6: Chapter 6 Holy crap? Did I read that right? Yu Bai's first release?

Returning to his room on the third floor, the door closed gently behind him, shutting out the sound of the television and the faint chatter from downstairs. The world fell silent.

Yu Bai didn't turn on the main light, only switching on the desk lamp. The warm yellow halo outlined a small area, separating him from the deep night outside the window. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness sink into that familiar blue space.

Three Definition Points floated there quietly, like three glowing coins.

He didn't hesitate. With a slight shift of his intent, the three "coins" fell one by one, landing precisely on the [Strength] column.

The moment the points of light merged, a subtle, almost imperceptible soreness originated from deep within his body, like the feeling of muscles being slightly stretched when standing up suddenly after sitting for a long time. It was very faint and fleeting.

The numbers on the panel jumped. [Strength 32 → 35]

Only 3 points. A drop in the bucket.

Yu Bai opened his eyes and looked down at his arms. The muscle definition was still not particularly clear, gleaming with the slightly thin, youthful complexion unique to his age under the desk lamp. There was no immediate, dramatic change. But he knew that something had already begun to shift. It was like dropping three small pebbles into a bottomless well; he couldn't hear much of an echo, but the water level had risen, just a little.

He needed this. Playing football in England, without a body that could withstand collisions, even the most exquisite technique would be like a castle on the sand. Attack? He believed that "Demon of Dribbling" and "Beckhams Curve" were already sufficient, perhaps even a bit luxurious, at the U18 level. But for defense, and those inevitable muscle-on-muscle clashes during transitions, he needed capital.

Tomorrow against Brighton U18. He wanted to "play freely" on the pitch. And the prerequisite for playing freely was standing firm.

The pre-sleep workout went on as usual. Mrs. Susan appeared on time with hot milk. Seeing the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his slightly flushed face, she didn't say much, just placed the cup on the bedside table and whispered, "Get some sleep early, Bai. There's a match tomorrow; your body needs rest."

"Thank you, Mrs. Susan. I'll be done in a moment." Yu Bai smiled at her.

Susan closed the door and left. Yu Bai didn't obediently lie down, but instead continued to finish the last few sets of stretches. Calves, hamstrings, glute bridges, planks... the movements were standard, the rhythm steady. The volume was controlled just right—not enough to increase muscle fatigue, but enough to maintain joint flexibility and core stability. This was a habit he had learned from the Arsenal youth academy, as natural as breathing.

Finally, the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale, hold, exhale slowly. Repeat four times. As the breath was expelled, the excitement and faint tension accumulated throughout the day were also gradually released from his body.

He took a hot shower and lay down in bed. His body sank into the soft bedding, and exhaustion and satisfaction surged up simultaneously. The moonlight outside the window was beautiful. Another day done. He closed his eyes and almost instantly sank into a dreamless sleep.

The next day, just as dawn broke, the system's notification arrived on time, like a set alarm clock ringing directly in the depths of his consciousness.

[This is the first match of your comeback at 32. Everything is difficult at the beginning. Win the match and earn the Man of the Match award to get off to a good start. Reward: 3 Definition Points + 1 Memory Bread]

[Note: Memory Bread is quite beneficial for learning related to football.]

Yu Bai opened his eyes in the morning light, looking at the ceiling, the corners of his mouth curving up involuntarily. Another day of striving. This feeling wasn't bad.

The schedule on match day morning was very flexible. But Yu Bai's biological clock was already set. Breakfast was still astonishingly hearty: oatmeal, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, fruit juice... The entire The Thompson Family was up, even on the weekend. The atmosphere at the dining table was relaxed, and everyone tacitly avoided talking too much about the match, just chatting idly.

"The weather is nice today, perfect for football," David said, sipping his coffee.

"Bai, eat more so you have the energy to run," Susan added another half-spoon of scrambled eggs for him.

Grandma Margaret just smiled and pushed the jam jar toward him.

Yu Bai accepted everything. He felt like he was being fed until he turned into a ball, but his heart was full.

He strolled to the training center. The streets were empty and quiet, with only the early birds chirping. He was the first to arrive. The locker room was empty, with only the faint scent of detergent. He quickly changed into his training gear, grabbed a ball, and walked alone onto the empty training pitch in the early morning.

