Chapter Summaries

Fernando Roig discovered that Tang Ye had been named to the Golden Boy shortlist and decided Villarreal should pursue a permanent transfer after his loan. Tang Ye started against Espanyol, helped create Haller’s opening goal with a decoy run, and later contributed to a defensive recovery as Villarreal led 1–0.

• Fernando Roig learned Tang Ye was 37th on the Golden Boy shortlist and told Escribá to seek a purchase option in Tang Ye’s loan deal with Utrecht.
• Escribá explained that Tang Ye wore number 99 as a youth-team player, giving Villarreal an extra first-team roster slot.
• Mati announced the lineup for the match against Espanyol, with Tang Ye and Rodri starting.
• Tang Ye’s run into the box drew defenders away, allowing Haller to score and put Villarreal ahead 1–0 in the 14th minute.
• Moreno beat Tang Ye on the flank in the 29th minute, but Tang Ye tracked back and helped Villarreal clear Espanyol’s cross.
• Bruno called for a counterattack after Villarreal recovered possession.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal beat Espanyol 3-0, assisting Bruno twice as the team extended its lead in La Liga. After the match, Tang Ye reached an overall rating of 79 and moved closer to earning an Advanced Club Template.

• Tang Ye's long-range shot was saved, but he later set up Bruno from a corner when his pass deflected into the striker's path for Villarreal's second goal.
• Escribá instructed Tang Ye to defend the lead after Rodri was substituted, and Villarreal held firm against Espanyol's pressure.
• Tang Ye delivered a set-piece assist for Bruno's second goal, making the score 3-0 and securing Villarreal's win.
• Tang Ye learned he had six league assists and also reminded his teammates that he had three goals and one assist in the Europa League.
• Tang Ye checked his attributes at home and found his overall rating had risen to 79, with five more goal contributions needed to reach his next template reward.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal overwhelm Celta, scoring once and assisting Bakambu while his team built a 3–0 lead. After Haller was injured and substituted, Tang Ye created another chance for Sansone and Pato late in the match.

• Tang Ye befriended Ousmane Dembélé and carried him to Gold rank in League of Legends during seven straight wins.
• Tang Ye improved his De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross skill, raising his passing attribute to 87.
• Tang Ye assisted Bakambu for Villarreal’s opening goal against Celta in the eighth minute.
• Tang Ye helped build Villarreal’s second goal through quick passes among Pato, Haller, Bakambu, and himself.
• Tang Ye scored Villarreal’s third goal just before halftime and chose to stay on for the second half.
• After Gómez was sent off and Haller was injured, Tang Ye set up a late chance for Sansone and Pato with a long cross.

Villarreal thrashed ten-man Celta 5-0 as Tang Ye assisted three goals, prompting Escribá to worry about his loan contract and defend the deal to reporters. With Ajax next, Escribá asked Tang Ye and Haller to explain how Utrecht had beaten them, but neither provided a useful tactical answer.

• Pato scored his second goal to put Villarreal 4-0 ahead, and Escribá considered how the club could secure Tang Ye permanently.
• Tang Ye helped Rodri and Gaspar create the fifth goal, completing his La Liga assist hat-trick as Villarreal won 5-0.
• Tang Ye celebrated with his MVP trophy and sang with Rodri and the other players in the locker room.
• Escribá admitted he had failed to secure a purchase clause for Tang Ye, then defended the signing and said Tang Ye would start against Ajax if fit.
• Escribá asked Tang Ye to teach the squad about Ajax, but Tang Ye admitted he could not remember their tactics, so Haller described Ajax's pressing instead.
• Haller said Utrecht had beaten Ajax after he received a pass and scored, leaving Escribá frustrated that neither player could explain the victory in tactical terms.

Villarreal faced Ajax in a Europa League group match, with Tang Ye at the center of a public narrative linking him to Ajax’s past defeats. Ajax took a first-half lead while Villarreal missed several chances, leaving Escribá struggling to find a way back into the match.

• Mati told Escribá that Ajax manager Peter Bosz had been sacked by Vitesse after Tang Ye’s Utrecht side beat them.
• Tang Ye nutmegged Lasse Schöne and set up a chance for Pato, whose header went over the bar.
• Younes scored for Ajax after Traoré and Kasper Dolberg helped create an unmarked shooting chance.
• Tang Ye sent a pass into Sansone’s path, but André Onana saved Sansone’s shot.
• Kasper Dolberg had a goal ruled out for offside, and Ajax kept attacking as Villarreal trailed 1–0 near halftime.
• Escribá urged Villarreal to attack, but Ajax continued to threaten and Ruiz blocked Ziyech’s late long-range shot.

Villarreal overturned Ajax’s 1–0 lead after Tang Ye assisted two goals, winning 2–1. Tang Ye nearly added a third before the final whistle ended the match.

