After Mag, other reporters also tried to extract valuable news from Zhang Xu, but all returned empty-handed. They then realized that this Chinese player, a super scholar from the University of Paris VI, was more than capable of handling such intellectual challenges. It was like playing into his hands.
The reporters looked at Zhang Xu with a mix of admiration and disappointment. They were relieved that not every professional player had such an exceptional brain; otherwise, they might all have to resign!
The press conference didn't last long. The coach of SV Rosler quickly wrapped up his statements and left in a hurry, and Zhang Xu, worried about his parents, didn't wish to linger. So, after half an hour, the press conference concluded.
When Zhang Xu arrived at the café outside the stadium, his father was drinking coffee in boredom, while his mother and Nicole were gesturing and chatting animatedly, even though they didn't understand each other's language. Despite this, they seemed to be getting along harmoniously.
Upon seeing Zhang Xu, his mother quickly waved him over and pulled him to sit down.
"We've decided to return home tomorrow," his mother said tenderly, looking at her son who was always in her thoughts.
"What? Leaving tomorrow? So soon?" Zhang Xu was immediately anxious, "Can't you stay a few more days? There are still some nice places to visit around here."
"Stay a few more days?" His father chuckled, "Do you expect us to stay with you through the New Year?"
"Hehe, that would be great!" Zhang Xu said with a hopeful grin.
"Wishful thinking!" His father slapped his son's head lightly, "Who's going to take care of the family business then? You?"
"Ah, the little business we have at home? Wait till I become a big star, my salary will be enough to support you both, then..."
Before Zhang Xu could finish, his father slapped his head again, "Getting proud before you've made it, can't you stay grounded and take one step at a time?"
"Good son," his mother intervened, "Your high salary is for your life. We're not so old that we need you to support us. We just want to see you succeed and be at peace!"
"I know, but I still wish you could stay a few days longer," Zhang Xu pleaded with his mother.
Her heart softened, and she was about to agree when his father spoke, "We'd also like to stay longer, but we've seen your team's upcoming schedule, and it's quite packed. That's a major reason why we've decided to return tomorrow."
"Also, after we leave, focus on your studies and don't let football affect your academics. That's most important! And play well, live up to your coach's expectations! If you can come home for the New Year, do so; if not, it's okay. Your mother and I will be fine; just take care of yourself."
"Alright, then I'll take you to the airport with Nicole tomorrow!" Zhang Xu knew there was no changing his father's mind and sullenly sipped his coffee.
His mother sighed, her eyes reddening and tears shimmering.
The next day, Zhang Xu and Nicole went to his parents' hotel room, picked them up after breakfast, and boarded the bus to the airport.
Zhang Xu was mostly silent on the way, reluctantly parting with his parents.
His mother kept talking non-stop, instructing him on this and that, until they reached the airport where she continued to remind him of various things.
Finally, it was time to board. His mother's eyes turned red, holding onto Zhang Xu's hands tightly, refusing to let go. After a few turns in her eyes, the tears finally fell.
"Alright, no more crying, it's not like you won't see your son for a long time. Maybe he'll come back for the New Year, right? Let's go!" His father, also feeling emotional, stepped forward, gently comforting her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, Mom, you can go in peace. I'll take good care of myself. Besides, Nicole is here too, right?" Zhang Xu, holding back his sadness, gripped his mother's rough hands and said gently, "If I have time over the New Year, I'll... Nicole and I will definitely come to see you, okay?"
"Good, good! Make sure to bring Nicole if you come!" His mother pulled Nicole's right hand over, smiling, "Nicole, you're a good girl. I hope you can take good care of Zhang Xu. Make sure to take some time to come to China with him over the New Year, I'll be waiting!"
Zhang Xu looked at Nicole and then translated for her.
"Don't worry, Auntie, I'll take good care of Zhang. I also hope to visit China to see you and Uncle, but I'm worried..." Nicole hesitated, stealing glances at Zhang Xu's expression.
