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Chapter 2— The Road Through League One
August 19, 2003— Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland
〖In 2003, at seventeen, Su Long represented China at the U-17 World Cup in Finland. After sitting out two games, he finally came on in the second half of the third—and performed decently.〗
〖In 2004, aged eighteen, he refused to pay the "relationship fee," was dropped from the national youth team, and abandoned by Jinmen Datai.〗
〖Despite the blow, a few clubs still offered opportunities, and he signed with mid-tier League One team Wancheng Dongcheng .〗
〖At nineteen in 2005, he played seven matches that season and scored once—but the team still dropped to the lower division.〗
〖In 2006, aged twenty, he played ten matches and scored two goals. Unfortunately, the team was relegated again.〗
〖At twenty-one in 2007, he appeared in twelve matches, tacked on one goal and one assist—but once more, the team was relegated.〗
〖By 2008, at twenty-two, Wancheng Dongcheng disbanded, leaving behind a 200,000-yuan unpaid wages claim with no one to pay it back.〗
〖Tired of the humid southern weather and disillusioned with football, he returned home and became addicted to online games. Eventually, he consulted with his family and opened a small internet café.〗
〖Thus, his football career was fully over.〗
Su Long laughed through his frustration, recognizing the body he currently inhabited was that of a legendary online gamer. "Online games are really harmful!" he thought. "Can't you just play football properly?!"
〖Simulation ends. Current attributes: Physical 8, Technical 10, Mental 8.〗
Four upgrade options flashed before him:
Physical attributes of a 22-year-old (score 15)
Technical attributes of a 22-year-old (score 13)
Mental attributes of a 22-year-old (score 11)
Life experience of a 22-year-old
The increase from Physical 8 to 15 was staggering—he remembered how difficult the YOYO endurance tests were back in League One. That surge of strength, speed, and stamina was too tempting to refuse.
Su Long chose the Physical attributes of a 22-year-old.
〖Select the physical attributes of the 22-year-old.〗
Current stats updated: Physical 15, Technical 10, Mental 8.
Immediately, his body brimmed with power. He thought back to how he'd barely make it through the YOYO test years ago—and now running felt effortless.
"Is this really my 22-year-old body?" he mused. "Impossible to run half-speed back then… now I could sprint forever."
He shook his head, aware he only had two Achievement Points left—meaning just two more simulations for the rest of his life. He'd have to be smart with them.
Determined, Su Long signaled to a teammate for a pass—but the pass was ignored. He looked to the stands and saw Chinese flags fluttering. Fellow supporters from home, many students studying abroad in Finland, are cheering for China. It moved him.
Nearby, scouts from 18 countries and 80 football clubs watched passively. This wasn't a fan event—it was a showcase. But from the looks on their faces, they weren't impressed.
On the field, Su Long couldn't wait for the ball anymore—so he went to get it himself. The ball finally came to him. Two defenders confronted him, but he pressed down on the ball and burst forward, surging past them.
The defenders were stunned—his physical dominance was obvious.
Su Long flicked the ball past the defender. 1, facing only an empty goal and a panicked goalkeeper. Despite three defenders trailing, they were overwhelmed by his stamina and pace.
The Finland goalkeeper rushed forward, hoping to delay Su Long and allow defenders to catch up. But as the keeper lunged, Su Long faked right and sent the ball left.
"Fuck!" the keeper cursed as he slipped, and Su Long sprinted past him into the goal.
"Scored!"
"We scored!"
Fans and teammates from China leaped up in joy. On the pitch, Su Long sprinted wide, arms spread like wings—he'd done it. He shouted, "I scored!"
Scouts took notice, scribbling in their notebooks—but one goal doesn't guarantee a career. In the eyes of many, China remained a football backwater.
And yet, at that moment, Su Long shone brighter than before.
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