The turf was still covered in dew, rustling as he stepped on it. The air was crisp. He started juggling the ball, simple movements: instep, thigh, head, shoulder... The ball seemed to have a life of its own, dancing lightly around his body. Then came close-range Dribbling practice: left flick, right pull, turn, change of pace. No spectators, no opposition, only him, the ball, and this vast, quiet expanse of green.

With the system, motivation became concrete and surging. It was like carrying a little sun in his heart, providing a constant source of energy. He didn't even need any "chicken soup" to motivate himself.

Until a burst of footsteps interrupted his focus.

"Yu."

Yu Bai stopped the ball, gently pinning it with his instep, and turned his head. Kieran McKenna was wearing a sports jacket, hands in his pockets, standing on the sidelines watching him with a slight smile on his face.

"There's a match this afternoon, save your legs."

McKenna walked closer and said half-jokingly, "Director John McDermott is waiting to see your performance. If you mess up, I'll be the one getting scolded."

Yu Bai smiled, hooked the ball up with his foot, and held it in his arms.

"Come over, let's talk."

McKenna waved at him and sat down on the bench by the side of the pitch.

Yu Bai walked over and sat down next to him. The morning sun shone obliquely, casting clear shadows between the two of them.

McKenna asked about his family situation and why he left Arsenal. Yu Bai had nothing to hide and told him everything. Parents divorced, mother running a company back home, father... didn't pay much attention to him. Choosing football, being abandoned by Arsenal. The process was simple and could be summarized in a few sentences.

McKenna listened without any particular expression on his face, only nodding occasionally. But Yu Bai could feel that there was something else in the coach's eyes as he looked at him. Not pity, but more like a kind of... confirmation.

"Besides attacking midfielder, have you played any other positions?" McKenna changed the subject.

Yu Bai thought about it. At Arsenal, from the moment he joined, his position had been midfield. Attacking midfielder, wide attacking midfielder. Later, when Henry arrived, he was often placed at right midfield, encouraged to cross the ball from the right forty-five-degree angle.

"My position has always been midfield. Attacking midfielder, right midfield. Mr. Henry told me to cross more from that side."

"Thierry has a good eye for talent," McKenna nodded, then changed his tone. "However, kid, you're only seventeen. Don't box yourself in too early."

He turned to the side, looking at Yu Bai, his tone becoming serious. "For the match this afternoon, our starting defensive midfielder has the flu and can't play. I plan to have you partner with Dylan Duncan and play as a double pivot."

"Defensive midfielder?" Yu Bai was stunned for a moment.

This position was further from the goal, bearing more responsibility for defense and organization, quite different from his accustomed playing style.

"Yes, defensive midfielder." McKenna didn't give him time to hesitate, interrupting directly. "In yesterday's scrimmage, your escapes, Dribbling, and those moments where you weaved through the crowd left a deep impression on me. And just now, the little techniques you were practicing... Yu Bai, I think you're suited for a deep-lying playmaker role. You have the Dribbling to escape pressure and the Passing to initiate attacks. Your build is a bit weak, and your defensive technique is raw, but your awareness is not bad. These can all be trained; you're still young."

He patted Yu Bai's shoulder, his tone certain. "Under me, I can't guarantee anything else, but I can definitely train your defense."

Yu Bai looked at the enthusiasm and conviction in the coach's eyes, which were almost like those of a "pyramid scheme" recruiter, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

He suddenly felt that it was a waste of talent for McKenna not to work in sales.

Lunch was in the base cafeteria. Dylan Duncan brought his tray and sat down opposite Yu Bai, his movements intentionally unnatural.

Yu Bai didn't look up, continuing to deal with the chicken breast and pasta on his plate.

Dylan cleared his throat, poked at a piece of sausage on his plate that looked a bit greasy with his fork, hesitated for a moment, then speared it and placed it on the edge of Yu Bai's plate. "Um... I don't really want to eat this, you can have it."

Yu Bai paused for a moment, not speaking.

"Are you... going to take a nap later?" Dylan spoke again, his voice lower than usual. "I know which room has the softest mattress and is the quietest."

Yu Bai still didn't make a sound, chewing his food slowly and methodically.

Dylan was starting to lose his composure, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, his eyes darting around. "The match... we can talk about how to play. I, I will listen."

His posture was already low enough, almost to the point of being "humble." Yu Bai finally finished the last bite, put down his fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and only then looked up at the restless Dylan opposite him.