Zhang Xu looked at his mother and then at Nicole, and finally, with a firm nod, he assured, "Mom, don't worry. I'll definitely bring Nicole when I come back!"
His mother, supported by his father, slowly walked towards the boarding gate, turning back step by step, her tears falling onto the floor.
Zhang Xu and Nicole stood outside the security line, forcing a smile and vigorously waving goodbye.
Finally, when his parents disappeared at the boarding gate, the tears Zhang Xu had been holding back streamed down like a fountain.
Nicole held his hands in hers, whispering comfort...
After sending off his parents, Zhang Xu readjusted his mindset and plunged back into intense training and matches. Nicole returned to the University of Paris VI to continue her studies in Film Arts.
Thus, Zhang Xu returned to his monotonous life of just going between two points, the only change being that he was no longer a U21 player but now frequently appeared as the core midfielder in the first team.
From the match against SV Rosler to the last match before the winter break on December 16, 2011, against Ruselare, Zhang Xu participated in every game as the core midfielder.
In these five matches, the White Star team achieved an unbeaten record of three wins and two draws, climbing to 5th place in the league. Meanwhile, Zhang Xu contributed three goals and seven assists to the team.
Looking at the half-season stats, Zhang Xu was surprised to find himself among the top three scorers on the team, with a staggering seventeen assists leading the second-placed Driss by a significant margin.
His assist count also ranked second in the second division, just one behind the top-ranked Pogba. Pogba even called him, ostensibly to congratulate him on his second place in assists but really to challenge him to see who would be the assist king by the end of the season!
During this period, two significant events directly related to Zhang Xu occurred.
The first event had its beginnings even before his parents left Belgium but later escalated significantly.
It started with China's 0:1 defeats in both home and away matches against Iraq in the 2014 World Cup Asian Qualifiers, nearly losing their chance to advance to the top 10 in Asia.
While domestic fans lamented, news of Zhang Xu's impressive performance in the Belgian second division, continuously reported by journalist Dai Dong, was published in major domestic media outlets.
As the national team struggled, Zhang Xu's outstanding performance immediately caught the attention of many fans in China.
Some fans suggested calling Zhang Xu into the national team, and soon, many others supported this idea online.
As time passed and Zhang Xu's performance improved, the influence of this discourse grew, reaching a crescendo by early December.
In response, the Chinese Football Association finally sent three observers to Belgium to closely watch Zhang Xu's performance.
Within a week, the observers returned with a report claiming the player was only average and stood out only because of the low level of the Belgian second division.
The Association discarded the report, and Zhang Xu's first potential interaction with the national team was over before it began.
The second event directly involved Zhang Xu. As his performance improved and his role as the midfield core became increasingly important, more clubs began to show great interest in him.
By then, Zhang Xu's influence wasn't just limited to Belgium and neighboring France. Scouts from clubs in Germany and England's second or lower divisions came to Belgium to observe him closely.
These clubs included Frankfurt, Alemannia Aachen, TSV 1860 Munich, and the well-known Crystal Palace, among others.
Unlike the Chinese Association , these professional scouts, after one or two months of observation, almost unanimously sent similar reports back to their clubs:
The player has significant abilities and can establish himself in the team. More importantly, he has tremendous potential and is improving at an astonishing rate. It's strongly recommended that the club negotiate a transfer with White Star as soon as possible!
As the scouts' reports reached their respective clubs, various offers soon flooded Coach Mazu's desk.
The first offer came from Sheffield United, who had been eyeing Zhang Xu keenly: 300,000 Euros!
The second was from Crystal Palace in the Championship, offering 400,000 Euros!
The third was from Frankfurt in the Bundesliga 2, offering 200,000 Euros!
The fourth was from TSV 1860 Munich, also in Bundesliga 2, offering 250,000 Euros!
The fifth was from Lille in Ligue 1, offering 200,000 Euros!
...
There were also numerous offers from Belgian first division and French second division clubs, all expressing a strong desire to negotiate a transfer.
Thus, even before the winter break officially began, Coach Mazu, without having a chance to relax after a tense half-season, found himself in a dilemma!