"I originally wanted to help you buy a watch, but thinking about it now, maybe this kind of occasion doesn't really call for one."
The group chatted casually at Barnett's house for a long time. In the evening, Leo Lin ordered takeout from several restaurants so everyone could eat together at home.
After talking things through, Barnett had already made up his mind—there was no need to buy a watch.
On the one hand, although he knew Leo Lin was mentally mature, Barnett still worried that accumulating too many luxury items at such a young age—extravagant accessories, expensive watches—might subtly change his mindset, just as it once had with Bruce.
Leo Lin understood Barnett's concern. He knew he wouldn't end up like Bruce back then—at least, not as things stood now.
"Don't worry," Leo Lin said calmly. "Nothing is going to change my mindset. My goal will always be football."
Barnett nodded and spoke to him in a low voice.
Even with an unlit cigar between his lips, his speech was smooth and confident.
"Do you remember what I told you back then?"
"I said I'd make sure you could hold your head high in front of everyone. Even if you've got an unlit cigar in your mouth, no one will think you're showing off—they'll see it as a symbol of status."
"Even if that cigar only cost ten pounds, once it's in your mouth, it turns into a ten-thousand-pound luxury."
Barnett smiled and raised an eyebrow at Leo Lin. When it came to the logic of luxury and image, he had far more experience.
"Plenty of ordinary people chase luxury goods, thinking that flaunting them will make others see them as rich," he continued.
"But truly wealthy people? Even if they're wearing worn-out shoes, others still assume they're rich."
"When you have both power and money, these things naturally come to you—you don't need to chase them."
"That's why dressing too extravagantly at your age can actually make you look stiff and outdated. Clean, simple choices are what really show your confidence and vitality."
Leo Lin nodded with a smile. He could clearly sense that Barnett was far more than just an agent. His understanding went well beyond football operations, and the help he could offer extended far past the pitch.
"By the way," Barnett added, "a men's diamond ring brand has sent you an endorsement proposal. They want you to represent their latest collection."
"It would be a pretty decent income."
Barnett was still doing everything he could to secure high-value endorsement deals for Leo Lin, hoping to help him build up some wealth and lay a solid foundation for the future.
"Oh, right," Barnett said. "I never asked—have you prepared what you're going to say at the Golden Boy Awards ceremony?"
He hadn't planned to bring it up, but he needed to make sure Leo Lin was ready. After all, this would be his first truly major individual award.
As his agent, Barnett wanted everything to go perfectly.
"I'm still thinking it through," Leo Lin replied, leaning back comfortably in his chair and looking at the sunset outside the balcony. "But the overall structure is basically done."
"Sometimes I still can't quite believe it—I'm actually preparing an acceptance speech for the Golden Boy Award. It doesn't feel very real."
"You know what I mean. Not long ago, I was still worried about whether I could even stay in one of the top five leagues. Now everything's changed."
"Honestly, choosing you as my agent has been the best decision I've made so far in my career."
Barnett burst out laughing.
"You're absolutely right, kid."
"Some agents are great at helping players make money. Some are good at boosting their fame. Others focus on helping players improve their abilities."
"But me? Barnett!"
"I'm the most well-rounded agent in the entire world!"
He was clearly riding high.
Leo Lin shook his head with a helpless smile. That was Barnett, through and through.
When Owen came to visit Leo Lin for the first time, just like Bruce, he brought a Golden Boy gift as well—a belt.
Belts had always been a symbol of masculinity, especially for well-built men. Once a shirt was tucked into trousers, the belt naturally became visible.
Some people even instinctively glanced at a stranger's belt upon first meeting them, making it one of the most important elements in men's fashion.
For a young man like Leo Lin, a good belt was essential.
Owen knew belts inside and out. As a collector of luxury belts, he had spent a long time thinking about what gift to bring after Barnett invited him over. In the end, he had a beautiful belt custom-made for Leo Lin based on his exact waist measurements.
It wasn't until late at night that Bruce and Owen finally said their goodbyes. After they left, Leo Lin stayed the night at Barnett's place, with nothing left to do but wait for December 7 to arrive.
...
Premier League News: "Leo Lin Ready to Lift the Golden Boy Award!"
French Sports Daily: "Nasser and Fayza Fly by Private Jet to Accompany Mbappe to Tuttosport!"
French Sports Daily: "Ousmane Dembélé Spotted Flying First Class on a Commercial Flight, Looking Completely Relaxed."
Comments:
"Ousmane Dembélé has every reason to be relaxed—anyone can see this award has nothing to do with him."
"The long, heated Golden Boy race is finally coming to an end. Leo Lin will definitely be the final winner!"
"Does Mbappe still have a chance to turn things around? Even a tiny one?"
Barnett took Leo Lin to Turin ahead of schedule, and the two spent two days there relaxing and unwinding.
After the intense preparation for the U17 World Cup, those two days in Turin left Leo Lin feeling completely at ease.
On December 6, while browsing leather goods in a men's bag store, Leo Lin suddenly spotted two familiar figures not far away.
Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé—both French—were standing together, coincidentally shopping in the same store.
"Leo!"
Dembélé recognized him immediately.
Mbappe stepped forward to greet him as well. It was Leo Lin's first time meeting the two in person. Although the media had hyped them up as bitter rivals—enemies willing to do anything, even cross moral lines, to win the award—the reality was very different.
In the football world, were there really such things as true enemies?
Aside from Suárez and Chiellini.
And maybe Zidane and Materazzi.
They chatted as they walked through the store. Leo Lin picked out no more than two bags, while Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé finished their purchases first. After saying goodbye, the two left together.
Leo Lin hesitated for a while over a black leather bag, but eventually decided to buy it. When he went to pay, the salesperson stopped him.
"Sir, there's no need to pay. Mr. Mbappe, who just left, has already put down ten thousand pounds to cover your purchase."
Leo Lin wanted to refuse, but the money Mbappe had left couldn't be returned.
Looking at the bag Mbappe had bought for him, Leo Lin smiled softly.
Sure enough—there were no real enemies in the football world. Only friends.
The following afternoon, Leo Lin set off for the Golden Boy Awards ceremony.
There weren't many big-name stars in attendance—mostly young players and people from within the football industry.
But the media presence was massive. After arriving, Leo Lin greeted the players who were already there, exchanged pleasantries with reporters, and accommodated fans asking for photos. He showed no trace of excitement.
He understood one thing clearly: the bigger the occasion, the more important it was to stay calm and composed.
...
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