The night after the match against Mali.
"What are college students one hundred percent made of?" the teacher asked.
"Talent!!!" Leo Lin shouted at the screen.
That's right—he'd just played Mali during the day, and that very evening he was back in online class, homework included.
Luckily, Leo Lin was a model student in both conduct and academics. The assignments were no challenge at all—he wrapped everything up in half an hour.
The online class, however, was unavoidable. The school had even set up a dedicated webcam and virtual classroom.
And in the entire online classroom, there were only two people: Ocho and Leo Lin. Separated by the screen, the two looked at each other and broke into knowing smiles.
When good friends suddenly lock eyes, they always end up laughing for no reason at all.
As the teacher kept asking what college students must be, Leo Lin blurted out "talent" again, startling the class and sending everyone into laughter.
Quite a few female classmates turned their heads from time to time, stealing glances at the camera, as if hoping to leave a stronger impression on Leo Lin.
"He just played a match today—where's he getting this energy tonight?!"
"Someone mute his mic!"
Leo Lin actually found online classes pretty interesting, like an angel reaching out a hand, drawing him forward.
But the devil would always stretch out its claws, binding him tightly.
Sometimes the devil even muted your mic, stopping you from shouting altogether.
When the long class finally ended, Leo Lin relaxed, turned on his computer, and linked up with Ocho to play FIFA.
In FIFA Online 3, Leo Lin had earned more than a dozen card packs—each one holding the possibility of the midfielder he wanted most.
After showering and changing, he opened packs together with Ocho, praying silently in his heart.
"Green light!"
"Please—just give me the green light!"
The 14-rated Yaya Touré card always appeared with a green glow, and it was exactly the midfielder Leo Lin was desperate for.
But as he watched in anticipation, every color flashed except green.
Only one pack remained. After some thought, Leo Lin didn't open it—he decided to save it for the next night.
Staring at the pile of useless cards he'd pulled, he felt like crying.
"Who designed this trash drop rate?!"
"Don't let me catch them!!!"
Just as he was enjoying the game, Barnett knocked on the door.
"Lin, Sky Sports has sent you an invitation. They want to do an exclusive interview."
Leo Lin shook his head. "I'm still in the middle of the U17 World Cup. No rush—let's do it after the tournament."
He didn't want anything to affect his match rhythm. Continuity mattered to him.
"They're sending Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard to interview you," Barnett added. "And they're willing to pay."
"Thirty minutes. Just chatting with Gerrard, answering a few questions—and you'll earn one million pounds."
Leo Lin's hand froze mid-swing with the controller.
"In that case…"
"Well, money isn't really the point."
"I just want to meet Gerrard."
Barnett laughed and shook his head. Leo Lin always knew exactly how to say the right thing.
With the deal agreed, Sky Sports immediately dispatched a professional interview team to the hotel where Leo Lin was staying.
Two players per room—Leo Lin was sharing with Ferran Torres.
Gerrard arrived around noon the next day. Leo Lin had just finished lunch and rushed back to the room.
Gerrard had been waiting for a while and was fiddling with Leo Lin's FIFA setup. In the backpack sat the final card pack—the one Leo Lin had planned to open that night.
Gerrard opened it early for him.
Green light.
A 14-rated Yaya Touré.
With that added bond, Leo Lin—who already admired Gerrard—was over the moon, and the interview went smoothly.
Gerrard had been a bit worried about how to quickly build rapport with Leo Lin, but a single Yaya Touré card instantly closed the distance between them.
He felt Leo Lin's arm around him, like that of a longtime friend or relative.
"Relax, smile," Leo Lin suddenly said, arm still around Gerrard.
"Yeah, look at the camera."
Gerrard was stunned.
"Wait…"
"Aren't I the one interviewing Leo Lin?"
"How did this guy manage to make me nervous instead?"
Most of the questions were routine—Leo Lin's plans for his professional future, his thoughts on possibly winning the Golden Boy award.
At first, everything was normal. But gradually, the questions started to spiral out of control.
They turned into things like:
How did Leo Lin's terrifying physical condition produce jaw-dropping numbers in first-team fitness tests, leaving Liverpool staff in disbelief?
What was his response to his rapidly growing fanbase, especially the increasing number of female fans?
Why were multiple female models frequently liking posts on his social media—was there some hidden story behind it all?
By the end, Leo Lin couldn't help glancing at the name on the microphone, just to make sure this was Sky Sports—and not The Sun.
Half an hour later, the interview wrapped up, and Gerrard immediately returned to report back to Sky Sports.
Sky Sports released the interview across all platforms at once, splashing it across their front pages.
Back-to-Back Man of the Match—MVP Sets His Sights on the U17 Title!
Spanish fans flooded the post with likes and shares, thrilled by Leo Lin's confidence. His belief only made their own grow stronger.
U17 World Cup Semifinal: Spain vs. France!
The match drew enormous attention, as both sides featured the most talked-about midfielders of this U17 World Cup.
In the pre-match tactical analysis room, Casillas also spoke about France's midfield.
"There are reports that Real Madrid are very interested in the young Tchouaméni."
"He's an all-around midfielder—young and immensely talented."
"Defender Konaté is also a target for many clubs."
"Spain are facing a real battle here. This semifinal will not be easy."
Denia adjusted the team's condition day by day, doing everything he could to relieve muscle strain and avoid overfatigue.
Over three days, the squad trained just once, spending the other two days focused on recovery.
October 14th, New Delhi Stadium.
Fans waited anxiously for the showdown. With one hour to go before kickoff, both teams had already submitted their starting lineups.
The broadcast went live right on time, with Derek Rae delivering commentary for the fans.
"Both teams have submitted their starting lineups—let's see how they'll match up."
"Spain are going with a full-strength lineup."
"Goalkeeper: Álvaro."
"Defenders: Miranda, Eric García, Guillamón, Morey."
"Midfielders: Beitia, Antonio, Leo Lin."
"Forwards: Sergio Gómez, Ruiz, Ferran Torres!"
"France boast a wealth of talent!"
"Goalkeeper: Fofana."
"Defenders: Badiashile, Mbe Soh, Lacroix, Saliba."
"Midfielders: Tchouaméni, Caqueret, Da Cunha."
"Forwards: Pintor, Gouiri, Gboho!"
"Red versus blue!"
"The match is underway!!!"
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser