Chapter 1 Welcome Zhang Jun!

"Let's welcome Zhang—Jun!!" the stadium announcer shouted with extreme fervor.

"Urah!!!" nearly seven thousand fans responded with a unified cheer.

Listening to the fans' cheers, Zhang Jun felt his blood burning. This feeling was wonderful! Yes, I'm back! Sorry to have kept you waiting!

After checking Zhang Jun's cleats, the fourth official raised the substitution board: Number 18, Van Beukering, off; number 11, Zhang Jun, on!

The cheers rose another level. Stepping onto this pitch meant an official comeback!

After high-fiving Van Beukering, Zhang Jun pushed off hard and sprinted onto the field. He ran with all his might to his position. The grass, the air, the wind... everything was different from being on the sidelines.

※※※

But while everyone was cheering for Zhang Jun's return, no one noticed that the ADO Den Haag coach was using the substitution time to call captain Daniel Rijaard to the sidelines: "Daniel, I want you to specifically defend Zhang, and be aggressive. His leg injury has just healed, he won't go head-to-head with you! If you really can't stop him, then foul him!"

He didn't know Zhang Jun, nor was he a fan. There was no need to be polite to such a dangerous character.

Rijaard nodded: "I understand!" Defenders and forwards were eternal enemies. He didn't need to be polite to Zhang Jun either.

"Alright, go back and continue the game. He's on!" The coach pushed Rijaard back onto the field, then turned to look at Zhang Jun's energetic back view. He shook his head and walked back to his seat.

Maybe you think you're the protagonist today, and while that may seem to be the case, I'm sorry to disappoint you, because we want to take three points.

If this is a party celebrating your return, then I'm sorry, but the party crasher has arrived.

※※※

Zhang Jun, who had just come on, eagerly raised his hand for the ball. He wanted to demonstrate his ability as soon as possible.

Hervé had the ball on the left side of midfield. He saw Zhang Jun raising his hand for the ball on the right, so amid the fans' cries of "Give it to Zhang Jun!" he sent a long pass.

But the cheers of the entire stadium came to an abrupt halt when a figure appeared. Zhang Jun watched the ball fall, wanting to stop it with his chest, but as the ball arrived, a figure jumped high into the air and forcefully headed the ball forward!

To Zhang Jun's surprise, it was the opposing captain. Losing an opportunity frustrated him, but he believed there would be more chances. Fifteen minutes had just begun; this was just a minor interlude.

Three minutes later, the ball finally reached Zhang Jun's feet, and the stands naturally erupted in cheers again, but Zhang Jun was receiving the ball with his back to the direction of attack. The opposing captain was sticking close to him, making it impossible for him to turn around. Helpless, he had to pass it back.

The cheers were forced to stop for the second time.

After an ADO Den Haag attack, it was Volendam's turn to attack. After three or four passes, the ball still went to Zhang Jun, still receiving the ball with his back to the goal, still being blocked by that captain.

So it's man-marking? Zhang Jun snorted inwardly.

Even from behind, the opponent had no intention of letting Zhang Jun be comfortable. He kept using his hands and knees to push into Zhang Jun, hoping to force him to make a mistake.

At this time, Hervé and Salden were cutting in from the wings. Zhang Jun only needed to pass the ball, and it would be an opportunity. Unfortunately, Zhang Jun was getting angry and only wanted to get past his opponent. He didn't see his teammates supporting him on both sides.

Screw you! Watch me get past you! Just let me turn around… Zhang Jun, facing away from his opponent, made a feint as if he was going to turn to the left, but immediately shifted his center of gravity and broke through in the opposite direction!

Rijaard was clearly tricked by Zhang Jun's first move, turning to his right. But when he realized it was just a feint, his reaction was quick. He turned around, grabbed Zhang Jun's shoulder, and then swung a scissor tackle at Zhang Jun!

Sensing the danger, Zhang Jun instinctively jumped up, dodging the ferocious tackle. But at the same time, his heart skipped a beat, and he secretly cried out in alarm: Wasn't this the same as giving the ball away to the opponent?

Sure enough, after Rijaard tackled the ball away, another defender followed up with a long kick to send the football to the front, an ADO Den Haag counterattack!

Because of their trust in Zhang Jun, most of the Volendam players had committed to the attack in the opponent’s half when Zhang Jun had the ball. There were only three people left in their own backfield, including the goalkeeper!

