Chapter 2: Lewokusen's Championship Puzzle?

Germany, Lewokusen Club.

This kid's vision and positioning are absolutely top‑level!

Damn? His acceleration, footwork, and physicality are so terrible!

Ah! He's a Dragon Descendant; he'll definitely make the club a lot of money. We, Lewokusen, have been laying groundwork in the Dragon Kingdom market for so long—we need a Dragon Kingdom star to bear fruit!

Exactly, just like Wolfsburg—they signed a Dragon Kingdom player who never played, yet brought a string of commercial returns!

Li Kang is mute... uh, aphasic! No need for sign language!

The big screen was playing a match recording.

Several technical analysts and marketing department staff were discussing heatedly.

Sports Director Wo Le Er stood with arms akimbo.

He laughed loudly: "You can't judge this kid's skill by Bundesliga standards; I think he's fully capable of playing in some garbage time of a match! Hurry up and quote a price to Barça!"

In the eyes of this German legend, Li Kang's footwork is far superior to that of the Dragon Kingdom national team.

But what about the head coach?

Just that auto mechanic? I'll handle it!

There are very few sports directors as arrogant as that.

Wo Le Er is the exception.

His career is filled with two words: arrogance.

Barcelona.

Laughter echoed from the office.

Wo Le Er is simply an idiot!

A Dragon Descendant who has played for the Spain national team—how could he help the Dragon Kingdom market? That's ignorant!

Dragon Kingdom fans will surely scoff at this treasonous act! Lewokusen has practically solved a big problem for me!

We accept his offer!

Li Kang's personal wishes? What could they be? He's short on cash! Lewokusen will pay him several times more than La Masia, plus step‑bonuses! He's mute, not stupid!

No need to arrange a personal meeting—my time is precious! Just give him a call to notify him.

Exactly! Even if Suárez someday leaves Barça, I'd still take this stance!

Robert raised his hand, urging the assistant.

It was the summer transfer window.

The transfer process in this parallel universe is very simple.

The next day.

Li Kang dragged his suitcase onto the flight to Düsseldorf.

When he received the transfer notice.

He didn't have much of a reaction.

On the contrary, Sophia flew into a rage, wielding a big stick, ready to cause trouble for Robert.

But when he heard the terms Lewokusen offered.

She was as if given a shot of tranquilizer.

This means Li Kang's annual earnings at Lewokusen exceed what I make in five years working in the cafeteria?

Are the plane tickets also reimbursed by Lewokusen?

It's 2015 now; although Xavi has left, Barça also won't have a spot for a youth player.

Even Dennis Suárez, who is several tiers stronger than Li Kang, can only be loaned out to the submarine.

Enrique, unlike Guardiola or Binyavanga during their coaching tenures, doesn't like promoting youth from La Masia.

The front line boasts a historic‑level attacking trio—MSN.

Midfielder Rakitić, though his style differs from Xavi's, is both offensive and defensive.

Not to mention Enrique—even if a stray dog sat on the Barça bench, it wouldn't give Li Kang any first‑team chance.

On the plane.

Li Kang was engrossed in a football web novel.

The protagonist time‑travels, starting as captain of the national youth team, receiving the system task 'banned by the FA, expelled from the national team,' but his family sends so much money that no matter how he curses the coach, hits teammates, or skips training, he still can't be expelled from the national team.

The more he watched, the more interesting it got.

Anticipation maxed out!

More than three hours later.

Li Kang walked out of the arrival gate.

He saw a conspicuous business car.

The vehicle bore Lewokusen's crest.

A sturdy old man with silver hair opened his arms to him.

Welcome, my little genius!

I need to tell you properly: next time, don't land at Düsseldorf International Airport—you're not joining the similarly named second‑division team!

A staff member nearby, holding a camera, prepared to record Li Kang's transfer in full.

At the same time.

Lewokusen's PR department had already greeted the Dragon Kingdom football media.

The club's Chinese website and social media accounts in the Dragon Kingdom.

Simultaneously, they released an official announcement.

Other sports media followed suit.

"Chinese-heritage youngster Li Kang joins Lewokusen!"

"A single strike sealing victory at the European Youth Championship, the Dragon Descendant soars across the sky!"

"La Masia's treasure, officially embarking on the Bundesliga campaign!"

Lewokusen spent a lot of money buying traffic push packages from various online platforms.

It didn't have much effect.

The few comments had nothing good to say.

-【Are we Dragon Kingdom fans fools? Wolfsburg's leftovers, you Lewokusen just copy? And still a Dragon Descendant, tsk!】

-【Wolfsburg's water cooler became a laughingstock across Asia, Lewokusen is really SB!】

-【Who is Li Kang? I've never even heard of him!】

-【The Chinese Super League has money, Europe and South America are playing export-to-domestic switch, hyping up so many "Dragon Kingdom geniuses", really disgusting!】

-【If Li Kang can play in the Bundesliga, I'll eat thirty catties of feces! It's the Bundesliga! Not friendlies or minor cup games!】

-【Let me tell you the script: first, the home welcome ceremony will be very grand, then have him wear the number 10 jersey! To scam a wave of jersey sales!】

Bayer Stadium

Wo Le Er single-handedly organized an extremely grand membership ceremony.

