Chapter 136 I'm Back!

"Doctor, Doctor!" Ms. Alena knocked on Dr. Seyang's office door, holding the latest newspaper in her hand. She had great news to tell the doctor.

But as she pushed open the door, Seyang smiled at her, who was out of breath, and said, "I already know." He held the world's leading soccer magazine, *France Football*, which had been delivered that morning. Inside was a photo of Zhang Jun roaring after scoring his first goal, with the English caption: "I'm back!"

Alena realized that Mr. Seyang was one step ahead of her. She apologized to the doctor for her impulsiveness with a smile. "He really succeeded, Doctor!" Although Zhang Jun had returned to the field some time ago, his performance was so poor that the media had turned their attacks on Seyang, believing the surgery had failed and that Zhang Jun couldn't meet the demands of a soccer game even after the operation.

During that time, Seyang had been under as much pressure as Zhang Jun. Alena had noticed all of this. Although she was anxious, there was nothing she could do. Fortunately, Zhang Jun had exploded in last night's game, and the pressure on him and Mr. Seyang disappeared at once.

Thank God!

"Yes, he succeeded." Seyang wasn't as excited as Alena. He just nodded with a smile and turned his gaze back to the photo.

It was a vibrant and inspiring face, completely different from when they first met. Eight months, yet it felt like yesterday. Heh!

Well done, Zhang!

※※※

The photo of Zhang Jun roaring toward the stands after scoring his first goal was on the front pages of major newspapers not only in the Netherlands and France, but also in China. It had become a symbol, marking the reawakening of Zhang Jun after nearly eight months of silence.

"This is the first roar of the lion after waking up. Nijmegen trembled under his roar. Although they scored two goals, they were still completely defeated by Zhang Jun. This is a night belonging to Zhang Jun. He was unstoppable in the game, and no one could block him."

Wang Hua compared Zhang Jun to a lion in his report, inspired by Napoleon's quote: "China is a sleeping lion, and the world will be shocked when it wakes up."

But many Chinese reporters preferred to see the young man who invented the "Dragon Soar" move as a Chinese dragon. "The dragon's roar shakes the sky." In many eyes, that "I'm back!" was not a lion's roar, but a dragon's roar. Three goals made Nijmegen, who wanted to take advantage, cough up blood. Volendam broke the embarrassing record of twelve winless rounds, which nobody expected, Zhang Jun's sudden explosion was decisive.

※※※

The game was at night, in the early hours of Beijing time. Qiu Suhui only learned the specifics online after getting up in the morning.

Zhang Jun's smile after scoring his second goal made him look at it for a long time. With such an expression, it meant that Zhang Jun had no problems now, and everything was on the right track.

Simply playing soccer and happily enjoying it, that's how soccer should be. Zhang Jun, I believe you must be happy now, right? Don't think too much about the remaining games, just go out and play. This feeling will always be with you.

Qiu Suhui got up to have breakfast. The negotiations between the Football Association and the clubs had ended, and the remaining work was for the Football Association to discuss the conditions proposed by the clubs internally.

Chen Wei said that there were serious divisions within the Football Association, and Luo Wenqiang's days were numbered. He promised Qiu Suhui that as long as he took office, he would definitely make major reforms to the current Chinese soccer environment. Judging from the blueprint of the future described by Chen Wei, it was a very beautiful future.

Zhang Jun's explosion, the reform of the Football Association—everything was moving in a good direction. Qiu Suhui walked on the streets of Beijing and suddenly found that the temperature was not as low as it had been in the past few days. The morning sun shone on him, making him feel warm.

A group of middle school students rushing to school ran past him, holding the morning newspaper in their hands. The sports section was entirely devoted to Zhang Jun's situation, which was very eye-catching. The teenagers' excited laughter echoed along the street, attracting attention.

Qiu Suhui couldn't help but turn his head to follow the teenagers' backs with his eyes. He thought that Zhang Jun had also grown up from middle school games all the way. Will someone among them become you, Zhang Jun?

※※※

Chinese reporters would compare Zhang Jun to lions and dragons, symbols of China. But Andrea Cargliani, a reporter for the Italian *Milan Sports*, believed that Zhang Jun was a volcano.

