Chapter 1 Youths

Young people often share a flaw: they get carried away easily. This was certainly true of Volendam, with its youthful roster. After scoring a goal with a penalty kick, Volendam relaxed a bit. Compounded by the fact that they were down a man, Feyenoord capitalized on their mistakes time and again.

Louis Linker was working hard on defense. A defensive midfielder less on the back line was like losing a wall. Although Volendam had five defenders and three center-backs, it was still tough being pinned back and attacked.

When Shinji Ono’s long shot sailed just wide of the goal, Adriaanse sensed the danger. Trailing at home, their opponents would surely launch a full-scale counterattack.

“Gijs (Louis Linker)! Push up and play defensive midfielder! Yang, Hevel, you two fall back and focus on defense!” he shouted from the sidelines.

Just as Volendam finished adjusting, Feyenoord came charging again! Shinji Ono looked relaxed facing Baise, faking him out with a clever maneuver. But just as he took two steps, Yang Pan swooped in from the side with a fierce sliding tackle, taking Ono and the ball out of bounds.

The referee blew his whistle and ran over, but Yang Pan had already reached out to help Ono up. His tackle had indeed been a bit aggressive, a payback for Ono shoving him from behind in the first half. But he didn't want to get a card for it, so he proactively showed goodwill after the foul. Ono couldn't vent his anger and had to swallow it down. Frustrating!

Seeing that the two were friendly, the referee didn't say anything, only signaling a free kick for Feyenoord on the left side.

Zhang Jun saw Yang Pan look over at him and winked. “Did you do that on purpose?”

Yang Pan understood Zhang Jun’s meaning. He smiled and said nothing, busy setting up the wall.

Shinji Ono sent the ball into the penalty area, creating chaos in front of Volendam's goal. In the confusion, Feyenoord forward Kuijt suddenly went down. With lightning speed, the referee rushed into the box and blew his whistle.

The Volendam players thought the referee would award them a free kick, but to their surprise, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. A penalty! Another penalty!

Westerlop was the first to rush towards the referee. “I saw it clearly! No one touched him! He faked it!”

“Yeah, I was half a meter away from him!”

But the referee remained steadfast, unmoved. The Feyenoord players pulled Kuijt up and celebrated with high-fives.

The scene from ten minutes ago replayed, but with the roles reversed.

“Damn it! The referee’s obviously trying to balance things out! This referee is trash!” Yang Pan cursed at the referee's back in frustration.

“Forget it, it’s their home turf.”

“Home turf?” Yang Pan looked at Zhang Jun, his white jersey smudged with green stains. “So, on our home turf, can we just fall in the box without being touched? And expect a penalty?”

Zhang Jun shrugged and said nothing, only watching the penalty area.

Kuijt, who had drawn the penalty, took the shot himself. He easily scored, Westerlop didn't react at all, and the ball drilled into the goal from the lower left corner. De Kuip Stadium erupted in cheers. Ten minutes later, Feyenoord used a penalty kick to tie the score, 1-1!

Zhang Jun placed the ball under his foot and asked Baise, standing beside him, “What should we do?”

“Being down a man and tied, I’m afraid we have to play defensive counterattack.”

“Okay, then for the rest of the game, try to give me through balls, penetrating ones...” Zhang Jun made a cutting motion toward Feyenoord's goal. “Through balls!”

Baise looked at Zhang Jun and nodded. He was used to trusting his Chinese teammate's words and actions. Anyway, he was the team's top scorer. He always managed to score, and he never disappointed his teammates.

The game restarted. With one less player, Volendam persisted with their defensive counterattack. Zhang Jun also fell back to the midfield to defend. With Volendam retreating and Feyenoord advancing, Feyenoord naturally pressed forward, eager to win at home. It was the second half of the season, and they were in the thick of the title race. Losing a single point could cost them the championship trophy.

Ono wanted to challenge Yang Pan physically, but he still fell. The physical difference between the Japanese and Chinese was obvious. Although Yang Pan was only 1.8 meters tall, his 75 kilograms of weight and muscles all over his body meant that he wouldn't be at a disadvantage in intense physical contests, at least not against the smaller Japanese player.

