[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back":3,"chapter-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Football: At 16, Let Me Retire and Come Back?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2300084,4499,"Chapter 114: At 17, Sitting Like a Lackey","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>Madrid time, August 17.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Villarreal’s first official match of the new season, against Monaco, another team from the Wudaliansai .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This match was packed with stakes: Villarreal and Monaco would compete across two legs to determine who earned a spot in the new season’s Champions League!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye picked up his jacket and sat down on the bench with Luo De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Tang Ye’s first time stepping onto the team’s home pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think of the Estadio de la Cerámica?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo De leaned back in his chair as the crowd roared the team’s name in Spanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye squinted, scanning left and right, then delivered his verdict: “Very yellow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo De laughed. As Tang Ye said, the entire stadium’s theme was yellow—except for the pitch, every seat and exterior decoration was bright yellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, I must proudly introduce the starting lineups for both teams in today’s match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stadium announcer’s voice rang out as Tang Ye turned to look at the tunnel—both teams’ starters emerged together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【At 38, you’ve entered the team’s Champions League playoff match, meaning you may become the first player in history to compete in the Champions League proper at age 38.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Successfully qualify the team for the Champions League: Save Piggy Bank】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Save Piggy Bank?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing a completely unfamiliar term, Tang Ye’s first reaction was to search the system for a detailed description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Save Piggy Bank: After earning a chest from completing a task, you may temporarily refrain from opening it and instead upgrade it to a higher tier by completing more difficult tasks.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note: Each chest can be placed into the Save Piggy Bank only once. The Save Piggy Bank itself has no usage limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy shit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye finally understood—the so-called “middle-aged man’s Save Piggy Bank” was essentially a financial tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve got a high-tier chest but I’m holding off on opening it, so I can do more tasks to earn a Star-tier chest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye had played with this before, but only under strict triggering conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this unlimited-use Save Piggy Bank, every chest he earned from now on could be upgraded before opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a perfectly designed item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such a perfect item came with an equally harsh requirement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal had to eliminate Monaco across both legs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye turned to Luo De and whispered: “Sergio, can we beat Monaco?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—we’re definitely going to win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo De patted his chest in assurance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a former Villarreal U19 player, he knew the first team’s strength inside out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monaco? We’ll crush them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still hadn’t unlocked his German high-tier chest. His plan was to wait until the team qualified for the Champions League, get the Save Piggy Bank, upgrade the high-tier chest to a Star-tier chest, then open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A German Star-tier chest—he guessed it would drop at least one player from the 2014 World Cup champion squad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We all live in a yellow submarine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yellow submarine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yellow submarine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We all live in a yellow submarine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“VAMOS Villarreal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The home fans sang as the announcer read out both teams’ starting lineups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal (4-4-2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goalkeeper: Asenjo\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defenders: Mario Gasspar, Mousquiao, Alfred N’Diaye, Kote\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midfielders: Castillejo, Trigueros, Bruno, Roberto Soriano\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forwards: Borre, Ale\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head Coach: Escrivá\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monaco (4-2-3-1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goalkeeper: Subasic\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defenders: Benjamin Mendy, Jemerson, Glik, Laji\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midfielders: Bakayoko, Fabinho, Bernardo Silva\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forwards: Mbappé, Germain, Diallo\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head Coach: Jardim\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of player market value, Monaco was slightly higher than Villarreal—but not by much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s match outcome would depend mostly on each side’s current form!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the bench, Tang Ye stared at Monaco’s number 29, Mbappé, and his mouth dropped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy shit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could someone look exactly like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Ninja Turtle was seriously impressive—just minutes into the match, Mbappé cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a powerful shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal’s goalkeeper Asenjo barely saved it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The home fans grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the 10th minute, their prized possession—possession rate—was already trailing the opponent’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was unacceptable to Villarreal’s players!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fabinho cleared the ball out of bounds, and the broadcast seized the moment to zoom in on Tang Ye and Luo De on the bench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two newcomers: one was the assist king loaned from Utrecht by head coach Escrivá; the other was Villarreal U19’s prodigy defensive midfielder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew if either of these two rookies would get playing time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chinese fans watching the screen reacted with wild excitement upon seeing Tang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang the King had led Utrecht to Champions League qualification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he help Villarreal too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 26th minute, Villarreal captain Bruno’s mistake gave Bernardo Silva an opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silva pounced, played a direct pass to the left flank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mbappé surged forward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye sat on the bench, his gum nearly falling out of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just asked the assistant coach—who confirmed the Ninja Turtle was only about 17 years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could someone else be this fast at 17?