"He is like a volcano that has been silent for a long time. Everyone thought it would become a dead volcano and never erupt again. But last night, this volcano, which was widely noticed and criticized in China, erupted without warning. The most direct victim was the visiting team NEC Nijmegen. They worked hard to score two goals, but were defeated by Zhang Jun's three goals. Anyone who was at the Veronica stadium would have this feeling: the orange-yellow Volendam home field is a crater with magma erupting. Under the leadership of Zhang Jun, Volendam, wearing orange home team uniforms, was like scorching magma sweeping the earth, wiping out Nijmegen."

Cargliani was an expert in Italy on reporting Chinese soccer and Zhang Jun, thanks to Li Yan's help. His words were very representative. After writing this manuscript, he was already planning in his heart when to find Kaka and ask him to arrange an exclusive interview. He had many, many questions to ask Zhang Jun.

How did you embark on the path of soccer? The story between you and Sophie? How did your friendship with Kaka, Yang Pan, and An Ke, who just started playing as a starter in Dortmund, begin? What do you think of AC Milan's rejection of you last summer? Most importantly, what happened during the eight months after your injury, what changes took place in your heart, and why did such a huge change occur in the days after your comeback when you were widely criticized for your poor performance? An eruption may occur without warning, but it cannot be without a cause. Cargliani wanted to know the reasons behind those question marks.

Since seeing Zhang Jun's sensational "Scorpion Kick" in the news, he had been a fan of Zhang Jun. Last season, he was responsible for reporting Dutch soccer in the Netherlands, while focusing on Zhang Jun. Now that his internship was over, he was transferred back to the country to be responsible for reporting Italian soccer. Although he was no longer in the Netherlands, he still cared about the long-haired Chinese boy.

"Andrea, what's your interview assignment for today?"

"Ah! I'm going right away..." Cargliani grabbed his backpack from the table and rushed out.

Zhang Jun, come to Italy!

※※※

Kaka had just returned home after finishing a day of training when he received a call from Yang Pan.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" Yang Pan asked abruptly, causing Kaka to pause for a moment before reacting. "I don't know, the club will have a Christmas dinner."

"Then come to my place! I'll invite Zhang Jun and An Ke. You call Li Yongle, and we can finally get together."

"Okay, okay! I have no objection, just don't let the paparazzi think we're plotting a transfer together." Kaka sat on the sofa and turned on the TV with the remote control.

Yang Pan snorted. "Even better, I was afraid Christmas would be lonely! But you're often with Li Yongle, causing rumors to fly around, and there are even rumors that you two are gay."

Kaka couldn't help laughing. He had heard of this rumor before, but every time he heard it, he still wanted to laugh. Suddenly, he stopped laughing, staring at the TV without saying a word.

Yang Pan noticed something was wrong. "Hey, hey! Kaka, what's wrong? Hey? Hey! Hey! Say something, you damn mute..."

"Yang... Yang Pan, have you been in contact with Zhang Jun these past few days?" Kaka asked suddenly.

"No, the training has been heavy these days. The old man said it was because we lost to Lazio even though we had a huge advantage, this is punishment. Our next opponent is Lecce, who has a very good attack, and they are also difficult to deal with. I'm tired all day long, where do I have time to contact him? Anyway, I was relieved to know that the kid performed normally in the last league game... What's wrong?" Yang Pan said a lot before realizing something was wrong.

"In this round of the league, he scored a hat trick and was named the best player in the Dutch league." Kaka said to Yang Pan on the phone while watching TV. The weekly highlights of European leagues were playing Zhang Jun's celebration scene after scoring his first goal. "He shouted very loudly, even I heard it, hehe!"

"Is it on TV? Damn it, I haven't bought one yet! What did he shout?" Yang Pan was shocked at first when he heard the news, and then he understood.

"I'm back, I'm back. It's the release of his depression after eight months, haha!"

Yang Pan was stunned again. Eight months? It had been eight months already, so fast! But... in Zhang Jun's eyes, it was an extremely difficult and long time. During this time, he only went to see him during the training camp in the Netherlands. He looked happy on the outside with Sophie accompanying him, but the expression of silence occasionally betrayed him, some confusion, some bewilderment, some pain.

