Chapter 121

Yang Yang's return to De Toekomst was a significant event for everyone at Ajax's training academy. His presence carried weight, not only because of his performances on the pitch but because of his growing reputation within the club and beyond. 

On this particular morning, Yang Yang arrived at the training facility earlier than usual, the crisp Dutch air fresh on his face as he walked through the familiar gates. His first stop, as always, was the medical center for his routine health check-up. Before rejoining the squad, Ajax's medical staff needed to assess his physical condition thoroughly, ensuring he was free from any injuries or other health concerns. 

Having just returned from competing in the Asian Cup, where he had performed admirably, Yang Yang felt in top shape. As the medical team conducted their assessments, he answered their questions about his recent games, travel, and overall well-being. 

The results were as expected. His body fat percentage, muscle composition, and overall fitness levels were excellent—better than some had anticipated. He hadn't suffered any knocks or strains, and there were no signs of lingering fatigue from his international duties. The chief of the medical team nodded approvingly as he reviewed the results. 

"You're in excellent shape, Yang Yang," said the head physician, signing off on the report with a satisfied flourish. "It's clear you've been sticking to your training regimen during the off-season." 

Yang Yang smiled modestly, explaining how he had maintained his fitness, even during the grueling schedule of the Asian Cup. He admitted that, while the tournament had been physically demanding, he had been diligent in his recovery and conditioning. 

His real concern, though, was how to sustain this peak form as the new season approached. He had performed at an exceptionally high level during the Asian Cup and wanted to carry that momentum into the Eredivisie. 

"How do I maintain this?" Yang Yang asked earnestly, the weight of his ambition clear in his voice. "I want to stay at this level." 

The medical director chuckled and shook his head. "That's a question every player asks at some point, but the truth is, it's impossible to stay at your peak all the time." 

"No player, not even the best in the world, can maintain their top form constantly," he continued. "Your performance will fluctuate over the course of a season. There are so many factors—physical condition, tactics, the opposition, even mental state—that influence how well you play. Sometimes it's not even about you, but how your team is set up or how the opponents plan to neutralize you. You're not a machine, and even if you were, machines break down when pushed too hard." 

Yang Yang nodded thoughtfully. He understood the truth behind the words. Even the most elite footballers couldn't perform at 100% every single match. There were too many variables in the equation. 

"The key for you," the medical director continued, "is to become more familiar with your body. Learn how it reacts in different situations. Through consistent training, proper rest, and a balanced diet, you can find a rhythm that allows you to maintain a stable form throughout the season. You want to stay close to your best, but understand that your best will fluctuate." 

He smiled, offering a reassuring pat on Yang Yang's shoulder. "And don't forget, you're only seventeen. You're still growing—both physically and in terms of your footballing skills. We'll be here to support you every step of the way, tailoring your training and recovery to make sure you can handle the demands of professional football and continue developing." 

Yang Yang felt a surge of confidence from the doctor's words. He trusted Ajax's expertise, and knowing they had a plan for his development reassured him. 

During his time in Beijing, Yang Yang had taken the opportunity to pick out small gifts for the staff at De Toekomst—thoughtful tokens of appreciation with a touch of Chinese culture. They weren't expensive, but they were personal, meant to show his gratitude. 

As he left the infirmary, he handed a gift to each of the medical staff members, their faces lighting up with surprise and delight. Yang Yang's reputation for being humble and considerate was already well-known, and these small gestures only added to his growing stature within the club. 

Next, he made his way to the coaches' offices. Each coach, from the assistant manager to the fitness specialists, received a similar gift, each time met with a smile or a word of thanks. Even the staff in the facility—the kitchen workers, the janitors—were not forgotten. By the end of his rounds, nearly everyone in De Toekomst had received a small gift from Yang Yang, and the atmosphere in the academy was noticeably warmer. 

"You've made quite the impression," one of the coaches joked as Yang Yang entered the locker room. "It's not every day a player comes back from international duty and thanks everyone like this. You've won a lot of fans today." 

