Chapter 1 Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's Return

Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's return to China caused quite a stir. As successful representatives of overseas players, they were already regarded as heroes, idols, and the hope of Chinese football in the hearts of Chinese fans. This kind of fanaticism was difficult for Zhang Jun and the others to imagine and greatly exceeded their expectations.

Chinese football, which had been depressed for too long, finally saw the emergence of two geniuses. It was as if a beautiful woman had descended from the heavens, and after the surprise, there was naturally an extremely fanatical pursuit and expectation. In addition, there was news of the two transferring to the world-class powerhouse AC Milan--back then, the captain of the Chinese football team, Ma Ming, had joined the small club Perugia, but he couldn't even get into a game--yet a few years later, two Chinese players would be simultaneously scouted by AC Milan! What glory, what honor was this!

After this incident, the media even shouted the slogan "National Heroes." After winning the Dutch Cup and with rumors of a transfer to Milan, football in China was ignited by these two Chinese teenagers, making this summer extraordinary.

The itinerary was very tight. The two did not go home directly, but flew to Hong Kong first. Hua Fang and the other company had agreed to sign the contract and hold a press conference in Hong Kong. This was because the company's backing was the French Danone Group (Hong Kong), a giant in the water industry. Then in early July, the advertisement that had already started preparations would also begin filming in mainland China, which was estimated to take three days.

After signing with Danone, the two would fly directly to Beijing, and then transfer to Luoyang to go home. But this wasn't even considered going home, as the Luoyang municipal government would also host a banquet at the Luoyang Hotel to entertain them. As the pride of Luoyang, the government naturally had to come forward to express their appreciation. These were all necessary social events that couldn't be refused. Then there were their primary school, junior high school, and high school that had invited them to give speeches, to "establish life goals" for the younger students… These arrangements were only revealed to them after they arrived in Hong Kong.

Because Qiu Suhui called, hoping that the two could participate in a week of national Olympic team training, how much time would they actually have to spend with their families? Zhang Jun counted on his fingers, and it wasn't much. But he didn't know the exact number of days, because Hua Fang told them that there might be many similar temporary events in the future. She gave some examples: such as a certain sports mall opening and inviting them to cut the ribbon, a certain TV station interview, a certain reporter interview, a certain public welfare activity…

"Hey? Zhang Jun, what's wrong?"

Zhang Jun had already fainted.

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Speaking of Danone, how many people know about Evian mineral water from France? But what about Robust? It is believed that there are not many people who do not know about it, right?

As one of the top three in China's water industry, Robust started by making children's drinks, but what really made it big was purified water. However, the leading water company, Wahaha, and the rising star, Nongfu Spring, made it feel a constant crisis for survival and development. In the past two years, its market share had already fallen to third place, squeezed out of the second position by Nongfu Spring.

As the saying goes, change brings success. Robust needed more capital investment, while French Danone needed to enter the profitable Chinese market. The two hit it off immediately, followed by more than a year of negotiations. Finally, in May of this year, both parties signed and confirmed the acquisition. Danone (Hong Kong) officially acquired Robust, and all of Robust's former senior executives resigned. The water industry giant, Danone, finally took its first step into China.

To enter the increasingly mature Chinese water industry market, even with the acquisition of Robust, there were still many difficulties. Wahaha had always used celebrity endorsements, with good results. It started with Jing Gangshan, and later invited Wang Leehom, and has continued to do so to this day. Since Li Ming's contract expired, Robust had not used any celebrity endorsements. This time, Robust planned to launch a functional sports drink, and Zhang Jun and Yang Pan happened to be outstanding young Chinese players with a healthy and positive image. Their success also aligned with the international image and strong strength of the Danone Group.

In terms of the product itself, it was only appropriate for athletes to endorse sports drinks.

The two often drank Evian mineral water abroad and had a good impression of Danone, so there were no problems. The two parties quickly signed and confirmed the contract. Zhang Jun and Yang Pan would become the image ambassadors for Robust·Danone (Hong Kong) Group for a period of two years. After the contract expired, both parties would negotiate again to decide whether to renew it.

In fact, since the two became famous in the Netherlands, companies that wanted to sign commercial contracts had never stopped coming to Hua Fang. All kinds of businessmen, big and small, said that their corporate image was most suitable for Zhang Jun and Yang Pan. However, Hua Fang knew that building a star's image was a very difficult process, and one wrong step could ruin all previous efforts. Think about Yao Ming, there was an entire team of elites working to build the "Yao Ming brand." And she was alone. When choosing a signing partner, she paid special attention. Some small brands, or those that were unlikely to have major development, CEOs without ideas, and companies that were not strong enough were all eliminated. What was left were the elite of the elite, large companies with a world reputation.

