Chapter 1 The Final Match

Tomorrow would be the last match of Yang Pan's first season in Italy. He decided to go to a place of great significance to reminisce about the season. Zhang Jun's surgery went well, which improved his mood, and his face gradually showed more smiles within the team.

During training that day, Yang Pan already knew he would definitely start tomorrow, but his performance was no different from usual. Bellucci also talked to him about the Olympic Games this summer. He wished Yang Pan success in leading the Chinese team at the Olympics, but "If you meet Italy, please lose, haha!" he said with a laugh.

"No way, hehe!" Yang Pan refused with a smile.

But aside from this joke, there was little laughter. Because in tomorrow's game, an important person in the team would be leaving. Bellucci stopped laughing and just looked at Signori in the distance.

"Peppe (Signori's nickname) is leaving tomorrow, sigh!" This optimist rarely sighed.

Yang Pan didn't say anything, just nodded silently in agreement.

"By the way, Yang, there are a lot of rumors outside about you leaving. You're not leaving too, are you?" Bellucci turned around and asked Yang Pan.

Yang Pan was stunned and truly stumped. He was indeed leaving, and not just to any ordinary team. But how could he say such a thing to Bellucci? He was his best friend in Bologna, and he would definitely be the most reluctant to see him go. Yang Pan chuckled dryly, "No, probably not..."

Mazzoni looked at Signori's back on the training field and shrugged helplessly: "This summer is really sad, a lot of people are leaving."

※※※

After training, Yang Pan packed up and went straight to the "Chinachina" restaurant to have dinner, chat with Da Hu Zi (Big Beard), and learn a few "singing-like French" phrases. Finally, he would go home and sleep. Tomorrow's game, the day after tomorrow pack his things and go back to China for vacation... Another season had passed like this. The season in the Netherlands was still vivid in his mind, but unexpectedly, another year had gone by.

When Yang Pan pushed open the restaurant door, there were not many customers yet. Da Hu Zi was leisurely leaning against the bar reading the newspaper. The restaurant was quiet except for the clinking of cutlery as customers ate.

Hearing someone come in, Da Hu Zi looked up and saw it was Yang Pan, nodding with a smile as a greeting. When Yang Pan sat down in his "reserved seat," Da Hu Zi took the menu and walked up to him. "What would you like to order today?"

Yang Pan was slightly surprised: "Huh? Yi Lan isn't here today?"

"Well, she went out on a date with a classmate," Da Hu Zi said with a smile.

"Oh... same as before then," Yang Pan felt a little lost, she wasn't here...

Da Hu Zi looked at Yang Pan, who seemed a bit distracted, and then left with a smile.

Yang Pan cut his steak, chatting with the garrulous Da Hu Zi in a desultory manner, somewhat absent-minded. Da Hu Zi seemed to notice something and excused himself after a short chat, leaving Yang Pan there to reminisce about the past.

His first time in Bologna, his first time participating in team training, his first time coming to this restaurant, his first time meeting Yi Lan, his first time playing a match, his first assist, his first goal... There were just too many memorable things this year.

※※※

Friends were sitting in a bar, chatting while waiting for someone. Several girls were discussing the group of boys who were about to arrive, talking excitedly and laughing constantly. Only Yi Lan was a little absent-minded. Several boys had asked them out to play today, which should have been a happy occasion, but Yi Lan always felt a little empty inside. It was as if she felt like she had forgotten something when she left the house. In fact, she did have something she hadn't brought; her body was in the bar sitting with her friends, but her heart remained in her father's restaurant.

Tomorrow was the last round of the league, he should come to the restaurant, right? He had been coming frequently these days, only chatting with her father, and talking to her as little as ever. Something was wrong with Yang Pan. There were rumors that he would leave Bologna after the season. Was he here to say goodbye?

At the thought of saying goodbye, Yi Lan became inexplicably uneasy. The noisy bar made her feel restless. She wanted to escape from here. This was her true feeling right now.

Yi Lan changed her posture, hesitating about whether to return to the restaurant or continue to stay here. Today was the day everyone had agreed to go out on a date with the boys. Would it be bad if she suddenly said goodbye? Would it give the boys a bad impression?

Just as Yi Lan was hesitating, their dates arrived. A group of dashing boys were walking towards Yi Lan and her companions.

"They're all handsome guys!" one of her companions whispered.

