Chapter 1 Zhang Jun's Parents

Zhang Jun had just sat up in bed and hadn't even had time to wash his face or brush his teeth when he received an excited call from Sophie.

"Zhang Jun, Mom and Dad are here!"

Upon hearing this news, Zhang Jun was first stunned, and then as happy as Sophie. His parents had safely arrived to watch the game, and Sophie had someone to accompany her. The thought of his parents being in the stands so close to the final filled him with even more motivation.

Because it was match day, Zhang Jun naturally couldn't run to Sophie's hotel to visit his parents. He had a brief chat with his mother and Sophie's parents on the phone.

They didn't say much; the important thing now was the match. After the match, they would have plenty of time to sit together and catch up.

After instructing Sophie to arrange for his parents to enter the box before the game and take good care of them, Zhang Jun hung up the phone. Only then did he get out of bed to get dressed and wash up.

"Uncle and aunt have arrived?" Yang Pan asked, watching Zhang Jun hum a song as he washed his face and shaved.

"Yeah," Zhang Jun nodded.

"Haha, that's great. You have another reason not to lose!" Yang Pan said with a smile.

Zhang Jun turned to look at Yang Pan, seeing the calm smile on his face, with no sign of any worries. Zhang Jun thought: Don't you also have a reason why you can't lose, no matter what?

"Yang Pan, have you ever thought about scoring a goal yourself in the match tonight?"

"It would be great if I could, but everything is for the team's benefit. If there's no suitable opportunity, I'll focus on passing the ball to you guys." Yang Pan pointed at Zhang Jun. "You've already scored seven goals, right? Adriano from Brazil has five, only two behind. So, I have another goal for this final: to assist you, to further widen the gap between your goal count and Ade's, so you can become the top scorer of this World Cup!"

※※※

Kaka and Adriano were having breakfast. Apart from the championship battle, there was another suspense for this final, which Adriano cared about the most.

Throughout the long season, a streaky striker like himself couldn't consistently put pressure on Zhang Jun, so it was normal to lose the top scorer title in the league for several seasons in a row. But cup matches were different. These tournament-style competitions were concentrated, and if he caught himself in his best form, then anything was possible, including the championship and the top scorer title.

And at this moment, he was in perfect condition.

"Kaka, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"You're actually considered a Chinese person, right?"

Kaka looked up at Adriano across from him: "China doesn't allow dual citizenship."

Adriano grinned with a simple laugh: "Then I really have to thank China, otherwise I wouldn't have such a good partner in the national team."

"What's up? Want me to help you get the Golden Boot?" Kaka knew why Adriano said that.

"Hehe."

"Alright, I don't want Zhang Jun to be too arrogant either." In fact, Kaka wanted to win that game with Zhang Jun. He wasn't a forward, so he couldn't compare goals with Zhang Jun, but he could choose a representative, a representative on the front line—Adriano. He would assist, Adriano would score, and use this method to defeat Zhang Jun.

Captain Ronaldinho got up from a table across from them and walked towards them. When Kaka realized that Ronaldinho's target was him, he was already standing in front of him.

"Kaka, come to my room after breakfast, I have something to say to you."

After Ronaldinho left, Kaka and Adriano exchanged glances, neither of them understanding why Ronaldinho wanted to see Kaka.

※※※

When Kaka knocked on Ronaldinho's door, he saw Ronaldinho's signature smile.

"You're here? Come in!" He reached out and pulled Kaka in.

"Did you want to see me about something?" The atmosphere within the Brazilian team was relatively relaxed and happy, so even though Ronaldinho was a big shot wearing the captain's armband, Kaka didn't call him "Captain." Many times, they directly called him by his name, or didn't call him anything at all.

"It's like this, you're quite familiar with some people on the Chinese team. I want to hear if you have any suggestions? The tactics that the coach talked about yesterday, I think they apply to most opponents in the world. But the Chinese team is obviously a different opponent. I think understanding more will help us play better during the match." The smile on Ronaldinho's face gradually disappeared.

