Chapter 108

"I'm back." 

Su Wenhong dragged his tired body into the house. 

"You're back, soaked through! Go wash up and then come eat immediately," shouted Ye Qingqing from the kitchen. 

Su Ye, their daughter, looked up from the dining table, called out to her father, and then buried herself back in her homework. 

With a face full of frustration, Su Wenhong walked into the living room and sank into the sofa. 

"Little Ye, do you know? I really lost out today," he said weakly. 

"What's the matter?" Su Ye asked with concern. "Were the seniors' results in the mock exams not satisfactory?" 

She attended the same school where her father taught but was a sophomore preparing for her college entrance exams next year. 

For a father who was always responsible, Su Ye believed he would only be this upset if his students had failed. 

"It's more serious than that." 

"More serious?" Su Ye raised an eyebrow, surprised. After a moment, she tentatively asked, "Did you make a mistake and get transferred out of the graduating class?" 

Su Wenhong shot her an annoyed glance and shook his head with a sigh. Girls could be so naive; how could they possibly understand a man's feelings? 

"If I were really transferred out of the graduating class, I'd be celebrating with firecrackers, not sulking!" 

"I went to the park to run after school today, and Yang Yang was there." 

"Oh," Su Ye said, not surprised. 

"Two of my running friends saw him, chatted with him for a while, and even got his autograph. But by the time I got there, it was too late! I chased after him hoping to catch a glimpse, but I didn't see him at all. Can you believe that?" 

"Dad, are you really sulking over this?" 

"Of course!" Su Wenhong replied, exasperated. 

Su Ye pouted, wondering if she should tell her dad the truth. 

"Everyone says Yang Yang will be back tomorrow, but missing him today really bums me out. Last time, I didn't go to Germany to watch the Champions League final, and I regretted that deeply," he lamented, feeling the weight of missed opportunities. 

At that moment, Ye Qingqing emerged from the kitchen, carrying a dish. 

"Little Ye, hurry up and clean up for dinner." 

She glanced at her husband, slumped on the sofa. "You're in your forties and still chasing football stars. How do you teach your students?" 

"What's wrong with that? I can relate to Yang Yang through my students. You don't understand; we have plenty in common," he replied defensively. 

"Sure, just keep dreaming," Ye Qingqing laughed as she returned to the kitchen. 

"What do you know?" Su Wenhong grumbled, feeling slightly defeated. 

Su Ye giggled, used to her parents' playful banter. 

"Dad, I have something to tell you," Su Ye said softly. 

"What is it?" he asked, intrigued. 

His daughter had always been clever and performed well academically. The only concern for her parents was her interest in drama and performances; she often expressed a desire to study Chinese opera, while both Su Wenhong and Ye Qingqing hoped she would pursue a career in education. 

"Dad, I know where Yang Yang lives." 

"What?" Su Wenhong nearly jumped out of his seat. "You know?" 

"Yes, I ran into him while running in the Summer Palace this morning." 

"He runs at the Summer Palace every morning?" 

"I'm not sure, but I definitely saw him there. He must be living across from our house now." 

As Su Ye pointed, Su Wenhong felt a surge of realization. Slapping his thighs in excitement, he jumped up. "I'm so stupid! Why didn't I think of that?" 

"He came to Beijing to practice in the nearby park. He must be staying with Wei Zhen and Wei Zheng. Oh, how could I not have realized? Why didn't they tell me?" 

Suddenly motivated, Su Wenhong grabbed his daughter's arm. 

"After dinner, where are you going?" Ye Qingqing asked as she noticed him heading out. 

"I'm going to welcome a guest." 

... 

... 

After Yang Yang returned from the park, he took a refreshing bath and felt completely revitalized. 

Having just taken out pasta and tomato sauce from the refrigerator, he planned to make himself a bowl of noodles. 

Just before he started cooking, he heard the doorbell ring. 

"Who could it be? Isn't that Wei Zhen?" 

Yang Yang walked over with a chuckle, mumbling as he opened the door, "You don't need to ring the bell when you come over." 

But when he opened the door, he was surprised to see Su Ye standing there, her cheeks flushed as she waved hello. Behind her stood a middle-aged man with a round figure. 

"Hello, Su Ye. Is something wrong?" he asked. 

Su Ye pointed to her father behind her. "This is my dad; he's your fan." 

"Oh, hello, Uncle!" Yang Yang quickly stepped aside and invited them in. 

