Chapter Summaries

Yang Yang scored a spectacular equalizer for Liverpool after beating three Manchester United players on a counterattack. The match was level at 1–1, and his goal left Manchester United’s players stunned.

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick was tipped over the crossbar by Reina, and Liverpool defended the resulting corner.
• Reina claimed Giggs’s corner and quickly launched a counterattack through Xabi Alonso’s long pass to Yang Yang.
• Yang Yang raced past Gary Neville and flicked the ball over Carrick and Evra to create space near the penalty arc.
• Yang Yang volleyed past Van der Sar to equalize for Liverpool, making the score 1–1.
• Yang Yang celebrated with his teammates as Manchester United’s players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, reacted in dismay.

Yang Yang scored a spectacular header from Xabi Alonso’s corner to give Liverpool the goal that turned the match around against Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo wrongly believed Yang Yang had deliberately outdone him, and Yang Yang let the misunderstanding stand as the second half approached.

• Yang Yang’s attacks and Liverpool’s pressing created several chances, but Van der Sar saved his shots and Daniel Agger’s header went over.
• Yang Yang asked Gerrard to let him attack the far post on Xabi Alonso’s corner, and Gerrard agreed to give him the chance.
• Yang Yang shook off Scholes, charged into the penalty area, and leaped above Evra to smash the corner into Manchester United’s goal.
• Liverpool’s players celebrated Yang Yang’s header, while commentators praised the goal and compared it with Cristiano Ronaldo’s earlier header.
• Cristiano Ronaldo assumed Yang Yang had deliberately competed with him, and Yang Yang chose not to correct him.

Yang Yang scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to beat Manchester United 2–1 at Old Trafford, then regretted missing chances to complete a hat-trick. The victory lifted Liverpool to fifth in the table and put Yang Yang atop the Premier League scoring chart as praise poured in from Britain and China.

• Poll blew the final whistle after Liverpool held off Manchester United’s second-half pressure to win 2–1, with Yang Yang’s brace completing the comeback.
• Gerrard led Liverpool’s players to thank their traveling supporters, while Yang Yang told Xabi Alonso he regretted missing two chances for a hat-trick.
• The Echo praised Yang Yang’s efficiency and headed goal, noting that his eight league goals in nine matches put him two ahead at the top of the scoring chart.
• Liverpool climbed to fifth with eighteen points, and media outlets hailed Yang Yang as the Premier League’s best summer signing.
• Chinese fans and media celebrated Yang Yang’s achievement, and the AFC congratulated him while considering an award for outstanding Chinese players abroad.

Su Ye rejected a powerful film company’s offer because signing would make her violate the boundaries she had promised her father to keep, while she hid her troubles from Yang Yang. On Yang Yang’s birthday, they shared a video call before he joined Liverpool’s private celebration, where his teammates began urging him to sing and calling for women to join them.

• Su Ye refused another call from the film company and reaffirmed to her roommates that she would not compromise her acting boundaries, even if it cost her opportunities.
• Su Ye admitted that she had not told Yang Yang about her career troubles because she did not want to distract him, and said she would give up acting rather than lose him.
• Su Ye celebrated Yang Yang’s birthday over a video call, showed him a small cake, and encouraged him to leave for his team gathering.
• Yang Yang joined Liverpool’s players at a private club, stayed sober, and watched his teammates sing and drink more than the coach had allowed.
• Gerrard and the others noticed Yang Yang and insisted that he sing, while someone suggested inviting two women to celebrate his birthday.

After Liverpool’s players were reprimanded for breaking curfew during Yang Yang’s birthday celebration, the team’s improving unity helped them win three matches and advance in the Champions League. Yang Yang won the Premier League Player of the Month award, but Mohamed Sissoko’s shoulder injury threatened Liverpool’s midfield balance.

• Benitez confronted the players over their late-night partying, then sent them to run laps while sparing Yang Yang from punishment.
• Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3–1, with Yang Yang assisting Crouch and setting up two goals before being substituted early.
• Yang Yang scored twice as Liverpool defeated Bordeaux 3–0 and advanced to the Champions League round of sixteen.
• Liverpool beat Reading 3–0, and Yang Yang won Premier League Player of the Month while Benitez received Coach of the Month.
• Sissoko injured his shoulder in a League Cup match against Birmingham, raising concerns about Liverpool’s midfield as the award’s curse appeared to return.

Liverpool struggled after Mohamed Sissoko’s injury weakened their midfield, losing to Arsenal and drawing with Middlesbrough and Portsmouth before beating Man City and Eindhoven. After Liverpool’s latest home draw, Benitez admitted his tactics had problems and asked Yang Yang to take on more attacking responsibility.

