December 16th, São Paulo, Brazil.
São Paulo is the capital of São Paulo State, the largest and most bustling city in South America. The city center is vibrant, filled with skyscrapers, and everything runs smoothly.
It's quite different from Rio de Janeiro.
In Rio, slums are located right next to affluent areas and the city center. Many prime locations are occupied by these slums, which makes it feel far from an international metropolis.
However, the man in the passenger seat, Marcio, has a different view.
"People here must be really stressed out," he remarked, glancing at the pedestrians on the street outside, a hint of disdain on his face.
Most of the people on the streets were rushing about, busy with their day.
"It's not like Rio. In the 'City of God,' everything is fair. Everyone, regardless of status, can enjoy the best views and lifestyle. There's no need to work hard to live a good life."
"That's why people in Rio love to hang out at the beach. Who wouldn't want to just sunbathe and admire beautiful women every day? Why be so busy? I just don't get it."
"What do you think, Luca?" Marcio turned his head to ask.
"They're all doing something meaningful," Luca replied calmly.
"Meaningful? Like what?"
"Building a better society for humanity."
"Bullshit! They're just making money."
"And what's wrong with making money? Money is a man's pride and strength."
"But I live just fine without it. You get rich, and then you worry about being robbed, have to hire bodyguards. What's the point?"
Luca didn't bother replying further.
Arriving at the entrance of Lobos Sanatorium, he adjusted his clothes, said a quick word to the driver, and stepped out of the car.
"Luca, I'm not going in. I want to explore the area a bit!" Marcio shouted.
"OK! Come back early. If you're late, we won't wait for you."
Waving him off, Luca, carrying a fruit basket, walked through the sanatorium's gates.
The sanatorium was located in the northwest of São Paulo, surrounded by mountains, water, and forests. It had a zoo and botanical garden nearby, making the area picturesque and pleasant in terms of climate.
"Mr. Kelly, Mr. Babank is still playing soccer. Please wait a moment while I notify him," Babank's assistant said outside the sports field.
"No need to call him. I can wait."
Luca crossed his arms and watched the game from the sidelines.
On the lush green soccer field, a group of elderly men and some young boys were playing an intense game, with many relaxed spectators around.
The older men showed great skill, using their experience to pass, stop, and intercept the ball, leaving the younger boys struggling to keep up.
Bang! Suddenly, the ball flew towards Luca.
With a quick turn, Luca executed a "lion's tail" move, smoothly passing the ball back.
"Hey, Luca! Want to play? These youngsters need a captain," a bald man in a yellow vest shouted loudly.
The midday sun reflected off his bald head.
Luca squinted and realized it was director Babank, with his high nose and small eyes.
"Sure!" Luca replied.
He took off his jacket and pants, joining the kids' team.
"Let me introduce you all. This is Luca, former main striker of the national youth team, who even made it to the national squad as a backup. He scored a crucial goal in the Youth World Cup."
"Babank, no need to introduce him. I know who he is. Luca, right? One of the most promising young players in the country."
"Ha, I know him too! I heard he was really fast before his injury, with sharp footwork. But speed won't help you here with us old-timers!"
"Luca, show us your skills and let's see what the new generation can do!"
The older men bantered loudly.
"Sure!" Luca smiled, unfazed.
After warming up, he jogged onto the field, gathered the kids together, and discussed tactics. Most of them recognized him and were happy to follow his lead.
Soon, the game resumed.
The kids, eager to see his abilities, passed the ball directly to him. Wasting no time, he took a shot.
Bang! A high, curving ball smashed into the net.
Goal!
The kids erupted in excitement.
The older men didn't seem to care, assuming it was just a friendly gesture for the first goal.
But soon after, the ball landed at Luca's feet again. With no one marking him, he took another long shot.
Goal, again!
The kids cheered even louder.
Now the older men took the game seriously, with three of them teaming up to defend against him.
But Luca wasn't about to give them a chance. Every time he got the ball, he launched a fast attack. Compared to his speed, the old men moved like snails.
Bang, bang, bang!
They could only watch as he scored goal after goal.
Half an hour later, the game ended.
Luca had scored nine goals with four assists.
The final score was 15-2, with the kids' team securing a massive victory over the experienced old-timers.
The kids swarmed around him, cheering in excitement.
Even the spectators on the sidelines clapped and shouted in approval.
The older men wiped their sweat and stretched their backs, dispersing soon after.
"The players these days have no sportsmanship. Going so hard against us old folks!" Babank grumbled, walking over, panting heavily, his face dark.
"Director Babank, I'm a professional player. Respecting the opponent is my sportsmanship. I don't play to lose," Luca replied with a light smile.
Babank smirked, "I heard you had a serious back injury?"
"It's healed."
"Well, if you've recovered, why not return to the professional league? With your speed and skill, you're at a top-tier level. Have you considered coming back?"
Babank asked as they walked.
"No, I used to play for a stable job and income. Now, I'm doing well in the U.S. and don't have any ambition left for football."
"What a waste!" Babank snorted. "Your generation is physically and technically superior to us older players, but your passion for football can't compare to ours."
"The world's getting better and better. There's more to love now—movies, music, video games."
"Heh," Babank chuckled as he reclined on a beach chair. "There's a rumor going around in the industry. A kid just back from the U.S. is pushing a great script, seeking big-name directors, asking for nothing but the lead role. Is that passion?"
"Isn't it?" Luca shrugged.
Babank smirked again, "But you've made one mistake."
"Oh? What's that?"
"You've offended a lot of people."
"Really?"
Luca was puzzled.
"Yeah," Babank said, handing him a cigar. "Word is, several of the most famous directors in the industry received your script, right?"
"Yeah," Luca nodded.
"So how did you categorize the directors? Box office numbers? Fame? Or their work?"
Babank sneered. "Some of these directors are all hype, but you gave them your script. Others, who are low-key but highly skilled, didn't get a copy."
"Now, directors in the industry are divided into two camps because of your script, and there's chaos. You knew that, right?"
Luca stood there, dumbfounded. Was it really that serious?
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(End of the chapter)