"You’re saying Fernando left?"
Back at the clinic, Chen Yu was surprised to learn that Redondo had already left the clinic yesterday and returned to Italy.
Lexi nodded.
"That guy." Chen Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He had come back specifically to see him off, and he just up and left without a word.
’What’s that about? Is he afraid of goodbyes?’
Lexi opened a drawer and handed him a letter. "He left this for you."
Chen Yu sat down, took the letter, and opened it.
’Who even writes letters anymore?’
It was a single, thin sheet of paper. As he unfolded it, Redondo’s elegant script came into view.
Coming from a well-off family, he had developed good handwriting as a child.
"Chen, please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye."
"Thank you for taking care of me during this time. Without your meticulous care, I wouldn’t have been able to recover my health and continue my professional career. I know you did what you did on purpose back then, but I want to say you did the right thing, because I still love football."
"Rest assured, I will work hard to make it to the World Cup."
"Finally, please take good care of Batty."
That was it.
When he opened the envelope, Chen Yu had thought Redondo might have written a long, elaborate letter, saying things in writing that he couldn’t say out loud.
But it turned out he was still the same man of few words, the same maverick Redondo.
"This is fine, too." Chen Yu tucked the letter back into its envelope.
’Some things don’t need to be said out loud. It’s enough to know them in your heart.’
Lexi didn’t ask what the letter said, instead inquiring about the recent inspection tour.
There was no news about it at all in the United States; it was so quiet you’d think they weren’t even going to the World Cup.
"We ended up choosing Japan—Miyazaki City."
Compared to South Korea, Japan was clearly much better prepared.
This time, they had designated 84 potential base camp locations across the country, and there were only 32 participating nations in total.
Most importantly, they invested a lot in the training camps.
Hard cash.
Unlike South Korea, which talked a big game but was still stingy.
Take Miyazaki City, for example. They invested a total of over 200 million yen to improve the training camp facilities.
For instance, they laid down a natural grass pitch for the training field.
Maintaining a natural grass pitch is very expensive.
The area has hot springs, so they also built a hot spring sanatorium.
The gym, cafeteria, accommodations, and other facilities were also excellent.
Plus, there was the medical support that Chen Yu valued. They had set up a "green channel" at Miyazaki University Hospital, providing 24-hour medical services.
And with Japan adding more flights to South Korea, it would be convenient to travel for matches in South Korea.
All things considered, they ended up choosing Miyazaki City.
It was also because the situation in South Korea was a complete mess.
"By the way, how’s the team?" Chen Yu asked.
He’d been gone for another week and had no idea how the Suns were doing.
"I mean, have there been any injuries?" Chen Yu added.
He wasn’t too concerned about the team’s record; the season had just started.
As long as the players were healthy, that was enough.
Lexi shook her head. "They’re 9-3 right now, still ranked fifth in the West."
Chen Yu was taken aback. A 9-3 record was only good for fifth place? The West this year was an absolute meat grinder.
"Get ready. We’re leaving in a few days."
The draw ceremony was on December 1st, but they needed to arrive in South Korea two days early.
A few days later, Chen Yu was back in South Korea.
After the plane landed in Busan, while the group was waiting for their private transport, Chen Yu suddenly heard someone call his name from behind.
He turned his head and saw Beckenbauer.
With him was the German National Team’s head coach, Rudi Voller.
Chen Yu knew Beckenbauer was a special guest of FIFA, here to add prestige to the draw ceremony.
Beckenbauer greeted Contiguglia and the others one by one, then pulled Chen Yu aside to ask about Desler and Scholl.
Wolle followed them, looking at Chen Yu with a tense expression.
Both players were crucial members of the National Team. If they were absent, it would directly impact the team’s strength.
"Don’t worry. I operated on them the week before last. The surgeries were very successful, and I guarantee they’ll be back before the World Cup."
The two men visibly sighed in relief.
"Chen, thank you."
Beckenbauer hugged Chen Yu, then said suddenly, "Chen, I saw in the news... did Zheng Mengjun try to bribe you?"
Although Zheng Mengjun had immediately suppressed the news, there were more than just South Korean reporters present at the time, so the story still got out.
Afterward, Zheng Mengjun issued a self-righteous denial and claimed there would be an investigation.
But an investigation into oneself... one could imagine the result.
"Franz, what are you trying to say?" Chen Yu sensed there was a hidden meaning.
Beckenbauer said, "Let’s put it this way: I don’t like Zheng Mengjun. He’s too audacious. He’s done many things that could potentially harm FIFA."
’How did South Korea get the rights to host the World Cup?’
’And Blatter only became the president of FIFA because of Zheng Mengjun.’
Chen Yu still didn’t quite understand what Beckenbauer was getting at.
But he had come over specifically to talk to him and even brought up the bribery incident. It was clearly not just a casual chat.
"Franz, what are you really trying to say?" Chen Yu asked.
Beckenbauer said, "Chen, you’re the National Team’s doctor, which should make you an official of the United States Soccer Federation, right?"
Chen Yu nodded.
’That’s true. As the official team doctor, I am indeed considered an official of the United States Soccer Federation.’
Beckenbauer continued, "In that case, you could also be considered an official of a subsidiary body of the United States Government. If someone tried to bribe you, shouldn’t that be considered illegal? I think the FBI would have jurisdiction to investigate, no?"
"Huh?"
At this point, Chen Yu finally understood.