Van Hoddingk took a shot from outside the box, but it went high. It was already the 80th minute, and the score was still 1-1. He was getting impatient.

Westerlop placed the ball on the ground three times before seemingly satisfied. He stood up, retreated, and waved his teammates forward. He took a step forward, then backed up again, then finally took a running start and booted the ball long.

Zhang Jun, battling for the header with Bosvelt, headed the ball back. Baise, who followed up, immediately passed the ball to the left. Many were impressed by Yang Pan’s lightning speed, but in reality, Hevel on Volendam’s left side was also a fast horse.

Hevel nudged the ball forward and relied on his speed to get past the opposing defender, then quickly crossed!

The ball flew into the box, skimming the grass. Baise tried a sliding shot at the near post but didn't get to the ball. The Feyenoord players behind him naturally didn't dare touch the ball. With these out-swinging, low-flying balls, eight out of ten touches would probably result in a goal. They didn't want to be “own goal defenders.”

Zhang Jun pushed the ball into the goal from the far post with one touch, the ball flying high over the crossbar amidst everyone's exclamations, out of bounds!

When Zhang Jun appeared at the far post, Adriaanse thought the ball was going in and jumped up, ready to cheer. But he didn’t expect Zhang Jun to sky the ball, and his joy instantly turned to regret. He turned to his assistant coach, Sterl, and smiled with some helplessness.

Zhang Jun was also disappointed. He got up from the ground, stomped his feet, and shook his head, looking down. Hevel’s pass was too fast, and he didn’t have time to adjust his ankle, so the ball slammed into him, resulting in a terrible sky ball.

If Feyenoord could learn from their previous attack, they would still have a chance to remain undefeated, but the home team, eager to win, pushed even their back line close to the midfield line, completely disregarding Volendam's counterattack speed. Perhaps they thought their attack could pin back Volendam's two fastest players near their own penalty area.

Many fans believed Zhang Jun should be a pure poacher, only needing to appear at the most appropriate time, in the most appropriate position, and make the most appropriate movement. This type of striker needs support from the midfield and defense. Once he doesn’t get enough support from behind, he will be swallowed up in the opponent's defense.

But Zhang Jun was not that simple.

Louis Linker wasn't playing well in the defensive midfielder position. Only once did he cause an opponent to stumble, but this time, it was fatal enough.

Louis Linker headed Paauwe’s pass down and then passed to Yang Pan. Yang Pan passed the ball to Baise and ran forward himself. Feyenoord feared Yang Pan's speed, so two defenders followed him.

But Baise spun around and played a through ball forward!

A through ball like a scalpel!

Zhang Jun started chasing the ball after Baise passed. He hooked the ball forward with his left foot, then nudged it with his right foot to accelerate!

Vonderen turned around and knew he couldn't catch up with that number 21 anymore. Ahead was an empty backfield, and if he let him run in like that, the consequences would be unimaginable. He had to foul now! Even if it meant a red card, he didn't care. Losing at home... the consequences were even more unimaginable.

Vonderen reached out with his left hand and pushed Zhang Jun on the shoulder. Zhang Jun swayed and stumbled forward!

It was an obvious foul. Based on the principle of playing to advantage, the referee didn't immediately blow his whistle, waiting for Zhang Jun to fall before blowing it. But Zhang Jun’s steps were all messed up, yet he insisted on not falling! He supported himself with his hands, continuing to charge forward. After five meters, he finally returned to normal, but at that moment, a defender rushing back at high speed cut in from the side, attempting to disrupt the ball while Zhang Jun was off balance and his steps were disordered.

But Zhang Jun, dribbling with his head down, seemed to have eyes on top of his head. He flicked the ball five meters away with his right foot, and the defender missed!

Zhang Jun accelerated to chase the ball. His acceleration was amazing, and he shook off that unlucky defender in just two steps. Perhaps the opposing goalkeeper didn't expect Zhang Jun to be so fast. He came out to get the ball, but found that Zhang Jun had caught up with the ball one step ahead of him.

