Chapter 85 Transfer Rumors

The news of Zhang Jun's departure once again stimulated Volendam's football market. For the following match against Utrecht at home on May 2nd, the Veronica stadium was packed. The stands were filled with slogans cursing Chairman Hoeness, and constant boos were directed at the chairman's box. The atmosphere was extremely heated.

Although Hoeness's face remained expressionless, he was inwardly very displeased. He had chosen Chelsea for two reasons: one was the substantial financial gain, and the other was to portray Zhang Jun as someone who would abandon everything for money. However, he hadn't expected the fans to reject his narrative completely.

Zhang Jun's influence on the fans was beyond what this businessman could imagine.

In this match, Zhang Jun continued his good form, scoring a goal to help the team win 1-0 against Utrecht at home. They continued to lead in the relegation battle. With three games remaining, Volendam only needed four points to secure their survival.

They had two consecutive away games and a final home game. Getting four points shouldn't be a problem.

On the other hand, Hua Fang had already started contacting Chelsea.

It was said that Mourinho liked this exceptionally talented young man very much, believing that his physical qualities and awareness were excellent. After this season, Mourinho would be getting rid of a large number of players, including forwards Crespo and Gudjohnsen, who were definitely leaving. Therefore, he intended to groom Zhang Jun as Chelsea's main striker in the future.

Zhang Jun didn't particularly like or dislike Chelsea. It was simply that Chelsea had a higher level, offered good terms, and provided opportunities to participate in European competitions. He naturally wanted to choose them.

However, at this moment, news arrived that made Zhang Jun feel uneasy.

"Hua-jie, can you say that again?" Zhang Jun doubted that he had heard correctly.

"AC Milan is very eager to sign you. They just sent me a fax confirming this. They will also formally notify Volendam."

"How could this be?" Zhang Jun sat on the sofa, feeling helpless. When he learned that AC Milan was only somewhat interested in him, he had stopped hoping. But only a week had passed, and how did AC Milan go from "somewhat interested" to "very eager"?

Rather than going to Chelsea and being loaned out due to work permit issues, it was better to go to Serie A. Although Serie A also had non-EU restrictions, the fact that they had submitted a transfer application meant there were definitely no qualification problems.

The problem lay in the name "AC Milan." Two years had passed, did Zhang Jun still have the courage to face it?

It had once been a synonym for nightmares, darkness, and despair. Could it now become a synonym for hope, glory, and dreams?

Hua Fang saw a hint of something in Zhang Jun's silence. "Do you want to go to Serie A, to AC Milan?"

Zhang Jun didn't answer, but his silence indicated agreement.

Hua Fang sighed. "I thought that after that, you and AC Milan wouldn't have any contact again."

Zhang Jun quickly explained, "Yang Pan will return to AC Milan this summer, and Kaka has been there for two years. I want to play with them…Actually, the most important thing is that I failed at AC Milan before, but I want to prove myself there again, prove it to the people who rejected me. Since I fell here, I have to get up here."

Zhang Jun spoke earnestly, but Hua Fang was considering something else. Although Chelsea had performed well this season, it was still too early to call them a "giant." They currently gave the impression of a "nouveau riche," which wasn't very good. AC Milan was different, a globally recognized giant, a team that had created a great era, one of the most famous football clubs in the world, with immeasurable influence. From this perspective, joining AC Milan would greatly benefit Zhang Jun's own brand appeal and commercial development.

Moreover, Zhang Jun's interest in AC Milan was greater than in Chelsea. In this case, she had to apologize to Abramovich's rubles.

After all, building a star player like Zhang Jun required more than just immediate benefits; one had to take a long-term view.

"Okay!" Hua Fang clapped her hands, as if she was truly moved by Zhang Jun's statement about "getting up where you fell." "Then I'll put all my energy into negotiating with AC Milan, to help you return to Italy." It seemed even she was infected by Zhang Jun, but in reality, she just didn't want Zhang Jun to feel awkward about this issue.

A thoughtful, acting "female star."

※※※

Two days later, AC Milan officially offered Volendam eight million euros to buy their star player, Chinese striker Zhang Jun, who was currently third in the Eredivisie scoring charts.

