Chapter Summaries

Lin Feng helped Liu Yifei record songs before returning his attention to football, where Real Madrid faced Werder Bremen in their Champions League opener. He contained Chen Tao from his new defensive-midfield role, and Raul scored to give Real Madrid a 1–0 lead.

• Lin Feng wrote three songs for Liu Yifei, and they spent nearly a week recording Worship, Pain That Breathes, and Love Song.
• Lin Feng saw Liu Yifei off after the holiday, then scored and assisted in Real Madrid’s 3–1 win over Almería.
• Lin Feng and Chen Tao joked with Chinese fans at the Bernabeu before Real Madrid met Werder Bremen in the Champions League group stage.
• Mourinho moved Lin Feng into a double pivot with Gago, and Lin Feng marked Chen Tao closely while helping Real Madrid control Werder Bremen’s attacks.
• Lin Feng intercepted Baumann and helped launch Real Madrid’s attacks before Raul headed in a goal in the 16th minute to make it 1–0.

Real Madrid took a 3:1 lead over Werder Bremen after Lin Feng scored a free kick and Van Nistelrooy added a second-half goal. Mourinho praised Lin Feng’s abilities and handed him responsibility for all set pieces, while the match ended with Real Madrid firmly in control.

• Raul scored Real Madrid’s opening goal, but Sanogo equalized for Werder Bremen a minute later after Chen Tao’s pass exposed the defense.
• Lin Feng restored Real Madrid’s lead with a free kick, prompting Mourinho to make him the team’s first-choice taker for all set pieces, including penalties.
• Mourinho scolded Real Madrid’s players at halftime, while Guti hoped Raul would stand up to the manager but Raul stayed quiet.
• Chen Tao created two early second-half chances for Bremen, but Casillas saved Rosenberg’s shot and Sanogo sent another effort over.
• Van Nistelrooy scored from close range after Lin Feng’s corner and Higuain’s follow-up, putting Real Madrid ahead 3:1.

After Real Madrid beat Bremen 3-1, Lin Feng exchanged shirts with Chen Tao and defended his willingness to play defensive midfielder at the press conference. Mourinho clashed with a provocative reporter, then thanked Lin Feng for supporting him and promised to consult him before asking him to make future sacrifices.

• Lin Feng and Chen Tao exchanged jerseys after the match, and Lin Feng offered to treat him to dinner.
• Reporters questioned Mourinho about playing Lin Feng as a defensive midfielder, and Lin Feng said he preferred winning.
• Mourinho rebuked Andre Chotnov for accusing him of abandoning Chelsea and barred him and his newspaper from Real Madrid press conferences.
• Lin Feng rode back to the Training Base with Mourinho and considered buying a car.
• Mourinho thanked Lin Feng for not undermining him at the press conference, and Lin Feng said he would make sacrifices for the team but did not want them taken for granted.
• Mourinho promised to discuss any future positional sacrifices with Lin Feng and respect his opinion.

After Mourinho used Lin Feng at Defensive Midfielder to establish his authority, Lin Feng returned to his Attacking Midfielder role against Valladolid. He broke through Valladolid’s defensive block with a free-kick goal, putting Real Madrid ahead.

• Mourinho and Lin Feng privately reconciled after Lin Feng’s sacrifice at Defensive Midfielder, while they listened to news of Chelsea’s and Inter Milan’s Champions League upsets.
• Barcelona defeated Sevilla 2-1 through two Messi goals, raising their points to eight and putting pressure on Real Madrid.
• Mourinho started Lin Feng at Attacking Midfielder against Valladolid and assigned Guti to Defensive Midfielder despite Guti’s reluctance.
• Valladolid defended deep and frustrated Real Madrid’s attack, prompting an argument between Real Madrid fans and supporters of the defensive tactic.
• Lin Feng scored directly from a free kick in the 32nd minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead.

Lin Feng scored and assisted as Real Madrid built a 2:0 lead over Valladolid, but the team collapsed after his substitution and conceded twice to draw 2:2. The chapter ended with Mourinho sent off and Lin Feng wondering whether the team had lost while he had not.

• Lin Feng scored from a free kick, and Van Nistelrooy added a second goal after receiving Lin Feng's pass just before halftime.
• Mourinho scolded Guti at halftime, while Valladolid kept attacking and Lin Feng pressed hard before coming off for Robben in the 61st minute.
• With Lin Feng off the pitch, Guti struggled defensively, and Pedro Lopez scored from distance to make it 2:1.
• Mourinho replaced Guti with Pepe, who helped steady Real Madrid's midfield despite earning a yellow card.
• Ramos's clearance struck a teammate's arm in stoppage time, and Llorente converted the resulting penalty to make it 2:2.
• Mourinho kicked a water bottle that hit the fourth official and was sent off, while Lin Feng reflected on his goal and assist as Real Madrid's lead vanished.

