Chapter Summaries

After Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick on his Ligue 1 debut for Auxerre, footage of his performance spread across Chinese-language forums and drew the attention of football analysts and media. As interest in him grew, Zhang Kuang received messages from supporters and replied to his former coach Wu Guohua.

• A Jie watched Zhang Kuang score three different goals against Boulogne and posted footage of the hat trick on Chinese forums.
• Red Devils Old Chen researched Zhang Kuang’s background and published a forum post about his debut, which spread widely online.
• Lin Zhiwei reviewed Zhang Kuang’s sparse playing records and told his boss that the striker could become one of the summer transfer window’s most sought-after players.
• Zhang Kuang received interview requests from Chinese and French media, and Jonathan advised him to wait before giving interviews.
• Zhang Kuang thanked Wu Guohua for watching the match, and Wu Guohua told him to keep training while promising to visit him in France after retiring.

After Zhang Kuang’s debut hat trick made him a sensation in China and Europe, his outspoken Golden Boot ambition and account of his expulsion reignited controversy back home. He registered a Weibo account and posted a response, leaving the dispute poised to escalate.

• Football Home’s servers crashed under a surge of interest in Zhang Kuang’s debut hat trick, and Old Hand shared details of Zhang Kuang’s difficult past.
• Jonathan Leblanc told Zhang Kuang that sports media across Europe were showing his goals, and Zhang Kuang saw the attention his performance had drawn online.
• Zhang Kuang’s post-match interview spread, drawing reactions to his promise to win the Golden Boot and Ligue 1 title.
• Chinese netizens argued over Zhang Kuang’s account of the U20 incident, while Wu Guohua warned him that the relevant association had issued a new notice.
• Zhang Kuang told Wu Guohua he would not return to the national team and registered a Weibo account to publish a post tagging news outlets.

After publicly denouncing the Football Association and ruling out a return to Chinese football, Zhang Kuang improved his shooting skills before Auxerre’s match against Nice. Nice’s midfielders tried to provoke him, but Zhang Kuang retaliated and used a racist-abuse complaint to force Digard to apologize.

• Zhang Kuang posted an account of his National Youth Team experiences on Weibo, said he had never fabricated or smeared anything, and vowed never to return to China to play football.
• After Sina confirmed his identity, Zhang Kuang completed real-name verification, drawing furious reactions from Football Association personnel and media attention he refused to entertain.
• On the team bus to Nice, Zhang Kuang spent 177 Qi and Blood Points to raise several shooting skills, bringing his overall striker rating to 85.45.
• Nice’s Digard and Fofana marked Zhang Kuang closely and used covert physical tricks against him during the match.
• Zhang Kuang jabbed Digard, then accused him of racist abuse when Digard fell; the referee warned Digard and made him apologize.
• Zhang Kuang hugged Digard and secretly pinched his waist, warning him to endure the pain.

Zhang Kuang scored from over thirty meters to give Auxerre a 1-0 lead over Nice, then continued to threaten with a header and a corner. Nice struggled to contain him as the first half ended with Auxerre ahead.

• Fofana confronted Zhang Kuang, who secretly hurt him during their tussle, while Digard refused to back Fofana's complaint.
• Pedretti passed to Zhang Kuang, who turned past Fofana and scored with a powerful long-range shot to put Auxerre 1-0 ahead.
• Nice coach Ollé Nicolle urged his players to deny Zhang Kuang space, but he continued to evade their marking.
• Zhang Kuang met Birsa's cross with a header that Ramé saved, then headed Birsa's corner over the bar under pressure from Mbiwa and Oye.
• Nice marked Zhang Kuang closely, and the first half ended with Auxerre leading 1-0.

Zhang Kuang scored twice against Nice as Auxerre extended their lead to 2-0, bringing his tally to five goals in two matches. Fernandez substituted him in the 76th minute.

• At halftime, Fernandez told Zhang Kuang to stay higher and shoot quickly, while Nice coach Nicolle ordered his team to cut off passes to him.
• Nice switched to a 4-5-1 formation, but Zhang Kuang received Oliech's pass in the 52nd minute and forced Ramé to make a save with a long-range shot.
• In the 58th minute, Zhang Kuang controlled Pedretti's long ball and set up Jelen, whose shot Ramé saved.
• At a 64th-minute corner, Zhang Kuang's header beat the goalkeeper but was blocked on the goal line by Renato.
• In the 67th minute, Zhang Kuang dribbled past Mbiwa and chipped the advancing Ramé to score Auxerre's second goal and complete his brace.
• Fernandez replaced Zhang Kuang with Daniel Niculae in the 76th minute.