Yang Yang smiled humbly, his eyes glancing toward the pitch outside. He knew the real work was still ahead. The gifts were just a gesture. What mattered most was how he performed in the upcoming season, not just for himself, but for Ajax and the fans who had put their faith in him. 

... 

... 

When Yang Yang returned to the locker room and changed into his training kit, he noticed that many players had already gathered on the pitch. 

"Hey, Yang, good to see you back!" greeted one teammate. 

"Welcome back! You were amazing in the Asian Cup final," said another. 

Yang Yang received a warm welcome from his teammates, a testament to the respect he'd earned from his hard work the previous season. Though he hadn't scored many goals, his selfless play and ability to create opportunities for others had made him a key player. His work ethic and talent were highly appreciated, especially now, with stars like Van der Vaart and Ibrahimović gone. Everyone knew the spotlight would be on players like Yang Yang and Wesley Sneijder to carry the team forward, and building a good rapport with them seemed vital. 

The locker room dynamics were shifting, with former captains Chivu, Litmanen, and Van der Vaart having departed. Czech veteran Tomáš Galásek now wore the captain's armband and had taken on a leadership role, arriving early each day to lead warm-ups and training. 

After Yang Yang settled in, Galásek introduced him to a few new teammates. Among them was Angelos Charisteas, a towering Greek striker at 1.91 meters tall, known for his physical presence. Yang Yang had seen him in the Euro 2004 final, where Charisteas had shocked Europe with a crucial goal that secured Greece's unexpected triumph. 

"It's an honor to meet you, Angelos. I watched your performance in the Euro final. It was amazing," Yang Yang said. 

Charisteas smiled, replying, "Thanks, Yang. I watched your Champions League final too. You were brilliant." 

Their conversation was brief but respectful. The age difference made it unlikely for them to become close friends immediately, but the mutual recognition of each other's abilities was clear. 

Yang Yang then reunited with a few more familiar faces. He saw Maxwell, who introduced him to two Brazilian teammates, Maicon and Filipe Luís. Maxwell mentioned that his wife had wanted to meet Yang Yang for some time and invited him to dinner that evening, along with Maicon, Filipe Luís, and Thomas Vermaelen. 

Yang Yang readily accepted the invitation but decided he would pick up a few gifts for Maxwell's family before heading over, as he hadn't known they were in Amsterdam. 

Seeing Ron Vlaar brought back memories for Yang Yang. Vlaar seemed reflective, as the last time they had crossed paths, Yang Yang had been a young player in Almere and later a member of Ajax's second team. Now, Yang Yang was a first-team regular, and his meteoric rise had been astonishing, even to Vlaar. 

"Drop by sometime," Yang Yang offered with a smile, referring to their houses in Oude Kerk. 

"Absolutely. Anytime," Vlaar replied warmly. 

Yang Yang also caught up with some of the players promoted from the second team this summer: Ryan Babel, Tom De Mul, Urby Emanuelson, and Hedwiges Maduro. These players, officially part of the first team now, would play with the reserves if they didn't make the matchday squad. Another familiar face was Rasmus Lindgren, who had been promoted after his performances in the Toulon Tournament. 

It felt good to be back. As Yang Yang made his rounds, chatting and laughing with his teammates, he felt a sense of camaraderie and excitement. 

"Hey, Yang! Up for a challenge?" Heitinga called from a distance, motioning him over. 

"What's the game this time?" Yang Yang asked, joining the group. 

"It's a dribbling challenge. You weave through the cones as fast as you can. Pienaar's been the fastest while you were away—want to give it a shot?" Heitinga teased with a grin. 

Yang Yang eyed Pienaar, who smiled back confidently. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge. Dribbling was one of his strengths, especially after training with [Ronaldo's Skillset], which had helped him master quick direction changes and ball control in tight spaces. 

"Let me warm up first," Yang Yang said, pretending to stretch. "I need to get back in the groove." 

