Liverpool, once a symbol of industrial power, had gradually transformed into a vibrant tourist city in recent years. Despite that, its housing prices remained far from extravagant. The house Gerrard had purchased the previous year had cost around nine hundred thousand pounds. After a round of renovation and new furnishings, it was now worth about three thousand pounds per month on the rental market—barely a fraction of his weekly salary, which exceeded one hundred and twenty thousand pounds.
For Yang Yang, that figure was almost negligible. After paying a full year's rent upfront, he felt genuinely content with his new home.
Gerrard's warmth added to that feeling. The Liverpool captain had promised to personally pick him up the next morning and take him to Melwood for the team's first pre-season session, where he would officially introduce him to the rest of the squad. The gesture struck Yang Yang deeply—an act of respect and camaraderie that said much about Gerrard's leadership.
He had known Gerrard before only through media portrayals: the determined captain, the embodiment of Liverpool's spirit. But in person, he discovered a man who was not only confident and commanding but also calm, composed, and unfailingly considerate.
It had only been a day, yet Yang Yang already felt the warmth of Liverpool wrapping around him.
Before leaving, George Owen—the club's player liaison officer—also briefed Yang Yang on practical matters. The search for a full-time housekeeper was nearly complete; several candidates would visit for interviews over the next few days. In the meantime, part-time staff would come daily to assist with cleaning and errands until the permanent hire was finalized.
Yang Yang was genuinely impressed by how organized Liverpool was. He couldn't help comparing it to stories he'd heard elsewhere. When Chelsea brought in Drogba, rumor had it that the club left his family in a hotel for weeks, the children unable even to start school. Liverpool, by contrast, seemed to handle every detail with care and precision.
According to Owen, his office existed solely to ensure players could focus entirely on football. "In Liverpool," he explained, "everything is systematic. The responsibilities are clearly divided. Players only need to concentrate on one thing—playing football. The club takes care of the rest."
Yang Yang could feel that truth from the very first day.
Ajax had been professional too, but Liverpool's structure felt a step above—more polished, more human.
After Gerrard and Owen left, Yang Yang and Su Ye decided to take a short walk. The summer afternoon light bathed the city in a soft glow as they headed west toward the famous Sefton Park—a place locals spoke of fondly.
The park was as picturesque as its reputation promised. Tall plane trees stretched skyward, their dense branches forming a green canopy over winding paths. The air was fresh, touched by the distant scent of grass and water.
"The air here is so much better than in Beijing," Su Ye said with a smile. "I already like it here."
Yang Yang nodded. "Then you should come often—whenever you take a holiday."
"Alright," she said, smiling again, her eyes following him fondly. Her heart, as always, was tied to him completely.
He laughed and added playfully, "Then I'll leave the housekeeper interviews to you. But remember—don't go picking someone young and pretty."
Su Ye's laughter rang through the park. "Of course not. I'll choose someone older."
"Oh? Why older?"
"Because older women are more caring, more dependable."
Yang Yang grinned. "I don't know about that. I think you already take good care of me."
Su Ye's cheeks flushed pink. "Go away!" she said, glaring at him with mock anger, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
They spent the rest of the afternoon strolling through the park before heading to a nearby shopping center to buy some essentials—and a few extra clothes for both of them. By the time they finished, they were carrying several large bags.
Outside the mall, they hailed a taxi, and the driver—recognizing Yang Yang—turned out to be a Liverpool supporter. He chatted cheerfully all the way and even offered to help them unload the bags at the door. Before leaving, he asked for a quick photo and an autograph, which Yang Yang gladly obliged, signing half a dozen names with a broad smile.
When they finally stepped back inside the quiet house, the door closing softly behind them, an unfamiliar stillness settled over the spacious rooms.
Su Ye turned to him, slightly wary of the mischievous look in his eyes. "What... what are you doing?" she asked, a hint of nervous laughter in her voice. "You're up to something."
Yang Yang feigned innocence. "Nothing at all."
But as he spoke, he suddenly drew her close, his arm slipping around her waist. Leaning toward her ear, he whispered something that made her blush to the roots of her hair.
"I knew you were up to no good!" she protested, laughing and wriggling free, darting toward the hallway.
"Run? Do you really think you can get away?" he teased, chasing after her.
A playful shriek echoed through the house as Yang Yang caught up and wrapped his arms around her again, both of them laughing uncontrollably.
"Hey, little beauty," he said with a grin, his voice full of mock arrogance, "let's try the pool first—then maybe the bed after that."
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the quiet street outside.