ADO Den Haag striker Romeo Castelen used his speed advantage to advance rapidly after receiving the ball, breaking through the slow Luwelynck and easily facing goalkeeper Westerop. The rest was easy for the striker. He swayed his upper body, deceiving Westerop, and then easily shot the ball into the empty net behind him!

1:0! In the 81st minute, ADO Den Haag took the lead when Volendam had the advantage!

And this goal originated from Zhang Jun's dispossession in the frontcourt. His instinctive dodge gave the ball to the opponent. Could it be that the shadow of the injury was still haunting him?

Wang Hua looked at Zhang Jun with some concern. His face was indeed pale. He stood with his hands on his hips, looking back at his team's goal. What was he thinking?

※※※

Zhang Jun looked at Volendam's goal in disbelief. Just one dispossession had led to their goal... But it didn't matter, I'll get it back! Sophie, I said I'd score a goal for you. Watch me!

The game restarted, and Zhang Jun raised his hand for the ball again...

But then the expectant joy on people's faces gradually diminished, because they found that Zhang Jun seemed to be in trouble. This trouble wasn't as simple as everyone imagined.

The ADO Den Haag captain, who was specifically responsible for marking Zhang Jun, was very physical but didn't commit fouls. And under this fierce pressure, Zhang Jun seemed a little overwhelmed. He tried hard to protect the ball, but every time he made contact with the opponent, his leg would involuntarily flinch, causing him to repeatedly lose control of the ball.

Zhang Jun broke through! But soon the ball was lost again, because Rijaard squeezed him from behind and won the ball. The fans thought this was a foul, but the referee turned a blind eye, and a huge booing erupted in the stands.

The ADO Den Haag coach looked relaxed. It seemed that the serious injury had had a significant impact on Zhang Jun. If that was the case, then Zhang Jun would no longer be a threat to his team. Well done, Daniel!

The cheers on the field gradually decreased. Apart from the boos directed at number 5, Rijaard, there was silence. The fans, full of expectations, didn't understand why Zhang Jun, who had performed so well in the warm-up matches, was so bad in the official match. ADO Den Haag's defense wasn't so strong that it couldn't be broken through, and if it had been before Zhang Jun's injury, that captain would have been beaten easily, without any ambiguity. But now…

The fans forgot that the intensity of the warm-up matches was far less than that of the official matches. This difference couldn't be ignored. Whoever ignored it would suffer, and suffer greatly.

Zhang Jun, who was depressed, was too confident and underestimated his opponent too much, so he was now suffering greatly. He couldn't break through that fierce number 5, and could only blindly take a long shot from nearly thirty meters with someone marking him. The result was predictable—it went high.

The stands booed again, but this time it wasn't for the opposing number 5, but for Zhang Jun. Although it was only a few scattered voices, a thought was growing in the audience's minds: Could it be that Zhang Jun's recovery wasn't as smooth as he said? Was he actually not at his best? Perhaps, even if Zhang Jun's body recovered, his mind would forever have a shadow. There were many moves he would never dare to make again. Would he become useless from now on?!

This was a scary thought. If Zhang Jun didn't do something to prove himself, it might become a terrible rumor.

Just then, Zhang Jun suddenly got what was so far his last chance.

Volendam launched an all-out attack, forming a melee in the ADO Den Haag penalty area. In the chaos, the ball miraculously bounced in front of Zhang Jun, and at this time, Rijaard, who should have been defending him, had joined the previous melee and hadn't had time to get out!

A great opportunity for Zhang Jun, unmarked, ten meters from the goal! At this distance, if Zhang Jun could calmly kick the ball, it would almost certainly go in!

Sure enough, Zhang Jun raised his right foot amid the fans' louder cheers. Unmarked, he had enough time to swing his right leg around. He was going to kick it hard to vent his frustration. He was going to use a goal to dispel all doubts and tell people that Zhang Jun had returned today!

Sophie, watch me!

Shoot!

People were waiting to cheer for the goal, but they saw the ball just bounce to the side and not go into the goal. The ADO Den Haag goalkeeper had just wasted his time.

Zhang Jun had mis-kicked! His instep only grazed the football and didn't hit the target as he had hoped, then roar as it hit the back of the net. The football just went a little wide!

This was simply a big joke!

And for Zhang Jun and the Volendam team, it was undoubtedly a disaster. ADO Den Haag seized this opportunity, taking advantage of Volendam's stunned state, and flashed through midfield like lightning. It was another fast counterattack, another one-on-one, and Castelen again faced the onrushing Westerop and chipped the ball over him, scoring another goal!

