479 kilometers from Munich lies the industrial city of Wolfsburg.
Near the Volkswagen Arena—
“In recent years, our annual growth rate in China has been only a few percentage points.
So to reverse the decline in sales, we want to leverage football.”
Fischer, the European Director of Volkswagen Group, spoke with a serious expression.
He knew very well that trying to use football to change the entire car sales landscape in China was wishful thinking.
But there was no other choice.
The group had already tried everything—sponsoring the hit show Running Brothers, promoting new car models to capture fresh markets, and pouring money into marketing.
In the end, none of it worked.
The results were minimal and had virtually no impact on regional sales.
So targeting football now was a desperate measure—but one they had to try.
“This is a key strategy for our Asian market.
I want you to find a capable player, preferably one who can appear and perform in key matches.”
Fischer exhaled a ring of smoke.
Sitting across from him was the bald and middle-aged Tim Schumacher, General Manager of Wolfsburg, who replied with a troubled expression, “Sir, you know the abilities of Chinese players are limited.
Meeting your expectations…”
“That’s your problem to solve.
All I want is a Chinese player!”
Fischer was firm.
That’s how leadership works—pressure from above is passed down.
“Alright.”
Tim Schumacher nodded and accepted the assignment.
But the moment he sent the request to the recruitment department, complaints erupted.
Times had changed.
There were no more Yang Chens, Shao Jiayis, or Hao Junmins—players who were at least somewhat capable.
Nowadays, “excellent” and “Chinese player” don’t go together.
Where were they supposed to find one?
“Is Volkswagen run by idiots?
If we sign a Chinese player and don’t play him, the backlash will be brutal.”
A staffer set up a search and began looking through Chinese Super League players.
After hours of eye-straining scrolling, a colleague suddenly exclaimed, “Hey, Peter, look!
Is this guy Chinese?
He’s currently on Bayern’s second team and played in the regional league last season.
I think he fits the boss’s criteria!”
Peter instantly sat up and rushed over.
Good stats, good looks, good buzz… he actually looked like a solid candidate.
Talk about luck—just when you want to nap, someone brings you a pillow.
“The only question is whether he’s good enough for league, cup, and Europa League matches.
Still, he’s probably better than most CSL players.
At least there’s no language barrier.”
Peter’s expression shifted between doubt and hope.
He decided to verify Qin Ming’s background and contacted the recruitment head.
He was just an employee—he couldn’t make the call.
That headache was for the higher-ups.
Three days later, in Munich—
[Dear Mr.
Qin Ming, we have received your application.
After discussions between the recruitment department and the coaching staff, we would like to invite you to a trial on July 28th at 3:30 PM, at the VFL Center on In Den Allerwiesen Street, Wolfsburg.]
Reading the message on the screen, Qin Ming clenched his fist and pumped the air.
Just as he expected.
Volkswagen had long planned to sign a Chinese player to help promote their brand.
Without him, history would’ve followed its path, and Zhang Xizhe would’ve joined Wolfsburg.
But now… had he stolen Zhang Xizhe’s spotlight?
Not quite.
Nothing was confirmed yet.
He hadn’t even passed the trial.
Getting excited too early would be foolish.
With three days left before the trial, Qin Ming still had time to get used to his new body.
That’s right—after the template transformation, he now possessed incredible talent.
A few days ago, lacking a proper training plan, he had taken time to analyze Ronaldinho’s strengths.
First, and most importantly, was “ball sense.” That elusive quality is hard to train.
But as Cruyff once said, dribbling in a messy living room can sharpen your touch.
So Qin Ming practiced dribbling in his dorm.
The results were surprisingly good.
Next was his imaginative and three-dimensional vision in tight spaces—a god-level trait in football history.
These are the ultimate expressions of technical mastery.
To improve, Qin Ming practiced juggling the ball in various ways, sharpening his spatial awareness.
He also trained basic skills like controlling, shooting, and passing.
For now, this routine would do.
Once he joined a pro team, he could follow a more detailed and scientific training program.
Not far from the second team’s dormitory was the Bayern head coach’s office.
“I moved Philipp from full-back to defensive midfield.
In a way, I helped the German national team—and they just won the World Cup.
Doesn’t that prove my ability?”
Guardiola held his head in frustration.
Football commentator Falk described this moment in Bayern Inside as yet another “Messi Moment” for Guardiola.
Back then, Pep had a flash of inspiration, turning Messi into a false nine—creating a legendary forward and a legendary team.
Lahm’s positional change had just as big an impact on Bayern and German football.
Everything seemed to be going well.
But now, in the newly opened summer transfer window, major disagreements were surfacing between Guardiola and Bayern’s board.
Last season, he wanted Neymar, but the club rejected the plan, citing the Brazilian’s incompatibility with German football.
This season, he wanted Suárez.
Again, the club turned him down, saying the Uruguayan had a biting habit.
Fine.
Biting isn’t exactly great behavior.
But why would the club trade Toni Kroos for Xabi Alonso?
He couldn’t understand.
Lately, he had been trying to reach technical director Reschke, who handled squad planning, but hadn’t gotten the responses he wanted.
And the young man he’d met earlier?
Forgotten amid the chaos.
That young man, three days later, boarded a high-speed train to Wolfsburg.
Watching the scenery fly past the window, Qin Ming suddenly felt something real.
His time in this world had been short—so short that he hadn’t fully adjusted.
But now, on this solo journey, the intense feeling of disorientation began to fade.
The six-hour ride was long and exhausting.
By the time he arrived in Wolfsburg, the soft evening sun had begun to dip below the horizon.
He went straight to the hotel booked by the club, located near the VFL Center.
After a meal and a quick shower, he went to bed early, determined to be in perfect condition for the trial.
(END CHAPTER)