Now, all the darkness had finally become a thing of the past with that "I'm back." These eight months had finally passed!

"When Christmas comes, we must make him treat us! Don't you think so, Yang Pan?"

"Yes, let him treat us," Yang Pan murmured.

※※※

"An, look at this." Christian Worns handed a newspaper to An Ke, who had just come out of the locker room shower. "You should know him, right? I read a report that when you played, reporters went to interview him."

An Ke took the newspaper and saw Zhang Jun's face. "Isn't this Zhang Jun? He was my high school teammate."

"Keep reading the text," Worns pointed to the newspaper. "He is now the most popular person in the Netherlands, even the German media will use half a page to formally introduce him."

An Ke didn't answer, and read all the news in one breath. Zhang Jun had finally made a successful comeback. He scored three goals in the league, helping his team win 3-2 against their opponents.

He had told himself to wait and see the media reaction after he scored, but that was a month ago. Although it was a bit late, he still scored, and he scored three.

Worns sat down next to An Ke. "Since your game against Bayern, I've become interested in your high school stories. From some media reports, even Kaka, the Brazilian national team player, was your high school teammate. Is your school international? Now we have time, would you like to tell me about it? What was that time like?"

What was that time like...

Just because of a "boring" bet, he "abandoned" his wonderful high school life, got on Liang Ke's pirate ship, stood in front of the goal again, and endured hard training every day. Cheering excitedly for victory in the game, crying loudly for failure, and restless for the hazy and elusive love. So simple, no need to worry about life every day, no need to play tricks with reporters, one is one, two is two, if you say something wrong, people will just laugh at you as a child.

Exams, studies, and parent-teacher meetings are so distant that he can't remember what they looked like, but soccer is clearly imprinted in his mind. Now, looking back, he realized that if he took away the memories related to soccer, what would be left of these three years?

Many years later, maybe he won't remember what the girl who sat next to him looked like or what her name was. But he would strangely remember everyone who had played soccer with him, even just a sentence they said would be unforgettable.

"I want to protect the goal!" When he was very young, he learned to say such things from the TV, which made everyone around him laugh.

"I want to play one-on-one with you! I'll defend your shot, the loser listens to the winner, anything! How about it? Do you dare to accept it?" When he pointed at Yang Pan and issued a challenge so aggressively, he would never have thought that he had fallen into Old Liang's trap.

"I'm telling you, Zhang Jun! If I see you make Sophie cry again, even if I'm expelled from school, I'll beat you into the hospital!" Maybe when he said these words to Zhang Jun so fiercely, he should have realized that Sophie was just a beautiful dream in this life, and it would never become a reality.

"Defend well! The goal of Shuguang can only be defended by you! Before the national competition, if you dare to take the initiative to get another yellow card, I will definitely skin you alive!" Yang Pan, this kid, became arrogant when he became the captain, daring to talk to me like that. At that time, I gave him the middle finger, and if there was such a situation now, I would definitely give him the middle finger again without hesitation. But... will there still be such an opportunity?

"Everyone listen to me! From now until the end of the game! I, An Ke! Will never let Dingding score another point, never!" Hehe, I learned it from *Slam Dunk*, and the effect was pretty good. It shocked the whole audience at the time! Although some people were scolding me, it was just their jealousy of me. At least I could stand in front of so many people and say that, what about them? They didn't even have this opportunity, it's so pitiful!

Damn it! Kaka rushed back to Brazil after getting his diploma, and Ren Yudi gave up the college entrance examination with a good understanding of himself. Everyone was leaving. After winning two national championships, were they going their separate ways like this? Who would have thought of today three years ago? Just like who could have thought that we could win two national championships in a row three years ago. What's the point of learning from others to play farewell? Wouldn't it be good to continue playing soccer together? We go to the same university, live in the same dormitory, participate in the school team together, participate in school games together, and participate in the Philips University League together, wouldn't that be good? "Why don't we just not graduate, everyone take the initiative to repeat a year, and then play soccer together, go to the national competition, and win the championship!" At the dinner party to send Kaka off, he said this. But how could I say such unskilled words? I must have been drunk!

