Chapter 1 A Taxi

A taxi sped through the new district of Florence, but the passenger inside still felt it was too slow. "Hey, driver, can't you go any faster?"

"I can't! Any faster and we'll all be meeting God!" The driver, tense behind the wheel, had to endure this constant nagging.

The passenger in the back was clearly unhappy with the driver's answer. In his opinion, anything less than 120 kilometers per hour was too slow. He grumbled about not being back for two years and how the Florentine taxi drivers were getting worse and worse…

Meanwhile, the man in the passenger seat was focused on the radio, equally annoyed by the backseat chatter. He turned around and scolded the man in the back. "Shut up! You're disturbing my game broadcast, damn it!"

The scolded man nonchalantly retorted, "It's halftime…"

※※※

When Zhang Jun walked out of the locker room again, he heard the team anthem. Why was it so clear today? Why did he care so much today? He had heard this song countless times…

The purple jersey's value,
Represents Florence's pride and honor!
Your flag reads: "Strength and Confidence"
Meaning victory will always be by our side!
Oh, Florence!
You are the queen of this world!
Oh, Florence!
No matter where, you fight bravely.
In the years of failure and victory,
History records all your legends!!
forzafiorentina! (Go Florence!)
Aleviola! (Long live the Purple Lily!)
forzafiorentina!
Aleviola!!

This song had to continue to resonate on the Serie A field. For Florence, Inter Milan had to go to hell.

Zhang Jun clenched his fist and walked out with his head held high.

※※※

Inter Milan had a chance to overtake the score in the second half, but Li Yongle's long shot was awkwardly saved by Frey. Inter Milan only created a few opportunities in the opening minutes of the second half. Although their captain and coach wanted to give up, most of the players were probably unwilling to fight, already looking forward to the celebration banquet after winning the league title.

The only two who were fighting hard were Li Yongle and Bellini, united by Zhang Jun's even more desperate efforts.

If Zhang Jun, who scored at the beginning of the first half and then calmed down, was still warming up, then now he was gradually showing his full potential.

Florence must win!

Li Yongle could almost see those words on Zhang Jun's grim face. Faced with Florence and Zhang Jun's tidal wave of attacks, he stood like a reef, bravely facing the onslaught.

In the 19th minute of the second half, Florence scored, Zhang Jun scored!

The stadium erupted in cheers, not only because the team had regained the lead, greatly improving their chances of staying in the league, but more importantly because of Zhang Jun's goal, a genuine "Dragon Soaring", a goal unique to Zhang Jun.

At that moment, Kulu crossed the ball from the right wing to the front of the goal. Zhang Jun was closely marked by Bellini, the two entangled as they lunged towards the ball's landing point. Bellini practically wrapped his arms around Zhang Jun's waist.

Even in this situation, Kulu's ball arrived. Zhang Jun could no longer shoot in a normal way. He could only let his body instinctively complete the shot with an unconventional movement… As a result, Bellini watched in astonishment as the Zhang Jun he was holding twisted in the air and used his heel to forcefully flick the ball towards the goal!

The ball flew into the goal from behind them!!

"Oh… no, poor Bellini, even if he holds Zhang Jun around the waist with both hands, he can't stop this terrifying number 11 from scoring!! Incredible… Ahahaha, what an embarrassing goal for Bellini! Fantastic! Florence leads Inter Milan 2:1 again at home!!"

After scoring, Zhang Jun and Kulu hugged tightly to celebrate. Behind them, Bellini watched with a dazed look in his eyes.

Why could he still score in this situation? Luck? Yes, it must be luck! One hundred percent luck! No normal person could have scored that goal! Lucky shot, bah!

He had boasted before the game, but he never expected that not only would he fail to deliver, but the "old guy" would score two goals in front of him, and both goals were directly related to him…

Li Yongle glanced at Bellini, who was standing in front of the goal with an ever-changing expression, and walked away without saying anything. Raphael seemed to have been defeated by Zhang Jun, while he was still waiting for a chance to confront Zhang Jun head-on.

Send Zhang Jun off? Maybe, defeat me first.

