When the Serbian referee Milorad Mažic blew the final whistle, Leeds United, who had been bombarding Real Madrid's goal just moments earlier, suddenly seemed to run dry.
On the pitch, inside and outside Real Madrid's penalty area, players in Leeds United shirts collapsed to the turf.
Many held their heads and cried bitterly.
Last season, they were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by a powerful Real Madrid.
Last summer, the team could not keep its stars and was forced to sell five core players, yet this season they did even better, pushing through the semi-finals and into the final.
Not only that, in the group stage, Leeds United beat Real Madrid twice, nearly causing last season's rivals to fail to advance. You could call it revenge.
Before this final, they were ambitious, believing Real Madrid were no longer at their best and that the Real Madrid era was over.
But who would have thought they would lose?
When had these young men in their early twenties ever endured such a brutal blow?
They were so close to the Champions League, and now they had nothing.
It was all over.
…
At the whistle, everyone around Gao Shen rushed onto the pitch at once.
They celebrated wildly, almost forgetting everything else.
Even Carlo, Zidane, and the others completely lost control, either dropping to their knees on the grass or embracing each other.
This turbulent season had been truly hard for Real Madrid.
It was tough and painful from the start. They faced constant challenges, setbacks, and blows. It was like a leaky ship in a storm, sailing the deep seas on the brink of breaking apart.
But Captain Gao Shen always stayed firm and clear-headed, leading the team to overcome obstacles and ride out the waves.
At last, they reached the final.
And now, they had won the title.
This was a sixth consecutive Champions League title.
An unprecedented six in a row.
How strong were Leeds United this season?
Harry Kane, Mbappé, and Mané topped this season's Champions League scoring charts with 12 goals each.
In other words, those three accounted for 36 goals.
There was also Vardy, the 31-year-old veteran, who scored 7.
Leeds United scored 29 goals in the group stage, a record for the most in Champions League group-stage history.
It shows how formidable Leeds United were this season. Pochettino's team had virtually swept across Europe.
But in the end, they were beaten by Real Madrid.
So they had every reason to feel dissatisfied and disappointed by this final's result.
Gao Shen took a deep breath, calmed himself, and walked toward the Leeds United bench.
Pochettino saw him and came over.
They said nothing, just hugged.
"Tonight, I am proud of you," Gao Shen said with emotion.
He spoke as the owner of Leeds United.
"What a pity, we were just a little short," Pochettino replied in disappointment.
He had been on the verge of making history.
"If not this season, then try again next season," Gao Shen said with a smile.
Pochettino looked at his boss with some bitterness. "Will we still have a chance next season?"
"Of course we will," Gao Shen said confidently.
"When I finish here and get to Cheshire, I will talk it through with you in detail. Believe me, we will definitely have a chance."
Pochettino regarded Gao Shen as both teacher and friend, and had complete faith in him.
Gao Shen walked onto the pitch, hugging everyone he met.
If it was a Real Madrid player, he congratulated him. If it was a Leeds United player, he offered comfort.
Reaching the semi-finals last season and the final this season was a great success for a club like Leeds United. Behind it was not only a professional and efficient management team, but also the advice and guidance behind the scenes.
At the very least, the current core of Leeds United's squad largely came from high-level recommendations.
Of course, Gao Shen's benefits could not be summed up in a few words.
Leeds United had changed players many times over the years, but the team's overall strength had steadily increased. Now they were Champions League runners-up. Leeds United were even regarded as part of the Premier League's Big Six, the most promising and dynamic side among them.
Gao Shen basically comforted the Leeds United players and encouraged them to step out of the shadow as soon as possible, especially those he and the club valued greatly, such as Mbappé.
"Believe me, do not make any hasty decisions this summer. We will try to come back again next season," Gao Shen said.
Mbappé trusted Gao Shen. He had been developed by Leeds United over the past few years since joining, and Gao Shen made time every year to meet them several times and talk at length. They knew each other well.
Last summer, Mbappé almost joined Paris Saint-Germain. After prising Neymar from Barcelona with a sky-high buyout clause, PSG wanted Mbappé for 150 million euros.
At that time, Gao Shen urged Real Madrid to sign Mbappé. The young Frenchman had always wanted to play under Gao Shen, so he chose to wait for Real Madrid. In the end, Florentino chose to keep Ronaldo, so Mbappé stayed.