"You focus on defense," Yu Bai said, his voice calm, "I'll handle the organization. Throw that previous nonsense aside and let's play a good game. Can you do that?"

Dylan's eyes lit up instantly, his forced composure collapsing immediately, replaced by a relieved, even slightly silly smile. "Of course! Absolutely! We don't have any 'nonsense'! Yu, you are my brother! Really, I haven't scored in a match for a long time, and that assist of yours yesterday... it was amazing! Brothers for life!"

Yu Bai looked at him, excited and somewhat incoherent, and finally couldn't help but laugh. This guy didn't actually have bad intentions; he was just a typical football teenager, his emotions all written on his face—hatred came quickly, and reconciliation was just as straightforward.

5:30 PM, London. One hour until the start of the Tottenham U18 home match against Brighton U18.

On Dongqiudi, one person's starting lineup was updated. Yu Bai, starting defensive midfielder.

The comment section exploded instantly.

[What the f***? Did I read that right? Yu Bai? Tottenham U18 starter? Isn't he from Arsenal?!]

[Is the guy above living under a rock? That news is from ages ago; Yu Bai was dropped by Arsenal, trialed at several clubs, and eventually went to Tottenham.]

[Confirmed connections. Arsenal didn't want him, and he turns around and starts for Tottenham U18? Did his family donate a building to the Tottenham youth academy?]

[With that small build of his, playing defensive midfielder? He's probably going up there to be a tackling dummy for others. Go home, inherit the family business, and act in movies; don't come out and embarrass yourself.]

[Seriously, I'm a high school varsity team center-back, 185cm, 85kg, and my speed isn't slow either; I feel like I could defend him until he questions his life.]

[Then why didn't you, the varsity center-back, go to the Tottenham youth academy? Do you not like it?]

[Are the salty chickens jumping around? Yu Bai was the assist king at Arsenal U16 and a starter under Henry; how did he become a "connected hire" in your eyes?]

"Oh, the Yu Bai fanboys are already out defending their master? Just watch, if he doesn't get absolutely wrecked by those big, strong Brighton U18 midfielders today, I'll do a handstand while washing my hair on stream!"

In the Huanledou Live Stream, the title had already been changed to "Tottenham U18 vs Brighton U18 - China's Sole Representative Yu Bai's Late Night Start."

The streamer "Streamer" let out a massive yawn at the camera, with dark circles clearly visible under his eyes. He switched the stream to full screen, his mouse cursor moving irritably across the screen.

"I'm honestly done, guys." His voice was hoarse and full of resentment. "My 'divine' sleep schedule is completely ruined. It's the weekend, and it's half-past midnight! My boss calls and says: 'Streamer, get up and work, stream the U18 match!' The U18s, guys! Is this even a job for a human being?"

The chat began to scroll: [Hard work, Streamer, doing it for the love of the game!] [Try to understand the boss, he has to bow to capital too (doge)] [Quiet everyone, watch Baobao in peace!] [This time, truly a hellish schedule, thanks for your hard work, streamer.]

"Especially this Yu Bai!" Streamer slapped a screenshot of the starting lineup onto the screen, circling the name in bright red. "It's you, kid, who made me crawl out of bed in the middle of the night to sit in front of a computer! My wonderful weekend night, poof, gone! I'm an NBA streamer, why am I pulling an all-nighter?"

[Stop ranting, stop ranting, hurry up and analyze!] [Streamer, wake up, the odds! The odds!] [It's so comforting to have a home base, no need to use a VPN to find streams.]

"The odds?" Streamer rubbed his eyes and switched to a data website, squinting at it for a few seconds. "Tottenham U18 giving 1.5 goals... normally this handicap is pretty solid. But then I look at the starting lineup—the main defensive midfielder has the flu, and who's replacing him? Yu Bai! Plus that U18 Dylan Duncan! This midfield combination, can they control the game at the U18 level? Not a chance in hell!"

He gulped down a mouthful of strong tea, forcing himself to perk up, his speech speeding up. "U18 and U16 are two completely different things! The physical intensity is worlds apart! Yu Bai could play with technique in the U16s, but that was just bullying kids. At the U18 level? Look at those Brighton midfielders, they're big and strong! If Yu Bai can leave the pitch in one piece tonight, I'll consider it a win for him! So, I'm betting on Brighton +1.5, and hedging with a half-time under, less than 1.25! At this time, the under is as safe as a rock!"

