[{"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-66":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},2300036,4499,"Chapter 66: Asking for Advice? (20k Words, Seeking First Subscription!)","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>\"I know many of you are deeply dissatisfied with my decision not to grant time off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh spoke while eating; the other Utrecht players made no pretense, quietly nibbling their food and straining their ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you must understand, it’s already December—December 14th, to be exact—and the first half of the season is about to end!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But our record has been pretty good, hasn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his memory, Utrecht had won most of their matches, including several decisive victories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly the problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh put down his fork and pointed at the ceiling with his index finger: \"Our original goal this season was to finish in the top twelve—just that. But because of our recent results, the management has changed our target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players at the table exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing the target meant greater pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramseyer lifted his head: \"So what’s our new goal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh held up four fingers, excluding his thumb: \"Top four!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry, lads, but the management has entrusted us with a heavy responsibility—this means your pressure will increase drastically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Eredivisie, the three giants dominate; for Utrecht to reach top four, we must earn more points than every single team outside those three!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not an easy task, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh scanned the players around the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever his gaze fell on a player, that player lowered their head—except Tang Ye, who kept his eyes locked on Ten Hagh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lazy Pig, do you have something to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye nodded: \"Mr. Eric, don’t you like checking the league table?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Meh. Checking the table takes guts—I rarely do. So what’s on your mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye exchanged a glance with Ramseyer across the table, then pulled out his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the Royal Dutch Football Association’s homepage and tapped into the league standings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Utrecht, 40 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. PSV Eindhoven, 38 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Ajax, 37 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Feyenoord, 35 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. AZ Alkmaar, 33 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6. Groningen, 27 points\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye pointed at the top of the screen: \"We’re number one. Why worry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh raised an eyebrow, picked up Tang Ye’s phone, and studied it repeatedly: \"When did we become number one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After we beat Ajax yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramseyer reminded him: \"Eindhoven and Groningen drew—each got one point less. We were second, now we’re first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh rubbed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eredivisie really is simpler than I thought!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course I know we’re number one now—but is this first place permanent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh stared into Tang Ye’s eyes: \"We’re first now, but will we still be first at season’s end? No—we must feel the pressure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh had Tang Ye unlock his phone again, then pointed to Feyenoord in fourth place: \"We’re only five points ahead of fourth. Five points mean nothing. Do you understand? Right now, we’re no different from fourth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we slack off in training, we’ll drop out of the top four!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did want time off—but Ten Hagh’s words were undeniably sensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This season’s Eredivisie is sharply polarized; the top teams all have high point totals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Utrecht slips up in even one match, we’ll lose first place instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see you understand now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tang Ye silent, Ten Hagh pressed on, placing a hand on his shoulder: \"The youngest player should make the greatest sacrifices. I’ll be waiting for you in the gym tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! Nonononono!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye abandoned his burger and jumped up: \"No way! This is Sunday—Sundays are off-limits for training!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh slung an arm around Tang Ye’s shoulder and gestured to the first-team players: \"They’re your teammates, your friends. None of them want to lose. Can’t you make an effort for your friends?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the team!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For this great team!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh’s words left Tang Ye with no escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Tang Ye did go to the gym—but he only warmed up, then headed straight to the indoor sports facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the indoor facility, Tang Ye spotted several familiar faces from the second team—all summoned by Merent for extra training. He even saw Zaka.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Isaac!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zaka practicing dribbling near the cone markers, Tang Ye ran over: \"Were you also called in by Mr. Merent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, Tang? Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka spread his hands: \"Mr. Merent consulted Mr. Eric. He now believes extra training can solve everything. We’re pushing for a higher league rank—that’s his idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, second-team coach Merent had been influenced by Ten Hagh’s coaching philosophy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh had reshaped Tang Ye through extra training; Merent now wanted to reshape his own second-team players the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both had come up from the second team. If Tang Ye could do it, Merent believed the others could too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, check this out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka pulled the ball under his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed it with his left instep to his right foot, then back again, his upper body moving rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoa, cool!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye stepped back: \"That’s Cruyff’s move—I’ve done it in the game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka gave a thumbs-up: \"Yeah, I’ve trained it for over two months. Easy to practice, but I can’t pull it off in matches!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka was only half a year older than Tang Ye—seventeen, the perfect age to show off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could land that nutmeg in a Eerste Divisie match, how flashy would that be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way, too cool—I’ve got to learn it too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye fetched a ball from the sideline and mimicked Zaka’s left-right flicks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a possession-oriented midfielder, Tang Ye loved these small techniques for shielding the ball!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough with that crap, Tang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh spotted Tang Ye juggling on the sideline: \"Come on, that’s not your job. Get over here. And you—Zaka, right? Isaac Zaka—you’re coming too. You’re drafted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka pointed at his own nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second-team player being called by the first-team coach? Of course he was thrilled—he dropped his drill and sprinted over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the tardy Tang Ye arrived, Ten Hagh explained today’s drill: he pulled Zaka and a few others from the second team, setting up a 2v3 scrimmage—Zaka and Tang Ye as attackers, three defenders (including a goalkeeper) as opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attackers’ goal: score. The defenders’ goal: steal the ball from Tang Ye or Zaka.