Zhang Kuang scored twice before being substituted as Auxerre beat Nice 3-0, and he earned his second consecutive match MVP award. After the match, he discussed his ambitions with reporter Marina Durand and arranged to meet her that night.

• Zhang Kuang came off to applause after scoring twice, while commentators praised his impact and predicted that major clubs might target him.
• After Zhang Kuang's substitution, Nice pushed forward, and Jelen scored on a counterattack to give Auxerre a 3-0 lead.
• Auxerre held on to defeat Nice 3-0, securing consecutive wins to open the second half of the season.
• Zhang Kuang was named match MVP, bringing his Qi and Blood Point savings to 92, and told Marina Durand he hoped to pursue the Golden Boot and a title.
• Marina Durand invited Zhang Kuang for a drink, and he agreed to meet her that night.

After Auxerre’s second emphatic win in a row, Zhang Kuang celebrated with his teammates and received a message from reporter Marina Durand inviting him to meet. He spent the night and following morning with Marina, who postponed the business conversation she had intended to have, and then returned to Auxerre.

• Zhang Kuang and Jelen celebrated Auxerre’s victory, and Jelen thanked him for creating space that helped him score.
• Grichting filmed the dressing-room celebration and praised Zhang Kuang for scoring five goals in two matches.
• Zhang Kuang received a message from Marina Durand, asked the team manager for leave, and went to her suite at Le Negresco.
• Zhang Kuang and Marina spent the night together, and Marina fell asleep after telling him she had wanted to discuss business.
• After another morning together, Marina said she would call later about business, and Zhang Kuang left the hotel to return to Auxerre.

After Zhang Kuang scored five goals in two Ligue 1 matches, football communities across East and Southeast Asia discussed his performances and turbulent past. Fans celebrated and debated his status as a potential leading Asian forward, while the chapter left his national-team future unresolved.

• Zhang Kuang collected his belongings in Auxerre and drove back to Paris as news of his five goals spread across Asia.
• Hong Kong forum users praised Zhang Kuang's scoring and uncovered his history of expulsion, bereavement, a five-year ban, and solo move to France.
• Singapore fans discussed Zhang Kuang's physical strength and playing style, while rumors circulated that Johor DT had inquired about him.
• Bola.net published an article tracing Zhang Kuang's journey and declaring him a source of pride for Asia.
• Japanese and South Korean fans debated Zhang Kuang's achievements by comparing him with Park Chu-young and discussing Son Heung-min.
• Taiwanese fans praised Zhang Kuang's goals and physique and speculated about his nationality and future with the national team.

Zhang Kuang’s five goals sparked a surge of attention in China, while the arrest of two association officials led people to claim he had taken revenge. After learning the arrests had nothing to do with him, Zhang Kuang considered publicly denying the rumors and told his agent to discuss a documentary proposal with TF1 reporter Marina.

• Stories about Zhang Kuang’s background spread across Asia as his five goals in two matches made him a sensation in China.
• CCTV-5 announced it was negotiating to broadcast Auxerre’s upcoming matches, prompting excitement among Chinese fans.
• Chinese media reported that Xie Moumou and Yang Moumou were under investigation for suspected serious violations, and online commenters called the arrests Zhang Kuang’s revenge.
• Marina showed Zhang Kuang her proposal for a TF1 documentary following his half-season at Auxerre, and he said his agent would handle the negotiations.
• Jonathan told Zhang Kuang that people online blamed him for the arrests, and Zhang Kuang insisted he had never reported anyone.
• Zhang Kuang agreed to consider a statement refuting the rumors, referred Marina to Jonathan, and began writing a post on Sina Weibo.

After association officials were arrested, Zhang Kuang rejected claims that his posts had caused it and declared he would never return to the national team. As January 26 approached, he bonded with his teammates and dazzled women at a party, leaving the other footballers frustrated.

• Zhang Kuang read public speculation that his posts had led to association officials being arrested, then denied reporting them and warned rumor-spreaders about his legal team.
• Zhang Kuang said he would not return to the national team because he distrusted the association and believed it would remain corrupt.
• In the days before January 26, Zhang Kuang cultivated good relations with his Paris teammates, including by treating them to meals.
• Hengbart invited Zhang Kuang to an arts party, where Zhang Kuang charmed the women with his conversation and compliments.
• Four women wanted to go home with Zhang Kuang to see his cat do backflips, while Jérémy Toulalan and other players complained that Zhang had taken all the best prospects.

