Chapter Thirty-Two: An Act of Helplessness

A half lamb leg, far larger than most would imagine, rested whole atop the colorful pilaf. The orange-red, fragrant carrots and the tender, palate-cleansing onions provided a vivid contrast. There was also a bowl of thick, sour cream. Upon seeing such a meal, Wang Lei’s first impulse was to pull out his phone and take a picture.

Since the “team” had gathered, dining was naturally the main event, as is customary among Chinese, even though the team consisted of only three: the middle-aged cat Xue Yongjiang, the disabled cat Wang Lei, and the young Uyghur cat Aili.

Wang Lei took a photo of the meal for two reasons: first, to show Ma Dongmei, since she was most concerned about his health; second, to post it on QuickCast. He planned to document his coaching journey from now on, and maintaining his online popularity would bring him great advantages.

Xue Yongjiang had finally agreed to stay for a month. Though his first impression was that of a rough man, he was, in truth, a genuinely good person. In today’s society, anyone who’s reached Xue’s age without a single criminal record could be considered decent.

Wang Lei had intended to pay for the meal himself, though it wasn’t much, only around a hundred yuan. But in the end, Aili Maimaiti proved his potential for officialdom, having settled the bill ahead of time.

“Coach Wang, what are your plans next?” Xue Yongjiang was the first to speak after the meal, feeling it necessary to share his experience. The chief coach position for the provincial youth team was, frankly, not a prestigious one.

“Coach Xue, I’m just a lad stirring the pot from now on. You can call me by my name, or Big Lei if you prefer. I’ll call you Brother Xue—who knows, I may trouble you often in the future.”

Wang Lei humbled himself. His true aim was simply to persuade Xue Yongjiang to stay. Regardless of Xue’s professional skills, at least he was not a man with malicious intentions, and that alone was enough for Wang Lei.

“Alright, Big Lei, what’s your next move? To be honest, this job is no easy task. The issue with players is hard to resolve. The good prospects have already been picked clean, and in previous years, the team was full of people with connections, here just to pad their résumés. You must be careful—one misstep could be a major headache.”

“Thank you, Brother Xue. You’ve got the seniority and know the ins and outs. If you have any advice, just say it—I’ll heed it.”

“Let me tell you, first off—Aili, let me make it clear, I have nothing against your people. Honestly, Uyghur lads are robust and courageous, and they have their own ideas—far better than those kids churned out by sports schools. Let me continue, Big Lei: if any Uyghur connected candidates are sent over, don’t refuse them. You know our Republic’s ethnic policy, and this region is a mix of many peoples. So, be extremely cautious and sensitive when it comes to faith and ethnicity.”

Xue Yongjiang shared what he knew, worried that Wang Lei, coming from the mainland, might overlook these points.

“No need to worry, Brother Xue. In my eyes, there’s only a difference between basketball players and ordinary folk. I won’t give special treatment to any group, nor will I neglect anyone. As for those with connections, if they’re promising, I’ll consider them; otherwise, they have no place here.”

“Sigh, young man, you’re still too impetuous. Keeping one or two of those connected candidates does no harm—just don’t let them play in the matches, and avoid making enemies if possible.”

Xue’s advice was heartfelt; his attitude towards Wang Lei, whom he’d just met, showed his genuine kindness.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. By the way, Aili, how are we handling the funding?”

Ultimately, money was the most pressing issue. Without funds, this ragtag team couldn’t even get started.

“Oh, Coach Wang, here’s how it is: funding comes partly from government allocations, though not much. The rest is from corporate sponsorships. Usually, enterprises reach out before the National Games, but this year, things are happening a bit early, and our team’s formation has been quite low-key…”

Although Aili Maimaiti never quite liked his field, being able to graduate and secure a position, even if not lucrative but with a respectable title, was fortunate. He had prepared extensively beforehand.

Hearing Aili’s explanation, Wang Lei frowned. The situation he faced was truly overwhelming, leaving him somewhat anxious, unsure where to begin.

After seeing off Aili and Xue Yongjiang, Wang Lei spent the entire afternoon lying in his assigned single dormitory, needing quiet to think.

Early the next morning, Wang Lei went alone to the sports administration center in Urumqi.

After a night’s reflection, he realized he’d forgotten his greatest advantage—his connection to Li Weihong.

Indeed, at this moment, Wang Lei was sent by the central bureau, and surely someone would have investigated his background. Although he’d been snubbed upon arrival, perhaps this was just a test. Wang Lei felt he ought to make the most of his “big tree.” Since Li Weihong had placed him here, he should not hesitate to use that banner.

Wang Lei headed straight to the sports center, prepared for a “last resort.”

“I am Wang Lei. Director Li Weihong from the central bureau is my mother-in-law; she sent me here.”

Bold, direct, and unmistakably assertive, Wang Lei delivered his statement to the leadership of the sports center.

Faced with Wang Lei’s candor, the leaders were stunned. Never had they encountered someone so openly stating their connections.

“I have only two requests: First, I will not accept any candidates with connections—no matter who recommends them. If you wish for my approval, please talk to my mother-in-law, I follow her orders. Second, please resolve the funding issue. If not, I’ll go directly to Beijing and ask her myself.”

It was truly a “last resort”—brazen and shameless.

Wang Lei’s frank disclosure of his relationship with Li Weihong made the leaders uneasy. They all knew Li Weihong—not their direct superior, but her other identity was equally clear: she was the daughter-in-law of Ma Zhanshan.

Who was Ma Zhanshan? He was the founding hero who pacified Xinjiang. Old Xinjiang residents all knew “Nigati Ma”—“Nigati” means savior in Uyghur, which speaks to Ma Zhanshan’s standing in their hearts.

Wang Lei’s “last resort” was effective—at the very least, he could no longer be easily ignored.