Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1224 - 1199: Inviting Ye Chen to Join the Team

The entire assembly was rendered speechless; Coach Zhou Ming was notoriously protective of his protégés, so his allowing Zhang Xu to apologize to anyone was unfathomable.

It transpired that the student Zhang Xu had previously clashed with had sustained injuries from Zhang Xu's actions. Despite this, the student who was assaulted ended up being the one punished.

Now, with Zhang Xu as the injured party, the expectation for him to apologize to Ye Chen left everyone utterly bewildered.

Upon this decree, Zhang Xu's countenance darkened considerably; it was evident he had suffered a significant blow, so why should he offer an apology to Ye Chen?

He simply could not stomach such an affront, nor would he stoop to apologize; where then would his pride and a sense of self-respect reside?

Curiously, Zhang Xu was Coach Zhou's most favored disciple, held in high regard and often shielded by him.

Now, with his leg fractured, Coach Zhou had not even inquired about his condition, nor shown any concern, which was profoundly perplexing.

Coach Zhou seemed like a completely transformed individual today, his disposition towards Zhang Xu having undergone a radical shift.

He completely disregarded Zhang Xu's injuries, engaging in continuous conversation with Ye Chen.

"Ye Chen, I was captivated by your performance on the field just now; you truly excelled. Have you had prior formal training?" Coach Zhou inquired with a warm smile.

"No, I simply play for the enjoyment of it," Ye Chen responded casually.

Coach Zhou regarded Ye Chen with undisguised astonishment; performing at such a high level without professional coaching was nothing short of sheer brilliance.

Gazing upon Ye Chen, Coach Zhou found himself developing a strong admiration for the young man.

This was precisely the caliber of soccer player he sought—Ye Chen demonstrated exceptional prowess in both speed and technical skill.

Coach Zhou was a connoisseur of talent, and he intensely desired Ye Chen's inclusion in his team.

He even harbored a pang of regret, wishing he had discovered Ye Chen sooner; had their paths crossed earlier, they might well have clinched the championship the previous year.

As Coach Zhou and Ye Chen conversed animatedly, Zhang Xu observed, a burning inferno of resentment growing within him.

"Coach, shouldn't you expel Ye Chen? He inflicted these injuries upon me, and I intend to involve the police to handle this situation," Zhang Xu declared loudly.

"Zhang Xu, silence! I witnessed the entirety of the incident. Now, promptly offer your apologies to Ye Chen," Zhou Ming rebuked Zhang Xu with palpable anger.

In that moment, Zhang Xu experienced a surge of apprehension; it was unprecedented to witness Coach Zhou expressing such fury.

And to hear him reprimand so vehemently.

With Zhang Xu remaining conspicuously silent, Coach Zhou resumed speaking, "Zhang Xu, acknowledging your errors is paramount—this is the fundamental tenet of decent conduct."

He recognized the genuine anger radiating from Coach Zhou and understood that defiance would inevitably lead to repercussions.

"Ye Chen, I offer my apologies," Zhang Xu uttered through gritted teeth, balancing precariously on one leg as he faced Ye Chen.

His gaze bore into Ye Chen, filled with a profound and scorching hatred.

Ye Chen perceived that individuals like Zhang Xu were incapable of offering genuine remorse.

Consequently, he paid the apology no significant heed.

"Zhang Xu, what is the meaning of this demeanor? An apology demands sincerity," Coach Zhou admonished him once more.

Though outwardly apologizing to Ye Chen, Zhang Xu harbored defiance deep within.

He had not anticipated Coach Zhou's meticulous scrutiny, insisting on a renewed apology, which fanned the nascent embers of Zhang Xu's anger into a blazing conflagration.

"Ye Chen, I am profoundly sorry, the fault lies entirely with me; I implore your forgiveness," Zhang Xu enunciated, forcing a strained smile while suppressing his roiling inner fury.

"Indeed, that is more appropriate—recognition and rectification of errors are invaluable traits," Coach Zhou affirmed with a nod of approval.

Zhang Xu silently seethed, "Apologize, my foot! My leg is shattered, and you compel me to stand and grovel before this fellow. Have you no shred of humanity, you old fool?"

Ye Chen, seemingly content, offered a nod and began to turn away.

Noticing Ye Chen's intention to depart, Coach Zhou hastily called out, "Ye Chen, a moment, please."

"Coach Zhou, is there something you require?" Ye Chen inquired, turning back.

"The matter is this, Ye Chen: I wish for you to join our soccer team and compete in this year's tournament," Coach Zhou stated directly.

He firmly believed Ye Chen's soccer abilities were truly exceptional, far surpassing Zhang Xu's own. With Ye Chen on board, securing this year's championship seemed a foregone conclusion.

The onlookers were astounded by this proposal. Numerous individuals had earnestly sought to join the team, only to be rebuffed by Coach Zhou.

Yet, here he was, actively extending an invitation to Ye Chen, a clear testament to his immense regard for his abilities.

Zhang Xu was utterly dumbfounded; he could plainly sense that Coach Zhou's favor towards Ye Chen surpassed even his initial affection for him.

A sudden apprehension gripped him; if Ye Chen were to join, his own standing within the team would inevitably be diminished.

Despite his deep reluctance, he understood that Coach Zhou's decision was final, leaving him powerless.

Just as the crowd braced for Ye Chen's acceptance, his response delivered another stunning shock.

"I must decline, as I am not interested, and the prospect of daily training seems exceedingly tedious," Ye Chen articulated, shaking his head.

Hearing Ye Chen's unequivocal refusal, Coach Zhou's expression fell, tinged with disappointment.

Simultaneously, the crowd gasped in disbelief, acutely aware of the multitude who had pulled every conceivable string to gain entry, all without success.

Yet, Ye Chen, presented with such a golden opportunity, had unhesitatingly relinquished it.

"Ye Chen, you don’t need to put in the effort every single day," Coach Zhou conveyed with a warm smile.

"There's no need; I still have no intention of joining," Ye Chen reiterated his refusal.

Coach Zhou remained silent for a moment, his gaze shifting as he spoke, "Ye Chen, I make you this solemn promise: if you decide to join our team, I will personally recommend you for the Olympic soccer competition."

On hearing this, an audible gasp swept through the assembled crowd.

"Competing in the Olympics is a lifelong ambition for countless individuals; think of the sheer dedication required to even reach that stage. Yet, if Ye Chen agrees to join, he is instantly presented with such an opportunity—it's truly the height of envy."

Zhang Xu’s fists clenched with considerable force. Despite being Coach Zhou’s acknowledged favorite, Zhou Ming had never once uttered a promise to recommend him for the Olympics.

Why was Ye Chen being offered such a chance simply upon joining? A distinct sense of unfairness began to gnaw at Zhang Xu.

"Coach, what is your relationship with Ye Chen that you show him such blatant favoritism? Your bias is far too pronounced," Zhang Xu exclaimed, his voice rising in agitation, disregarding any pretense of decorum.

"Coach Zhou, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I find myself unwilling to be teammates with someone like him," Ye Chen responded, utilizing Zhang Xu's outburst as his stated reason.

Zhou Ming, overhearing Ye Chen's words, shot an angry glare at Zhang Xu, his eyes brimming with clear resentment.

In that precise instant, he began to view Zhang Xu less as a valuable player and more as a detrimental obstacle, inadvertently sabotaging his potential to recruit remarkable talent.

As someone whose life revolved around discovering talent, the prospect of losing Ye Chen was a truly bitter pill for Zhou Ming to swallow.

What Coach Zhou uttered next stunned everyone present, leaving their faces etched with expressions of utter disbelief.