Zhao Dong seized Gao Nuo's last day of vacation, arriving in Manchester with the latest SX-GAO.2 series football boots.
There was no other way; during Gao Nuo's days in China, Zhao Dong simply couldn't find the time. The Asian Champion's schedule was too packed, filled with meetings with leaders and media interviews. The helpless CEO Zhao could only arrange his own work and personally travel across the ocean to deliver the boots to Gao Nuo.
With significant funds invested in technological research and development, the new SX-GAO.2 boots clearly showed an improvement in their technological feel. The upper featured a large area of hot-melt coating, covering a considerable area, wrapping from the toe all the way to the heel. Although the hot-melt area enhanced the upper's strength to some extent, it essentially sacrificed breathability, which was a minor drawback.
The sole adopted the mainstream domestic 'dual-density system,' providing shock absorption at the back and rebound at the front. While absorbing impact, it could quickly convert the impact into elastic force, helping athletes accelerate their starting speed and reduce energy loss.
The studs featured the brand-new TIR STAR studs. This newly designed stud allowed players to move better both laterally and longitudinally, resulting in more outstanding on-field performance.
In terms of color schemes, besides the regular models available for open sale, Gao Nuo's custom boots still had a red base, with yellow dragon patterns on both sides that looked somewhat flamboyant.
Of course, things weren't that simple. Watching Gao Nuo try on the new boots, Zhao Dong pulled out his true intention: a new endorsement contract, ten years for 300 million Chinese Yuan. The contract's content had already been reviewed by Gao Nuo's team and found to be without issue.
Li Qiang had previously mentioned to Gao Nuo that international brands might offer higher bids, but as a domestic brand, Zhao Dong's investment in technology was reassuring. The decision was entirely up to Gao Nuo's own wishes.
What more was there to say? Simply by asking to take the domestic brand global, the patriotic young man enthusiastically signed his name.
Before the satisfied Zhao Dong left, he also left Gao Nuo with a not-so-small problem: Speed News Sports needed to collaborate with Gao Nuo's official social media accounts for a series of commercial activities.
As a developing domestic brand looking to break into the international market, Gao Nuo's football reputation would be a great asset. Having just signed the contract, Gao Nuo could only cooperate with such a reasonable request.
Gao Nuo was a breath of fresh air in the new era; for him, a phone was just for making calls. Training already occupied most of his time, and he wouldn't be glued to his phone during his free moments. He preferred to cuddle with Wang Qing and watch a projector screen together. The feel wasn't right, but the viewing experience was excellent.
Therefore, Gao Nuo's social media was still managed by one of Li Qiang's assistants. Apart from necessary content, nothing else was posted. Gao Nuo, who was just about to wear his new boots to play football, had to first rush to Li Qiang's office and hand him Zhao Dong's request.
Li Qiang slapped his thigh, "Oh, you reminded me, I almost forgot! I happen to have someone in mind."
As Gao Nuo's number one devoted fan, Guo Zihan is 28 years old this year. She has broad shoulders, a slender build, a somewhat neutral appearance, and short hair, looking very capable. After graduating from Capital Sports University, she returned to her hometown in the south to become a sports teacher.
Guo Zihan, specializing in swimming, particularly loved football. In university, she even had a secret crush on the school team captain. Ever since she first saw Gao Nuo play for Manchester United, she deeply admired him. First, she created the 'Gao Nuo Overseas' forum in her free time, sharing some of Gao Nuo's latest updates.
Later, as Gao Nuo's popularity grew, she and 11 other like-minded girls formed a small group, discussing professional football issues when they had nothing else to do. The more she understood football, the more she admired Gao Nuo. At the suggestion of her girlfriends, they started editing Gao Nuo's videos and posting them on TikTok. Unbeknownst to them, their followers had already surpassed the 20 million mark, and the ID 'Da Ai Gao Nuo' became a top streamer in the sports section.
Even without selling products, the income from the TikTok account was astonishing, which greatly excited Guo Zihan and her team. In fact, they all edited the videos themselves and didn't use Gao Nuo's name to sell products, so they hadn't infringed on Gao Nuo's rights. However, the far-sighted girls still wanted to bring their account to join Gao Nuo's team. After much inquiry, she finally contacted Zhao Dong, and from Zhao Dong, she found Li Qiang, stating her intentions.
Li Qiang was very surprised at the time. Coinciding with Gao Nuo playing in the Asian Cup, he temporarily put the matter aside. It was only when Gao Nuo asked him about it that he remembered again.
After discussing with Gao Nuo, Gao Nuo proactively contacted Guo Zihan.
At a middle school in southern China, Guo Zihan, who had just started her afternoon shift, was called into the office by the grade director.
A somewhat plump middle-aged woman, with a face made chalk-white by thick foundation, creating a stark contrast with her yellow neck, was smiling as she spoke, "Xiao Guo, how are things going with what I told you last time? The principal's son has already returned from abroad. He's an overseas student, you mustn't decline tonight's dinner."
Guo Zihan's expression wasn't good, "Director, please don't make things difficult for me. The principal's son isn't even as tall as I am, and he looks sickly. How can I go?"
The grade director still softly persuaded, "Xiao Guo, look at what you're saying. So what if he's a bit weak? He comes from a good family, has a high education, a car, and a house. If you two get together, you won't have to worry about anything for the rest of your life. You're not getting any younger, and it's your good fortune that he fancies you!"
These words had clearly been said more than once, making Guo Zihan feel sick. "Director, please stop talking. I'm not going, let them give up early."
The director's face changed, and her tone became displeased, "To be honest, if you don't go today, not only will your job be at risk, but I'll also be implicated because of you. Think about it carefully!"
After speaking, she buried herself in the documents on her desk and no longer paid attention to Guo Zihan.
A dejected Guo Zihan walked out of the director's office. She really wanted to resign. Even if the TikTok income was split among 12 people, it would be enough for her living expenses. However, she still felt somewhat unsure. As they had discussed before, if Gao Nuo himself joined TikTok, their followers would definitely rapidly decrease, which kept her from making a final decision.
While she was feeling agitated, her phone rang. Guo Zihan saw that the number displayed an international call and dismissed it as a scam call, casually hanging up. It wasn't until the number called for the third time, persistently, that Guo Zihan remembered Li Qiang was abroad. She nervously answered the phone.