Kaka tilted his head and looked at Ronaldinho: "This..." Ronaldinho never said he wanted to understand opponents separately before a match. His smile always represented confidence and happiness, and infected his teammates at the same time.

But now, Kaka clearly felt that Ronaldinho was nervous. Could it be just because they were playing in the World Cup final today? Kaka had never seen Ronaldinho this nervous during the 2002 World Cup final or the 2006 World Cup final.

The Chinese team is obviously a different opponent...

Kaka smiled: "What are you nervous about?"

Ronaldinho's face tightened, and he coughed twice: "What am I nervous about?"

Kaka turned his smile into a burst of laughter: "Your expression is really funny!"

Ronaldinho pretended to be angry: "Are you challenging my authority as captain? Kaka?" But this expression was obviously not suitable for Ronaldinho, and he was the first to give in, suddenly bursting out laughing.

He let out a breath: "Okay, you guessed right, I was a little nervous just now. But I'm fine now..." Seeing Kaka's doubtful eyes, he quickly added, "Really, I'm not lying to you."

Kaka sat down: "Then do you still want me to talk?"

Ronaldinho thought for a moment, then shook his head: "No. I thought about it, and actually, we already know pretty much everything they can let us know about the Chinese team. Although we haven't been paying attention to them since before the World Cup, as the competition progresses, we've been paying more and more attention to them. I think secrets... we don't have any, and neither does the Chinese team. When the game starts, everyone will be fighting on strength."

Although the Chinese team and the Brazilian team absolutely couldn't be considered rivals, the two teams knew each other very well. This was a fact. Because the Brazilian team had Kaka and Adriano, who had very good relationships with some players in the Chinese team. At the same time, the Brazilian team, as the target of countless teams, the target of public criticism, would naturally be studied many times by the Chinese team's coach, not to mention that there were also people in the Chinese team who had particularly good relationships with Brazilian players.

This match didn't need probing, didn't need smoke bombs. Just as Ronaldinho said, when the two teams met, there was no other way but to fight hard.

※※※

July 15th, 9:30 AM local time in Cape Town, South Africa.

The entire Chinese team finished breakfast, and the entire Brazilian team also finished breakfast. The two teams entered the final adjustment time before the match, and no training was arranged, just complete relaxation.

And both coaches were actively preparing for the final battle, organizing materials, and collecting the latest intelligence. Among the groups of reporters surrounding the hotels where both teams were staying, there were spies from both sides.

※※※

10:40 AM local time.

Cape Town International News Center, CCTV area in China. Wang Jianxiang walked into a room filled with instruments and wires with several cups of hot coffee.

"How's it going, guys? How's the work coming along?" He handed the cups of coffee one by one to his colleagues who were still busy in front of the machines.

A young man with bloodshot eyes reached out and took the coffee, muttering: "Xiangzi... coffee is no longer effective for us. Where did you get this job? You only told us to rush the work, but you didn't introduce the other party's situation."

"Ahem, I'm helping a friend, doing it for free. But I won't treat you guys badly later. We've been friends for so many years, when have I ever lied to you? Don't ask, hurry up and do it, they need it urgently. I should be busy later too." Wang Jianxiang came to bring coffee to these brothers and see how the progress was. "Can you finish it before 3:00 PM?"

"It should be no problem. The footage has all been found, all that's left is to add music and edit." The one speaking was their music editor, Chen Yang.

"Okay, Yangzi, then you'll have to work a little harder. This Chinese team's final, this thing can be considered our contribution!" Wang Jianxiang patted Chen Yang on the shoulder.

Looking at the surprised expressions on the faces of his brothers, he winked at everyone: "I'll tell you when the thing is done, haha!" After saying that, he turned around and slipped away before anyone could react.

On the way to the live broadcast room, he recalled the scene of Qiu Suhui calling him a day ago. He really didn't expect that the Chinese team's coach would come up with such a way to boost morale.

However, it really was a very good way...