"Hello, Yang Yang. It's really you!" Su Wenhong said, his expression one of pleasant disbelief. 

Yang Yang nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. He glanced at Su Ye, who shrugged delicately, as if to say, "See? My dad really likes you." 

Upon entering, Su Wenhong noticed that Yang Yang was living alone and felt a bit uneasy about it. 

"Honestly, Wei Zhen should have said something to me! We've been neighbors for years, and our families are friends. Guests of theirs should be considered guests of ours." 

As he spoke, Su Wenhong glanced into the kitchen. "Oh, have you eaten yet?" 

"Not yet. I was planning to make myself a bowl of noodles." 

"How can you do that? Eating instant noodles isn't nutritious." Su Wenhong stood up and clapped Yang Yang on the shoulder. "Let's go to my house for dinner. I'm not bragging; my wife's cooking is fantastic." 

"No, Uncle, I... I mean..." 

Yang Yang wanted to clarify that he was talking about pasta, not instant noodles. But before he could explain, the enthusiastic Su Wenhong pulled him out the door and headed straight to their home across the way. 

The Su family and the Wei family had been close neighbors for many years. Su Wenhong knew that Wei Zhen and Wei Zheng had both grown up watching Yang Yang. 

"This is really amazing. Yang Yang is only seventeen, yet he's living alone. What if something happens?" Ye Qingqing chimed in, voicing her concern about Su Wenhong's remarks. 

When Yang Yang had seen Su Ye on Wei Zhen's blog before, he sensed the closeness between them. Now, the warmth of the Su Wenhong couple made it difficult for him to refuse their invitation, so he decided to stay and be a guest. 

Originally, Yang Yang had planned to have pasta with tomato sauce, along with some bread and fruit, which was a light meal. Though Ye Qingqing's cooking was delicious, there were many dietary restrictions for professional players, such as avoiding braised pork. 

For that dish, Yang Yang wouldn't dare partake. 

Initially, the Su Wenhong couple thought Yang Yang was being polite and attempted to offer him vegetables. However, after hearing his explanation, they realized that this young, disciplined athlete was quite different from the players who indulged in junk food. 

"You're young, but you've already begun to understand self-discipline. That's much better than those domestic players who eat skewers and drink beer all day. Don't follow their example; the most important thing for professional players is to take care of their bodies." 

Yang Yang nodded in agreement. 

Meanwhile, Ye Qingqing gently reminded her daughter, "Look at Yang Yang—he's the same age as you but so sensible. If you could be half as disciplined, your father and I would be relieved." 

"Mom, I am very disciplined and work hard," Su Ye replied with a hint of frustration. 

"Your mother means you could do even better—like using your time for acting to explore other interests," Su Wenhong added. 

Su Ye felt caught between her parents and chose to bury her face in her meal. 

"By the way, Yang Yang, since you want some peace and quiet, you shouldn't go to the park anymore. As soon as word gets out, the media will definitely swarm," Su Wenhong suggested. 

Yang Yang agreed but hadn't figured out where to go instead. 

"How about this: come to school with me tomorrow. Our school has a trapezoidal stand with plenty of shade. Except at noon, you won't have to worry about the sun, and it's more suitable than the park. Plus, no one will disturb you. If you're interested, you can even play a game with our school team after school to keep your form," he proposed. 

Yang Yang thought it was a great idea. After all, the school had security, and the park could get quite hot. 

"Please write down a list of foods you like and can eat, so I know what you prefer. You can come over for dinner every night," Ye Qingqing declared. 

"Auntie, why so formal?" 

"I'm serious, even if you're just being polite," Ye Qingqing asserted, channeling her authority as a teacher. 

Yang Yang felt compelled to agree. 

"Also, make sure you have enough clothes for the weekdays..." 

"That won't be necessary; I've hired a part-time worker." 

"Okay, but if you need anything, just let us know. Don't hesitate to ask," she added. 

"Oh, thank you, Aunt." 

... 

... 

After dinner, Yang Yang was prompted by Su Ye to write down a meal plan, which he then put away at home. 

Wei Zhen, feeling uneasy about Yang Yang staying alone, took the time to check in on him. After hearing about the arrangement with the Su family, he felt reassured. With the Asian Cup approaching, he had his own busy schedule to manage. 

Yang Yang took some money and asked Wei Zhen to pass it on to Su Wenhong as food expenses. However, Su Wenhong and Ye Qingqing quickly dismissed the offer, insisting that it was unnecessary. Wei Zhen returned home feeling a mix of envy and jealousy towards Yang Yang. 

