Chapter 39

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, Yang Yang and Vermaelen strolled toward the bus stop at the intersection. Yang Yang continued to effortlessly juggle the ball as they walked, a habit that had become almost instinctual after months of dedicated training.

Vermaelen observed Yang Yang with curiosity, finding his teammate both intriguing and mysterious.

"It's odd," Vermaelen began, breaking the silence, "considering we're here at Ajax, even if it's just the second team, among the best in our age group. Yet you still focus on these fundamental drills. It's quite uncommon."

Yang Yang glanced over and adjusted the rhythm of his juggling. "How did you end up at Ajax?" he asked, genuinely interested after spending the day together.

Vermaelen listened attentively as Yang Yang recounted his journey from Almere, omitting only the details of the Dream Training System.

The Belgian defender was clearly impressed. "You made the leap from Almere to Ajax in just four months? That's a hurdle many professionals struggle to overcome."

"I have to swing by the skate park and see your masterpiece," Vermaelen chuckled, referring to the graffiti wall Yang Yang had mentioned.

"And you?" Yang Yang bounced the ball lightly as he walked. "How did you find yourself at Ajax?"

Vermaelen scratched his head, reflecting on his own path. "Me? It's a bit of a blur. One day, some guy showed up claiming to be an Ajax scout, and the next thing I knew, my club was telling me they were selling me to Ajax. They didn't even ask for my opinion."

"But Ajax said I was too young to join right away, so they loaned me back to my club. For the past two years, aside from the occasional scout visit, I've only heard about Ajax through the news and media."

Yang Yang nodded thoughtfully, continuing to juggle the ball. He sensed something in Vermaelen's tone.

Johnny Rep's advice echoed in his mind: once he signed, he wasn't quite his own anymore.

"Strength determines whether we control our own destiny," Yang Yang pondered, echoing Rep's wisdom.

"Exactly," Vermaelen agreed with a nod and a smile. "So, whether it's the first team or the second team, whether it's local or foreign players, everyone here is aiming for bigger things."

As they reached the bus stop, Yang Yang caught the bus back to De Toekmost, his mind filled with thoughts of the road ahead at Ajax and the importance of seizing every opportunity to excel.

As Yang Yang and Vermaelen walked along, contemplating their path at Ajax and the challenges ahead, they were suddenly startled by the roar of a sports car approaching from behind. The car sped past them and screeched to a halt just in front of them.

To their surprise, Swedish striker Ibrahimović waved at them from the driver's seat.

"Hey, it's really you! I thought I was seeing things," Ibrahimović shouted as they approached the car.

Yang Yang greeted him warmly. "Hey Zlatan. Yeah, I just joined Ajax today."

Ibrahimović glanced at Vermaelen and then back at Yang Yang with a grin. "You live in Oudekerk, right?"

"Yes, right across the street from you," Yang Yang confirmed.

Ibrahimović nodded knowingly. Oudekerk was a popular place for Ajax players because of its proximity to De Toekmost.

"Don't wait for the bus, get in. I'll give you a lift," Ibrahimović offered, opening the door of his Porsche 911.

Yang Yang and Vermaelen exchanged glances, both feeling that it would be unwise to turn down such a generous offer from the first-team star.

The Porsche 911 was a sight to behold, its sleek design and powerful engine turning heads as they entered. The cramped interior didn't bother them, they were too excited by the experience of riding in such a prestigious car.

Yang Yang couldn't help but express his concern as Ibrahimović gently accelerated onto the road. "Isn't this a bit too fast?"

Ibrahimović chuckled confidently. "Yes, but that's how you drive a sports car."

It seems like you're setting up an interesting dinner scene with Ibrahimović and Maxwell. 

Yang Yang considered for a moment. "Let me get off at the next intersection, I'll go to the supermarket to buy some groceries."

"Grocery shopping?" Ibrahimović's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You cook as well?"

"A little," Yang Yang replied modestly.

"Alright then, I'll drop you off at the supermarket. Hurry in and get what you need. I'll wait for you outside and look forward to tasting your cooking tonight," Ibrahimović said eagerly.

"Sure thing," Yang Yang agreed without hesitation.

"If you don't mind, how about I call Maxwell?" Ibrahimović suggested.

"Of course, that's fine," Yang Yang replied readily.

With a cheer, the Swedish striker hit the accelerator, speeding up the car.

Soon after, Yang Yang bought all the ingredients and seasonings needed for dinner from the supermarket and brought them back to the rented house.

Shortly after returning, the doorbell rang and Maxwell, the Brazilian left-back, arrived.

At 22, Maxwell's personality was a stark contrast to Ibrahimović's. While the Swedish striker was outgoing, Maxwell was consistently introverted. It was hard to imagine them as close friends in the first team.

It was rumored they were once inseparable brothers, alongside Mido who left the team after a falling out with Ibrahimović involving a pair of scissors. Despite reconciling, their bond never fully recovered.

Yang Yang asked Vermaelen to welcome the two guests while he headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Drawing from Uncle Shen Ming's culinary wisdom, Yang Yang quickly whipped up a pot of fragrant braised noodles and several delicious side dishes, all reminiscent of Shen Ming's specialties.