Just as he reached the door of the live broadcast room, he heard Qi Wei's voice inside. He stopped and waited at the door. The temperature inside the live broadcast room was very high because of the lights, and the staff were all sweating. Now it was a live broadcast program, so even though Qi Wei also had a lot of sweat on his body, he still had to persevere.

Zhao Bin, the supervisor in charge of the overall coordination of the live and recorded programs on the station during the World Cup, saw Wang Jianxiang at the door and walked towards him.

"How was your rest last night?" He pointed to his throat.

Wang Jianxiang smiled: "Don't worry, I'll definitely use the best voice to commentate." After saying that, he coughed lightly.

"But I also didn't expect that the Chinese team could make it to the final. The station didn't originally plan to have so many people stay in South Africa. Later, as the Chinese team took each step forward, our plans changed accordingly. Looking back now, it's quite embarrassing." Wang Jianxiang also deeply felt the things Zhao Bin said.

"But also very proud," he added.

The two smiled at each other.

"I'm going to be busy, you should also prepare a little, it'll be your turn soon. Ten more minutes."

Wang Jianxiang nodded. He watched Zhao Bin leave, and tilted his head towards the live broadcast room, just in time to see a countdown timer on the west wall.

Before the start of the World Cup, Chinese television viewers had seen the countdown on television more than once, something like "Today is xx days away from the start of the World Cup." Later, with the start of the World Cup, the countdown was canceled because it was no longer useful.

Looking at the black screen of the countdown timer, Wang Jianxiang suddenly had an idea in his mind, he thought of a brilliant opening line for the program he was hosting.

※※※

11:00 AM local time in Cape Town, South Africa.

5:00 PM Beijing time, China.

"Start!"

Those who had been waiting in front of the television screen early to watch the World Cup live broadcast program first saw a countdown timer on the screen, not Wang Jianxiang's smiling face.

Red numbers were jumping on the black screen, clearly showing: 08:59:59.

In the previous World Cup programs hosted by Wang Jianxiang or anyone else, viewers had never seen this countdown timer. They felt a little puzzled by its appearance.

"Everyone must be wondering why there is such a countdown timer on 'World Cup Snapshot' today." At this time, Wang Jianxiang's voice rang out, the camera zoomed out, and the countdown timer and the host Wang Jianxiang wearing a beige suit appeared in front of the audience at the same time.

"Actually, I just want to remind everyone in this way that there are less than nine hours left before a historic moment for Chinese football. At 8:00 PM local time, 2:00 AM on the 16th Beijing time, the whistle to start the final of the 19th World Cup will be blown..."

08:59:00.

There are still eight hours and fifty-nine minutes left.

※※※

12:00 noon.

Lunch time.

※※※

1:00 PM.

Lunch break.

The tense atmosphere of the final didn't seem to affect the players...at least on the surface. All the players were forced back to their rooms by the coach to rest and recharge their batteries for the game in the evening.

※※※

3:10 PM.

Yang Pan, the first one to wake up from the Chinese team, appeared in the hotel lobby, and then he was stopped by Hu Li to notify the whole team to get up.

"Wake up! If you sleep any longer, your legs will be soft!"

Yang Pan's loud voice echoed throughout the thirtieth floor of the hotel, followed by the sound of doors opening and closing, and the sound of water rushing in the bathrooms.

After all the players got up, the team, led by Hu Li, went to the hotel's gym to do some simple strength training. The amount of exercise was very, very small, mainly to help the players recover from the somewhat weak state of their bodies after just waking up.

※※※

3:30 PM.

When the Chinese team's players had just come out of the gym and were resting, Qiu Suhui received something that Wang Jianxiang had someone bring to him.

In his room, Hu Li stared at the screen of the laptop, constantly exclaiming in admiration.

"How is it? Lao Hu." Qiu Suhui clapped his hands with satisfaction.

"It's amazing! How did you think of it?" Hu Li's eyes were shining.

"Hehe, this is not my original idea. Many coaches in Europe will use this method to boost the team's morale before the game. I plan to show it to the boys before the game, it will definitely have a very good effect."