One of the tall, handsome boys stepped forward and asked a girl next to Yi Lan, "Is that 'Ultimate Kitten'?"

The girl nodded and asked in return, "Are you 'Mediterranean Sapphire'?" Seeing the boy nod as well, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Yi Lan sighed. After all that, it was just an online meeting. At first, they had been so mysterious, making her hold some expectations, but now that it was an online meeting, she didn't have much interest. It wasn't that she had any prejudice against online friends, but she, who never chatted online, was not well-suited for online meetings.

Watching them chat happily on the side, saying things she didn't understand, she sighed again: How boring! If she had known, she would have stayed in the restaurant to help her father. Maybe she could have met him...

Him?

Yi Lan suddenly thought of something. She stood up and said goodbye to the group who were having fun: "I'm sorry, everyone. Something urgent has come up at home, and I have to go back now."

"What urgent matter? You haven't mentioned anything about it!" someone asked.

Yi Lan lowered her head, "I'm really sorry! Have fun, I, I have to go back." After saying that, she ran towards the door. But suddenly, a tall boy grabbed her, which surprised Yi Lan.

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Isn't it nice for everyone to chat together?" The boy gave Yi Lan a smile.

Yi Lan found that this boy was quite handsome, but unfortunately not her type – too much of a pretty boy. So she politely shook off his hand and said to the self-proclaimed "handsome guy," "I'm sorry, I forgot that I have a date with someone else, and I have to go now." After saying that, she ignored the others' attempts to stop her and walked straight out of the bar.

※※※

The Da Hu Zi manager looked at the restaurant door that was still swaying. Yang Pan had just left, and he hadn't enjoyed his meal.

Yang Pan looked back at the sign above the restaurant: "Chinachina." The neon lights changed the two words into various colors. This grammatically incorrect restaurant name... He really didn't expect that almost a year had passed like this. The season was about to end, and Hua Jie had only told him the day before yesterday that AC Milan had actually been paying attention to him all along, contrary to what he had previously thought, that they didn't care about him. If things went smoothly, AC Milan would sign him this summer.

He never expected that something he had dreamed of would appear so easily before him. AC Milan would actually acknowledge him and want to sign him. As the first Chinese player in history to join the world-class AC Milan, Yang Pan's name would be written in bold strokes in the history of Chinese football, and even in sports history.

Yang Pan felt that he was one step closer to his goal, which was a good thing. But why did he feel a sense of reluctance lately? Was it for this team, for this city, or for something else?

He turned around and looked at this unremarkable little Chinese restaurant, a Chinese restaurant opened by a Frenchman, which was really interesting. Looking at the doorknob, he remembered the scene of his first meeting with Yi Lan. He really should have brought Zhang Jun here for a meal back then. Well, wait until he recovered from his injury, then bring him to eat microwave-made Yangzhou fried rice... But would he still be here at that time?

What a pity!

Yang Pan sighed and walked away.

※※※

When Yi Lan breathlessly pushed open the restaurant door, her father was leisurely flipping through the day's newspaper behind the bar, not caring about the mediocre business.

Yi Lan didn't greet her father but instead directly searched the restaurant with her eyes. Where was he? Where was he? Where had he gone? He wasn't hiding, was he?

One circle, two circles, three circles. Yi Lan searched three times but couldn't find that familiar figure. She finally gave up, her shoulders slumping, listless.

"Yo! Back so early?" Her father put down the newspaper and greeted his daughter, who was standing at the door, panting.

Yi Lan looked at her father and then walked towards him: "Where is he?"

"Who?" Her father pretended to be stupid.

"Didn't he come?"

"What are you talking about?" Her father continued to pretend.

Yi Lan stomped her foot in anger and then said, biting her lower lip, "Who else could it be? Yang Pan! Didn't he come?"

Her father seemed to enjoy watching his daughter's embarrassment. He deliberately thought for a long time before hesitantly telling Yi Lan, "Yang Pan did come, had a meal, and left. But..."

"But what?" Yi Lan asked impatiently.

"But he seemed a little depressed during this meal..." Seeing his daughter looking at him with shining eyes, he quickly pointed to his forehead, "... I'm guessing. The restaurant was very busy at that time, and I didn't have the leisure to observe his mental state." After saying that, he shrugged and went back to his own business.

Yi Lan stood blankly in front of the bar, without saying a word.