Compared to Xiao Wandou's membership ceremony, the standard is even higher.

Lewokusen has been laying out the Dragon Kingdom market for over a decade! They've tasted plenty of sweet rewards!

Welcoming Li Kang's arrival will definitely not be a loss!

Li Kang's medical examination process was simplified.

He quickly changed into the black jersey.

Number 10!

Calhanoglu, sorry about that.

When he walked out of the dark passage.

Several hundred "fans" let out a deafening cheer.

Camera lights flashed wildly.

Li Kang couldn't help but smile.

Germany's Tuop is very rigorous and dedicated.

Two days later.

Lewokusen, the sporting director's office.

Two junior assistants said dejectedly: "Boss, we've just figured out the attitude of the Dragon Kingdom market; they no longer buy this... feedback is very poor..."

Wo Le Er lit a cigar, unhurriedly said: "What's the rush? The new season still has over a month to go!"

But...

Don't worry, even if it's a failed signing, Lewokusen suffers no loss; I highly value Li Kang's potential!

The two junior assistants exchanged a glance, twitching the corners of their mouths.

What potential?

That guy is already 17...

His level still can't compare to Lewokusen's youth team, right?

Lewokusen's youth team?

The two junior assistants jumped in shock: "Can the sporting director even see through our thoughts?"

Wo Le Er slapped his forehead: "I'm too damn amateur! Quickly have Li Kang train with the youth team and play matches! Tell Tuop to give him the starting midfield position!"

Starting position? Wo Le Er, you madman! On what basis do you make such a crazy decision? Our youth team's upcoming matches are crucial!

How can he act as a sporting director like a club chairman!

Tettern training base.

A man in a suit with an explosive hairstyle shouted at the junior assistant.

He completely ignored Li Kang standing nearby.

Mr. Tuop, don't be angry; the sporting director said, if you don't agree, he will...

Enough, Dragon Descendant kid, go warm up!

Kai! Explain our tactics to him!

Tuop scratched his head, like a defeated rooster.

The youth team players glanced sideways.

They had already known about Li Kang from the team bulletin.

The five minutes of playing time in the Euro U-19 was ruthlessly cut by staff into a ten-minute "highlight reel".

A tall teenager ran off the pitch and extended his hand to Li Kang.

Li! That super-long through ball you made in the Euro U-19 was awesome! Let me explain our tactics... uh, let's warm up first!

Li Kang smiled.

Although he was a fake fan in his previous life, he could still recognize the boy before him.

Kai Havertz.

This guy represented Lewokusen in the Bundesliga and Champions League at 17; according to the timeline, that would be next year.

After a simple warm-up.

Li Kang put on the B-team bib and began participating in the scrimmage.

Beep!

With a whistle from the assistant coach.

The match officially began.

Lewokusen's youth training system produces players who are very well‑rounded and also very sharp‑minded.

Whenever Li Kang received a pass from a teammate in midfield, two players immediately stepped forward to press him, cutting off his forward passing lane.

Not only that.

When he was making a run to receive a teammate's pass.

Someone always managed to block his position.

His game intelligence and chemistry were off the charts!

A few minutes later.

Tuop sat on the sidelines, loosened his tie, and said to the assistant coach: "Like a turtle crawling slowly, the bad habit of the bullfighters' passing and control, record this kid's situation and data, write a report for Wo Le Er, advise him to... what situation?"

Li Kang gradually adapted to the rhythm of the German youngsters.

He began to speed himself up.

He seemed to be a step ahead of all the opposing players!

He shook off his marker on the spot!

Pass!

Receive!

The timing always allowed him to stay one step ahead of the opponent!

The front‑court pressing of the A‑team youngsters had no effect at all.

The midfield defense was loose.

Under his combination, it was torn to shreds.

B‑team's formation surged wildly into the heart of the A‑team's half.

The A‑team's big central defender decisively stepped up to challenge.

Li Kang easily shook off his opponent and, turning sideways, delivered a precise through‑ball!

As precise as a scalpel.

It pierced into the A‑team's large penalty area.

Havertz instinctively sprang into action, taking only three steps to easily trap the ball.

This kid's through‑ball?

The feeling of stopping it felt so good!

Smack!

The football left his left foot.

It rolled into the goal.

The B‑team players all ran over to Li Kang, high‑fiving and hugging.

Coach Tuop was shocked:

Letting this kid play in the youth team is like turning on cheat codes in a game!