"Don't talk nonsense, An Ke."

"Why?" Damn, why are you asking why, it's embarrassing! I must be drunk. "Didn't Luo Bin from the High School Affiliated to USTC repeat a year?"

"Even if we can repeat another year, what about a year later? Can we repeat forever and not graduate from high school? Idiot! You really are an idiot."

"What did you say, Ren Yudi!?"

"Wow! An Ke is going to go berserk, pull him away!"

……

"By the way, An Ke. Kaka is leaving tomorrow, when are you going to Germany?"

"Yes, yes! Tell us, and the brothers will see you off!"

"No! Don't anyone see me off! Whoever goes, I'll turn against them!"

The beer bottle was heavily smashed on the table, making a muffled sound. So he was leaving too, learning from others to play farewell. Is this what they call growing up?

※※※

Worns breathed a sigh of relief, and when he looked up, it was already dark outside. This story was really long enough. Although there were some things he couldn't understand, he could see that An Ke had a group of good friends.

"By the way, An. That Zhang Jun, can you defend his shot?" Worns remembered to ask, not for any other reason, just out of curiosity.

An Ke paused for a moment, then nodded, answering very affirmatively, "Yes!"

Like hell I can! Another voice in his heart cursed faintly.

※※※

Several Chinese reporters were ordered to guard outside Inter Milan's youth training camp, observing Li Yongle's training. This opponent of Zhang Jun's since his student days was still working hard to play in the youth league on the youth team.

"Zhang Jun has been resurrected. As his opponent, what will Li Yongle do?" A reporter sat in the simple stands, resting his chin in his hand and asking his colleagues around him.

"I don't know. Zhang Jun is now infinitely popular, Li Yongle is still early! It's unfair to compare the two together right now, right?" Another said.

"That's right, one has scored more than 40 goals in various Dutch competitions and won a Dutch Cup. The other is just starting out, it's not good to be too strict." The first person changed his tone. "Inter Milan only signed a one-year apprenticeship contract with Li Yongle. I have to say that as a college student, it's already very good that he hasn't been eliminated yet."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Yongle made an on-the-spot steal in the frontcourt, and then shot from a long distance without waiting for the opponent's defense to fall into place!

The soccer ball drilled through the crowd, suddenly falling in the air, and the goalkeeper was caught off guard. The soccer ball actually went through his crotch and into the goal!

Nutmeg!

This was just Li Yongle's first shot in this scrimmage!

Li Yongle raised his arms to celebrate, and his teammates came up to hug him.

Zhang Jun, you score three, and I'll score one. Although the level of competition is different, someday we will compete on the same stage. You are still my opponent!

Li Yongle didn't seem too excited after scoring, even though it was his first goal in more than a month. But the reporters in the stands became excited, and some even whistled to express their inner joy.

"Hey! It's the first goal! It's his best curveball!"

"Hehe! Who said Li Yongle was no good just now?"

"Wow! What a pair of rivals! If one excels, the other will definitely not be outdone, even in a youth team scrimmage! The terrifying Li Yongle!"

"There's been a lot of good news these days!"

Inter Milan's youth team coach, Alfano, sat in his seat with his arms crossed. He was also very happy when Li Yongle scored just now, and he stood up and applauded to encourage Li Yongle. Now he glanced at the stands behind him, and then said to himself, "So noisy, those Chinese reporters!"

Li Yongle looked up at the group of gesticulating Chinese reporters in the stands and smiled helplessly. He didn't want to be bothered by the media too much before his future was clear. He would rather all Chinese people forget about him until he appeared on Inter Milan's first team roster. Because too much attention from China would always make others think that he was here because of China's strong market, and people would only be interested in the market and business when talking about him, not his strength. But now he didn't have the confidence to stop the reporters from interviewing, especially those from China. Coach Alfano must be very unhappy now, he had to work harder to avoid giving the coach an excuse to get angry.

"Li! Don't dawdle, control your area! Remember that's your territory, don't let the opponent easily pass through the midfield!" Alfano walked to the sideline and shouted loudly into the field.

"Yes, yes!" Li Yongle hurriedly quickened his pace.

It seems I'm still a little slow.