The press conference for the two to sign with Robust·Danone (Hong Kong) was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and was extremely grand. This was also specially arranged by Hua Fang. Her intention to the outside world was to create a star influence for the two, cooperate with internationally renowned enterprises, and hold a press conference at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, which itself was an act to raise their value and status.

But those reporters, those fans, those guests would not know the other layer of meaning in Hua Fang's heart.

Why choose Hong Kong? Why hold such a grand press conference? She wanted to let those who had abandoned and betrayed her see how well she was living now! So she wore the most gorgeous clothes, wore the most dazzling jewelry, showed the most charming smile, and greeted the guests in Cantonese with ease.

Her actions did indeed have an effect. Before the press conference, she had become the protagonist, killing a lot of film for the reporters. Some Hong Kong entertainment reporters even sighed: "No wonder she has rumors with Zhang Jun, who would believe that she is already thirty? Who can resist the charm of her smile?"

After finishing the business in Hong Kong, the three set off for Beijing again. Of course, a strict physical examination before boarding was inevitable. After arriving in Beijing, the three transferred directly to Luoyang.

Both the Capital International Airport and Luoyang Airport were crowded with reporters, and the flashing lights and extended microphones accompanied them all the way until the two returned home.

When Zhang Jun and Yang Pan saw the familiar building from the taxi window, they breathed a sigh of relief: Finally home!

Huh? That's not right, why are there so many people at the gate? There are also colorful flags flying and banners hanging high, what's going on? Is it a holiday today? May Day has already passed, right?

Closer, closer. The feeling of going home made Zhang Jun's heart beat faster. He began to look forward to his parents' smiling faces, fragrant food, and the comfortable bed at home. He hadn't slept well for a day during these days of traveling. He thought that he would relax a lot when the holiday came, but he didn't expect to be even more tired. He was tired in a regular way in the team, but now he was tired in an irregular way… At the Capital International Airport, facing those reporters who still "put life and death aside" in Beijing where the aftermath of SARS still remained, Zhang Jun really missed his high school days, playing football without worry, playing without worry, without having to consider any image maintenance issues, any hope of Chinese football issues… But now it's all right, he's finally going home!

The taxi stopped by the road, the driver took the fare handed over by Hua Fang, and saw Zhang Jun and Yang Pan push open the car door and were about to get out. In desperation, he shouted: "Wait a minute!"

The two were startled. Was this a taxi driver or a storyteller? Could it be that he listened to storytelling while driving and it became a conditioned reflex?

Seeing the two stop, the driver didn't bother to count the money, threw the money into the box, and then groped for a long time, took out a crumpled piece of paper and a pen. He handed them to the two and said with a smile: "I'm your fan, give me an autograph! Hehe!"

"…"

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After seeing off the enthusiastic driver, the two breathed a sigh of relief again, picked up the suitcase and put on the bag, and looked up, but were stunned on the spot: about a hundred people gathered near the entrance of the residential area, many people were still holding, holding notebooks! Colorful flags were planted all over the sidewalk, flying in the wind. A banner about twenty meters long was hung directly above the gate, which read: Xinglin Community warmly welcomes Zhang Jun and Yang Pan home!

"They're here!" someone shouted loudly, followed by a chorus of cheers from hundreds of people. Zhang Jun was almost scared to the point of sitting on the ground, Hua Fang was still reminding them from the side: "Keep smiling, keep smiling!"

Keep smiling…

※※※

Zhang Jun rubbed his stiff face hard and slumped on the sofa. His dad also sat on the sofa and rubbed his face with his son, while his mom sat opposite and looked at Zhang Jun lovingly. After Zhang Jun signed autographs for almost everyone, they were able to escape. Hua Fang went to Yang Pan's house, explained a few things, and then she would come over with Yang Pan's family. Su Fei's parents were also rushing over from the old city. The three families would have a meal together to welcome Zhang Jun and Yang Pan home.

"Zhang Jun, you've gotten darker." Mom was most concerned about her son's health, even the slightest changes, she could always see it at a glance.

"Where? Not really." Sure enough, Zhang Jun himself didn't see it.

"Silly son, if you couldn't see it, she wouldn't be your mom!" Dad patted Zhang Jun on the back of the head gently.