After Real Madrid drew with a struggling opponent, Mourinho began preparing Pepe to fill the team’s defensive-midfield shortage while Lin Feng kept producing goals and assists. Messi also surged for Barcelona, and the chapter left Real Madrid in Rome preparing for a crucial Champions League match against Lazio.

• The media criticized Mourinho’s tactics and Real Madrid’s lack of defensive midfielders, but Mourinho planned to convert Pepe into the role, and Pepe agreed.
• Lin Feng scored and assisted in Real Madrid’s 2:0 victory over Real Betis, reaching nine goals in six matches and leading the team’s assist chart.
• Messi scored twice as Barcelona beat Zaragoza 4:1, then scored and assisted in another 4:1 win, prompting growing comparisons with Lin Feng and criticism of the injured Ronaldinho.
• Real Madrid beat Getafe 1:0 with Lin Feng rested, while Messi’s league tally rose to five goals and four assists.
• Mourinho took Real Madrid to Rome to prepare for their Champions League clash with Lazio, whose poor league and European form left them needing points.

Real Madrid took a 2–0 lead over Lazio as Sergio Ramos scored from Lin Feng’s free kick and Lin Feng added a long-range goal. Mourinho celebrated Lin Feng’s impact but resolved to challenge one of his own weaknesses.

• Lazio opened aggressively, but Mourinho ordered Robben to track back and help Real Madrid defend.
• Lin Feng’s free kick found Ramos at the far post, and Ramos headed Real Madrid into a 1–0 lead.
• Ramos pushed forward to assist Raul, while Marcelo struggled under Lazio’s attacks down the opposite flank.
• After Lazio missed a one-on-one chance, Lin Feng scored from distance in the 33rd minute to make it 2–0.
• Mourinho celebrated Lin Feng’s goal and decided to challenge one of his own weaknesses.

Real Madrid survived Lazio’s late push to win 2-1 and claim their second straight Champions League group-stage victory, while Olympiacos’s rise and Werder Bremen’s struggles reshaped Group C. After the match, Lin Feng checked in with Chen Tao and learned that Cui Peng’s Olympique de Marseille had beaten Liverpool at Anfield.

• Mourinho substituted Lin Feng at halftime, and Sneijder came on to support Robben, whose repeated attacks drew both criticism and encouragement from Mourinho.
• Lazio grew more aggressive as they fell behind, and Pandev scored in the 78th minute after Mudingayi intercepted Real Madrid’s pass.
• Real Madrid held on for a 2-1 away win, while Werder Bremen lost to Olympiacos and remained winless after two group matches.
• Lin Feng called Chen Tao to comfort him after Werder Bremen’s defeat, and Chen Tao acknowledged that Klose’s departure had badly weakened the team.
• Cui Peng told the group chat that Olympique de Marseille had beaten Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, putting Marseille atop Group A with two wins.

Lin Feng extended his scoring streak at Real Madrid before returning to China for the Olympic team's friendly against Denmark. As the team arrived at Beijing’s Workers' Stadium on match day, Klopp reminded the players not to feel pressured by the friendly.

• Lin Feng scored in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Bilbao Athletic, extending his streak to eight consecutive matches and drawing comparisons with Messi.
• Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-0, while fans argued over Messi and Lin Feng and joked about assigning wuxia-style titles to top young players.
• Klopp arranged a friendly against Denmark for the Olympic team to prepare its young players for next year’s Olympic Games, and Lin Feng returned to China for the match.
• Fans crowded around Lin Feng at the airport and Xianghe Base, where he gave taxi driver Chen Hong a signed National Team Match jersey.
• Old Zhu and Klopp welcomed Lin Feng to Xianghe Base, and Klopp told him to rest after his long flight before joining training.
• On October 11, the team traveled to Workers' Stadium for the Denmark match, and Klopp urged the players to perform well without treating the friendly as a source of pressure.

China’s Olympic-heavy National Football Team faced Denmark in an international friendly, taking an unexpected lead before Denmark’s stronger squad rallied. Lin Feng helped China level the score in the second half, but Grønkjær scored late to give Denmark a 3:2 win.

• Denmark pressed China physically, while Klopp declined Zhu Guanghu’s suggestion to bring on veteran substitutes, saying the young players needed the experience.
• Lin Feng launched a counterattack that ended with Gao Lin setting up Dong Fangzhuo for China’s opening goal.
• Tomasson equalized for Denmark in the twenty-seventh minute, and Bendtner put Denmark ahead with a header ten minutes later.
• Lin Feng scored from long range in the second half to bring China level, but Grønkjær scored in the seventy-fourth minute to secure Denmark’s 3:2 victory.

After the Olympic team lost to Denmark, Klopp arranged a friendly against Beijing Guoan, where the young players won 2:0 and restored their confidence. Lin Feng then stayed in Beijing to support Liu Yifei’s first concert, and she asked him to join her onstage as a mystery guest.