Yang Yang and Su Ye returned from their morning jog around Sefton Park, their clothes damp with sweat and the freshness of the cool air clinging to their skin. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, they shared breakfast together at the kitchen table — freshly toasted bread, scrambled eggs, and the faint aroma of coffee drifting through the house.
Before leaving, Yang Yang reminded her gently, "If anything happens, call me first — or call the police. Don't open the door for strangers."
Su Ye rolled her eyes and pushed him toward the door, pouting playfully. "Go already. I'm not a three-year-old."
Yang Yang laughed, still half-worried despite her confidence. She watched him climb into Gerrard's car parked by the gate, the engine humming to life. When he turned to wave, Su Ye raised her hand and smiled back, her heart light.
Some say that once a man wins a woman's heart, he starts to take her for granted. But Su Ye knew Yang Yang wasn't that kind of man. If anything, he'd only grown more gentle, more attentive — as though having her by his side made him cherish her even more. He worried she might feel lonely, uncomfortable, or neglected. Each small gesture, each look, carried genuine care that made her heart ache with warmth.
Sometimes she wanted to cry, other times to laugh — overwhelmed by the simple happiness of being loved so earnestly.
To her, Yang Yang was the best man in the world. No one could ever compare.
...
On the way to Melwood, the morning traffic moved slowly through the calm streets of south Liverpool. Gerrard, at the wheel, used the drive to brief Yang Yang about the club's inner life.
"At Liverpool," he explained, "the captain's job isn't just about leading on the pitch. It's about keeping the dressing room together. Carragher and I make sure everyone feels settled and focused. If anyone's got a problem — personal, professional, whatever — they can come to us or the liaison office directly. We take care of our own here."
Yang Yang listened intently. The sincerity in Gerrard's tone said more than the words themselves; it reflected the culture and unity that defined Liverpool.
When they reached Melwood, Yang Yang felt a quiet sense of awe. The last time he'd come here, he'd been a guest — a player on trial, still unsure of his future.
Today, he was returning as a Liverpool player. Even the air felt different.
The training ground buzzed with new-season energy. In the car park, several sleek vehicles gleamed under the morning sun. Yang Yang spotted two Porsche Cayennes, both the same color as his own.
"This one's Reina's," Gerrard pointed out with a smile, "and that one's Xabi Alonso's. They both live out in Woolton — same as Rafa and most of the coaching staff. Kuyt just moved there too."
Yang Yang nodded politely, though he preferred the quieter surroundings near Sefton Park. The tree-lined streets, the nearby greenery — it all felt more peaceful, more fitting for him and Su Ye.
Still, he hadn't forgotten George Owen's warning from earlier: while Liverpool was generally safe, petty theft wasn't uncommon. In Woolton especially, burglaries often targeted footballers' homes.
Gerrard seemed to read his mind. "You've probably heard," he said, keeping his eyes on the road. "A few months back, Dudek's house in Calderstones got hit. They stole his Porsche Carrera — sixty-five grand's worth — and even took his 2005 Champions League medal. Not long after, Agger's place got broken into too. Lost a BMW and a Cadillac. Same week, Crouch's home in Cheshire was also hit. Seems those thieves know when we're away for matches."
Yang Yang frowned slightly. "That's terrible."
Gerrard nodded. "It's part of being a footballer here. We earn well, and everyone knows it. When I renovated my place, I installed a full alarm system. You should do the same. Better safe than sorry."
Yang Yang nodded gratefully. "Thanks for the advice."
He took out his phone as soon as they arrived at Melwood and called Su Ye.
"Make sure to keep the doors locked and the alarm on," he reminded her. "Apparently, there have been a few break-ins lately."
"I already know," Su Ye replied calmly. "Curran told me yesterday. Don't worry — especially when you're away. I'll take care of myself."
Her tone was so steady that Yang Yang couldn't help but smile. "Alright then," he said softly before hanging up.
He lowered the phone and exhaled, the tension easing from his shoulders. For all her gentleness, Su Ye could be strong when she needed to be — and that reassured him more than words could.
...
...
"Welcome to Liverpool!"
As Yang Yang stepped into Melwood's dressing room alongside Gerrard, Jamie Carragher was first to greet him, voice ringing across the room.
"Good to have you here, mate! Looking forward to playing alongside you, Yang!"
"Finally!" Peter Crouch grinned from his corner. "We've been waiting for you!"
Pepe Reina came over with a playful grin and gave Yang Yang a light punch on the shoulder. "That's for your goal at El Madrigal. I've had a shadow from that one. We're even now."
Yang Yang smiled and nodded. "Fair enough."
Xabi Alonso followed — calm, tidy, and courteous — offering a firm handshake and a faint smile.