※※※

Yang Pan did not announce his impending transfer to AC Milan. Apart from him and Hua Fang, only the club's top management and the head coach knew about it. Today's game against Chievo would be his last performance in Bologna. Similarly, it was also Signori's last time.

In comparison, Yang Pan's sadness was nothing. For a veteran who was about to retire, this game had only one protagonist. Yang Pan received a lot of care from Peppe when he first came to Bologna. Now they were both leaving, but one was just changing to a new starting point and beginning a new journey, while the other was saying goodbye completely.

Retirement was somewhat sad. The recent retirement of Baggio had cast the entire Italian football scene in a haze of memories. Now not only Roberto, Signori was leaving, but Juventus' "Silver Fox" coach Lippi was also leaving the Stadio delle Alpi. With AC Milan having already secured the championship, farewell seemed to be the only theme at the end of this season.

The pre-match atmosphere was the same as usual. In the locker room, Mazzoni was giving his final instructions, and the captain's armband was still on Signori's left arm. Mazzoni finally finished his speech, and then everyone looked at Captain Signori with great understanding, wanting to hear what he had to say.

But Signori was just standing at the door, holding the handle with one hand, and said to everyone, "Okay, everyone knows what they have to do. So let's go!"

He opened the door and walked out first. The noise outside instantly swallowed his figure.

Let's go!

※※※

This game was Signori's farewell match. The stands were packed with people who had come to see the veteran off. The stands were filled with various slogans, which fluttered in the wind, watching the players on the field.

Yang Pan worked very hard. He wanted to score a goal and assist one for himself and for the captain in the final battle. But unfortunately, he was a little impatient and couldn't control his legs. His long-range shots went high, and his crosses were somewhat aimless.

Signori said to him at halftime: "Don't rush, just play like usual."

This sentence seemed to be full of magic. Yang Pan in the second half returned to his usual level. In the 50th minute, his right-wing cross-shot hit the top of the crossbar and bounced out of the baseline. This was Yang Pan's best chance of the game. There was a sigh in the stadium at that time. If this ball had gone in, it would definitely have been selected for the top ten goals of this round of the league.

Signori was also very regretful. He was originally going to grab a point in front of the goal, but when he saw the ball flying straight towards the goal, he knew that Yang Pan was shooting. The ball not going in made him hold his head in annoyance, because at this time Bologna was 1:2 behind Chievo.

But in the end, the fans no longer cared about the score. Everyone was calling Signori's nickname -- "Peppe." And Mazzoni also took him off the field at the right time, allowing him to enjoy the cheers of the fans alone. Signori hugged his teammates and opponents one by one, and finally walked to the sidelines. He raised his hands high and greeted the fans in the stadium. At this time, he saw a very large banner: "Thank you for the goals you have contributed to us, you are our eternal captain!" Tears could no longer be held back.

Yang Pan found that Bellucci next to him was actually wiping tears! And it wasn't just him, many of Bologna's teammates were secretly wiping their tears. Was retirement like this? Yang Pan, who had just stepped onto the professional football scene, couldn't understand yet. For professional players, retirement was not as simple as retirement, but a process of death in life, a pain of the soul leaving the body.

Once they left the stadium, they only had half of their lives left.

※※※

Almost at the same time, in another place, in Milan, in northern Italy, the San Siro stadium. Another veteran was also performing a touching farewell scene.

When the fourth official raised the sign to replace Brescia's number 10, everyone realized one thing, Roberto Baggio was finally leaving. All the fans in the stadium stood up to see Robbie off. The banners that filled the San Siro saying "Robbie, don't go" finally failed to keep a great star from leaving.

Baggio hugged the Brescia players on the field, and then some of the old AC Milan players also came over to hug Robbie, Maldini, Costacurta... These were all partners who had fought together, whether in the Italian national team or in AC Milan.

Baggio finally walked to the sidelines, he raised his hands, applauded, and waved.

Then he went off the field, to the Brescia bench to hug and say goodbye to everyone, and then to the AC Milan bench to hug and say goodbye to everyone. Whether it was the players, the coach, the team doctor, or even the fourth official, he didn't miss a single one.

Although the game was still going on, no one cared about it anymore. The TV broadcast's camera was always on Baggio, faithfully recording his every move. Look, look, every second you look is one second less.

