551 The Ultimate Favor (2/2)

”Don't worry, we're doing fine over here. Coach Li takes great care of us. No problem in terms of lodging or food. We have enough. The money I've brought is definitely enough. I'll be bringing our son to New York for the qualifier of the U.S. Open in two days. We've already booked the tickets. After the tournament ends, we'll return to China.”

After wrapping up the conversation with his wife, Jianguo Chen called Zhongyi Xu.

”Old Xu, I'm really thankful to you. Coach Li found a coach for Zhen Chen, so he doesn't have to be Noel's training partner anymore. Yeah, a tennis coach, I've seen them. He is much better than me. That said, this is because you, Old Xu, have the right connections!”

After chatting with Zhongyi Xu for a while, Jianguo Chen looked at the time and realized it was the work day in China.

”Is this Director Huang? I'm Jianguo Chen, Zhen Chen's father. Yes, yes, also his coach. Zhen Chen and I are currently in the United States, we're preparing for the U.S. Open. Yes, thank you, leader. I'm calling because I have something that I need your help with. The U.S. Open is about to begin, and Zhen Chen is about to compete in the qualifier. Can you contact the media and inform them?

”Exactly, Director. The higher the exposure, the more chance of sponsorship. Since the reformation of tennis in our country, the livelihood of athletes has not been as stable as before. Constantly going overseas for competitions, the expenditure on the basic necessities are indeed quite high. If there is no sponsor, it is indeed quite difficult.

”Then I really have to thank Director Huang in advance. Yes, you are right, a blacksmith needs his own hardware. He's been training really hard. He just went to an American training camp today. The coach is Coach Wiggins, I heard he's quite famous in the U.S.

”Yes, in Los Angeles. That's right, the coach is named Brad Wiggins. Even you know him!

”Oh? You've been to the U.S. for reconnaissance before and you've visited Coach Wiggins' training camp? In that case, this Coach Wiggins really is quite famous. Even our National Tennis Management center went to him to learn.

”What did you say? The fee for Coach Wiggins' training camp is at least $20,000?”

Jianguo Chen froze.

...

The sound of the alarm woke Zhen Chen. Although he still wanted to sleep a little more, he knew he had to train at Wiggins', so he forced himself to get out of his bed.

Later, he saw his father seated on the sofa alone, staring out the window with a blank face.

”Dad, you're up early,” Zhen Chen said. He noticed the bags under Jianguo Chen's eyes.

”Dad, did you sleep well? Insomnia? You didn't sleep the whole night?” Zhen Chen felt pain as he looked at his father.

Jianguo Chen slowly turned his head over. He let out a long sigh and told his son, ”Son, once you're at Coach Wiggins' place, you better train seriously. Don't waste a second!”

Zhen Chen felt the weight of Jianguo Chen's words. It had been a while since his father used such a tone with him.

”Dad, is something wrong?” Zhen Chen asked.

Jianguo Chen shook his head, ”We really owe Coach Li a big favor this time. This U.S. Open, if you don't make it into the main tournament, we really let Coach Li down!”

Zhen Chen nodded without fully comprehending everything. He didn't know that the cost of training at Wiggins' training camp was $20,000 for five days. One day cost $4,000.