Zhang Jun only knew how to smile foolishly. He had thought of a lot of things on the way, things he wanted to talk to his parents about when he got back. But when he really saw his parents, whom he had been separated from for almost a year, no matter how many words he had, they were all stuck in his throat, unable to say them.

"Ah! That's right, I brought you gifts back." Zhang Jun opened the suitcase, carefully took out two boxes, handed the bigger one to his dad, and the smaller one to his mom.

"Dad, this is a camera for you. Mom, this is perfume, the world-famous brand Chanel! I don't know what to give you, so I just bought something randomly. Hehe!"

You don't need to send anything, your parents are satisfied as long as you come back safely and grow up healthily.

※※※

After Zhang Jun took a shower, Yang Pan's family and Su Fei's parents came. There were many neighbors in the community gathered at the door. Dad didn't close the door either. Everyone had been neighbors for more than ten years, and he didn't want people to think that he was putting on airs. It was okay to take a look. He also waved to the neighbors at the door from time to time, inviting them to come in and sit down.

Before going out, Zhang Jun hid in his own room and made a phone call to Su Fei, who was still in school, telling her that he had arrived home safely, and asking her when she would be back. Then, naturally, there were some words between lovers. In order not to give certain reporters an opportunity, those sweet words will not be revealed here. (Li Yan: Mr. Lin, what is an opportunity! What are certain reporters!?) But those words can actually be summarized in one sentence. Zhang Jun said to the phone: "I miss you, Su Fei."

※※※

Keep smiling. This was what Zhang Jun had heard Hua Fang say the most in the past few days.

When attending the government's reception, he had to always keep smiling, be polite, and give the government enough face. When facing the reporters' cameras and microphones, he had to always keep smiling, and not let the reporters think that he was putting on a star's airs and rejecting people from thousands of miles away. When facing those younger students, elementary school students, and even younger elementary school students under the stage, he had to always keep smiling, to give them confidence, and let them think that he was kind and approachable, which would be very helpful for him to create a good image. When facing fans who asked for autographs and photos, he had to always keep smiling…

Keep smiling.

Zhang Jun felt so tired every time he kept smiling. He felt that his smile was becoming more and more "professional". Sometimes he didn't even think that he was smiling at all, but the TV screen clearly told him that he was smiling at everyone.

Is this good? He asked himself. He only knew that he had been back for almost a week, and he was smiling less and less at home. Although a smile makes you ten years younger, what if you are asked to smile non-stop all day long? What if you have to smile even when you eat, sleep, and go to the toilet? I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to stand it, right? Therefore, if you have to keep smiling in public, you must make up for the normal expression elsewhere, and that place can only be at your own home. Because here, his parents would not constantly remind him like flies: Keep smiling.

※※※

In Zhang Jun's memory, he only showed a sincere smile when he returned to Shuguang High School to give a speech during these many days. When he saw Coach Liang Ke, he walked up to him, pushed aside the crowd, and gave his benefactor a very warm hug. "Teacher, you've lost weight." Zhang Jun suddenly realized that he had also learned his mother's powerful skills.

Although the activity at Shuguang was officially called a speech, Zhang Jun probably wouldn't want to think of it as a sermon. After donating the jersey he wore in Volendam to his alma mater, Yang Pan spoke passionately about their life and struggle in the Netherlands, and then encouraged the younger students under the stage to work hard, no matter what they did, whether it was playing football or studying, they had to work hard and realize their life value. Zhang Jun listened to him and really wondered if these words came from his friend's mouth.

When it was Zhang Jun's turn, he didn't talk about life in the Netherlands at all, but talked about the wonderful life in Shuguang, thanking Liang Ke, thanking the football team's teammates, thanking his opponents, thanking his former classmates, thanking the school leaders, thanking every teacher, thanking the gatekeepers… In short, like the artist who won the Best Actor award at the Oscars, thanking everyone who was worth thanking.

In addition to the students who are currently studying at the school, there were naturally also classmates who were in the same grade as them, and even several grades above them, former teammates, former opponents. Because there were too many people, the activity originally planned to be held in the school auditorium had to be moved to Shuguang's football field. Zhang Jun and Yang Pan, as well as some main leaders, sat on the podium, and the football field was densely packed with people standing or sitting, all of whom had come because of their reputation.

Zhang Jun had no objection to this arrangement. He really didn't know what to say in the newly built auditorium. But now, facing the familiar place, the land where he had shed sweat and tears for three years, his talkativeness couldn't be stopped once he opened his mouth.