2:0. ADO Den Haag extended their lead in the last three minutes. Volendam was unable to turn the tide and lost at home, making it certain they would have gone nine games without a win.

Adriaanse had already anticipated Zhang Jun's poor performance. It was wishful thinking to expect Zhang Jun, who hadn't played an official match in seven months, to have a great performance right away. But he didn't expect Zhang Jun to mis-kick even an unmarked ball. This was a bit exaggerated. Mentality! But what could he, the coach, do? Sometimes non-football factors needed non-football things to solve them.

When the referee ruthlessly blew the whistle to end the game, Zhang Jun almost burst into tears. What had seven months of waiting and effort brought him? He was being made a joke of. That missed kick would definitely become fodder for people's after-dinner conversation. He had become a clown!

He refused the opposing number 5 captain's request to exchange jerseys. This action seemed very impolite and very lacking in grace, making Rijaard very embarrassed. But who could understand Zhang Jun's mood at this time? In his view, you defended me so tightly that I didn't have a single chance, making me look like a fool. Yet after the game, you asked me to exchange jerseys. This itself was mocking me. I, Zhang Jun, don't have the ability to break through your defense, but don't I have the right to refuse your mockery?

So he abandoned everyone, even without saying goodbye to Adriaanse, and walked into the locker room alone. He felt that any sound in the entire stadium was mocking him.

Feng Qing, in the stands, looked at Zhang Jun's hurried and dejected back view and sighed helplessly: "This silly boy, why bother? Alas!"

Zhang Jun didn't hear anything his teammates and Adriaanse said in the locker room. He was now very anxious and just wanted to go home as soon as possible, back to his own home, and lick his wounds alone like a wounded beast, not wanting to pay attention to anyone. He didn't know if his desperate comeback was the right thing to do. Was it a mistake to desperately want to play football after being injured? Was the punishment finally here?

If this was a dream, it must be a nightmare. Let me wake up soon!

Zhang Jun pinched his thigh hard, but it hurt so much that he almost cried out. Tears were also swirling in his eyes. So it wasn't a dream...

※※※

The next day, many media outlets reported on this match. The passionate drafts that many Chinese journalists had painstakingly prepared all became waste paper. Faced with this sudden failure, they didn't know what to do. Should they speculate, like the Dutch media, that Zhang Jun was washed up? What a joke! Their newspapers would be torn to shreds by angry fans.

So when many domestic fans hopefully bought a newspaper to learn about Zhang Jun's comeback, they were surprised to find that there wasn't as much coverage of the match as they had imagined, and it wasn't good news either.

Zhang Jun returned without a goal, and all three shots were off target. One of them might not even count as a shot. Other statistics were even more appalling. Compared to the harsh foreign media, the Chinese media were much more polite. They used "fifteen minutes is too short to prove anything" as an excuse for Zhang Jun's poor performance, and looked forward to the next league match against Willem II Tilburg. "Zhang Jun will get more time, and he will find his rhythm and give us a surprise. Because he is such a 'Miracle Boy' who constantly gives people surprises!"

※※※

But would things really go as they wished?

Willem II was a stronger team than ADO Den Haag and were in good form. Did they think Willem II would sacrifice themselves to help Zhang Jun?

The Veronica TV screen showed 1:2. Disappointed fans were leaving the stadium. There were no players left on the field. The game was over, and the home team had lost.

Volendam scored a goal, but the entire process had nothing to do with Zhang Jun. He was sitting on the bench watching when the goal was scored.

After his poor performance in the previous match, Adriaanse still gave Zhang Jun thirty minutes of playing time in this match as planned. Although he repeatedly told Zhang Jun before the match, "Don't think about what other people think, just focus on playing," Zhang Jun was obviously obsessed and didn't listen to a single word from the coach. Having half as much time on the pitch as last game didn't help Zhang Jun either; in the eyes of some journalists, it just increased the time he spent embarrassing himself. He still performed poorly, his success rate in one-on-one duels was pitifully low, and he only had one effective shot, which he shot straight into the goalkeeper's arms. All of his other shots missed. As a striker, his shooting was simply not satisfactory.

Zhang Jun had not lifted his ban on interviews for reporters. The news media didn't know what was wrong with him. Everyone had heard that he had help from van Basten, that he felt good in training and warm-up matches, and that he was full of confidence about his comeback... But the result was damn different.

