Still dazed, Su Bai was pulled into a seat by Hao Junmin.
Even though Su Bai had walked into the wrong canteen, Hao was happy to sit with a fellow countryman.
A moment later, Hao returned with a nice lunch tray and handed it to Su Bai.
"Eat up. We can talk properly after."
Su Bai had played two training matches since morning and was absolutely starving.
He tore through the food in minutes.
Once he was full, Su Bai leaned back, rubbing his stomach contentedly.
Apart from Hao Junmin, none of the other stars paid him any attention.
Su Bai was curious about them, but he didn't act like a star-struck kid and bother them.
Seeing Su Bai had finished, Hao gave him his phone number, then left with his teammates.
He'd planned to chat longer, but Coach Magath always held a tactical briefing right after meals.
Hao had no choice but to say goodbye.
After eating, Su Bai picked up his bag and went looking for Daniel.
The guy had rushed off and pointed him to the first-team canteen. If Hao hadn't been there, staff might have kicked him out.
Downstairs, Su Bai quickly ran into someone he knew.
"Hi, Su! Hurry up and eat—what took you so long?"
Ben Kersey smiled and waved when he saw Su Bai.
"Oh, thanks, but I already ate. Where's Mr. Daniel?"
Su Bai just wanted to sort out his dorm situation. He was exhausted after the whole morning.
"Hey, Su! I told you to come eat—why didn't you?"
Daniel walked out of the canteen and frowned at Su Bai still holding his bag.
"Sir, you pointed me that way, so I ended up in the first-team canteen by mistake!"
Su Bai sighed.
"Haha, my bad. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Go on in."
"I already ate. I just want a bed to lie down on."
Seeing Su Bai really was tired, Daniel didn't waste time.
"Ben Kersey, take Su Bai to the dorm. He can room with you. You've had the place to yourself anyway."
Ben nodded at the arrangement.
As team captain, he'd gone through more roommates than anyone in the youth team.
He was easy to get along with, so the club always put new signings with him.
It let him bring new players up to speed quickly.
Of course, not everyone was good enough to stay at Schalke 04.
He'd already had two roommates this season—and both had been sent packing.
He wondered if this random Chinese kid could stick around… at least in the U18 squad.
The first team? That was a world away. Even he hadn't made it there yet.
The stubborn old man coaching the first team was dead set on winning the Bundesliga. The club had sold twelve players and brought in big names like Metzelder, Högerlund, Atsuto Uchida, Raúl, and Escudero.
Ben shook his head helplessly.
Everyone called him a Schalke youth talent, but he knew how hollow that title was.
"Let's go."
Ben didn't hang around, seeing how worn out Su Bai was.
Su Bai nodded and followed.
Schalke 04's complex was huge, but most facilities belonged to the first team.
There were twelve training pitches—four top-class ones reserved for the seniors.
The U18s, playing in the 3. Liga, had two decent ones.
As for the dormitory?
Compared to the fancy single rooms of the first team, the U18 dorm was just passable: a shabby-looking three-story building with a giant Schalke crest out front, faded and dirty.
"It's not fancy, but don't complain. I don't even stay here much," Ben said as they walked in.
Surprisingly, the inside was clean and modern.
"Mr. Daniel got the club to renovate it this season. Before that, even a dog wouldn't want to stay."
"This is us."
Ben's room was the first one on the second floor.
After showing Su Bai inside, Ben left in a hurry, telling him to make himself at home and ask if he needed anything.
Once Ben was gone, Su Bai sighed deeply and collapsed onto the bed.
The room was tidy, and Ben's bed looked barely used—he was probably local.
He closed the door, then happily dived into the system.
He still hadn't opened his Golden Treasure Chest.
He couldn't wait to see what surprise the system had for him.
As soon as he entered, his terrible stats appeared.
Only Passing was bright red; everything else was dull grey.
But behind the grey numbers floated a shining golden chest.
"How do I use this?" Su Bai asked immediately.
Host may open it directly. Reward unknown.
The system was as concise as ever.
Su Bai didn't hesitate—he tapped the chest with his virtual hand.
The moment he touched it, the entire system space flooded with golden light.
Su Bai jumped in surprise.
Ding!!!
Congratulations, Host!
You have received 1 Golden Star Skill Card!
A golden skill card?
Su Bai was thrilled. It sounded insanely good.
Whose skill would it be?
Ronaldo's dribbling? Maradona's solo runs? Zidane's volley?
He excitedly opened the card.
Ding!
Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the legendary star Andrés Iniesta's La Croqueta!
Skill card automatically bound to Host!
The second the skill bound to him, a jolt of electricity shot through Su Bai's body.