Betting information immediately appeared in the top left corner of the stream: Away Team +1.5, Half-time Under 1.25.

"Seriously," Streamer clicked on Yu Bai's profile page, his tone filled with the irritability of sleep deprivation and a hint of disdain. "If you don't have some serious financial backing, how can you play like this? Arsenal didn't want him, and he turns around and starts for Tottenham U18? If that's not the power of money, I'll write my name backwards for three years!"

"I streamed a few of his matches last season, who here knows him better than I do?" He said to the camera, firmly. "He's just a prospect with decent-looking technique, but his physique is a major weakness! A weakling! Just watch, he'll be exposed tonight!"

Shen Muwan was woken up by her phone vibrating continuously by her pillow. She frowned and reached for the phone; the light from the screen was glaring in the darkness. It was a WeChat message from her assistant, Song Qingqing.

Song Qingqing: "Ms. Shen, are you asleep? The young master's first match representing Tottenham U18 kicks off at 6:30 PM London time, which is right now. Do you need a stream link? Or should I record it for you to watch tomorrow?"

Shen Muwan's sleepy brain paused for a few seconds before digesting this information. Tottenham U18? First match? Now?

She sat up abruptly, her fingers typing a reply rapidly. Shen Muwan: "What Tottenham U18? Isn't Xiaobai's match tomorrow? Arsenal U16 against Chelsea U16, I remember that clearly."

Song Qingqing: (Sent a screenshot of a Dongqiudi news article) "Ms. Shen, the young master didn't renew his contract with Arsenal a month ago. He signed an apprentice contract with Tottenham last week and is now a Tottenham U18 player. Tonight is his debut, and he's starting."

Shen Muwan stared at the words on the screen, the only sound in the room being her heavy breathing. The irritation of being woken up was instantly replaced by a more complex emotion—shock, panic, and a dull ache from being kept in the dark. She could almost imagine her son facing these changes all on his own.

She immediately called Song Qingqing. Her voice sounded exceptionally clear in the silent early morning, and even a bit urgent. "Qingqing, send me the link. I want to watch it now."

A few minutes later, Shen Muwan leaned against the headboard with her tablet propped on her lap. Inside the Huanledou Live Stream, the noisy and weary voice of the streamer "Streamer" filled the bedroom. She stared intently at the screen, searching eagerly among the running young figures...

"Qingqing," Shen Muwan watched the screen, her voice low and slightly hoarse from staying up late. "From now on... all of Xiaobai's news, matches, reports, no matter how big or small, tell me immediately."

"Understood, Ms. Shen." Song Qingqing replied softly on the other end of the line.

"Beep!" A crisp whistle pierced the afternoon air of the pitch. The match began.

It was the first time Yu Bai was playing in the defensive midfield position in an official match. It felt... strange. His Vision was wider than ever before; before him was a vast battlefield, and behind him was the entire defensive line. The opposing forward's first tentative press was lazy and put no pressure on him. He received the ball, turned, and easily distributed it to a teammate on the flank.

It was a bit too easy. So easy that it actually made him feel a bit uncomfortable. But after a few minutes, he started to find his rhythm. Running, supporting, observing. This position required him to think more and see further.

The 7th minute. The opportunity arrived. Yu Bai received a pass back from Dylan Duncan near the center circle in his own half. A Brighton midfielder stepped up to press symbolically, but seeing that he didn't pass the ball immediately, he retreated, seemingly wanting to maintain the formation.

Not enough pressure. Yu Bai nudged the ball with his foot and suddenly accelerated! He drove forward with the ball! His speed wasn't fast, but his stride frequency was steady, and the ball was firmly controlled at his feet. The Brighton midfield seemed not to have expected this "defensive midfielder" to suddenly surge forward with the ball, and they rushed over to surround him in a panic.

But Yu Bai's Dribbling rhythm was strange. He didn't rely on sheer speed to force his way through; instead, at the moment the opponent stretched out a leg to intercept, he used micro-adjustments in direction, ball drags, or just a shift in his center of gravity to narrowly avoid the tackle. The ball seemed glued to his feet. Amidst the swarming of three or four defensive players, he was like a nimble fish, weaving left and right, forcibly carrying the ball past the midfield and into the attacking third!