People wanted to know what Zhang Jun was thinking, but Zhang Jun not only closed his mouth but also closed his heart. If he wasn't willing, no one could enter his inner world.

Wang Hua went to Li Yan because the agency was pressing him hard. He had no choice but to see if Li Yan could get some information about Zhang Jun from Yang Pan. But Yang Pan's answer completely disappointed him: "His phone is turned off. I can't contact him. I was hoping you could tell him to call me if you see him! Zhang Jun has always been like that. If something happens, he likes to shut himself away. That's why I'm worried about him living alone in the Netherlands. Otherwise, why would I be worried? He can cook and clean; he does everything better than me. But his personality... If he doesn't have a friend around, he can easily bottle up problems until they cause trouble! Sophie isn't with him now either; he doesn't even have anyone to talk to. I don't know about his match performance, but I think it has nothing to do with tactics. It must be a psychological problem. I absolutely disagree with some people's claim that Zhang Jun is finished. That's pure bullshit!"

Since Yang Pan didn't know either, then Li Yongle and Kaka were even less likely to know. The only clue was Sophie.

Li Yan tried to contact Sophie. Actually, he rarely used this connection to pry into information about Zhang Jun, but this time was different. It was important, so Li Yan had to go through a "back door."

Sophie did admit that Zhang Jun had called her during this time, but she didn't mention anything about his performance and still promised Sophie that he would definitely score. Through various reports of these two matches, Sophie had learned some of the situation. Zhang Jun had encountered some difficulties. She had also tried to persuade Zhang Jun, but Zhang Jun didn't listen at all, and she was very worried herself.

After working hard for a long time, Wang Hua finally understood a little about the reason for Zhang Jun's poor performance after hearing Sophie's words. About Zhang Jun, he finally understood why he was said to be "stubborn, obstinate, and willful." But stubbornness was sometimes a good thing, just as you stubbornly insisted on receiving TCM treatment. But sometimes it wasn't necessarily a good thing. When you were obsessed with the vow that you must score, you didn't realize that you were unable to score, Zhang Jun!

Wang Hua really wanted to say these words to Zhang Jun, but Zhang Jun, who had refused all interviews, wouldn't open that door even to Wang Hua, who had a relationship like friendship with him.

So was he just going to watch him continue his terrible performance, and then pray that one day his state would suddenly return, that he would no longer be afraid, no longer be stubborn, and would change back to the Zhang Jun of the past?

For now, Wang Hua, as his friend rather than a journalist, could only do this, hoping that that day wouldn't come too late, knowing that people's enthusiasm and patience had a time limit, Zhang Jun.

※※※

From October 28th to November 6th, Zhang Jun was still training hard for eight days. He didn't think he had psychological problems. What a joke, van Basten had already corrected him. What psychological problems could he have?

During these days, Feng Qing would still come every day to give him a massage, but he didn't dare to say anything about Zhang Jun's matches anymore. After the first match, Feng Qing had wanted to kindly persuade Zhang Jun, but Zhang Jun coldly retorted, making Feng Qing feel uncomfortable. In the end, he simply didn't bother to find trouble for himself. He thought he would understand when he needed to understand. He couldn't force it.

And van Basten was busy with the Dutch national team's affairs and had no time to pay attention to the poor Zhang Jun.

His cell phone had often been turned off since the match with ADO Den Haag and still refused any form of interview with any media. Zhang Jun sealed himself off like this and spent these eleven days. The day before the match with Roosendaal RBC, Zhang Jun told himself that twelve days and three matches was the time for a result. It was time to succeed or die!

※※※

Volendam had gone ten games without a win and had fallen to eighteenth place, last place. Compared to the start of last season, it was truly heaven and hell. Zhang Jun's "unsuccessful" comeback had also had a certain impact on the team's morale. They had hoped for a savior, but after Zhang Jun's comeback, they couldn't see any hope.

Winter had come to the Netherlands. Where was Volendam and Zhang Jun's spring?

Volendam, which had attracted much attention from the Chinese media, traveled to Roosendaal to challenge the Roosendaal team.

After ten league games, Roosendaal had one win, one draw, and eight losses. They had only won one more game than Volendam, so they were ranked one place ahead of Volendam, seventeenth, second to last. The Dutch media called this match a match between two unfortunate brothers, a "key battle" to compete for second to last place. Roosendaal's only advantage was that they were the home team, which might help them a little.

