Jingle bell.
The livestream was still rolling.
Alessandro Dybala didn't say a word. Instead, he calmly turned the camera toward the projector.
At the same time, his phone started ringing—perfect timing. The video had just finished playing.
He pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"Everyone saw that, right? I'll be posting the full video to my personal account. Feel free to download it, share it, and enjoy."
He raised his phone to the camera.
"And... here's the best part. Look who's calling—our Olympic team leader himself."
The screen clearly displayed the contact name: Guo Chao – Olympic Team Leader.
"Let's see what he has to say."
The number of viewers in the livestream exploded past a million. No one expected this twist.
Guo Chao had just gifted Alessandro another assist—a perfect one.
He could already picture the chaos this would cause across the football world.
"Incredible drama incoming... Let's answer."
He picked up the call, right there in front of everyone.
On the other end, Guo Chao was in complete panic mode. His bald scalp was sweating, his voice quivering, his breath heavy.
"Alessandro! What are you doing?! Delete that video right now! Are you trying to destroy the reputation of our football system!?"
"Team Leader Guo," Alessandro replied coldly, "isn't our system's reputation already ruined? Thanks to people like you?"
The gloves were off.
There was no need to hold back anymore.
"Yes! That's how you slap them!"
"Expose him! Let's see how he tries to talk his way out of this!"
The livestream chat erupted.
Guo Chao's face must've been darker than coal.
A senior team official being humiliated by a 17-year-old on a public broadcast?
Unimaginable.
But this wasn't the time for posturing. He needed to protect himself.
Guo Chao lowered his tone.
"Alessandro, I admit... there was a breakdown in communication. Let's talk privately. I can apologize. We'll welcome you back into the Olympic squad—"
"Stop right there," Alessandro cut him off.
"This isn't about joining the team anymore. It's about you, Guo Chao—taking bribes from players!"
"Let's not forget you tried to turn it around and frame me—saying I offered you money for a guaranteed starting spot. That's extortion and slander."
"You better start thinking about how many years you'll be doing behind bars!"
"Don't push it too far!" Guo Chao snapped, his voice shaking with rage.
Alessandro's expression turned grim.
"Too far? Did you think it was too far when you used the media to try and destroy my career? If I didn't have evidence, you would've buried me alive!"
Guo Chao broke down. "It's my fault, okay?! I'll apologize! I'll do anything—just take down that video! Please!"
Alessandro laughed bitterly. "Too late."
He ended the call.
No hesitation.
He turned back to the camera. "Everyone saw that, right? This is what the leadership of our Olympic football team looks like."
Of course he wanted to wear the national jersey.
Of course he dreamed of playing for his country.
But now?
There was no future for him in domestic football. That door was slammed shut.
Even if Guo Chao became the sacrificial scapegoat—fired, maybe even jailed—it wouldn't matter.
Because Alessandro had exposed something far deeper.
He'd ripped open the unspoken rules that governed everything.
He knew there were plenty of high-ranking officials who now saw him as a threat.
No club in the country would dare sign him.
He was radioactive.
And yet...
That was fine.
He didn't want to be part of this filth anyway.
Thankfully, his contract with his provincial team had already been terminated.
He was a free agent now.
No restrictions.
No leash.
It was time to go to Europe.
To the true center of football.
To carve out a new path—his own path.
Alessandro ended the livestream.
Then he sat back in his chair, silent for a long while.
---
Meanwhile...
At the Football Federation headquarters in the capital city, tension filled the air.
FA General Manager Mr. Cheng was pacing in his office, a migraine forming behind his temples.
"What do we do now?" an assistant asked nervously.
Mr. Cheng steadied himself. "Get Guo Chao under control—immediately. Tell him to shut his mouth. He's finished. Suspend him internally."
He exhaled through gritted teeth.
He needed to throw someone under the bus to contain the firestorm. Guo Chao was the perfect scapegoat.
But there was another problem.
"Also, this Alessandro... He's uncontrollable. Dangerous."
Mr. Cheng stood up straight, eyes cold.
"I don't want to see him on a football field in this country ever again."
"Understood," the assistant replied. "I'll speak to the clubs."
Mr. Cheng nodded, then turned to another staff member.
"Xiao Wang, do you think he'll cause trouble abroad?"
"No, sir," Xiao Wang said confidently. "He's good, but without a platform? At best, he'll end up in some Southeast Asian league no one watches."
"Good." Mr. Cheng sneered.
"We can't have the national team tied to someone so... rebellious."
---