Chapter Summaries

After Auxerre’s 4-0 win, Zhang Kuang faced a global media storm over his football and party life. As he read the coverage, The Sun reporter Jason Wilson flew to Paris to investigate him.

• Fernandez warned Auxerre’s players not to grow complacent after their winning streak, and the team headed back to Auxerre.
• Zhang Kuang switched on his backup phone, received a message from The Sun reporter Jason Wilson, and began reading reports about himself.
• International newspapers and online commenters debated Zhang Kuang’s talent, character, and private life.
• Jason Wilson and photographer Mark Thompson boarded a flight to Paris, and Jason told Mark that Zhang Kuang was drawing enormous attention.

Jason Wilson and Mark Thompson traveled to Paris to investigate why four women from its arts scene had spent a night with Zhang Kuang. Jason interviewed Camille Dupont, who said Zhang Kuang impressed the women through his knowledge and conversation before they chose to go with him; she described the night as unforgettable.

• Jason Wilson told Mark Thompson he wanted to learn why the four women had gone home with Zhang Kuang, then flew with him to Paris.
• Jason reviewed profiles of Camille Dupont, Héloïse Martin, Clara Lefèvre, and Manon Romain, then arranged an interview with Camille through her father, Philippe Dupont.
• Jason and Mark set up a hotel-suite interview, where Camille explained that Zhang Kuang had drawn her in by discussing her photography and Wong Kar-wai's films.
• Camille said Héloïse and Clara joined their conversation and Manon later approached them, and that the women left the party with Zhang Kuang to keep talking.
• Camille recounted that Zhang Kuang lured them to his home with a story about his cat doing backflips, and described their ensuing night together as unforgettable.
• Jason asked Camille to explain what had made the experience so memorable.

Jason and Mark interviewed the four women who had spent the night with Zhang Kuang, and Jason wrote an article describing the encounter with envy rather than condemning it. Back in Paris, Zhang Kuang learned that the three women from the France Study-Abroad Squad were unfazed by the scandal and heard Aïssa describe claims about animal-sex tourism in Denmark.

• Jason and Mark interviewed Héloïse Martin at her dance studio, where she praised Zhang Kuang’s charm and vigor.
• Jason interviewed Clara Lefèvre and Manon Romain, then compiled all four women’s accounts.
• Jason chose to write an envious commentary, checked the article, and emailed it to The Sun’s editor-in-chief for the next day’s paper.
• Zhang Kuang returned to Paris and spent time with Lina, Matilda, and Aïssa, who said they were unconcerned by his scandal.
• Lina suggested inviting more artistic women to a party, and Aïssa told Zhang Kuang that people in their group had gone to Denmark to try sex with animals.
• Zhang Kuang said he could not accept a partner sharing sex with an animal, and the three women laughed and said none of them would try it.

After The Sun published interviews with four French women who praised Zhang Kuang, the story went viral and Jonathan explained how the agency could turn the attention into commercial value. Zhang Kuang chose to cultivate a playboy image while prioritizing his football career, and he left interviews and endorsements for later in the season.

• Zhang Kuang read The Sun's report about the four women and went to meet Jonathan at the agency.
• The report spread worldwide, prompting heated online discussion and praise as well as criticism of Zhang Kuang.
• Jonathan outlined ways to respond to the publicity, and Zhang Kuang chose to build a playboy image to increase his commercial appeal.
• Zhang Kuang told Jonathan he would accept an exclusive interview after reaching the top of the scoring charts and postpone brand endorsements until season's end.

Reporters from around the world gathered outside Auxerre’s training ground after The Sun published an article about Zhang Kuang’s relationships with four women. When Zhang arrived, he answered their questions and challenged a reporter who accused him of crossing society’s moral line.

• Philippe Moreau found a large crowd of international reporters outside the training ground and alerted the security staff.
• Stéphane told Fernandez that The Sun’s report about Zhang had spread worldwide and that reporters wanted an interview.
• Fernandez told Stéphane to ask Zhang to deal with the reporters so they would not disrupt training.
• Zhang arrived in his Porsche, stopped when reporters blocked the road, and said The Sun’s report was basically accurate.
• When a reporter accused Zhang of challenging society’s moral bottom line, Zhang asked which moral line he had crossed and denied forcing anyone or breaking the law.