Zhang Jun finally got the starting position in this match. It was clear that he attached great importance to this match. He didn't know when Adriaanse would substitute him, so he could only seize any opportunity in the limited time he had to prove that he wasn't as others said. So he started the match by actively pressing in the frontcourt, wanting to directly intercept the ball in the frontcourt and attack.

Adriaanse frowned when he saw this scene. Zhang Jun had never been a player who was good at defense or liked defense, so, based on his characteristics, he had been given the privilege in the team of not having to defend at any time, so he could put all his energy into attacking, which had made him a striker feared by all defenders and goalkeepers.

Once he saw Zhang Jun frantically pressing the opponent's ball in the match, he could conclude that there must be something wrong with him. Zhang Jun was indeed having problems now. Unnecessary pressing would consume too much energy, and when he really needed to devote himself to the attack, he couldn't be in the right position.

Zhang Jun, what exactly do you want to do?

※※※

Zhang Jun pressed fiercely in the first half, but his efforts didn't get any reward. Instead, it disrupted Volendam's tactical arrangements, making the team seem at a loss at many times. The scene was once very chaotic.

During the halftime break, Adriaanse finally decided to substitute Zhang Jun. The opponent was already leading by two goals, and players who weren't performing well should be substituted.

When he learned that his appearance was going to end there, Zhang Jun didn't show any excitement. He just looked up at Adriaanse and then lowered his head and silently accepted the arrangement. Maybe his heart was dead. He was still a mess in this match. He should accept his fate. The injured Zhang Jun could never be the Zhang Jun before the injury, couldn't score goals, and his existence could only interfere with his teammates. He had no value...

※※※

In the end, Roosendaal won 3:0 at home against a chaotic Volendam, consolidating its second-to-last position. It also ended its six-game losing streak.

In stark contrast was Volendam. Hoorns had changed his attitude from a few days ago and couldn't wait to sell Zhang Jun. "His existence is simply a waste of the salary I give him! He gets the highest salary in the team but is useless. If he continues like this, I will consider getting rid of him during the winter break!" Listen to the businessman's face. In the previous two matches, he was still thanking this "box office guarantee" for injecting vitality into the market.

But more than these external pressures, the internal conflicts of the team gave Adriaanse a headache.

A conflict had broken out during training, which was unimaginable before.

The situation was like this: During a scrimmage, one of Zhang Jun's shots accidentally hit another striker, Johnny van Beukering, in the face. This was an accident, and no one could blame anyone. But Beukering had long had a fire in his heart. He had transferred from first-division team De Graafschap to a Super League team this summer, hoping to make a name for himself in the Super League. Because Zhang Jun was injured, he naturally became the starting striker, partnering with Herna. His performance was not outstanding, but it was stable, and he scored occasionally.

But Zhang Jun's return in late October changed everything. His playing time was getting shorter and shorter. Whenever Zhang Jun was going to play, it was certain that he would be substituted. At first, he didn't care, after all, Zhang Jun needed time. But later, Zhang Jun's playing time increased, but his performance got worse and worse. This made Beukering, who was often replaced by Zhang Jun, very unconvinced. Why should I, who perform stably, be replaced by this Chinese guy who performs terribly? Just because he is an old player?

In the previous match against Roosendaal, he had finally lost his starting position, and according to Adriaanse's arrangement, he would continue to sit on the bench in the next match, watching Zhang Jun waste opportunities on the field. This was really unfair!

When he was hit in the face by Zhang Jun and didn't get the apology he deserved, this anger finally erupted. He rushed up and punched Zhang Jun, who was retreating: "You shameful idiot who wastes opportunities! Did you even say sorry after hitting someone?"

Zhang Jun wasn't deliberately not apologizing. It was just that he had been in a daze all along and completely ignored Beukering. He was stunned by the punch and hadn't had time to fight back when the other party tried to kick him! But at this time, the fast Hervé fully exerted his speed advantage, rushed in front of Zhang Jun in one step, and blocked the kick for him. Then Hervé very "angrily" roared at Beukering: "Who the hell are you kicking! You just got hit by the ball? I think you're the shameful idiot!" Then he punched back, knocking Beukering back two steps. Hervé did this on purpose. He had long disliked the young kid who was a narcissist.

Just as Beukering wanted to retaliate, captain Luwelynck rushed in and forcibly separated the two with his strong body: "Stop fighting, all of you!"

