Chapter 261: The Cute Dragon Team

At the Yuedong Cup match, Kabi Team, with four Chinese Super League youth academy players, was full of confidence.

Until they saw Keai Long's number 99.

Tang Ye, wearing a pink little dinosaur jersey.

And beside Tang Ye, number 98, Zhang Yuning.

"Wait, Zhengxiong, is that your son?"

Kabi Team's players walked over.

The crowd quickly surrounded Tang Ye and the others; Tang Zhengxiong pointed to Tang Ye standing beside him: "I told you—he's from Lu'eng Youth Academy."

"He really is from Lu'eng Youth Academy."

A spectator whispered a reminder to Kabi Team's captain, who said nothing.

He looked at Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning in front of him.

Then he turned to glance at the national team poster stuck inside the cage court.

Tang Ye, wearing national team jersey number 19, let out a fierce roar!

"…"

Kabi Team's players gathered together.

"Wait, they're on the national team—isn't that against the rules?"

"We only set age limits; Keai Long didn't break any rules. Zhengxiong is Tang Ye's dad—holy shit."

"So what do we do? Withdraw?"

"Withdraw? Are you kidding? You'll tell people later you played against Tang Ye."

"!"

Keai Long's players were worried the opponents might complain about their last-minute addition of two players, but Kabi Team immediately started urging them to begin.

"Hurry up, let's start already!"

Tang Ye stood on the grass without even changing his shoes, glancing at Zhang Yuning beside him: "Damn, they look really confident—could this get physical?"

Zhang Yuning wore a smile; as more people gathered, he grew increasingly excited.

Four players from the Chinese Super League youth academy on the other side? That means they're decent.

Might as well play for fun.

Tang Ye, Zhang Yuning, and Tang Zhengxiong sat on the grass changing shoes.

"King Tang!"

"Insane, damn!"

"Hahaha!"

News spread fast; within minutes, the perimeter of the field was completely blocked.

Loyal Tang Army members opened live streams one after another.

【What is the Yuedong Cup?】

【Foshan's doing great—everyone's into sports.】

【Damn, Fan 99 looks just like Tang Ye—did you see that? If this guy starts streaming, he'll blow up.】

【There's another guy beside him who looks just like Zhang Yuning… damn, that's Zhang Yuning.】

Tang Ye waved to the fans outside; warm-up wasn't over yet, and Zhang Yuning chatted with him: "Didn't Ting say he was coming too?"

"His flight left yesterday afternoon."

Tang Ye explained.

Brother Zhang had sneaked over: "Is that Feng Xiaoting? Damn… that's a real shame."

"Yeah, if it had been the day before yesterday, all my friends would've still been here—we landed in Guangzhou when we came back."

Hearing Tang Ye's explanation, Brother Zhang nodded quickly.

Then he realized something.

The day before yesterday was the day after China's national team played Syria; the players landed at Baiyun Airport.

So Tang Ye's friends were…

Cough!

Brother Zhang nearly choked on his next breath; he patted Tang Zhengxiong on the shoulder, said nothing, just gave a thumbs-up.

The referee first asked Tang Ye for an autograph, then organized the teams to choose sides.

The nine Keai Long players in pink jerseys gathered together.

The players looked to their captain, Brother Zhang, who looked at his old friend Tang Zhengxiong.

Tang Zhengxiong wore number 10—he was Keai Long's vice-captain!

Because of their dragon boat hobby, Keai Long always had Tang Zhengxiong lead the chants—he had a loud voice!

But today, Tang Zhengxiong wasn't planning to chant himself.

He tapped Tang Ye beside him: "You do the chants?"

"OK!"

Tang Ye took a light breath and took over his father's duty.

He shouted loudly!

"China!"

The crowd fell silent.

"Damn, my my…"

Tang Ye's face turned red; he grabbed his jersey and checked the team logo to confirm his team's name.

"Keai Long!"

"Go!"

The match began!

