Chapter 16 Such a Feeling
Chapter 17 One More Goal
Chapter 18 Those High School Days
Chapter 19 Hungry Lions

Qiu Suhui now always had this feeling. When he saw Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's progress in training, he felt that time was running out, leaving him less and less. He always felt that he should teach everything he had to the two of them and then leave this place. Because there was a bigger place, a wider sky waiting for him.

However, he was a little reluctant to leave his teacher. It was his teacher who broadened his horizons and football consciousness, and who took him in when he was helpless, helping him to obtain his coaching certificate. Now that Volendam was just starting to show signs of improvement, how could he leave him?

But, time! Qiu Suhui looked at the setting sun in the west. Chinese football really looked like that setting sun.

Zhang Jun and Yang Pan were preparing for extra practice on the training field again. They pulled over a net of soccer balls so they would have enough to use during practice.

Qiu Suhui walked over. "Extra practice again? Won't you be late for dinner?"

"Hehe, we cook for ourselves anyway, so it doesn't matter when we eat," Zhang Jun said with a smile.

"No, professional players should have a regular life, and the same goes for their diet. You should eat three meals a day on time."

"Then the extra practice?" Zhang Jun was confused.

"Practice a little less each day. Too much practice isn't good for your body. Pay attention to the old principle of combining work and rest." Qiu Suhui tossed a soccer ball up, then balanced it on his head, not letting it fall. "Zhang Jun, let's assume a scenario. Yang Pan, you play the defender." Qiu Suhui retracted his neck, and the soccer ball fell into his hand. "If you are facing a tight defense while dribbling the ball, how would you break through?"

Zhang Jun thought for a moment. "There are so many ways. Forcing a breakthrough with speed, or using feints to shake off the opponent..."

"Haha, today I'll teach you a new trick. It's beautiful and practical." Qiu Suhui stepped on the ball. "Are you interested in learning?"

Zhang Jun was immediately interested when he heard there was a new trick. "Of course!"

"I'll demonstrate it for you once first. Watch carefully! Yang Pan, you act as the defender, and give it your all!"

"Understood!" Yang Pan got into position. "Go ahead!"

Qiu Suhui didn't answer, dribbling the ball towards Yang Pan.

When he was very close to Yang Pan, Qiu Suhui made a shooting gesture, raising his right leg to swing at the ball. Yang Pan had seen the coach's skills in ordinary training, so he didn't dare to be careless and quickly stuck out his foot to block.

But he found that Qiu Suhui had spun around him, breaking away from the other side! The soccer ball was still at his feet!

"Zhang Jun, did you see clearly?" Qiu Suhui stopped the ball and turned back to ask Zhang Jun, who was stunned.

"I... You, that was so fast. How did you do that?"

Qiu Suhui picked up the soccer ball. "Want to learn?"

"Yes!" Zhang Jun was so excited when he heard that Qiu Suhui was going to teach him, his expression like he had seen a naked woman. "Yang Pan, you should learn it too."

Yang Pan shrugged. "This move is more suitable for inside the penalty area. I don't think it'll be of much use to me..."

"Huh? Aren't you a forward?"

Yang Pan shook his head, not saying anything. However, his reaction was noticed by Qiu Suhui. He didn't say anything, just kicked the ball to Zhang Jun. "Yang Pan, you be the defender again. Zhang Jun, repeat what I just did."

"Now?" Zhang Jun was a little surprised. Qiu Suhui hadn't explained anything yet.

"Yes, just repeat what you saw."

Zhang Jun hesitated for a moment, stepping over the ball and slowly dribbling towards Yang Pan. When he felt the distance was right, he pretended to shoot, then flicked the ball from behind him to the other side, and then turned around. But when he turned, Zhang Jun lost his balance and fell.

Qiu Suhui shook his head and smiled. "Do you know why you failed?"

"Not skilled enough..."

"No, you're too concerned about the continuous movements. Then you forcibly broke down those movements into steps in your mind, and when you did them, they naturally became like this—instead of being continuous." Qiu Suhui took the ball, and facing Yang Pan's defense, he performed another successful turn. Yang Pan still didn't react.

"That's it. Don't worry too much about what the movements are. In your mind, think about shooting, and then the opponent sees through your intention and puts out a foot to block. What should you do next?" Qiu Suhui winked at Zhang Jun.

"I would... I would use a feint to trick the opponent's defender and then shoot."

"But you've already made the shooting motion, and your center of gravity must have shifted backwards. What kind of feint can you do at this time?"

"This..." Zhang Jun was speechless.

"Yang Pan, you were the defender just now. Can you talk about it from the defender's perspective?" Qiu Suhui turned his head to Yang Pan again.