On the sidelines, David Thompson had already stood up, fists clenched. Susan nervously covered her mouth. Grandma Margaret leaned forward slightly.

Just when everyone thought Yu Bai was going to continue driving into the penalty area, while in motion, he suddenly flicked the outside of his right foot! A ground pass whistled out with a strong outward swerving curve, like a precise scalpel, bypassing the Brighton defender attempting to intercept and piercing straight behind the defensive line! The target was aimed directly at Shayon Harrison, who was making an offside-beating run!

"Great ball!" David couldn't help but roar. Unfortunately, the ball speed was just a fraction too slow; the last Brighton defender chased back desperately, sliding into a tackle before the penalty area line, and just barely managed to clear the ball out over the end line! Corner kick.

Although it didn't result in a shot, this individual breakthrough and the highly imaginative pass drew a round of warm applause and gasps from the home crowd.

"He saw that line..." Grandma Margaret murmured, her eyes shining. "To be able to deliver that kind of pass at that speed... it's not simple at all."

Susan didn't understand football very well, but she understood David and her mother-in-law's reactions, and she understood the suddenly erupting emotions of the spectators. She didn't speak, but she decided in her heart that from now on, the hot milk every night was non-negotiable.

Left corner kick. Yu Bai walked to the corner flag area. He set the ball, stepped back a few paces, and raised his hand to signal. He took a run-up and struck the ball! With the instep of his right foot, he curled a rapid, inward-swerving ball. The speed was fast, the spin was intense, and it headed straight for the back post!

The goalkeeper had difficulty judging the landing spot in the crowd and moved a bit slowly. At the back post, the 15-year-old Oliver Skipp overpowered the defender, leaped with all his might, and headed the ball!

The ball changed direction and flew toward the center of the six-yard box! In the chaos, Shayon Harrison nimbly reached the spot, relying almost entirely on a striker's instinct, and headed it in! The ball hit the net! 1:0!

Less than ten minutes into the match, Tottenham U18 took the lead! Harrison scored the goal, but this entire attacking sequence, from Yu Bai's breakthrough and pass in the middle to the danger created by his corner kick, bore his mark from start to finish.

The entire stadium erupted. The Thompson Family applauded vigorously in their seats, and David waved his fists excitedly.

In the Huanledou Live Stream. "Oh!" Streamer watched the replay of the goal and smacked his lips. "This Yu Bai... he's got some skills. That corner kick was delivered with real quality."

He changed his tune, his tone hardening again. "But that's about it! It's just an indirect assist from a corner kick; it doesn't prove anything! His defense is trash, his organization is non-existent, all he can do is take a corner kick, what's the point?"

The chat was immediately flooded with [So triggered! So triggered!].

"I'm triggered?" Streamer sneered at the camera and lit another cigarette. "What am I triggered about? Just watch, Yu Bai only has this bit of Passing ability, defense? Hmph..."

Before he could finish his sentence, on the pitch, Tottenham U18 came back again. In an attacking sequence, Harrison received the ball with his back to the goal at the edge of the penalty area, held off a defender, and laid it back. Yu Bai surged forward from the back line at high speed! Without controlling the ball, he flicked it past the first defender who rushed to tackle him, and drove into the penalty area with the ball!

The Brighton defense instantly tightened, and three defenders quickly closed in! Yu Bai was trapped in a heavy encirclement. But he didn't panic, and didn't even slow down. In an extremely tight space, he dragged the ball with his left foot and pulled it with his right; his body seemed greased, and he squeezed through the almost non-existent gap between two defenders! He was about to face the goalkeeper one-on-one!

In a panic, the third defender stuck out a leg to intercept! His foot kicked squarely into the shin of Yu Bai's supporting leg! "Bang!" A dull thud. Yu Bai lost his balance, hit the ground, rolled half a turn on the turf, and clutched his lower leg.

"Beep—!!!" The referee's urgent whistle sounded. He rushed toward the scene without hesitation, his right hand pointing firmly—at the penalty spot! Penalty!

Streamer watched the referee's gesture on the screen and the sight of Yu Bai on the ground. His mouth hung open, and the words "his defense is trash" were stuck in his throat. He stared at the screen for two seconds, then suddenly slapped the table: "No way... buddy! Are you f***ing kidding me?!"