Clips of Iniesta using La Croqueta in matches flashed through his mind like a slideshow.
"Is that it?"
Su Bai asked once the highlights finished.
But the system went quiet again, giving no reply.
Losing interest, Su Bai checked his Training Points.
The system was still new, so the number was simply 0.
He had no idea what Training Points did, and the system ignored his questions. He'd just have to figure it out later.
He exited the system and closed his eyes for a quick nap.
But before he could doze off, Ben Kersey called to tell him to get to the training ground.
Daniel didn't believe in lunch breaks.
He was pushing the team hard for the 3. Liga match at the weekend, giving them no time to rest.
Su Bai splashed water on his face and quickly put on the kit Ben had left for him.
Number 38.
He hadn't chosen it—it belonged to the last guy who'd been kicked out of the room.
With his kit on, he hurried downstairs.
...
Meanwhile, the first-team tactical briefing had just ended.
Hao Junmin couldn't wait to call Su Bai. He wanted to look out for his young compatriot.
"Hi, Hao! Where are you off to?"
Hao was stopped just as he turned to leave.
He looked around and saw Raúl.
"Oh, González. I'm going to check on the U18s."
For some reason, Raúl got along better with Hao Junmin than anyone else since joining Schalke.
A Real Madrid legend, Raúl González had come to Schalke in the twilight of his career. He didn't share Magath's burning hunger for the Bundesliga title.
He'd already won every trophy there was—one more Bundesliga title meant nothing to him.
"The kid from lunch? He's Chinese too?"
Raúl had noticed Su Bai earlier but thought he was a relative. He hadn't expected a U18 player.
"I've got nothing to do. Mind if I tag along?"
Hao smiled shyly and nodded.
"Be more confident, stop hiding behind that smile. If you want to make it in Europe, you have to express yourself—starting in daily life."
Raúl laughed, then slung an arm around Hao and walked out together.
Maybe what he liked about Hao was his shyness and modesty.
He could do without the loud, muscle-headed guys in the first team.
Ahem… purely platonic, of course.
The U18 training ground was a short walk from the first-team facility.
When they arrived, Daniel's roar immediately hit their ears.
"Control the midfield!"
"Keep the ball under control!"
"Halim O'Shea, you idiot! Can you stop blasting it every time? Look where you're passing!"
"Benedict, stop running around like a headless chicken! Halim can't even pass straight!"
Hao Junmin blinked in disbelief.
Were all German coaches this aggressive?
Magath shouted plenty on the training ground, but at least he didn't swear nonstop.
"Where's your little buddy?" Raúl asked, unimpressed by the session.
Hao scanned the pitch and didn't see Su Bai—until he spotted him warming up on the sidelines.
Clearly, Su Bai wasn't even in the U18 B-team yet.
"Is that Raúl?"
"Wow, it really is! He's come to the U18 pitch! Is the first team scouting?"
"No way, I haven't heard they need players. What's going on?"
Raúl and Hao quickly caught the players' attention.
Raúl's fame spoke for itself.
Daniel noticed them too and walked over.
"Mr. Raúl!"
"Hello."
"Is this on Coach Magath's orders?"
Daniel was thrilled, and completely misunderstood. It had been a year!
Magath had finally paid attention to his U18s. Even if he hadn't come himself, sending Raúl was even better.
"Sorry, I'm just here with Hao to see his compatriot. Looks like he hasn't gone on yet," Raúl said with a smile, nodding toward Su Bai.
Daniel glanced at Hao and immediately caught on.
"Haha, he only signed today. He's warming up—he'll be on in a second!"
Daniel was sharp enough to understand. Raúl had accompanied a fringe first-team player here, clearly wanting him to give Su Bai a chance.
He'd planned to play Su Bai anyway—this was an easy favor.
He turned and shouted:
"What are you looking at?
Su, you're on! Replace Halim!"
Su Bai jogged straight onto the pitch.
Halim, though, was furious.
Everyone knew why Raúl was here. And he was getting benched for a new kid?
Muttering under his breath, Halim shot Su Bai a dirty look and stormed off.
"Thank you, González," Hao said quickly.
Su Bai getting on so fast was all thanks to Raúl.
"Haha, let's see how good your compatriot is."
Raúl smiled and turned back to the pitch.
Hao knew Raúl didn't want him to feel indebted.
Still, he felt deeply grateful.
"Su! Remember—your job is to pass to the striker up front!" Daniel shouted.
The second Su Bai stepped onto the pitch, the glowing passing lines reappeared before his eyes.
He glanced at Hao Junmin cheering him on from the sideline and smiled faintly.
Schalke 04.
I'm here.