Peninsula: Aiming for a Grand Slam

There wasn't a trace of boasting in Schneider's tone; he was simply stating a fact:

"I worked at IMG for twelve years. During those twelve years, I handled similar disputes in six countries."

"The methods this company uses are familiar in the sports systems of any country."

Schneider's face showed neither relief nor gentleness.

He is only serious:

"Mr. Chen, for you, there is only one thing to do."

"Don't answer calls from unknown numbers, be careful in any situation, and don't let others record your calls."

"Apart from that, leave everything to me and ASA."

Chen Jixian nodded: "Understood."

Schneider nodded slightly.

"There's one more thing."

"The FILA collaboration has been confirmed, and we have recommended Jang Won-young as the Korean model."

He paused for a moment.

It was as if he was carefully choosing his words.

"Starship is very interested in FILA's resources. Zhang Yuanying has no experience in high-end sports brands, and FILA's positioning can fill that gap."

Chen Jixian listened and waited for him to continue.

Schneider stopped beating around the bush:

"But they are very resistant to you, for two reasons."

"First, he's not a big name. He hasn't played professionally yet, and they're unwilling to associate Zhang Yuanying with a player with zero points."

"Second, prior convictions."

Chen Jixian was taken aback.

Criminal record?

I've never eaten a government job before.

He thought for a moment: "The petition to the Blue House? Wasn't it already withdrawn?"

"Your rumors with Bae Joo-hyun and Yoo Jimin, and the battle between their fans. Starship is worried that Jang Won-young will also be dragged into the same vortex."

"That counts as a prior offense?" Chen Jixian was dumbfounded.

Schneider did not answer.

He doesn't need to answer.

Xiao Chen shook his head.

Bae Joo-hyun rejected him.

He was an innocent victim of Liu Zhimin's scandal.

But Starship doesn't care about any of that.

The important thing is that his name is now inextricably linked to "female idol scandals," and he can't shake it off.

"Are you still releasing collaboration items?"

This was Chen Jixian's only worry.

All he cares about now is money.

Schneider opened a document:

"hair.

"FILA is an ally of ASA and will not cancel the partnership because of Starship's wait-and-see attitude."

"The licensing fee for the co-branded product has been received. According to the contract, you will receive the first payment next month."

Chen Jixian put down his water glass: "Then it doesn't matter. They can delay, but my match won't wait."

He's incredibly pragmatic now.

As long as they don't touch my money or affect my future finances, then we're all friends.

Xiao Chen quickly did the math in his head.

This sum of money isn't much; according to South Korea's personal income tax rate, it's around 15%.

China and South Korea have signed a tax treaty, meaning taxes paid in South Korea can be deducted in South Korea, preventing you from being overcharged twice.

ASA takes 10% according to the contract, leaving exactly $1.5.

Okay.

It's more profitable than firing an M15.

However, this cannot be considered a normal business activity; FILA was simply "giving a helping hand to its brother out of consideration for the Party and the State."

The talks are almost over.

Schneider was about to get up when his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, placed the phone on the coffee table, and pressed speakerphone.

Schneider's English, with a slight German accent, said: "Minister Park Jung-soo."

The people of Starship.

"Mr. Schneider, I'm sorry to bother you at this time."

"There are still some disagreements within the team regarding the FILA collaboration. Frankly, we still have concerns about the business risks associated with J.Chen."

Schneider didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm calling to ask you one thing. You worked at IMG for twelve years, why did you leave?"

How did you know I was at IMG?

Park Jung-soo's voice carried a hint of eagerness:

"I'm also a tennis enthusiast and have been following Alcaraz, so I know your name."

"But I don't quite understand why you would leave IMG to join a startup with only one player."

Chen Jixian was startled.

Why is Aka here?

Schneider thought for a moment:

"IMG doesn't need someone named Schneider, but ASA does."

"Some players need a complete system to support them. IMG is too big, ASA is just right."

There was a moment of silence on the other side.

then,

Park Jung-soo's tone changed; it didn't sound like a business negotiation anymore, but more like two fans talking about a game.

"Mr. Schneider, since you are Akka's agent... well, former agent."

"I'd like to ask, what are your expectations for him? I think he can be in the world's top ten."

Schneider smiled.

His lips twitched slightly, then he immediately stopped.

"Top three."

"If it were clay, he would already be in the top ten in the world."

Schneider spoke with absolute certainty, as if stating a fact that required no thought.

Park Jung-soo remained silent for an even longer time than before.

Top three.

ATP ranked in the top three.

This is not an optimistic prediction from a tennis enthusiast.

Schneider brought 12-year-old Akka from the clay courts of Murcia to IMG.

His judgment was more accurate than that of the vast majority of people.

The silence lasted for a moment.

Park Jung-soo spoke again, his voice a little lower than before: "So, is this also your expectation of J.Chen?"

this time,

Schneider quieted down.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter, "...I don't know. All I can say is that I've placed a huge bet."

Park Jung-soo did not respond.

He said he didn't know?

But this is the truth.

If Schneider had said that J. Chen could be in the world's top ten, Park Jung-soo wouldn't have believed it.

But the other party said "I don't know".

Park Jung-soo pinched the bridge of his nose.

Schneider worked at IMG for 12 years; what kind of geniuses hadn't he seen?

If someone says "I don't know," it means either there's no chance at all, or they can't see the potential—and nobody would believe them anyway.

Or, in the minds of Germans, is J.Chen a potential successor to Alcaraz?

Park Jung-soo took a deep breath: If Schneider is right, this is a first-class ticket to the top three in the ATP!

If not?

Ha ha,

You can disembark from the starship at any time.

……

……

Schneider finished speaking and didn't add anything more.

The silence grew longer.

Then, Park Jung-soo's voice came:

"If I can win the championship in J.Chen's first professional game, I will personally persuade the team to start a collaboration shoot."

"I will coordinate Zhang Yuanying's schedule. We can discuss further cooperation later."

He didn't trust Xiao Chen, but rather Aka and Schneider.

"The conditions are reasonable, I will pass them on to my players."

"Sorry to bother you, let's watch the game together sometime."

The phone hangs up.

Schneider put his phone back in his pocket, and then heard a question from one of his own players.

"Um, Mr. Schneider, will the Starship evaluation affect next month's payment?"

Schneider paused for a second.

This question seems familiar?

12-year-old Aka signed the contract.

I didn't ask how much the endorsement fee would be.

I didn't ask when I could make it into the Grand Slam regular season.

The Spanish boy only asked one question: "What time does training start tomorrow?"

training.

money.

Two completely different pursuits.

But at that moment, Schneider felt that the two were very similar.

After signing the agreement, Aka and Xiao Chen's first reaction was not to celebrate or dream about the future, but to confirm the only thing they cared about.

Aka cares about training.

Xiao Chen cares about money.

Even the Germans themselves found it strange: how could these two things be the same?

Aka displayed the habits of a genius, while Xiao Chen... seemed more like a young man blinded by money.

Schneider has seen far too many people like this.

When signing the contract, the first thing they ask about is the money. After getting the money, they buy a luxury car. After buying the luxury car, their grades drop. When their grades drop, they practice more. After two more days of practice, they complain about being too tired...

Finally, it disappeared from the challenger draw.

However, when Chen Jixian asked about money... he seemed to see 12-year-old Aka.

"It won't affect anything; the payment will proceed as usual next month."

Schneider walked to the entryway, changed his shoes, and paused before opening the door.

"Mr. Chen."

Chen Jixian raised his head.

Schneider paused for a moment:

"You and Carlitos are very different, but your problems... well, they're quite similar."