Zhang Kuang defended his chaotic private life to his agent and coach, promising that it would not hurt his performance. Fernandez kept him in the starting lineup for Auxerre’s France Cup match against Sedan, which began at Stade Abbé-Deschamps.

• Jonathan warned Zhang Kuang that his partying and sex life could damage his football career, but Zhang insisted it made him stronger.
• Zhang Kuang arrived at Auxerre’s training ground, where his teammates teased him about spending the night with four women.
• Fernandez confronted Zhang Kuang about the party, and Zhang promised he would accept being benched if his form declined.
• Fernandez said he would not interfere in Zhang Kuang’s private life but expected him to give everything on the pitch.
• Fernandez told Zhang Kuang he would start in Auxerre’s France Cup match against Sedan, and Zhang promised to score more goals.
• Auxerre hosted Sedan in the France Cup round of 32 as the broadcast introduced the match.

Zhang Kuang faced Sedan in the France Cup as Chinese broadcasters and fans focused on his first televised performance. He scored twice in the first half, leaving Auxerre 2-0 ahead.

• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang discussed Zhang Kuang’s scoring record, physical ability, finishing range, and confidence during the pre-match broadcast.
• Sedan assigned two holding midfielders to closely mark Zhang Kuang from the opening minutes.
• In the eleventh minute, Zhang Kuang escaped Kani’s pressure and scored from more than thirty meters out to put Auxerre ahead 1-0.
• In the twenty-ninth minute, Zhang Kuang held off two defenders, helped create a chance for Jelen, then collected the rebound and scored to make it 2-0.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang praised Zhang Kuang’s composed finish and individual ability.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted another goal as Auxerre defeated Sedan 4-0 in the France Cup. After the match, reporters praised his performance, CCTV-5 saw strong ratings, and a female reporter called to arrange a nighttime meeting with him.

• Fernandez told Zhang Kuang to drift wide in the second half to create space, and Zhang Kuang headed the ball down for Mignot to score Auxerre’s third goal.
• Zhang Kuang broke away from three defenders and volleyed in Oliech’s lofted pass, completing his hat trick and bringing his match total to three goals and an assist.
• Fernandez substituted Zhang Kuang and two other regulars, and Auxerre held on to win 4-0 as the crowd applauded Zhang Kuang.
• Landry Chauvin credited Zhang Kuang’s strength for Sedan’s defeat, while Fernandez called the striker’s performance normal; L'Équipe reported Fernandez’s remarks the next day.
• CCTV-5 celebrated the match’s high ratings, and a female reporter called Zhang Kuang to arrange a nighttime meeting at a hotel to discuss filming him.

Auxerre visited Saint-Étienne for Ligue 1’s 22nd round after Fernandez warned Zhang Kuang that he would be benched next match if he failed to score. As the match began, French commentators aired rumors about Zhang Kuang’s wild private life, while the broadcast focused on him and Saint-Étienne’s defense marked him tightly until the ball came his way.

• Fernandez named Zhang Kuang in the lineup, then warned him that he would be benched next match if he did not score.
• Auxerre’s fans sang Zhang Kuang’s name as the team took on Saint-Étienne at Keane Gérard Stadium.
• Jean-Christophe Bart and Christophe Dugarry discussed Zhang Kuang’s scoring prospects and broadcast a rumor about him leaving a party with four women.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang covered the match on CCTV-5 as the broadcast cameras repeatedly showed Zhang Kuang.
• After Saint-Étienne’s defenders marked Zhang Kuang tightly for a dozen minutes, the ball came his way.

Zhang Kuang scored twice in the first half against Saint-Étienne, giving Auxerre a 2-0 lead and strengthening Fernandez’s hopes of winning the title. The chapter left Zhang Kuang dominant as the teams approached halftime.

• Gonzalo Bergessio lost focus after a female fan flashed him, and Adama Coulibaly dispossessed him before passing to Pedretti.
• Pedretti passed to Zhang Kuang, who turned away from Matuidi and scored from nearly thirty meters out to put Auxerre ahead.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated his goal as Christophe Galtier berated Bergessio, while Fernandez grew more hopeful about Auxerre’s title chances.
• Birsa delivered a corner in the 39th minute, and Zhang Kuang powered through Saint-Étienne’s defenders to head the ball into the net for his second goal.