"Take your time, but once you're ready, it's on!" Heitinga laughed. Then, turning to the rest of the team, he announced, "Whoever beats Yang in this challenge will earn themselves a spot in the starting lineup for the new season!" 

The group erupted in laughter, knowing that Yang Yang had dominated this game last season. Only players like Van der Vaart, Pienaar, and Sneijder had ever come close to his performance. As for Ibrahimović, the tall striker was simply not agile enough for such drills. 

The players on the pitch were all familiar faces. Yang Yang didn't take Johnny Heitinga's teasing too seriously and, after a few light touches, quickly began to focus on the ball. With his left foot, he started working the ball smoothly between his feet. It darted left, then right, as if glued to his boot. At times, he spun around, confusing those watching, but no matter what move he made, the ball never strayed far from his left foot. 

As Yang Yang finished dribbling out of the designated area, the coach on the sidelines checked his stopwatch and nodded approvingly. "Hmm, definitely some progress. It looks like you've been working hard over the break." 

In the group, a tall player observed the scene, clearly unimpressed. He leaned toward Rasmus Lindgren, the player standing beside him. 

"So, this is what they call progress? Just how bad was he before?" the tall player muttered under his breath. 

Lindgren didn't even have to glance in his direction to know who was speaking. A slight smirk appeared on his lips. "Why don't you compare yourself to him? See how far you get." 

The tall player chuckled, crossing his arms. "I could do that with one eye closed." 

"You've been going on about beating him and taking his position for ages now," Lindgren replied, his voice teasing. "Here's your chance. Step up and prove it." 

At that moment, Heitinga, still in high spirits, turned to Yang Yang, asking if he was feeling good after the break. When Yang Yang gave a confident nod, Heitinga raised his voice, calling out to the crowd. "Alright, who wants to take on Yang Yang? The opportunity's here. Don't be shy!" 

There was a brief pause, but no one from the group moved forward. 

Just then, the tall player stepped out from the crowd, his voice ringing loud and clear. "I'll give it a go!" 

The moment he spoke, the rest of the squad perked up, clapping and cheering in anticipation. 

"Finally, a brave soul!" Heitinga exclaimed, raising his arms in excitement. 

Yang Yang turned to size up his challenger. The player looked about his age, though much larger in stature. Despite his youthful face, he had a robust build that was hard to miss. His eyes gleamed with determination, and his Scandinavian roots were evident from his appearance. Yang Yang already had a good idea of who this was. 

"If I'm not mistaken," Yang Yang thought, his eyes narrowing slightly, "this must be Nicklas Bendtner, the Danish forward who joined recently and has been making noise about taking my spot." 

Maxwell, standing just behind Yang Yang, confirmed his suspicion with a laugh. "That's Bendtner. He's been boasting about how he's going to steal your position. Oh, and he happens to live on our street too." 

Yang Yang nodded subtly. He had already guessed as much. Bendtner was only sixteen, just like him, yet he was remarkably well-built—certainly bigger than most boys their age. He wasn't as solidly muscular as someone like Charisteas, but his lanky frame reminded Yang Yang of a younger Ibrahimović. 

Still, Bendtner clearly relished the attention, walking over to Yang Yang with a swagger. He stopped in front of him, his eyes full of confidence, and smirked provocatively. "I challenge you," he declared, his voice carrying a tone of arrogance that strongly echoed that of the famed Swedish striker. 

Yang Yang raised an eyebrow, but rather than finding Bendtner's arrogance irritating, he found it amusing. A sixteen-year-old newcomer, fresh from Denmark, already throwing down challenges? It showed a type of boldness—or perhaps blind confidence—that Yang Yang couldn't help but respect in a way. 

"Alright, let's see what you've got," Yang Yang responded coolly, ready to meet the challenge head-on. 

Bendtner cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for the contest. 

"But," Yang Yang added with a playful smirk, "a simple one-on-one is a bit dull, don't you think? Let's make it more interesting. How about a little wager?" 