※※※

Zhang Weiguo was wiping his camera lens, not paying attention to his wife's hurried footsteps.

"Hey, I said can't you care about our son?" his wife said angrily, holding the newspaper to her husband.

"Hehe, I didn't see you so anxious about him before, why are you so concerned lately?" Zhang Weiguo said truthfully. His wife had been busy managing her business, and basically rarely cared about other things except for cooking every day. A strong woman, but fortunately there was such a strong woman, this family could be run in an organized manner.

"You... sigh! Our son hasn't been performing well lately, and he's under a lot of pressure. As a mother, I'm naturally anxious. Wasn't there anything major before? He could handle it himself, but this time I'm worried..."

Zhang Weiguo put down the lens, then pulled out a newspaper from behind and handed it to her. "Take a look for yourself, you underestimate your son's ability to survive, it's even stronger than a cockroach! Hahahaha!"

His wife took the newspaper that still had the scent of ink, and the front page was actually a photo of her son, he was roaring, and the big headline: "Eight Months, Zhang Jun is Back!"

After reading the news, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the sofa. Her heart, which had been hanging for more than a month day and night, could finally be put down. "You knew it all along, so you weren't worried?"

"Where, the report was only published this morning, I only knew half a day earlier. Am I not worried?" Zhang Weiguo picked up the camera and made a framing gesture. "But our son has to grow up, there are many things he needs to face independently. Can he rely on us for the rest of his life? I think this incident is also good, he can learn a lot of things."

His wife looked at her husband. Over the years, she had been busy with her business to provide the family with a good environment. If it weren't for such a husband, Zhang Jun's education would be really worrying. But he was also a busy person, away from home for a long time. How did he take care of the child? "Alas, you know Zhang Jun best, I'm too irresponsible as a mother!"

Zhang Weiguo put down the camera and hugged his wife. "Silly, you also have your career to be busy with, so that Zhang Jun can grow up without worrying about food and clothing! I have more time than you, so I'll take care of this silly son! Hehe! Don't blame yourself, no one blames you, Zhang Jun knows it himself, he knows you love him, because you are his mother! Hehe!"

※※※

The big screen behind them was playing the entire process of Zhang Jun's three goals, and Zhang Jun was sitting in front of this big screen being interviewed by a beautiful hostess.

This was a talk show called "Football Talk Show" produced by the Dutch sports channel. It was produced every week after the league, and guests were invited to do interviews every time. This show had a good influence in the Netherlands, and many soccer stars had been interviewed by them. For example, Basten, after being selected as the coach of the Dutch national team, Gullit, who came out of the soccer world to coach Feyenoord, Van Gaal, who resigned as the technical director of Ajax, and Guus Hiddink, who led the South Korean national team to create Asian soccer history.

This time it was Zhang Jun's turn. The reason he was invited was that he played the role of a "soccer ambassador" between China and the Netherlands, showing Chinese soccer to the Dutch and introducing the Netherlands to China. According to relevant statistics, after Zhang Jun joined Volendam, the number of Chinese citizens choosing to travel to the Netherlands increased by seven percentage points compared to the same period in previous years. Volendam was the direct beneficiary.

The show had wanted to invite him for a long time, but due to the injury, he rejected all commercial activities that could be rejected and did not accept any form of interviews, so they had to give up.

In this round of the league, Zhang Jun became the only person to score a hat trick in the highest league. After being picked on and questioned for four games with a magnifying glass, he finally broke out and announced Zhang Jun's successful comeback.

Zhang Jun was in high spirits. It had been two days, but he was still immersed in that game. This emotion was exactly what the show needed most. The beautiful hostess used all her skills and cooperated with Zhang Jun tacitly, with witty remarks.

Under the guidance of the host, Zhang Jun told about his experiences in the past eight months. The audience would learn how he stood up again with everyone's care. He thanked everyone who had helped him, from Dutch legend Marco van Basten to his girlfriend Sophie.

"So among so many people, is there anyone who needs special thanks?" the hostess asked with a smile.

Zhang Jun fell into deep thought. Someone who needs special thanks?

Dr. Seyang did ankle surgery for himself under great pressure, and was so tired that he was almost exhausted. It was his surgery that gave him hope to continue playing soccer, and he should be someone worth special thanks.

