Chapter 21

In this match, Reinaldo, who was on the bench, let out a loud cheer and jumped up to embrace his teammates after Rongguang scored a goal. However, when he calmed down, he realized he was actually cheering for someone he disliked. This made him feel somewhat embarrassed. He immediately stopped celebrating. What a disgrace! At least I noticed in time! He let out a long sigh of relief. But he was also worried that others had seen his behavior. So, he nervously looked around, hoping no one had noticed his loss of composure. During this process, his eyes met Kaká's. Kaká looked at him, then smiled and spread his hands. Clearly, Kaká had seen his celebration! Reinaldo felt very awkward, unsure whether to laugh or be angry. In the end, he could only inwardly complain about Rongguang's goal, which had caused him to lose his composure. But even he knew that such a complaint was baseless; he was just being unreasonable... Baptista patted Rongguang on the shoulder: "You really surprised us, kid! How fast can you run?!" Even the usually serious Fabiano smiled: "This game is getting interesting." He believed that São Paulo had a chance to win this match. "But I have to tell you, rookie, don't run so fast after scoring a goal!" He roughly ruffled Rongguang's hair, turning it into a mess before finally stopping. Gradually, two more teammates came over and embraced Rongguang, who had scored the goal. Lugano, who had been knocked down by Rongguang and failed in his defense, still harbored resentment. He watched Rongguang celebrate with others but did not join in, standing in the penalty area instead. Goalkeeper Ceni, standing beside him, said happily: "What a surprising newcomer! He broke through the entire Corinthians defense all by himself!" Lugano snorted: "He just got lucky. He's just a rookie. If you let him take another hundred shots, he might not even hit the goalpost!" Ceni, unfazed by Lugano's tone, still smiled and said: "But no matter what, as long as he can score, it's a good thing. His mistake led to a goal being conceded, but now he has equalized for the team, making up for his mistake." Lugano fell silent, keeping quiet. He just couldn't find the right words to counter the captain. After all, everyone makes mistakes, and even Lugano couldn't guarantee he wouldn't make any in a game. Since Rongguang had made up for his mistake, there was no point in dwelling on it... But he still thought the kid was just lucky. In the first team, where Rongguang was originally met with coldness and even hostility, changes were quietly taking place. The world of football is very practical; if you have the ability, you can earn respect and recognition. Why does Kaká have so many fans, and why do both the first team and the youth team players support him? It's not because he is handsome and popular with girls—this is not a quality that male teammates find endearing—but because he is skilled and has the ability. Otherwise, no matter how good a person you are, without ability, it's all for nothing. Faced with the hostile gazes of the youth team and the first team, Rongguang never tried to win their favor or avoid angering them, unlike Rico. That wasn't Rongguang's personality. He chose to earn respect through his ability! Although this path was much harder than being soft, Rongguang preferred standing and speaking to kneeling. Now, while some teammates were showing him kindness, Rongguang was thinking more about the good life with endless money! This was his first official match goal in his career! And it was such a crucial goal in such an important match! Am I becoming famous with this one goal? Why am I here? To change my fate, to change my family's fate! He didn't want to be tied to that mountain village for the rest of his life, nor did he want to live in poverty forever. He envied the comfortable lives of modern people. Now, this goal provided him with a foundation! It was like the cornerstone of a grand building of a happy life! On the path to a better life, he would never retreat, but forge ahead bravely! Everyone has the right to aspire to and pursue a better life, a right that no one can take away. No matter how many difficulties or setbacks he encountered, Rongguang would never surrender. ※※※ "Unbelievable!" Galvão Bueno looked around. The once lifeless Morumbi Stadium was now filled with jubilant São Paulo fans. The arrogant Corinthians fans, on the other hand, couldn't even utter a sound! Just a minute ago, it was a completely different scene! At that time, the Corinthians fans were roaring their songs, the drumbeats like a million iron hooves passing by, shaking the hearts of the São Paulo fans, making them anxious and uneasy. Now? "The entire Morumbi Stadium is boiling! Seeing this scene, one realizes that this is São Paulo's home ground! The goal by number 33 has brought the stadium back to life! This game is getting exciting, ah ha!" After saying this, he abruptly took off his earpiece, threw it on the table, turned off the microphone, and shouted to his broadcast team: "Data—! Give me the damn data! I need to know who the hell this number 33 is!?" Just like his commentary style, he was a passionate and unrestrained person in life... In his previous commentary, he had no information about Rongguang, so he could only refer to him as "number 33," which felt awkward. If number 33 hadn't scored, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But now, number 33 had become famous with one goal! If he didn't even know the player's name or any basic information, such as where he was from, when he joined São Paulo, or how old he was, he feared that his reputation as a Brazilian commentator known for his detailed and objective commentary would be ruined by the flood of critical calls from viewers. ※※※ As a commentator known for his detailed and accurate information, Jecá Tatu had obtained data on São Paulo's number 33 earlier than Bueno. He quickly scanned the information on his paper and was shocked... He wasn't sure if he should introduce this player to the audience. Logically, at this moment, while everyone was celebrating the goal, the most pressing question would be: who is this unfamiliar face, number 33, for São Paulo? But when he saw the data, he felt that if he said it out loud, people would think he was crazy... He turned off the microphone and gestured to his broadcast team: "Are you sure this data is correct?!" His team gave him a thumbs-up. Tatu was at a loss. He continued to look down at the data in his hand. A 16-year-old who had joined São Paulo's youth team just over a month ago, with no record of playing in any youth team matches, a complete rookie, who was promoted to the first team four days ago, and this "Solemn Derby" against Corinthians was his first match in the first team, yet he scored such a beautiful and crucial goal in this match?! Was