After signing with AC Milan, I will be the king of football!

a.m.

Huang Kaiwen entered the Quirinal Palace with Barbara by his side.

The courtyard was well-maintained with an abundance of flowers and several palm trees, and the opulence of the main building only validated its history as a former papal and royal residence.

Huang Kaiwen continually looked up at the ceilings.

Seeing his interest, the young lady said, ”If you like, we can also buy one similar.”

”Let’s not.”

Huang Kaiwen shook his head and said.

A house too large to live in is a headache to manage.

With the young lady’s temperament, the maids she hired were all burly and robust; being surrounded by dozens of aunts like that every day would slowly drain the life out of anyone.

A larger courtyard might be nice, though.

A big swimming pool, more variety in the flowers and plants, and besides the soccer field, there could be a tennis court as well.

”We could also redecorate the ceiling and floor,” the young lady suggested. ”The ceilings and marble of the Quirinal Palace were moved here from the ruins of Ancient Rome; if you like, we can buy some and install them at home.”

”We’ll see about that later.”

Huang Kaiwen said.

He was quite content with his current home and saw no need for upheaval.

Following the guards, the two arrived at the Glass Hall, which had once been the bedroom of popes and kings, but was now the study of the President of Italy, where they met Giorgio Napolitano, who had just taken office on May 15.

Giorgio Napolitano put down his pen, stood up with a smile, and said, ”Here comes our hero.”

”You flatter me.”

Huang Kaiwen said with a polite smile.

The young lady willingly stepped aside.

She watched Huang Kaiwen and Giorgio Napolitano shake hands, always feeling that her man was handsomest in the world.

”This is no mere flattery; in the past two years, you have made a remarkable contribution to Italy, inspiring Italian youth with your spirit,” Napolitano said with a smile.

”Thank you.”

Huang Kaiwen nodded.

”The ceremony coming up is quite grand; I hope you’re mentally prepared,” Napolitano said.

”Yes, I will be,” replied Huang Kaiwen.

He wasn’t scared to play soccer in front of tens of thousands; what bigger occasion could there be?

It wasn’t until Huang Kaiwen and Barbara had gone to the Augstus Hall together that Huang Kaiwen realized he had underestimated the situation.

The media turnout was extraordinary.

Over a dozen domestic reporters were present alone.

Huang Kaiwen looked to the young lady, curious about what was going on.

A typical award ceremony shouldn’t be this grand.

The process for awarding the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity starts with the Italian Foreign Ministry submitting a proposal, followed by a discussion by the Award Committee, and then approval by the President. If the awardee isn’t in Italy, the embassy or Italian ambassador abroad might present the award.

Even in Italy, an award ceremony wouldn’t normally have such fanfare.

The young lady shook her head, equally baffled.

After Giorgio Napolitano took the stage, he announced, ”Today is an important day. In 2004, the Apennines were graced with the arrival of the world’s most talented young man. He is proud, yet benevolent; modest, yet admired by all; his feet perform miracles as if blessed by God himself, creating narratives as epic as Homer. He is an outstanding player who led AC Milan to great triumphs, elevating Italian football to its peak. With a noble soul, he’s passionate about charity and creating jobs, contributing massively to the peace and stability of Italy. Now, please welcome Kevin!”

Once Huang Kaiwen was on stage,

Giorgio Napolitano shook hands with him and said, ”To thank you for your contributions to Italy, after unanimous agreement upon discussion, we have decided to bestow upon you the Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, in the hope that you will always be a friend to Italy.”

”Thank you!”

Huang Kaiwen nodded.

He then held the medal box for display in one hand while raising the certificate alongside Napolitano with the other, allowing journalists from around the world to take photos.

p.m.

After lunch with Giorgio Napolitano, Huang Kaiwen and Barbara left the Quirinal Palace.

Huang Kaiwen still couldn’t grasp the full picture.

Typically, creating a media sensation is to divert attention from a scandal.

That’s the strategy in South Korea.

Whenever there’s a scandal at the Blue House, some celebrity couple’s romance gets exposed by the media agencies.

But there aren’t any scandals in Italy at the moment.

The wiretapping affair does not qualify.

It’s not that the wiretapping is a minor issue; rather, Italian football is riddled with frequent scandals, and Italian fans are not easily startled.

Huang Kaiwen expressed his confusion to Barbara.

”I think it’s quite normal,” the young lady said with a smile. ”The biggest draw of the summer is the World Cup. From the UEFA Champions League to the World Cup, you’ve been the most eye-catching figure and one of the most beloved in Italy. He’s just come into office and needs to send a message to the public.”

”Alright then,” Huang Kaiwen nodded.

Being awarded the Grand Officer wasn’t a bad thing.

After this event, his endorsement fees should increase further, right?

It was like money falling from the sky without much effort.

Huang Kaiwen had wanted to return home to digest the good news.

But that didn’t happen.

No sooner had they left the Quirinal Palace than the young lady whisked him away to the Vatican.

Get all Rome- related matters settled in one visit.

By the time they got home, it was past nine in the evening.

By the time they sat down to eat, it was nearly ten, which even by Italian standards was late for dinner, closer to Spanish hours.

”I feel as if I’m some kind of big shot,” Huang Kaiwen mused as he swallowed his steak.