Chapter 17: He Hasn

After the match, Ten Hag gave an interview to local reporters at the home ground of Utrecht, Gergenwoord Stadium.

Click!

Click-click!

The press conference was lively; photographers treated Ten Hag with exceptional attention, the constant click-clicking making it hard for the Dutchman to open his eyes.

“Eric, the No. 99 player who provided the final assist today—we understand he was just promoted from the reserve team. Did you bring him into the first team because you see potential for heavy development?”

“Hmm, yes.”

“We learned he also delivered similar brilliant passes in reserve team friendlies. So… is he a genius?”

“Genius?”

Ten Hag raised an eyebrow: “Tang has talent, but he hasn’t reached the level of a genius.”

“Then how do you explain today’s pass?”

“Oh, you mean that pass? It’s the result of training.”

Ten Hag smiled at the reporters: “After Tang joined the first team, I designed a specialized training program for him. This program helped him develop superior passing ability.”

Ah?

The reporters looked at each other in surprise.

So that pass wasn’t natural talent—it was the result of the head coach’s targeted training!

Ten Hag!

Master coach, capable man!

…

“Assist Seals Victory Against Groningen: Teen Prodigy Announces His Return!”

“Only Delivers Godlike Passes: Utrecht Head Coach Ten Hag Takes Responsibility for Tang Ye’s Passing!”

“Two Last-Minute Wins in Four Matches: Utrecht Officially Enters the Ten Hag Era!”

The fourth match brought Tang Ye into the view of more Chinese fans, who were astonished by this teenage prodigy.

Age 16, Eredivisie, two substitute appearances during garbage time, one assist, two interceptions.

Thanks to his outstanding performance, Tang Ye successfully stepped through the door of the first-team cafeteria.

Just as he remembered—the first-team cafeteria offered at least three times the variety of dishes as the reserve team’s.

Tang Ye and Amrabat sat together eating; both had been promoted from the reserve team, so they had more in common to talk about.

“Hey, Tang!”

Amrabat walked over with his tray: “Can I sit here?”

“OK, sure, go ahead, sit!”

Tang Ye shifted his butt slightly inward, leaving the outer seat open for Amrabat.

Amrabat took a sip of grapefruit juice but didn’t eat anything, showering Tang Ye with thanks: “Tang, that pass of yours was amazing, truly amazing—I never thought you could deliver the ball to that exact spot. Holy crap, unbelievable.”

Being praised so warmly by the captain made Tang Ye suddenly feel embarrassed.

“You’ve got to train hard from now on.”

Amrabat placed his hand on Tang Ye’s shoulder and spoke with gravity: “You need to fight for a starting spot with Eric. Listen, I’m not praising you for your pass—I’m speaking for your future. Tang, you’re only 16. This is when you must work the hardest!”

“I’ve been working hard.”

“But weren’t you late for training today?”

“Uh… I’m trying not to be late. That’s also a kind of effort.”

“….”

…

Two weeks remained until Utrecht’s next match against Vitesse; Tang Ye used this time to return to China.

Due to his age, he couldn’t obtain a Dutch work visa, meaning he held only a tourist visa valid for three months.

Every three months, he had to return to China and reapply for a new visa to come back to Utrecht for training.

The process was cumbersome, but until he turned 18, he had no choice—unless he gave up playing abroad entirely.

Since he wouldn’t stay long, Tang Ye brought no suitcase—just a Nike backpack provided by a sponsor.

“Lecong Town, thank you.”

Tang Ye tossed his backpack beside him on the seat, gave the driver his address, and prepared to sleep.

But the driver started chatting with him anyway.

“You look about 15 or 16. Traveling alone on a flight overseas? A student?”

Airport terminals were divided into domestic and international, so the driver knew Tang Ye had returned from abroad.

“No, I play football.”

“Football? Soccer?”

The driver had assumed Tang Ye was a student; hearing he played abroad, he instantly lost interest: “Football has no future. It’s 2015 now—IT’s the trend, computers. You know, computers.”

“I know a bit. Seems impressive, but I don’t get how to use that stuff.”

Tang Ye had completed junior high at a sports school in China before going to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, he attended a high school partnered with Utrecht, needing to go only two days a week.

Tang Ye studied only four subjects: Dutch, math, physics, chemistry. Computer science was not included.

“You should decide early to switch paths. My cousin’s kid—master’s in computer science—starts at 300,000 yuan a year!”

The driver shared his experience as someone who’d been there.

If Tang Ye played football, unless he joined the Chinese Super League, he’d never reach that 300,000-yuan salary.

And computer work was mental labor—respected by society.

“Hmm, no rush. I’ll think about it slowly.”

Tang Ye put on his headphones and stopped talking to the driver.

Around 1 p.m., Tang Ye arrived home. Since he hadn’t informed his family ahead of time, his mother’s expression was stunned when she saw him at the door.

Seeing Tang Ye with his backpack, Zhang Qingqing quickly took it from him, then fumbled for her phone: “Ah, Zhengxiong, come down! Come down quickly! Your son’s back!”

“Uh, Tang Ye, Tang Ye…”

Zhang Qingqing dropped the backpack carelessly on the floor and hugged Tang Ye tightly, her keychain jingling incessantly.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!”

Three minutes later, Tang Zhengxiong’s voice appeared—he’d run down so fast he’d lost his slippers: “Whoa, wait, wait!”

Slipping on his slippers, Tang Zhengxiong stood before Tang Ye: “Tang Ye, uh, you’ve gotten taller!”

“Yeah, maybe a little.”

Tang Ye rubbed his head, slightly embarrassed: “Uh… I’m only staying one night.”

“What? Just one night? Why?”

Tang Zhengxiong’s smile froze. Tang Ye sighed: “I’m on the first team now. New coach. He gave me only five days to renew my visa. I have to leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“What the hell?!”

Tang Zhengxiong frowned, annoyed by Tang Ye’s coach: “Hey, Qingqing, go pack. We’ll go out for a little tour, have dinner together tonight.”

“But I’ve got things to do.”

Zhang Qingqing held up her keychain—easily sixty or seventy keys: “I haven’t collected rent for this month or last. I won’t be back until 8 or 9 tonight.”

“Nah, no rush. Take your son out for a bit first.”

“But I told them I’d collect today.”

Tang Zhengxiong waved his hand: “We’re celebrating. Just waive today’s rent.”

As he spoke, Tang Zhengxiong kept patting Tang Ye’s shoulder: “Holy crap, you’ve definitely grown taller—awesome! You’re almost as tall as me!”

…

(End of Chapter)