Before this, Chelsea had the most obvious advantage in the battle for Zhang Jun, with newspapers reporting Hua Fang's "declaration of goodwill" that Zhang Jun liked Chelsea very much. But AC Milan's intervention made the situation unclear—at least, that's how it seemed to outsiders.

AC Milan's offer was far lower than Chelsea's, but as a giant with an excellent tradition, AC Milan's brand appeal was indeed incomparable to Chelsea's. Basically, the outside world believed that whether Zhang Jun was leaving Volendam for money, as Hoeness had said, could be determined by looking at his choice.

Actually, AC Milan was forced to try and get him back. Negotiations with Crespo broke down at the last moment, with significant differences in personal terms. With three league games remaining, it was certain that Crespo would not stay at AC Milan next season.

As a result, AC Milan had to find another striker. Fabiano from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Zhang Jun from Volendam became candidates. But Kaka did not recommend his teammate from Sao Paulo to the club. Instead, he solemnly recommended his teammate from high school. Moreover, Zhang Jun had indeed performed well since his recovery from injury, almost single-handedly leading Volendam to the lead in the relegation race, and with a high chance of successful survival.

AC Milan's scouts wrote in their evaluation report to Galliani and Ancelotti: "He is a very promising player. His explosive power is amazing, his speed is fast, and his nose for goal is very similar to Filippo (Inzaghi), but his left and right foot techniques are excellent, and his dribbling is also very solid, making him more like Andriy (Shevchenko) overall. In short, he will be a very promising player and will become a reliable scorer for the team in the next few years."

After seeing this report and Zhang Jun's game footage from the Netherlands, Galliani had long forgotten the unpleasantness of two years ago and decided to buy Zhang Jun. Ancelotti still had some objections, but Galliani wouldn't listen. Because Chelsea had a comprehensive advantage in the competition, AC Milan would lose such an excellent player to the Russian if they were slow.

It wasn't that AC Milan didn't have money, it was just that they were always rational when buying players and rarely made impulsive purchases. They believed that eight million was the most reasonable price for Zhang Jun's current ability and reputation. Although they really wanted Zhang Jun, they were unwilling to raise the price further.

Volendam preferred Chelsea's offer because they earned more. But Hua Fang changed her attitude overnight, putting on a "must go to AC Milan" posture. When she signed the contract with Volendam, it had already been agreed that if a big club wanted to buy Zhang Jun, Volendam could not prevent it due to price reasons. So all Volendam could do was agree to the offers from both clubs and then leave the rest to Zhang Jun to choose. Moreover, Hoeness had initially said publicly to make the fans think Zhang Jun was greedy for money, that many clubs wanted to buy him, but Zhang Jun rejected them because the prices were too low, etc. Now that AC Milan had intervened strongly, if Volendam rejected AC Milan's offer, it would be like slapping themselves in the face, showing that they were the ones who were truly greedy for money.

Now the initiative was entirely in the hands of Zhang Jun and Hua Fang.

Even Basten was creating momentum for Zhang Jun's move to Milan: "Volendam and Chelsea are not suitable for him. Only AC Milan is the most suitable for him. Zhang Jun is a technically comprehensive striker. He can completely take over Andriy's role at AC Milan. AC Milan is a great team, and I believe this will be both a challenge and an opportunity for Zhang Jun."

Li Yongle was overjoyed when he heard this news: "Come on, come on! When you come, we'll play the Milan derby!" He now firmly held the position of core midfielder in Inter Milan's youth team, and there were already reports that he would definitely appear in Inter Milan's first team next season, because Dutch "wild boar" Davids, who was also a midfielder, wanted to leave the team due to not being able to play as a starter and having conflicts with the club and the coach.

Taking all of the above into consideration, Zhang Jun's move to AC Milan was almost a certainty.

Zhang Jun himself was also using practical actions to prove his ability to AC Milan. In the away game against The Hague on May 8, he once again scored a key goal, helping the team grab three points away from home, taking a crucial step towards the final relegation.

