Kapitel 29: The Ultimate Weapon Arrives
Since Nicola's confession, Zhang Xu's troubles began.
After finally sending Nicola and his classmates away, Zhang Xu thought the matter was settled. What he didn't expect was Nicola's immense determination in pursuing love.
From October to early November, Nicola was sure to attend every game of the White Star team, especially if Zhang Xu was playing. She didn't act like a foolish girl, waving a flag and screaming her love. Instead, she elegantly stood in the VIP seats, applauding and cheering for every touch, pass, tackle, and shot made by Zhang Xu.
After each game, she would call Zhang Xu to invite him for dinner or a stroll around the shops. If Zhang Xu declined, she didn't insist.
For Zhang Xu, being pursued by such a beautiful and understanding girl was flattering. Although he was tempted, his heart already belonged to Yang Zi, so he could only apologize to Nicola.
But Nicola didn't care and continued her relentless pursuit. Gradually, Zhang Xu got used to her presence, and they often naturally went to dinner, shopped, or walked together. Though they didn't engage in overly intimate gestures, they seemed harmonious and happy. Zhang Xu was happy because having a caring beauty by his side in a foreign land was comforting. Nicola's happiness was simple; being with Zhang Xu made her happy.
Nicola did have her unhappy moments, especially when Zhang Xu texted Yang Zi. However, she didn't trouble him and just quietly watched him when he replied.
The head coach, Ma Zu, and the assistant coach, Philip, easily learned about Nicola. They were initially worried about Zhang Xu losing focus, but after understanding the situation, they were moved by Nicola's devotion and relieved about Zhang Xu.
Zhang Xu's teammates, impressed by Nicola's beauty, envied his good fortune and felt sorry for Nicola. They nearly nagged him daily to treat Nicola better.
Annoyed, Zhang Xu initially tried to explain but eventually chose silence. However, influenced by these discussions, he unconsciously grew fonder of Nicola, and their interactions became more affectionate.
In the games against Tubiz and three other league games in October and one in early November, Zhang Xu always started. With his steady defense, the team achieved two wins and two draws, climbing to the tenth place in the standings!
These games also earned Zhang Xu experience points and attribute points. He had reached level 17, and his attributes underwent significant changes:
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Name: Zhang Xu
Level: 17
Experience: 103/5500 (Assignable Attribute Points: 0)
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 43/57 (Professional Player Min 30, Max 99)
Current Physical Fatigue/State: 22/85 (Max 99)
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Technical Attributes (Max 99 each):
Crossing: 28
Dribbling: 28
Shooting: 27
Heading: 45
Long Shots: 28
Marking: 49
Passing: 38
Tackling: 48
Ball Control: 38
Technique: 44
Penalty Taking: 32
Corners: 25
Free Kicks: 27
Throw-ins: 28
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Mental Attributes:
Aggression: 44
Anticipation: 45
Bravery: 81
Composure: 71
Concentration: 61
Vision: 35
Decision Making: 42
Determination: 83
Imagination: 29
Influence: 71
Off-the-Ball: 36
Positioning: 46
Teamwork: 51
Work Rate: 94
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Physical Attributes:
Acceleration: 81
Agility: 47
Balance: 50
Jumping: 77
Stamina: 87
Speed: 92
Endurance: 88
Strength: 87
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Zhang Xu's attributes as a defensive midfielder had mostly surpassed 40 points, and his current ability reached 42 points, qualifying him to compete in the Belgian First Division A.
Now, Zhang Xu had become the team's ace. Coaches Ma Zu and Philip were extremely satisfied with his performance and grateful for their decision to keep him.
However, as Zhang Xu's performance improved and matured, he not only attracted attention from the Belgian media but also from various teams, including Sheffield United and teams from the Belgian First Division A and French Ligue 2.
Even Manchester United, impressed by his confrontation with Pogba, had scouts observe him. However, they eventually backed off due to Zhang Xu's other lacking qualities.
On November 6, Zhang Xu and his team went to Alster to challenge Alster FC. Alster FC, a strong team in the Belgian Second Division, was performing well and ranked third.
The game ended in a goalless draw. Zhang Xu's stable defense nullified Alster's frequent and fierce attacks. He received the highest score of 8 points from his team.
After the game, Zhang Xu and Nicola strolled around Alster and then returned to their separate hotel rooms.
The next morning, just as Zhang Xu was about to go for a morning run with Nicola, his phone rang unexpectedly.
"Hello?" Zhang Xu answered without checking the caller.
"What hello? It's your father!" his father's familiar roar came through the phone.
Startled, Zhang Xu dropped his phone, quickly picked it up, and said, "Oh, Dad, why are you calling so early?"
"Early? It's already noon!" his father roared again, his mother seemingly trying to calm him down in the background.
"Uh, no, not early at all. Is there something you want to talk about?" Zhang Xu asked cautiously.
"Of course, there's something! You, this little rascal, do you think you've grown wings now? How dare you deceive your parents? Huh?"
Zhang Xu's heart sank, realizing he had forgotten to confess about playing football. "Why are you silent? Fine, don't say anything. Your mother and I are flying over the day after tomorrow to see how long you plan to deceive us!" With that, his father hung up.
"Fly to Belgium? Hello, hello, Dad, I didn't mean to deceive you..." Zhang Xu lamented with his phone.
How did Zhang Xu's parents find out he was playing football? It started with a journalist, Dai Dong, from Xinlang Sports, who interviewed Zhang Xu and sent the materials back to China.
Xinlang Sports was intrigued by the legendary story of a Chinese player in Belgium and featured it on their headline. Zhang Xu's story and his fantastic long-range shot captivated countless fans.
His story seemed legendary - an amateur football enthusiast who went to study in Paris and pursued his football dream amidst failures, finally succeeding. This inspiring tale caught the attention of many fans.
Some doubted the story's authenticity, but when Dai Dong published subsequent game reports and footage, everyone believed and was deeply moved. Zhang Xu's skills had surpassed the Chinese Super League and even some national team players.
Fans formed a group called "Rising Sun" with a logo and emblem and created a WeChat group. Soon, the 500-member limit was reached, leading to the creation of multiple groups. Tencent eventually opened a special WeChat group without a member limit for "Rising Sun."
By the end of October, the group's membership exceeded 100,000 and was still growing. The upcoming World Cup qualifiers further divided the fans. Some argued that Zhang Xu should join the national team to enhance its strength, while others believed he should continue developing abroad.
The media easily found Zhang Xu's family address, and that's how his parents learned he was playing football abroad.
Zhang Xu was panicked, knowing his father hated being deceived. Fortunately, his mother, who always doted on him, might speak on his behalf.
Unable to think of a solution, Zhang Xu stepped out of his room to the hotel entrance.
"Hey, Zhang, you're up late today!" Nicola, in sportswear, was warming up outside.
"Don't mention it, The Ultimate Weapon is coming!" Zhang Xu said with a wry smile.
"The Ultimate Weapon?" Nicola was puzzled.
"Uh, my father, oh, and my mother too. They're flying to Belgium the day after tomorrow, um, to visit me, I guess."
"Your parents? Oh, wow, that's great! But why do you call your father The Ultimate Weapon?"
"Oh, you'll know why when he arrives!"
"Ah, you mean I should meet them too?" Nicola asked excitedly.
"Uh, no, no, no, that would be even worse for me!" Zhang Xu quickly opposed. If his parents saw him in a relationship so soon, well, he wasn't exactly dating Nicola, but still... It was complicated.
Zhang Xu felt like his head was about to explode!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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