Utrecht Times World Cup Special—Tom: 5 goals and 3 assists in 3 group-stage matches. For the first time in history, the China national team had advanced to the knockout stage as group leaders!
Congratulations from major newspapers and friends had kept Tang Ye's phone vibrating nonstop. It had been going on for nearly a full day now.
"They're very surprised by our result."
Escribá had noticed it. The "they" in the Spaniard's words naturally referred to Tang Ye's WhatsApp friends.
"Haha, honestly, I'm pretty surprised too."
Tang Ye held his phone, replying to friends' messages while chatting with Escribá.
"Didn't you say before that you thought we could beat Argentina? So you didn't expect to qualify as group winners?"
Escribá narrowed his eyes. Even now, he still could not figure out how Tang Ye had made that prediction before the group stage began.
"I thought we'd finish second in the group."
Tang Ye spread his hands. "Argentina and Germany were both tough opponents. Wales too. How could I look at that group and think we'd finish first?"
"I'm not that arrogant."
"Haha!"
"Okay, okay."
Escribá was about to leave when something occurred to him. He fixed his eyes on Tang Ye's phone. "Who are all those people congratulating you?"
"..."
Tang Ye vaguely sensed danger and hurriedly slipped his phone into his pocket.
Even after putting his other hand in his pocket, he did not take it back out, continuing to shield his phone instead. "Uh... just some teammates from my clubs, former clubs, you know, Bruno from Villarreal and the others. And... Erik hasn't messaged me yet. He might be busy with something."
Escribá nodded lightly before walking away.
Only after confirming that the coach had gone far enough did Tang Ye take out his phone again.
[Mr. Erik: