Chapter 203: Hearts and Worthlessness

Watching the young men running and colliding on the field, Lynch quickly noticed a problem—they lacked a certain… feeling he couldn’t quite put into words.

Right, it was agility. They lacked the kind of agility that true top-level professional athletes display, with astonishing, almost artistic performances.

They acted more like tools, rigidly executing commands, like workers on an assembly line.

Perhaps Lynch’s serious gaze made Mordick realize he wasn’t an easy kid to fool, and Mordick grew a bit nervous.

“Is there a problem?”

Lynch glanced at Mordick. He trusted Mordick’s coaching skills. After learning about the level required to coach at a university football league, mainly through Ferrell, Lynch felt confident in Mordick.

But problems had to be addressed, so Lynch asked bluntly, “They seem very rigid.”

Mordick breathed a sigh of relief and explained patiently, “Lower leagues don’t require individual skill, sir.”

“The high-level professional leagues we often watch still have many blue-collar and bench players who aren’t expected to show individual skill.”

“They just follow the initial tactical plan, focusing on a few star players.”

“In lower leagues, there are no stars. It’s a contest of coaching tactics and players’ ability to execute.”

Mordick smiled with pride. “These guys have good physiques and strong execution…” He shouted an order to the assistant coach, who immediately yelled commands. After the next kickoff, the rigid gameplay changed dramatically.

The opening was the same, but the running routes and passing strategies were different, as were the blocking and interceptions. Everything was methodical, collisions more intense.

Mordick sighed, “These guys aren’t afraid of injuries affecting their careers and aren’t distracted by other factors—cheap and efficient. Once we reach lower-level professional leagues, we can find talented players among them to develop into our own stars.”

“Then, we build new tactics around those stars. That way, we won’t face many problems in lower and mid-tier leagues.”

Lynch reflected, “They’re all fragile.”

Mordick smiled but said nothing, acknowledging Lynch’s insight.

These young men were fragile, but their efficiency in executing tactics came from not fearing injury or future stardom. They had more fighting spirit than college stars who were already famous on campus or nationwide.

Others hesitated to collide, but these guys charged without hesitation, thinking only about not being substituted so they could earn more.

Stars with individual skills prioritized protecting their future careers from risky collisions.

Lynch’s words might have been harsh but revealed the truth.

With such a rational and strict coach, Lynch had full confidence in the team. He turned to Kane. “Meet with the Intercollegiate Games officials. Arrange suitable opponents for our preseason.”

Kane hesitated, “Those officials are hard to deal with. Every time I approach them, they find excuses to dismiss me…”

Lynch almost laughed, patting Kane’s arm. “That’s because you used to go begging for money. Now that you’re giving money, they’ll treat you like VIPs!”

The club was nearly defunct before, and the Intercollegiate Games maintained basic salary support, so Kane was unwelcome when asking for money.

But this time, representing the Interstellar Club, Kane was donating to show Chairman Lynch’s support for sports.

So adjusting the opponents slightly was only natural.

Seeing Kane understand, Lynch continued, “Many important people will watch the games next month. I want us not only to play well but to win. It’s critical for our future.”

He glanced at Kane and Mordick. With some social issues erupting, new arrangements were necessary. Entertainment distractions were clearly one of the best methods.

This year, the Film and Television Review Board reportedly relaxed standards, allowing local stations to add more adult channels and programs. The Social Services Bureau tacitly permitted some telephone voice services that were previously banned or heavily restricted.

Diverting public attention from social changes and making them feel happy—this was the cabinet and parliament’s latest directive.

Sports, representing the city’s image and regional spirit, became a priority, receiving more resources and funding.

At the preseason next month, not only the mayor but also city celebrities and wealthy patrons would attend to support the team.

Losing was no big deal, but winning was better because the city hall would launch a new campaign to promote cultural, entertainment, and sports development.

As for the female athletes, Lynch glanced briefly before looking away. “Design protective gear better suited for female physiques—lighter, simpler, and emphasizing feminine beauty.”

“They wear too much now. It doesn’t attract the audience’s attention. Understand?”

Mordick didn’t care; he was just the coach responsible for training and tactics. Kane looked troubled. “That might cause some players to quit. They’d see it as disrespectful.”

Lynch sneered, “Have you ever seen a dog and thought it was a pervert?”

Kane shook his head. Who would think that just from seeing a dog?

Lynch asked again, “Do you think a dog would think that about you?”

Kane shook his head again. “Why would it?”

A smile appeared on Lynch’s face. “Why do you think it wouldn’t? When you think something is bad, it’s your own heart that’s dirty. So you see dirt everywhere. I don’t think that’s a problem.”

“Displaying female bodies and sports aren’t contradictory. It’s much less than female bodybuilders on TV, who wear barely anything—audiences don’t need to lift their butts to see their underwear.”

“You don’t find that dirty watching bodybuilding contests. Now, just because our girls wear less, you worry some can’t handle it?”

Lynch warned, “Do it my way. Also, I don’t want to hear about any romantic relationships or pregnancies causing scandals among the coaches and players. If anyone dates or causes trouble, they’re out.”

Kane hesitated. In a country valuing freedom, forbidding relationships was inappropriate. Lynch was overstepping.

“That’s illegal, and our contracts with players don’t allow this.”

Lynch glanced at him. “Then draft a supplementary contract for them to sign. If they refuse, find a suitable excuse to fire or force them to resign…”

Leaving the club, Lynch felt content. This was a capitalist’s greatest pleasure—using wealth to control others’ work and lives. But it was also a responsibility, as he had to support many lives.

Power and duty balanced—that’s what a true capitalist should do, not blindly chase power while ignoring obligations.

At the same time, two young men, about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, carrying a travel bag, entered an antique shop. The owner, who was examining his treasures, quietly slid open a drawer revealing a pistol with its safety off.

Dealing in antiques often meant coming into contact with criminals. Most antique shops served as channels for fencing stolen goods. As long as the items weren’t wanted by the police or weren’t highly valuable, the owners preferred to make a sale and earn some money rather than cause trouble.

After all, everyone’s life is tough, isn’t it?

Some customers were easier to deal with; others might try to rob the shop. So the owner always prepared in advance.

His hand gripped the pistol’s handle, his expression unchanged, only slightly lowering his head to look at the two men. “Can I help you with something?”

One stayed by the door while the other carrying the travel bag approached the counter. The owner leaned back slightly, his other hand resting on the countertop.

It was a five-millimeter-thick steel plate, usually protecting the items inside from theft and capable of stopping bullets if necessary.

“I’ve got some things here. You tell me how much they’re worth.” The young man didn’t notice the owner’s subtle movements. He pulled out several items, causing the owner to breathe a sigh of relief.

Looking at the small items on the table, the owner immediately recognized them as stolen goods.

There was a set of sterling silver candlesticks, a comb that looked like ivory, and some other silver pieces.

He handled them casually, then showed a disappointed and disdainful expression. “These things aren’t worth much!”