※※※

Only three minutes after the previous goal, Florence's Kulu uncharacteristically participated in the defense. He suddenly intercepted Montolivo's ball in midfield. The direct confrontation between the two former Florence main substitutes and attacking midfielders ended with Kulu's victory.

The two tumbled to the ground, but Kulu poked the ball to Zhang Jun, who was coming up to support, before falling.

Li Yongle was naturally responsible for marking Zhang Jun in midfield, but Zhang Jun opened up his old opponent with a beautiful pull-back turn, then accelerated forward!

Due to his age and physical condition, Zhang Jun rarely dribbled the ball dozens of meters on the field anymore. He often passed the ball to others and then ran forward to receive the pass.

But today, with the Florence team anthem playing, Zhang Jun had no intention of passing. He lowered his head and dribbled frantically! His speed seemed to have returned to his youth. The ball and his body were so perfectly combined that the Inter Milan players couldn't even tackle him.

"Don't think you can pass!" Bellini stood in front of Zhang Jun. "Don't think you can just run away, you old…" Before he could finish his words, Zhang Jun lightly flicked the ball, and it went through Bellini's legs!

This was a humiliation for the Italian national team's main center-back! As he turned to chase, he saw someone running faster than him, flying past him like the wind!

It was his captain, Li Yongle.

"Bellini is beaten! Without resistance… Li Yongle is chasing closely! Zhang Jun is still far from the goal, he could be tackled outside the penalty area at any time!"

Just as Li Yongle's hand was about to reach Zhang Jun's shoulder, Zhang Jun suddenly recoiled as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He missed! He stumbled, and Zhang Jun rushed out again.

This time it was Bellini who caught up.

"Can't let him pass! Tackle! Foul! Even if I get sent off, I'll do it!" He roared and charged up, delivering a threatening sliding tackle from behind!

The Stadio Artemio Franchi gasped.

Zhang Jun jumped up with both feet, Bellini missed, the ball continued to roll forward, and Zhang Jun continued to charge!

This time it was Li Yongle again! And Bellini immediately got up and continued to chase! Zhang Jun ran in front, and Li Yongle and Bellini chased relentlessly behind him, Zhang Jun passed them again and again, but they didn't give up, chasing like wolves seeing prey!

Suddenly, there were only Li Yongle and Bellini left among the Inter Milan players on the field, and only Zhang Jun left among the Florence players. Only the three of them were running, entangled, breaking free, running, and entangling again on the huge stadium. No one wanted to give up first, stop running. The fifty-meter distance seemed like five kilometers, they would never reach the end…

While chasing, Li Yongle saw Zhang Jun's jersey and long hair fluttering like a flag, and a feeling suddenly rose in his heart: It would be better if there was no end at all, let him and Zhang Jun run like this, Zhang Jun running in front, and him chasing behind, occasionally catching up, and then being thrown off again, and continuing to chase hard…

Running non-stop until neither of them could run anymore.

The stubborn man who regarded chasing Zhang Jun as the greatest goal in his life, saw the back of Zhang Jun, whom he had been chasing, slowly becoming blurred…

※※※

A taxi screeched to a halt in front of the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Two people jumped out of the car, and the one in the back threw two bills at the driver. "Keep the change!" He then ran after the one in front toward the stadium gate.

The huge and familiar song was already in his ears, and the familiar stadium was only a few dozen meters away.

I'm back again! Zhang Jun, you wait for me!

Xiang Tao roared in his heart and quickened his pace.

"Damn it! Why are you running so fast? I'm not as young as you!" The person behind him was panting.

"Boss, you have to run fast at this time!" Xiang Tao didn't even turn his head.

As the two stepped onto the stairs to the stadium gate, they felt the ground trembling under their feet!

"Damn, is it an earthquake?" Xiang Tao muttered.

When Sabato and Xiang Tao, panting, reached the last step and appeared at the exit, they saw Zhang Jun shake off the combined pursuit of Li Yongle and Bellini. Although it was only for a moment, it was enough for him to shoot!

This time, before the commentator could shout, all the fans in the stadium had already roared in advance: "goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!"