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purpose: improve Tang Ye’s finishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a recent decision by Ten Hagh. According to Van der Gaag’s stats, Tang Ye had received the second-most shooting opportunities in the box—after only Ale and Barazite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye’s movement was too gifted; Ten Hagh had no choice but to make this attacking midfielder train finishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finish!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye rubbed his hands: \"Mr. Eric, you know I love shooting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his right leg, assuming a laces-driven shot stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not that kind of shot. The far corner—you’ve done it in training before!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hagh positioned Tang Ye on the left flank and pointed to the upper-right corner of the goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So today’s task was to train his [De Bruyne Far-Corner Curler].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect—his skill level was only 1. This was the perfect chance to improve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drill began. Tang Ye slowly moved toward the penalty area; two second-team defenders rushed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye wanted to dribble past them—but Ten Hagh barked: \"Pass! Pass! Don’t dribble!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye passed to Zaka, who moved laterally ahead of him, then flicked the ball back with his heel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at the far corner!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball hit the net with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【De Bruyne far-angle curling shot, Lv1: Imitate】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiency: 48.2\u002F50\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost there!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice in his ear, Tang Ye felt excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So does that mean he’s about to upgrade his second skill to level two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only 1.8 proficiency left—Tang Ye didn’t even need to eat broccoli!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joy of that final shot lifted Tang Ye’s spirits and boosted his training enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same combination: Tang Ye passed to Zaka, who returned the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka was smart—he knew his role was to be Tang Ye’s training partner, so he made no effort to show off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here I come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye laughed and unleashed a curling shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-team goalkeeper saved it, but Tang Ye still gained 0.2 proficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep going, keep going!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye urged the assistant coach to pass him the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-team players watched Tang Ye’s state with quiet surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year, this guy wasn’t like this at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Tang Ye made it to the first team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melent’s talk about talent was all nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye rose from the second team to the first because he worked harder than everyone else on the second team!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s our example!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me the ball, I’m coming, I’m coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Constantly shooting from the far angle made his target predictable—goalkeepers saved his shots with high success rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tang Ye didn’t care; scoring wasn’t the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was the training effect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lv1: Imitate → Lv2: Similar】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【De Bruyne far-angle curling shot, Lv2: Similar】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiency: 1\u002F70\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wuhu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye jumped up, threw a hook punch, leaving Zaka bewildered: “Tang, you didn’t score.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Scoring isn’t the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye shook his head, speaking earnestly: “You must feel your own improvement—that’s what matters! I feel it now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Ye said, after his second skill reached Lv2, his curling shot angles improved significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the new skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his second skill reached Lv2, Tang Ye unlocked his third skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his third skill seemed… off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【De Bruyne spatial movement, Lv1: Imitate】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiency: 7499\u002F50\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye stood frozen for a moment, then his mind was instantly flooded with information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lv2: Similar → Lv3: Simulate】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lv3: Simulate → Lv4: Realistic】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lv4: Realistic → Lv5: Replicate】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, not possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fully maxed out already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zaka walked over: “Damn, Tang, did you just have a breakthrough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing, nothing—I just spaced out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye shook his head and walked back, signaling to restart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Open the system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【De Bruyne spatial movement, Lv5: Replicate】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiency: 3999\u002F4000\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just gained this spatial movement skill, and its proficiency jumped straight to over 7,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye had never trained in movement positioning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without doubt, Tang Ye was 100% certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d found a bug!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lv5: Replicate was max level, yet Tang Ye could still gain more proficiency?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isaac, let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye passed to Zaka, observed, then moved according to his own instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he felt no enhancement from 【De Bruyne spatial movement】.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screw it—just move around a bit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left, right—he lured the nearest defender toward him, then slipped behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No thinking needed—off-the-ball movement was simply too easy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye pointed to an open space on his right; Zaka passed, and Tang Ye curled the ball into the net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lv2 far-angle curling shot was completely different from Lv1—this shot was noticeably more accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait a minute!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye noticed something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Lv5 movement skill had leveled up again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lv5: Replicate → Lv6: Humble Inquiry】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Vision: 91 → 93】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【De Bruyne spatial movement, Lv6: Humble Inquiry】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiency: 00\u002F00\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【At 37, you can no longer sprint fast, but you possess the finest positional awareness in today’s football world!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Your rich experience has made you exceptionally humble—you asked De Bruyne, whose talent far surpasses yours, for advice on movement, and integrated his spatial awareness into your own technique.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Eager to learn, unafraid to ask—even of those less gifted! You received: French Advanced Chest (Growable)】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Took a deep breath to calm himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye was now 200% certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His system had glitched!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1912,"2026-06-20T06:50:08.245Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4d292aa5c30c338d1c0666af0b48f63d2c02a0842d897f9fe9d18f7d4040c21e","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-67","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-65",918,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffootball-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-cover.jpg"]