Chapter 12

When the first-team head coach Osvaldo and assistant coach Mauro left the youth team training ground, the youth team players were stunned for a long time.

They simply could not accept this reality—that a rookie who had only been playing football for a little over a month would be noticed by the first-team head coach and thus get the opportunity to train with the first team!

When the first-team coach and assistant coach came to the youth team training ground, everyone was eager to have a chance to join the first team.

No one considered Rongguang as their rival.

Some of the players who were outstanding in the youth team and performed well in youth team matches felt that a spot on the first team was definitely theirs.

But who would have thought that when the dull and powerful drumbeat sounded again, everything would take a fundamental turn!

In everyone's astonished gaze, Rongguang got the chance to play in the match!

He then received personal guidance from assistant coach Mauro.

Finally... he successfully won the favor of head coach Osvaldo and was taken to the first team by Osvaldo!

It was like a Cinderella fairy tale—someone who was not at all favored ended up being chosen by the prince...

This made many who thought they could attract the head coach's attention and advance to the first team feel indignant.

But in front of the youth team coach, they did not dare to show their emotions.

After the training ended, Rongguang continued to practice powerful passing on the training ground.

The others returned to the locker room to prepare to leave.

In the locker room, they finally could talk about Rongguang's good fortune of joining the first team without restraint.

"What was the first-team head coach thinking? How could he let such a rookie join the first team? Are we all not as good as that rookie?"

"Only learned for a little over a month and already going to the first team, he doesn't even know how to die!" the youth team forward Kleber snorted. He had been substituted out by Rongguang in the match, and the fact that Rongguang ended up joining the first team left him with a grudge. He believed that if Rongguang had not replaced him, the spot on the first team would have been his.

Lucas, hearing this, could not help but retort, "At least he has the qualification to die in the first team, unlike some people who don't even have that qualification—"

"Shut up, substitute!" Kleber shouted.

In the talent-rich forward line of the youth team, Lucas Sutton was a substitute, clearly not comparable to the main forwards like Rico and Kleber.

Lucas did not care about the failed Kleber. Looking at his very unhappy teammates, for some reason, he recalled the times he trained with Rongguang, remembering how Rongguang learned to juggle the ball in just a week and became familiar with the ball. He also remembered Rongguang's astonishing learning ability that rivaled his own speed...

So he smiled and said, "What do you say, guys, want to place a bet? Let's bet on when Rong will return to the youth team. The odds are 20 to 1 after one match, 10 to 1 after two matches, 5 to 1 after three matches, and 1 to 1 if he doesn't return to the youth team!"

Everyone laughed at his suggestion, "Lucas, supporting a friend is commendable, but you can't go bankrupt! Can you afford to pay if you lose?"

"That's not your concern. I always have a way. Anyone want to bet?"

"Why not?" The first person to step forward was Kleber. "Since Lucas insists on giving us money, we can't let him down. I'll bet 5,000 reais that the Chinese kid will return to the youth team after one match!"

Many people gasped—Kleber really hated Rongguang... betting such a large amount. If Rongguang really returned to the youth team after one match, it would mean that Lucas would have to pay Kleber 100,000 reais!

Kleber was adding insult to injury! Knowing that 5,000 reais was basically his two weeks' salary...

Using his two weeks' salary to hit Lucas, determined to make Lucas pay 100,000 reais.

This was a sign that Kleber also hated Lucas. On one hand, because Lucas was Rongguang's friend, and on the other hand, because Lucas had retorted to him, hitting his sore spot.

But Lucas did not care, smiling with his eyes squinted, he spread his hands, "Alright, please put the money down first."

Kleber snorted, "Who carries 5,000 reais around? I'll give it to you tomorrow!"

"Don't back out, Kleber."

"That's what you should say, Lucas. 100,000 reais is not a small amount, don't back out!"

Lucas ignored him, turning to the others, "Anyone else? Anyone else? Anyone want to bet?"

But the others were scared by the large bet between Lucas and Kleber. They hesitated and finally decided not to join in.

It was clearly a matter between Kleber, Rongguang, and Lucas, and they did not need to get involved.

Although they were also unhappy about Rongguang joining the first team, even if they bet, how could they possibly get the money?

Lucas first had to consider paying Kleber 100,000 reais, and whether they could get their money back was uncertain. Or perhaps even Kleber's 100,000 reais would not be paid back...

This matter had gone beyond the simple "small bets for fun" category, so they decided to stay away.

***

When Godo heard that Rongguang had been selected for the first team, he was greatly surprised.

Even though he hoped Rongguang could enter the first team early, perform well, and secure a more lucrative professional contract, he did not expect Rongguang to become a member of the first team in just a little over a month...

"What was the first-team head coach... Osvaldo thinking?" he asked.

"I performed well in the match, impressing the head coach, so I joined the first team!" Rongguang, sitting in the passenger seat, seemed very confident, not at all worried about performing poorly in the first team. He seemed to have completely forgotten that he had only been playing football for a little over a month. Being selected for the first team made him very excited and gave him more confidence. He believed this proved that his efforts had paid off and his talent had been recognized.

"You actually played a match?" Godo glanced at the time and date on the car's dashboard, wondering if time had passed too quickly, and he had not noticed a few months had gone by.

Otherwise, how could Rongguang have played a match?

He had been doing basic training for almost two months and had not played a single match, whether in the youth team or in internal training matches.

How did he suddenly play a match, and in front of the first-team head coach?

So Rongguang told his agent everything that happened during the afternoon training.

Godo listened in amazement.

For Rongguang to be noticed by the first-team head coach, he must have had a lot of good fortune recently...