Now, PSG were bound to come for Mbappé again this summer, but Gao Shen still wanted to steady the talented striker first.
"Let's find time to have a proper chat later," Gao Shen said with a smile, patting Mbappé on the shoulder.
He had a feeling this summer would be anything but calm.
The French forward nodded firmly. He could not refuse Gao Shen's invitation.
…
"Dad!"
As Gao Shen walked down from the pitch, he heard a clear shout from afar.
Then a gust of wind, and a small figure hurled himself into his arms.
He knew by the voice alone that it was his beloved son.
Little Gao Ming was already five years old, six by the lunar calendar. He was healthy and ran fast.
He had been training in Real Madrid's youth system since he was very young, and now he could play quite well.
Speaking of which, he had a godfather to thank.
Zidane walked over, feigning a sulk, and ruffled the boy's hair. "Kid, who brought you in? Now that you have seen your dad, you do not want your godfather anymore, is that it?"
Little Gao Ming giggled and clung to Zidane's hand. "How could that be? Godfather, I love you the most."
Zidane, delighted, picked him up.
"Come on, Godfather will take you to the podium to collect the trophy today."
"OK!"
Gao Shen was left behind, amused. "You are an assistant coach, and you are bringing a little kid up there to receive the award?"
Little Gao Ming's popularity at Real Madrid was impressive.
He was young, but quick-witted and sweet-tongued, especially good at winning people over. He tagged along with Zidane in the Real Madrid dressing room all day, knew everyone, and often showed up on social media.
One day competing with Ronaldo at shooting. Another day heading with Benzema. Then juggling with Di Maria.
Ramos said he had the makings of a center-back. Toni Kroos thought he was a natural passer. Modric thought he should be the midfield orchestrator. Ronaldo thought he had the potential to inherit his legacy.
Before long, he became a little internet celebrity with plenty of fans.
At first, Gao Shen and Su Qing worried he might be led astray and neglect his studies. They did not expect he had the top-student genes from his parents and produced outstanding grades.
Gradually, seeing he could balance study and play, they let him be.
That made him feel even more at home at Real Madrid.
Even Florentino liked him very much and had said more than once that he would be a future leader of Real Madrid.
All in all, he was doing as well in Real Madrid as his father.
In the middle of the pitch, the players tossed him into the air again and again, while he danced and shouted in delight, thrilled and satisfied.
"Were you like this when you were little?" Raul asked enviously.
He had brought his own children to Real Madrid many times, but none were as adored as little Gao Ming.
Sometimes he felt the boy possessed some of Gao Shen's qualities, like a natural affinity.
"I was much more obedient than him as a child," Gao Shen denied.
Raul smiled and let it go.
"Sorry, Raul."
"Why?" Raul was a bit surprised.
"I have to go," Gao Shen said helplessly.
He had wanted to take Raul with him a while longer, but time did not allow it.
Raul nodded. "I understand."
For Gao Shen, the best time to leave was last year, but at that time everyone at the club, from fans to players to management, tried to keep him. Even the King of Spain called on him to stay.
No one imagined how difficult the following year would be.
Now, they all knew.
"Yesterday, when I met Ferguson, I told him I am not as strong as he is. I cannot stick it out for decades. I am very tired, truly tired."
"I still remember when I first became a head coach. It has been almost 13 years. Busy every day, really exhausted. I want a good rest, then decide what to do next."
Gao Shen had not figured out what came next.
All he wanted was rest.
How long would he rest? He did not know. He was not short of money now.
"Are you going to live in Cheshire?" Raul asked with concern.
"My wife has chosen a school for the boy in the UK. But I will not sell my house in Madrid. We will still come back often, do not worry," Gao Shen said with a smile.
Florentino had already said Gao Shen should have a good rest and that Real Madrid would welcome him back anytime.
Gao Shen felt his life was destined to be tied to Real Madrid. From his debut to now, and through the triumphs of recent years, they had been bound together.
So he rejected many offers from wealthy clubs and declined Qatar's sky-high offer to coach their national team. He truly wanted to rest.
The best life is waking up naturally every morning.
Perhaps, after resting enough, the itch would return and he would come back.
That would be a brand-new beginning.
(To be continued.)