Adriaanse had just been talking to assistant coach Ster at this time. When he turned his head, he found that the situation on the field had changed drastically, and they were fighting. Ster hurriedly blew the whistle and ordered everyone involved to stop.

The poor Zhang Jun had just gotten up from the ground and didn't know what had happened.

In the end, Adriaanse severely criticized Beukering and Hervé, who had provoked the incident and "actively participated," respectively deducting their salaries for one month and half a month. He also warned Beukering not to vent his resentment over losing his starting position on Zhang Jun. Considering that this was his first offense, he was being lenient, but he wouldn't be lenient with such behavior that undermined team unity. If it happened again, he would directly send the troublemaker back home.

But more seriously, there were several reporters interviewing and filming outside the field when this conflict occurred. Although the conflict ended quickly with his intervention, the ensuing impact was very, very serious.

This time, the impatient media magnified the fighting incident, believing that Zhang Jun's existence had seriously disrupted the team's unity and was a major hidden danger. They even impatiently announced that "Zhang Jun is already a waste!" "Seven months of waiting have completely worn away his agility and feeling for the game." "The current Zhang Jun is the source of Volendam's poor performance." "Give up on Zhang!" ... They looked as they had two seasons ago when they were eager to announce that Zhang Jun was van Basten's best successor.

Even the Chinese media, who had always spoken for Zhang Jun, couldn't maintain a certain tacit understanding after witnessing the fighting incident.

There was such a voice: Although we are very reluctant, we must admit that Zhang Jun will never be able to return to the past. We have to sadly accept this reality. In all fairness, Beukering, as an eighteen-year-old striker who was playing in the Super League for the first time, performed fairly well before Zhang Jun's return. But Zhang Jun's return made him lose the coach's trust, the fans' love, and his position overnight. No one could accept this change calmly. And from this fighting incident, Zhang Jun is transforming from a once-powerful star into a useless player, tasteless to eat, but a pity to discard!

This situation was like "everyone pushes a wall that is about to fall," kicking a man when he is down. It seemed that if you didn't criticize Zhang Jun, you weren't a calm and qualified news commentator.

"Zhang Jun is useless!" Sophie felt a pang in her heart when she saw the striking headline in the newspaper. The thing she had been worried about had happened. And she wasn't by Zhang Jun's side. Even making a phone call was so difficult...

Sophie thought of the phone, quickly took out her cell phone, and tried calling again, no matter if Zhang Jun's phone was off today.

If it was still off, I won't give up. So Zhang Jun, don't give up either!

She entered the number, pressed the call button, and then, to her surprise, it connected!

But after waiting a long time, no one answered. But Sophie didn't hang up the phone. She was waiting stubbornly, believing that Zhang Jun must be by the phone. She would wait until Zhang Jun answered the phone.

Because the waiting time was too long, the communication was automatically terminated. Sophie directly chose to redial. Since he turned on his phone today, she must get through.

The second time was still the same situation. The third time, Zhang Jun finally answered the phone after five rings.

"Sophie." His voice was very hoarse. Sophie could imagine how haggard Zhang Jun was now.

"It's me, Zhang Jun." What should she say next? At first, she thought she would have many things to say to Zhang Jun, but now she couldn't say a word.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jun spoke first: "I knew you would call, but I didn't really want to answer, but I couldn't bear to hang up. I have no face to see you... I, I'm finished! The domestic media must be very lively, right? I made a big joke on the field, and I even caused a fight in training. Now the team has become very sensitive. It's all because of me..."

Sophie thought of the word "useless". If Zhang Jun knew, what would he think? Anyway, she couldn't accept it. "No, there isn't much on the news..." She couldn't tell Zhang Jun the truth, so she made up a lie. But Zhang Jun didn't listen. He interrupted Sophie.

"Three matches, my performance was worse each time. Maybe you're worried that I'll get too excited? But now I'm calmer than ever. It's very strange. I know the newspapers say I'm a waste, and they're right. I'm really no different from a waste now. I spent seven months receiving surgery and TCM recovery, hoping to come back, but now it's all been in vain. I'm really not suitable to play football anymore. When I'm on the field, I don't have any confidence at all. I feel very lost..." Zhang Jun's voice didn't carry any emotion, neither angry nor frustrated, as if he was talking about someone else, not himself. "Sophie, tell me about what's happening at school. I'm quite concerned about you now..."

Sophie interrupted Zhang Jun. She couldn't stand Zhang Jun's tone anymore: "Zhang Jun, is this you? I didn't call the wrong number, did I?"

