Manchester United completed a spectacular comeback victory away from home. At the post-match press conference, Ten Hag praised Gao Nuo's excellent performance:
Daily Report reporter: "How do you evaluate Gao Nuo, who was awarded the Man of the Match?"
Ten Hag: "Gao is a passionate young man. Look at his performance in this match: one assist, one goal, and he also created the free-kick opportunity for the first goal."
Truth-Seeking Report reporter: "By boldly fielding young players, does this indicate a problem with the team's squad depth?"
Ten Hag: "We cannot shy away from this problem. The impact of international matches and injuries within the squad have indeed caused us trouble, but our young players are ready. Their form in training and matches deserves them a chance to play."
Three Days Two Reports reporter: "After Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, Manchester United has achieved five consecutive wins. Do you have anything to say about that?"
Ten Hag: "I don't want to discuss something that has already passed. Next question."
Football Weekly reporter: "What kind of reinforcements will your team make in the winter transfer window? Gao Nuo has been performing exceptionally well recently; where does he fit into your squad plans?"
Ten Hag: "There hasn't been much discussion about transfers yet. Something will definitely happen, and we'll wait and see."
"Gao is in my plans. He is one of my options, but it could be now or later. It all depends on his form."
...
Gao Nuo, still basking in the celebratory atmosphere in the locker room, hadn't even had a chance to discuss the rewards with the host when he was arranged to be interviewed by China's Football Weekly.
Walking into the team's interview room, Gao Nuo met the Chinese sports reporter stationed in England for the first time.
Wen Na, about 170cm tall, dressed in a professional suit with shoulder-length short hair, had features that, while not exquisite, were very pleasant to look at. The gold-rimmed glasses on her nose added a touch of intellectual beauty.
"Hello, Gao Nuo, please sit. My name is Wen Na, and we'll ask a few simple questions."
"Okay."
"How did you join Manchester United?"
"There was a trial camp in June this year, and Mr. Mike Allen, the assistant coach, gave me this opportunity to stay at Manchester United."
"I see you're a bit nervous. How do you feel at Manchester United?"
"Indeed, this is my first interview, but luckily it's with our own Chinese media," Gao Nuo said, scratching his head. "I feel great here. The training is very professional, the coaching staff is highly skilled, and my teammates are very friendly. I'm very happy here."
"Your recent form has been red-hot. Are you confident you can continue scoring?"
"I'm very confident in myself, but I know there's still a gap in my ability compared to the first team. All I can do is train diligently, be prepared, and the rest is up to the coach's arrangements."
"In today's match, you performed excellently in the second half. What are your thoughts on this game?"
"During halftime, coach Ten Hag set up our tactics, and the team made changes. This was key to our victory. I have a strong group of teammates around me, and I just need to do my job."
"I saw Harry Maguire say something to you when you came on in the second half?"
"Yes, the captain told me not to be afraid of opponents due to pressure, not to be afraid of making mistakes, to be courageous, and to trust my teammates. So, in the second half, I increased my breakthroughs."
"One last question, you've seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and fans back home are very interested in you. What would you like to say to them?"
Gao Nuo straightened up and looked at the camera: "Thank you for your attention and support. Joining Manchester United feels like a dream to me. I will seize this opportunity to grow here, and I hope our National Football Team players get better and better, and I also hope Chinese football gets better and better."
The interview ended in about ten minutes. Gao Nuo politely bid farewell to Wen Na, then eagerly found an empty massage room and slipped inside.
"host, rewards have been distributed."
"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Rewards have been issued. Please use the two intermediate virtual coaches after entering the training ground."
"What's the level of an intermediate coach?"
"Basically equivalent to a Premier League coach."
The host's rewards were always very timely. As Gao Nuo's strength increased, the two beginner coaches had fewer and fewer suggestions to offer him. His virtual training at night recently clearly felt like it wasn't making much progress.
By the time club matters were handled, it was almost evening. Gao Nuo had just returned home when he received a call from his mother.
"Son, I watched the game today, you were amazing. I'm so proud of you."
"Hehe, just average, good luck."
"Did you eat dinner yet?"
"Not yet, I was just about to order some healthy meal."
"Mom wants to discuss something with you."
"Hmm, go ahead."
"You see, you're over there by yourself, and your father and I are worried. Your Uncle Wang's daughter just happens to be going for an internship. How about you arrange a room for her to stay at your place?"
"Ah? Is it Wang Qing? Has she graduated already? Isn't it inappropriate for a man and a woman to live together?!"
"You rascal, what's inappropriate? Wang Qing grew up with you since childhood, and she won't be in the same room. What are you thinking? Wang Qing is intelligent and clever; she went to university at 16 and is now preparing for a Ph.D. in nutrition. She has a research project that requires practical experience."
"Then where will she intern if she comes here? My place is quite a distance from the city, it won't be convenient."
"She doesn't need to go anywhere. She'll just use you for practice. You can consider it like hiring a private nutritionist."
"I still don't think it's appropriate, she..."
"She what? It's settled. I stayed up late to call you for this. I'm going to sleep now, no more talking. I'll send you the flight number, and you go pick her up. Bye, son, love you."
"I..." Gao Nuo hadn't finished speaking when the call was cut off.
With a belly full of frustration, Gao Nuo ate dinner, and without much rest, quickly went to bed to enter the virtual training ground.
"host, activate the cards. My intermediate coaches, come out."
"Okay, two virtual coaches (intermediate) are being generated."
Similarly, two figures walked out of the void, gradually becoming clear. Two coaches wearing Manchester United training kits appeared before Gao Nuo, still with the cursed random "common faces."
"host, plan my training."
"Gao Nuo, 19 years old.
Height: 192cm, Weight: 90kg
Ball Control: 12
Passing: 10
Shooting: 10
Positioning: 12
First Touch: 11
Strength: 13
Stamina: 11
Speed: 15
Explosiveness: 16
Willpower: 18
Comprehension: 13
Decision Making: 11
Concentration: 17
Maximum attribute value is 20. Other attributes are currently hidden attributes."
...