Then Dirk Kuyt wrapped Yang Yang in a friendly hug. "Didn't expect we'd end up as teammates," he said, genuine warmth in his voice. "Welcome aboard. Better to fight together than against each other."
Although the two had competed fiercely in the Eredivisie, since the beginning of last season Kuyt had gradually fallen behind Yang Yang. Now, having both joined Liverpool, Kuyt's tactical role in the team was clearly secondary.
But while a player's tactical importance might differ, their standing in the squad remained equal. Yang Yang had never been the arrogant or overbearing type.
After Gerrard finished his introduction, warm applause filled the locker room as everyone welcomed him. Yang Yang was Liverpool's final signing of the season — and also their most important foreign acquisition.
"With the addition of Yang Yang and the new players on the scene, I believe that we can compete for the Premier League and the Champions League title in the new season!" Gerrard shouted enthusiastically.
The players responded with shouts and laughter, clearly energized.
The newly arrived Yang Yang couldn't help feeling stirred by their spirit. The atmosphere was charged with ambition.
Perhaps it was because Liverpool had endured too many years without major glory.
Aside from that miraculous Champions League triumph in 2005, the club had gone far too long without lifting a significant trophy. Their former captain and talisman, Michael Owen, had left for that very reason, and even Gerrard had almost followed him in 2005.
But precisely because of those years of frustration, everyone at the club now burned with renewed determination — a fierce desire to win both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Yang Yang didn't know if this same feeling existed in other clubs, but one thing he was sure of: even though he had just arrived, he already felt seamlessly integrated into this team.
Everyone in Liverpool was so kind, so genuine, that he felt a growing urge to give everything he had for them.
What was particularly interesting was that the first player to become friends with Yang Yang in this new team turned out to be his former opponent, Kuyt.
It wasn't surprising — both came from the Eredivisie and had joined Liverpool that summer. Having once competed for the Golden Boot, they already understood each other's strengths, and Kuyt's admiration for Yang Yang was sincere.
The second player to grow close to him, however, was the calm and thoughtful Xabi Alonso.
During a short break on the first day of training, they happened to stand together and began chatting about Yang Yang's Porsche Cayenne.
"I heard that the most special Cayenne in the world is in your hands. Find a chance to show me."
Luxury cars were one of Alonso's few hobbies.
Yang Yang smiled and replied that his car was still in Amsterdam and would take a few days to arrive, but once it did, he would satisfy Alonso's curiosity.
The two quickly found common ground in their shared interest.
It turned out that after both Alonso and Reina had seen photos of Yang Yang's Porsche Cayenne online, they went out and bought the same model themselves. Yang Yang was a little flattered — but as the official global spokesperson for Porsche Cayenne, he took it as part of his duty to uphold the brand's image. He had long become a true Cayenne enthusiast.
Before long, the three owners of identical Cayennes were inseparable, already planning to take their cars out for a drive along the coast — three different models, all in the same color, cruising together in style.
Substitute goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek tried to join their talk, but he was soon teased and "expelled" from the Porsche circle after everyone remembered that his Carrera had been stolen in June.
The Polish goalkeeper cursed the shameless thief again, lamenting that even his medal from the only European championship of his career had been taken.
The story made everyone burst into laughter, though it also startled Yang Yang for a moment. He suddenly wondered whether his own Champions League and UEFA medals were still safe. After a moment's thought, he vaguely remembered tossing them into a suitcase back in the Netherlands.
"Otherwise, go to UEFA to make another one?" Reina comforted.
Unexpectedly, Dudek grew even more furious.
"Make up a fart? What do you think it is? That's a Champions League champion's medal! If you lose it, where can UEFA get you another one?" he nearly shouted, red-faced with frustration.
Everyone laughed again — poor Dudek, what a streak of bad luck!
In the end, Gerrard stepped in to calm the mood, reminding everyone that if they kept working hard, Liverpool could win another Champions League soon enough. Then Dudek would earn a fresh medal of his own — and that thought finally made the goalkeeper smile again.
...
After training came the usual moments of relaxed conversation, but the sessions themselves were anything but easy.
Liverpool's training was intense, disciplined, and structured to the smallest detail. Gerrard and Carragher, the team's captain and vice-captain, were always the first to step onto the pitch. They trained with full focus, carrying out every instruction from the coaching staff with precision and without the slightest complacency.
Their professionalism set the tone for everyone else. When the two leaders were so serious, no one dared to slack off.
Sometimes, Yang Yang thought, attitude could be more contagious than any tactic or speech.