What remained was a duel between the goalkeeper and the striker.

The situation was not good for Zhang Jun. He was rushing too much, and when he got the ball, he was too close to it. His center of gravity was almost directly above the ball—which was not conducive to making the next move, especially shooting. And the goalkeeper had already rushed in front of him, ready to dive and smother the ball.

Without raising his head, Zhang Jun took a step to the left with his left foot, and his left shoulder sank. The goalkeeper thought he was going to break through to the left and quickly dived sideways, stretching out his hands to the left.

A fake!

Zhang Jun’s step to the left was just a fake. In fact, when his center of gravity shifted to the left, his right foot flicked the ball to the right, and then his left foot exerted force, quickly shifting to the right. The goalkeeper missed!

The goalkeeper missed!

Zhang Jun took two big steps to catch up with the ball, then easily swept the ball into the empty goal five meters in front of him!

When the ball hit the net, Zhang Jun turned to run and celebrate. He still put his index finger to his lips, greeting the audience in the stands: “You can finally take a rest!”

Goal!

In the 85th minute, Volendam took a 2-1 lead over Feyenoord on the road! The goal was scored by the team’s top scorer, Chinese forward Zhang Jun! He scored two goals alone in this game. If Volendam ultimately wins, he will be the biggest contributor!

The Volendam fans who had traveled with the team shouted Zhang Jun's name in unison, cheering for their hero!

Volendam, with one less player, actually overturned the game on the road, which many hadn't expected. In the remaining minutes, Feyenoord launched wave after wave of frenzied attacks, but unfortunately, there wasn't much time left for them. Nine minutes later, the referee blew the whistle to end the game. Feyenoord lost at home!

Zhang Jun and his teammates ran to the stands where their fans were and waved to them. Being able to beat the powerful Feyenoord on the road was indeed an exciting thing, and these fans were a major contributor to their victory.

If it had been someone else with the last goal, they would have surely fallen down when the opponent pushed him from behind, earning a free kick in the attacking zone, which was the safer option. But he stubbornly refused to fall, using his hands and feet to maintain his balance, and in one breath, he passed two people, and then shot the ball into the goal... "He's like a hungry lion," Adriaanse recalled Qiu Suhui's assessment of Zhang Jun. What was terrifying about him wasn't his acceleration, wasn't his nose for goals, wasn't his finishing ability, but his desire for goals, his desire for victory.

"A natural-born striker..." Adriaanse murmured, looking at Zhang Jun's back.

Zhang Jun’s goal was rated as the best goal of the round in the Dutch league and was also rated by the domestic program “Football World” as the best goal of the week on the European stage. Whether from a technical or significance standpoint, this best goal was well-deserved. Volendam also rapidly climbed to tenth place thanks to this goal.

The media once again launched a new round of excitement, praising Zhang Jun’s goal in the headlines, praising Zhang Jun's spirit, praising Zhang Jun's appearance... Although Wang Hua had multiple newspapers and magazines published by his media company in his hands, Li Yan had instructed him before leaving not to let Zhang Jun and Yang Pan see these things, whether they were praising them or scolding them. For the current Zhang Jun and Yang Pan, they were unnecessary burdens. What they should do was train and play.

Speaking of which, Wang Hua didn't quite understand Li Yan's decision. If he wanted to protect them, why did he rush to interview them so eagerly in the beginning? Since he single-handedly made them famous, why did he try so hard to prevent them from contacting the news media? If he was just selfishly wanting to monopolize their news source, then why didn't he even let them read his own newspapers?

"That was an interview that was enough to change my life, Wang Hua, do you know that?" Li Yan said to himself with an excited expression in his home.

"I'd rather see them like this now, ordinary big boys." Watching Zhang Jun and Yang Pan say goodbye to the neighbors one by one, Li Yan said to himself.

Which one was the real him?

Wang Hua suddenly felt that he couldn't quite see through this friend he had grown up with since childhood.

When his phone rang, Zhang Jun was in the toilet dealing with internal matters.

