"host, it is recommended to start training fancy dribbling. Currently, your ability can meet the requirements of a small Premier League team, but it is almost impossible to secure a main position at Manchester United."
"Then why practice fancy moves? I want to improve my strength more."
"It seems the host has been carried away by the recent rapid improvements. In the past six months, you have only been catching up with others."
"Can you explain it more clearly!" Gao Nuo's face darkened.
"Based on the data I have collected and analyzed, most of your current ability improvement is due to your previous low training level and poor foundation," the system patiently explained. "Simply put, with the host's effort, you have caught up with players of the same age in training over the past six months. Subsequent training will not significantly improve you; it will mostly be about maintaining your competitive state."
Gao Nuo was completely confused: "If I don't improve through training, isn't that the end?"
"With the host's comprehension, I still need to explain it more clearly." The system ignored Gao Nuo's dark face and continued, "A player's growth process relies on training in the early stages and on accumulated matches in the later stages. Training has its limits. After reaching that standard, talent becomes the main factor distinguishing player levels."
Gao Nuo immediately understood what the system meant. With training, one could become a professional football player, but how high one could reach depended on better talent and a bit of luck.
The world is never short of talented players, but not many truly become superstars. Many people are already well-known at 16 or 17, but for various reasons, stories of 'talented youths falling by the wayside' are endless, and they ultimately fade into obscurity.
"System, continue."
"Currently, the host's competitive position is right winger. The simplest way to become competitive is to continue improving your breakthrough ability, dribbling inside, and creating danger."
Gao Nuo thought seriously for a while. The system's role was very important; it was like a mentor. The tasks and rewards it gave seemed well-planned, so there seemed to be no reason to question it.
"Then I'll follow your arrangements and start training."
.........
The next morning, Gao Nuo, who had practiced feints, changes of direction, and sudden stops with the ball all night, and even played a virtual friendly match, tirelessly attempted to dribble past opponents again and again.
The team had a day off today. By the time Gao Nuo finished tidying up, it was already 10 AM. He got into his G-Wagen, feeling gloomy, and drove to the airport.
At 12 PM, Gao Nuo picked up Wang Qing at the airport.
The process was simple. As Wang Qing walked out of the arrival gate, she saw Gao Nuo, 192cm tall, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a tough-guy buzz cut. It was hard not to be immediately attracted.
It had also been many years since Gao Nuo last saw Wang Qing. Her dark hair was tied into a ponytail, her large eyes were dark and bright, she had a high nose bridge, a small mouth, and a slightly short chin, like a cute kitten.
"Gao Nuo, you've grown so tall, and you're a bit tanned," Wang Qing, 162cm tall, looked up at the big boy.
"Sister Wang Qing, you're even more beautiful. It's been a long time since we last met," Gao Nuo took Wang Qing's two large suitcases. The two walked towards the parking lot, chatting as they went.
.........
On the way home, the two chatted a lot, and Gao Nuo finally understood the whole story.
Wang Qing, now 23, was a third-year postgraduate student at Tsinghua University in China. She was working on a project about "the improvement of athletes' physical fitness through nutrition." Gao Nuo's mother, Xu Meiling, heard about it and, with a wave of her hand, arranged everything for the two children. As for whether there were any other intentions, it was unknown.
For the next six months, Wang Qing would be responsible for managing Gao Nuo's diet and collecting his physical data, which meant Gao Nuo only had to eat, eat, and eat.
Upon returning home, Wang Qing chose a bedroom to put her belongings in, then pulled Gao Nuo to buy groceries. According to her, she hoped to turn Gao Nuo into a physical fitness monster within six months.
The two chatted and laughed as they shopped at the supermarket, completely unaware that a car had been following them from not far from their home, its camera lens filled with their figures.
.........
The next day, Gao Nuo went about his routine. After a day of training, he returned home, ate dinner with Wang Qing, and after a short rest, prepared to continue practicing his fancy moves.
However, what he didn't know was that several news reports in China today had pushed him into the spotlight.
Gossip Net: "Manchester United's new star Gao Nuo exposed to be living with girlfriend."
Langya Sports: "China's Manchester United new star Gao Nuo exposed to have French nationality. According to informed sources, Gao Nuo has decided to represent the France U21 National Team."
Huzhao Sports: "Has Manchester United's new star Gao Nuo already started to 'fall'? According to local English media reports, Gao Nuo drove a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen yesterday and spent a holiday with an unknown beauty."
As soon as these articles were published, fans following Gao Nuo exploded again.
National Football Team Forever Hater: "What hope for the National Football Team? He's going to be French now."
Football Savvy Xiao Ming: "I knew it! How could Gao Nuo get a work permit and sign with Manchester United? No wonder."
Da Ai Gao Nuo: "Gao Nuo has a girlfriend, so disappointed..."
Manchester United Fan: "He's only played a few good games, and he's already got luxury cars and beautiful women. He won't end up like Old Dong, will he?"
Old Man on the Sea: "Exactly! If he starts eating sea cucumbers every day, he'll become a 'white chicken' too."
National Football Team Die-hard Fan: "I don't care about luxury cars and beautiful women, but what's with the France team? So, all my support was just a waste of emotion."
Gao Nuo Xiao Heizi: "Football Weekly even boasted that he was cultivated domestically. Give it a rest, he's French. Get out of Chinese football."
.........
After a day of fermentation, football bloggers on various platforms also started making short videos, and with the keyboard warriors fanning the flames, things became increasingly absurd.
By the time the news reached Gao Nuo, it had become:
"Gao Nuo ungratefully betrays the National Football Team, wasting Luneng Football School's cultivation. Gao Nuo joins the France team."
"Luxury cars and beautiful women, Gao Nuo's rich second-generation identity exposed."
"Plagued by negative news just after making a name for himself, when will football's new star Gao Nuo fall?"
.........
It wasn't until Football Weekly released Gao Nuo's interview video, where fans watched Gao Nuo in the camera seriously saying he hoped Chinese players would get better and better, and Chinese football would get better and better.
Gao Nuo's fans began to stand up and defend their idol. For a time, the internet was in a heated argument.
As for Gao Nuo, the protagonist of this incident, he simply took a quick look, comforted Wang Qing by saying it had nothing to do with her, and then happily went back to training.
.........
In January 2023, Manchester United's schedule was very tight, with all weeks featuring two matches. In one month, they had to play 4 Premier League matches, 2 English League Cup matches, and 2 FA Cup matches.
The continuous 8 matches were a considerable test for Manchester United, who were short of players.