The long roar continued from the moment Zhang Jun kicked the ball until it hit the net…

"Hat trick!!!"

"God! Who can stop him from retiring?! Is this the performance that a person about to retire can have? Let him continue playing, we like to watch him play like this… Don't go, Zhang Jun!"

"Zhang Jun used the last hat-trick of his career to mock and teach the arrogant Raphael Bellini. He also used this hat-trick to tell everyone in the world: Even if he is forced to leave, he is still invincible! Want to defeat him? You will never have a chance!!" Wang Jianxiang roared excitedly, "No one can defeat him, except time… No! Even if time can fill his face with wrinkles, paint white hair on his head, and make his feet heavy, it cannot age his strong heart!"

As the commentators one by one began to enter a state of madness, Zhang Jun jumped up from the ground, he ran to the area where the most die-hard Florence fans were concentrated, waving his arms again and again, and the fans followed him and shouted: "Zhang! Zhang! Zhang!" He was enjoying this feeling to the fullest, greedily breathing the air in the Stadio Artemio Franchi, listening to the fans' praise and cheers for him, he was here, forever…

Kulu ran up from behind and hugged him tightly, squeezing Zhang Jun so hard that he could hardly breathe. More players poured in from the field and from the bench, surrounding Zhang Jun and then lifting him high on their shoulders, letting him sit on their shoulders and enjoy the fans' cheers.

This time, even the Inter Milan fans stood up and applauded Zhang Jun's hat trick. This was a respectable opponent, and they were proud to be Zhang Jun's farewell match opponent.

Inter Milan coach Roberto Baggio was standing on the sidelines, smiling and applauding Zhang Jun. At this moment, they were not opponents, but heroes who appreciated each other. Baggio handed Florence over to Zhang Jun when he left, and nine years later, Zhang Jun had performed far beyond his imagination.

Well done, Zhang Jun!

※※※

"Hat trick?" Bellini looked blankly at Zhang Jun, who was being thrown into the air by his teammates, and couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Li Yongle put his arm around him. "Okay, Raphael, don't think about 'you're going to defeat him'. You have no chance, and I have no chance. Let's see him off for the rest of the time."

"Why…"

"He's a person who even time can't defeat, only fear. I feel that very deeply." Li Yongle looked at Zhang Jun and his teammates, and the fans, and thought: What a radiant and dazzling farewell, you have made everyone your supporting role, even the stubborn me, like Bellini, has to accept this result. I still didn't beat you, Zhang Jun…

※※※

Xiang Tao and Sabato stood blankly at the exit. For two years, everything here hadn't changed, and neither had the love for Zhang Jun. Watching Zhang Jun ride on Kulu's neck and circle the field to accept the fans' cheers, Xiang Tao's eyes were wet.

"Boss…"

"Hmm?"

"I'm a shameful deserter… I abandoned Zhang Jun and Kulu here and ran away…" Xiang Tao's voice choked.

Sabato looked at Xiang Tao, who was bowing his head and trembling. They had rushed here overnight after yesterday's game, just to catch Zhang Jun's last game. They had been exhausted for a whole day, but they hadn't complained once on the way. He didn't expect that he would feel tired now.

"What are you saying? Not everyone can be Zhang Jun, you're destined not to be the protagonist, what are you blaming yourself for?"

"Damn… Your comfort is terrible!" Xiang Tao wiped his eyes and looked up again.

Sabato was grinning, but he was also in pain inside. Xiang Tao was right, wasn't he also a shameful deserter? When Zhang Jun needed help the most, he wasn't by his side. When he said goodbye to football, he could only stand far away and watch silently, unable to participate—how much he wanted to jump down and rush into the crowd!

※※※

Kaka was venting his dissatisfaction on the field. "Which damn rule says the last round of the league has to start at the same time? Why didn't we win the title earlier?! I want to go to Florence, I want to watch Zhang Jun's last game!"

It was a dead ball at this time. AC Milan players had committed a foul, and the Udinese players were surrounding the referee, yelling. The stretcher had already carried the injured player off the field, and they wanted to directly send off the fouling Gilardino.