"Hello," said a strange number.

"Zhang Jun?"

"Huh? Kaka! Is that you?" Zhang Jun didn't expect it to be an acquaintance.

"Haha, it's me. Zhang Jun, you're too unkind! You haven't called me in so long. Are you putting on airs now that you're doing so well in the Netherlands?" Kaka said with "anger."

"I..." Zhang Jun was speechless. He always forgot to call certain people, except for his parents and Sophie. "Kaka must be busy lately, right?" But it didn't matter, Zhang Jun knew how to change the subject.

"A little bit. The team hasn't been doing well lately. I'm also under a lot of pressure... We lost to Santos and are out of the running for the Brazilian domestic championship."

"No wonder... You haven't called Sophie either, right?"

"That's right, it's been a while... How is she?" Kaka asked with concern.

"Everything's fine, haha!"

"That's good... By the way, this is my cell phone number, it's valid in Brazil. Write it down so we can keep in touch in the future. You're a professional player now, don't be stingy with the phone bill. Where's Yang Pan? Aren't you guys together? I don't hear his voice."

"Generally speaking, I won't be with him in only two situations: A, going to the toilet; B, taking a shower. Which one do you choose, Kaka?"

There was a pause on the other end, and then Zhang Jun heard Kaka speaking while pinching his nose: "It stinks! It stinks!"

"Haha!" Zhang Jun laughed triumphantly.

"Damn it! Zhang Jun, you're too perverted!" Yang Pan shouted loudly from outside. "You're laughing so lewdly even when you're taking a dump! Hurry up, I need to go to the bathroom too!"

"Oh, Zhang Jun, I have one more piece of news to tell you. I'm in negotiations with AC Milan in Italy. As soon as this season ends, I'm heading to Milan!"

Zhang Jun suddenly stopped laughing: "Going where?"

"Milan, Milan in Italy, AC Milan club. My agent is talking to Milan about the contract. Mr. Leonardo recommended me. I shouldn't have much of a problem going to Europe next season. Maybe we can meet in a game..."

Kaka was obviously very happy, and he kept talking. But Zhang Jun hardly heard a word.

AC Milan...

"antoainostrieroi,soprauncampoverde.sottouncieloblu,Conquistatevoiunastellainpiu'!habrillatoinnoi,einsiemecantiamo...(Roughly translated lyrics: Milan, Milan, we only support you! Milan, Milan, always for you! We walk alongside our heroes. On the green field; under the blue sky. You have won another star, the star shines in our hearts, we sing together...)" Whenever he heard this name, Zhang Jun would think of the exciting Milan team song, the undefeated record of fifty-eight games, the world-famous "Dutch Trio," the Milan derby at the San Siro, the red and black striped jerseys...

When CCTV in China started broadcasting the Italian Serie A, it was when the Dutch Trio and AC Milan were at the height of their popularity. Many Chinese fans became loyal Milan fans from then on, seeing only red and black. Zhang Jun, influenced by his father, was naturally also an AC Milan fan. Being able to play at the San Siro stadium in Milan was the dream of many young soccer players!

Kaka had actually transferred to AC Milan! He could play at the San Siro, he could wear the red and black striped jersey. His player profile would read, "Currently playing for: AC Milan"... He had just scored a goal, and Kaka had scored again...

"Hey! Zhang Jun, did you fall into the toilet? You've been in there for an hour! Be careful of getting hemorrhoids! I need to pee, can you hurry up! Brother, I'm begging you! Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda! Zhang Jun, A-Jun, Brother Jun, darling, baby, hurry up and come out! Little rabbit, be good, open the door..."

Yang Pan banged on the door loudly, but Zhang Jun couldn't hear anything anymore.

Yang Pan took a bite of his food and glanced at Zhang Jun. This silly kid had been acting like he'd lost his soul since he came out of the toilet. When he was making dinner, he didn't even turn on the heat and just dumped the vegetables into the pot. If Yang Pan hadn't noticed it early, they probably would have been chewing on raw lettuce leaves and tearing raw beef right now.