And this game was not just about scoring the winning goal. He also had several shots that almost resulted in goals. With Hena suspended, he alone made the entire opposing defense practically non-existent. His elusive positioning and keen nose for goal gave the opponent a headache. If Volendam's midfield ability was not limited, and they could not provide him with more support, the score would definitely have been more than 1-0.

This also illustrated a problem: if he went to AC Milan, with the support of Kaka, Yang Pan, Pirlo, and others, wouldn't he be "like a fish in water"?

After the penultimate round of matches on May 16, AC Milan's official website formally announced that Zhang Jun would transfer to AC Milan next season, with the transfer date being July 1, 2005, the contract expiring on June 31, 2009, the transfer fee being eight million five hundred thousand euros, and the after-tax annual salary being three million two hundred thousand euros.

The ugly duckling had finally become a noble swan.

After the news was announced, the final round of Volendam's home game against Arnhem naturally became his farewell game after three years with Volendam.

※※※

Zhang Jun looked at the scattered things piled on the table. None of them were valuable, but they were all very meaningful. They were all things he had used when he first arrived in the Netherlands. Yang Pan had already taken his things when he went to Italy. Only the CD player he was listening to now was left from that time.

Hua Fang came in and saw Zhang Jun staring blankly at the things on the table, and knew what the kid was thinking again. "What's wrong, can't bear to part with these?" she said with a smile.

"Yeah, wondering if I should take them all with me." Zhang Jun reached into the pile of things and rummaged around. Then he took out a watch. "I bought this when I first arrived in the Netherlands. I hadn't signed with Volendam yet. I bought it in Eindhoven. But I accidentally broke it later…"

"Some things you can take with you, but you should throw away more things." Hua Fang shook her head. "If you kept everything as a souvenir from childhood to adulthood, your house would have become a garbage dump long ago. It's better to throw away these useless things."

"But they're really memorable. When I see them in the future, I'll remember this time in the Netherlands."

Hua Fang smiled. "There's no need. Many things that you consider treasures now, you'll take out again in a few years and you'll wonder why you kept them in the first place."

"I don't think so." Zhang Jun thought seriously, and then shook his head.

Hua Fang knew she couldn't convince Zhang Jun, so she gave up, thinking that this simple child would eventually understand. Because she herself had come from those days.

"Don't bother preparing. Someone will come to clean up for you later. Tomorrow is the last game, get some rest early. I think a lot of people will come to watch, don't disappoint them." Hua Fang instructed a few words and then got up and left.

Zhang Jun looked around the apartment provided by the club. He still vividly remembered everything when he and Yang Pan first moved in. At that time, he thought the conditions were already very good, but later, after seeing more, he realized that these conditions could only be considered average to below average in the Netherlands. He hadn't moved out even after he had money. Mainly because he didn't like moving, because moving meant change, it meant going to a strange place, it meant saying goodbye to a familiar environment, it meant packing up a lot of things, and then you would unearth a lot of things that you thought you had already forgotten.

And now he had to move, and he would move to a very, very far place, maybe he would never come back in this lifetime.

Except for a few more photos on the wall, the house hadn't changed much. Zhang Jun wasn't someone who liked to renovate houses for no reason. He believed that once he packed his bags and left, after a cleaning, the door could be opened tomorrow to welcome the next person.

In the kitchen, he had cooked for Yang Pan, and Sophie had cooked for him. Speaking of those three months, under the strict requirements and careful instruction of his "strict teacher" (himself), Sophie's cooking skills had greatly improved. Although she still cut things into shapes that were neither pieces nor slices, and the colors she made weren't good-looking, they were definitely edible. This showed that Sophie wasn't inherently bad at cooking, it was just that for things that emphasized practical skills, progress was very slow without a teacher teaching her hand-in-hand.

However, Zhang Jun estimated that after Sophie returned to school and ate in the cafeteria every day, this skill would regress. Confucius, the old man, said, "Reviewing the old and knowing the new," and this sentence applies everywhere, and of course, cooking is the same.

Zhang Jun suddenly realized that he was thinking too far, that he had made so many associations from just a kitchen. Looking again at everything familiar in front of him, he even yawned, realizing that he should rest.