"Don't mention those young guys, even an old man like me gets excited after watching it! Lao Qiu, you've really worked hard to come up with such a method. But how did you find so much material?"

Qiu Suhui smiled: "I didn't do it, I asked a friend from the TV station to help me with it. I don't have that ability!"

Every shot in this short four minute and ten second video was obviously carefully selected, and their positions were definitely not randomly placed. The perfect combination of picture and music created this image that made people's blood boil.

He probably didn't expect such an outstanding effect when he called Wang Jianxiang. Those people are really working hard...everything is for the final, for the World Cup.

※※※

4:25 PM.

Li Yan made a series of calls to his colleagues assigned to several locations in Cape Town, confirming their locations and work status. He just got the news from the hotel that the Chinese team seemed to be about to have dinner, and after dinner, they would probably set off.

He looked at the items placed on the table one by one: laptop, battery, power supply, digital camera, press card, notebook and ballpoint pen.

He reconfirmed everything and felt relieved that he hadn't left anything behind.

Although there was still a long time before the final, and it wasn't time for him to leave for the stadium, Li Yan had already prepared everything and placed it on the table, so he could just pick it up and leave when the time came.

He didn't know if this behavior could be considered a sign of nervousness. Logically speaking, he wasn't going to play in the game, so what was he nervous about?

But he really felt a little uneasy, and his heart was beating fast. He couldn't simply say it was a sign of nervousness, because there was also a bit of expectation mixed in with this uneasiness.

It was excitement.

Li Yan sat on the hotel bed, constantly looking down at the watch on his wrist, the second hand ticking forward little by little. The room was very quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner. The "tick-tock" of the second hand seemed particularly loud.

Li Yan had never had this feeling before. He felt that this day was the longest day of his life. The second hand and minute hand seemed to be working against him, moving especially slowly. Sometimes, this thought would suddenly pop into his head, and it would uncontrollably occupy all his thoughts: He really hoped that time would jump to 11:00 PM tonight, the game would end, and the Chinese team would win the championship.

After sitting on the bed for less than a minute, Li Yan suddenly stood up again, and then paced back and forth in the room by himself.

※※※

5:00 PM.

Dinner time.

Since there was a game at 8:00 PM, this dinner definitely couldn't be sumptuous. It was just a simple way for the players to replenish their energy. Everyone had to limit themselves and couldn't eat too much, otherwise they wouldn't be able to run at all during the game.

Besides, maintaining a certain sense of hunger helps to improve people's nerve reaction speed and excitement.

On the other side, the Brazilian team's dinner was exactly the same as the Chinese team's. Both were making the players maintain a sense of hunger.

Sophie had been accompanying her parents and Zhang Jun's mother—who would soon become her mother—all day long. Li Yan didn't arrange any work for her. She only needed to accompany the three elderly people to the stadium box, and then set up the camera on the sidelines.

Her contract with *Titan Sports* would also be officially terminated after today, and the remaining time was hers.

Her father dressed up "very fanatically" today. He painted the Chinese flag on his face with greasepaint, tied a red headband with the words "China Team Must Win" on his head, and held a Chinese flag in each hand.

In the words of Sophie's mother, he was "a fifty-seven-year-old man, still acting like a child, with no respect for his elders."

The two ladies were obviously not as crazy as the man, just holding the national flag in their hands, and waving it when they saw passing fans paying attention to them.

At this moment, they were taking a car to the match venue for this final—Green Point Stadium.

"Feifei, you and Zhang Jun are getting married after this World Cup, right?" Sophie's mother asked Sophie, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

Sophie nodded: "That's right. Whether he can win the World Cup or not, I'm going to marry him. I was just joking at the beginning, but I didn't expect him to take it seriously..." Sophie also felt a little wronged. Her relationship with Zhang Jun was the first to be confirmed among so many people. She didn't expect that Yang Pan would have children soon, but she and Zhang Jun were still not married. Friends kept asking her why she and Zhang Jun weren't getting married, whether there were any changes, or a seven-year itch or something... What else could she do except smile wryly and shake her head in denial?

