Ye Chen could pretend he never returned and took a night flight back to Manchester.

But the China National Football Team wasn't planning to let him off the hook.

A message appeared on the official website, titled "Decision on the Punishment of Player Ye Chen."

The message was straightforward: Player Ye Chen disobeyed the arrangements of the team leader and coach, refused to participate in team training, and verbally abused team leader Wang Bo. As a result, he was expelled and would not be called up for any U17 National Team matches, effective immediately.

The U17 National Team leader Wang Bo also posted the latest update on his personal Weibo.

"Player Ye Chen is truly disappointing. Demanding a starting position without training with the team? Does he really think being a Manchester United Youth Academy player allows him to do whatever he wants? The U17 National Team does not welcome such uncooperative players!"

These two articles stirred up a storm online.

Countless people began to criticize Ye Chen, and because he had previously opened a Weibo account, the comments under his daily training updates were filled with insults...

Those who once encouraged him quickly turned against him. How could Ye Chen not meet expectations and fail to even make it to the U18 matches?

In the end, being subpar in competitive sports is the original sin!

Fortunately, Ye Chen didn't check domestic social media while abroad, or his mental resilience might have crumbled...

After a nap on the plane, Ye Chen arrived in Manchester.

Two hours later, without adjusting to the time difference, he headed straight to the training ground... In fact, he was still on England time, having never adjusted back after returning home.

When Ye Chen appeared on the training ground, many were stunned.

"Hey, isn't that Ye? Our Chinese prodigy, did he get kicked out of the team?" said Sam Byrne, the team's starting forward, who had previously mocked Ye Chen when he was called up to the National Team.

He claimed that Ye Chen was only called up because China had no one else, otherwise, how could someone who couldn't even play for Manchester United U18 represent the country?

"Do I need to explain myself to you?" Ye Chen coldly retorted.

"I guessed right, didn't I? I always said you weren't good enough!" Byrne sneered. As the U18 main forward, he wasn't called up, so it was only natural for him to feel uncomfortable about Ye Chen, a substitute, playing international matches.

Ye Chen wasn't angry.

Why get angry with someone who won't even make it in the Premier League in the future?

"Ye, don't mind him! He's just a bully who picks on the weak. He wouldn't dare bully you if the captain were here!" Januzaj approached Ye Chen and whispered.

"It's fine!"

Having integrated the memories of this world's Ye Chen, he knew Januzaj had a good relationship with him, and so did the current Manchester United U18 captain, Michael Keane.

However, recently, Michael Keane had fractured his collarbone and would be out for two months.

"Guys, gather around!" At this moment, Solskjaer appeared on the sidelines, holding a notebook. "Today, we're having an internal training match. Players I call out, go to Coach Chris to get your jerseys!"

"Goalkeeper Jonathan, four defenders Grimshaw, Luke, McGinty, and Givens!"

"Four midfielders Jack Barmby, Joe Rothwell, Tom, and Liam!"

"Finally, the two forwards are Pearson and Byrne!"

Solskjaer finished reading the names of the main Team A players, and Ye Chen was naturally not among them.

The remaining players automatically joined Team B.

"Adnan, want some assist stats?" Ye Chen wrapped an arm around Januzaj, smiling as he asked.

In Team B, Januzaj was likely the only one who would pass to him, so Ye Chen was a bit flattering.

"Don't try to trick me; you won't fool me this time!" Januzaj said warily, clearly having been tricked by Ye Chen before.

"Hey, I'm serious this time! Pass me the ball, and you'll find assisting very easy!" Ye Chen said, blinking.

"You said that last time, but you didn't score a single goal!"

"Hey, I learned a special move in China this time, trust me!" Ye Chen clenched his fist, speaking confidently.

"Really? It's not Chinese kung fu, is it?" Januzaj looked puzzled but eventually softened. "Alright, don't worry, I'll pass you the ball!"

The internal training match was divided into two halves, but not the official forty-five minutes, instead thirty minutes each.

Solskjaer watched the players on the field, troubled by the starting lineup for the next match.

The next opponent was the top-ranked rival, Liverpool U18.

Especially their superstar, Sterling.

Despite his young age, he's fast and aggressive, hailed as the "English Messi"!

In just seven games, Sterling had scored 8 goals, topping the scorer's list, and had four assists, also leading the assist chart.

In England, their football system is very well-structured, with clear divisions at every level.

Besides the world-renowned Premier League, there are the EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, and other leagues. Additionally, there are reserve teams and various youth teams, and at the start of each season, the FA asks teams if they want to participate in different levels of leagues.

Besides the leagues, there are various cup competitions.

Like the upcoming U18 FA Youth Cup for Manchester United U18, a branch of the FA Cup.

