and bodyguards.
All in all, Lance was no longer fighting alone.
Lance, who had just turned 18, needed to support his team.
Arriving in the changing room, Lance looked curiously at Hanna.
She was still holding a tablet, briefing him on the upcoming press release, as well as interviews with Spanish TV, an exclusive interview with Marca, and an exclusive interview with CCTV's "Football World."
She had a lot of work, and she reported everything to Lance in detail.
"No, where's Harry? He can handle this."
"Harry went to Italy. He's negotiating a new endorsement contract with Armani. Today, he asked me to take care of all your activities."
Ms Hanna Mouller didn't seem to realise the problem yet.
Lance just pointed it out.
"But don't you think something is wrong here?"
"What?"
The young woman with short hair stared at him with her blinking big eyes, her clear blue pupils revealing a university student's intelligence.
"This is the men's changing room, and I still need to change."
Lance was scheduled to appear at the Calderón Stadium (Wanda Metropolitano) later, participating in the joining ceremony in front of 70,000 people.
He would be wearing the number 10 Atlético Madrid jersey.
Lance was still in a suit and shirt, and needed to take off all his clothes, leaving only his underwear, to put on the jersey.
Is it okay to have a girl present?
"What's the big deal? You change, and I just won't look."
Hanna Mouller said in an indifferent tone, deliberately covering her face with the tablet.
"If you don't care, then I don't care."
Lance was still playing on his phone with his left hand, scrolling through his Twitter feed about his official announcement of joining Atlético Madrid.
With his right hand, he single-handedly pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.
Revealing his solid eight-pack abs.
The sexually charged scene made Ms Hanna Mouller blush, and she suddenly regretted staying there.
But she had just said such harsh words; wouldn't running away now be admitting defeat?
Hanna had long forgotten the content on the tablet, all her attention was on Lance.
Listening to Lance take off his jacket and shirt, Hanna Mouller couldn't help but slightly lower the tablet, stealing a few glances at Lance, her breathing quickening.
Lance was just about to change into his shorts, when Hanna Mouller could no longer hold back.
"I just remembered I have something to deal with. You change first; I'll wait for you outside."
Her high heels clicked crisply on the floor as she rushed out of the scene.
Lance chuckled endlessly.
"This girl usually has such a poker face, but she's actually quite cute."
But in terms of cuteness, Chloe was, of course, cuter.
Lance was only 18 years old this year, and wasn't particularly interested in cool, mature women like Hanna.
A few hours later, in Madrid's evening.
Half of Madrid City gathered outside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Tickets for Lance's meet-and-greet were extremely hard to come by, and the 70,000-seat stands were packed!
It was comparable to the grand occasion when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid!
When Lance appeared in the centre of the stadium, overwhelming cheers surrounded him from all directions.
Lance immediately felt the ardent passion unique to Spanish fans!
"I'm very happy to join Atlético Madrid! Although last season, I led my team to eliminate the team you all support, I didn't expect you all to still support me so much..."
Lance made a small joke, and the atmosphere on site was very lively, with constant whistles and screams, and people booing and laughing.
"But I promise, last season Atlético Madrid stopped at the round of 16, this season I'm here to compensate everyone. How about a Champions League title?"
"Lance—"
"Lance—"
"Lance—"
Compared to the steel-like, uniform shouts of German fans, the shouts of Madrid fans were more vibrant and restless!
"I know Atlético Madrid is a team of the people. I was born a challenger, to challenge authority, to challenge all powerful enemies! So, whether it's Barcelona or Real Madrid, I will, with the whole team, overturn them!!!"
"Vamos Atlético!!"
Go, Atlético Madrid!
The scene of Lance raising his arms and shouting in the centre of the stadium instantly ignited the entire stadium!
The spectacle was comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo's "Hala Madrid!" at the Bernabéu back then.
In the future, Atlético Madrid fans recalling this moment will call it: "El lugar donde nacen los sueños"
The place where dreams begin!