Zhang Kuang defended his relationships with four women during a press conference, then answered questions about his scoring and ambitions. As the media frenzy spread, Grenoble coach Mohammed Bazdarevic mocked him ahead of the match, and Fernandez promised Zhang would respond on the pitch.

• Zhang Kuang argued with reporters that his relationships were legal and did not violate club rules, challenging them to condemn other conduct they considered immoral.
• Zhang Kuang said the Golden Boot was his basic goal and that he wanted to help his team win the league through teamwork.
• Hengbart and Dennis Oliech praised Zhang Kuang for silencing the reporters, and Fernandez sent the squad to train.
• News outlets around the world published Zhang Kuang's comments, prompting widespread online reactions.
• Before Grenoble faced Auxerre, Mohammed Bazdarevic mocked Zhang Kuang and invoked Japan's past victories over China through Japan international Daisuke Matsui.
• Fernandez said Zhang Kuang would show Matsui what an Asian cannon was, and the coaches' exchange set off online arguments in China and Japan.

Auxerre faced bottom-placed Grenoble amid fierce debate over Zhang Kuang and Daisuke Matsui, and Zhang nearly scored early. Grenoble took the lead after Danijel Ljuboja beat the offside trap and Olivier Sorin failed to stop his shot.

• Chinese and Japanese fans argued over Zhang Kuang and Daisuke Matsui ahead of the match, while Grenoble manager Mohamed Bazdarevic’s remarks fueled the controversy.
• Auxerre and Grenoble kicked off at the Stade des Alpes, with Zhang Kuang partnering Jelen and Grenoble adopting a defensive formation.
• Zhang Kuang struck the crossbar with a powerful long-range shot in the fifth minute.
• Jacques Romao played a through ball in the eighth minute that sent Danijel Ljuboja past Auxerre’s defense.
• Ljuboja shot toward the near corner, and Olivier Sorin failed to save it, putting Grenoble ahead 1-0.

Auxerre fell two goals behind Grenoble after goalkeeper Sorin made errors, while Grenoble's five-man midfield shut down the team's attack. Zhang Kuang urged coach Fernandez to bypass midfield with long balls and wing play, and Auxerre began to adjust.

• Grenoble took the lead in the eighth minute when Ljuboja scored from distance after Sorin failed to save his shot.
• In the tenth minute, Sorin spilled Akrour's header into the goal, putting Auxerre two goals behind.
• Zhang Kuang recognized that Grenoble's midfield press had isolated Pedretti and N'Dinga and kept the ball from reaching the forwards.
• Zhang Kuang told Fernandez to use long balls to him and attack down the wings instead of building through midfield.
• Fernandez instructed the players to send the ball forward quickly, and Zhang Kuang signaled Pedretti to play long balls to him.

Auxerre fell behind Grenoble 3-1 despite Zhang Kuang’s spectacular forty-meter goal, as Grenoble shut down his team’s attacks and Daisuke Matsui scored again. With Auxerre struggling and the match slipping away, Zhang Kuang decided to spend his saved Qi and Blood Points to improve his dribbling.

• Grichting launched a long ball to Zhang Kuang, who set up Oliech before receiving the return pass and scoring from nearly forty meters to make it 2-1.
• Zhang Kuang urged his teammates to restart immediately, while Mohamed Bazdarevic ordered Grenoble to deny him shooting space wherever he was.
• Grenoble tightened their midfield press, restricting Auxerre’s long balls and wing attacks and limiting Zhang Kuang to two touches over fifteen minutes.
• Daisuke Matsui helped create an attack that ended with him scoring in the thirty-sixth minute, putting Grenoble ahead 3-1.
• Zhang Kuang opened the system panel and ordered it to put his 225 saved Qi and Blood Points into dribbling.

Zhang Kuang spent nearly all his Qi and Blood Points to upgrade his dribbling and buy an intermediate Stepovers skill, then scored a spectacular solo goal against Grenoble. Auxerre celebrated the goal as Grenoble's players and coach were left stunned.

• Zhang Kuang used 180 Qi and Blood Points to raise his dribbling subskills and spent another 40 on an intermediate Stepovers skill.
• Grichting passed to Zhang Kuang in Auxerre's half, and Zhang charged past Daisuke Matsui and Laurent Batlles before beating Flachez with a stepover and catching his own pass.
• Zhang Kuang dribbled nearly eighty meters, beat Grenoble's two defenders named David, and scored into the top-right corner.
• Grenoble's home crowd applauded Zhang Kuang's goal, while Mehmed was stunned and Fernandez knelt to thank God.
• Zhang Kuang cursed Fernandez for thanking God instead of him, then fled as teammates piled onto him and fans shouted obscene cheers.

