Football Card System

What happened at the press conference didn't dampen Gao Bo's spirits. After nearly two months of intense preseason training, his team was finally beginning to take shape. The nonstop work he had poured into these months was entering a phase where he could finally catch his breath.

The game was set for the next day, and most of the preparation was complete. Now, all that remained was the players' performance on the pitch. After the press conference, Gao Bo rarely went back to his office. Instead, he took a stroll around the training ground before slowly heading out of the training base.

Gao Bo was filled with anticipation for the new season. Over the past two months, he had recruited several key players, built a strong core for the team, and implemented rigorous training sessions. Now, Luton felt like it was entirely his team. Five of the main players had been personally scouted and brought in by Gao Bo. The team's previous core players had already left, making it easier for him to instill his tactical philosophy into what was effectively a brand-new squad.

During this period, Gao Bo had also discovered the immense utility of the training card, which increased training effectiveness by 15%. This improvement was so visible that it sped up Luton's transformation into a competitive unit.

As the first match of the season approached, Gao Bo was eager. Winning the game would give him an opportunity to draw more cards from his football card system. Currently, he had only two cards, one of which could only be used for training. Expanding his deck became a pressing desire.

Thinking about the potential new cards, Gao Bo's mood brightened. With the day nearing its end but still some light left in the sky, he decided to take a walk and relax. He had been immersed in work almost every day and figured it was time to unwind.

Luton, a city famous for its straw hat industry, also boasted a reputation for car manufacturing and industries like ball bearings, machinery, and clothing. However, for tourists, the city's appeal lay in landmarks like St. Mary's Church and the Vaughan Park Museum.

Gao Bo wasn't particularly interested in sightseeing. He strolled leisurely through the streets, soaking in the unique atmosphere. Along the way, he enjoyed some quintessential fish and chips from a small alley shop. As night fell, he decided to return to the apartment the club had rented for him, a place he had only stayed in once.

Gao Bo wasn't one to deny himself comfort. Sleeping on a camp bed in his office was far from ideal. If given a choice, he preferred a large, soft bed—and maybe even some pleasant company.

To his surprise, he encountered such company at the apartment courtyard gate.

The courtyard was shared by two apartments, both owned by the Sol family—loyal Luton fans who had rented one of them to the club for Gao Bo. Under the dim lights of the sultry evening, an unexpected reunion unfolded.

What would happen if two adversaries from a heated press conference met in such a setting?

Something did happen.

Miss Roy Saul stood there, eyebrows raised, glaring at the man before her.

This bastard followed me here!

Roy's fury was palpable. To her, this man wasn't just a fraud—he was also a shameless pervert.

"What are you doing here?!" Roy yelled, barefoot and holding a high heel in each hand, pointing the sharp heel toward Gao Bo like a weapon.

"I warn you, this is private property!" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying a hint of fear.

Gao Bo, about to retrieve his keys to open the courtyard gate, stopped when he heard her shout. Looking up, he recognized the fiery reporter from earlier, now barefoot, with a few drops of sweat trailing down her flushed face. Even in the dim light, Gao Bo's eyes were immediately drawn to her figure.

Roy noticed his gaze and became even angrier.

Gao Bo waved a hand, attempting to explain, but Roy interrupted.

"Don't move!" she commanded, raising her shoe like a grenade, ready to attack.

Gao Bo froze, then glanced at her bare feet. "I'm just—"

"I know who you are! Don't even think about trying anything!" Roy's tone was sharp and accusing. "You liar!"

Gao Bo frowned. This woman was truly unreasonable. Was she here just to berate him?

"Who are you calling a liar?" he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

"You! You must've tricked the Luton owners to land the head coach job! Take your amateur players and leave Luton, you fraud!"

Gao Bo scoffed, his mood souring. He muttered under his breath, "Big chest, no brains…"

"What did you say?!" Roy demanded.

Ignoring her, Gao Bo walked toward the apartment door.

Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind behind him. Instinctively, he dodged, just as a high heel slammed against the iron gate with a loud clang.

Good lord, she almost cracked my skull.

Before he could recover, Roy charged at him with her other shoe. Gao Bo grabbed her wrist and restrained her, pressing her against the wall to prevent further attacks.

"Are you crazy?!" Gao Bo snapped, genuinely angry now.

The difference in physical strength was stark. Roy couldn't resist as Gao Bo pinned her against the wall. The close proximity made her heart race, his strong presence overwhelming her senses. The heat of his breath sent a wave of panic through her.

She looked up at him, wide-eyed, as his intense gaze bore into her. For the first time, Roy felt truly unsettled.

What is he going to do?!