A few minutes later, outside of Costa Café.
Julian and Rusty Stripe stood opposite each other, with a crowd of people gathering around them in three layers—some close by and others at a distance.
It's inherent in human nature to be drawn to excitement, especially the kind that unfolds in a "love rivalry" duel.
"This Asian kid has the audacity to challenge the school team's star player? What's he thinking?"
"When I saw him in the café before, he seemed so composed. Why the sudden change?"
"I thought he was pretty clever, but now he's going up against Rusty Stripe himself! Isn't he just giving Rusty the advantage?"
"What a fool!"
"Maybe he's not really stupid, just shrewd—perhaps he's tired of playing with Sophie and is looking for an excuse to drop her."
"That could be it!"
"Mommy's boy!"
"Damn Asian, pull up your pants and get out of here?"
"Rusty! Get him! Get him!"
"Is anyone opening a bet? I bet this Asian kid won't hit thirty balls!"
"I'm in!"
"Me too..."
Even before the ball-juggling duel had officially begun, the bystanders were already brimming with negative energy.
Julian sighed quietly and shook his head—what a shame that his pickup limit for the day had already been reached. Otherwise, he would have picked up all the skills and achievements displayed on the street!
Once this is over, he'd have to go home and figure out how to enhance the system's rating.
As Julian slightly nodded, Rusty Stripe grew cockier, "Hey, Asian boy, are you scared? If you admit defeat now and give up on Sophie, you'll at least save face. But if you go through with this, you're going to be so embarrassed!"
Julian smiled calmly, "Let's get started. You go first."
Rusty snorted and began to dribble the football.
The delinquents beside them began to count out loud for him.
"One, two, three..."
Rusty's ball control was mediocre, his physique robust but lacking flexibility, and the first round only netted him 19 dribbles.
The onlookers were a bit dismissive of such a performance.
Considering this is England, the birthplace of modern football, even by non-professional school team standards, this was an unimpressive display.
"One, two, three..."
Rusty Stripe took a deep breath and started his second round, surrounded by the cheers of his companions.
This time, he managed to break his own record with a total of 50 dribbles.
The atmosphere of the crowd was still somewhat awkward.
While 50 dribbles weren't a high number and the moves weren't particularly elegant, the competition was based on quantity, after all.
Rusty wiped the sweat from his nose, "The first two rounds were just warm-ups. This third round will show you my true skills."
"One, two, three..."
For the third round, Rusty Stripe put forth his all, with his friends chanting and encouraging him.
However, the number of dribbles this time was only 37.
Rusty Stripe wiped the sweat from his chin and said nonchalantly, "Actually, it's not good to overdo it. Fifty dribbles is more than enough. Now, it's your turn, Asian boy!"
With that, Rusty threw the football to Julian.
Julian took the football, and suddenly his heart swelled with boundless emotion.
In his past life, he had adored football since childhood, but he never had the opportunity to play it, let alone receive any formal training. He could only squeeze in time to watch games with friends and play casually when he returned to China to work.
Although he began quite late, his friends often said he was extremely talented. However, the idea of playing professionally at the age of 30 was simply unattainable.
Now, Julian had been reborn.
A new path lay before him, filled with excitement and anticipation!
How could he not feel a tremor of exhilaration?
Julian took a deep breath to compose himself and started to dribble the ball.
From the get-go, he sensed something amiss.
The ball felt familiar from his previous life, but his body in this new life was slightly rigid. The muscles and nerve memory of his past hadn't fully synced with this body yet.
He barely managed to dribble it eight times before losing control.
Sophie, watching from the sidelines, looked desolate.
Rusty Stripe chuckled and exclaimed, "Only eight? Kid, you might as well give up now! I bet you won't be able to dribble fifty balls in your entire life!"
Julian remained unfazed by Rusty Stripe's taunts, took another deep breath, and remained calm.
The muscle memory began to stir, and the results of his recent ten-hour training sessions kicked in.
Julian swung his arms and launched the football high into the air!
The throw soared at least four to five meters high!
The onlookers gasped in amazement.
Sophie's heart pounded in her chest – what if this was all a fluke?
Rusty Stripe and his friends only laughed harder.
For those unfamiliar with football, it's impossible to predict where such a high throw will land, let alone gauge the posture and force needed for the next kick.
"Unless it's someone like Ronaldinho or Messi..."
Snap!
Before Rusty Stripe could finish his sarcastic remark, the football landed precisely on Julian's outstretched foot.
The heavy, falling ball lost most of its gravity upon contact, bouncing off Julian's shoe less than ten centimeters into the air.
The crowd gasped in unison.
Rusty Stripe was stunned speechless, as were his brothers.
Was this... a magic trick?
Julian was quick to capitalize on the moment, skillfully alternating his feet to keep the ball in the air.
Each time the ball dropped to a lower point, Julian would gently kick it up again, imparting a small, just-right spin that kept the ball steady and hovering.
Every touch was with the instep near his toes, his feet always curved like a cradle to make quick adjustments.
The ball bobbed steadily as if attached to Julian by an invisible elastic.
Sophie's eyes grew wide with shock and admiration. Julian looked incredible!
But wait, wasn't she supposed to be happy for him?
Her cheeks flushed at the thought of her earlier promise.
Julian continued to dribble, reaching fifty, then one hundred in no time.
Rusty Stripe and his friends stood dumbfounded, their jaws agape.
Julian seemed lost in the rhythm of the game, unaffected by his audience's astonishment.
Within two minutes, Julian had surpassed one hundred bounces and was still going strong.
Julian's performance had the crowd clapping and cheering.
When he reached 361 bounces, the football glanced off the side of his shoe.
Only Rusty Stripe and his group remained silent amidst the applause.
Julian's brow furrowed slightly. "I didn't do well... I'll try again."