“We all like football, and we’re all Corinthians supporters.” Gordon answered simply. In Brazil, that was enough. Enough for a Brazilian and a Chinese person to get to know each other and become friends.

As they spoke, Gordon’s old red Ford pulled up outside a villa with high walls.

A wall over two meters tall separated the villa’s courtyard from the street, and atop the wall was a security fence made of electrified butterfly blades, looking extremely secure. This is the most common sight at the homes of Brazil’s wealthy—the huge wealth gap in São Paulo means that although the rich are wealthy, they lack a sense of security. For wealthy Chinese in Brazil, it’s even more so; they are often seen as fat sheep in the eyes of Brazilian gangs.

“We’re here.” He parked and turned off the engine.

After Logan Grant and Gordon got out of the car, they were warmly welcomed by Howard Bennett and his wife Jennifer Lewis—the hosts were waiting right at the villa’s courtyard gate, which was a very high level of hospitality. Of course, for safety reasons, they hadn’t left the gate wide open waiting for Gordon and Logan Grant; instead, they waited inside the fully enclosed steel gate, and only after seeing Gordon and the others through a small peephole did they open the heavy electric gate, spreading their arms and smiling to welcome the guests.

Logan Grant and Howard Bennett already knew each other; when Gordon went to China to find him, it was Howard Bennett who helped as a translator.

Howard Bennett briefly introduced his wife to Logan Grant, then led them inside.

Passing through a not-so-spacious courtyard and entering the house, Gordon realized he hadn’t seen Howard Bennett’s lively daughter.

“Cui, where’s Corey?” he asked.

At the mention of his daughter, Howard Bennett’s expression became a bit unnatural, clearly showing a subtle look of “family shame should not be made public.”

He didn’t say anything, but his wife nagged from the side, “She’s probably gone to watch São Paulo’s training again…”

Gordon explained to the confused Logan Grant, “Cui’s daughter Corey is a São Paulo fan, so I think you’ll definitely have something in common to talk about later.”

He said with a smile, “Cui and I are both Corinthians fans, but his daughter is a São Paulo fan…”

“Don’t mention her…” Howard Bennett sighed, his tone full of “misfortune in the family.”

Corinthians and São Paulo are fierce rivals in the city of São Paulo, and their matches are called the “Majestic Derby.” A father who loves Corinthians ended up raising a daughter who loves São Paulo—truly a “family misfortune.” Who knows if there’s a family war between father and daughter every time the “Majestic Derby” comes around?

As they were talking, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the gate.

“Dad, Mom! I’m back!” The person hadn’t even entered, but the voice arrived first.

It was a young girl’s voice.

With her voice, a petite girl with long black hair rushed in at the door.

She ran straight up to Logan Grant before stopping.

She saw Logan Grant, and since he was the only stranger in the room she’d never seen before, she knew it had to be Logan Grant.

She immediately realized this was the São Paulo player her dad had mentioned.

After stopping, she circled around Logan Grant, tilting her head and sizing him up from head to toe.

“You’re the São Paulo player?” she asked curiously.

Logan Grant nodded, not quite understanding.

He felt a bit uneasy under the girl’s gaze.

This girl had small eyes and brows, freckles on her face, not exactly pretty, but she had a clever look about her. When she spoke, it was in Portuguese, with a heavy accent, just like Chinese-accented English.

Seeing Logan Grant nod, the girl muttered softly, “Strange… how come I’ve never seen you at first team training…”

But this question wasn’t important, so she didn’t pursue it.

After getting Logan Grant’s confirmation, she pulled a folded poster out of her shoulder bag and handed it to Logan Grant.

“Could you help me get Kaká’s autograph? If possible, please have him write: ‘To dear Corey’!”

Twelve-year-old superfan Corey Cui looked at Logan Grant with stars in her eyes.

But those stars weren’t for Logan Grant; she was just so excited at the thought of getting Kaká’s autograph.

She was determined to slap that signed poster right in Christina’s face, so that ugly face would never smile again!

Just as she was imagining how she’d use Kaká’s autograph to put Christina in her place, she heard Logan Grant across from her say, “Who’s Kaká?”

It was like a bucket of cold water poured from head to toe—chilled to the bone!

Chapter 5 Who is Kaká?

The atmosphere at the gathering was a bit odd, because the hosts seemed especially enthusiastic, even overly so.

Howard Bennett began telling Logan Grant about his struggles when he first came to Brazil, and Howard Bennett’s wife would occasionally chat with Logan Grant about things from their hometown, like the crooked tree at the village entrance…

This was supposed to be a sign of the hosts’ warmth.

But not only Logan Grant, even Gordon could sense the strange atmosphere.