[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-75":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Start with R9 Template",{"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},1388890,1840,"Chapter 75 - 75","start-with-r9-template-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>As the dust settled on the 2-0 victory over Tottenham, the media landscape in South Korea erupted into a defensive frenzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headlines were, to put it mildly, creative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"CONSPIRACY! The Referee and His Manchester United Bias!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Astonishing, Undeserved Luck of the Chinese Player!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Tottenham Lost, Son Heung-min Didn't Lose - 5 Successful Dribbles vs Ling's 3!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Korean fans, stung by the defeat and the collapse of their pre-match confidence, flooded the internet with excuses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accusations of \"match-fixing\" and \"biased refereeing\" were rampant—convenient shields for a bruised ego.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We strongly demand the FA investigate The Referee! He gave every 50\u002F50 to United!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And that Chinese kid only scored two goals because of pure luck. A rebound and a deflection! Yet he dares act so arrogantly?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even if he won the match, he can't compare to Son Heung-min. Son is a proven star. Ling is a flash in the pan. How pathetic that he's never even scored a hat trick in his career!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Have to admit Tottenham had terrible luck - 16 shots with 11 on target, yet all saved by De Gea. If the goalkeepers were swapped, we win 5-2 easily.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piling excuse upon excuse, they found the defeat somewhat easier to swallow, retreating into a comfortable persecution complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, some Chinese fans who bypassed the firewall responded to the Korean taunts with just one phrase that never failed to infuriate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tottenham lost the match. Ling scored twice. L\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Chinese fan communities celebrated as if it were New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the match, they had anticipated at best a draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Ling's recent emergence, few expected him to outperform an established star like Son Heung-min so comprehensively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after witnessing the game—one display of individual brilliance with the \"Pendulum Dribble,\" one god-like volley—every moment seemed permanently etched in their memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was late at night in Beijing, the excitement remained palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Discussions exploded across forums, Weibo, and Douyin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Post-match, China even saw an influx of \"30-year Manchester United veterans\" and converts from other club fanbases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How dare they accuse others of 'biased refereeing'? Tottenham were hacking Ling all game! Lamela should have been sent off!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[At Ling's current rate, he might surpass Son Heung-min in a single season and claim the Asian scoring record! The King has arrived!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What an exhilarating match to watch! Mourinho's tactics were perfect. He predicted every one of Pochettino's moves.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Taking a look at Manchester United's upcoming fixtures, it really is tough. Chelsea next week... that's the real test.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Did you forget about Arsenal?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Haha, Arsenal doesn't count as a strong team! We want the big boys!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the fans fought online, Ling was experiencing a different kind of battle: social awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Saturday night in Manchester.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the team had achieved a 10-match unbeaten streak and this was the last match of October, Mourinho had given them a rare Sunday off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Paul Pogba (who was injured but never missed a party) organized a team bonding session at The Ivy, a high-end bar in the Spinningfields district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was billed as Ling's belated \"welcome ceremony.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His teammates had taken good care of him, and he didn't want to be the antisocial rookie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the daily grind of training-dorm-match was monotonous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he entered the reserved VIP booth, he realized he stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pogba was wearing a T-shirt covered in golden baroque patterns, ripped designer jeans, and green fluorescent glasses (indoors, at night).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a cool, eccentric billionaire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse Lingard was in a full tracksuit that probably cost more than Ling's car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rashford was rocking a sleek, designer bomber jacket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Ling? Ling was wearing a grey club-issue hoodie and a pair of plain blue jeans he'd bought at the Trafford Centre three months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ling, mate... no offense,\" Lingard said, looking him up and down with a mixture of horror and pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled Ling to sit beside him. \"But who goes to The Ivy dressed like they're going to a maths exam?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's comfortable,\" Ling shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Comfortable?!\" Lingard gasped. \"Looks like I need to give you a lesson. Rule number one: Drip is forever. Tomorrow, we go shopping. Selfridges. My treat. You can't be scoring Puskás goals looking like a librarian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the atmosphere grew livelier, drinks flowing (mostly non-alcoholic for the serious pros, cocktails for the injured ones), everyone started chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh,\" Scott McTominay said, swirling his orange juice. \"When will I ever be able to shoot like Ling? That volley... I tried it in the garden and nearly broke my fence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United players exchanged glances and burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? Getting impatient again, Scott!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on!\" Rashford raised his glass, his voice cutting through the music. \"Let's celebrate Ling's brace today! The King of the China!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After clinking glasses with his teammates, Ling stood up, feeling a surge of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight's drinks are on me!\" he declared boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his salary had recently increased significantly with the new contract and the Beckham endorsement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with his previous £1,500-a-week youth wage, a night at The Ivy would have bankrupted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoa!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Generous! Big papa Ling!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The booth erupted in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Michael Carrick, the club captain, sat in the corner, nursing a beer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the energetic young players, he suddenly recalled his old teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, they too celebrated here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered when Rooney got drunk and... well, best not to think about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The spirit is good. The team is together.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while later, a few younger players signaled for another round of shots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they noticed Zlatan Ibrahimović sitting silently in the corner, his eyes scanning the room like a lion watching a herd of gazelles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They quickly put their hands down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they felt they hadn't had enough fun, they knew they couldn't overindulge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with Zlatan watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not with Mourinho finding out everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Ling, he stopped after one drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had to review the match analysis when he got back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed a clear head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around 10:30 PM, the group left the bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few of the senior players quietly headed off for a \"second round\" elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the \"Kindergarten\"—Rashford, McTominay, and Ling—were personally escorted into a taxi by Ibrahimović.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go home. Sleep. Grow,\" Zlatan commanded, shutting the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the gathering wasn't a wild party, the bonds among the Manchester United players grew stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 30 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon (.)com\u002FNewbietranslator\u003C\u002Fp>",1089,"2026-06-05T22:48:23.062Z",1,"novelbin.me","e0b4bd2d36713c4c5f720f2f0bae53fdb47a5974d9e22d290dc399f2587b1fcf","start-with-r9-template-chapter-76","start-with-r9-template-chapter-74",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]