I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 574: Chapter 42: Pay Raise! Mole? (Part 2)

The infamous violent incident during the match against Getafe even led to a 10-game suspension for him.

That match even made people doubt whether this Portuguese defender had some mental illness.

08/09 season, Real Madrid at home against Getafe.

With the score 2-2, Pepe pushed Casquero from behind shortly before the end, gifting a penalty kick.

At that moment, Pepe completely lost his mind, as if suffering from a mental illness. Facing Casquero lying on the ground, he frantically kicked at him, as if there was an invisible ball on Casquero’s back, resembling a person trying to kick someone to death.

Afterwards, Pepe pretended to comfort Casquero, but instead he pressed Casquero’s head harshly into the grass.

This scene was clearly displayed in front of global fans through cameras, even earning Pepe the nickname ”Martial Monk” from many Chinese fans, successfully turning him into a renowned stadium villain.

Some even joked that Pepe might have done this because Chen Zhong wasn’t on the field, causing too much stress.

Afterward, a conflict broke out between both sides’ players. Pepe seemed to have completely lost his mind, punched Albin coming to argue, and meanwhile, stepped on Casquero again.

This severe incident of stadium violence led to Pepe receiving a heavy penalty of a 10-game suspension.

At the same time, it caused a massive public opinion storm.

Pepe later claimed to have apologized to Casquero by phone, saying he might retire prematurely due to immense psychological stress. However, Casquero claimed he never received a call or text from Pepe.

This season, after Mourinho reassembled Real Madrid’s defense line, the pairing of two Portuguese compatriots Pepe and Cavaleiro became Mourinho’s first choice, which might be a reason behind Pepe’s ”bold demand”.

As the national derby approached, there were claims that Barcelona was interested in Pepe.

Facing this news, Florentino expressed interest in the rumors of Messi wanting to leave Barcelona.

This made Barcelona quickly issue a denial, not to deny that Messi wanted to leave, but to deny their new interest in Pepe and assured they would not consider recruiting Pepe.

Evidently, they still haven’t forgotten the man who brought pig heads to Camp Nou.

Pepe’s ”news” leakage made numerous media move swiftly, having unique pathways to ”that person”, and feeling dissatisfied being left with scraps.

Thus, they started harassing other Real Madrid players.

This time, Chen Zhong went out representing the club at an event, and before leaving, Pepe sought Chen Zhong for a conversation alone.

At that time, Chen Zhong had just finished his morning practice, returned to his room, and had a shower.

And Pepe knocked on the door, accompanied by Marcelo.

Currently, at the club, within the larger framework, everyone falls under the Chen faction. However, within smaller frames, Pepe, Cavaleiro, and Cristiano Ronaldo are more closely linked, Di Maria, Higuain share a tight relationship, Marcelo and Kaka are very close.

They divided into several small groups.

Like different provinces within a country.

Pepe came to find Chen Zhong, evidently knowing that saying a hundred words still wouldn’t be as effective as a single word from Chen Zhong.

”Long time no see, Pepe.”

”And you too, Marcelo.”

Besides training, Chen Zhong’s daily life is filled with various ”activities,” extremely fulfilling.

Pepe, Marcelo and other players have their personal lives to attend to. Most of their communication happens during regular trainings, exchanging jokes.

”Chen.” Pepe revealed his ivory teeth to Chen Zhong with sincerity and said, ”I didn’t spread those rumors.”

”The agent told me.”

”But I didn’t.”

”I remember Sergio’s issue.”

Sergio Ramos...

Originally a top ”bigwig” within Real Madrid, gradually became somewhat silent. His relationship with Casillas is the closest.

It is said, his salary-raising strategy was learned from Casillas.

Making some fuss, hinting at other clubs’ interest in him and such.

At that time, Chen Zhong, Pepe, and Marcelo personally experienced this, and Chen Zhong felt disgusted.

”I believe you.”

Chen Zhong glanced at Pepe, knowing that Pepe is a person who values relationships, and isn’t there a hint of that mysterious person’s presence in this?

Mysterious person.

Or rather, the mole in Mourinho’s mouth.

The guy who enjoys prematurely leaking the team’s starting lineup.

Made a move again this time.

Chen Zhong briefly shared his view, Marcelo quickly raised his hands, making a surrender gesture, saying: ”It wasn’t me.”

”Although you discussed this with me back then, but I haven’t even spoken to Chen.”

”Let alone to others.”

Marcelo looked at Pepe, then at Chen Zhong, his innocent eyes glimmering.

Chen Zhong looked at Pepe, asking: ”Besides Marcelo, who else have you mentioned?”

”Igor.” Pepe looked at Chen Zhong and gave a name.

Iker Casillas Fernandez, affectionately called ”Saint Casillas” by Real Madrid fans, if it weren’t for Chen Zhong, this player who joined Real Madrid’s youth academy at a young age, would undoubtedly take over the captain’s armband.

In fact, before Chen Zhong’s sudden emergence, Casillas gradually had a ”heir apparent” air within the team.

This year, Casillas has a high chance of achieving a world-best goalkeeper hat-trick.

Additionally, rumors circulate that he might be selected for FIFA’s best lineup and UEFA’s best lineup.

After Casillas’s name was mentioned, the atmosphere inside the room became a bit silent, Chen Zhong didn’t elaborate, just remarked that he was aware.

The ”flag” of Real Madrid holds some power.

For example, during Schuster’s time, the team flag was Raul, and when Schuster wanted to recruit certain players, he needed Raul’s help and approval to proceed.

Now Chen Zhong is the flag of Real Madrid, and on certain matters, the club seeks Chen Zhong’s opinions, like renewing certain players, especially those he is in good terms with.

Simply put, the club considers renewing a certain player, asking Chen Zhong how he feels about it, whether the player is fit to be his teammate, and whether he likes him.

After sending off Pepe and Marcelo, Chen Zhong also fell into contemplation during the subsequent event, remaining silent about the matter.

Meanwhile, Mourinho, upon hearing that Chen Zhong ”received” Pepe and Marcelo, squinted his eyes.

He had two sets of player starting lineups.

This was a strategy he recently implemented, providing two suspected moles each a lineup set, monitoring which set gets leaked first to identify the mole.

Recently, the frequency of mole activities decreased.

And Mourinho’s suspects haven’t settled yet.

And at this time, Pepe and Marcelo approached Chen Zhong...

Mourinho couldn’t help but place a question mark next to Chen Zhong’s name.

”Did Pepe and Chen Zhong discuss this matter?”

”Then did Chen Zhong let it slip?”

Mourinho’s expression flickered, initially suspecting Casillas and Ramos, given that Pepe’s news leaked the same way they used to raise their salaries.

The method being identical wasn’t an issue.

But the channel being ”mole channel” caught Mourinho’s attention.

He certainly wouldn’t suspect Pepe as the mole.

So...

Chen?

Ramos?

Casillas?

Different people, different handling methods.

Ramos is the least troublesome, Casillas is a bit tricky, Chen Zhong is the most troublesome.

If it’s Ramos, he can be sold or fined, easily manageable while maintaining his current prestige.

If it’s Casillas, it’s slightly more troublesome, being a youth academy product. He needs to consider many aspects, including the club’s top management, and Chen Zhong...

After all, Chen Zhong is also a youth academy product.

But if it’s Chen Zhong?

Mourinho: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