"Few people can match my rhythm with their passing, but Sean did, which clearly shows his talent," Bojan said earnestly on TV.
Sean, watching in front of the TV, was slightly speechless: Who exactly are you praising?
It wasn't just Bojan; several players from both teams appeared on TV, all basically evaluating Sean.
Van Beek also appeared, showering Sean with praise, using words like "open-minded" and "broad-minded" as if they cost nothing, making Sean almost not recognize himself.
Clearly, after Sean's sudden rise to fame, these TV programs were treating him as a traffic magnet.
Not content with interviewing players from both sides, they also interviewed fans.
Feyenoord fans, though angry, could only forcefully criticize Sean for being weak in confrontations and falling easily, unable to say anything else.
Ajax fans' effusive praise was much more pleasant to hear.
Sean was listening with great interest when he suddenly froze.
A middle-aged woman appeared on TV; if not for her less-than-obvious waistline, many would believe her to be thirty—especially in Europe.
The woman excitedly said, "Sean is a genius, no doubt..."
Sean took out his phone and dialed, "Mom, where are you? Why didn't you tell me you came to Amsterdam?"
Indeed, this woman was Anna Martins, Sean's mother.
Sean's mood was a bit complex right now. He was happy that she came to watch his game and praised him, but what was the meaning of sneaking around and hiding it from him? Did she think he couldn't host her?
"Hahaha~" Anna Martins laughed heartily, "You saw my interview? I'm on my way back to Brussels now. Your mom has been traveling all over for years and is used to being on the road. Brussels to Amsterdam is less than 200 kilometers, a piece of cake, no need for you to worry.
Let me tell you a secret, I also went to watch your game against Eindhoven. Didn't expect that, did you? Hahaha..."
"Uh~" Sean smacked his lips and carefully said, "I just wanted to tell you that the club provides tickets for players' families."
Anna Martins stopped laughing, "You mean I didn't have to pay?"
Sean nodded, "And the seats would have been even better!"
"Sean Martins! " Anna Martins shouted loudly.
Sean decisively hung up the phone and chuckled:
'You little rascal, who doesn't know who?
You gave me a surprise, and I must give you one too.'
After all, Anna hated waste the most.
It wasn't stinginess; she just didn't want to spend any extra money.
Many people had reasons to dislike America, but she only had one: the high cost, plus the mandatory extra tip!
After one trip to America, Anna swore she would never again make any place in America a travel destination.
This time, she unnecessarily spent extra money on tickets; this lesson would probably stay with her for a long time!
Sean put away his phone, satisfied.
Natalia's expression was a bit strange. "You have a very good relationship with your mother."
Sean nodded, "Unless the parents are too eccentric, it's hard for children not to have a good relationship with them, right?"
Sean finished speaking and started eating.
Natalia, however, remained silent.
After swallowing his food, Sean asked somewhat curiously, "Is your relationship with your mother not good?"
Natalia shook her head, "It's okay, quite polite.
If she could always maintain the way she is when Dad comes to see us, we might even have a close enough relationship to joke with each other."
Hmm?
Too many elements; couldn't process them all at once.
Sean's chopsticks paused.
Natalia said nonchalantly, "I'm an illegitimate child, living with my mother, and my father only visits us occasionally.
Every time he saw my mom and me playing games or something, he would be happy and give us extra money.
Other times, my mom would, of course, take care of me, but only to keep me from freezing or starving. She wasn't interested in playing games with me or looking after my feelings.
So, I actually looked forward to seeing my dad when I was little."
"Uh~" Sean was speechless for a moment.
Although Sean had seen a lot in his later life and encountered many cases of illegitimate children, back then he only dealt with their fathers—occasionally their mothers—but he had never actually interacted with the children themselves. Now, he truly didn't know what to say.
"Well, it's good to be polite with your parents," Sean shrugged, choosing to change the subject, "By the way, you don't make this sour beef solyanka every day, do you? Spending such a big sum, do you have something you want?"
Natalia glanced at Sean, "Of course not every day. I guessed you would be in a very good mood today and might accept my invitation, so I specifically made it."
Sean put down his chopsticks, "So?"
Natalia said, "You know my profession."
"Intern reporter?"
"No~ I've been promoted to full-time. That's not important. What's important is that I have independent interview rights now. So, can I get an exclusive interview with you? It doesn't have to be the first of your career, just one interview whenever your schedule allows!"
"Why should I agree to you, just for this late-night snack?" Sean pouted.
Natalia heard this and puffed out her chest.
Sean waved his hand, "Don't tempt me. If I do something, I won't take responsibility."
Natalia was quite surprised, "Typically, children raised in warm families with good parent-child relationships are not irresponsible people!"
Sean was even more unconcerned, "Don't be fooled by appearances. I'm an exception; I'm a non-marriage advocate."
"Alright," Natalia put down her glass and said solemnly, "As far as I know, you players need to eat multiple times a day.
During our co-tenancy, I can be responsible for your late-night meals, ensuring they are all nutritious.
Moreover, I can let you review the draft after the interview, and I can modify any statements you don't agree with.
In the future, I will never publish any reports that are unfavorable to you.
If I can get the funding approved, I will, of course, pay you.
What do you think?"
Sean looked up at Natalia.
Natalia blinked, truly unable not to be nervous.
Currently, exclusive interviews with professional players, especially famous ones, are all paid.
Given Sean's current popularity, the interview fee would not be low.
However, Natalia was just a new employee. If the fee came from her employer, then the interview with Sean would likely not involve her.
If she paid out of pocket, Natalia was a bit strapped for cash due to some circumstances.
Even without those circumstances, Natalia was an illegitimate daughter; she didn't have to worry about living expenses or tuition, but a luxurious life was impossible, and it would be difficult for her to come up with the large sum of money that could impress Sean.
So, she could only play the emotional card.
Sean pondered for a moment, "From what you're saying, are you proposing an alliance with me?"
Natalia took a deep breath, "You could say that."
Sean put down his chopsticks, leaned back on the sofa, and sized up the stunning woman opposite him, finally nodding, "Okay, I agree. When the international break comes, I can accept your interview."
One interview in exchange for daily late-night meals and a reporter's cheers.
And, it was a beautiful reporter who had some brains, knew about mutual exchange, and didn't just demand things without giving anything in return.
It was good; this deal could be made...
...
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