He got up and walked towards the bedroom, and then turned off the lights in the living room, closing the door and returning the living room to darkness and tranquility.

Tomorrow, it was finally coming.

※※※

Actually, Zhang Jun really wanted to have a DV in his hand, to film wherever he went. He wanted to record everything he saw today, to keep it as a memorial and evidence for future memories. But could he hold a DV and film while playing on the field? Obviously not, so he was just "wanting to" do it.

When preparing in the team's locker room, everything was the same, without the slightest abnormality. If there was anything different, it was just that everyone didn't have many smiles on their faces. Although they had already secured four points and had been relegated early.

Also because of the early relegation, there was only one task for this game: Zhang Jun's farewell game after three years with Volendam.

Adriaanse didn't arrange too much, a 4-4-2 formation. He let go and played an attacking game against the opponent, just to create opportunities for Zhang Jun in the attacking situation and let him use a goal to draw a perfect ending to his journey in the Netherlands.

※※※

More and more people were in the stands, and the square outside the stadium was also crowded with people who had come from all directions. They were all here to witness Zhang Jun's farewell. The small Veronica today was destined to break the club's highest attendance record, and this record would not be broken for a long enough period of time.

Wang Hua and his photography partner walked through the crowd, his colleague taking pictures while he quietly observed from the side.

Most of the fans were wearing Zhang Jun's No. 11 orange jersey, holding various slogans, and singing "Zhang Jun bless Volendam" as they walked towards the ticket gate. Although there were many people, they were orderly and there was no chaos.

"I estimate that Volendam is empty." The colleague joked while taking pictures.

"Almost." Wang Hua looked at these people, and some of them didn't even look like football fans. He still remembered interviewing an old fan a few days ago and asking him if he would come to the stadium today to watch the game. The nearly sixty-year-old fan said very definitely that he would. Because Zhang Jun had brought him a lot of joy. "When he and Yang Gang came to Volendam, they were just children. Now they have grown into stars, playing in the best teams in the world. I thank him for everything he has brought us here. In my decades of watching football, most of the good memories are linked to this Chinese boy. So when he leaves, I will come to see him off and tell him that the people of Volendam will always support him."

This old fan's speech also represented the feelings of most fans. In the process of making the last farewell album for Zhang Jun, Wang Hua could hear evaluations about him everywhere.

"He is a great player!"

"He is my idol! Except for Basten, I have never been so obsessed with a player!"

"He is very likable because he is always very kind."

"He never refuses our requests for autographs and photos. He always does his best to satisfy the fans, whether on the field or off the field."

……

Now this likable player was about to leave the fans who supported him.

※※※

It should be said that after the game started, there wasn't much of a farewell game atmosphere. The teams were focusing on the game, and the fans were also focusing on cheering for their respective teams. After all, a farewell game must first be a game.

In this game, the two teams, without any burdens, let go and played an attacking game, with fast offensive and defensive transitions and many wonderful moments. In the first half alone, the two sides had a total of four goalposts and five shots that went just wide, and the two goalkeepers also made seven key saves in total, making the audience cheer. But it was a bit of a pity that neither side scored in the first half.

Zhang Jun also didn't score.

In the first half, he was more often creating opportunities for his teammates. This could be seen from the fact that he often pulled to the left and right sides to break through and pass the ball. He had scored seventeen league goals so far this season, ranking third, one goal behind second place and four goals behind first place. It was unlikely that he would win the Golden Boot.

These seventeen goals were not many, but considering that he had almost only played half a season, it was still very terrifying. What's more, his goals were of high quality, directly earning the team nineteen points with his goals, and he had made a great contribution to the team's final relegation success. Wang Hua had jokingly said that the club should raise Zhang Jun's goal bonus to 10,000 euros per goal, because they were indeed "golden goals."

※※※

"Hey, I said Zhang, don't pass the ball to me anymore in the second half." Hena said to Zhang Jun a little embarrassed. Zhang Jun had passed him three good balls in the first half, and he hadn't scored any of them. "You have to know, you are the protagonist of today's game, and you are the one who should score the most."