this just made up by the intelligence gatherer because they couldn't find any information? He thought for a moment and decided not to introduce the player. The information was too fantastical, and he feared it would damage his reputation for being detailed and objective. As a well-known Brazilian commentator, he was very protective of his reputation. As for the question the audience was most concerned about, he would simply admit that he had no information on this player. "I apologize to the viewers, but we have no information on this São Paulo number 33 who scored the goal..." The director in the satellite truck, hearing Tatu's words, took off his headphones and asked: "What's going on? Didn't we give him the data on number 33? Why is Jecá still saying he doesn't know?" Other staff members shrugged: "Maybe he thinks the information is incorrect, so he doesn't dare to report it..." They also had Rongguang's data, identical to what was given to Tatu. Everyone looked down at the data in their hands. They understood Tatu's actions because they didn't believe it themselves! This wasn't an amateur league where anything could happen; this was a serious professional match where no jokes were allowed! How could such an incredible thing happen? On the other side, Galvão Bueno also refused to report the information about Rongguang given to him by the intelligence gatherers. "Do you expect me to believe such nonsense? No way! If I read this out, I'll be considered the most foolish sports commentator tomorrow! I don't want Jecá to mock me as an idiot!" Thus, the viewers watching the match on TV did not learn from the two commentators who the São Paulo number 33 who scored the goal was... Who is he? The TV audience was full of questions. The journalists in the press box were also asking this question. Some reporters who had covered Kaká's return to training recognized Rongguang. However, they didn't know much more about him than the average person, only that he was a youth team player who had been called up to the first team to fill in. As for his performance in the youth team, they were unaware. With Kaká returning to the team, who would delve into the background of a youth team player? They assumed he was just another player like Rico, not worth special attention. They were simply shocked by Rongguang's performance and didn't think deeper. ※※※ The celebration had ended, and the game was about to resume. Rongguang, however, waved his fist at the "Loyal Eagles" flag. He hadn't forgotten how he was rejected by Corinthians. See this, Corinthians, this is the consequence of rejecting me! Godo, who saw Rongguang's action from the stands, couldn't help but laugh. This was exactly what he wanted to see—Rongguang's revenge on Corinthians! He turned to look at the VIP box. As the football director, the bastard Simões should be watching the game. He wondered if Simões recognized Rongguang. If he did, what would his expression be? Oh, I'd love to see it! ※※※ Corinthians football director Edvaldo Simões, sitting next to the club president, had his eyes wide open, looking as if he had seen a ghost. He suddenly remembered who São Paulo's number 33 was! No wonder he felt a sense of familiarity... He had really met him before! Three months ago, the fat Godo had brought him to Corinthians for a trial. He had rejected him without hesitation. Because of his personal grudge against Godo, he had to make things difficult for him. Want your player to join Corinthians? No way! He didn't have the power before, but now that he was the football director, he had to use it! He had insulted Godo and the Chinese boy as much as possible and then kicked them out. At the time, he felt incredibly satisfied! Finally, he had made the bastard Godo look bad in front of him! Later, he forgot about the whole thing. He never thought he would see the Chinese boy again. But he never expected... he never expected... to see him again in the "Solemn Derby" three months later! And as an opponent of Corinthians! And in the match, he had single-handedly defeated the entire Corinthians defense! What had happened to the boy and Godo in these three months?! He sat next to club president Alberto Dualibi, feeling restless. If Dualibi found out that the player who had equalized for São Paulo was the one he had personally rejected... he didn't know what his fate would be... Dualibi was not an easy president to deal with! Damn, damn, damn... he cursed in his heart. This damned fate! Damn Godo! Damn Chinese boy! ※※※ Seeing Rongguang's provocative gesture, the Corinthians fans in the stands finally reacted, showering him with boos. No one dared to provoke the "Loyal Eagles"! But just at that moment, a cheer from the stands drowned out the Corinthians fans' boos and curses. It looked as if the São Paulo fans were helping Rongguang counter the Corinthians. In fact, the São Paulo fans were using this opportunity to remind the Corinthians fans that Morumbi was their territory! The São Paulo fans reclaimed their dominance. The game was about to resume, but the Morumbi Stadium no longer heard the songs of the Corinthians fans. Their battle songs and drums had been silenced by Rongguang's lightning strike and never sounded again. The São Paulo fans, who had been completely despondent due to Kaká's injury, now regained their confidence. In Rongguang's last breakthrough, they saw a glimpse of Kaká. They had thought they were doomed, but now they had a second chance, and this feeling of rebirth made them cherish everything even more. They didn't bother to find out who the young player who scored the goal was. The truth would be revealed at the end of the match. For now, they just needed to cheer, cheer loudly, and support São Paulo. Of course, they also cheered for number 33! As Rongguang ran back to his half, he heard a different kind of cheer from the stands. "Number 33, well done! Keep it up!" "Keep going, hit Corinthians hard! Number 33!" It was a cheer for him, though they didn't call his name, just his number, and it wasn't loud enough to fill the stadium. Thinking back to the first team match where the entire stadium had cursed and booed him for challenging Kaká... and now, for the first time, there were people in the stands supporting him, cheering for him! He smiled happily. All his efforts, day and night, the tedious basic training, the sweat that soaked his clothes, and the dreams he had on the rooftop... finally had value. One day, I will make the entire stadium cheer not just for my number, but for my name! To stand out and ensure his family didn't have to worry about making ends meet, Rongguang had poured everything he had into the past month and a half, giving it his all. Just like a seed that breaks through the soil to enjoy the sunlight and breathe the air, the seed in Rongguang's heart had also broken through and sprouted!