The other AC Milan players went up to defend Gilardino, only Kaka and Yang Pan were outside the crowd, as if what was happening so close to them had nothing to do with them.

Yang Pan put his arm around Kaka, and his eyes turned to the screen on the stand. The score of the Florence and Inter Milan game had just been displayed, 3:1, Florence was leading at home, and Zhang Jun had completed a hat trick.

Kaka was stimulated by this news, and he seemed to have no intention of continuing to play on the field at all. In fact, Yang Pan felt the same way, but Yang Pan was more able to endure it.

"Yang Pan… You say, you say… he can still easily score a hat trick, why choose to retire? Why not continue playing?"

Yang Pan sighed. How could he tell Kaka?

His wish was clearly to play simple and happy football, but he had to face the dark side of football again and again. He clearly wanted to rest, but he had to put on his armor again. He knew that even if he did some things, he might not be able to change anything, but he still insisted on doing it, just like this time when he returned to the national team… The torment Zhang Jun had suffered in the past two years was far greater than in the previous ten years, and choosing to retire was the best thing to do. When he could no longer find the joy of playing football on this field, leaving was inevitable.

Yang Pan admired Zhang Jun, because he couldn't do that: knowing that something was impossible and still doing it. How much courage did that take?

"Kaka, if Zhang Jun was Brazilian, he would definitely be able to play until he was forty, just like you said…"

※※※

After the game restarted, the tense atmosphere on the stadium stands had disappeared. The Inter Milan players' defense against Zhang Jun became "symbolic", and neither side cared about the score, performing their technical skills in front of the fans as they pleased.

Even Bellini, who wasn't well-liked, extended his hand to Zhang Jun after they both fell to the ground during a defense. This action won the applause of the entire stadium, and Zhang Jun gladly accepted the other party's goodwill.

Wang Jianxiang no longer ridiculed the ignorant young man, and turned his attention to praising Zhang Jun.

The time of the game was passing by, and Zhang Jun's time was slowly decreasing. Everyone was shouting for the ball to be passed to him, they wanted to see every touch of Zhang Jun's, because every look would be one less.

When Zhang Jun was dribbling the ball in front of him, Li Yongle finally didn't step forward to stop him. He just watched with fascination. He had been this person's opponent for seventeen years, and he had never thought that one day the opponent would leave before him. Now Zhang Jun was really leaving, throwing off all the burdens that had been on his shoulders, no longer having to be repeatedly mentioned for "responsibility", no longer having to worry about his poor performance making the fans sad, leaving with ease. What about himself? He would continue to struggle on this green field. From now on, he would no longer play football to compete with Zhang Jun. From now on, there would be no more opponents in this world worth competing with.

Neither side scored, and even if they had a chance to score, they would use extremely fancy moves to satisfy the fans, even if they didn't score. Zhang Jun no longer ran, he was tired, and he just stood on the field, walking slowly back and forth, as if measuring this field for the last time with his feet, letting his feet firmly remember what it felt like to step on the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The fans' shouts for Zhang Jun became louder and louder.

Stay, Captain! Stay… Please don't go!

The assistant coach was reminding Di Livio that he should substitute Zhang Jun off, so that he could receive the respect of more than 60,000 fans in the stadium. But Di Livio's body was trembling slightly. I don't want him to go either, I don't want to substitute him off…

The time had reached the 85th minute of the game, and Di Livio's reason finally overcame his emotions. The fourth official raised the substitution sign high on the sidelines: Number 20 on, Number 11 off!

At this moment, there was only one voice in the Stadio Artemio Franchi, which could be clearly heard even in China, thousands of miles away. They shouted desperately: "Don't substitute him off! Don't go, don't leave! Stay, Captain! Please!"

Everyone stretched out their right hands towards the field, this was a gesture of retention. They hoped that Zhang Jun could see it and change his decision. Stay, Captain, no one will say that you broke your promise!

Zhang Jun looked up at the sign in the fourth official's hand, and then he looked around the stadium stands. He knew… his family was watching him up there, and Ren Yu Di must be watching him in some corner, and his former teammates, they must all be there… Finally, there was his father, watching him from above.

Dad, look, your son didn't disgrace you.