"Now they treat you better than they treat me," Wei Zhen said with a resigned shake of his head. 

"It's not just you. I'm starting to wonder if I was born from them," Su Ye chimed in, equally exasperated. 

Yang Yang found it amusing. Was this what special treatment for guests looked like? 

After getting to know each other better, he decided to ask Su Ye to accompany him to buy a football and some equipment over the weekend, and to pick up a few sets of training clothes as well, since he had been in Toulon recently. 

Su Ye didn't hesitate to agree. 

... 

... 

"Come quickly outside! Come quickly outside!" 

"Everyone's heading to the stadium; Yang Yang is coming to play with our school team!" 

"Hurry up, or you won't get a good spot!" 

With the shouts of classmates echoing in the hallway, the students in the classroom suddenly sprang into action. 

Many rushed out, eager to head downstairs to the football field. 

Su Ye, sitting by the window, turned her head to look at the sports ground in the distance. The area was already packed with students, and even the trapezoidal stand next to the field was overflowing with onlookers. 

More than half a month ago, Yang Yang had started training alone at their school, capturing the attention of both teachers and students. However, with reminders from the school staff, no one bothered him, allowing him to focus on preparing for the Asian Cup. 

During this time, the school's physical education teacher and head coach of the school team had repeatedly invited Yang Yang to join a practice session, but he had always declined. Today, it seemed he had finally agreed to play. 

"I said, Su Ye, aren't you going to watch Yang Yang play football?" asked the girl sitting at the next table, who wore thick glasses. 

Su Ye looked back, amused. "Since when did you like football?" 

"Just recently," the girl replied with a grin. "I didn't expect Yang Yang to be much more handsome in person than in photos or on TV. Watching him sweat while playing is just so... manly!" 

Su Ye felt her face flush at the comment. 

Over the past weeks, she had joined Yang Yang for morning runs at the Summer Palace. Now, as they shopped for his football gear and training clothes, she hadn't thought much of it before. But hearing her friend's words now made her feel a bit embarrassed. 

... 

... 

The two hurried to the stadium as the game was about to kick off. 

When they arrived, onlookers noticed the arrival of two of the school's most beautiful girls. The crowd quickly made way, allowing Su Ye and her friend to get prime spots near the touchline. 

As Su Ye scanned the pitch, she noticed that the school team had been divided into two groups, each wearing different-colored jerseys. However, what caught her eye was Yang Yang, who stood alone in the center of the pitch, still dressed in his training gear, standing apart from the others. 

"Wait, why are there only twenty-one players?" her friend, a girl with slightly myopic vision, asked, puzzled, turning to a boy standing nearby. 

The boy immediately perked up at the question. "Oh, that's because Yang Yang's playing as a neutral. He said he's just going to pass and move—no scoring, no full participation, just supporting both teams." 

"Why would he do that?" her friend asked, even more curious now. 

Su Ye, equally intrigued, wondered how Yang Yang could enjoy the game if he was only running and passing. 

The boy gave a knowing smile. "Simple. Yang Yang's way too good for them. If he went all out, no one would stand a chance. It wouldn't be much of a game." 

Hearing that, those nearby nodded in understanding. Even Su Ye had to admit that made sense. Yang Yang was known to be exceptional, a rising star who could easily outshine everyone else on the field. 

As if to confirm their thoughts, the referee, who was also the physical education teacher, blew the whistle, starting the match. 

True to his word, Yang Yang's movement on the pitch was effortless. Whether he received the ball from one team or the other, his touches were light, and his passes precise. He seemed to glide across the field, effortlessly finding teammates and setting them up with perfect passes. His vision and decision-making were impeccable, with each pass earning cheers and applause from the students watching from the sidelines. 

Yang Yang had clearly decided to use this match as an opportunity to fine-tune his game. Though the level of competition was far below his usual, it was better than just practicing on his own or kicking the ball against a wall. 

Both teams were evenly matched, and the game became a high-scoring affair thanks to Yang Yang's precise assists. The spectators were fully immersed, enjoying the ebb and flow of the match. The only thing missing was a personal display of skill from Yang Yang himself. His focus on passing and positioning, while admirable, left many wanting to see him take control and show off his famous dribbling and goal-scoring abilities. 

After about thirty minutes, the students began to chant Yang Yang's name, urging him to take the game into his own hands. 

