Chapter 27: Dutch Cup Starting Debut!

On the day of the match, Tang Ye was now a little overwhelmed upon learning he would start.

But this was Tang Ye’s opportunity.

In the Eredivisie, one assist earns five Comeback Points; a goal directly grants ten Comeback Points.

With ninety minutes to perform, if Tang Ye wanted more Comeback Points, he had to take it seriously!

Of Tang Ye’s four purchasable items, the only one usable during a match was the 【Valdi’s Red Bull】.

It cost five Comeback Points and boosted endurance by 10% for the next 120 minutes.

Tang Ye’s current stamina stat was 61; a 10% increase brought it to 67.

Based on his training these past few days, a stat of 70 was more than sufficient in the Eredivisie.

Drink one Valdi Red Bull before the match, and run the full 90 minutes today.

OK, that’s today’s plan!

Tang Ye made his calculations, then looked at his account balance.

Account balance: Comeback Points * 3

“...”

Still short two points.

Try a loan.

Tang Ye tried selecting the Huabei payment option below his balance, but instantly a familiar message popped up.

【Huabei credit insufficient】

If he hadn’t bought the De Bruyne growth template, Tang Ye might already have achieved item freedom.

But he couldn’t avoid buying it.

If he kept picking only his favorite players’ skills, Tang Ye feared his technique would develop abnormally.

Today, the Red Bull was mandatory; Tang Ye could only turn to daily quests.

【Daily Quest: 120 push-ups (maximum in 5 sessions)】

【Reward: Comeback Points * 3】

Tang Ye was relatively lucky today—the system hadn’t assigned him any running tasks.

He could finish 120 push-ups before boarding the team bus.

“Text me if anything comes up.”

Tang Ye greeted Amrabat, then slipped outside the training ground before departure and completed 120 push-ups, successfully earning three Comeback Points.

Looking at his current balance of six points, then at the Red Bull’s five-point price, Tang Ye felt the gears of his destiny had begun to turn!

Netherlands, Sneek.

Today was the Dutch Cup match between Sneek and Utrecht.

Still Wang Chao’s Happy Live stream!

“OK, guys, good evening. The match is late, but since it’s Utrecht, I already posted a preview in the group.”

“If you haven’t joined our QQ group, join now—we post daily winning picks there. Even if you don’t bet, as a pure fan you should join; whenever Tang Ye plays, I’ll remind everyone a day in advance!”

Wang Chao was excited—having been the first to stream Tang Ye’s matches, he was now the top streamer on Happy Bean Live.

Half the Bean Warriors on the football section were in his stream!

【I want to see Tang Ye, where’s the director? Get the camera on Tang Ye now!】

【This is a pirated stream—you’re talking to no one here】

【Tang Ye fan since 2020 reporting in!】

【Fun fact: Tang Ye is 16 years old】

【Correction: Tang Ye fan since 2016 reporting in!】

【I checked Sneek’s record—they’re terrible. My King Tang will crush them.】

The camera cut to the player tunnel: Ramselaar carried the Utrecht flag out front, followed by goalkeeper Ruit.

Behind Ruit came Aale, Barazite, and other key players.

Then came...

Tang Ye!

Because Wang Chao had promoted Tang Ye’s starting debut an hour early, today’s viewership was at least double his usual same-time slot.

That was the power of King Tang!

“Go hard, don’t be nervous.”

Barazite put his arm around Tang Ye’s shoulder as they walked forward together.

But Tang Ye wasn’t as nervous as Barazite imagined—he was just excited.

Since arriving in Europe at age 15, this was the first time Tang Ye had stepped directly from the tunnel onto the pitch.

In other words, this was his first-ever start for Utrecht!

At Utrecht’s reserve team training base, the reserve, U19, and U17 teams had gathered in the cafeteria after training.

On the ceiling screen above the cafeteria, the Dutch Cup match was being broadcast live!

“Tang—he actually started!”

On screen, Tang Ye appeared; in the cafeteria, Zakka shouted excitedly.

Not just Zakka—all the young players in the cafeteria were surprised.

Tang, who ate with them daily, was now starting for the first team!

“Is Tang that good? I thought he wasn’t even registered on the transfer market?”

One U17 player stared at Tang Ye on TV.

They were the same age, but Tang Ye was already starting for the first team.

Meanwhile, he was still playing U17—even as a substitute!

“Tang has always been great!”

Zakka didn’t hold back his praise: “The first team is Eredivisie level—those players are worth at least a million euros each!”

As soon as Zakka spoke, the cafeteria erupted in gasps.

If that was true...

Did Tang Ye already have the value of a million-euro player?

“Too optimistic—it’s the Dutch Cup; Eric clearly isn’t taking it seriously.”

Reserve team coach Melent gave the cafeteria players a reality check—but he was right.

Tang Ye starting in the Dutch Cup meant he had the ability to play in the Eerste Divisie.

As for the Eredivisie?

He was still far from ready!

“He owes us a meal after the match!”

Another reserve player shouted; Zakka immediately agreed.

Though Tang Ye was still on a youth contract, starting for the first team meant his salary was about to rise.

「Sneek! (Sneek)」

“Sneek!”

“Sneek!”

Boom boom boom!

Though Sneek’s home stadium had barely over ten thousand seats, the fans were incredibly loud.

Tang Ye now realized—the most thrilling part of a professional match wasn’t playing on the pitch.

It was those few minutes stepping from the tunnel and waiting on the sideline for the referee’s whistle!

“Hey, Tang!”

Aale turned as the kickoff approached and called out to Tang Ye: “We’re gonna win—don’t be nervous.”

Tang Ye gave a thumbs-up.

Aale clearly underestimated him.

Though Tang Ye was lazy when he first joined the first team, he was no longer the same person as a month ago.

Now, Tang Ye worked hard.

It had nothing to do with talent—it was pure, silent, behind-the-scenes effort that got him into the starting lineup.

Today was a great chance—time to show these Dutchmen what he’d sacrificed behind the scenes!

【You purchased Valdi’s Red Bull】

(End of chapter)