• At halftime, Escribá told Villarreal’s players to support their defenders and forwards by dropping back and using the flanks, while Tang Ye prepared to cover both roles.
• Ajax dominated the early second half, but Escribá studied Utrecht’s past matches against Ajax from the bench as Villarreal’s possession fell.
• In the 69th minute, Tang Ye sent in a cross that Matthijs de Ligt accidentally turned into his own net, bringing Villarreal level at 1–1.
• Tang Ye combined with Bruno to create another chance, and Pato scored to put Villarreal ahead 2–1.
• Tang Ye helped Villarreal defend Ajax’s late attack, then struck the crossbar with a far-corner attempt before the final whistle confirmed the win.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal beat Ajax, then held off opening an advanced chest while he worked toward the Europa League knockout-stage mission. As Villarreal prepared to build around him, he began their match against Eibar with a curling pass that set up Pato for a header.

• Tang Ye received the MVP trophy after Villarreal beat Ajax 2-1, with two assists, and Escribá defended his quiet second half by saying he had given his instructions at halftime.
• Tang Ye claimed an advanced club chest but chose to save it until Villarreal qualified for the Europa League knockouts and he could upgrade it with the mission reward.
• Tang Ye regretted missing a late chance in Villarreal's 2-2 draw with Las Palmas and continued training his Far-Corner Curl and other skills.
• Escribá and Mati recognized that Villarreal depended on Tang Ye and discussed spending up to 40 million euros to buy him from Utrecht and build the team around him.
• Tang Ye started against Eibar and curled a pass into the box for Pato to head toward goal.

Villarreal defeated Eibar 3–2 to extend their unbeaten league run to ten matches, with Tang Ye contributing an assist and two pre-assists. After the match, news broke that Erik ten Hag had been sentenced to three years and two months in prison over his illegal extra training of the underage Tang Ye, though his lawyers appealed.

• Rodri scored from the rebound after Riesgo parried Pato’s header, giving Villarreal the lead before Fran Rico equalized for Eibar.
• Tang Ye fooled Eibar’s defense with a lofted pass, setting up Sansone to restore Villarreal’s lead before halftime.
• Ramis equalized for Eibar in the second half, but Tang Ye launched a long through ball for Sansone, whose cross Bakambu turned into the winning goal.
• Villarreal held on to win 3–2 away, and Escribá substituted Tang Ye off after the 85th minute as the team secured its eighth win and remained unbeaten after ten matches.
• News reports said a court had sentenced Erik ten Hag to three years and two months in prison for making underage Tang Ye undergo extra training, while his defense appealed and Dutch clubs and fans reacted.

Tang Ye raised his far-corner curl skill to Lv. 4, improving his shooting and set-piece attributes before Villarreal faced Inter Milan. He scored an early goal to put Villarreal ahead, while Inter Milan began probing through the middle.

• Tang Ye checked Erik ten Hag’s prison rumors, received a reassuring message, and kept an incriminating photograph stored in his drawer.
• Tang Ye trained his far-corner curl until it reached Lv. 4, raising his shooting from 73 to 75 and his set pieces from 73 to 74.
• Tang Ye joined Villarreal against Inter Milan at El Madrigal, where the home fans chanted his name.
• Tang Ye helped move the ball from the right flank to the left, and Bakambu laid off the cleared cross for him to attack.
• Tang Ye curled a shot past Carrizo in the 23rd minute to give Villarreal a 1–0 lead.
• Inter Milan held more possession and began pushing through the middle as Tang Ye failed to stop Ansaldi’s advance.

Tang Ye scored twice and assisted Sansone as Villarreal defeated Inter Milan 3–1, securing a place in the Europa League knockout stage with two matches to spare. The chapter ended with Tang Ye receiving the Money-Saving Jar and rushing to attend his MVP ceremony.

• Miangue headed Inter Milan level at 1–1, and Sansone missed a late first-half chance to restore Villarreal’s lead.
• At halftime, Escribá instructed Villarreal to press Inter Milan more aggressively, while de Boer brought Perišić on after the break.
• Tang Ye sent a lofted pass into the box for Sansone to head Villarreal into a 2–1 lead.
• Tang Ye scored his second goal from Haller’s layoff, making it 3–1 and earning a large reward of Reversal Points.
• Villarreal held onto the lead and advanced to the Europa League knockout stage; Tang Ye received the Money-Saving Jar and hurried to his MVP ceremony.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal qualify early for the Europa League knockout stage, then discovered that his Money-Saving Jar could upgrade a treasure chest by winning a La Liga match. Escribá persuaded chairman Fernando Roig to pursue Tang Ye’s permanent transfer, and the chapter ended with Tang Ye announced as the 2016 European Golden Boy.