Even the players on the pitch started passing the ball to him more frequently, hoping he would indulge the crowd. The tension built, and soon the entire stadium was buzzing, begging for Yang Yang to go all out. 

The excitement was infectious, and Yang Yang couldn't help but feel the adrenaline surge through him. With encouragement coming from all sides—the players, the spectators, and even the PE teacher—he decided to stop holding back. 

The moment Yang Yang truly stepped into the game, the dynamic shifted. With his superior technical skills and unmatched agility, he was untouchable. His first touch was so crisp that defenders were left flat-footed, unable to close him down fast enough. He danced past players as if they weren't even there, deploying a range of advanced dribbles: a quick Marseille turn to leave one defender behind, followed by an elastico to breeze past another. A subtle Cruyff turn left his next marker spinning helplessly, and a sombrero flick had the crowd gasping in awe. 

Each move was executed flawlessly, leaving the defenders scrambling, unable to cope with the sheer speed of his footwork. Yang Yang was putting on a clinic, slicing through the defense time and time again, ending each dazzling run with a perfectly placed shot or pass. 

The students were in a frenzy, screaming his name with every touch of the ball, and it became clear that Yang Yang was not only dominating but was also entertaining the crowd with a masterclass of football finesse. 

And in a gesture of fairness, after scoring for one team, he immediately turned around and assisted the other. Despite the defenders' best efforts, they were simply outclassed. No matter how hard they tried, Yang Yang's dribbling skills were too much. Every attempt to stop him ended in failure as he weaved his way through their ranks, making it look effortless. 

By this point, the match had evolved into something more than just a friendly game. It was a showcase, an impromptu lesson in the gulf between an amateur school team and a professional-level player like Yang Yang. 

To the spectators, who had always admired the skill of their school team members, the reality of the skill gap between them and a professional became shockingly apparent. Players who usually seemed confident and dominant on the field now appeared clumsy and slow in comparison to Yang Yang. His movement was fluid, his dribbles lethal, and his finishing clinical. 

Eventually, the game lost its competitive edge. The scoreline no longer mattered. This had become Yang Yang's show, a live demonstration of his superior talent. 

Then, in a fitting finale, with the crowd still cheering, Yang Yang received the ball near the halfway line. In one swift movement, he spotted the goalkeeper slightly off his line. He struck the ball with the inside of his foot, sending it curling through the air, a perfect parabola. The ball flew more than 30 meters, clipping the inside of the post before bouncing into the net. The stadium erupted as students jumped and screamed, their admiration for Yang Yang reaching new heights. 

After the match, Yang Yang, ever humble, went to apologize to the school team players, thanking them for the game and taking time to answer their questions about the sport. He even had a chat with the PE teacher before heading towards the sidelines. 

Waiting there were still several students, eager for his autograph or a quick photo. As Yang Yang approached, wiping the sweat from his brow, he spotted Su Ye standing nearby and smiled warmly in her direction. 

The setting sun bathed the field in a soft golden light, casting long shadows. From Su Ye's perspective, every movement of Yang Yang seemed to glow, his skin shimmering in the warm dusk. It was as though each drop of sweat caught the light, making him appear larger than life. 

For a moment, Su Ye couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat. He really did look like a man worthy of admiration. 

... 

... 

Although it was just a casual game, Yang Yang had worked up a sweat, and the exertion left him feeling pleasantly comfortable. Despite the informal nature of the match, it only fueled his growing hunger for something more serious. Playing against fellow students at school didn't challenge him in the way he craved. He needed real competition—something that could truly test his skills. 

After returning home, Yang Yang took a refreshing shower and changed into clean clothes. As he was drying his hair, Su Xiaomei called him to come to dinner. 

"Several girls in my class have put you on the school's 'Most Handsome Boys' list," Su Ye teased with a mischievous grin. 

"The 'Most Handsome Boys' list?" Yang Yang laughed wryly. 

He wasn't entirely sure how to feel about it, but perhaps it wasn't the worst thing. 

"And that's not all," Su Ye continued, her excitement evident. "A ton of people have been posting pictures of you on the school forums, Xici Hutongs, and Maopu. Some even uploaded video clips from today's match online, and it's spreading. There are tons of comments and discussions about you already!" 

Su Ye seemed far more excited than Yang Yang, who simply smiled at her enthusiasm. From his perspective, there wasn't much to get worked up about. The skill gap between him and the other students had been too wide for the match to feel significant. 