• Mao Jianqing said he was negotiating with several European clubs and might move abroad that winter, while other Chinese players pursued opportunities overseas.
• The Olympic team defeated Beijing Guoan 2:0, with Dong Fangzhuo and Gao Lin disrupting the hosts’ defense and Lin Feng’s team controlling the match.
• Liu Yifei invited Lin Feng to her Beijing concert, which she had moved from Wuhan so he could attend.
• Lin Feng arrived during Liu Yifei’s final rehearsal and encouraged her when he saw how tired she was.
• Liu Yifei asked Lin Feng to sing onstage as a mystery guest.

Liu Yifei’s first solo concert won over its audience with her performances and a dramatic duet with Zhang Liangying. Lin Feng closed the show with the unreleased song “Dandelion's Promise,” which spread across the country after fans shared recordings online.

• Liu Yifei overcame her nerves and impressed the audience with songs from her new album, including “Love Song.”
• Liu Yifei and Zhang Liangying performed “Unparalleled” while Liu Yifei appeared in her Xiaolongnü costume, suspended above the stage on wires.
• Liu Yifei brought Lin Feng onstage as the final mystery guest, and he performed his unreleased song “Dandelion's Promise.”
• Zhang Liangying teased Liu Yifei about dating Lin Feng, and Liu Yifei admitted that she had pursued him that summer.
• Fans searched for Lin Feng’s song after the concert, shared live recordings online, and helped it top music charts across the country.

Real Madrid battled injuries and a makeshift midfield as Lin Feng helped secure a Champions League win and set up Raul against Deportivo La Coruña. Raul, worried about his declining role and lack of allies, decided to seek reconciliation with Lin Feng.

• Real Madrid lost 1-2 away to Espanyol despite Lin Feng extending his scoring streak, while Barcelona also suffered a league defeat to Villarreal.
• Lin Feng scored and assisted Higuain as Real Madrid beat Olympiacos 4-2, recovering from the visitors’ second-half comeback and earning a third straight Champions League group win.
• Mourinho voiced Real Madrid’s interest in Xavi Alonso, prompting Benitez to accuse him of trying to poach Liverpool’s player.
• Mourinho started Baptista alongside Pepe in defensive midfield, and Baptista’s early mistake allowed Deportivo La Coruña to score first.
• Lin Feng drew defenders before passing to Raul, who equalized for Real Madrid and praised the pass.
• Raul recognized Lin Feng’s importance to the team and, concerned about his own declining goals and lack of allies, decided to reconcile with him.

Lin Feng led Real Madrid to a 3–1 win over Deportivo La Coruña, while Barcelona’s leadership decided to promote Messi as Ronaldinho’s influence and form declined. Messi started Barcelona’s next match amid comparisons with Lin Feng, who answered the growing hype by scoring a hat-trick and assisting twice in a 5–1 win over Valencia.

• Lin Feng assisted Van Nistelrooy before halftime, then scored from a layoff in the 67th minute as Real Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruña 3–1.
• Mourinho substituted Lin Feng in the 80th minute, and Real Madrid supporters gave him a standing ovation; Barcelona also won, keeping the league gap at two points.
• Barcelona fans booed Ronaldinho after a poor performance, while Henry continued to struggle to adapt despite scoring an offside goal.
• Laporta asked Rijkaard whether Ronaldinho could regain his peak, and Rijkaard said it would be very difficult; Laporta then publicly backed starting the players in the best form.
• Barcelona officials and players voiced support for Messi, and Rijkaard started him while putting Ronaldinho on the bench for the tenth league round.
• Lin Feng scored a hat-trick and provided two assists against Valencia, contributing to all five goals in Real Madrid’s 5–1 away victory.

Barcelona drew 1–1 with Valladolid after Ronaldinho came off the bench to equalize, while Messi struggled under pressure to match Lin Feng’s scoring record. As Real Madrid pursued an early contract renewal, Lin Feng bought Figo’s Madrid villa and learned that Figo had invested in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

• Valladolid scored first against Barcelona, and Messi’s attempts to equalize alone left the team’s attack disjointed.
• Ronaldinho came on as a substitute and scored five minutes later, helping Barcelona draw 1–1 with Valladolid.
• Rijkaard and Laporta praised Ronaldinho after the match, but Ronaldinho remained wary of Barcelona’s leadership.
• Calderón ordered Mijatović to seek an early contract renewal with Lin Feng, and Mijatović contacted Mendes.
• Lin Feng bought Figo’s villa in Madrid for eight million euros after deciding to move out of the Training Base.
• Figo advised Lin Feng to invest his money and said he had earned over fifty percent on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares, prompting Lin Feng to remember their link to the subprime mortgage crisis.