• Mohamed Sissoko dislocated his shoulder, leaving Liverpool short of defensive midfield options before their match against Arsenal.
• Yang Yang scored his tenth Premier League goal, but Arsenal came back to beat Liverpool 2–1 and draw level with them on points.
• Liverpool drew 0–0 away to Middlesbrough, and reports emerged that Benitez wanted to sign Arbeloa and Javier Mascherano in the winter window.
• Yang Yang came off the bench to assist Gerrard and Crouch in Liverpool’s 2–0 Champions League win over Eindhoven, securing top spot in their group.
• Yang Yang assisted Gerrard’s goal in Liverpool’s 1–0 win over Man City, but Liverpool then drew 0–0 with Portsmouth at home.
• Benitez summoned Yang Yang, admitted his tactical arrangements had caused problems, and asked him to take on more attacking responsibility.

Yang Yang led Liverpool to three consecutive 4–0 Premier League victories, easing the team’s confidence crisis after Sissoko’s injury while Benitez continued to warn that the squad still needed reinforcements. After Liverpool rotated heavily and lost their final Champions League group match, Yang Yang finished the league stretch with fourteen goals and eleven assists in eighteen rounds.

• Yang Yang scored twice and assisted Kuyt as Liverpool beat Wigan Athletic 4–0 away, prompting Benitez to celebrate the win while insisting Liverpool’s problems remained unresolved.
• Benitez rested Yang Yang and several other key players for Liverpool’s final Champions League group match, and the rotated side lost 3–2 away.
• Yang Yang assisted Gerrard and scored as Liverpool beat Fulham 4–0, with Carragher also scoring his first Liverpool goal in nearly eight years.
• Yang Yang supplied two assists and scored as Liverpool defeated Charlton 4–0, giving the team three straight 4–0 league wins.
• The Premier League praised Yang Yang’s form after eighteen rounds, when he had recorded fourteen goals and eleven assists.

Yang Yang returned to Beijing during a break from Liverpool and went to the Central Academy of Drama to see Su Ye. He reunited with her at the school gate, promised to be her backing, and left with her as students realized he was her rumored boyfriend.

• Yang Yang flew into Beijing unnoticed and took a taxi to the Central Academy of Drama, listening as the driver praised his football performances.
• At the school entrance, Yang Yang recognized Qiao Shan, who revealed that Su Ye had been dealing with a difficult situation.
• Su Ye went outside after Qiao Shan said someone was looking for her and recognized the masked Yang Yang across the street.
• Su Ye ran to Yang Yang and embraced him while her roommates, classmates, and other students watched in surprise.
• Yang Yang comforted Su Ye, promised to be her backing, and walked away with her as rumors spread across the academy.
• Qiao Shan was beaten after he refused to reveal Su Ye's boyfriend's identity.

Yang Yang attended the FIFA awards ceremony in Zurich with his girlfriend, Su Ye, whose pale-pink gown made her stand out on the red carpet. He introduced her publicly as his girlfriend, then joined Gerrard, Curran, Kaka, Ronaldinho, and other guests inside the opera house.

• Yang Yang watched Armani's stylist dress Su Ye in a custom pale-pink gown, and Su Ye prepared to attend the ceremony with him.
• Yang Yang arrived at the Zurich Opera House with Su Ye and escorted her onto the red carpet, where her gown and beauty drew loud cheers and attention.
• Yang Yang introduced Su Ye as his girlfriend to the host, and Su Ye greeted the audience in fluent English.
• Yang Yang and Su Ye met Gerrard and Curran inside the venue, where guests admired Su Ye's elegance.
• Yang Yang exchanged greetings with Kaka and Ronaldinho, who joked that he and Messi would be waiting for Yang Yang at Camp Nou.
• Yang Yang met the recently retired Zidane and chatted with him at the ceremony.

Yang Yang and Su Ye made their public debut together at the FIFA awards ceremony, and Yang Yang won the World Cup Best Young Player award. The ceremony continued with more awards, leaving Yang Yang fifth in the World Footballer of the Year voting.

• Wei Zhen and his colleagues watched Yang Yang escort Su Ye into the ceremony, where their appearance sparked a media frenzy.
• Yang Yang accepted FIFA’s first World Cup Best Young Player award and dedicated it to the China National Team, Chinese players, Chinese fans, and Su Ye.
• Klose, Yang Yang, and Ronaldo received the World Cup Golden Boot, Silver Boot, and Bronze Boot awards, and Ronaldo praised Yang Yang.
• Cannavaro won World Footballer of the Year ahead of Zidane and Ronaldinho.
• Yang Yang learned that he had placed fifth in the World Footballer of the Year voting, just ahead of Eto'o.

Yang Yang and Su Ye’s appearance together at the FIFA awards ceremony made them an overnight sensation, while reporters uncovered Su Ye’s background and acting prospects. The chapter ended with her fame still rising as new details about her career and a film company’s rejected signing offer came to light.

