Chapter 478: Chapter 98: Hat-Trick! Phenomenal Superstar! Lewandowski, How Can You Surpass Me? Wang Shuo Is on a Rampage

This statement from Benitez represented the expectations of the management and the fans.

Building on last season’s treble, they wanted to move on from Mourinho’s conservative style and play a more exciting, attacking brand of soccer!

Inter Milan fans hoped that Benitez’s squad could secure a quintuple to kick off the new Serie A season.

...

After training on the afternoon of the 25th, Wang Shuo, accompanied by Shen Qinghe and his lawyer, flew from Dusseldorf to Milan.

They stayed in the heart of Milan that night.

According to their schedule, Wang Shuo and Shen Qinghe would take a car from Milan to Monaco the following day at noon. They needed to be there for the UEFA awards ceremony and Champions League group stage draw at 6:00 PM on the 26th, held at Monaco’s Grimaldi Conference Center.

The schedule was actually quite tight.

The drive from Milan to Monaco was over three hundred kilometers and would take more than three hours, even at the fastest pace.

The reason for Wang Shuo’s stop in Milan was to sign a sponsorship contract with the high-end Italian menswear brand, Zegna.

Shen Qinghe and the lawyer had already gone over the contract terms with Zegna multiple times. Wang Shuo had reviewed it as well and saw no major issues.

The next morning, they would attend the signing ceremony and tour Zegna’s Milan headquarters.

Zegna needed to take Wang Shuo’s measurements to custom-tailor several suits for him. These would be his attire for all formal occasions over the next four years.

For major events, like the FIFA awards ceremony, Zegna would surely design a new, custom piece for him—much like how Hollywood stars wear custom-made gowns to the Oscars.

"I feel like you’re trying to sell off every single part of me that can be sold!"

From the hotel’s balcony bar, they had a perfect view of the distant San Siro Stadium.

Wang Shuo bantered with Shen Qinghe as he gazed at San Siro.

"It’s a fair exchange. You’re after their money, and they’re after your body. It’s only fair," Shen Qinghe said with a laugh.

"Honestly, if we weren’t so pressed for time, I would have tried to negotiate a better price with Zegna. One million euros is a bargain for them, especially with your level of fame right now."

Shen Qinghe put on a playfully helpless expression.

Wang Shuo actually already owned a suit—a high-end one from a German brand that Lina Gerk had helped him pick out.

Shen Qinghe had originally tried to negotiate a sponsorship deal with that brand, but they couldn’t agree on a price.

So there was no way she was going to give them free advertising.

’Let Wang Shuo wear their suit to a UEFA event without paying for it?’

’They wish!’

Wang Shuo couldn’t help but smile whenever he recalled the shrewd, calculating look on Shen Qinghe’s face back then.

After negotiating with a few brands, the UEFA invitation came through, so Shen Qinghe quickly sealed the deal with Zegna.

"They’re going to provide two suits for us to take to Monaco," Shen Qinghe reminded him.

Wang Shuo made a mental note.

"Want to go see San Siro?"

Shen Qinghe noticed that Wang Shuo had been staring at the distant San Siro Stadium the whole time.

Wang Shuo really wanted to go. After all, he had never been to the legendary stadium.

But after a moment’s thought, he decided against it.

"Let’s not. If a fan or a reporter snaps a picture, tomorrow morning’s headlines will be ’Wang Shuo to Sign with Inter Milan or AC Milan, Spotted at San Siro Stadium.’"

He mimicked a paparazzo’s breathless tone, complete with exaggerated hand gestures, which made Shen Qinghe laugh on the spot.

Since becoming his assistant, she had discovered that Wang Shuo wasn’t actually the prim and proper type.

He only showed that side of his personality to people he knew and trusted.

"Honestly, if you hadn’t talked me into it, I wouldn’t even want to go to Monaco. It’s pointless, since I’m not going to win any awards anyway."

The mention of awards left a sour taste in Wang Shuo’s mouth.

Although he had a brilliant run in the UEFA Europa League, its influence was limited.

This year, all the major UEFA awards were pretty much guaranteed to go to Inter Milan.

"We couldn’t play in the Champions League last season, right?"

Shen Qinghe could hear the envy in his voice.

"Let’s work even harder this season. I believe that this time next year, we’ll definitely be on that awards stage at the Grimaldi Conference Center!"

As she spoke, her eyes, fixed on Wang Shuo, were filled with unwavering confidence in him.

Her words were exactly what Wang Shuo needed to hear, and he nodded repeatedly.

’That’s what I think, too.’

’I will compete against the best and most elite players in the world!’

’Getting on stage at the Grimaldi Conference Center is just a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal!’