Yang Pan thought for a moment. "I think no matter what feint he does, his center of gravity has already shifted to one side. There's no way he can make a feint..."

"Hehe, not necessarily!" Qiu Suhui said with a smile.

"Ah! I've got it!" Zhang Jun shouted. "When the center of gravity has already shifted, it's indeed a bit difficult to make a regular feint, but if you make a move in the direction of the center of gravity, I think it should be a very natural thing."

Qiu Suhui clapped his hands. "Good, you're right. And my set of movements is to move in the direction of the center of gravity. When you shoot, if the opponent sees through your intention, then they will definitely block your shooting angle and direction. At this time, your center of gravity is leaning in the opposite direction, so the best way is naturally to move in the direction of your center of gravity." Qiu Suhui demonstrated. He pretended to shoot, his right leg swinging exaggeratedly and powerfully, but he didn't touch the ball. Instead, he quickly swiped across the soccer ball, then quickly retracted it, and then flicked the soccer ball from behind him to the left—that is, the direction in which the center of gravity was leaning. Then his body quickly turned, and as he turned, he used his right foot to flick the soccer ball outwards a little, and then swung his left foot to shoot! The soccer ball went into the net.

"How was that? Done in one go, hehe! Did you see it clearly this time? Let's take the right foot as the stronger foot as an example. You must swing your right foot as exaggeratedly as possible so you can confuse your opponent, because he can't figure out whether this is a feint or not. Now it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between feints and real moves. Moreover, another effect is that the more exaggerated your movement is, the more natural and smooth your next movement will be, and the better the final effect will be. Zhang Jun, try it, use two different strengths, one exaggerated, and one not exaggerated. Try which one works better?"

Zhang Jun followed his instructions and performed both movements, then said to Qiu Suhui, "The exaggerated one feels better. The next movement is indeed smoother."

"Hehe, now that you've experienced it, you can completely understand the rest yourself. Oh, right, that last kick to flick the soccer ball away a little is to keep the soccer ball away from the defender's range. Some excellent defenders, even if you trick them the first time, their second reaction will quickly move them to the other side, so your shot may be blocked by their leg. So after turning around, take advantage of the momentum to flick the soccer ball away a little, and in that case, even if they move again, they'll be at the end of their rope and won't be able to block your shot anymore."

Qiu Suhui looked up at the sky. The sun was about to sink below the horizon. "Before you know it, it's so late. Alright, that's it for today. You guys go back and get some rest. Zhang Jun, remember what I said, practice hard, it will be very useful to you in the future. Hehe!" Qiu Suhui waved his hand and turned to leave the training field.

An interesting little guy, I hope he can succeed. Qiu Suhui smiled in his heart.

Under the setting sun, two silhouettes were still running on the field, accompanied by Zhang Jun's shouts: "Failed, try again!" "Failed again, try again!" "Damn! Again! Again!"...

"Li Yongle, someone wants to interview you!" A teammate pointed enviously to the side of the field. Two people were talking to coach Bai Hongfei.

Li Yongle didn't quite believe it. Although he was a soccer star in college, he wasn't famous enough for reporters to come to his school specifically to interview him.

"You want to interview Li Yongle?" Bai Hongfei was a little surprised. Reporters from *Sports Today* usually wouldn't interview college soccer players, would they? They didn't have any commercial value.

"Yes," the two people nodded.

Bai Hongfei looked back at Li Yongle, who was peering over here. He wasn't someone who easily attracted people's attention. Sometimes Bai Hongfei felt a little injustice for him. Why could Zhang Jun and Yang Pan become professional players and be on the front pages of newspapers now, while Li Yongle, who was no less talented than them, could only train and play silently in college? Was this environment fair? Maybe this reporter interview could really make him famous, so that his efforts would be rewarded, and it could also allow him to move towards a higher level of the soccer world, Bai Hongfei thought, then let them pass. "I'll go get him for you."

"Kaka! Please sign my autograph!"

"Kaka! Look over here!"

"Kaka! I love you!"

...

Kaka had just come down from the training field and immediately caused a group of female fans surrounding the wire fence to scream. Kaka was already used to all of this. Some time ago, in a "World's Most Handsome Player" poll initiated by a certain Brazilian media, he surprisingly defeated David Beckham and Gabriel Batistuta, and was elected as the most handsome soccer star in the hearts of Brazilian female fans, which made Kaka laugh and cry. However, he couldn't show his true thoughts in front of the media, as that would make his fans too sad. He had to say to the camera, "Thank you for your support. I'm a bit surprised that I was elected as the most handsome soccer star. I didn't expect that I would be the most handsome. Isn't that wonderful?" After he finished speaking, he revealed a charming smile, and who knows how many more female fans would be electrified by his smile. While saying that he didn't like being thought of as just a handsome player, he kept using his charm to electrify people. If Zhang Jun and the others knew about this, they would definitely take the opportunity to mock him.