• Tang Ye earned his third Europa League MVP award after Villarreal completed a double over Inter Milan and secured early qualification for the knockout stage.
• Tang Ye placed a Random Club Advanced Treasure Chest in the Money-Saving Jar, which offered to upgrade it if Villarreal won their next La Liga match.
• Escribá warned Roig that Villarreal’s tactics and forwards had become dependent on Tang Ye, so the club needed to buy him from Utrecht.
• Escribá showed Roig Tang Ye’s leading Europa League statistics and promised a Europa League semifinal and a top-three La Liga finish if Villarreal signed him.
• Roig agreed to pursue the buyout, accepting a fee up to 50 million euros while hoping to negotiate a lower price.
• Tuttosport announced that Tang Ye had won the 2016 European Golden Boy award.

Tang Ye woke to discover he had won the 2016 European Golden Boy award, drawing congratulations and new obligations while the system fined him for supposedly cheating his age. Villarreal prepared to buy him, but Utrecht rejected a €55 million offer and declared him not for sale, leaving Tang Ye’s future uncertain as he prepared for his next match and the awards ceremony.

• Tang Ye learned from his teammates’ messages that he had won the Golden Boy award, and Boer told him to post about it and travel to Monaco for the ceremony.
• The system deducted 20 Comeback Points, and Tang Ye exchanged messages with Erik ten Hag about possibly meeting Manchester United in the knockout stage.
• Bruno asked Tang Ye about his contract, and Tang Ye confirmed Villarreal had no purchase option and that earlier negotiations with Utrecht had failed.
• Escribá told Mati that Villarreal was willing to spend nearly €60 million to buy Tang Ye, but Utrecht rejected the club’s €55 million bid and declared him not for sale.
• Utrecht shareholder Weilhof praised Tang Ye as a core player and discussed Erik ten Hag’s contributions, while Barcelona reportedly offered €60 million for Tang Ye.
• A Bilibili creator posted another video mocking Tang Ye’s play, and news outlets previewed Villarreal’s match against Real Betis before Tang Ye’s trip to Monaco.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal defeat Real Betis 3–0, providing an assist that fulfilled his chest-upgrade mission. He was substituted late, and the system upgraded his Random Club Chest from Advanced to Superstar.

• Tang Ye’s free kick led to Ruiz’s header and Bruno’s opening goal, giving Villarreal a 1–0 lead.
• Tang Ye set up Sansone with a through ball, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
• Tang Ye anticipated Sanabria’s pass to Joaquín and slid in to win the ball, helping Villarreal launch a counterattack that ended with Haller scoring.
• Tang Ye persuaded Escribá to let Villarreal keep attacking, then feinted past Mandi and assisted Bruno’s goal to make it 3–0.
• Escribá substituted Tang Ye, and Villarreal finished the match with their ninth league victory of the season.
• The system settled Tang Ye’s investment returns and upgraded his Random Club Chest from Advanced to Superstar.

After Villarreal’s victory, Escribá defended his tactical decisions in a press conference, while Tang Ye received Antony’s Ultimate Spin template from a treasure chest. Tang Ye then traveled to Monaco for the Golden Boy ceremony, where he reunited with Ousmane Dembélé and met Marcus Rashford.

• Escribá explained that he had planned for Villarreal to attack if they gained a two-goal lead, easing reporters’ questions about Tang Ye changing the team’s tactics.
• Villarreal’s 29 points placed them third in La Liga, while a post-match interview helped reverse fans’ criticism of Escribá.
• Tang Ye opened a Superstar treasure chest and received Antony’s Ultimate Spin template, raising his ball control, speed, and defense by one point each.
• Tang Ye traveled to Monaco with Boer to attend the Golden Boy ceremony, where Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola approached him.
• Tang Ye reunited with Ousmane Dembélé at the ceremony, and they agreed to play a football game together afterward.
• Marcus Rashford greeted Tang Ye, who asked whether Erik had ever banned him from entering the cafeteria.

Tang Ye won the 2016 Golden Boy award, becoming the youngest winner in football history, and the ceremony’s aftermath drew widespread attention. After spending time with Ousmane Dembélé in Monaco, Tang Ye returned to Spain and wondered when his overall rating would reach 80.

• Tang Ye and Ousmane Dembélé watched the Golden Boy rankings, with Dembélé placing fifth before Tang Ye was announced as the winner.
• Tang Ye stumbled on the way to the stage, then accepted the trophy from Raúl González and posed for photographs.
• Niels Boer told reporters that Tang Ye had been valued at zero when he signed him, revealing that Tang Ye had played less than five minutes in a season at Utrecht.
• Tuttosport published the final scores, with Tang Ye beating Renato Sanches by more than sixteen points and setting the record as the youngest Golden Boy winner.
• Tang Ye spent three days playing games with Dembélé, then flew back to Spain with Boer after saying goodbye at the airport.
• Tang Ye checked his system on the plane and saw that his overall rating was 79.

