Chapter 35: 15% Weekly Salary Commission, and Tang Ye Still Can

On the second day of the holiday, Tang Ye arrived at a Chinese restaurant in Utrecht called WenChow.

This was the place Bohr had chosen; knowing Tang Ye was Chinese, he specifically picked a Chinese restaurant for lunch.

“Oh, Mr. Tang… Tang, hello!”

Bohr immediately extended his hand as Tang Ye approached.

He had wanted to address him as “Mr.,” but with over thirty years between them, he abandoned the idea.

“I almost thought I wouldn’t see you.”

Bohr smiled and gestured for Tang Ye to sit across from him.

The previous afternoon had been a heart-stopping experience for him.

Eight thousand euros had nearly vanished.

After Tang Ye sat down, Bohr called over the waiter and let Tang Ye order.

The news had been covering the cafeteria incident, so Bohr assumed Tang Ye was a food connoisseur—he wasn’t.

Looking at the thick menu, Tang Ye ordered just dumplings and lean meatballs: “Bohr, is that how you’re called? I’d like to learn more about agents.”

Holidays were rare for Tang Ye, so he cut straight to the point.

Tang Ye went straight to the point; Bohr had no resistance and quickly shared his thoughts.

Bohr spoke rapidly, and by the time the waiter brought the dumplings, he had finished speaking.

Tang Ye added a lot of vinegar to his dumplings, blowing on them as he pondered Bohr’s words.

The gist was that Bohr wanted to sign an agent contract with Tang Ye.

If signed, Bohr would assist Tang Ye whenever he needed transfers or communication with the club or national team.

If conditions were right, Bohr would also seek endorsement deals for him.

In return, Tang Ye would give up a portion of his weekly salary.

Fifteen percent of his weekly salary.

Tang Ye’s current weekly salary was only 1,000 euros; after 15%, he’d be left with just over 100 euros.

Doing all that for 100 euros a week made Bohr seem like the loser.

But Bohr was gambling.

His commission was based on a percentage of Tang Ye’s weekly salary.

With Tang Ye earning only 1,000 euros weekly, Bohr taking 15% was clearly a loss.

But if Tang Ye’s salary reached 6,500 euros, Bohr would earn 1,000 euros per week just from him.

Bohr felt this was reasonable—it was his instinct as a professional football agent.

Tang Ye ate dumplings with Bohr, thinking nonstop.

His monthly salary was 4,000 euros, his living expenses 20,000 euros, totaling 24,000 euros.

If he signed Bohr’s agent contract, he’d pay Bohr 600 euros per month.

That meant his net monthly income would drop to 23,400 euros!

Tang Ye, already poor, was now even worse off.

Still, after hearing Zakaria’s advice yesterday and Bohr’s explanation today, Tang Ye felt he needed an agent.

Amrabat had an agent—thanks to him, Amrabat got his 3,200-euro weekly salary!

“Sir, I need some time to think about it.”

Tang Ye gave his response.

He personally felt the contract was suitable, but Tang Zhengxiong had specifically warned him before he went abroad: if signing any contract, he must consult his family first.

Tang Ye remembered those words, so he wasn’t in a hurry.

“Of course, take your time. Would you like anything else?”

Bohr smiled and pushed the menu back toward Tang Ye.

Based on Bohr’s many years as an agent,

he was certain the contract was already secured!

…

On September 29, first-team players began gradually returning to training.

His goal against Cambuur and accumulated training points had brought Tang Ye’s Comeback Points to 33.

Feeling suddenly wealthy, Tang Ye opened the shop to check how many Comeback Points he needed to unlock the next item.

【40 points】

“I fucking***!”

Tang Ye nearly spat out his food.

This system.

It was definitely toxic!

With no choice, Tang Ye could only focus on the training points he already had.

After previous matches, Tang Ye realized the core way to earn Comeback Points wasn’t daily tasks.

It was matches.

One goal gave 10 Comeback Points; a brace added another 10!

A brace in one match equaled ten days of grueling training!

Match performance was the key!

Under this mindset, Tang Ye focused on Ronaldo’s broccoli.

Now, whenever his Comeback Points exceeded 30, he bought one broccoli.

The first broccoli trained his De Bruyne growth template skills.

The second broccoli focused on ball control and touch.

He alternated between the two trainings; he didn’t know if this broccoli allocation was scientific, but he felt it worked fine.

Also, he had indeed signed the contract with Bohr.

But following his family’s advice, Tang Ye negotiated with Bohr.

Before Tang Ye’s weekly salary reached 10,000 euros, Bohr’s commission remained 15%; if Tang Ye’s salary hit 10,000 euros or more, the agent contract would automatically terminate.

Bohr accepted Tang Ye’s demand without hesitation.

In truth, Bohr was already profiting once Tang Ye’s salary reached 3,000 euros.

As for 10,000 euros, given the overall low salary levels in the Eredivisie, Bohr didn’t expect it to happen with Tang Ye.

The real money was in La Liga and the Premier League!

…

Time moved forward; on October 3 and October 17, Utrecht played Eredivisie matches against SBV Excelsior and Roda JC.

One draw, one win; in both matches, Tang Ye came on right at the start of the second half.

He had no standout performance against SBV Excelsior, but in the ninth-round match against Roda JC, he scored one goal and provided one assist.

Utrecht’s situation was looking great, but Tang Ye had one persistent question.

When would he finally start in an Eredivisie match?

It had been nearly a month since he received the task for the Portuguese treasure chest.

He played every match as a substitute, yet damn it—he still couldn’t start!

Tang Ye felt his performance was sufficient, and he had even asked Ten Hag directly about starting.

The Dutchman’s exact words: “It’s not the right time yet.”

Tang Ye was frustrated—he thought Ten Hag was too conservative.

Later, he came across a video about himself on his notebook.

The video was from YouTube, posted by an Utrecht fan influencer who analyzed why Tang Ye, despite his strong performances, never started.

No 16-year-old had ever started in the Eredivisie; Ten Hag was too conservative—he dared not break that record!

…

(End of Chapter)