• National Television Station and major newspapers reported that Yang Yang won two FIFA awards and walked the red carpet hand in hand with Su Ye.
• Students and reporters crowded the Central Academy of Drama, while Su Ye’s roommates learned that the masked visitor they had blamed was Yang Yang.
• Qiao Shan’s roommates apologized after realizing they had beaten the wrong person, and Qiao Shan saw a newspaper photo of Yang Yang and Su Ye.
• The media uncovered Su Ye’s strong academic record and auditions for Red Cliff, The Warlords, and The Forbidden Kingdom.
• A famous domestic film company denied rumors about its attempt to sign Su Ye, and The Forbidden Kingdom’s production team announced it was returning the company’s investment while confirming Su Ye remained a candidate for a later audition round.

After reuniting with Su Ye, Yang Yang returned to Liverpool as the team prepared for the punishing Christmas fixture schedule. With Mohamed Sissoko and Zenden unavailable, Benitez planned rotations and tested midfield alternatives ahead of four league matches in ten days.

• Su Ye watched Yang Yang sleep, and the two shared an affectionate morning before he left to train.
• Yang Yang's teammates joked with him about bringing Su Ye to the FIFA awards ceremony and about buying Gerrard's house.
• Liverpool's players returned from four days off and underwent medical examinations before the Christmas fixture congestion.
• Paco Yestaran warned the squad not to lower its guard, while the staff revealed that Sissoko would remain sidelined until at least mid-to-late January.
• Benitez planned squad rotations, tested Aurélio in central midfield, and urged the management to strengthen the squad in the winter transfer window.

Liverpool beat Watford four-nil before drawing one-one away to Blackburn during the Christmas fixture congestion, while Manchester United moved top of the Premier League table. Cristiano Ronaldo scored braces in consecutive matches and emerged as a leading Player of the Year contender.

• Liverpool defeated Watford four-nil at Anfield, with goals from Pennant, Yang Yang, Kuyt, and Xabi Alonso.
• Chelsea narrowly beat Wigan Athletic three-two, Arsenal crushed Blackburn six-two, and Manchester United defeated Aston Villa three-nil.
• Blackburn took the lead against Liverpool through McCarthy, but Gerrard scored the rebound after Friedel saved Yang Yang's shot, leaving the match one-one.
• Chelsea drew two-two with Reading after Essien scored a late own goal, while Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic three-nil with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice.
• Arsenal beat Watford away, and the table after twenty rounds placed Manchester United first, Chelsea second, Liverpool third, and Arsenal fourth.

Manchester United beat Reading 3–1 as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, completing three consecutive braces and intensifying the Premier League star rivalry with Yang Yang. Liverpool stayed second after beating Tottenham, and the chapter leaves Liverpool tied 0–0 with Bolton at halftime on New Year’s Day.

• Before the Reading match, Coppell praised Cristiano Ronaldo, while Cantona urged him to attack and seize scoring chances.
• In the thirty-third minute, Ronaldo crossed for Solskjær to head Manchester United ahead, but Reading equalized from a set piece less than five minutes later.
• In the fifty-eighth minute, Giggs and Rooney set up Solskjær, whose shot rebounded off the post for Ronaldo to tap in and restore Manchester United’s lead.
• In the seventy-seventh minute, Giggs crossed for Ronaldo to volley home his second goal, sealing Manchester United’s 3–1 win over Reading.
• Yang Yang assisted Luis Garcia’s goal as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 1–0; after twenty-one rounds, Manchester United led the league, with Liverpool second and Chelsea third.
• On New Year’s Day, Liverpool hosted Bolton in the twenty-second round, and the match remained 0–0 at halftime.

Liverpool struggled to break a 0–0 deadlock against Bolton before Benitez brought Yang Yang on in the sixtieth minute. Yang Yang attempted a bicycle kick from Pennant’s cross, leaving the outcome of the shot unclear.

• Liverpool dominated the first half against Bolton but relied on crosses, and the teams went into halftime at 0–0.
• Benitez told Yang Yang to watch Bolton’s back line, then sent him on for Luis Garcia in the sixtieth minute.
• Yang Yang studied Liverpool’s attack as Pennant prepared to cross from the right, while Crouch and Kuyt drew defenders away.
• Pennant’s curving cross sailed past Yang Yang, who turned and launched himself into a bicycle kick.
• Yang Yang struck the ball cleanly but focused on landing safely and did not see whether the shot went in.

Yang Yang came on as a substitute and transformed Liverpool’s match against Bolton with a spectacular bicycle kick and an assist in a 3–0 win. After the twenty-second round, he recognized that Chelsea and Arsenal had fallen out of the title race as the congested fixture period gave way to four competitions.