He took off the captain's armband, hoping to hand it over to Frey, but Frey shook his head and refused: "…We have no captain anymore…" After saying that, he lowered his head.

And when Zhang Jun looked at the others, everyone he looked at lowered their heads.

"Don't go! Captain!" The fans' shouts kept ringing in his ears, Zhang Jun's eyes finally became wet, but he still tried hard not to let the tears fall.

No one wanted to take the captain's armband from Zhang Jun's hand, so he could only take the armband and slowly walk towards the sidelines.

Li Yongle suddenly ran over from the opposite half of the field. He hugged Zhang Jun tightly, and his emotions were completely released at this moment. As if it was a signal, seeing Li Yongle's actions, the others woke up. The other Inter Milan players and Florence teammates all rushed towards Zhang Jun, and everyone surrounded him in the middle. The referee watched from the side and did not stop the players from interrupting the game.

The greatest person must have a farewell that is different from others.

…

The game is still going on, but I can't let go.

This feeling is difficult to express,
It always lingers in my mind.
I want to be with you every step of the way,
I want to be with you through thick and thin!
Don't go away! Say what's on your mind, say you'll stay!
I will always be with you,
We need more time,
That way everything will be better!
Don't go away! Say what's on your mind, say you'll stay!
Don't go away! Say what's on your mind, say you'll stay!
Don't go away…
(Oasis "Don't Go Away")

※※※

Everyone who surrounded Zhang Jun hugged him and said goodbye, wishing him good luck. When Zhang Jun broke free from these people and walked to the sidelines, he saw Kulu waiting there.

Did he just leave like this? Kulu looked blankly at Zhang Jun in front of him. Just… left? I… want to keep him, who will I pass the ball to if he leaves? In front of me… there will be no one who can receive the ball anymore!

"No…" Kulu's mouth trembled and opened, but he couldn't say what was in his heart. He had never said such "mushy" words in his life, and he didn't know how to say it the first time he opened his mouth. "I… no… no…"

His heart wanted to say these words, but his mouth didn't obey him. After struggling for a long time, tears flowed out first!

This was the second time Zhang Jun had seen Kulu cry, but it was the first time he had cried without hiding it.

"I… don't… want you to go." He finally said what was in his heart, but he cried even more sadly, like a child, the emotions that had been suppressed in his chest were suddenly released, he cried so hard… No one had ever seen Kulu cry, and no one had ever seen him cry so sadly. They were frightened… no, they were moved, this was the deepest emotion!

Zhang Jun grabbed Kulu somewhat helplessly, wanting to use his armband to wipe his tears, but he was afraid that the armband was too dirty. In the end, he could only keep whispering in Kulu's ear: "Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry…" Unexpectedly, as he said this, he could no longer suppress the tears in his eyes, and they fell down with him.

This man who could joke with reporters at the press conference where he announced his upcoming retirement, could no longer suppress the reluctance in his heart at this moment, and could only use tears to express everything.

Kulu was finally persuaded back to the field, and Zhang Jun hugged John Jones, who was waiting on the sidelines, tightly. "John, I'm leaving it to you!" Jones heard this sentence, and he ran onto the field in tears.

Then Zhang Jun just stood on the sidelines, he raised his hands high, applauded and thanked the fans, the captain's armband was conspicuously held in his hand, this was the armband worn by the most successful captain in Florence's history, from now on it would no longer belong to anyone, it would be placed in Florence's hall of fame, retiring with its owner…

At the same time, Zhang Jun's number would also accompany it in the hall of fame, the Florence club decided to permanently seal Zhang Jun's number: 11.

Even if they didn't seal it, probably no one would dare to wear it after this, right? Because once they wore it, they would be compared to Zhang Jun, which would be an incredibly cruel thing.

※※※

A giant banner was lowered from the top of the stand of the most die-hard Florence fans on the opposite side, gradually revealing its entire content. This was a short thank you letter that occupied the entire stand:

Thank you for everything you have brought us in nine years;
Thank you for the joy you have created for us in 276 games;
Thank you for the 3,287 days and nights at the Stadio Artemio Franchi;
Thank you for your 269 goals;
Thank you for choosing Florence;
Thank you, Captain!
We wish you all the best!