But Godo was worried about the intense competition in the first team and whether Rongguang could handle the pressure. Moreover, the first team did not do basic training, and with Rongguang's level, what could he do in the first team?

Seeing Rongguang's excited expression, Godo kept his worries to himself.

Let him be happy for now...

At this moment, the car radio was playing a sports news program.

"...Kaka's injury has touched the hearts of tens of thousands. Since his injury two weeks ago, he has been recuperating and has not participated in the team's training. If he cannot play in the 'Derby of the Century' against Corinthians, it will be a heavy blow to São Paulo. With the injuries of players like Ricardinho, Kaka is São Paulo's last hope..."

"Rong, your opponent is a highly anticipated and formidable player," Godo pointed to the radio and smiled.

Although Corinthians had made him very unhappy regarding Rongguang's matter, he was a long-time Corinthians supporter, so his respect for Kaka was not as excessive as that of São Paulo fans, and his tone did not convey any respect or affection.

Rongguang, who had just been promoted to the first team and was at the peak of his confidence, chuckled, "Isn't that better, Godo? Who would set a nobody as their goal?"

***

Rongguang's first day of training with the first team was memorable, so he was very enthusiastic.

Godo dropped him off at the parking lot of the Bragança Paulista training base. Seeing Rongguang push the car door to get out, he planned to give this excited young man, who had not slept well all night, a word of advice.

He originally wanted to tell Rongguang to be low-key and humble in the first team, not to cause trouble.

But his words turned into, "Don't show weakness in front of the first-team stars!"

The meaning was completely different...

Perhaps it was because he genuinely hoped Rongguang could quickly make a name for himself in the first team...

Rongguang gave Godo a victory sign, "You'll see, Godo!"

Then he happily ran towards the first-team locker room...

On the way to the locker room, he met Rico.

The players Osvaldo Oliveira specifically took from the youth team were actually only two: Rongguang and the forward Rico.

Because of the injuries in the first team, which were mainly in the midfield and attack.

Due to Lucas, Rico and Rongguang's relationship was also quite good, unlike the other youth team players who saw Rongguang as an enemy.

Rico could still chat with Rongguang.

So Rico was the most familiar person to Rongguang in the first team.

"Rico, you seem a bit nervous?"

Rongguang noticed this keenly.

"Are you not nervous, Rong?" Rico asked.

"What's there to be nervous about?"

"This is the first team! The first team! It's completely different from the youth team!" Rico repeated "first team."

"Will the first-team players eat us?" Rongguang asked.

"Uh... they won't. But they are stars, maybe they are not easy to get along with?" Rico frowned.

Rongguang patted him on the back, "Why think so much, Rico? Let's see how it goes!"

"You're right..." Rico felt better after Rongguang's words.

So the two young men started to imagine their life in the first team.

In a sense, only by entering the first team did they truly enter the professional football world.

***

The two of them laughed and walked into the locker room.

They found that many first-team players were already there.

For some reason, Rico's respect for the first team resurfaced, and his smile immediately disappeared.

Only Rongguang's cheerful laughter remained.

Without Rico to balance it out, his voice stood out even more.

The first-team players in the locker room heard the laughter, stopped what they were doing, and turned to look at the door.

When they saw Rongguang smiling, several of their expressions changed subtly.

Rico keenly observed this change in expression.

In his imagination, if the first-team stars welcomed them, they would be smiling, but the expressions on these people's faces when they looked at Rongguang were not very pleasant...

Even if they were expressionless, the concentrated appearance of these expressions made Rico feel some worry.

Moreover, the players' gazes could be seen with the naked eye. Rico clearly felt that they were looking at Rongguang, while he... was completely ignored.

It was as if they did not welcome this young player from the youth team.

Rico's heart sank—what he feared had happened.

But it did not happen to him, but to Rongguang.

What puzzled him was that these first-team stars did not know Rongguang, so why did their expressions and gazes seem so unfriendly when they saw him for the first time?

He did not know that Rongguang had already been despised by many first-team players for setting Kaka as his goal. And now, someone had already informed these first-team stars about Rongguang's identity.

So the first-team stars looked at Rongguang as if he were a fool arrogant enough to challenge Kaka.

Who would look at a fool with a friendly gaze?

The first-team forward Reinaldo stood up from the locker room, walked to the door, and stood in front of Rongguang.

His actions attracted the attention of the others in the locker room. Some looked tense, while others were grinning, ready to watch the show.

"Are you the kid who claims to want to beat Kaka?" Reinaldo looked at Rongguang with disdain, his tone even more dismissive.

Rico, standing next to the two, involuntarily took a step back, almost scared to death.

Were the first-team stars so hot-tempered? Did they go straight to the point? Was this a sign that they would start fighting at the slightest provocation?

Rico was already considering whether to help Rongguang or run away if a fight broke out...

Rongguang stared back fearlessly, looking at Reinaldo.

At that moment, a tall and mature man appeared between the two, first staring sternly at Reinaldo, "No, not allowed, not permitted. Reinaldo."

His voice was deep and authoritative.

Reinaldo was more subdued in front of him, the arrogance he had just shown immediately diminished.

He did not say anything, just glared at Rongguang and walked past him, leaving the locker room.

Then the tall and authoritative man turned to Rongguang and Rico, the two youth team players, and smiled, "The first team welcomes you. The team has too many injured players, and we need your strength. I am Rogério Ceni, the captain of the first team and the team's goalkeeper."

As he spoke, he extended his hand, which was indeed very large, no wonder he was a goalkeeper...

Rongguang and Rico shook his hand, feeling the