Zhang Kuang inspired Auxerre’s comeback against Grenoble, scoring twice and nearly completing a hat trick before striking the post. In stoppage time, his clever pass set up Jelen to equalize, leaving the match tied 3-3 at halftime.

• Dugarry praised Zhang Kuang’s extraordinary solo goal and said his ability to carry Auxerre through adversity made him a player European giants should sign.
• Fernandez gave Zhang Kuang freedom to roam and ordered the rest of Auxerre to support him while tightening their defense.
• Zhang Kuang broke past Cesar and Jemmali, but his shot beat the goalkeeper only to rebound off the post.
• After Auxerre’s corner and sustained pressure, Pedretti sent a diagonal ball to Zhang Kuang, who flicked a pass over two defenders into the six-yard box.
• Jelen side-footed Zhang Kuang’s pass past the goalkeeper to make the score 3-3 in stoppage time.

Auxerre and Grenoble went into halftime tied 3-3 after Zhang Kuang scored twice and assisted Jelen’s equalizer. Both coaches set second-half plans focused on correcting their teams’ weaknesses and dealing with Zhang Kuang.

• Jelen equalized for Auxerre with an assist from Zhang Kuang, making the score 3-3.
• Auxerre fans chanted Zhang Kuang’s name as the teams left the pitch for halftime.
• Fernandez berated Auxerre for conceding three goals, praised Zhang Kuang, and assigned him a free attacking role while directing the others to defend.
• Mohamed Bazdarevic praised Grenoble’s first-half performance but told his players to defend Zhang Kuang more ruthlessly in the second half.
• Bazdarevic instructed Daisuke Matsui to push forward and seek attacking chances in Auxerre’s defensive gaps.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted twice as Auxerre rallied from behind to beat Grenoble 5-3. He was substituted to a standing ovation, and the match ended with Auxerre holding on to its lead.

• Zhang Kuang scored a diving header from a Pedretti assist to put Auxerre ahead 4-3 and complete his hat trick.
• Zhang Kuang set up Roy Contout’s goal with a cross, extending Auxerre’s lead to 5-3 and bringing his total to three goals and two assists.
• Fernandez substituted Zhang Kuang and Dennis Oliech, and Auxerre’s supporters applauded Zhang Kuang as he left the pitch.
• Grenoble attacked after Zhang Kuang came off, but Auxerre defended its lead until the referee ended the match with a 5-3 score.

Zhang Kuang led Auxerre to a comeback win over Grenoble with a hat trick and two assists, earning Daisuke Matsui’s respect and his fourth straight match MVP award. After the match, Zhang discussed the game in a TF1 interview, and Marina Durand hinted at arranging a more intimate follow-up.

• Zhang Kuang celebrated Auxerre’s win as Daisuke Matsui approached and exchanged shirts with him, bowing deeply and praising him as Asia’s pride.
• Chinese and Japanese fans reacted online to Matsui’s bow and Zhang’s five goal contributions.
• Zhang thanked the away supporters, received his fourth consecutive MVP award, and signed the match ball with his teammates.
• Marina Durand interviewed Zhang, who said he had stepped up when Auxerre struggled and criticized the team’s mental fatigue while praising Grenoble’s performance.
• Marina asked Zhang to meet for a more in-depth interview, and he agreed while teasing her about new ways to play.

After Auxerre’s comeback victory over Grenoble, both coaches discussed Zhang Kuang’s decisive performance at the press conference. That evening, Zhang Kuang met Marina at a hotel and discovered she had arranged for three other reporters to join them.

• Mohamed Bazdarevic said Grenoble’s tactics had worked but Zhang Kuang’s world-class performance had decided the match.
• Fernandez called Zhang Kuang’s display his usual level and praised Auxerre’s team effort.
• Zhang Kuang arrived at Marina’s hotel suite, where she told him she had brought three reinforcements.
• Marina introduced Zhang Kuang to Camille Servi, Lucie Duval, and Giulia Leotta.
• Giulia Leotta suggested they stop talking and get started, and Zhang Kuang asked whether they were in such a hurry.