Basten perfected the Dragon Soar for him, and reached out to help when he couldn't find the rhythm of the game. Mr. Basten was originally the coach of the Dutch national team, and he was so concerned about a Chinese player while being busy, which really moved him. He was also someone who needed special thanks.

Feng Qing, Brother Feng. His origin was somewhat mysterious, but since he said that he couldn't reveal the name and identity of the client, I wouldn't make things difficult for him. No matter what his origin was, he did heal my foot, and although Brother Feng was fond of alcohol, women, and money, he was definitely not a bad person. Watching him busy before and after for himself, grabbing medicine everywhere, doing acupuncture and massage... Why do I always meet such good people? Brother Feng also needs to be thanked.

Qiu Suhui, Coach Qiu. Even when I was in China, he still cared about me. Although Mr. Basten didn't admit it, I knew that he must have been asked by Coach Qiu. And when I was confused because of my continuous poor performance, he specifically called to tell me where the problem was, so that I could get out of the predicament. It can be said that I was able to score three goals, and Coach Qiu's direct contribution was the greatest! I'm lucky to have such a coach, and I must thank him especially!

My teammates in Volendam, they have always supported me. Coach Adriaanse has always trusted me and made a cautious and detailed comeback plan for me. And my parents, no matter what I do, they will always support me, so that I have no worries. Yang Pan, Kaka, Li Yongle, An Ke, and Sister Hua are all my best friends, people I can trust. Finally, there are thousands of fans who have always supported me and cared about me. Without your existence, there would be no glory for me today.

But among so many people, which one is the one I need to thank the most?

"Are you only allowed to choose one person?" Zhang Jun asked embarrassedly.

"Yes, one." The beautiful hostess nodded with a smile. "If you choose a bunch, then it's not called the one who needs to be thanked the most." She deliberately emphasized the word "most."

Zhang Jun thought about it again, and then he answered very firmly, "Many people need me to thank them especially, but the one I need to thank the most, I think, should be my girlfriend, Sophie."

If it weren't for you, I might have given up in high school. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to muster the courage to face the pain. If it weren't for you, I don't know if I could have persisted through that long and boring recovery period. If it weren't for you, I don't know where I would be doing what I'm doing now.

Actually, I'm not as strong as you said. If it weren't for you, I don't know how many times I would have given up on soccer and love. Your smile, your anger, your sadness, every frown and smile of yours is my motivation.

Your love for me is not unprincipled doting. When I'm proud, you will pull my sleeve to remind me to pay attention to my feet. When I'm lost and frustrated, you will excitedly try to get me to cheer up. Everything is for me, but I still stubbornly worry you time and time again.

The one I need to thank the most is you, not only this time, but in my entire life process, in my whole life, Zhang Jun wants to thank you.

Thank you, Sophie!

Who doesn't need care, and competing with oneself is so painful; Fortunately, you are along the way, creating all the dreams in the yearning, it is still worth the hard work.

But if I leave you, even if I get everything, I will let it go.

Without yesterday's you, there would be no me today, even if I try hard, it will be meaningless!

Just feel you, everything is without scruples, without you sharing the world is also lifeless!

But with you encouraging me, I can do anything, for you I am willing to choose this long road!

I just want you to know, I no longer want to back down, I can have you by my side to confide in me even when facing pressure!

I used to live without seeing the light of day, fatigue seeped into my skin; Fortunately, you understand the most along the way, this hardship is nothing, just like the best cheering.

But if I can be with you, I always get everything, and I don't care about being exhausted.

……

(Zhou Huajian's "With You Along the Way", address:)

※※※

Sophie was walking alone on the school, enjoying the rare winter sun in Hefei, thinking about what to say to Zhang Jun on the phone tonight.

Zhang Jun scored three goals in a game, completing a hat trick, and all the pressure was swept away with this hat trick. Zhang Jun was relaxed, and Sophie could also breathe a sigh of relief. In the days when Zhang Jun was confused, Sophie was also restless, unable to sleep peacefully, and tasted nothing.

Now that the stone on her heart was gone, she felt much better.

I've heard about the reaction abroad, and you were even invited to do a show, haha! I really want to see your silly look!