The other players perked up even more at the mention of a bet. It wasn't official training yet, and a little extra entertainment never hurt anyone. 

"Now we're talking!" Heitinga shouted, delighted at the prospect of some excitement. 

The rest of the squad quickly followed, egging the two players on, their voices filling the training ground with laughter and anticipation. 

Captain Tomáš Galásek, always the voice of reason, stepped forward, a grin on his face. "Alright, Yang, remember, it's just a game. Don't take it too seriously." 

Yang Yang nodded, smiling back at the veteran. "Of course, it's all in good fun. Here's the deal. Whoever loses will be the other's training partner for the next three months. How does that sound?" 

Galásek's smile grew, realizing that the wager was more about pride than any real punishment. The loser would essentially be on ball-retrieving duty during the winner's training sessions—not too harsh, but certainly enough to humble the other player. 

The rest of the team understood the stakes perfectly. Yang Yang was known for his meticulous training routines. If Bendtner lost, he'd be fetching balls and assisting Yang during those sessions, a task that wasn't physically demanding but would certainly dent the Danish striker's ego. It was all about teaching the newcomer a little humility. 

The crowd waited for Bendtner's response, and without hesitation, he grinned and nodded. "Alright, you're on. Three months." 

Suddenly, a wave of pity rippled through the group surrounding him, directed at the Danish player. 

"Are you a right footer?" Yang Yang asked, his tone casual. 

"Correct," Bentner replied, a hint of confidence in his voice. 

"Then you can pick either left or right foot." 

Bentner paused, realizing something was off. Had he just missed a crucial detail? Did Yang Yang use his left foot or his right foot just now? 

"I'm a right-footed player, just like you," Bentner asserted, trying to regain his composure. "We can compare one foot at a time, or both together. Either way, I'm confident my right foot is better." 

Laughter erupted around them, and Bentner felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck. 

Yang Yang simply smiled. "Are you going first, or should I?" 

After watching Bentner bask in his moment of pride, Yang Yang added, "Let me go first." 

He picked up a football, twisting it effortlessly in his hands as if it were a mere toy. Suddenly, he took off, his right foot sending the ball racing into the designated area. He moved like a butterfly, weaving through the obstacles with grace, stopping, changing direction, slowing down, and darting around the markers. 

Bentner's eyes widened in disbelief. This was nothing like what he had seen before. 

"Fool, he used his left foot just now," Maxwell chimed in, unable to contain himself. 

Realization washed over Bentner, and he stared, astonished. Yang Yang had practiced his left foot to such an impressive degree that it was hard not to admire him. 

As Yang Yang finished his run, he exhaled sharply and shook his head. "Still a bit rusty. Otherwise, Pienaar would have been left in the dust." 

Pienaar shot him a playful glare, barely suppressing a punch. Yet, deep down, he couldn't deny the truth: he had played many matches alongside Yang Yang and knew that even a rusty Yang Yang was close to his level. With a bit more time, he would undoubtedly surpass him. 

"I haven't seen you in two months, and you've improved again," Sneijder remarked, clapping his hands together. 

Yang Yang offered a polite smile before glancing at Nicklas Bendtner, his expression silently challenging him: it's your turn now. 

Bendtner understood the stakes. He had initially thought Yang Yang was on par with his left foot, which had given him the nerve to challenge him. But now he realized there was much more to Yang Yang than met the eye. 

This Danish player, though a bit brash, was ready to gamble, willing to accept defeat. 

"I lost," Bendtner said, half-jokingly. "I'll be your training partner." 

Yang Yang nodded in agreement. "Then let's meet every afternoon and come early in the mornings." 

With that, Yang Yang returned to chatting with Sneijder and Pienaar, leaving Bentner feeling dejected. 

"Don't take it too hard," Lindgren said, walking over with a grin. 

"I'm miserable because of you," Bendtner replied, realizing he had been played by his friend. 

"You were the one who wanted to challenge him. Did you really think he got here by luck? And besides, you came out ahead in this deal, you know?" 