"Ahem, our Zhang Jun is just a bit stubborn and has a stubborn temper..." Zhang Jun's mother said embarrassedly.

"It's okay, Auntie, I don't blame him. Actually, this is also a good way to test his feelings for me, hehe!"

"Feifei, what are your plans for the wedding? We've prepared everything for you in China."

"Um..." Sophie looked up and thought for a while, "There may be more than one wedding. One in China, inviting only the closest friends, not many people, not inviting news media, just like an ordinary wedding, a little low-key. And then going to Europe, first going to Volendam to take wedding photos—this is something Zhang Jun decided a long time ago, and then holding a second wedding in Florence, which will invite many people from the football world... Sister Hua has already auctioned off the exclusive reporting rights and photos of the wedding." The first wedding Sophie was talking about was held as an ordinary couple, and the second was on a celebrity scale.

There was no other way, they had discussed this wedding plan for a long time. Zhang Jun and Sophie's initial idea was four words: "simple and low-key."

But Hua Fang firmly disagreed. As Zhang Jun's agent, she had the responsibility and obligation to continuously promote this name around the world. Now Zhang Jun had almost obtained everything a professional player could obtain on the football field, so what else could arouse the interest of the fans? At this time, Zhang Jun and Sophie's wedding would naturally be a better reason than ever. If they could use this to further enhance Zhang Jun's fame and also enhance Sophie's fame, then there would be no harm in future commercial development plans. Looking at those big-name stars, which one's wedding was not the focus of attention? As the number one striker on this planet, if Zhang Jun's wedding was held quietly, then the fans' riot alone would be unbearable, right?

Hua Fang was a businesswoman, and everything had to prioritize profit issues, how to maximize the commercialization of Zhang Jun's popularity. If an agent could not bring any benefits, more benefits, to her employer, then she was definitely a failed agent. Because of Zhang Jun's loyalty to Florence, she couldn't realize her idea of relying on the transfer to further enhance Zhang Jun's reputation and economic income. Now that there was this excellent wedding opportunity, how could she let it go?

Zhang Jun didn't want even his wedding to become a commercial show, so he didn't agree with Hua Fang's approach.

Neither of them could convince the other.

Hua Fang's approach was actually understandable. After all, the golden career of professional players was quite short, and many players didn't have a stable source of income in the second half of their lives, and their lives were relatively tight. After all, not everyone could be David Beckham. Therefore, it was very wise to earn more money when they could play football and prepare for their life after retirement.

No one would think they had too much money.

Hua Fang also recognized Zhang Jun's temper. Although he was tough on the surface, they had worked together for so many years, and Zhang Jun, who valued relationships so much, would not turn against her so easily, so she had always insisted on her own opinion.

When the two of them were at odds, the intervention of a third party was needed. Sophie played this role very well. After discussing with the two of them separately, she weighed the pros and cons in her heart, and finally decided to accept Hua Fang's opinion. As a public figure, she had already realized this a long time ago after Zhang Jun became famous. Basically, there was no private life. In order to satisfy the curiosity of the vast fans and maintain a certain degree of exposure, some things had to be sacrificed.

Most importantly, Sophie believed that Hua Fang was right on one point. If Zhang Jun retired, what would support his huge family property? No matter how much money he earned when he played football, there would be a time when he would just sit and eat, which was obviously not a wise thing to do.

From now on, they needed to accumulate some money and prepare for future life investments. So, they should earn as much money as they could at this time...

Finally, with Sophie's mediation, the two sides made concessions. The wedding held in Florence would be held according to Hua Fang's vision. But before that, they would return to Luoyang to hold a private wedding. No news media would be notified. Even Li Yan, a journalist friend with such a good relationship, would not be allowed to bring a camera, conduct interviews or take photos, and would not be allowed to publish any articles about this wedding afterwards.

"Hey...they have to hold two weddings, one for their relatives and friends, and one for the fans and media to see. It's too difficult for you guys." Sophie's mother sighed.