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mbappé’s speed was terrifying—he covered the distance to the endline in a few long strides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He controlled the ball but didn’t pass immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chose to cut inside himself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mousquiao retreated step by step, waiting for the moment to intercept Mbappé’s pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mbappé drove into the edge of the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A curler?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a driven shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mbappé looked toward the far post—but actually fired at the near corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ninja Turtle’s feint fooled goalkeeper Asenjo—Monaco took the lead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“GGGGOOOOLLLLLL！！！！”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kylian Mbappé!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mbappé sprinted to the corner flag, celebrating with his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal’s bench fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye turned to Luo De: “Sergio, can we still win this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye now felt the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Save Piggy Bank was clearly a vital item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the team didn’t qualify for the Champions League, he’d never get it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being down one goal, Luo De still showed absolute faith in his teammates!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match continued as head coach Escrivá frantically directed the players on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal was certainly not easy to beat; in the 40th minute, their new signing A Lai  received a cross in the center of the box and slotted it into the net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“VAMOS!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rodrigo clenched one fist: “See? I told you, Tom, it’s just Monaco—easy win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye nodded; he had watched the goal closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t feel it while playing on the pitch, but from the bench, it’s crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye’s new teammates all had exceptional passing, control, and movement—A Lai ’s goal was born from Villarreal’s relentless passing and positional play!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning back in his chair, he took a small sip of the sports drink on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye had already prepared himself to coast to victory!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second half began, and the first batch of substitutes returned to their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escrivá had González and Rukavina start warming up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Tang Ye and Rodrigo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both still sat in their chairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On camera, Tang Ye handed Rodrigo a piece of gum: “Want another?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rodrigo took the gum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Damn Escrivá, I’d rather have Ten Hag—just put Tang the King on and the game’s over!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Poor Tang the King—dominating Utrecht, now stuck on Villarreal’s bench chewing gum】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Aren’t they short on midfielders this season? Why not make a substitution?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Monaco hasn’t changed either—both teams fielded full starters. This match is too important; who doesn’t want the Champions League bonus?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【According to records, this is Tang the King’s fifth piece of gum tonight】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Fire Escrivá—Ten Hag would’ve won La Liga by now if he’d come to Villarreal】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Don’t blame Escrivá—Monaco is truly strong. Villarreal’s signings are weak; he’d have qualified with any other team】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chinese fans vented their frustration at Escrivá.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But honestly, there was nothing to be done—rational fans could see Villarreal’s main tactic tonight was pure possession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic was simple: if Villarreal wanted to play possession, they absolutely could not field Tang Ye—otherwise, they’d be crippling themselves!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the 76th minute, Bernardo Silva unleashed a long-range shot that opened the scoring!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villarreal fell behind by one goal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camera returned to the bench—Tang Ye, the Utrecht prodigy attacking midfielder, and Rodrigo, Villarreal’s talented defensive midfielder, remained seated exactly where they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【At 17, sitting like a nobody!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sergio, can we still win now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Tang Ye’s third time asking the question. Rodrigo watched the players sprinting across the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I don’t know anymore...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beep, beeeep—!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Full time. Villarreal lost 1–2 to Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League playoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The home fans, once full of passion, fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di report: Champions League playoff first leg, Villarreal lost 1–2 at home to Monaco; Tang Ye sat the entire bench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di news: Monaco’s No. 29 looks just like a Ninja Turtle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marca: The worst loan of the summer window? The Dutch league’s assist king can’t even play for Villarreal—there’s a reason the Eredivisie isn’t as strong as La Liga!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manchester Evening News front page: Prophecy fulfilled? Ten Hag once said Tom doesn’t suit La Liga’s style!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye himself hadn’t expected that his inability to play in the Champions League playoff would give Ten Hag another surge of publicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new Premier League season was about to begin, and global fans’ eyes were now fixed on Ten Hag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the great Dutch sage lead Manchester United back to glory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how would he save his lost disciple, stranded in La Liga?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1579,"2026-06-20T06:50:08.245Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","aad8e6c0d729647a7af84dcfa493ee73c5bf833910cef5098ecffb5c157bbe04","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-115","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-113",918,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffootball-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-cover.jpg"]