Auxerre entered halftime leading Saint-Étienne 2-0, and Zhang Kuang completed a hat trick early in the second half with a header from a corner. His extraordinary scoring and jumping ability left the commentators and viewers astonished as Auxerre maintained their lead.

• Saint-Étienne focused on cutting off passes to Zhang Kuang, while Jelen missed chances as Auxerre went into halftime ahead 2-0.
• Fernandez told Auxerre to contain Blaise Matuidi and Emmanuel Rivière, keep their first-half rhythm, and pass to Zhang Kuang.
• Christophe Galtier reprimanded Gonzalo Bergessio for losing focus before a shot, but Bergessio blamed a female fan in the stands.
• After the second half began, commentators discussed Zhang Kuang’s exceptional jumping ability as Saint-Étienne marked him with three defenders.
• Birsa sent a corner toward the near post, and Zhang Kuang headed it in to complete a hat trick.

Zhang Kuang scored his fourth goal against Saint-Étienne, making history and prompting commentators to warn that the humiliated defenders might retaliate. A vicious tackle sparked a fight, but the replay revealed that Zhang Kuang had also landed on Yoann Benalouane’s ankle, which appeared badly broken.

• Zhang Kuang celebrated his goal with a knee slide as Auxerre’s players and fans cheered.
• At the France 1 broadcast, Dugarry compared Zhang Kuang to an upgraded Drogba and praised his superstar potential.
• In the seventy-seventh minute, Zhang Kuang controlled Pedretti’s through ball, held off a defender, and scored his fourth goal to make it 4-0.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang celebrated Zhang Kuang’s record as the first Chinese player to score four goals in one match in Europe’s top five leagues.
• Dugarry warned that Saint-Étienne’s players might retaliate against Zhang Kuang, and Yoann Benalouane soon brought him down with a studs-up sliding tackle.
• Both players were stretchered off, and a replay showed Zhang Kuang’s foot landing on Yoann’s ankle, which appeared bent at a severe angle.

After Zhang Kuang was injured by Yoann’s malicious tackle, Auxerre substituted him and secured a 4-0 away win over Saint-Étienne. Zhang Kuang discussed his injury and private life in a post-match interview, leaving Chinese fans divided over his admission that he had spent the night with four women.

• Yoann was sent off for his tackle on Zhang Kuang, who received treatment and returned to the pitch before Auxerre substituted him with Yaya Sanogo.
• Auxerre defended its lead, and the match ended 4-0 after Zhang Kuang scored four goals; Kevin Mirallas exchanged shirts with him, and he received the match MVP award.
• In an interview with Marina Durand, Zhang Kuang said his ankle injury was minor and called Yoann’s injury accidental, while urging the France Football Federation to punish malicious play fairly.
• Marina asked Zhang Kuang about taking four women home after a party, and he said he was young, curious, and willing to bear the consequences of his choices.
• Chinese viewers watched the interview live, and some criticized Zhang Kuang as a womanizer while others envied him.

After Zhang Kuang scored four goals, his teammates celebrated and Fernandez defended both his performance and private life at the post-match press conference. The exchange ended with Fernandez confronting Christophe Galtier over Saint-Étienne's malicious tackle, leaving Galtier unable to respond.

• Grichting drenched Zhang Kuang with champagne, and Pedretti gave him the match ball signed by his teammates.
• Zhang Kuang found hundreds of messages on his phone, including unsolicited propositions and a supportive message from someone he did not recognize.
• Fernandez told reporters that Zhang Kuang's injury was mainly bruising and criticized Yoann's challenge as a criminal attempt to cripple him.
• Fernandez defended Zhang Kuang's private life, saying his training record and performances gave him no reason to interfere.
• Galtier regretted Yoann's tackle but argued that his loss of control was understandable and noted that Yoann would miss at least four weeks with torn ankle ligaments.
• When Galtier criticized Zhang Kuang's conduct, Fernandez retorted that his players did not make malicious tackles, and Galtier fell silent.

In the locker room, Zhang Kuang taught his teammates three ways to pick up women after Grichting reminded him of his promise. The players paid him with a bottle of Bordeaux and hoped he would hold another class.

• Grichting cornered Zhang Kuang in the locker room and demanded the promised lesson on picking up women.
• Mignot, Oliech, Jelen, and Hengbart joined Grichting as Zhang Kuang agreed to teach his teammates.
• Zhang Kuang explained how to identify women who might be receptive, make them feel appreciated, and use a push-pull approach.
• Grichting gave Zhang Kuang a bottle of Bordeaux as tuition, and Zhang Kuang hinted that he might teach another class.