I really like those photos of you in the newspaper, they captured your expression very well. This high-spirited Zhang Jun is the Zhang Jun I love. But the photographer is also top-notch, I have collected all the photos. This time someone else took the picture for you, someday I will personally take this kind of expression of yours.

So for my dream, Zhang Jun, you must smile often! If there is anything unhappy, just smile, hee hee!

Sophie was tired from walking, so she sat down on a long chair in the bushes. The winter sun actually made her forehead sweat a little.

It was noon now, and the sun cast mottled shadows through the branches above her head. When the sun shone on her body, there was no hint of winter, and her whole body felt warm. Sophie leaned on the back of the chair and watched with interest a couple playing happily on the sunny lawn in the distance. In the hazy sunlight, she seemed to see herself and Zhang Jun.

※※※

ps: This issue's characters: Li Yongle and Kru Lee. Characters who will appear in the next issue: Two defensive generals of the Chinese team: Liu Peng and Xiang Tao.

Li Yongle Height: 188cm Weight: 80kg Technical Stats—Offensive Ability: 84 Defensive Ability: 86 Body Balance: 72 Stamina: 92 Speed: 83 Acceleration: 89 Reaction: 80 Agility: 72 Dribbling Accuracy: 69 Dribbling Speed: 85 Short Pass Accuracy: 85 Short Pass Speed: 79 Long Pass Accuracy: 96 Long Pass Speed: 84 Shot Accuracy: 80 Shot Power: 90 Shot Technique: 83 Free Kick Accuracy: 60 Curve: 76 Header Accuracy: 58 Jumping Ability: 71 Personal Technique: 72 Aggressiveness: 70 Mentality: 86 Stability: 7 Goalkeeping Ability: 15 Teamwork: 89 Stability: 7 Weak Foot Accuracy: 6 Weak Foot Frequency: 5 Special Abilities—Dribbling Master: Ball Control: Positioning: Good Sense of Position: Breaking Through: Offside Awareness: Shooter: Commander: Passing Master: Two-Footed Feint: Penalty Kick Master: One-on-One Ability: Long Throw-In: Winger: Central Player: Shooting from Anywhere: Marking: Defensive Leader: Tackling: Quick Long Pass: Saving Penalties: Saving One-on-Ones:

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Kru Lee Height: 186cm Weight: 77kg Technical Stats—Offensive Ability: 87 Defensive Ability: 32 Body Balance: 89 Stamina: 69 Speed: 80 Acceleration: 86 Reaction: 84 Agility: 89 Dribbling Accuracy: 97 Dribbling Speed: 90 Short Pass Accuracy: 86 Short Pass Speed: 81 Long Pass Accuracy: 76 Long Pass Speed: 72 Shot Accuracy: 84 Shot Power: 81 Shot Technique: 87 Free Kick Accuracy: 68 Curve: 60 Header Accuracy: 79 Jumping Ability:* Personal Technique: 94 Aggressiveness: 91 Mentality: 69 Stability: 6 Goalkeeping Ability: 20 Teamwork: 49 Stability: 7 Weak Foot Accuracy: 8 Weak Foot Frequency: 8 Special Abilities—Dribbling Master: Ball Control: Positioning: Good Sense of Position: Breaking Through: Offside Awareness: Shooter: Commander: Passing Master: Two-Footed Feint: Penalty Kick Master: One-on-One Ability: Long Throw-In: Winger: Central Player: Shooting from Anywhere: Marking: Defensive Leader: Tackling: Quick Long Pass: Saving Penalties: Saving One-on-Ones:

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Note: The selection under "Special Ability", marked with a five-star symbol indicates that the player has this ability, if there is nothing behind, it means that the player does not have this ability.

Considering that player stats will increase to varying degrees in the league mode in *Pro Evolution Soccer 8*, this data does not represent the final stats of each player. As for how far they will grow, it depends on how well you can control them, haha! Please enjoy the fun of soccer, whether in the game or in reality.

Also: The player's qualities I refer to are *We Are the Champions*, not *Do You Care If I Play Soccer*. So some players may seem to have very different abilities than in *Do You Care If I Play Soccer*.