Villarreal faced Athletic Bilbao in Tang Ye’s first match after winning the Golden Boy award, amid news that his loan contract had triggered an extra €3 million payment to Utrecht. Tang Ye assisted Haller from a free kick, but Athletic Bilbao equalized just before halftime.

• Reports revealed that Tang Ye’s Golden Boy award triggered a €3 million increase in his loan fee, and Erik ten Hag admitted he knew about the contract clause.
• Escribá regretted that Villarreal had missed its chance to secure Tang Ye and chose a 4-3-3 formation rather than building the team around him as its tactical core.
• Tang Ye struggled with fatigue and his deeper role, but he beat pressure from Rico and Vesga before Rico pulled him down for a yellow-card foul.
• Tang Ye took the resulting free kick and curled it toward Haller, who headed Villarreal into the lead.
• Willems cut inside and crossed for Aduriz, who scored in the 42nd minute to equalize for Athletic Bilbao.

Villarreal lost 2–1 away to Athletic Bilbao after Aduriz scored twice, despite Tang Ye assisting from a set piece. Escribá realized his tactical decision to push Tang Ye out of his central role had been disastrous and prepared to face the press.

• Athletic Bilbao equalized before halftime, and Escribá kept Villarreal’s 4-3-3 despite Tang Ye hoping for a tactical change.
• Rodri launched a counterattack in the second half, but Bakambu failed to finish after Kepa blocked his shot.
• Aduriz scored his second goal in the 66th minute to give Athletic Bilbao a 2–1 lead.
• Escribá moved Tang Ye forward into an attacking midfield role, and Tang Ye created a promising chance, but Haller headed wide.
• Athletic Bilbao held on for the 2–1 win, Villarreal’s first defeat of the season, and Haller blamed himself before Bruno reminded him the loss belonged to the team.
• Escribá regretted keeping Tang Ye from a central role and prepared to face reporters after the match.

After Villarreal’s first league defeat, Escribá faced criticism and reconsidered his tactics while Tang Ye tested Antony’s spinning move in training and was told not to use it in matches. Villarreal then hosted Ajax in a crucial Europa League group match, which began with both teams seeking first place in Group L.

• Escribá admitted Villarreal had played poorly after losing to Athletic Bilbao, and the team remained third in La Liga after twelve rounds.
• Escribá read fans’ criticism online and debated whether Villarreal should keep relying on Tang Ye as its attacking core.
• Tang Ye used Antony’s Ultimate Spin in training to score past Asenjo, but Escribá warned him not to spin during official matches.
• Villarreal prepared to face Ajax, with a win securing first place in Group L and a poor result potentially eliminating Inter Milan.
• Villarreal and Ajax began their fifth Europa League group match at El Madrigal, with Ajax lining up in a 4-3-3 under Peter Bosz.

Ajax took a first-half lead over Villarreal through Kasper Dolberg, while Peter Bosz’s tactics restricted Tang Ye and Rodri. Escribá moved Tang Ye to the right wing at halftime, and as Ajax continued to attack, Escribá stayed calm despite Villarreal’s possession falling to 43%.

• Ajax started quickly, and Kasper Dolberg’s shot was saved after Younes drove into the box.
• Tang Ye switched to the right during a Villarreal attack and spun three times before passing to Bruno, while Bosz adjusted Ajax to press Tang Ye and Rodri.
• Younes set up Bertrand Traoré, whose header bounced into Kasper Dolberg’s path for Ajax’s opening goal.
• At halftime, Escribá told Tang Ye to play wide on the right and warned him not to spin recklessly.
• Tang Ye became active on the right wing in the second half as Ajax kept attacking, and Traoré struck the crossbar in the 54th minute.
• Bosz saw Villarreal’s possession fall to 43 percent and wondered why Escribá was still smiling.

Tang Ye helped Villarreal overturn Ajax’s lead with a penalty-winning cross and a spinning assist, securing a 2–1 victory and first place in Group L. After the match, the team celebrated Tang Ye’s MVP award while Escribá claimed credit for developing his spinning technique at the press conference.

• Ajax brought on Van de Beek for Lasse Schöne, and Villarreal equalized when Tang Ye’s cross won a penalty that Bruno converted.
• Tang Ye spun past Van de Beek and curled a through ball to Haller, who scored to put Villarreal ahead 2–1.
• Villarreal held off Ajax’s late attack and finished with five straight wins to secure top spot in Group L and qualification for the knockout stage.
• Tang Ye celebrated with his teammates and received the match MVP trophy, his fourth of the campaign.
• At the press conference, Escribá said he had introduced a training drill that helped Tang Ye develop his spinning technique.