Chapter 68: First Steps into the Team

"Xiaowei, we're almost there!" A jolt roused Dai Zhiwei from his drowsy trance, as Jin Chang called out to him.

Because Villarreal city lacked an international airport, the two had flown from Beijing to Valencia and then transferred to a six-seater Mercedes van provided by the Villarreal Club to reach the city where the club was based.

Jin Chang, acting as Dai Zhiwei's agent, accompanied him for his report to Villarreal. But after settling Dai Zhiwei in two days, he would depart again for home.

"Ha... we're here?" Dai Zhiwei rolled his neck and glanced outside, marveling, "It's really small!"

Villarreal Football Club was located in the Royal Village of Infantes—Villarreal city—just seven kilometers from Castellón de la Plana, capital of Castellón province. The city had only fifty thousand inhabitants, equivalent to a village-level unit back home.

Yet, after nearly twenty years of hard work, Villarreal Club had become a formidable force in La Liga.

"Old Jin, doesn't this feel like a township in southern Guangdong? Not as grand as people back home say, and there doesn't seem to be much to do," Dai Zhiwei remarked, unconcerned whether the club staff in the van understood, knowing these Spaniards couldn't decipher the world's hardest language.

Jin Chang considered making a remark about focusing on football without distractions, but he knew Dai Zhiwei was self-disciplined and, as his prized client, he dared not offend him—he practically sheltered him in the palm of his hand.

The Mercedes van stopped in front of a five-story hotel-style apartment building, where the club had provided Dai Zhiwei a fully equipped 200-square-meter flat. It was less than a ten-minute drive from Villarreal's training ground at the PAMESA factory and their home stadium, Estadio de la Cerámica.

"La Liga, here I come!"

...

Early the next morning, in Villarreal Club's press conference hall, Dai Zhiwei appeared on site, impeccably dressed and looking suave. Dozens of reporters crowded the venue, flashes from magnesium lamps flickering incessantly, all focused on Dai Zhiwei, who had entered with club chairman Fernando Roig.

"Ha, I've got my own family team here!" Dai Zhiwei scanned the media seats below the podium. Nearly half the reporters had his same yellow skin and black hair—clearly most were compatriots, "Back when Yao Ming went to Houston, did he get this kind of treatment?"

Lost in thought, Dai Zhiwei approached the podium with a confident smile, sitting side by side with Fernando Roig at the center.

"Dear friends from the press, today I am honored to formally announce our club's new forward, who joined during this winter transfer window—the newly crowned Asian Footballer of the Year, Dai Zhiwei!"

With Fernando Roig’s declaration, the flashes grew blinding, all directed at Dai Zhiwei and Roig, making it impossible for Dai Zhiwei to open his eyes.

In Spanish football, Dai Zhiwei was not entirely unknown. Even if they paid little attention to who last year's Asian Footballer was, his performance at the Club World Cup last month—scoring twice against Barcelona with his personal skill—had drawn considerable attention.

Thus, Villarreal's signing of Dai Zhiwei for ten million euros was enough to attract many Spanish media representatives.

Reflecting on this, Dai Zhiwei couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. Nowadays, apart from a few wealthy clubs, most European teams were struggling. A few years ago, who would have imagined the protagonists of the transfer window would be Chinese Super League clubs?

This winter, nearly all the big moves belonged to the CSL: forty-two million for Martinez, twenty-eight million for Ramires, and so forth. In La Liga, ten million for Dai Zhiwei was considered "a fortune."

"We believe Dai is a crucial signing for our great season. I am confident he will help us win more victories!" Fernando Roig’s words were met with a round of applause.

Staff then presented two contracts, placing them before Roig and Dai Zhiwei. Both had already signed these previously; this was merely a formality for the media.

The new contract spanned four and a half years, with an annual salary of 2.6 million euros. It also detailed bonuses for Dai Zhiwei and the team’s achievements, including various reward categories for goals and appearances.