Dongqi Di top post: Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning reportedly appeared at a street field in Foshan. (Comments: 8,231)

The match had started; nearly a thousand people had gathered on-site; those squeezed outside knew nothing and could only watch the live stream on their phones.

Zhang Yuning kicked off straight to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye dribbled forward at full speed!

"King!"

"Insane!"

"Tang Ye is amazing!"

The fans were loud, but Tang Ye was utterly focused.

This match was for his dad—he couldn't lose.

Kabi Team's players hesitated when they saw Tang Ye dribbling, then two of them rushed to tackle him.

Tang Ye slowed down, waiting for the defenders to close in.

OK, just about right.

He executed a nutmeg, then sprinted through between the two defenders.

"Wow!"

Thud!

He passed it to Zhang Yuning!

Zhang Yuning took the ball, glanced at the goal, then turned to ask the teammate behind him: "Can I shoot from distance?"

"Yes, yes!"

Brother Zhang's voice came from behind; Zhang Yuning seized the chance and struck.

Duang!

The ball hit the crossbar, bounced onto the grass, bounced again, and rolled into the net.

Zhang Yuning lowered his head and walked slowly toward his own half.

He shook his head, found Tang Ye chewing gum and blowing bubbles behind him.

"That shot was kinda soft, damn…"

【Where is this? Anyone know the location? Damn!】

【Didn't you just finish playing Syria and now you're playing again? What's Kabi Team? Kabi Beast?】

【Why don't you ask what Keai Long is?】

【Wait, why isn't that pink number 10 jersey for King Tang? Who's that guy pretending to wear it? Who dares steal King Tang's number 10?】

【How long will this last? Can I make it there if I drive now?】

【No joke—there are a million people here.】

"Keai Long!"

"Go!"

"Keai Long!"

"Go!"

Over a thousand people on-site were all chanting Keai Long's name.

Of course, this wasn't because Keai Long was particularly famous.

It was because GGBond was here!

"Look at me! Look at me!"

Thud!

The small field made a direct pass difficult, so Tang Ye chose a long ball.

Zhang Yuning was in a better position, but Tang Ye passed to Tang Zhengxiong instead.

He ran forward while watching the ball in the sky.

Tang Zhengxiong chose to head it directly!

The ball flew wide!

"Damn!"

Tang Zhengxiong held his head, and Tang Ye's voice came from behind.

"Mine! Mine!"

……

Cute Dragon 3:0 Kirby!

Cute Dragon 7:0 Kirby!

Thud!

A late shot by the Kirby team's defender!

Kirby team scores!

"Ahhh!!!"

The scoring Kirby defender was ecstatic, sprinting from the arc to the front of the crowd.

Kirby's players followed, shouting loudly: "Fishing! Fishing!"

That's right!

We've got to fish!

The defender realized, spread his legs, and mimicked a casting motion; teammates quickly fell to the ground in coordination.

The motion was clumsy, but at least it was done.

"Wow!"

"Kirby team is awesome!"

"What's going on with Tang Ball King?"

"Tang Ball King, stop zoning out!"

Spectators began to heckle; Tang Ye scratched his head, embarrassed.

"Hahaha!"

Zhang Yuning pushed Tang Ye from behind—he could tell the guy was having a blast today.

Tang Ye watched the Kirby players celebrating with fishing motions, then turned to Zhang Yuning: "Pass more to my dad."

"No problem."

Dongqiu Di pinned: Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning wreak havoc on the street pitch; current score Cute Dragon 15:1 Kirby.

【15:1? Is this even football?】

【Tang Ye is brutal on small fields.】

【I died laughing—those celebrations? I'll brag about this for life.】

【Fan jerseys suit me perfectly, ggbond.】

【Guys, that number 10 seems big—Tang Ball King is passing to him like he's his dad. Ale and Bakambu would cry if they saw this.】

"Kirby team!"

After 15:1, spectators began cheering for Kirby.

"Pass! Pass! Pass!"