Zhang Jun smiled. In his heart, he said, if possible, I wouldn't be happy to be the protagonist.

"You went crazy with assists in the first half, but you are a striker! What are you thinking, Zhang?" Hena grabbed Zhang Jun's shoulder and asked.

"I know what he is thinking." Heuvel walked up. As an assist man, he was very clear about Zhang Jun's current thoughts. He wanted to use the method of helping others score goals through assists to reduce his guilt about leaving everyone like this. But he wasn't Heuvel, and many things were different. "I know what you are thinking. But you are a striker, and if you really want to do something for us, go score a goal." He said to Zhang Jun, "I think many people came here to see you score a goal, not you assisting us again and again."

He patted Zhang Jun on the shoulder, and the meaning couldn't be clearer. The whole team was watching you, Zhang Jun, go score a goal!

※※※

When Zhang Jun came out of the locker room again, he was stunned by what he saw.

"Zhang, have a good trip!"

"We will miss you!"

"You will always be our king!"

"Zhang Jun bless Volendam!"

……

The stands were full of slogans sending him off. Hoeness's name, which had been cursed for three games, did not appear in any slogan this time, because everyone didn't want to feel disgusted at this time.

"This…there clearly weren't this many in the first half…" Zhang Jun asked in surprise.

"That's because everyone wanted to give you a surprise." Louis Link patted Zhang Jun. "Now is not the time for me to say goodbye to you. Let's go on the field, we still have forty-five minutes."

"Yeah!" Zhang Jun nodded hard, holding back the tears that were about to burst out, and followed Louis Link onto the field.

We still have forty-five minutes, we can still play football together for forty-five minutes. Three years have passed quickly, leaving only these last forty-five minutes.

Grasp it, Zhang Jun. Don't let it slip away like any ordinary forty-five minutes.

※※※

Standing in the center circle, with the football at his feet, listening to the cheers of the whole stadium, Zhang Jun took a light breath.

Three years ago, on August 17, 2002, he and Yang Pan first came to the unfamiliar Volendam. Adriaanse handed them over to Mr. Reis and left, and from then on they began their arduous training under Reis. Speaking of Reis, I should go see him before leaving. I have now been able to gradually understand part of the things he said back then.

Then there was Wang Bo's selfless and enthusiastic acceptance of them, acting as their cook, their driver, and their translator.

Now I feel a little nostalgic for those times before I became famous.

The referee blew his whistle, and the second half of the game began.

Zhang Jun passed the ball to Hena next to him, and rushed forward himself.

The wind raised Zhang Jun's long hair, and people saw his smiling face.

※※※

"The game has reached the twentieth minute of the second half, and the score is 0-0. Zhang Jun has had three chances, but they were all close. One five-meter push even hit the goalpost, and the whole stadium sighed. But Zhang Jun doesn't seem to have the idea of having to score a goal in this game. Although he has increased the number of shots in the second half compared to the first half, if his teammates have a better chance than him, he will pass the ball out without hesitation."

This was what Wang Hua quickly wrote down in his notebook, and these would be used as materials for writing the article after the game.

As he wrote, he suddenly realized that if Zhang Jun left, his career as a reporter would also come to an end. He didn't understand Italian and couldn't learn from Li Yan and follow him to Italy to continue working as a reporter.

At first, he was just doing the job of translating Dutch for Li Yan on a voluntary basis. He never thought that he would become a reporter. And he had been doing it for so long, doing it to this point. 90% of the articles about Zhang Jun in *Titan Sports* were written by him.

Many people had gotten to know Zhang Jun through his pen, and they had also gotten to know him. But now he would soon resign and quit. Just like he said to Li Yan that day in front of the Seryan doctor's hospital in Paris, he had witnessed so many moments that were enough to be recorded in Chinese football history, and he had enjoyed so many happy times, and he was very content.

From then on, there would no longer be the words "Reported by our special reporter Wang Hua" before reports about Zhang Jun.

The cheers suddenly grew louder, waking Wang Hua from his daze.

"Zhang Jun is holding the ball now!" A colleague next to him shouted excitedly.