Then, Dai Zhiwei and Fernando Roig jointly held up a Villarreal jersey for the new season, displaying the yellow number 29 shirt that Dai Zhiwei would wear. Dai Zhiwei's smile in the cameras radiated confidence and charm.

...

That afternoon, following Dai Zhiwei's press conference, the Villarreal first team was training at the club's field inside the PAMESA factory.

This season, to prepare the national team for the 2016 European Championship in France, La Liga had accepted the veteran coach's suggestion to shorten the schedule, canceling the winter break for the first time in twenty-five years and adding a Christmas fixture.

Thus, Villarreal, who should have been enjoying their winter holiday, had played a La Liga match just the day before, and now the team seemed somewhat lethargic.

"Beep beep!"

With a whistle, all the players training individually turned toward the coaching bench, where the team's head coach Marcelino and captain Bruno Soriano led the way onto the field. Behind them was an East Asian man, his handsome face adorned with a faint, natural smile as he faced the Villarreal players.

This was, of course, Dai Zhiwei, newly transferred, dressed in domestic brands: a Villarreal training kit from Xtep and signature boots from 361 Degrees.

In Dai Zhiwei's words, unlike the other Villarreal players clad in local Spanish apparel and footwear, his Xtep plus 361 ensemble was pure "imported goods," truly high-end and stylish!

"Everyone, come over!"

Seeing the weary training ground, Marcelino knew this was normal for the day after a match. He simply clapped his hands, calling the players to gather.

"Let me introduce you: Dai Zhiwei, our new teammate this year. You'll be training and playing together from now on." Marcelino introduced Dai Zhiwei to the assembled team.

"Hello everyone! I am Dai Zhiwei, from China. I play as a right winger or right back, and I hope to contribute to the team..." Dai Zhiwei introduced himself in fluent Spanish.

His mastery of Spanish was not acquired from a teacher back home—though Jin Chang had arranged one for him—but was entirely thanks to the "Football Prodigy System."

Within the "Football Prodigy System," aside from various extraordinary football skills, there were numerous auxiliary abilities, among them the "Daikou Hirota's Language Talent."

Initially, Dai Zhiwei had no idea who "Daikou Hirota" was, but after some investigation, he learned this was the mysterious father of Tsubasa Ozora from the famous anime.

As the captain of a world-traveling ship, it was hardly surprising that Daikou Hirota mastered multiple foreign languages.

Though the language talent skill cost fifteen points, and Dai Zhiwei’s points were nearly depleted after redeeming it, he felt it was the most worthwhile skill in the system—perhaps without equal.

After acquiring this skill, Dai Zhiwei learned five foreign languages within five days, achieving fluent conversation and effortless reading in each.

On the first day, he mastered Japanese—though he felt it had little practical use, except perhaps for watching films.

On the second day, he mastered English—to a level surpassing professional standards.

On the third day, he learned Portuguese—the foundation of Daikou Hirota’s friendship with Roberto Hongo.

On the fourth day, he learned Spanish—the very reason he redeemed the skill.

On the fifth day, he mastered French.

"Oh..." After Dai Zhiwei’s introduction, only a smattering of applause echoed across the training ground.

Facing the indifferent teammates before him, Dai Zhiwei felt no dissatisfaction. Back at Evergrande, he had senior players like Zheng Zhi to look after him; here in Spain, a foreign land, he would have to rely on himself.

"Alright, carry on with your practice!" Marcelino glanced at his assistant coach, already entrusting the task of integrating Dai Zhiwei into the team to Bruno Soriano, in whom he had complete confidence.

Marcelino then left the training ground. Often, the head coach didn’t directly oversee player training; this was usually delegated to assistants.

After changing, Bruno Soriano led his new junior, Dai Zhiwei, through warm-ups. Dai Zhiwei noticed that in a team from Europe’s top league, competition was far more intense than at Evergrande—everyone was outstanding, and even in training, mistakes were exceedingly rare.

Yet, Dai Zhiwei felt no discouragement; instead, he was invigorated. "This is precisely why I chose to come here!"