72 Attending Guardiola's Wedding

Before Lin came, he calculated that including the German Cup, he had played in a total of seven official matches. According to the bonus standards in the contract, receiving 150,000 euros would have been considered good.

Even if the two Telekom Cup matches were included, it would probably only amount to over 200,000 euros.

Therefore, when Pere came with nearly 330,000 euros in bonuses, Lin began to question his own life choices.

He wondered why Barcelona suddenly became so generous.

"Hehe, I used a loophole in their contract to fight for a bit more bonus!" Pere explained his actions at Barcelona to clear Lin's doubts.

After listening to Pere's explanation, Lin gave him a thumbs up, impressed by Pere's skills. "Uncle Pere, you are really clever. If I had gone alone, I definitely would not have gotten this much bonus!"

Pere was pleased by Lin's praise and further explained, "Initially, they didn't expect your outstanding performance in the Bundesliga. That's why they didn't notice this loophole. But I'm surprised by the high standards of your appearance fees, goal bonuses, and assist rewards. It's almost on par with many mid-table La Liga teams' bonus standards!"

Lin also shared the story of how Guardiola left and was mistreated by the Barcelona club.

After hearing Lin's story, Pere got angry. "Hmph, these wolves in sheep's clothing in Barcelona. Pep contributed so much to them, and they treat you like this, it's outrageous!"

Lin agreed, finding it not a big deal as Messi had faced even worse treatment by Barcelona ten years later!

"I heard from Barcelona that your contract is expiring soon?" Lin nodded, "My contract expires in July next year!"

"Are you going to renew with Barcelona?" 

"Of course... not!"

"A wise choice. I also think not renewing with Barcelona is the right decision. Don't let them have it easy!" Pere hesitated, seeming to want to say something but was hesitant.

Lin understood his thoughts and was satisfied with Pere's work. He decided to wait and hear Guardiola's opinion before making a final decision about Pere.

After receiving the bonus, Lin had Pere take him to the city to pick out some gifts to give to his foster parents. After leaving the city, they drove on the highway for over an hour and finally arrived at a castle not far from the seaside.

Guardiola welcomed Pere and Lin warmly at the castle. Seeing Lin's slightly awkward walk, Guardiola inquired about his injury, expressing concern.

He advised Lin to rest in Germany rather than push himself to attend the wedding, considering the risk of aggravating his ankle injury.

Lin assured Guardiola that the ankle injury was not serious and that a few days' rest would suffice.

If not for Guardiola's wedding, Lin would have preferred to remain in Germany for rest. An ankle injury, if not properly rested during recovery, could worsen with excessive activity, posing a high risk for a professional player.

After the wedding ceremony of Guardiola and Sera, Lin flew back to Bremen the same afternoon to prevent worsening his injury.

Before leaving, Lin asked Guardiola about Pere. Guardiola spoke highly of Pere, recognizing his reliability. Hiring him as an agent would be beneficial for Lin's future, ensuring a thoughtful career plan.

Although Pere's influence in European football was not as significant as Mendes or Raiola, Lin felt confident with Guardiola's recommendation.

Before departing, Lin officially signed with Pere, appointing him as his agent.

Five days later, the seventh round of the Bundesliga began. Werder Bremen faced Augsburg away.

In this match, Lin did not get a chance to play as Coach Schaaf was concerned about his injury worsening. Schaaf did not even include Lin in the squad for the away game. Lin had to watch the game live from home.

Augsburg opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, but Werder Bremen quickly equalized in the 19th minute.

Of note, the goal was scored by Nils Pedersen, the forward loaned from Bayern Munich to Werder Bremen. Since Lin solidified his position as a starter, Nils seldom had opportunities to play.

After scoring, Nils vented his frustration. He had expected to secure a starting position at Werder Bremen when he arrived on loan from Bayern but had been struggling to even make the bench.

Similarly, with limited playing time at Werder Bremen, his parent club Bayern Munich had begun losing patience with him.

As a forward bought for €2.8 million, he lacked a prominent status even within Bayern. 

Nils, after scoring a goal, dreamed of becoming the team hero and winning back Bayern's favor.

He kept asking for the ball in the front but couldn't handle the opponents' tackles due to his small stature, often losing possession.

Moreover, he had limited playing time in the first team and had poor coordination with teammates. When Reus passed him the ball, he often misinterpreted it, missing chances.

As a result, Werder Bremen fell behind in the game.

In the 32nd minute of the first half, Augsburg scored another goal.

In the 72nd minute of the second half, they scored again, leading 3-1!

There wasn't much time left for Werder Bremen!

Werder Bremen's players were frustrated and missed Lin Quan. If he were there, with the chances they created in the first half, the team would have scored at least three goals by now!

Coach Schaaf realized the situation was not good due to the underperforming forward from Bayern.

He made a decisive substitution, replacing Nils with Fielkrug.

This substitution had a great effect, revitalizing Werder Bremen's attack.

In the 78th and 86th minutes, De Blauw and Elia scored, helping the team level the score.

If there was more time left, with their attacking prowess, they could have pulled off a stunning comeback!

Ultimately, Werder Bremen drew 3-3 with the opponent, only earning one point.

After three winless rounds, they dropped to fourth place, surpassed by Schalke 04.

In other matches, Bayern won 7-0 at home against Hoffenheim, releasing their previous anger on this match.

On the other hand, Dortmund faltered again, drawing away against Hannover. After seven rounds, they only had 10 points, ranking fifth, still nine points behind Bayern.

An interesting note was that this season's surprise team Frankfurt was defeated by Monchengladbach 2-0 at their home, ending their unbeaten streak of six rounds. Nils, after scoring a goal, dreamed of becoming the team hero and winning back Bayern's favor.

He kept asking for the ball in the front but couldn't handle the opponents' tackles due to his small stature, often losing possession.

Moreover, he had limited playing time in the first team and had poor coordination with teammates. When Reus passed him the ball, he often misinterpreted it, missing chances.

As a result, Werder Bremen fell behind in the game.

In the 32nd minute of the first half, Augsburg scored another goal.

In the 72nd minute of the second half, they scored again, leading 3-1!

There wasn't much time left for Werder Bremen!

Werder Bremen's players were frustrated and missed Lin Quan. If he were there, with the chances they created in the first half, the team would have scored at least three goals by now!

Coach Schaaf realized the situation was not good due to the underperforming forward from Bayern.

He made a decisive substitution, replacing Nils with Fielkrug.

This substitution had a great effect, revitalizing Werder Bremen's attack.

In the 78th and 86th minutes, De Blauw and Elia scored, helping the team level the score.

If there was more time left, with their attacking prowess, they could have pulled off a stunning comeback!

Ultimately, Werder Bremen drew 3-3 with the opponent, only earning one point.

After three winless rounds, they dropped to fourth place, surpassed by Schalke 04.

In other matches, Bayern won 7-0 at home against Hoffenheim, releasing their previous anger on this match.

On the other hand, Dortmund faltered again, drawing away against Hannover. After seven rounds, they only had 10 points, ranking fifth, still nine points behind Bayern.

An interesting note was that this season's surprise team Frankfurt was defeated by Moenchengladbach 2-0 at their home, ending their unbeaten streak of six rounds.

(End of Chapter) 

avataravatar
Next chapter