• Yang Yang scored a bicycle kick against Bolton and celebrated by pointing toward Su Ye in the stands.
• Yang Yang broke past two defenders and crossed for Kuyt to score Liverpool’s second goal.
• Gerrard scored a volley in the eighty-third minute to seal Liverpool’s 3–0 victory over Bolton.
• Manchester United drew 2–2 with Newcastle, Chelsea drew 0–0 with Aston Villa, and Arsenal beat Charlton 4–0.
• The league standings after twenty-two rounds placed Manchester United first, Liverpool second, Chelsea third, and Arsenal fourth, while Yang Yang concluded that Chelsea and Arsenal were no longer serious title contenders.

Yang Yang worried about Su Ye’s future under the public label of being his girlfriend, but she vowed to prove herself and accepted his support. After Su Ye returned to China, she learned that Yang Yang had arranged a talent agency for them to share and that major brand and film opportunities were already coming her way.

• Yang Yang reassured Su Ye that he would support her, and they said an emotional goodbye at Heathrow as Winston Bogarde prepared to return to China with her.
• Winston Bogarde explained that he was leaving Liverpool after Francisco de Miguel joined the club, though he would remain a consultant and had helped prepare Yang Yang’s training plan.
• Wei Zheng and Shen Yuzhu met Su Ye and Winston Bogarde in Beijing, and Su Ye called Yang Yang to tell him she had arrived safely.
• Shen Yuzhu gave Su Ye documents for Yang Yang’s Chinese company, which planned to represent them both; Su Ye agreed to sign an agency contract but refused the shares Yang Yang offered her.
• Wei Zheng told Su Ye that Armani wanted her as its Chinese women’s fashion ambassador and that she had been cast in The Warlords and Red Cliff, advanced in auditions for The Forbidden Kingdom, and received other film offers.

Liverpool sacrificed two cup competitions to preserve their strength for the league and Champions League, while Yang Yang won the Premier League Player of the Month award and Mascherano joined on loan pending FIFA approval. Liverpool then beat Watford 3–0 before preparing to face Chelsea at Anfield.

• Liverpool rested their first-team regulars against Arsenal and lost both cup matches, leaving them free to focus on the league and Champions League.
• The Premier League named Allardyce December's Head Coach of the Month and awarded Yang Yang Player of the Month for his six goals and seven assists.
• Liverpool agreed to sign Javier Mascherano on loan from West Ham United and asked FIFA for an exception allowing him to play; Mascherano joined training while the club awaited a decision.
• Yang Yang met Mascherano at Melwood and quickly noticed his running, fighting spirit, and ability on the ball.
• Yang Yang scored once and assisted Crouch twice as Liverpool defeated Watford 3–0 away.
• Liverpool returned to Anfield a week later to face Chelsea.

Liverpool beat an injury-hit Chelsea 3–0, then kept pace with Manchester United through wins over West Ham United and Everton before losing to Newcastle. Yang Yang earned January’s Player of the Month award, and Liverpool headed to Portugal to prepare for their clash at Camp Nou.

• Liverpool exploited Chelsea’s weakened defense with direct aerial attacks, and Yang Yang, Crouch, and Kuyt scored in a 3–0 victory.
• Arsenal beat Manchester United 2–1, leaving Liverpool and United level on 54 points, though United stayed ahead on goal difference.
• Liverpool beat West Ham United 2–1, and FIFA and The FA approved Mascherano’s loan while Liverpool signed Arbeloa for £2.5 million.
• Yang Yang came off the bench and scored the winner as Liverpool defeated Everton 1–0 in the Merseyside Derby.
• Yang Yang scored his twentieth league goal against Newcastle, but Liverpool lost 2–1 and saw their six-match winning streak end.
• Yang Yang and Benitez received the Premier League’s January monthly awards, and Liverpool traveled to Portugal to prepare for the Camp Nou clash.

Messi reflected on Barcelona’s crumbling dressing room and faced Rijkaard’s warning that he would have to lead the team. Meanwhile, Liverpool prepared in Portugal for their Champions League match against Barcelona, with Benitez targeting a result that would preserve their chances at Anfield.

• Messi saw the neglected five-a-side pitch and remembered how Ronaldinho had once supported him as Barcelona’s dressing room divided after Ten Cate left.
• Rijkaard told Messi that Barcelona’s future depended on him and that he would have to become stronger because no one could shelter him anymore.
• Liverpool arrived at a disappointing Algarve resort to prepare for the match, while Yang Yang struggled with the poor internet connection he needed to contact Su Ye.
• Benitez said Liverpool wanted a draw at Camp Nou, but that even a narrow defeat would leave them hope for the return match at Anfield.
• Mohamed Sissoko returned to training, and Benitez planned detailed preparations aimed at Barcelona, especially Messi.