Looking at the familiar campus, the familiar football field and stands, the familiar faces, Zhang Jun seemed to return to five years ago with one breath. At that time, he had just entered Shuguang and wanted to give up football in despair. Fortunately, he met Su Fei at this time, the most important girl in his life. He met Liang Ke, his teacher and coach for life. He met An Ke, Ren Yudi, Kaka and them, his friends for life. He met Su Li and Wang Bo and them, his forever captain and teammates. He met Liu Qi, their cheerleader…

He met so many people, and they accompanied him through three years of ups and downs. Some people will continue to accompany him. In the years of youthful exuberance, they did not live up to the most beautiful time in their lives, and enjoyed joy, emotion, and even pain to the fullest. What is more touching than this? What is more worth remembering forever than this? What is more worth cherishing than this?

Chen Huafeng came to participate in this activity as a reporter, but he didn't sit in the "reporter's seat" in the front as required. Instead, he stood alone at the very back, quietly moved in a place that was not noticed. What those reporters saw was only Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's scenery and success in the Netherlands. Who could understand what this scene meant to Zhang Jun and them today? They were not returning home in glory, nor were they commercial activities sponsored by a certain group. They came here to recall and be moved together with the people who were once here.

Chen Huafeng couldn't see Zhang Jun's expression, he could only hear the voice coming through the loudspeakers. "Sometimes in the Netherlands, I would think, am I still in Shuguang? Am I still the student who didn't hand in homework on time and was called to the office by the teacher for reading comics in class?" There was a burst of laughter from the audience, and Zhang Jun also laughed, "Everyone will have similar experiences, right?"

Thirty-two-year-old Chen Huafeng also had the same feelings as twenty-year-old Zhang Jun. Sometimes he would come to Shuguang alone, and then sit in the empty stands, watching the equally empty football field, and he would still think that he saw An Ke launching an attack with a big foot, Ren Yudi receiving the ball and then a series of dazzling dribbling, and then passing the ball to Kaka, Kaka elegantly stopping the ball, turning around, and then passing it to Yang Pan who was sprinting on the right wing at high speed, Yang Pan crossing directly without stopping the ball, and Zhang Jun volleying! The cheers of the tsunami, countless spectators stood up beside Chen Huafeng, waving their arms and shouting Zhang Jun's name loudly…

Youth is gradually drifting away from us like this, never looking back.

※※※

"Director Wu, I don't understand why you ran all the way to Hefei, and have been going back and forth in this university for several days. This school is so big, is it worth going back and forth like this?"

"Idiot! You still want to be my apprentice! Do you think being a director is as simple as shouting 'Action' and 'Cut'? Since the client wants to shoot an advertisement for a sports drink, targeting white-collar workers and college students, and has also invited Zhang Jun and Yang Pan to be the spokespersons and participate in the shooting of the advertisement. We naturally have to come to the school where they once stayed to feel it. Every road we are walking now may be the place where they once walked. I looked at the script, and those written things can't always express the feeling that the picture can express well. This kind of feeling can only be experienced by being here in person." A man about thirty-five years old, wearing a baseball cap, was holding a DV and shooting around. A young man in his twenties next to him kept nodding his head and receiving training.

"Hehe, Director Wu must also like football, I rarely see you so active!"

The man called "Director Wu" glared at the young man: "As long as the money is enough, I have always been very active. Of course, liking football is also one of the reasons why I turned down other films and took this one..."

"Hehe! Director Wu, you..."

"Cough! How are the candidates for the heroine I asked you to prepare?"

The young man quickly took out a large folder from his bag and turned the pages one by one for Director Wu to see. But after reading it, Director Wu frowned all the time, and picked up the DV again to shoot. He was taking a scene. "No, none of those models are good! Each one is more pretentious than the other. It's okay to shoot other advertisements. But this advertisement, just the four words 'fresh and refined' for the heroine are not worthy!"

"But... but I don't see anything wrong, there are still a few pretty pure girls here. Look, this one is only eighteen years old, that one is seventeen, they are all quite..."

But Director Wu's eyes never left the DV: "The appearance is pure, but the eyes are too muddy! The advertisement has a close-up of the heroine's face, I will eliminate those whose eyes don't pass the test first."

"Then Director Wu, the models I can contact are almost all here, only these people have free time. There are many famous models inside..."

In the DV lens, the morning sun shines through the leaves above the head, and is divided into beams of light. In this paradise-like light, a girl in white, a white short skirt, and her hair tied up is sketching there. In front of her is an easel, holding a pen in one hand and a palette in the other, and she is turning her head to observe a big tree in the distance. The sunlight shines on her like this, and it has an indescribable beauty and purity!