’The old man wants the FBI to get involved and investigate Zheng Mengjun for bribing me. Or rather, use this incident to investigate Zheng Mengjun himself.’
「In the van on the way to their hotel.」
Chen Yu told Contiguglia about his conversation with Beckenbauer.
"I think I know why," Contiguglia snorted. "Germany successfully bid for the ’06 World Cup, and Beckenbauer is in charge of organizing it. He’s also been wanting to get into FIFA’s inner circle, so he wants to use an outside force to go after Blatter and Zheng Mengjun."
More than the reason why, Chen Yu was curious about something else. He asked, "Robert, does the FBI even have the authority to get involved in this?"
The bribery attempt happened in South Korea, after all.
"They probably do," Contiguglia said after a moment’s thought.
’When it comes to South Korea, the United States can pretty much do as it pleases.’
"So, should we get involved?" Chen Yu pressed. "The incident is already in the past."
Most importantly, it had nothing to do with the United States Team. Why should they help Beckenbauer for no reason?
Contiguglia thought for a moment and said, "Forget it. This is FIFA’s internal business. It has nothing to do with us."
Chen Yu nodded. He thought so, too.
’It’s not like the United States Team was the one getting screwed over, so why bother?’
The draw ceremony was to be held at the newly built BEXCO Convention Center. It was scheduled for 7:05 PM on December 1st, and with various performances interspersed, the actual draw wouldn’t begin until 8:00 PM.
It wasn’t like Chen Yu and the others would be drawing the lots. They were just there for the ride, waiting for the results.
Chen Yu’s role was even more relaxed. He was mainly here for a trip on the company dime; he didn’t even have to go to the event itself.
But since he was already here, it wouldn’t look good not to go.
That evening, after dinner, the group took a car and headed to the venue early.
Several blocks around the BEXCO Convention Center were cordoned off, swarming with police on patrol.
"Last time we went to Miyazaki, the mayor of Miyazaki City didn’t seem to want us to choose Miyazaki as our base camp," Andy complained.
This level of strict security was most likely because of them.
And during their last inspection trip to Miyazaki, it seemed like Miyazaki wasn’t too keen on welcoming the United States Team either, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and being attacked.
Even though the United States Team was a Pot 4 team and relatively weak, no one would underestimate them because of it.
The group was seated in the very front row.
Various FIFA officials came over one after another to chat.
Zheng Mengjun also came by. When he saw Chen Yu, there wasn’t the slightest hint of awkwardness or discomfort on his face. He didn’t even mention the bribery incident.
It was as if it had never happened.
He even ended with a chuckle, wishing the United States Team the best of luck in the draw.
But the more he acted this way, the more Chen Yu looked down on him.
After Blatter’s speech, the handover of the gold trophy, and the performances, it was finally time for the draw.
Alina and the others immediately sat up straight.
The once-lively venue instantly fell silent.
The heavy atmosphere made even Lexi unconsciously tense up. She whispered to Chen Yu, asking what would be considered a lucky draw.
"We’ll see. It’s hard to say right now." Chen Yu looked toward the 13 glass bowls on the draw stage.
The result would be revealed shortly.
First up was the draw for the seeded teams.
Brazil was drawn into Group C.
Chen Yu turned his head to look at the Brazilian contingent not far away.
Earlier, the Brazil Team’s head coach, Scolari, had come over to talk to Chen Yu, thanking him for healing Ronaldo and gushing about how great Ronaldo’s form was now.
He wasn’t just being polite.
Ronaldo really was in excellent form right now.
Since his return on October 21st, he had played in five rounds of matches. He scored in every single one of those five games, for a total of 11 goals.
That was an average of 2.2 goals per game, a form so good it stunned all of Italy.
The draw continued.
Germany was assigned to Group E.
And Italy was assigned to Group G.
With the seeded teams drawn, the overall picture wasn’t clear yet. After all, the United States Team was in Pot 4 and would be drawn last.
Chen Yu turned his head to look into the distance.
The China Team was over there.
When their name was drawn, several of them showed obvious disappointment. They had been placed in Group C, the same group as Brazil.
Next was the draw for the final pot.
The first to be drawn was Senegal, assigned to Group A.
Then South Africa, Group B.
Now for the crucial Group C.
Alina couldn’t help but mutter, "Please don’t be Group C."
No one wanted to face the Brazil Team.
Chen Yu watched this and laughed to himself. ’Honestly,’ he thought, ’no matter which group they get, it won’t affect the United States Team’s performance.’
In Chen Yu’s mind, the United States Team was very weak.
Otherwise, why would they be in Pot 4?
Fortunately, Costa Rica was drawn and placed in Group C.
Alina breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Actually, Group D isn’t bad either."
Group D currently had South Korea, Poland, and Portugal. Relatively speaking, it was a bit weaker.
"Mexico."
Mira, from Cameroon, smiled and revealed the result.
Alina sighed, feeling it was a bit of a shame.
Chen Yu looked at the four remaining groups.
Group E had Germany, Group F had Argentina, and Group G had Italy. For the United States Team, the best option was probably Group H.
Cameroon and Nigeria were drawn in succession.
Only Group G and Group H were left.
"As long as it’s not Group G," Contiguglia said, watching the South Korean Go master, Chao Xunxuan, walk onto the stage.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he smiled and announced the result.
United States Team.
Group G.
"Shit," several of them cursed at the same time.
Group G: Italy, Croatia, Ecuador.
This was definitely not a lucky draw.

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