Sophie smiled: "It's nothing, Mom, we're used to it. Who told us to be 'public figures'? Hehe."

Zhang Jun's mother said lovingly: "Feifei, you've suffered a lot following Zhang Jun, right? You must be very tired, right? When Zhang Jun retires, I'll definitely let him accompany you well, and you can go wherever you want!"

"Oh, Lao Xiang! Look at what you're saying. It's only now, and you're already thinking about the child's retirement." Sophie's mother touched her friend and future relative, joking.

Sophie blushed. She thought of the conversation between Zhang Jun and her in her own yard after Zhang Jun won the Serie A Golden Boot again.

"I want you to give me a goal worth fighting for for a long time, not just a championship or a record. A goal that will never make me feel lazy, no matter how tired or hard, no matter how long it takes, I'm willing to fight for it."

"I like to watch you play football. You play on the field, and I take pictures of you." This was one of them. She greedily set so many goals for Zhang Jun to complete. Why did she put this in the first place?

She met Zhang Jun because of football, and fell in love with Zhang Jun because of football. In their lives, football was never just a sport, or a way to make money.

It was more like a diamond ring, a diamond ring that witnessed and symbolized their eternal love.

※※※

Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, was a newly built stadium specifically for this World Cup. It could accommodate 70,000 spectators and was one of the top modern stadiums in South Africa.

This was the venue for the World Cup closing ceremony and the venue for the final.

Starting at 5:30 PM, many cars gradually arrived at the parking lot outside the stadium, and fans kept pouring out of the subway station. The tall overpass was also crowded with people, and everyone's goal was the same—Green Point Stadium, the World Cup final stadium.

Sophie took her parents and aunt to the VIP box specially reserved for them, and then called the waiter and explained in detail the special characteristics of these three guests—they didn't understand English very well, and they wouldn't speak English either. She asked if they could find someone who could speak Chinese from the volunteers to help.

As the Chinese team entered the World Cup final, there were more and more volunteers who could speak and understand Chinese. It was not a big problem to find one or two such volunteers.

Sophie waited until two volunteers with Eastern faces appeared in the room. They turned out to be two Chinese students studying in Cape Town, South Africa. That was great. Sophie didn't tell them the identities of these three people. She was afraid that if she told them that this was Zhang Jun's mother and her Sophie's parents, she would not be able to leave.

After explaining some things that needed to be explained to the volunteers, Sophie hurriedly left the box.

Although Li Yan didn't arrange any extra work for her because her parents came, she was still a photojournalist after all, and she had her own job waiting for her.

※※※

6:00 PM Cape Town time.

After a short rest after dinner, the two teams were finally about to set off and leave the hotel at the same time.

"Alright! Brothers! It's time for our glorious appearance!!" An Ke shouted loudly in the hotel lobby to a group of teammates waiting for the bus, not caring about the surprised gazes of others.

"I think bringing An Ke was the most failed thing about this World Cup..." Someone started whispering.

"Yeah, yeah, look how quiet Sima Hongxin is..."

Because he secretly called Milan, Italy, Yang Pan was the last one to come downstairs in the team. As soon as he came out of the elevator, he heard An Ke's presumptuous declaration. He gave An Ke a tap on the neck from behind: "Alright, stop howling. It's not time for us to appear yet!"

Of course, Zhang Jun knew why Yang Pan was the last one to come down. He had been secretly observing Yang Pan these past two days, trying to see a trace of something in his usual performance, and then tell him that he knew he was going to be a father, and give him a surprise on the field... After all, it was too tiring to keep this secret to himself.

But he was disappointed. Yang Pan's performance in front of others was impeccable, and he had no reason to suddenly say those words to Yang Pan.

"Let's go! Get on the bus!" Hu Li appeared in front of everyone.

When the red, yellow, and white Chinese bus appeared at the entrance of the hotel, the reporters surrounding the hotel became excited. They knew that the Chinese team was about to leave.

