The next day, the training ground of Leganés B Team was bathed in warm sunshine, but it couldn't dispel the air's lingering scent of farewell.
Lu Chuan stood there for the last time, surrounded by his teammates, all of them having shed their usual playful demeanor.
Joaquín was the first to step forward, and without a word, he delivered a punch to Lu Chuan's chest, neither too light nor too heavy.
"You bastard, when you get to the segunda división, if you dare to forget us brothers, I won't let you off," he said.
He pulled a crumpled energy bar from his training shorts pocket, shoved it into Lu Chuan's hand, turned his head away, and mumbled,
"Eat it on the way; don't you dare starve to death over there and embarrass us."
"Exactly! If you ever make it to Real Madrid or Barça, you've got to save us brothers a few tickets to the Bernabéu!" Luis Pereya also chimed in, slapping Lu Chuan's back with his large, fan-like palm, his voice muffled, "Those defenders in the segunda división are butchers; you better be smart, kid, don't let them foul you out."
Goalkeeper Alberto, usually a man of few words, also approached and handed Lu Chuan a signed ball. "This is signed by everyone on our B Team, keep it as a souvenir. Don't forget, your first hat-trick was completed here."
Lu Chuan's eyes felt a little warm. He hugged each of his teammates, with whom he had spent day and night, feeling an indescribable mix of emotions.
Here, he had transformed from an unwanted youth academy castoff into the feared top scorer of Segunda División B.
"Don't worry, I won't forget," Lu Chuan's voice was a little hoarse. "Once I'm settled, I'll invite all of you to watch a game at my home stadium!"
Head coach Chema Rico had been standing by, watching the young men fool around, and only came over at the very end, simply patting Lu Chuan's back: "Go, go to bigger places, don't stop." In his eyes, there was reluctance, but even more, an undeniable pride.
After bidding farewell to Leganés, Lu Chuan got into the car bound for the Vallecas District. He leaned against the window, watching the bustling Madrid city center gradually fade away, replaced by a completely different scene.
A few hours later, the car drove into the working-class area in southeastern Madrid. The air here was distinctly different from the city center, carrying a raw, rugged scent. Vibrant graffiti was visible everywhere on the walls, and the buildings lining the streets appeared older yet full of life.
The narrow streets, dense housing, and the Vallecano red-and-white scarves fluttering in the wind all signaled a temperament completely different from Leganés.
Lu Chuan's heart began to beat in sync with the rhythm of the place, a more direct, purer football atmosphere washing over him.
As soon as he got out of the car, he saw the waiting Vallecano club manager and head coach Paco Jémez.
"Welcome to Vallecano," the manager said, extending his hand warmly.
Paco Jémez merely scrutinized Lu Chuan from head to toe, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's. His handshake was firm, and he spoke directly: "You don't look as strong as you do in the videos. The segunda división isn't a place for kids playing games." His words held no pleasantries or small talk; this was Paco Jémez's style.
Lu Chuan met his gaze, unflinching: "I'm not here to play games."
Under the club's arrangements, Lu Chuan quickly moved into his new apartment. The room was not large, but it was clean, and opening the window offered a view of the Vallecano Municipal Stadium not far away.
System prompt: Detected host entering a new environment, automatically activating "Adaptation Enhancement" skill.
System prompt: Gained LP: 50
Lu Chuan's heart stirred; the system's assistance always appeared when it was most needed.
The next day, the club held an official signing ceremony for Lu Chuan. The press conference room was packed with reporters, and the flashing lights almost blinded people.
One reporter was the first to ask: "Zhang Chengdong, also a Chinese player, joined this team but didn't succeed. Do you think you will succeed with this team?"
The question was sharp, practically labeling him a "failure." Lu Chuan's gaze swept over the eager eyes of the reporters, and he took a deep breath.
Lu Chuan looked composed as he took the microphone: "I respect every senior who has fought here. But my name is Lu Chuan, I am not anyone else, I only walk my own path." His answer was concise and decisive, creating a momentary silence in the room.
Another reporter pressed: "You are only 18 years old; can you withstand the pressure of the segunda división? External expectations for you are very high; some even call you the hope of Chinese football."
Lu Chuan smiled lightly: "Pressure is part of motivation. As for expectations, that is the love of the fans, and I will transform them into performance on the field. Hope is not shouted; it is played out."
The afternoon was the fan meet-and-greet.
Outside the stadium, hundreds of fans had been waiting early, waving red and white scarves and singing the team's songs. When Lu Chuan appeared, the roar of the crowd almost swept him off his feet.
"Welcome to Vallecas!"
"Conquer us with goals!"
The fans here were almost insanely passionate. Lu Chuan felt the city's fervent love for football.
He took photos and signed autographs with the fans, and briefly demonstrated a few juggling moves. Although it was just basic skill, the way the ball stuck to his foot and his calm, unhurried rhythm significantly quieted the noise, drawing a round of applause.
"This kid's got something!"
"Doesn't look like a flop!"
The fans' whispers reached his ears, and he just smiled.
In the evening, Lu Chuan returned to his apartment, lying on the sofa, the day's events replaying in his mind.
His phone rang; it was Carlos.
"How was it? Did that old man Mendilibar give you a hard time?"
"It was fine; he just speaks very directly."
"That's good." Carlos paused. "Oh, by the way, Espanyol has started paying attention to you. They'll send scouts to watch every one of your matches. Also, that sports drink brand I mentioned before, they saw your press conference and are very satisfied with your image, so they've decided to raise the endorsement fee to 200,000 euros."
"Okay, you handle those things," Lu Chuan knew that the most important thing right now was still the football field.
He hung up the phone and opened the system interface.
Current LP balance: 250
He unhesitatingly chose to improve his adaptability to the Segunda División.
Redeem "Segunda División Adaptation Pack"
LP consumed: 100
Current LP balance: 150
System prompt: Physical confrontation attribute increased: +3, Tactical understanding attribute increased: +2
Lu Chuan closed his eyes. He didn't feel a surge of power, but rather a more subtle change.
The complex running routes that Coach Mendilibar drew on the tactics board instantly became clear and three-dimensional in his mind, as if he had practiced them a thousand times.
His legs also felt more stable, his core strength seemingly twisted into a single rope, ready to meet more intense collisions.
This was the capital he needed to establish himself in the segunda división.
Lu Chuan opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the stadium outside the window.
Vallecano, I'm here.