As Ibrahimović, Vermaelen, and Maxwell dug into the Chinese food with gusto, Yang Yang and Vermaelen exchanged glances, sensing an underlying tension in Maxwell's demeanor.

"This hits the spot, haven't had a good meal in a couple of days," Ibrahimović commented between bites, clearly enjoying himself.

Maxwell, still sour, muttered quietly, "You just had to buy that new Porsche, huh? Wasn't your old Mercedes-Benz good enough? Why splurge?"

"Porsche is about making a statement," Ibrahimović defended.

"But you're burning money, Zlatan. Who does that? Just after your contract renewal and signing bonus, you've probably spent more than I earn in a year. And here I am," Maxwell replied with a mix of resignation and envy.

Yang Yang and Vermaelen exchanged knowing looks, understanding Ibrahimović's enthusiasm about the supermarket trip now.

"It's tough for all of us," Yang Yang chimed in, sensing the tension. "Ajax pays monthly, but most of us budget week by week until the next paycheck."

Maxwell's frustration softened into a weary smile as he acknowledged the shared financial challenges among teammates.

Yang Yang felt a pang of empathy, wondering how he could lighten their load.

"If you think my cooking's decent, you're welcome anytime," Yang Yang offered, injecting a bit of humor. "My salary's modest, so it'll be simple dishes, but I can manage."

He chuckled to himself, realizing his 400 euros a week was worlds apart from Ibrahimović's 10,000 euros or Maxwell's 5,000 euros. Yet, offering a meal was more about forging bonds than matching financial stature.

Ibrahimović nodded approvingly at Yang Yang's gesture, expressing gratitude for the invitation and promising to repay the kindness someday. Maxwell joined in, thanking Yang Yang and assuring him he'd return the favor when his paycheck came through next month.

To Yang Yang, the disparity in income didn't matter; making friends meant more to him than anything else.

After the satisfying meal, Maxwell and Vermaelen readily pitched in to help clean up, with even Ibrahimović joining in without hesitation, sweeping and mopping the floor.

Once everything was tidied up, Yang Yang brought out a plate of sliced fruit, receiving compliments from his teammates for the delicious meal. The camaraderie around the table grew, easing the earlier tensions. They chatted and laughed, enjoying the simple pleasure of good food and good company.

As they savored the fruit, Ibrahimović clapped Yang Yang on the shoulder. "You've got some skills, kid," he remarked with a grin.

Vermaelen nodded in agreement. "Definitely," he added. "We'll have to do this again sometime."

Maxwell, usually reserved, chimed in with a rare smile. "Yeah, I'm in for that. Thanks, Yang Yang."

Yang Yang smiled gratefully, feeling a warmth in his chest. Despite their different backgrounds and salaries, they were all just teammates, sharing moments like this that forged bonds stronger than any paycheck could buy.

...

...

Yang Yang settled into a disciplined morning routine, starting with a three-kilometer jog along Lake Oudekerk before returning for breakfast. Despite their modest accommodations, Ibrahimović and Maxwell often joined him for meals, grateful for their secure housing amidst the challenges of Amsterdam life.

On the third day, Jensen informed Yang Yang that school had begun. Ajax had already arranged his enrollment, and each morning he waited at the eastern intersection for the school bus. Cultural classes filled his mornings, followed by intense training sessions at De Toekomst after lunch.

As the new season approached, the atmosphere at De Toekomst grew more serious. Ibrahimović maintained his casual demeanor, but the rest of the team felt the pressure mounting. Despite the rigorous training regimen of the second team, Yang Yang felt comfortable, having spent months sharpening his skills and integrating smoothly with the squad.

Under Van Basten's guidance, the second team lineup began to take shape in Ajax's familiar 4-3-3 formation. Ryan Babel was the dependable striker, while Maduro and Krohn-Dehli anchored the midfield. Emmanuelson, De Mul, Lindgren, and Lindenbergh fiercely competed for the remaining spots. Yang Yang and De Mul vied for positions on the wings, supported by the promising youngster Sergio Cameron.

Vermaelen and Lindgren formed Van Basten's trusted center-back partnership, with captain Zwinkels steadfast in goal. As Van Basten and his staff scrutinized players in daily training and group matches, the competition for starting roles intensified, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead at Ajax.

Yang Yang remained focused on self-improvement, confident that his dedication and skills would eventually earn him a starting position. Without the skatepark wall as a training companion, Vermaelen stepped up, joining Yang Yang for daily sessions after team training. Together, they honed their fundamentals, combining Vermaelen's defensive prowess with Yang Yang's attacking flair, creating a competitive yet supportive training environment.

In the mornings and evenings, Ibrahimović and Maxwell often joined Yang Yang and Vermaelen at the second team's training ground after their first team duties, refining their skills alongside them. Ibrahimović's tenacity in tackles against Vermaelen became a familiar sight, illustrating the intensity and camaraderie among the players.