Zhang Jun picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks and sent it towards his mouth... "Hey, that's your nostril, not your mouth!" Yang Pan couldn't stand it anymore.

"Huh? Oh."

"Zhang Jun, what's wrong with you? Did something happen to Sophie?" Yang Pan decided to ask for clarification.

"No."

"Then is it..."

"Kaka is negotiating a contract with AC Milan, and it's estimated that he'll be in Milan's lineup next season..."

"Clatter!"

Yang Pan frantically went to pick up the chopsticks that had fallen on the table, but instead knocked over the glass next to him. This time it was Zhang Jun's turn to look strangely at Yang Pan, who was frantically wiping the table with tissues.

"Hevel, it would be better to pass the ball a little faster. That way I can charge and head it with more power." Zhang Jun waved at Hevel, and the ball quickly drew an arc in the air.

…

"Bang!" Yang Pan's powerful shot sailed just wide of the goal, slamming into the chain-link fence behind the goal, scaring Westerlop into staring blankly at Yang Pan's back. Did he really have to scare his goalkeeper half to death before he was satisfied?

…Adriaanse never interfered with his players' personal lives, but he still knew each player inside and out because he made the effort to connect with them. But Zhang Jun and Yang Pan still puzzled him at times. For example: their intermittent training and match excitement. Of course, this wasn't to say they didn't train hard usually, but there were some days when they were especially energetic in training and matches, and their form was very, very good.

If they could maintain that, they shouldn't lose too badly in the next cup game against Breda, right?

Adriaanse glanced up at the gloomy sky. The weather forecast said there would be widespread snowfall in northern Europe during this period.

Qiu Suhui stood up and applauded the field. In the last game of the group stage, his Central Plains Youth Team was leading their opponent 3-0. Liu Peng had just refreshed the score with a corner kick. The game had already reached injury time, and taking this game should not be a problem. Liu Peng's condition was getting better and better as the game went on. This was already his second goal in three games, and Sima Hongxin was as steady as ever. The Central Plains team had not conceded a goal in the three group stage games, which was inseparable from the performance of these two.

In Qiu Suhui’s impression, Sima was a taciturn person who rarely spoke, and even seemed somewhat stern. His interpersonal relationships within the team were not good, and he was able to secure a starting position entirely because of his strength. Qiu Suhui always thought that such a personality might not be a good thing for a goalkeeper. Perhaps it was his Westernized thinking, but he preferred those goalkeepers with flamboyant personalities, such as Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn. So, he always made fun of Sima from time to time, giving him the nickname "Silent Lamb." Later, everyone got used to calling him "Lamb" directly, hoping that he could become more cheerful, but...

The opponent launched a counterattack, and the defender neglected for a moment and missed a man! The forward had ample time to control the ball, then swung his leg and took a shot in the box! Sima Hongxin made an agile diving save, knocking the ball out of bounds. He got up and silently stood in front of the goal again.

…It didn’t seem to be having much effect. Qiu Suhui thought to himself, if it were a goalkeeper like Kahn, he would have jumped up from the ground and roared at his defenders. An outgoing goalkeeper was the leader of the team. It seemed that Sima was destined to be unconnected with the word “leader.” But it was okay, as long as he could guard the goal behind him, it didn’t matter whether he was a “Lamb” or a “Lion King.”

The opponent's corner kick was taken, and Liu Peng overpowered the crowd, heading the ball out of the box. His teammate kicked it directly forward, and the referee immediately blew the final whistle. The Henan Central Plains Club Youth Team won all three games, with nine points, six goals scored, and no goals conceded, qualifying as the top seed in the group!

The Henan team, which was not favored before the game, had surprisingly killed their way out of the group stage without any suspense, and without conceding a goal. Liu Peng and Sima Hongxin had also begun to be noticed by some people, because even a fool could see that they were the stabilizing force of the Central Plains team.

Qiu Suhui was gradually being recognized and paid attention to by more and more people through these three games. This was his purpose. The U21 was just a springboard, just a stage, and his audience was the people in that dilapidated two-story building.

Chinese Football Association, just wait!