He could truly feel that within Liverpool's atmosphere, even a player who might once have been lazy would be compelled to work hard — not out of fear, but because the collective energy of the group left no room for indifference.
This was a team built on shared discipline and pride.
In the dressing room, that culture was embodied by Gerrard and Carragher, supported by veterans like Sami Hyypiä, Xabi Alonso, and Steve Finnan. They all trained with the same intensity and attention to detail.
No one dared to drift behind the group, because that would mean isolating oneself from the collective rhythm — something no player wanted.
The passion and work ethic of the captain and the senior players were the heart of the team's identity. Their example didn't need words; it inspired through action. Every player followed suit, performing every drill with total dedication, finishing every movement as though it mattered.
Everything at Liverpool — from the club's organization to its daily routines — was built to make the players push themselves. It created an environment where there was only one acceptable standard: to give everything.
Yang Yang quickly realized that at Liverpool, there was no halfway effort, no other choice but to commit fully. The sense of purpose here was unlike anywhere else.
Even on his very first day, he could already feel that atmosphere seeping into him, reshaping his mindset. And he liked it — deeply.
It made him proud to be part of this team.
...
...
As Yang Yang spent more time with the team, he began to discover another side of Liverpool — one that went beyond training sessions and match preparation.
The two captains, Gerrard and Carragher, often organized activities outside the stadium to strengthen the squad's bond. On some weekends, they would invite teammates to go fishing together or take their families and children to the coast. At other times, a few of them would head out for a quiet camping trip.
There was also a strong golfing culture among the players; across from Melwood stood a popular golf course where Liverpool's players were regular guests. It wasn't unusual to see small groups of them teaming up there, sharing laughter and friendly competition.
Life outside the pitch was lively and varied, filled with camaraderie.
But once they stepped onto the training ground, everything changed.
The same group that joked and laughed together became fiercely disciplined. Every session was demanding. Every movement mattered.
Yang Yang, despite arriving as Liverpool's record signing, remained among the hardest workers in the squad. His discipline stood out even in this environment.
Some had worried that the young star might become complacent after such a high-profile transfer, but it quickly became clear that those fears were unfounded. Yang Yang's professionalism spoke louder than any words could.
The only thing that troubled him slightly was the difference in physical conditioning methods compared to what he had been used to in Amsterdam.
Liverpool's fitness coach, Paco de Miguel, had designed a new strength regimen that pushed his body in unfamiliar ways. It was more intense, more power-oriented than the balanced system he had followed under Winston Bogarde.
Determined to adapt without compromising his natural style, Yang Yang sought out both assistant coach Pako Ayestarán and Paco de Miguel for a private discussion.
He explained that while he wanted to improve his strength and endurance, he couldn't afford to lose the attributes that defined him — his acceleration, agility, and explosive change of pace.
Both Ayestarán and head coach Benítez agreed immediately. They knew that Yang Yang's greatest weapon was his speed — not just in straight runs, but in his sudden bursts and unpredictable shifts of rhythm. If overtraining dulled those qualities, it would reduce the very threat that made him special.
Paco de Miguel listened carefully and soon adjusted Yang Yang's fitness program, tailoring it to preserve his explosiveness while gradually enhancing his core strength and stamina.
...
As pre-season training deepened, Yang Yang quickly found himself fully integrated into the team's rhythm.
On July 15, Liverpool played their first warm-up match — an away fixture against lower-division side Wrexham. The small ground was packed, and news of Liverpool's arrival had drawn a large crowd. Many fans had come specifically hoping to see Yang Yang in action.
It was a pity that although he travelled with the team, he did not make an appearance. Instead, he observed from the sidelines, taking in the atmosphere of an English match for the first time — the chants, the pace, the intensity. Compared to the Eredivisie, the difference was striking.
He noticed that the local defenders were far more physical, their tackles more forceful, while the refereeing standards were noticeably looser. The rhythm of the game felt faster, almost breathless — something that made him both nervous and excited.
Liverpool eventually won 2–0, with goals from Paul Anderson and Dirk Kuyt.
A few days later came the second warm-up match, also away, this time against Crewe Alexandra, another lower-tier English club. Yang Yang wasn't even named in the matchday squad. In fact, none of the key players who had participated in the World Cup — Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch, or Xabi Alonso — featured in either of the opening friendlies.
Liverpool won again, this time 1–0, thanks to a decisive finish from seventeen-year-old Craig Lindfield.
Both matches were clearly meant to ease younger players into rhythm and restore match sharpness to the reserves; the core starters were being saved for later.
The real pre-season tests, however, were still ahead.