One significant night, after Yang Yang had gone to bed and entered the Dream Training System, Zax delivered exciting news: his virtual avatar had been promoted from the Dutch third division to the Eerste Divisie, marking a significant step up. While this achievement was gratifying, it also underscored Yang Yang's awareness of the need for ongoing improvement.

Reflecting on his journey, Yang Yang acknowledged that while his initial progress had been swift, he now needed to focus more intently on addressing his weaknesses. Zax stressed the importance of refining fundamental skills such as Ronaldo's and Beckham's techniques, guiding Yang Yang's training focus moving forward.

Despite his ascent from Almere to Ajax, Yang Yang remained humble, aware of the talented teammates surrounding him at Jong Ajax. The fear of being supplanted or sent back to Almere fueled his dedication to a rigorous training regimen. Even when Vermaelen couldn't join him, Yang Yang sought out solitary spots at De Toekomst to train against the fence, refusing to relent for a moment.

A week passed in this relentless pursuit of improvement, setting the tone for Yang Yang's determined quest to firmly establish himself in the Ajax hierarchy.

...

...

At midday that day, the Ajax car took the players from school back to De Toekmost.

After waving goodbye, Yang Yang and his teammates returned to their teams.

Yang Yang was the only player at De Toekmost who was still studying.

The first and second team players were basically full-time players. Even De Mul, Emmanuelson, and Babel, who were the same age as Yang Yang, had given up their studies early to concentrate on football.

As usual, Yang Yang walked into the second team's dressing room with his school bag. As soon as he stepped through the door, he clearly felt that the atmosphere was not right. He gave everyone in the room a strange look and went straight to Vermaelen's side.

"Thomas, what's going on?" Yang Yang asked quietly.

Vermaelen approached Yang Yang and whispered, "The first team almost lost the game last night."

"What?" Yang Yang frowned.

Vermaelen nodded, "In the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying, against Graz AK, the first game of the new season, the first team played very badly. They didn't score in the first half and conceded a goal in the second."

"And then?"

"At a critical moment, Sneijder saved the team."

Yang Yang felt relieved as he imagined the unpredictable Sneijder. Although not as flashy as Van der Vaart, Sneijder was always capable of surprising.

"We managed to score an away goal, but we couldn't beat Graz AK. The first-team coach was furious this morning, especially with our attacking performance."

"Zlatan..." Yang Yang was worried about the Swedish striker.

Vermaelen shook his head with a wry smile. "Don't worry about him. I saw him at lunchtime. He ate more than usual and seemed to be in a good mood."

"Why?" Yang Yang was confused.

"Last night Ronald Koeman didn't start him. Wesley Sonck played sixty-five minutes without scoring, but after Zlatan came on, the team's attacking play improved considerably. Sneijder even scored the equaliser. Can he be in a bad mood?"

Yang Yang laughed inwardly, knowing Ibrahimović's temperament well enough to know that he would be proud of his impact on the game. Meanwhile, coach Ronald Koeman must have felt the weight of his team's underperformance, particularly their failure to win away to Graz AK, which left the return leg open for a potential upset.

"The UEFA Champions League is crucial for Ajax's finances," Vermaelen explained, "and failing to make it to the group stage would mean significant losses. Koeman knows he's under pressure."

Yang Yang nodded thoughtfully. The pressure on the first team was palpable, and it trickled down to everyone at the club. He couldn't afford to be complacent, not when every training session and every match was a chance to prove himself.

"So what's the plan now?" Yang Yang asked, concerned about the team's next steps.

"It's simple - we have a game coming up," Vermaelen replied. "Next Wednesday we face IJsselmeervogels from Bunschoten-Spakenburg in the first round of the KNVB Cup."

Yang Yang knew that Spakenburg, some forty kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, was a small town known for its strong football culture despite its modest size.

"Looks like a manageable opponent," Yang Yang said confidently.

Vermaelen nodded thoughtfully. "The game itself may not be difficult, but the away game requires concentration. Everyone's worried about the formation and their own positions."

Yang Yang realized the weight of Vermaelen's words. Many players were undoubtedly worried about their roles in the game ahead. Vermaelen, secure in his position, seemed to want to share something with Yang Yang.

"Are you worried?" Vermaelen asked, studying Yang Yang curiously.

In a team like Ajax, where competition for places was fierce, Yang Yang knew his place wasn't guaranteed. At the moment, Tom De Mul had the edge for the right wing-back spot. Was he worried?

"There's no point in worrying about things that are out of our control, is there?" Yang Yang replied with a smile. "All I can do is concentrate on what I can control - working hard and showing the coach my commitment."

Vermaelen considered Yang Yang's answer. It was hard to tell if he really believed it. Yang Yang undoubtedly wanted to secure a place in the team and progress in his Ajax career.

"But you're right," Yang Yang went on. "Instead of dwelling on uncertainties, it's better to focus on self-improvement. I know I have weaknesses I need to work on, and spending time worrying about them won't help."

Vermaelen nodded in agreement, acknowledging Yang's mature view of the situation. In the competitive world of professional football, focusing on personal development is often the best approach.