Two Asians squeezed to the front of him with great effort. One of them shouted loudly in Chinese, "Kaka! Can we talk alone later? We're reporters from China and want to interview you! It'll only take half an hour!"

When Kaka heard the word "China", he seemed to be electrified. He froze for a moment, then nodded and smiled at the person, answering in Chinese, "Okay, no problem. Let's meet at the entrance of the locker room."

...

The two sides started the interview directly at the entrance of the locker room. Kaka had just taken a shower and changed into clean clothes, looking very energetic and handsome.

Hu Yu sized up Kaka. Although he had seen Kaka on television more than once and had interviewed him before, it was the first time he felt so close to him.

"Before the interview, I'd like to mention two people—Zhang Jun and Yang Pan," Hu Yu said.

Hearing these two names, Kaka's body trembled slightly. "Zhang Jun? Yang Pan? What about them?" Kaka asked in fluent Chinese.

At this moment, Hu Yu completely believed the information that the editor-in-chief had sent him. Kaka was Chinese and had attended high school in China. Because he could speak Chinese, his reaction to Zhang Jun and Yang Pan was exactly like that of someone who knew them well.

"Hehe, don't worry, they're fine. They're playing for a super club in the Netherlands now, and in the past two games, Zhang Jun scored a hat trick, while Yang Pan contributed four assists."

Kaka's eyes widened as he listened. "They're also professional players? A hat trick?" Then he smiled again. "That goal-scoring maniac! Haha! Hahaha!" He laughed very happily, like someone who had heard good news about a close friend.

Hu Yu and his assistant exchanged glances, and the stone in their hearts was lifted.

After laughing, Kaka said to the two reporters, "What information do you want to know about them? Just ask." It was obvious that he was in a good mood.

"We don't want to know any information about them. We're here to learn about you, about your high school days, about your time at Luoyang Shuguang High School."

"Mine?" Kaka was a little surprised.

"Yes, we discovered from Zhang Jun and Yang Pan's past experiences that you actually went to high school with them, so we're very interested in your past. We want to know, since you have Chinese blood, why didn't you choose to join the Chinese team?"

As soon as China was mentioned, Kaka's expression was like it was outside the training ground just now. He was silent for a moment. "I was born in Brazil. Although my father is Chinese, and I have Chinese blood, my nationality was defaulted to Brazil. China doesn't allow dual nationalities, and there's no way for me to change my nationality, so I can only play for the Brazilian team."

Hu Yu thought he had touched Kaka's sore spot, so he decided to change to a lighter topic. "Your three years of high school life in China must have been very pleasant, right?"

"Hehe, yes! That was the happiest period of my twenty years, playing soccer with Zhang Jun, Yang Pan..." Kaka looked at the exit in the distance, and he seemed to return to that carefree high school era, a high school era that would never return.

"In that case, as the main player of the team most likely to win the national championship this year, what are your goals besides the national college soccer league championship? The best player award?"

Li Yongle answered without hesitation, "The European soccer leagues, and competing with Zhang Jun is always my goal."

"So, seeing your former opponents scoring goals one after another in Europe, becoming stars, what are your thoughts? For example..."

Li Yongle shook his head. "Right now, I just want to help the team win the national championship, and then go to the Netherlands as the best player of the tournament and compete with Zhang Jun."

"Besides these, do you have any other hobbies?"

Li Yongle thought about it, and it was really hard to find any other hobbies. In his memory, it was always soccer, soccer, soccer. "No, I haven't considered anything else besides playing soccer."

Yan Wei could clearly feel the fighting spirit in Li Yongle. No wonder the information said that he had competed with Zhang Jun and Yang Pan alone for three full years. It wouldn't be possible without strength! Based on this, his future was also worth looking forward to. He never expected that a small Luoyang would produce so many promising players, and all of them from the same generation. People from Dalian would feel ashamed after seeing this, right? According to his coach Bai Hongfei, Li Yongle never had any extracurricular activities. Besides going to class, he was just training. If someone so hardworking didn't succeed, the heavens would be too unfair, right? He shouldn't disturb his training anymore.

"Hehe, alright, thank you for accepting our interview. We also wish you to achieve your goals soon. We will continue to follow your performance in the college league, and hope you won't find it annoying."

"I don't think I will," Li Yongle thought carefully. "If I want to become a star, I'll have to get used to these things sooner or later." Li Yongle smiled. This was the second time he smiled during the interview, the first time when he recalled his high school life.

"Then, we should go. Before we go, can you take a few photos with us?" Yan Wei raised his camera.

"Sure."