"Embarrassed and I still win?" Bendtner raised an eyebrow, skeptical. 

"Just look for yourself." 

Following Lindgren's gesture, Bendtner noticed Yang Yang engaged in lively conversation with Sneijder, Pienaar, Heitinga, and De Jong. He also caught sight of Vermaelen and Maxwell mingling nearby. 

Wait, these were the core players of the team. 

"Last season, during training in De Toekmost, Yang Yang worked with Vermaelen, Maxwell, and Ibrahimovic. Sneijder, De Jong, and Heitinga often joined in as well. Do you think just anyone can train with him?" Lindgren continued. 

Understanding dawned on Bentner. Training with Yang Yang was his golden ticket to breaking into their inner circle. Once accepted, it would solidify his place at Ajax. 

Realizing his earlier folly, Bendtner felt a wave of shame wash over him. 

"He's helping you," Lindgren pointed out, breaking through his thoughts. 

"Helping me?" Bendtner echoed, puzzled. 

"You were brought in by Van Gaal, and Yang Yang is his best friend. He's looking for a way to help you fit in while also smoothing over the fallout from your previous comments." 

Lindgren, being a few years older and more experienced at Ajax, had a clearer perspective on the situation. 

With this revelation, gratitude swelled in Bendtner's chest. He'd read reports about Yang Yang's close relationship with Van Gaal but never imagined that Yang Yang would want to assist him. Instead of harboring resentment over his brashness, Yang Yang sought to lend a helping hand, leaving Bentner feeling both grateful and a bit ashamed of his earlier arrogance. 

... 

... 

Ronald Koeman was very pleased that Yang Yang had given up his holiday to return to the team early. Before the training session that morning, he publicly praised Yang Yang's professionalism. 

Yang Yang appreciated the compliment but was more focused on solidifying his position for the new season. After the first training session, he engaged in a lengthy discussion with Koeman and assistant coach Ruud Krol about the team's tactics and the expectations for him in the upcoming season. 

Koeman made it clear that he would be assigning Yang Yang more responsibilities this year. "You need to understand that after last season's outstanding performance, other teams will pay more attention to you and how to defend against you. You must have a countermeasure in place. With your upcoming national team commitments and long-distance travel, your form may be affected, so take care of yourself," Koeman advised. 

Yang Yang was not overly concerned about the travel. Thanks to the Dream Training system, he could easily fall asleep on the plane, which would revitalize him. He understood the need for teams to focus on him, but he felt confident in his ability to adapt. As Van Basten had said, players who are constantly on the move are hard to defend against. Additionally, the overall defensive strength in the Eredivisie was relatively weak. 

Tactically, with high-profile players like Charisteas joining as the striker, Koeman expected more from the wingers this season. He wanted Yang Yang not only to excel in wing breakthroughs but also to be more active in the penalty area. Yang Yang had already received similar feedback from Arie Haan during the Asian Cup, where the national team struggled to score. 

Yang Yang was open to this challenge, as he discovered that scoring goals was enjoyable. 

Furthermore, with Van Basten moving on to coach the national team, John van 't Schip also transitioned with him, leading to Krol taking over Yang Yang's one-on-one special training. This change underscored the club's commitment to Yang Yang's development. 

Later that day, accompanied by Koeman, Yang Yang appeared in the press conference hall of the Amsterdam Arena. In front of numerous media reporters, he officially signed a renewal agreement with Ajax. 

Following the renewal, Yang Yang's weekly salary would increase to €10,000 after tax, placing him among Ajax's highest-paid players. He also bid farewell to the number 99 jersey, opting instead for the number 11, a traditional winger number. 

The previous owner of the number 11 jersey, Victor Sikora, had left the team. Yang Yang's preferred number nine was given to the Greek center Charisteas after Ibrahimovic's departure, while the number 7 jersey, representing the right winger, remained with Tom Soetaers. Yang Yang was unwilling to take Soetaers' number, so he chose number 11, symbolizing a connection to his previous number.