The night in Madrid was exceptionally gentle, with the city lights twinkling with warm yellow glow against the backdrop of distant mountains.
Lu Chuan pushed open the door to Esther's apartment, and his fatigue was instantly dispelled by the aroma of cooking.
"You're back!" Esther, wearing an apron and with a bit of flour on her face, ran out from the kitchen.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching this scene, and all the accumulated fatigue and irritation of the day quietly slipped away.
The goddess, who was dazzling on screen, now looked like an ordinary little girl, flustered as she cooked for him.
"I'm learning to cook Chinese dishes," Esther said, pulling him by the hand towards the kitchen, "though the taste might not be very authentic."
The kitchen was a mess, with pots, pans, and bowls scattered everywhere, and a pot on the stove was still steaming. Lu Chuan lifted the lid, and a strong tomato scent wafted out.
"Is this... stir-fried tomato and egg?"
Esther nodded, her eyes filled with anticipation: "The internet said it's a favorite home-cooked dish for Chinese people."
Lu Chuan picked up a mouthful with his chopsticks and tasted it. The egg was a bit burnt, and the tomatoes were slightly sour, but his eyes welled up.
"How does it taste?"
"Very good," Lu Chuan pulled her into his arms, "Better than any Michelin restaurant."
The two sat on the sofa, Esther leaning on his shoulder, as an old Spanish movie played on the TV.
Her fingers gently traced the new scar on his shoulder, and she frowned with concern.
"Does it hurt?"
"Not anymore," Lu Chuan held her hand, "With you here, nothing hurts."
Esther turned around and looked at him seriously: "Lu, do you know? I've lived under the spotlight since I was little, and everyone around me had various motives. But with you, I've felt a sense of security I've never had before."
"Me too," Lu Chuan stroked her blonde hair, "In the outside world, I'm the rebellious one who gets attacked. But here, I'm just Lu Chuan."
The phone rang, interrupting the quiet, and Carlos's avatar flashed on the screen.
"Sorry, I have to take this call," Lu Chuan got up and walked to the balcony.
"Lu, sit down," Carlos's voice was unusually excited, "I have some amazing news."
"What news?"
"Brand's official offer is out," Carlos's voice trembled, "A five-year contract, 800,000 euros per year. If you join a top European League club in the future, the contract amount automatically doubles."
Lu Chuan was stunned. 800,000 euros, this figure far exceeded his expectations.
"Are they crazy? I'm currently banned by the Football Association, so my commercial value should be very low."
"No, quite the opposite," Carlos's tone became serious,
"Brand's marketing director told me that your reputation among young people in China has reached an unprecedented high. Your 'lone brave' image perfectly aligns with their Brand spirit of 'everything is possible'."
Lu Chuan walked back to the living room, Esther looking at him curiously.
"They abandoned official channels and directly tied themselves to you, the 'rebellious idol'."
Carlos continued to explain, "The more you resist the old system, the higher your commercial value becomes in specific areas. This is a reverse commercial logic."
"I need to think about it."
"Lu, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Brand is a top Chinese Brand, and they are betting on your future."
After hanging up the phone, Lu Chuan told Esther the situation. After listening, she suddenly looked up, her eyes brightened, and she grabbed Lu Chuan's arm.
"This is great!" Esther excitedly held his hand, "Being able to endorse a Brand from your homeland means a lot to you."
"Do you think I should sign?"
"Of course you should," Esther said without hesitation, "This isn't just a business collaboration; it's a spiritual connection.
You've proven the value of Chinese players in your own way."
The next day, Lu Chuan signed his name on the contract. Carlos's phone rang immediately.
"How did Joma react?" Lu Chuan was a little worried.
"They're happy to see it happen," Carlos replied with a smile, "Brand focuses on the Chinese market, which doesn't conflict with their layout in Europe, and can even mutually enhance Brand exposure."
Spanish media quickly picked up the news. The front-page headline of Marca was particularly striking: "The player banned by his homeland becomes the darling of his homeland's top Brand."
The article analyzed Lu Chuan's commercial value in detail, believing that his "lone brave" image possessed powerful drama and appeal.
"This further reinforces my image," Lu Chuan looked at the newspaper, shaking his head with a wry smile.
"This is a good thing," Esther sat beside him, "Your influence is growing."
Carlos brought another piece of good news. Lu Chuan's early investment in the online education platform "Aula Virtual" received its second round of funding, tripling the company's valuation.
"The 150,000 euros you invested is now worth 450,000 on paper," Carlos said, holding the financial statement, "Your investment foresight is truly accurate."
Lu Chuan shared the news with Esther, and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
"You also understand investment?"
"Just lucky," Lu Chuan smiled modestly, "I was optimistic about the prospects of AI education, but I didn't expect such quick returns."
Esther pondered: "You have a keen sense for business and technology trends. It seems I won't have to work hard in the future; I can just rely on your investment dividends."
"No, we can do it together," Lu Chuan looked at her seriously,
"In the future, we can establish our own company and invest in areas we both believe in, such as film or technology."
This idea made Esther's eyes light up. Two people from different worlds found common interests in the business realm.
"We can invest in meaningful projects," Esther said excitedly, "like supporting independent films by young directors, or promoting sports education tech products."
"That's a great idea," Lu Chuan held her hand, "Once my career stabilizes, we'll start implementing this plan."
A few days later, after training, Lu Chuan found Esther leaning against his car. She was wearing a Rayo Vallecano hat and holding two tickets.
"Hey, superstar," she smiled, waving the tickets, "Next home game, do you mind if I bring a friend to cheer you on?"
Lu Chuan looked at her playful expression, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. This girl was not only his lover but also his haven in the storm.
"Of course I don't mind," he kissed her forehead, "But you need to be careful not to be discovered by reporters."
"I will," Esther winked, "We've already agreed to keep it a secret; I won't let anyone discover our relationship."
As night fell, the two returned to the apartment. Esther snuggled in Lu Chuan's arms, discussing the upcoming match.
"Real Sociedad is very strong; are you confident?"
"With you in the stands, I am confident," Lu Chuan gently stroked her hair, "I will fight for you, and for myself."
Esther looked up, her blue eyes sparkling with love: "I believe in you. You are the bravest person I've ever met."
Holding the soft body in his arms, Lu Chuan felt for the first time that the storms outside the stadium didn't seem so terrifying anymore. This small apartment was his charging station.
Lu Chuan knew that the real test was still to come. The second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final would determine whether they could make history.
But with Esther's support, he felt he could face any challenge.
Love and career, both were shining brightly in his life.
This young man, once abandoned by fate, was now rewriting the chapter of his life in his own way.