Li Yongle showed a confident smile to the camera. A young man with Zhang Jun as his goal to surpass, a simple young man with only soccer in his heart, may he have a good journey... Yan Wei pressed the shutter button.

Volendam's third professional game, the second league game, Volendam against De Graafschap, who were currently ranked second to last. This game was actually a battle for who would be the bottom team. Although the team's strength had improved, Adriannese was still carefully arranging every step, afraid of making any mistakes. But he still didn't plan to let Zhang Jun start. He wanted Zhang Jun to gradually adapt to the atmosphere of professional games and gradually find his feel. Another reason was what Qiu Suhui told him, to let Zhang Jun come on later so he could arouse enough fighting spirit and a desire to score. "Keep him suppressed at first, then let him on, and he will be like a hungry lion." Qiu Suhui's original words were like that.

A hungry lion. Adriannese laughed. He thought of the hat trick in the last game. I'm afraid no one but him would have thought of it, right? If he suppressed him again in this game, how many goals could he score?

The game was held on Sunday. Veronica was crazy again, because the fans all wanted to see another exciting victory. And this game didn't disappoint them either.

Yang Pan started and scored another goal, still a long shot. The goalkeeper didn't react for a long time to this long shot, because to him, a powerful long shot on the edge of the penalty area was like a bolt of white lightning. After scoring the goal, Yang Pan still waved his fist and roared at the stands, full of domineering spirit.

Then, in the fortieth minute, Adriannese replaced Ochwo and brought on the highly anticipated Zhang Jun.

"Zhang Jun! Zhang Jun! Zhang Jun!" These people had improved a lot compared to the last game. At least they could correctly pronounce Zhang Jun's name.

Zhang Jun reached out and greeted the fans in the stands. He enjoyed this atmosphere very much.

Zhang Jun's first touch of the ball after coming on was a shot. After receiving a pass from Heuvel in the penalty area, he shot powerfully, but it was a bit too straight and was caught by the goalkeeper.

In the second half, after changing sides, Zhang Jun immediately showed his power. He received a direct pass from Bajes while running, then suddenly changed direction to shake off the defender guarding him, and then took a low shot. The soccer ball went through the goalkeeper's legs and into the goal! Goal!

Zhang Jun seemed very excited after scoring the goal. In fact, he was always so excited. He quickly ran to the coaching bench and hugged the coaches. That awkward roar came again from Veronica Stadium. It seemed that the announcer still hadn't learned the correct pronunciation of Zhang Jun's name.

It wasn't that De Graafschap didn't want to defend Zhang Jun, but with the strength of their defenders, it was really difficult to keep an eye on Zhang Jun. Even if they kept an eye on Zhang Jun, they might not be able to keep an eye on Yang Pan, Bajes, Heuvel... Volendam was really not on the same level as them anymore.

This game ultimately didn't have a large score difference, because with twenty minutes remaining, Adriannese replaced both Yang Pan and Bajes in order to ensure their physical strength. Since the victory had already been established, and the opponent no longer had any fighting spirit.

However, Zhang Jun still didn't want to let go of his opponents, and he was still looking for scoring opportunities. Finally, with three minutes left in the game, an error by the opponent's defender led to Zhang Jun's second goal. He intercepted the defender's back pass, then dribbled past the goalkeeper and scored into an empty net! When facing the goalkeeper, Zhang Jun lowered his center of gravity very low, and then used the constant shaking of his upper body to trick the goalkeeper into falling down, and then easily broke through from the other side, gently pushing the ball into the empty net.

Watching Zhang Jun hug his teammates, Adriannese thought that Qiu Suhui was right, a hungry lion, with an eternally insatiable desire for goals.

This game was over, and Adriannese stood up. He had successfully passed the difficult hurdle of three games, thanks to the sudden outbreak of two Chinese teenagers. He hoped that they could continue to maintain this state in the future. If that were the case, Volendam's results would definitely be more than what they were now.

When Li Yan received the information sent back from Beijing and Brazil, he was so excited that he didn't sleep all night. He became more and more determined in his conviction. Every time he sent a report about Zhang Jun and Yang Pan to China, he could hear the sound of the future turning a corner here. Little by little, turning towards a broad road.

But Li Yan didn't know that soccer wasn't just changing his life alone!

When Qiu Suhui knocked on Adriannese's office door, he hesitated for a moment, but finally walked in. The teacher was watching the video of the next opponent, Excelsior Rotterdam's game. Seeing Qiu Suhui come in, he quickly motioned for him to sit down. But Qiu Suhui unusually didn't listen to the teacher. He was still standing in front of the desk, looking at Adriannese.

"Is something the matter, Qiu?" Adriannese asked Qiu Suhui with a smile.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you, teacher," Qiu Suhui said slowly.