After bringing his son to Manchester, Jorge stayed with Messi for three days. Then he left his son with Ethan and returned to Argentina to handle the procedures for the whole family to move to the UK for work.
Since David Pace's company was acting on their behalf, it should not be difficult to complete the paperwork.
Although Messi was living alone in Manchester, Ethan arranged for him to stay at the home of the enthusiastic driver, Jim. Jim's wife happened to be a middle school teacher, so she quickly helped Messi complete the admission procedures. He was just waiting for school to start.
During the holidays, Jim's wife would serve as Messi's English tutor for free, teaching him daily conversational English and helping him adapt to life in Manchester, which indirectly saved Ethan a lot of expenses.
Since Jim was at work and had no time, Andy Walsh borrowed a car from Bruce.
The legendary star's car was very simple too, a black Volkswagen, just like Bruce's playing style, very steady.
"Tsk tsk, when I have money I should really buy myself a car and get a driver's license. That would be so cool!" Ethan sighed from the passenger seat.
A car is like a man's second wife. Almost no man can resist the temptation of a car, and Ethan was no exception.
"You have no hope of becoming a basketball star, or you could consider becoming a movie star. That is profitable too. Oh, I heard a famous adult film director in Spain is recruiting male leads of Eastern descent. You could give it a try." Walsh teased Ethan.
Ethan did not have much cash on hand now, and he had to support the entire club.
"Do not worry. When we get promoted to the Premier League and become a wealthy club, will those sponsors not come bribing me one by one in Lamborghinis and Porsches?" Ethan was shameless.
Walsh was helpless and could only complain, "Before those sponsors bribe you, you had better talk to the travel agency and sort out our team bus first. That would be more practical, my wealthy boss."
There was a local travel agency in Manchester interested in cooperating with New Manchester United. They would provide the buses for away trips. In addition to the agency's logo and advertisements on the coaches, New Manchester United's players would be required to shoot a large promotional advert for them.
Ethan was very supportive of this proposal. It would be the first sponsorship New Manchester United had secured since its establishment, and it met an urgent need. There were still some details to discuss with the other party, but it was not a big problem.
Sometimes Ethan really felt it was incredible. The football culture abroad was different. For example, David Pace and the travel agency owner were Manchester United fans who supported New Manchester United, so they did everything they could to help.
This is probably why so many lower-league clubs in England can survive for a long time.
The black Volkswagen slowly drove into Oxford Street, known as Manchester's busiest street. On both sides stood Manchester's famous universities, clustered along one stretch, making the street lively and full of academic atmosphere.
Manchester Royal Infirmary is diagonally opposite the University of Manchester and is the best hospital in Manchester.
Ethan and the other two entered the hospital and first went to the front desk to ask about Professor Derek Wright's office. The receptionist immediately called to inquire, then directed them to an independent office building behind the outpatient building.
They had thought the diet and nutrition expert recommended by Bruce would be at least a bit older, but sitting opposite Ethan was a young man about Ethan's age. He was well built, with slightly tanned skin that contrasted with his white coat.
"Hello, Professor Wright, my name is Ethan Yu." Ethan then introduced Andy Walsh and Messi.
"Just call me Derek. Steve called me. Plus, I am also a Manchester United fan. I support and admire Mr. Yu's actions, so now I am also a New Manchester United fan." Derek Wright did not have the airs of a typical senior doctor. He seemed casual and easy to get along with.
"Let me see." Ethan turned sideways so Derek could face Messi directly. Derek observed him for a while, frowning. "Uh... he is indeed much shorter than his peers. And as you said, he has been relying on growth hormone injections for a long time to maintain growth. So, in my opinion, the situation is very serious."
"I know, so we came to you hoping you could help us find a treatment plan. We want to see if the traditional growth hormone injections, combined with dietary therapy, can promote his growth." Ethan put an arm around Messi's shoulders to comfort him. He felt Messi trembling.
For an 11-year-old boy, suffering from such a condition was enough to make him breathless, but the fact that Messi had persisted until now showed his extraordinary perseverance.
