Chapter 1 North Rhine-Westphalia, Dressed in Silver

North Rhine-Westphalia, dressed in silver.

Snowflakes danced in the wind, chaotic and fragmented, as soft and light as dandelions.

The dry branches were covered in white, resembling lines drawn on white paper from a distance, creating a black and white painting.

Li Kang and his assistant arrived at the Bayer Leverkusen first team's dormitory area.

The two stepped carefully on the thin snow.

The security guard was stunned, wiped his glasses with the sleeve of his coat, and was instantly excited. He excitedly opened the door, then turned and ran back to the booth to make a phone call.

No players had lived in the dormitory area for a long time.

Brandt had long saved enough money to buy two houses in Bremen.

High-profile new signings like Balotelli and J-Rod would never live in a dormitory.

Squeak.

Accompanied by a harsh rubbing sound.

A window on the second floor of a building not far away was suddenly opened.

A chubby head peeked out, then quickly retracted.

The next thing to emerge from the window was a soccer ball.

"Lee!"

"Catch!"

Teacher Berentata threw it with all his might.

The soccer ball drew an arc in the air, landing and bouncing until it rolled to Li Kang's feet.

There were many benefits to living in the first team's dormitory area. A sense of togetherness was one aspect, but more importantly, there was a small training field just a stone's throw away.

Before Li Kang could react.

The assistant was eager to try, took a running start, and kicked!

Thump!

Before he even touched the ball.

His foot slipped.

His butt slammed heavily onto the ground.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Teacher Berentata, while putting on his coat, flicked the ice chips off the window and joked, "Wilde, it seems you've been living comfortably in London. Expensive boots aren't practical!"

Li Kang helped the assistant up.

The latter rubbed his butt in pain, trying to retort.

"I'm about to go crazy with work. Barcelona's new sporting director keeps calling me. They can't wait to bring Lee back to Camp Nou in the winter transfer window..."

"Ah!"

He hadn't taken a few steps before he slipped again and fell heavily on the concrete ground.

Barcelona's management had undergone a series of shake-ups.

Ultimately, Robert was fired and Enrique was dismissed.

The joke about a million in installments had even been turned into a children's song, spreading throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

The new sporting director didn't seem to fully understand the situation.

He treated Li Kang as one of the many "homesick" La Masia prodigies, like Fabregas, Bellerín, and Deulofeu.

《Camp Nou, Welcome Every Child Home.》

It was for this reason.

Sofia, his adoptive mother, rejected the idea of Li Kang returning to La Masia to reunite.

The transfer window was open.

If Arsenal's two-hundred-million-dollar man went back to Barcelona, it would be too sensitive.

After watching the news about the Chapecoense plane crash, she didn't want to travel far either.

The mother and son would probably have to wait for the regular season break to reunite.

...

Among Europe's top five leagues, the Bundesliga has the longest winter break because it's too cold.

As early as October, the home stadiums of Cologne, Mönchengladbach, and Leverkusen had to start their heating systems.

In contrast to the simplicity of the dormitory area, Advent wreaths were placed in the cafeteria.

The decorations, made of Norway spruce branches, were surrounded by four candles.

The Christmas atmosphere gradually permeated every public area of the club.

"Everyone disbanded after filming the Spring Festival greeting commercials a while ago."

"Topp and Voller went to Munich for the Bundesliga awards gala."

"They took a lot of people with them; those two old guys couldn't carry that many trophies."

"Dino didn't go home; he drove the bus to take the young players from the youth team home and won't be back until tonight..."

"Havertz will definitely come; Aachen is too close to here."

"Eat more; we'll have a good chat this afternoon about Conte's new three-center-back system this season."

"I saw the news; you should get in touch with more North Rhine girls. They are simple, independent, and strong-willed."

"For a man, the most deadly poison in the world is a constantly complaining wife..."

Teacher Berentata took a sip of wine.

His joy was overflowing.

Besides Li, no one at the club liked to listen to him, a bachelor, preach.

...

Munich International Conference Center.

Thousands of fans gathered at the north gate entrance.

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

Watching one Bundesliga star and legend after another walk the red carpet.

But the protagonist of the promotional video was nowhere to be seen.

What's going on?

False advertising?

Seeing the situation was not good, the security personnel immediately called for reinforcements to guard the entrance.

The media reporters couldn't help but be disappointed.

They had hoped that the King of North Rhine-Westphalia would return to the Bundesliga, preferably having an intimate conversation with Beckenbauer to create some gossip.

...

The commotion outside was huge.

In reality, the German Football Association had only rented a small, eight-hundred-square-meter venue in the International Conference Center.

Well.

Relatively speaking, eight hundred square meters was a bit small.

The screen played a summary promotional video of the 15-16 season.

Li Kang became the protagonist.

Veltins-Arena, a single sword seals the throat.

Olympiastadion, a free-kick hat-trick.

Allianz Arena in Munich, a lone rider, chipping over Neuer... blasting Neuer... lobbing Neuer...

...

Neuer's face was awkward.

He was glad Li Kang only stayed in the Bundesliga for one season.

Otherwise.

The value and confidence of all the goalkeepers in the entire Bundesliga would be destroyed.

"De Bruyne was the 14-15 season."

"Li was the 15-16 season."

"We Bayern are going to become the monster boss of the newbie village!"

Muller, in a suit and tie, suddenly made an extremely uncoordinated and exaggerated expression.

Robben smiled and shook his head, sighing, "Li is more suited to Bayern's lineup."

Many things happened in the Bundesliga this season.

The 22-year-old Kimmich shone brighter.

But several veterans, including Alonso, Starke, and Lahm, were preparing to retire, and the club was already preparing their farewell ceremonies in advance.

The midfield and backfield configuration of the Bundesliga giant still needed to be refined.

Borussia Dortmund returned to its peak.

Hoffenheim rose unexpectedly.

Bayer Leverkusen continued its strong performance.

Not far away.

Old Topp looked at the Bayern stars and said disdainfully, "Hmph, just because more people come, they think they can win the Best Club award?"

...

The pace of the Bundesliga awards ceremony was fast.

Beckenbauer didn't waste a single word when he took the stage.

"The strong are not necessarily the victors, but the victors are certainly the strong."

"I announce, the Bundesliga Best Club for the 15-16 season: Bayer Leverkusen!"

Applause thundered.

The Factory team, which won the Salad Bowl and the German Cup, was undoubtedly selected as the Best Club of the season.

Even in terms of broadcasting revenue sharing, they beat the Bundesliga giant.

Voller walked slowly to the stage, accepted the trophy representing collective honor, and turned to leave the stage.

The screen quickly switched between photos of Bundesliga stars.

Next was the announcement of the Bundesliga Best Player.

Beckenbauer raised his hand and waved, and the switching animation came to an abrupt end.

"Is there any suspense for the Bundesliga Best Player?"

"I don't think there's any need to list the candidates; it's disrespectful to the other players."

Laughter rang out from below the stage.

A voice suddenly rang out.

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

Beckenbauer smiled and called out, "Li Kang!"

Voller had just returned to his seat and put down the trophy, and he had to support his back and go on stage again...