After hugging and saying goodbye to everyone, he walked towards the entrance of the locker room, but he turned back and stepped onto the field again, standing in the corner flag area near the AC Milan penalty area, raising his hands high, applauding, and saying goodbye to the fans. And he was still holding the Brescia captain's armband in his hand. Now Brescia had no captain on the field!

The shouts of the fans on the scene reached their climax. Everyone was shouting: "Robbie, don't go! Please, don't go!"

Robbie bit his lower lip, trying to hold back the tears from falling. He didn't want to cry in front of everyone, didn't want to make everyone even sadder. In fact, Robbie was a stronger person than anyone else. He didn't cry when faced with the injustice of fate in the United States, and he didn't cry when faced with the injustice of fate in Italy. Now that he was leaving, with some regrets, he still didn't cry.

Kaka was taken off the field by Ancelotti ahead of time, which gave him the opportunity to see this man off properly. He stared blankly at Baggio standing in a corner of the field, saying goodbye to the past, while the people playing on the field were unwilling to disturb him. The ball would definitely not fly there.

What kind of realm was it to have the away team's fans pay tribute to him and try to keep him?

Goodbye, Robbie, it was my honor to compete on the same field with you.

※※※

After the game, Yang Pan and his teammates clustered around the captain and returned to the field again to say goodbye to everyone. Signori couldn't help but cry again, sobbing. This time, even Yang Pan felt a little sad. If he hadn't turned his face away at a crucial moment, he might have cried as well. Yang Pan had never been a person who liked to cry, but today's scene was too shocking for him.

Those who have to leave will leave sooner or later, and no one can resist time.

Back in the locker room, everyone silently took a shower. Yang Pan quickly finished his shower and changed his clothes, waiting for everyone in the lounge. The captain's matter was over, and now it was his turn to make his own matter clear. Coach Mazzoni went to attend the post-match press conference. Yang Pan turned his head and looked at this locker room. How many more times would he be able to see it?

Bellucci walked out with his hair wet. Seeing Yang Pan sitting alone in a chair, he decided to say something, otherwise the atmosphere would be too awkward. Having just experienced the captain's retirement, everyone's mood was not very high. "Hey, Yang, any plans for the holidays?"

"Holidays? I'm someone who's going to participate in the Olympics." Yang Pan didn't have much time to consider holiday arrangements. This summer, he would be busier than last year. The Football Association was arguing fiercely with Qiu Suhui over whether he would participate in the Asian Cup held in China this July. He definitely had to play in the Olympics, but as for the Asian Cup... Personally, he wanted to participate out of emotion, but reason told him that it was best not to participate, otherwise he would basically have no time to rest this summer.

"Oh, I forgot. It seems to be a big deal for your country!"

"Yeah, Chinese football really needs this opportunity..." Yang Pan muttered.

"Well, then cheer in Athens! And then recharge your batteries for next season. You assist, and I score!"

Yang Pan looked at his best Italian teammate. People with straightforward personalities were really easy to get along with, just like Zhang Jun. He smiled: "I'm sorry, Claudio Bellucci, I won't be in Bologna next season."

Bellucci was stunned: "Not in Bologna? What do you mean?"

"It means that I will be transferring away."

※※※

"Excuse me, Coach, are you satisfied with Yang Pan's performance this season?" A Chinese reporter stood up and asked.

Old Coach Mazzoni smiled slightly: "As a freshman in Serie A, he did a great job. But perhaps next year will be the real test."

"With your training, the second year shouldn't be a problem, right, Carlo?" A familiar Italian reporter below joked with Mazzoni on stage.

But Mazzoni smiled bitterly: "I'm sorry, Yang will not be in Bologna's lineup next season. He will officially transfer back to AC Milan."

This sentence undoubtedly dropped a bombshell among the crowd. There had indeed been speculation before that Yang Pan would leave Bologna after the season. But very few people could have guessed that it would be AC Milan. Because based on the previous situation, Milan was the most passive club among those competing for Yang Pan, even though they held 50% of Yang Pan's ownership. But unexpectedly, AC Milan had been in contact with Bologna in secret for so long. From Yang Pan's personal point of view, as long as Milan extended an invitation to him, he would definitely not refuse. Galliani was indeed cunning.

"A... AC Milan! Is this true?" The Chinese reporter who had asked the question earlier seemed to be frightened by the name "AC Milan." He stood there, thinking he was dreaming.

Mazzoni nodded slightly.

"My God! Call the head office!"

"Did you record what Mazzoni said just now?"