Of course, youth team matches aren't as frequent as senior team matches, which can be twice or even three times a week.

Youth teams have a maximum of four matches a month, with at least two, aimed at better developing young players and ensuring the league's healthy growth!

Once both teams entered the field, Team A wore the red vests symbolizing the main team, while Team B wore the blue vests for substitutes.

Byrne looked at Ye Chen in front of him, a smirk forming on his lips as he taunted, "Chinese kid, take a good look at the main team's forward's skills. How can a waste like you have the nerve to play forward? Better go sell DVDs so you won't starve!"

[In earlier years, many Asians in East London made a living selling DVDs. They looked down on these Asians, using DVDs as a derogatory term for them.]

Ye Chen smirked contemptuously but said nothing.

Again, why get angry with someone who won't even make it in the Premier League?

"I heard you Chinese are super tolerant, never daring to talk back when bullied... But then again, trash doesn't have the right to speak!" Byrne continued to mock when Ye Chen remained silent.

"Say that again!" Ye Chen's expression hardened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Insulting me is one thing, but insulting Chinese people is unacceptable!

"Listen carefully, all you Chinese are! Trash!" Byrne said arrogantly.

Ye Chen clenched his fists.

"Ye, calm down, he's trying to provoke you!" Januzaj quickly came over, whispering.

"What, angry? If you have the guts, beat me. If you win, I'll even call you dad!" Byrne continued his taunts.

"Alright!"

"What?"

"You don't need to call me dad. If you lose, just say three times, 'Chinese people are my dads'!" Ye Chen said calmly, unhurriedly.

"And if you lose?"

Byrne didn't think he would lose, but since it was a bet, there had to be a penalty for the other side too!

"You decide!" Ye Chen replied calmly.

"If you lose, shout three times that Chinese people are trash!" Byrne said mockingly.

"No way!" Ye Chen shook his head. "If I lose, it's just me being trash, it has nothing to do with others!"

"Then if you lose, shout three times 'Irish people are my dads'!"

"Deal!" Ye Chen nodded.

Though this contest seemed childish to him, he needed to show that Chinese people aren't to be bullied!

Of course, in the past, he wouldn't have dared to compete, given the skill gap.

But times have changed.

Three days apart, one must look at a person with new eyes!

Byrne laughed and said to Pearson beside him, "Pearson, you heard it, he's the one who wants to bet, I'm not bullying him!"

Pearson glanced at Ye Chen, saying disdainfully, "This isn't a bet, it's self-humiliation!"

This wasn't sympathy for Ye Chen, but genuine disdain.

Ye Chen didn't even look at Pearson, instead addressing Byrne, "Let's see who scores more goals, no problem?"

"You said it!" Byrne said arrogantly.

"Ding, random task issued: Score more goals than Byrne in this match!"

"Task success rewards a Bronze Chest, task failure deducts five shooting attribute points!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. He initially just wanted to prove a point, but now it was different!

Now it involved attribute points!

"Beep!"

Coach Chris, acting as the temporary referee, blew the whistle.

Such bets among team players were normal, and they wouldn't interfere.

Moreover, they also believed Asians weren't suited for football...

Meanwhile, Solskjaer on the sidelines had opened his notebook, starting to record the players' performances.

He hadn't told the players beforehand that only those who performed well in the training match would have the chance to represent Manchester United against Liverpool.

After all, this U18 FA Youth Cup was to be held at Manchester United's home ground, Old Trafford!

The match officially began, with Team A, as the main team, taking the initiative on the field.

But since they were all youth team members, the gap wasn't particularly large, and Team B's defense was organized and structured.

The time quickly reached 5 minutes and 32 seconds into the first half. Byrne's shot deflected off Jack Rudge's foot, bouncing into an open area on the right.

The quick-reacting Januzaj appeared on the right, taking the ball.

With the ball at his feet, Januzaj decisively pushed forward, but Team A's left-back Grimshaw had already come forward, blocking his path.

"I'm here!"

At this moment, Ye Chen retreated and raised his hand for the ball.

Hearing Ye Chen's voice, Januzaj passed it horizontally, and the ball landed at Ye Chen's feet.

Since he retreated to receive the ball, neither of the center-backs followed, leaving Ye Chen in an open position.

Glancing at the goalkeeper's position, Ye Chen didn't hesitate and took a shot!

"Boom!"

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The outside of his right foot struck the bottom of the ball fiercely, sending it flying towards the goal like a cannonball.

On the sidelines, Solskjaer was still noting Byrne's hasty shot when he looked up and saw this scene.

A hint of surprise flashed in Solskjaer's eyes. When did Ye Chen learn to take such beautiful long shots?

...