"That is a good idea, but I specialise in diet therapy. To treat his condition, we need a specialist. He is right upstairs. I will take you. He is Professor Peter Fryer, the best orthopaedic surgeon in Manchester. He is also a senior professor at the University of Manchester and an authority in orthopaedics."
Led by Derek, Ethan and the other two went upstairs and met Professor Fryer, who was over fifty and accompanied by several students.
Clearly, they had made arrangements in advance. Professor Fryer immediately ordered a comprehensive examination for Messi in this office building, then took away the growth and test data from the past year that Ethan had provided.
The final conclusion was the same as Messi's test results in Argentina, but the specific treatment plan was still under discussion.
However, regardless of the plan, one thing could be determined in advance. The medical expenses would be high.
This was a big problem.
"Ethan, there is actually something that has been weighing on my mind for a few days." Standing in the corridor, Walsh could not hold it back any longer.
Ethan did not know what he wanted to say. He was just worried about why Messi, who had gone for tests, had not come back yet.
"Is Leo Messi really worth this?"
"What do you mean, Andy?" Ethan was a little surprised. Walsh was usually very kind to Messi, so why did he sound like he had an issue now?
"I am not against Messi, nor against anything else. I just heard from Derek that if we follow your suggestion, using the latest treatment methods combined with diet therapy, it will cost at least more than 2,000 pounds a month. In addition, due to hospital regulations, we must pay a lump sum upfront for the next three years of consultation fees."
"We have less than 150,000 pounds in cash in the club account now, which means we have to pay half of it at once for Messi's treatment, and that does not include expenses outside treatment. Is it worth it?" Walsh seemed a little agitated.
Ethan had thought it was something else. It turned out to be a money issue, so he smiled and said, "Whether it is worth it or not, I am optimistic about Messi's talent. He is willing to play for our club, so of course we will cover the medical expenses."
As long as he redeemed the prize after the World Cup, he would have more than 30 million pounds, and Messi's medical expenses would not be a problem at all.
Of course, none of this could be told to Walsh yet, otherwise would it not reveal the secret of his transmigration?
"If we were a big club, fine. But right now we can barely protect ourselves."
Ethan still smiled calmly, patting Walsh on the shoulder. "Whether we are an amateur club today or a truly wealthy club in the future, we must treat our players with the same care and respect. If we coldly abandon Messi because of his illness, what difference is there between us and those Manchester United directors? What is the point of establishing New Manchester United then?"
Seeing that Walsh still wanted to say more, Ethan worried that Messi would return and hear them, so he quickly stopped him. "Okay, Andy, there is a saying, a problem that can be solved with money is not a problem. Do not worry about the money. I will find a way to handle it, but you must never mention this in front of Messi."
Walsh knew what Ethan was thinking, and he also knew Ethan would not easily change his decision once made, so he could only nod and agree.
As soon as they reached a consensus, Messi came around the corner of the corridor.
"Leo, you are back!" Ethan greeted him with a smile. "Is everything okay?"
Messi gritted his teeth and shook his head. "It is okay."
"That is great. Let us go back first. We will return after Derek and Professor Fryer come up with a practical medical plan."
"Yeah," Messi nodded obediently.
From start to finish, Messi did not ask about the medical expenses, and Ethan and Walsh did not mention them either. The three walked toward the parking lot in silence.
Messi, who deliberately fell behind, looked at Ethan walking ahead, chatting and laughing with Walsh, relaxed, as if he had never encountered any difficult problems. His nose stung, and his eyes grew moist.
...
A treatment plan for Messi was quickly developed. It was the same as Derek's earlier suggestion, except that Professor Fryer made some appropriate improvements in his area of expertise.
On the day he received the reply, Ethan transferred all the medical expenses for the next three years, totaling nearly 80,000 pounds, into the Royal Bank account, and Messi began receiving joint treatment from Professor Fryer and Derek the next day.
However, the incident that happened at the Royal Hospital was kept in the hearts of those involved. Ethan had no extra time to pay attention to them, because after finishing Messi's affairs, he welcomed Curtis's parents.
(To be continued.)
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