"You quickly go to Yang Pan's residence and wait for him!"

"Prepare an exclusive interview, tell the editor-in-chief that I want a ten-page spread!"

……

The hall was already in chaos.

※※※

"What? You're leaving?" Bellucci's loud voice could be heard throughout the locker room.

Signori happened to come out after taking a shower. "Who's leaving?" he asked.

Bellucci pointed to the sitting Yang Pan: "He said he's transferring! This summer."

"Oh, which club?" Signori asked casually. From the time he knew that Yang Pan was co-owned by two clubs, he knew that Yang's departure was only a matter of time. This child's eyes always flashed with ambition, and Bologna, a small club with low investment and low goals, could not keep him.

"Um... AC Milan," Yang Pan said softly.

"Ah, not bad! Kid, congratulations!" Signori still didn't show much surprise. Having retired, he seemed to be immune to honor and disgrace. Of course, he still shed tears during his last game, but he returned to normal after taking a shower.

"But, why is this? Peppe is leaving, and Yang is also leaving..." Bellucci murmured.

"Fool, I'm old and should have retired long ago. And Yang is leaving because he found a better place that can give him more development. You should bless him." Signori patted Bellucci on the shoulder. He understood the feeling of a striker losing an excellent assistant. Bellucci was now able to secure a starting forward position in the club, which was largely due to Yang Pan's sudden explosion in the second half of the season.

"Claudio, I'm sorry. But I can't refuse Milan's invitation, but we're still friends, right?" Yang Pan looked at the old captain again. Baggio's retirement touched almost the entire world. Everyone was reminiscing about Baggio, talking about Baggio, and trying to keep Baggio. But Signori, who was from the same era as Baggio, was rarely mentioned. Although Baggio was his idol, Yang Pan still felt that it was unfair to the old captain.

But life was like a long novel, there had to be someone to play the main character, and someone to play a supporting role. If Baggio was the protagonist in the hearts of thousands of fans, then Signori could only be a supporting role.

Yang Pan didn't understand these things yet. He looked at the thirty-six-year-old captain. Baggio received the widespread and fanatical love of the world's fans, but what did Signori get? "You too, Captain. Thank you very much for taking care of me this season!" Yang Pan bowed to Signori, "Farewell, Captain."

More and more people gradually entered the locker room. Yang Pan announced to everyone the news that he was about to join AC Milan. Apart from blessings, everyone was very calm, and no one shouted and screamed like Bellucci.

Then came the farewell to the old captain Signori. The captain walked up and hugged everyone, and then patted them on the back, just like after winning any important game in the past. Signori used this unique way to thank his teammates for their support and effort for ninety minutes, whether they played or not.

But this time, he was thanking his teammates for their support and effort over the years. The teammates also knew that the old captain would never return to this locker room after leaving this time. Bologna's roster for next season, the starting lineup would no longer have his name. This was somewhat sad, but this was football, this was life.

When Signori hugged Yang Pan, he felt that the hand the captain patted on his back with clearly increased in strength. No matter where you go, playing well is the right thing to do. This was the captain's last piece of advice to him.

After hugging everyone, even including the assistant coach, the physical trainer, the team doctor... Signori stood in his usual position -- at the door of the locker room, scanned everyone, and said, "Goodbye, everyone! I wish you a happy holiday!" Then, regardless of everyone's reluctant gazes, he opened the door and walked out alone.

The same words and actions as at the end of every season. But when he turned around and opened the door, that figure was forever engraved in Yang Pan's heart. With a soft sound, the door was closed, but the room was still silent.

On May 16, 2004, the former "Angel with a Left Foot," "Penalty Kick Prince," Baggio's forward partner in the Italian national team at the 1994 World Cup -- Giuseppe Signori officially announced his retirement from Serie A. He left people's sight with three Serie A Golden Boots and 188 Serie A goals.

Roberto Baggio, his forward partner in the American World Cup, also left with him. Just like that, an era ended.

※※※

Don't hurt my heart, I can't live without you
Every little bit is completely occupied
Don't take back your love, don't push me away
Even if we have to break up, don't make the words too clear
I want you to turn around, I want you not to go
Can't hide the traces of love
Can't find a reason to hate
I want you to turn around, I want you not to go
Should I risk it all or keep something back
My heart secretly begs bitterly
Don't go……

(Mavis Hee "Don't Go")