"I'll take it!"

The sound of passing echoed: pat-pat-pat.

Though trailing by fourteen goals, Kirby's players remained fired up, relentlessly trying to break Cute Dragon's defense.

At halftime, Kirby's players had already made a plan.

But it wasn't about tactics—it was about how to start conversations with friends later.

Man, I got crushed 1:15 the other day. Still hurts.

1:15? Did you guys argue over that score?

Nah, we both gave it our all.

Oh yeah, the other side had Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning. Only about two thousand people there, but we mocked Tang Ye right in front of him with our fishing celebration—he got so flustered he stopped chewing gum.

"Puff, puff-puff…"

After catching his breath, Tang Ye felt like he'd carried the entire defensive load alone.

It was exhausting. Time to buy a small item.

Perfect—I haven't used my Valdi's Red Bull +5 since it upgraded!

【You purchased Valdi's Red Bull +5】【Valdi's Red Bull +5: Gain an additional 12.5% stamina for the next 120 minutes.】

Get the defender's pass!

Shield the ball with your back!

Two Kirby defenders were behind him—one was a retired youth academy player around Tang Ye's age.

First, use your body to shield!

Pull the ball and turn!

Trick the defender into lunging!

Then, a nutmeg pass!

The pass target was… his dad!

Thud!

Tang Zhengxiong seized the chance and calmly finished the shot!

"…"

"Beep, beeeeeep—!!!"

The match ended. Tang Ye grabbed his jersey, wiped sweat from his face—but his quick-dry jersey was already soaked.

"We said it was just for fun—he took it too seriously."

!

Zhang Yuning walked over to Tang Ye, gulping water and panting.

Tang Ye took the water bottle from Zhang Yuning, washed his hands, then drank every drop: "I think I'm getting addicted."

"Not 'think'—you are addicted."

Zhang Yuning punched Tang Ye's arm, and the two went to the perimeter to sign autographs for fans.

"Zhang Yuning, wow!"

"Tang Ball King, will you play again?"

Tang Ye took a towel from Tang Zhengxiong, wiped his face, hung it around his neck, then signed autographs for the crowd.

"Just this one game. Rest for the next few weeks."

They wouldn't play the semifinal or final; fans who'd just bought tickets to Foshan on 12306 closed the app.

"What about transfers?"

Fans pressed.

"The Champions League just ended, and the Eredivisie transfer window hasn't opened—I can't leave anyway…"

"Will you play street football anywhere else?"

"No more. No more."

Tang Ye shook his head quickly: "Really resting. Really."

Then he joked: "After the Gaokao, I'll definitely chill out."

"Tang Ball King, how many points will you get on the Gaokao?"

Hmm…

Tang Ye suddenly looked up at the fan who asked: "Don't ask that. Don't ask that."

……

Dongqiu Di match report: Yue Dong Cup QF, Cute Dragon defeated Kirby 37:2 to advance.

Against Kirby, Tang Ye's post-match stats: 21 assists, 9 goals, 51 tackles, 17 dribbles attempted (16 successful), 10 physical duels won (10 successful).

Give your all in every match.

That's ggbond's professional attitude!

Though…

Though he'd just played a non-professional match.

"Here, here—no need to change shoes, just come right in."

At Tang Zhengxiong's invitation, Tang Ye brought Zhang Yuning home.

In the living room, Tang Zhengxiong walked around the ping-pong table to Zhang Qingqing, then pointed to Zhang Yuning: "This is my teammate."

"Isn't he on the national team? I've seen him play with Xiao Tang before."

"Rounding off, I'm still on the national team."

Tang Zhengxiong gestured for Zhang Yuning to sit wherever he liked, then asked the housekeeper to bring some fruit.

After dinner, Tang Zhengxiong asked Tang Ye whether he wanted to continue playing in the semifinal and final.

"Tang Ye, if you team up with me, we'll win the championship trophy outright!"