※※※

Zhang Jun is holding the ball now, he is in front of the opponent's penalty area. A defender pressed up, but Zhang Jun didn't plan to rush past by relying on his speed. He just lightly buckled the ball in place, shaking off the opponent.

He suddenly really wanted to play.

After buckled past the first defender, he took the opportunity to take the ball into the penalty area. He didn't use his amazing acceleration and explosive power, but just dribbled slowly.

"He will be broken!" Someone exclaimed.

But then he immediately pulled the football to the left with his right foot again, dodging the second defender's tackle.

The cheers in Veronica grew louder and louder.

Zhang Jun, who had passed two people in a row, made a gesture to shoot, and the goalkeeper was already on guard, but Zhang Jun's goal was not the goalkeeper.

The third defender rushed over from the right at high speed, blocking Zhang Jun's shot with a sliding tackle. And Zhang Jun was waiting for this person, his shot was fake, his buckle was real. He buckled the football to the right again with his left foot, just brushing past the opponent's defender!

This buckle allowed him to directly face the goalkeeper. But it was also a bit too big, and if he didn't do well, it would let the goalkeeper get the ball instead. Only then did Zhang Jun rely on his explosive power to chase the ball, but as soon as he exerted force with his left foot, he found that his body could not rush forward, because the defender who had been buckled away by him had grabbed the hem of his jersey tightly with his hand, preventing him from leaving the spot!

Was he just going to watch the goalkeeper rush over and confiscate the ball?

Or should he fall to the ground now and get a penalty?

Zhang Jun didn't have time to think, he had to make a decision immediately.

Zhang Jun's choice was - he didn't rush his body forward, but instead fell backwards towards the defender behind him, and then awkwardly kicked the football directly with his right foot!

Was he going to shoot in this situation? The defender who was pulling him was shocked and added strength to his hand. Of course, he wouldn't know that for a stubborn person like Zhang Jun, just pulling with his hand wouldn't work, unless you pressed your whole body down.

The goalkeeper also noticed Zhang Jun's actions. He opened his hands and stretched his body as much as possible, trying to completely block the angle of Zhang Jun's shot.

Zhang Jun's left foot was no longer obediently planted on the ground for support. Now he didn't need to maintain his balance. Now what he needed was to stretch his foot as close to the football as possible. The left foot flew out, and the right foot swung towards the football. Looking at this posture…he was going to shoot!

"Hey! Here it comes!" The goalkeeper secretly laughed in his heart.

But when Zhang Jun's body was almost parallel to the ground, his right foot kicked the football. At that moment, he shook his ankle, changing from a shot to a lob, passing the football over the goalkeeper's head!

A lob shot!

And he himself was unable to maintain his balance and fell to the ground.

The football gracefully fell into the empty goal.

"Zhang Jun bless Volendam! Zhang Jun bless Volendam!!" This song exploded over Veronica like thunder.

"goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAL!! Zhang—Jun——!!!"

Zhang Jun, who had scored the goal, was not too excited. He just stood in place, raised his arms high, and quietly listened to the cheers for him.

Recalling his first professional career goal, how excited he was at that time, because it meant he was off to a good start. But now this goal meant the end of a good start, so how could he be happy?

This wonderful goal, in which he passed three people in a row in the penalty area purely by technique, also became Zhang Jun's swan song at Volendam.

In the eighty-eighth minute, the fourth official raised the substitution sign on the sidelines, No. 11 was replaced by No. 33.

Adriaanse deliberately substituted Zhang Jun early, just to give him time for a separate curtain call.

Zhang Jun glanced at the fourth official who was substituting him, knowing that the time had finally come to say goodbye. He hugged Hena and turned to walk to the sidelines. Even his opponents would shake his hand and wish him all the best in Italy.

Heuvel ran over from the other side at high speed, hugged him tightly, and didn't let go for a full five seconds. "Go, Zhang, I don't even know who I should cross the ball to in the future…"

"Just kidding, there will be a better striker than me."

Heuvel just shook his head and smiled bitterly when he heard Zhang Jun's words. He didn't say anything and watched his friend walk off the field.