Flashes of light kept going off. Yang Pan, as the captain, was the first to appear at the door. Without greeting the surrounding fans and without showing a trace of a smile in the face of countless cameras, Yang Pan walked past the reporters with his signature serious expression from this World Cup, and then got on the bus first.

An Ke's appearance always attracted attention, because he was more active than anyone else. As soon as he came out, he raised his hands and kept waving to the fans and reporters. Such a cooperative attitude made it difficult not to like him.

As usual, Zhang Jun was the last one to come out and the last one to get on the bus. When he turned around at the door of the bus and smiled and greeted the fans, everyone present heard the screams of the female fans.

Foreign media had studied this issue. In the Chinese team, in the Fiorentina team, who was the most handsome player? Undoubtedly, it was Cruz Lee. But the most popular player, the player with the highest popularity among female fans, was definitely not Cruz, but Zhang Jun, who had a sunshine-like smile.

Perhaps it was because his consistent love with Sophie had earned him a lot of points in the hearts of female fans, and his smile was indeed very approachable.

After leaving a smile that made female fans endlessly fantasize, Zhang Jun turned around and got on the bus. The bus door slowly closed, and then the engine roared. Under the flashes of the reporters and the gaze of the fans, the Chinese team drove to the last stop of this expedition.

Almost at the same time, the Brazilian team's bus also drove out of the hotel under the spotlight.

※※※

6:30 PM Cape Town time.

6:30 PM local time in Milan, Italy.

The LCD TV in the hospital's special care ward was broadcasting the departure of the Chinese and Brazilian teams live. The live sound effects from the scene in South Africa were clearly transmitted, giving people a sense of being there. But the hospital bed opposite the TV was empty and there was no one on it.

The patient in this ward had just been wheeled away ten minutes ago.

※※※

When the Chinese team's bus drove into the stadium's special parking lot, the Brazilian team's bus also happened to turn over. The opponents in the final met for the first time in such a coincidental scene.

"Hey! Brazil!" An Ke shouted, pointing at the yellow bus opposite.

Immediately, many Chinese players got up from their seats and looked at the Brazilian team's bus coming towards them. Then they saw that many Brazilian players on the opposite bus also stood up.

Because they came from different roads and entered through different doors, the two buses just intersected at this place. Then one went east and the other went west, each going to the designated parking area.

Zhang Jun didn't get up, but when the two cars intersected, he saw Kaka in the opposite window. Kaka was also looking at him. The eyes of the two met in the air until the cars had passed, and they were still looking back at each other until they couldn't see anything.

At that moment, Kaka gave him a thumbs up, and Zhang Jun responded with a knowing smile.

——Hey, Zhang Jun. I kept my promise and came to the final.

——That's great, Kaka. Me too.

——The game between us has now reached the final moment to decide the winner.

——Yes, whether this is your World Cup or my World Cup depends on the last ninety minutes.

——Well, see you on the field later.

——See you on the field.

That momentary exchange of glances was enough to convey thousands of words.

※※※

The players who got off the bus were once again given a grand welcome by the fans. There were countless times more fans and reporters here than at the hotel entrance. The stadium security and the Cape Town police tried their best to allow the players to enter the locker room smoothly.

After quickly changing into their equipment in the locker room, the players had to go out to warm up. This would be the first climax before today's game.

"Dear viewers! Dear viewers! What you are seeing now is the Green Point Stadium, the venue for this World Cup final! Now! The players of the Chinese team have gotten off the bus and are going to the locker room to rest. In about ten minutes, they will appear on the field for the pre-match warm-up! It is now local time..." Qi Wei held the microphone and looked down at his watch, "7:08 PM! In another 52 minutes, the final of this World Cup will begin! Let us look forward to the arrival of that moment together!"

※※※

One kilometer south of the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, there was a strangely shaped building, which was the International News Center for this World Cup in South Africa.

Inside, in the east zone C-21, was the territory of CCTV in China.

At this moment, on the west wall of the live broadcast room, the countdown timer was still running accurately.

00:50:00.