Tang Ye could see Tang Zhengxiong's hunger for the title, but he firmly declined.

He had made plans with Dembélé, Bruno, and Ale to go to Dubai together next Monday.

"Alright then."

Tang Zhengxiong sighed.

To be honest, the eight goals he scored this afternoon really thrilled him.

It turned out football was still very simple—Tang Zhengxiong felt he hadn't even broken a sweat.

Zhang Qingqing placed a plate of cubed watermelon in front of Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning: "Tang Ye, I've seen online everyone talking about your transfer next season. Which country are you planning to play in? I heard Italy has a lot of thieves."

Zhang Yuning skewered a piece of watermelon and looked at Tang Ye.

Clearly, this was a serious question.

"Are you going to Manchester United?"

As an English Premier League fan and a Liverpool supporter, Tang Zhengxiong clearly knew a thing or two: "If you really go to Manchester United, be careful—I'll yell at you from the stands every time you score."

"No way, seriously?"

Tang Ye spread his hands: "I gave you at least forty passes today."

"Hahaha."

Zhang Yuning couldn't help laughing out loud: "Uncle Xiong, will you throw garbage at him?"

"Depends, but I don't think it's necessary. Since Klopp took over, I've felt Liverpool's attack and defense have both improved—Manchester United is garbage."

As he spoke, Tang Zhengxiong pointed to the side of the TV.

Zhang Yuning followed his finger and saw two Liverpool jerseys hanging on the wall.

Number 11: Firmino!

Number 19: Mané!

…

June 25 afternoon, the sun was blazing.

Tang Ye lay on the golf course grass, one leg crossed over the other, Bruno and Ale's laughter ringing in his ears.

Daytime brought all sorts of novel activities; nighttime meant intense Summoner's Rift and Desert II.

I have to say, the offseason life was truly relaxing.

He didn't need to wake up at 8:30 a. m. to an alarm anymore!

【Your Hazard Tarta Sauce Burger +5 duration has ended】

【You purchased a Hazard Tarta Sauce Burger +5】

After buying a burger, Bruno walked over to Tang Ye, golf club in hand.

"Bruno, don't try to convince me—golf is boring, I'm never playing it again."

"I know, I know, but your phone has a message—I think you should be reminded."

Bruno crouched beside Tang Ye and gently placed his phone on Tang Ye's face: "I thought you'd fallen asleep."

"What message?"

Tang Ye picked up the phone and sat up on the grass.

【Guangdong Provincial Education Examination Authority】 Name: Tang Ye, Exam Number: 06092312, Total Score: …

"What's this?"

Bruno leaned in, pointing at the screen: "Tang Ye"—those two characters: "I know, that's your Chinese name."

"Whatever."

Tang Ye frowned: "Even though I didn't write the essay, my score shouldn't be this low."

Tang Ye stared at his provincial ranking, frowning—then the screen switched and his phone rang.

Caller: Agent Bao.

"What's up?"

Bruno, Ale, and Dembélé crouched in front of Tang Ye, all three speaking at once.

Tang Ye casually dropped his phone onto the grass beside him.

"My agent told me that when the La Liga summer transfer window opens in July, Villarreal will offer Utrecht a bid of 90 to 100 million euros."

…

July 5, despite some disciplined players having already resumed training, it was still the offseason.

At 2 a. m. this day, several news items surged to the top of Dongqiudi's trending list.

Romano: Villarreal is willing to pay 90 million euros for Tom's transfer; notably, this fee is not paid in full upfront—"They (Villarreal's executives) plan to pay 60 million euros during the summer window and the remaining 30 million in next summer's window." (Comments: 21,424)

【Huang Qian really wants to pay a hundred million? Wow】

【I can already picture Escrivá begging the club's executives in his office】

【Cute Dragon Team: 90 million euros just to get Tang Ye to play? I don't think so】

【Awesome, Huang Qian really wants to chase the La Liga title】

【Front row selling sunflower seeds—Barcelona's coming to steal Tang Ye】

【Though I started liking Huang Qian because of Tang Ye, honestly, unless they sign a winger and a fullback this summer, I wouldn't recommend Tang Ye stay】

Chinese fans' emotions right now were incredibly complex.

