Back home, Zhang Xu's days were leisurely. For the first two days, he did simple things: chatting with his mother, playing chess with his father, and showing Nicole around every corner of the small town. While reminiscing about the past, he shared stories of his youth with Nicole.
Nicole gradually experienced Zhang Xu's growth journey and integrated into his life. Well-educated and well-mannered, Nicole was completely accepted by his parents, who proudly told everyone about their son's wonderful wife-to-be.
Yang Zi, who initially planned to meet Zhang Xu after her busy schedule, kept postponing the meeting due to her increasingly hectic days. Zhang Xu had no choice but to wait patiently during his relaxed days.
However, this leisure didn't last long. On the third day, as Zhang Xu was about to go for a morning jog with Nicole, he was surprised to find reporters with cameras crowded outside his home. It turned out that the reporters had been tipped off about his and Yang Zi's unexpected encounter in Xiangzhong City. They soon discovered that the man involved in the rumored affair with Yang Zi was none other than Zhang Xu, the central midfielder of Belgium's Second Division's White Star team.
This information sparked massive interest among domestic media, who sent reporters to Xiangbei City, hoping to get the scoop on Zhang Xu.
As he appeared, the waiting reporters swarmed him, barraging him with questions:
"Hello, Zhang Xu, I'm Huo Jiade from Sports Weekly. How long do you plan to stay in the country?"
"Zhang Xu, I'm Luo Zhide from Football Express. Can you tell us about your acquaintance with Miss Yang Zi?"
"Hello, Zhang Xu, are you and Miss Yang Zi dating?"
"Mr. Zhang Xu, can you explain the relationship between you and the beautiful lady beside you?"
...
Before Zhang Xu could even process, a flurry of questions came at him. Overwhelmed, he pressed his hands down, "Friends from the media, I'm honored to see you here at my home. But with so many questions, I don't know which to answer first. How about we go one by one, and I'll try to accommodate your questions?"
The reporters agreed, thinking Zhang Xu was easy to talk to. Little did they know, Zhang Xu was already plotting to dodge their inquiries skillfully.
When they started asking questions one by one as Zhang Xu requested, he was ready with his evasive answers.
Eventually, all reporters left, satisfied but realizing they didn't have any substantial information to write about. They unanimously acknowledged Zhang Xu's wit: "No wonder he's a star scholar; he outsmarted us all and made us grateful for it!"
After handling the reporters, Zhang Xu felt exhausted. He realized his plan to rest quietly at home until returning to Belgium wouldn't be feasible. More waves of reporters would likely come if he stayed.
He contemplated leaving home but was reluctant to leave the warmth and relaxation of being near his parents. Just as he was indecisive, Zhang Xu received an unexpected call. Curious, he answered it.
"Haha, Xuzi, I thought you wouldn't answer my calls anymore after going abroad!" A familiar voice came through the phone.
"Shanzi? Haha, it's you, Shanzi! Why didn't you tell me you changed your number? I've had a hard time looking for you!" Zhang Xu exclaimed joyfully, recognizing his old friend.
Li Jinshan, or Shanzi, was a childhood friend of Zhang Xu and also loved soccer. They used to play together and even attended football academy. However, after Zhang Xu went to the University of Paris VI, they lost contact.
It wasn't that Zhang Xu didn't want to keep in touch, but Shanzi's old number suddenly became unreachable. Despite Zhang Xu's inquiries, he couldn't find him.
Reconnecting with Li Jinshan made Zhang Xu genuinely happy.
"Changed my number? Oh, sorry, I did change it and forgot to notify you. My bad!"
"You better remember to tell me next time!" Zhang Xu reminded and then asked, "Shanzi, what's up? You need something?"
"Of course, it's important!"
"Important? Let me guess, you want me to stand up for you again?" Zhang Xu knew Li Jinshan too well; he must have gotten into trouble and needed backup.
"Hehe, we're brothers for life, aren't we? Who else will help me if not you? I heard you're back?"
"Yes, what's up?"
"Great you're back! Here's the thing: I'm studying at Hunan Normal University, right? The university established a soccer team, and I'm the captain!"
"You? Captain?" Zhang Xu laughed.
"Cough cough, is it really necessary to be so dismissive?"
"Alright, continue boasting!"