From inside the opponent's penalty area to the sidelines, Zhang Jun couldn't remember how many people he had hugged and shaken hands with. He only knew that the fans kept shouting, telling him to walk slower.

"Respectfully send off His Majesty the King!" A huge banner was unfurled in that stand, with Zhang Jun's signature "Dragon Soaring" on it.

Zhang Jun also intentionally slowed down his steps, because he knew that with every step he took, he was getting further away from Volendam.

The first time he ate a professional nutritional meal; the first time he played in a game as a professional player; the first professional goal; the first league victory; the first failure; the first hat-trick; the first time he exchanged jerseys with an opponent; the first championship trophy… Countless of his firsts were forever left in this unknown small Dutch club.

Finally, this road had come to an end.

Zhang Jun hugged Faria, who was substituting for him, and then raised his hands again, waving goodbye to everyone. Goodbye, Veronica! Goodbye, Volendam! Goodbye, Netherlands! Goodbye, that touch of orange…

Zhang Jun tasted a hint of saltiness on the corner of his mouth, he was actually crying.

So embarrassing…

Zhang Jun lifted up his orange Volendam jersey and buried his face deeply in it. He didn't want too many people to see him crying, because Zhang Jun in front of them was always that smiling boy, bringing them countless joy, and also bringing joy to himself.

Adriaanse, like a kind father, embraced the sobbing Zhang Jun with his broad chest. He knew that Zhang Jun really couldn't bear to leave this place. But there would always be a parting, there were many partings and reunions in this life, so don't cry.

※※※

Wang Hua leaned on the railing, watching the substitute席below - now that was the focus of the whole stadium.

That guy Zhang Jun was actually crying, after all, he was still a child. For Yang Pan, Volendam was just a springboard to a higher-level league, but this silly boy had put all his three years of feelings into it.

But whether you can bear it or not, you must leave. Because there is a wider world waiting for you outside. Don't cry, Zhang Jun, think about the future, it will be very beautiful.

It's a pity I can't accompany you anymore…

※※※

When you came, you were still a child with a childish face.

We watched your nervousness when you first appeared on stage and were still worried about you.

But who knew that your first goal would actually help us get a point.

When we were still surprised by this Chinese boy who had suddenly appeared, your progress had exceeded our imagination.

You led Volendam to relegation and used the "Scorpion" to bring us back the first trophy in twenty years.

When you were rejected by AC Milan, we felt injustice for you.

When you were injured and could no longer play, we prayed for you.

When you announced your return with a hat-trick, we were happier than anyone else for you.

You are the king of Volendam, our God.

For three years, we have become accustomed to having you in our lives and enjoying it.

Because you always bring us surprises and joy.

Now you say you are leaving to create greater and more brilliant achievements.

We are so reluctant to let you go, just like we are unwilling to end a deeply unforgettable love.

We know why you are crying in Veronica.

Don't lower your head, don't be afraid of others seeing your tears.

Because they don't understand how strong you are, but we do.

Thank you for everything you have done for us in the past three years.

Those sixty-three goals, a cup championship trophy, the top 16 of the UEFA Cup, the Scorpion, and your smile… We will not forget any of them.

So have a good trip, Zhang Jun. No matter where you are in the future, we will be your eternal supporters.

Come back and see us when you have time, remember to bring your beautiful girlfriend.

※※※

After the home game against Arnhem on May 23, 2005, the 04-05 season came to an end. Ending along with it was Zhang Jun and Volendam's three-year-long first love.

Although there had been a third party intervening, a brief affair, and eight months of painful memories, all of these past events now seemed to be indispensable components of those three years. Joy and sorrow were intertwined, forming those three years like a dream.

Now, he was finally going to say goodbye to those years. Then he would repack his luggage and his mood, and in a brand new, wider world, he would accept unknown challenges.

What would be waiting for him ahead?

But no matter what is waiting for you ahead, you must believe one thing, Zhang Jun. When the smile is still on your face, you have nothing to worry about, boldly stride forward.

And we will keep cheering for you.

(*We Are the Champions* "Part 2 in the Netherlands" End)