On one hand, they felt affection for Villarreal after watching them for a season and hoped Huang Qian could create another miracle next season.

But on the other hand, fans truly didn't want Tang Ye to be held back by weak teammates!

Barcelona's attack line was on a completely different level from Huang Qian's.

If pursuing higher team honors was the goal, Barcelona was clearly the better choice.

Three days later.

The front page of Mundo Deportivo: Barcelona submitted a formal 130-million-euro bid to Utrecht; Utrecht's executives were inclined to facilitate the deal.

Barcelona's 130-million-euro bid didn't just top Dongqiudi—it immediately surged to the top of that day's and the next day's trending news.

A 130-million-euro bid for an 18-year-old—Barcelona seemed to have it locked up.

Until another news item appeared.

The Manchester Evening News front page: Manchester United reached an agreement with Utrecht on Tom's transfer: 135 million euros plus 10 million in bonuses. If completed, Tom would receive a weekly salary of 230,000 pounds.

"Manchester United is very confident about this deal, as they believe Ten Hag's presence makes the club irresistibly attractive to Tom."

…

July 18, Tang Ye returned from Sri Lanka to Guangzhou, adjusted his time zone, and joined the national team's first training camp ahead of the Uzbekistan match.

This was the second-to-last match of China's Asian Qualifiers—and a six-point game!

Extremely crucial!

"Come on, come on!"

The coach shouted, and Tang Ye accelerated forward.

He bumped into the fully equipped training staff ahead.

Turned, received the pass!

Shot immediately!

"Fast, fast!"

Pep Guardiola's voice came from afar.

During physical training, it was fine—but as soon as ball work began, the gap between Tang Ye and the other national team players became obvious.

Tang Ye's speed in adjusting and shooting after receiving the ball was the fastest—a skill honed by years of high-tempo matches.

This rapid adjustment ability gave Tang Ye superior goal-scoring instincts even compared to the team's strikers.

If needed, Tom could be deployed as a striker.

Guardiola mentally noted this, then signaled the players to take a short break.

"Mr. Hundred Million!"

Zhang Yuning ran over with drinks, tossed one to Tang Ye, who unscrewed the cap and spread his hands: "What's 'Mr. Hundred Million'?"

"Your market value is about to break a hundred million."

Wu Lei answered, then called out to Zhang Yuning: "You give Tang Ye a drink but not me?"

"Haha, I'll get one, I'll get one."

Zhang Yuning quickly fetched a drink for Wu Lei and returned.

He patted Tang Ye's shoulder and sat down beside him.

"Both Manchester United and Barcelona offered over 130 million—those news reports must be true, right?"

The players, having finished training, surrounded Tang Ye.

Clearly, everyone was intensely curious about his transfer.

Unless something unexpected happened, this would be the most talked-about transfer of the summer window this year!

"It's true."

Tang Ye nodded: "But my agent told me Utrecht has been haggling with Manchester United, so it'll still take some time."

"So you're already a hundred-million-yuan man—next time your value gets updated, you're not actually going to break the hundred-million mark, are you?"

Value breaks one hundred million!

Ssshh—

Tang Ye took a slow breath and smiled, shaking his head: "Haha, we'll see when the time comes."

Front-page headline of the Daily Sports Newspaper—Barcelona has raised their bid for Tom to 150 million euros, and has informed Utrecht, "This is the highest price they can offer."

"Utrecht has been frequently contacting Manchester United recently, which has greatly upset Barcelona's management—they feel they've been sidelined."

Front-page headline of Marca—Neymar has told the club he wants to leave during the summer transfer window.

"If the information is accurate, this could directly impact Barcelona's summer transfer plans."

……

(End of chapter)