After Zhang Kuang’s spectacular performance against Grenoble, media outlets and fans across the world hailed his long solo goal and speculated about major clubs pursuing him. The chapter left his future uncertain as Auxerre supporters feared his low release clause would make him impossible to keep.

• L'Équipe published Zhang Kuang’s eighty-meter solo goal as the “Goal of the Century,” and its animated video drew millions of views within hours.
• Bild compared Zhang Kuang’s goal with Maradona’s and Messi’s, while The Times reported that Ferguson had watched him and wanted a player like him.
• Marca and AS praised Zhang Kuang’s ability and potential, and Italian newspapers reported that Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan were pursuing him.
• Chinese newspapers celebrated Zhang Kuang’s three goals and two assists, calling his performance a personal triumph.
• Fans debated which major club Zhang Kuang might join and lamented that Auxerre could lose him for his three-million-euro release clause.

Europe’s top clubs assessed Zhang Kuang and debated how he would fit their teams, while the transfer race gathered pace. The chapter left Zhang finishing his workout and preparing to leave after a call came in from Jonathan.

• Ancelotti urged Chelsea to sign Zhang Kuang at any price, seeing him as the club’s next attacking focal point.
• Ferguson argued that Zhang could become Manchester United’s true number nine and said the club should pursue him despite his impending retirement.
• Mancini told Manchester City’s owner to prioritize Zhang above every other potential signing and offered to negotiate a lavish deal.
• Pellegrini and Pardeza discussed Zhang’s exceptional ability and questioned whether he would accept playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
• Guardiola decided Barcelona should submit a bid, even though he and Vilanova doubted Zhang suited their system.
• Secco reported to Blanc about Zhang as clubs across Europe studied him; after his workout, Zhang received a call from Jonathan.

After Zhang Kuang’s match footage sparked a frenzy among Europe’s biggest clubs, he met with Jonathan in Paris to review their offers. He rejected several destinations and left the decision unresolved, with Manchester City as a possible backup.

• Jonathan told Zhang Kuang that Europe’s top clubs had made offers, so Zhang hurried from Grenoble to Paris.
• Zhang arrived at SportCover’s overwhelmed office and joined Jonathan, who showed him the clubs’ faxes and terms.
• Zhang ruled out Manchester United because he expected its competitiveness to decline, and dismissed Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
• Zhang considered Manchester City’s lucrative offer as a possible backup, but had reservations about its future under Guardiola.
• Zhang rejected Real Madrid and Barcelona because their crowded attacks would leave him competing for a central role or serving as a substitute.
• Zhang reviewed offers from Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and other clubs without choosing where to transfer.

Zhang Kuang considered his transfer options and told Jonathan to prioritize negotiations with Juventus while he reviewed a growing number of endorsement offers. After scoring four goals against Pau FC, he attracted more attention when Ferguson publicly argued that Manchester United was the best fit for him, and Marina Durand secured an exclusive interview.

• Zhang Kuang weighed the major European clubs and chose Juventus as his preferred transfer target, telling Jonathan to negotiate with them without making his preference definite.
• Jonathan showed Zhang Kuang offers from Chinese and international brands, and Zhang Kuang rejected the sexual-health product endorsements while considering Sina Weibo’s proposal and postponing all deals until the season ended.
• Zhang Kuang scored four first-half goals against Pau FC in the France Cup and asked to sit out the second half.
• Ferguson confirmed Manchester United’s interest in Zhang Kuang and described him as an ideal attacking focal point for the club’s future.
• Marina Durand secured an exclusive interview with Zhang Kuang for TF1.

Zhang Kuang stayed focused on Auxerre despite transfer rumors, while Fernandez and Rennes manager Frédéric Antonetti discussed the upcoming match. On Lunar New Year's Day, Zhang Kuang sent greetings to Chinese fans and spoke with Wu Guohua before preparing for Auxerre's game against Rennes.

• Zhang Kuang thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for praising him but declined to discuss a possible transfer from Auxerre.
• At the pre-match press conference, Fernandez wished Zhang Kuang and Chinese fans a happy New Year and said Auxerre could score as long as Zhang Kuang played.
• Frédéric Antonetti said Rennes had a confidential plan to stop Zhang Kuang from scoring.
• Zhang Kuang posted New Year's greetings to his 38.7 million Weibo followers and promised to do his best in the match against Rennes.
• Zhang Kuang called Wu Guohua to wish him a happy New Year, then planned to eat breakfast and drive to the training ground.