Zhang Jun's gaze, like everyone else's, was firmly attracted by these few words. He looked at every word on it, and his lips were trembling non-stop. In the end, he had to bite his teeth tightly to stabilize his emotions.

Li Yan's gaze moved from the banner to Zhang Jun's back. At this moment, this back looked so tall that it even gave him an illusion: this back was one with the statue outside the Stadio Artemio Franchi. He leaned on the railing and sighed helplessly, while Kagliani next to him was crying like a waterfall.

From the moment the fourth official raised the sign to substitute Zhang Jun off, Chinese TV viewers had not heard their familiar voice, until now Wang Jianxiang spoke in a fragmented voice: "Never has someone's departure made us… feel so sad, because it is not just someone's departure, but also the end of an era, the end of a legend. Seeing this back, I can't suppress the pain in my heart, how much joy and hope did his name and number bring us? Now, we are here watching him wave goodbye… Time cannot be turned back, the young man of the past has become gray-haired… Like the Florence fans, we Chinese fans also want to thank him, thank him for everything he has done for us! Thank you, Zhang Jun! Goodbye, Zhang Jun! Cherish every moment…"

Why must there always be farewells?

Why are farewells always so heartbreaking?

※※※

A line of subtitles suddenly appeared on the big screen of the San Siro stands, just as people thought it was another report of the latest scores of other games, they didn't expect to see: 86' Zhang Jun retires.

"He… left?" Kaka asked in shock.

Yang Pan nodded, saying nothing.

At the same time, the same subtitles as San Siro appeared in every other stadium in Serie A. They appeared on the display screens of every stadium, letting everyone know that at this moment, the greatest scorer in Serie A had bid farewell to this green field forever.

Serie A used this special way to bid farewell to their top scorer.

※※※

After Zhang Jun embraced everyone he could embrace, including his opponents, he stood at the entrance of the tunnel, and everyone's eyes were on him.

He was about to leave, taking away everyone's concern.

Suddenly, the Stadio Artemio Franchi, which was still very noisy, was silent. Everyone was silent. The players were still playing on the field, but they were already absent-minded.

At this moment, the live broadcast of Franchi rang again, this time it was not a reminder of who was being substituted on and who was being substituted off, or who had scored, but music!

The gentle and low violin piece *Short Trip Home* was really not suitable for the intense football field, but at this moment no one would feel that the suddenly sounded music was inappropriate. On the contrary, when everyone heard this music, the deep sadness in their hearts was once again stimulated, sweeping the entire stadium like an uncontrollable torrent.

The road home is very short… Zhang Jun is going home.

Sophie in the box also heard this music. She stepped forward and gently picked up the naughty Gary, then walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and whispered in his ear: "Gary, watch carefully, your dad is retiring."

Zhang Jun raised his hands high for the last time to salute the fans of Franchi, waved to the green field where he had fought and shed countless sweat and tears, waved to the past twelve years…

Then he turned around and walked into the tunnel that was out of sight.

That figure was forever left in people's hearts.

Behind this figure were countless sighs, heavy or light, helpless or painful, reluctant or moved…

※※※

October 10, 2002, from the moment Zhang Jun played in the game against Eindhoven and scored the first goal of his career after receiving a pass from Yang Pan. No one realized anything at the time, until later they suddenly realized: That was the beginning of a legend!

In the twelve years, he brought the world not only goals and championships, but his legendary career was constantly telling those who paid attention to him: what kind of path he was insisting on. Two serious injuries, countless minor injuries and illnesses, several major setbacks in his career, the pain of losing loved ones… Faced with so many hardships, he persevered and became a generation of great superstars.

His strength and his optimism were inspiring others, he represented the spirit of sports competition, he was no longer just a player.

Now, May 27, 2015, when he raised his hands to thank everyone and then turned around, the legend ended…

His tenacity, his optimism all encouraged others. He represented the spirit of sports competition. He was more than just a player.

Now, May 27, 2015, as he raised his hands in thanks and turned to leave, the legend came to an end…