The next three fixtures would pit Liverpool against Kaiserslautern of Germany, Grasshoppers Zurich of Switzerland, and Mainz, another Bundesliga side. The last match, against Mainz, was particularly noteworthy — it would bring Yang Yang face to face with his national teammate Zheng Zhi, attracting plenty of attention from fans back home.
Meanwhile, the club also had to prepare for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League in August. Having finished third in the Premier League the previous season, Liverpool needed to qualify through this stage. The draw had paired them with Maccabi Haifa from Israel.
However, escalating conflict in the region made travel there unsafe, and Liverpool had formally requested UEFA to move the away leg to a neutral venue — with Cyprus emerging as the most likely host.
Liverpool's third friendly took place in Liechtenstein, against Kaiserslautern.
The match ended in a thrilling 3–3 draw. Yang Yang came on as a substitute in the sixty-sixth minute and immediately made an impact — scoring once and providing an assist.
What amused everyone most, however, was what happened late in the game. With Luis García injured, Benítez replaced him with Pepe Reina as the striker.
The Spanish goalkeeper, to everyone's surprise, handled himself remarkably well. After receiving a precise cross from Yang Yang, Reina struck a clean, powerful shot from distance — and it flew straight in.
The stadium erupted in laughter and applause. Reina sprinted toward Yang Yang in delight, arms raised high, celebrating what was — quite incredibly — the first goal of his career.
Even the usually reserved Benítez cracked a smile on the touchline, and the rest of the Liverpool squad roared in amusement.
The match finished 3–3, but the moment quickly spread through the media.
It was, after all, a story too good to ignore: Yang Yang, making his unofficial Liverpool debut, scoring one goal, assisting another, and helping his goalkeeper score from open play. Reporters and fans alike were thrilled by the oddity of it all.
The fourth friendly took place in Zurich, against Grasshoppers.
This time, Yang Yang, Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch, and Kuyt all came off the bench in the second half, while Xabi Alonso was again left out of the squad.
Liverpool lost 1–2, but Yang Yang found the net again — his second goal in as many matches.
Despite the goals, he didn't feel entirely right. His body felt heavy, his movements a bit restrained. He couldn't describe exactly what was wrong — just a faint sense that something wasn't clicking.
After the match, he immediately reported the issue to the coaching staff.
They assumed it might simply be fatigue from the World Cup, assuring him that it wasn't serious and advising rest and gradual recovery.
Still, Benítez decided to leave him on the bench for the next friendly — the fifth and final warm-up game, away against Mainz.
That match turned into a surprisingly one-sided affair.
Despite fielding a strong lineup, Liverpool looked rusty and disjointed. Their passing lacked sharpness, their coordination was off, and they struggled to match the intensity of Jürgen Klopp's Mainz side, who pressed relentlessly from the start.
Yang Yang came on as a substitute and managed to provide an assist, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. Mainz ran riot, claiming a 5–2 victory at home.
For Yang Yang, the defeat stung less than the realization that his rhythm still hadn't fully returned.
His national teammate Zheng Zhi scored one of Mainz's goals, earning plenty of praise from both sets of supporters — and adding an unexpected layer of pride and rivalry to the night.
...
On the evening of August 9, Anfield was bathed in bright floodlights, its stands packed and trembling with song.
This was Yang Yang's long-awaited debut in a Liverpool shirt. The opponent: Maccabi Haifa of Israel, in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
The atmosphere was pure Anfield — banners swaying, the crowd's chant of You'll Never Walk Alone rising into the night air. Yang Yang stood among his teammates on the pitch, feeling both calm and restless, the weight of the moment pressing through his chest.
From the opening whistle he was sharp, moving constantly, probing for space on the left. Then, barely ten minutes into the match, the chance arrived.
Sissoko surged down the flank, muscling past his marker before sliding a perfectly timed pass ahead of him. Yang Yang met it in stride, his first touch pulling the ball infield. A sudden feint of the shoulder sent the defender the wrong way. In the next heartbeat he swung his right foot and struck through the ball with a crisp, controlled volley.
It curled beautifully, bending away from the goalkeeper's reach and crashing into the far corner of the net.
Anfield exploded.
The noise, the lights, the rush — Yang Yang opened his arms to celebrate, ready to sprint toward the Kop. But before he could take a single step, a searing pain shot through his right foot.
His body froze mid-motion. The joy on his face vanished, replaced by a grimace.
Something was terribly wrong.
A spike of realization cut through the noise.
No… not now.
He clenched his teeth. The pain was sharp, deep — not the dull ache of a knock or strain. He knew instantly what it meant.
He was injured.