Lin Feng used the approaching subprime mortgage crisis to plan future investments and raise money through sponsorships while moving into his new villa. After choosing several endorsement deals and rejecting others, he learned Mendes had one more matter to discuss.

• Lin Feng urged Figo to sell his Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stocks before the subprime mortgage crisis and considered investing in Apple, Google, and Nvidia.
• Mendes visited Lin Feng's new villa and offered him sponsorship deals from Coca-Cola and Pepsi; Lin Feng chose Coca-Cola for its shorter contract and upfront payment.
• Lin Feng and Mendes finalized endorsements with Gucci, Cartier, Head & Shoulders, and other brands, earning Lin Feng more than 20 million euros in total.
• Lin Feng rejected offers from Milk Bull and Milk Profit but accepted China Mobile's endorsement deal over China Unicom's.
• Mendes told Lin Feng that he had one more matter to discuss.

Lin Feng traveled to AFC headquarters to receive the Asian Footballer of the Year award as Real Madrid’s early-season success and dependence on him drew attention. He reflected on the Chinese national team’s recent progress and set his sights on bigger achievements, including the Ballon d’Or and a World Cup knockout-stage breakthrough.

• Spanish media praised Real Madrid’s scoring surge under Mourinho but noted their defensive weaknesses, struggles against defensive teams, and reliance on Lin Feng.
• Mendes told Lin Feng the AFC had invited him to collect the Asian Footballer of the Year award, while Lin Feng focused more on the upcoming Ballon d’Or and World Player of the Year awards.
• Valdano approved three days of leave for Lin Feng to attend the award ceremony, leaving Mourinho displeased that the club manager had acted without consulting him.
• Lin Feng arrived at AFC headquarters, where Zhang Jilong and a large group of reporters welcomed him as Asian Footballer of the Year.
• Lin Feng considered how China had won the Asian Cup and East Asian Cup, crediting the national team’s progress and calling for major future results such as an Olympic gold medal or reaching the World Cup knockout stage.

Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 2–0 defeat to Sevilla, lost Ramos and Pepe to suspensions, and saw their lead over Barcelona shrink to one point. After a Champions League draw with Olympiacos, the coaching staff argued over where Lin Feng should play against Mallorca, and Lauro suggested asking Lin Feng directly.

• Ramos punched Fabiano after an early clash with Sevilla players and was sent off, while Sevilla scored twice to take a 2–0 lead.
• Pepe was sent off for a scissor tackle, and Mourinho was dismissed after sarcastically applauding the referee.
• Sevilla beat Real Madrid 2–0, and the disciplinary committee suspended Ramos for eight matches, Pepe for two, and Mourinho for two.
• Real Madrid drew 0–0 away to Olympiacos with a rotated lineup and remained top of their Champions League group.
• Real Madrid’s staff disagreed over whether Lin Feng should play as a defensive midfielder or support the attack against Mallorca.
• Lauro ended the argument by suggesting that they ask Lin Feng which position he wanted to play.

Lin Feng dominated Real Madrid’s match against Mallorca as a box-to-box midfielder, helping the team win 6–2. His performance and two assists helped Raul score a hat-trick and reconcile with him, while Lin Feng finished with two goals of his own.

• Lin Feng played across the pitch as a box-to-box midfielder and set up Raul to give Real Madrid a 1–0 lead, but Marcelo’s mistake let Mallorca equalize.
• Lin Feng assisted Raul’s second goal, and Raul embraced him, ending their feud as Guti watched resentfully.
• Lin Feng scored with a header to make it 3–1, then assisted Raul’s hat-trick after Mallorca had reduced the score to 3–2.
• Lin Feng surged from his own half to score a spectacular solo goal for 5–2, stunning both teams and the crowd.
• Raul scored again to complete Real Madrid’s 6–2 victory, and Mourinho had Lin Feng substituted so he could receive the stadium’s applause.

After Real Madrid widened its lead in the league, Lin Feng and Liu Yifei visited each other’s families, who warmly approved of their relationship and discussed an engagement. Liu Yifei planned to study music, and the chapter ended with Mother Lin giving her a Beijing villa for her studies.

• Zhang Lu described Lin Feng’s playing style as that of a free-roaming midfielder, while Real Madrid’s lead over Barcelona grew to four points after Getafe defeated Barcelona.
• Lin Feng visited Liu Yifei’s family in Wuhan, where her parents and grandparents welcomed him and approved of their relationship.
• Liu Yifei told Lin Feng she planned to take a year off acting to study music, and he encouraged her to pursue both music and acting.
• Lin Feng brought Liu Yifei to Germany to meet his parents, who were delighted with her and urged the couple to get engaged.
• Liu Yifei stayed with Lin Feng’s family for three days, and Mother Lin gave her a Beijing villa to use while studying at the Central Conservatory of Music.