"What are you saying? Of course it's me!"

"Then how can you speak in this tone? Isn't this a critical moment for your future? Why are you acting like nothing happened?"

Zhang Jun said faintly: "Maybe some things aren't a big deal once you figure them out..."

"..." Sophie was silent for a moment, and then said sadly: "I still remember that the Zhang Jun I knew was a Zhang Jun who had many, many shortcomings, but never gave up on things he liked. Do you know why I fell in love with you? It's because of this trait of yours. You're like this in every way, about football, about love. You've only had three bad matches, and you're giving up? Everyone has times when they're not in good form. Why do you think you can't do it? Does it have to be scoring a goal to be considered a success? Seven months ago, when you were injured, many people said that your leg would never be able to play football again, but now, you've run on the field for three matches. Isn't that a success? Why care about what those reporters say? They don't know anything. They'll only gloat on the sidelines. They don't know how much you've paid for today. Just one sentence of 'waste' erases all your and Brother Feng's efforts!" Sophie got more and more excited as she spoke, and finally she couldn't breathe. She had to stop and take a deep breath.

Zhang Jun was stunned. He didn't expect Sophie to be so excited. The person who cared about him the most was still her!

Before she could catch her breath, Sophie continued: "The next match is on the 14th, right? Go back to the field and use your actions to tell those boring people that Zhang Jun is not a waste, not useless!"

※※※

"Zhang Jun is not a waste, not useless!"

Although the call had ended, these words still echoed in Zhang Jun's ears. Sophie had so much confidence in him, but he himself was a little lacking in confidence. Prove it to others? Easier said than done. He couldn't find his rhythm at all right now. His previously keen sense in front of goal seemed to have failed. His speed couldn't be exerted at all under the opponent's overall pressure. His free-kick accuracy was decreasing. He couldn't use the skills that made him famous as a striker. What could he use to prove himself? If he played in the next match, he could only continue to embarrass himself.

Sophie, you're thinking too simply about football!

Zhang Jun smiled bitterly and thought. Just then, his phone rang again. When he took it out, he saw that it was Qiu Suhui calling.

※※※

Qiu Suhui had been very busy lately. Although the Chinese national team had successfully qualified from the group stage, the affairs of the domestic league were getting worse and worse. He was in this environment and was being bothered by all kinds of people. But he was still paying attention to those young Chinese players in Europe. Recently, the one who had attracted much attention was naturally Zhang Jun, who was in the process of recovering. But it seemed that his recovery wasn't smooth sailing. The media's attitude was changing in a way that made people think. From the initial anticipation to the current pessimistic assertion that Zhang Jun had no future, Qiu Suhui knew that Zhang Jun must be very confused now. He, the coach, should also appear.

※※※

Zhang Jun was surprised by Qiu Suhui's sudden call. He didn't expect that his affairs had alarmed Qiu Suhui, who was the assistant coach of the Chinese national team. He was a very busy man.

"Okay, there's no need to say anything. I've been watching the reports, and I've asked someone to get the videos of your three matches, so I understand the situation." Qiu Suhui interrupted Zhang Jun on the other end of the phone. "Do you know why I'm calling you?"

Zhang Jun shook his head gently: "I'm not very clear. Is it still for my recovery?"

"I don't think you can guess! Those involved are confused!" Qiu Suhui sighed. "Tell me what you think your poor performance in these three matches was because of?"

Zhang Jun knew that Qiu Suhui must have come to help him. He thought for a while and carefully replied: "My physical condition is not good, my psychological quality doesn't meet the requirements, and I can't find the feeling of the match." These three points were also the reasons that many media outlets had summed up.

"But I heard that before the match with ADO Den Haag, because of your poor performance in the warm-up matches, you specifically went to Marco, and he helped you solve the latter two problems. As for the first problem, there has always been a TCM doctor with you, treating you. If your body wasn't good, would he let you play?" Qiu Suhui's question made Zhang Jun speechless. It was indeed like this. So if it wasn't because of the above three points, what had been troubling him?

"You really want to prove to others that you have successfully come out of the shadow of your injury, right?"

"Yes..."

"And you think the only way to prove it is to score a goal, right?" Qiu Suhui was like a doctor, patiently asking the patient about various symptoms.

"...Yes."

Qiu Suhui sighed: "Zhang Jun, you're thinking too complicated about football!"

Zhang Jun was stunned