Later, when he went next door for dinner, Su Wenhong brought up the game as well. "Did you know? The teachers have been talking about this afternoon's match non-stop. You're becoming quite the celebrity at school. Even the administration has taken notice!" 

Yang Yang hadn't expected such a reaction from what he saw as a simple kickabout. It was starting to feel a bit overwhelming. He wondered whether he'd still be able to train in peace or if this newfound attention would disrupt his focus. 

Sensing his unease, Ye Qingqing chimed in with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry too much, Yang Yang. Our school has always been quite good about handling this sort of thing. Some students might get a little excited, but they know how to respect boundaries. No one will disturb you." 

Ye Qingqing, who taught English at the same school as Su Wenhong, had a calm, confident presence. According to Su Ye, her English skills were excellent, and it was clear now where Su Ye had inherited her strong grasp of the language. 

... 

... 

After returning from dinner, Yang Yang's phone buzzed. It was a call from his agent, Mino Raiola. 

"The contract has been finalized," Raiola said confidently. 

Yang Yang had expected as much. "What's the final outcome?" 

Raiola's tone was smug, clearly pleased with his own negotiation skills. "Your annual salary is set at 500,000 euros after tax. On top of that, there are various performance-related bonuses: appearance fees, goal bonuses, assist bonuses, win bonuses, and championship incentives. When you factor it all together, it's the most generous package Ajax can offer at this stage." 

Yang Yang wasn't surprised. Raiola was known for pushing boundaries in contract negotiations, always securing the best deals for his clients. It was one of the reasons Yang Yang had entrusted him with his career. Raiola's knack for long-term career planning and skill in negotiations with clubs were unmatched. 

"Oh, and Zlatan's heading to Juventus. The transfer fee is 25 million euros. Did he mention it to you?" 

"He did," Yang Yang replied, feeling a slight pang of reluctance. Although they had only spent a year together at Ajax, Ibrahimović had been one of the first real friends he'd made since arriving in the Netherlands. 

"Juventus is offering him a great opportunity," Raiola continued. "Good salary, excellent training facilities, and a competitive environment. The Old Lady is one of the strongest clubs in Europe right now. If Zlatan performs well there, he'll cement his place among the world's elite." 

Yang Yang listened intently. He knew Raiola was right. The football world measured greatness not just by talent but by accomplishments, particularly at the top level. Players like Pelé and Maradona were immortalized not only because of their dazzling skills but because of their iconic performances in the biggest matches. While many fans could recall their on-pitch brilliance like treasured memories, fewer could list their trophies or honors in detail. What endured was their presence in the moments that mattered most. 

Winning the Champions League at Ajax had been special for Zlatan, but for the broader football world, it was seen as an anomaly—a one-off success for a club not expected to challenge at the highest levels consistently. If Ibrahimović wanted to truly be considered among the world's elite, performing at Juventus—one of Europe's most dominant clubs—was his path forward. 

This was the reality for Zlatan, for van der Vaart, and it would be Yang Yang's reality in the near future too. 

"By the way, van der Vaart is likely heading to La Liga," Raiola continued. "Barcelona is determined to get him, but Real Madrid is also in the race. Both clubs are negotiating intensely with Ajax." 

Yang Yang wasn't surprised. Van der Vaart's talent had been clear for years, and his move to a major European league was only a matter of time. 

"And Trabelsi is looking at the Premier League," Raiola added. "Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool are all interested. His transfer fee won't be small. Between him and van der Vaart, Ajax is set to make a lot of money this summer. They're relying on player sales to ease their financial issues, and with the salaries that'll come off the books, they'll be in a much better position." 

Yang Yang felt a sense of relief hearing this. Even though Ajax was selling some of their top players, it was good news for him as an Ajax player. Financial stability meant the club could focus on the future, and that included continuing to develop talents like him. 

"Oh, has there been any movement in recruitment?" he asked. 

"Yes," Raiola confirmed. "The club has brought in two new full-backs from Brazil—one for the left and one for the right. Both have signed contracts." 

Yang Yang nodded to himself. That would shore up Ajax's defense, and despite the departure of some key players, it seemed like the club wasn't planning to step back from its competitive ambitions for the new season. 

"Of course," Raiola added with a hint of amusement, "now that they're selling Zlatan, they're in the market for a striker too." 

Yang Yang smiled. Ajax was always a club with ambitions, and even with the departures, they wouldn't rest on their laurels.