"...They are very active, they heard that they can cooperate with Yang Pan and Zhang Jun, many of them are even willing to lower their prices..." The young man - Director Wu's assistant was still rambling on, but was interrupted by a question from Director Wu: "Who is she?"

※※※

Su Fei looked at the two men standing in front of her with wide eyes: "You said, you want me to shoot an advertisement?" She was here preparing to start a day of sketching practice, but she didn't expect two strangers to come.

The man wearing a baseball cap nodded hard, for fear that his attitude was not firm enough, and made the woman called "Su Fei" doubt his sincerity.

"But I can't act, I've never acted in anything..."

"No need, no need, hehe! Miss Su." The other young man quickly explained, "Do you know what is called acting in your true colors? Hehe, it means that you don't need to think about deliberately acting anything at all, you can just be the way you usually are in front of the camera. This kind of most authentic thing is the most real, the most touching, and the effect is the best."

"That's right, this advertisement doesn't need you to show anything, it focuses on feeling. You just need to show the most natural side." Director Wu also helped explain from the side. He really valued this girl, maybe it was the shock of his heart when he first saw her. As a rising star among domestic young advertising directors, he made films very casually, and paid the most attention to a feeling. If the feeling was right, he would make a film even if he wasn't paid. If the feeling was wrong, he wouldn't take it no matter how much money he was given. Also because of feeling, he often changed the script here and there when making a film. By the time the filming was completed, the original script was basically unrecognizable, but the effect after the final editing and synthesis was absolutely beyond reproach. The price of such a young director, the fee for one film is about 400,000 RMB.

Seeing that Su Fei was still a little hesitant, the assistant had to use his trump card. He said to Su Fei: "Do you know who you will be partnering with in this film?" Seeing Su Fei shake her head, he said triumphantly: "It's Zhang Jun and Yang Pan! You will be filming with them!"

When Su Fei heard Zhang Jun's name, her heart jumped wildly, and a look of surprise appeared in her eyes, but she immediately regained her composure, and then nodded to the two: "Since you value me so much, I agree to film. But I don't have time to film now!"

Seeing that Su Fei agreed, the two breathed a sigh of relief, the problem of the heroine was finally settled. The assistant smiled: "Hehe, don't worry. We are just agreeing now, there are still many preparations to be done. Clothing props, script revisions, customer acceptance... In short, there are many procedures, the time to actually film, um... In order to coordinate with Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's time, it should be in early July. It's only mid-June now, you don't have to worry, just go do your own thing."

"That's good, we still have exams."

"Miss Su, because we want to show the actor information to the client, I would like to shoot a video of you, I hope you can cooperate." Director Wu raised the DV in his hand again and aimed it at Su Fei. Seeing that Su Fei was a little restrained, he quickly waved his hand to signal. "Don't be nervous, relax, just pretend that I'm chatting with you, I'll ask and you answer."

Su Fei remembered the scene when she was interviewed by Chen Huafeng in high school. She didn't seem to be someone who could calmly face the eyes of strangers, especially when facing the camera. But why could she calmly accept Chen Huafeng's interview at that time? Even if Chen Huafeng was an acquaintance, she would be nervous.

Zhang Jun…

Whenever she thought of this name, she would relax for no reason. Zhang Jun once said that she was his spiritual pillar, but for her, wasn't Zhang Jun also her spiritual pillar?

Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun... Su Fei was trying to relax.

"Okay, what's your name?" Director Wu began to ask.

"Su, Su Fei." She still seemed a little nervous.

"Height."

"One meter sixty-seven."

"Weight."

"…"

"Hehe, don't mind. I'm not trying to pry into your privacy, but to provide your basic information to the client." Director Wu quickly dispelled Su Fei's doubts. "One more time, weight."

"Fifty kilograms."

"Um, next, your measurements."

"…" This time Su Fei hesitated for a while before whispering, "Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-six..."

"Okay, what are your hobbies or specialties?"

"I like to draw, I guess."

"Good, very good!" Director Wu put away the DV and said very satisfied, "This is my business card, can I leave your contact information? Then it will be convenient for us to contact you about when to film."

Su Fei wrote her mobile phone number on the paper and handed it to the other party, while looking at the name on the business card: "Wu Wei." What is his relationship with Wu Yong? Su Fei smiled.

In the bright morning sun, a girl in white clothes and a white skirt pursed her lips and smiled lightly, and the sun shone on her smooth, white skin, reflecting a dazzling light... Wu Wei was stunned.