"I really am the captain!" Li Jinshan insisted and then, after a sigh, admitted in a low voice, "Alright, you win! I'm the vice-captain. Recently, our university and several others like Hunan University, Central South University, and University of Science and Technology, among others, organized a league."
"A league? That's interesting!" Zhang Xu found it intriguing.
"Indeed! But they all hired foreign aid. Especially Hunan University, they even hired three active reserve players from the Chinese Super League. They may be reserves, but they're not something we amateurs can handle."
"They can hire Super League players as foreign aid?"
"There was no agreement initially, so by the time we learned about it, it was already a done deal."
"So, you guys were defeated?"
"Well, not yet, but, sigh, it's pretty much the same!"
"So, you're seeking foreign aid from me?"
"Yeah, Xuzi, you can't abandon me! You only need to play once, which is tomorrow afternoon's home game against Hunan University!"
"Shanzi, looks like Hunan University bullied you badly, huh? You want me to help you reclaim your honor, right?"
"Uh, you know everything! Yes, they beat us 6-0 last time, and I just couldn't stand it! You have to help your brother out!" Li Jinshan pleaded desperately.
Zhang Xu thought it over. Since he couldn't stay home anyway, why not take Nicole to Xiangzhong City, have some fun, and help his friend while at it.
"
Alright, I agree. I'll leave for Xiangzhong City tomorrow morning and should arrive around noon. You better come pick me up!"
"Hahaha, of course! Haha, you're my savior!" Li Jinshan laughed excitedly on the phone.
The next morning, Zhang Xu said goodbye to his parents and boarded a bus to Xiangzhong City with Nicole.
"Hey! Xuzi, not bad, snagging such a pretty foreign lady!" Li Jinshan was stunned by the gorgeous Nicole by Zhang Xu's side.
"Get lost! Drive!" Zhang Xu chided with a laugh and got into the car Li Jinshan had borrowed with Nicole.
Arriving at Hunan Normal University, Li Jinshan, in pain, spent half a month's living expenses to treat Zhang Xu and Nicole to a lavish lunch. Then, he eagerly led Zhang Xu to the soccer field.
The match was to start at 2 p.m., and there was still half an hour to go.
Zhang Xu and Nicole followed Li Jinshan into the soccer field and were surprised to see the stands around the field packed with spectators, many of whom were girls. Perhaps these spectators weren't here to watch the game but to see the girls, who, in turn, came to watch the handsome soccer players.
The field at Hunan Normal University was quite decent, with a standard 70x105 meter pitch covered in artificial turf.
"Those three are the Super League reserves!" Li Jinshan handed over the jersey and shoes, pointing to three players in Hunan University jerseys warming up on the field: "One is Luo Feng, a forward; another is Yang Guang, a midfielder; and Zhang Wuyong, a defender. These three form the backbone of Hunan University's team, elevating their level several folds!"
Zhang Xu observed the three while putting on his jersey and shoes, then lost interest and started chatting with Li Jinshan about the Hunan Normal University team's situation.
When Li Jinshan introduced Zhang Xu to the captain, he didn't reveal that he was the Zhang Xu from the Belgian Second Division. So, the team members didn't pay much attention.
Nobody on the field realized this Zhang Xu was that Zhang Xu. In their eyes, the well-known domestic Zhang Xu wouldn't possibly appear in an amateur soccer match.
"Xuzi, what position will you play? I heard you played as a defensive midfielder in Belgium. Are you playing the same position this game?" Li Jinshan asked.
"Yeah, still as a midfielder, but a bit more forward," Zhang Xu replied. In truth, with his skills, he could play any position in an amateur game. But to maximize his impact, he decided to play the position he knew best – the central midfielder.
"The central midfielder? Wow, Li Jinshan, this must be the foreign aid you brought? Looks clumsy, and he wants to play as the central midfielder? Does he even know what that means?" A taunting voice came from behind.
"What do you want, He Tao? Just because you hired three Super League players doesn't make you great!" Li Jinshan turned around, furious, and shouted at the guy named He Tao.
"Of course, I'm not great, but it's much better than bringing in such a trash player like you did, hahaha!" He Tao spat at Zhang Xu and left arrogantly.
"You!" Li Jinshan was enraged and about to confront He Tao.
Zhang Xu grabbed him, saying calmly, "Don't be rash! So what if we're looked down upon? No big deal! I'll give you a chance to slap him back hard!"