June 2010.
Beijing Capital International Airport.
"Kai, are you really set on leaving?"
In the airport hall, a middle-aged man with a firm face let out a complicated sigh.
The Capital Airport had always been a place where stars gathered—soon, someone recognized the man's identity.
Once crowned Asian Footballer of the Year—Fan Zhiyi!
Some fans rushed over for an autograph, but Fan Zhiyi waved them off.
He sighed and gently patted the shoulder of the young man beside him.
In response, Kai nodded resolutely.
"Uncle Fan, there's no way I can stay with that dumbass national team for even one more day! I'm heading back to Spain—La Masia has an important assessment tomorrow!"
"Besides, what's the point of me staying in China? Didn't the youth team say they're banning me?"
Kai's attitude was firm.
There were still wounds on his arm—a fresh mark from a recent fight.
"Sigh, you're not wrong," Fan Zhiyi was helpless too. "You beat up that youth team brat and his dad—word's gonna spread fast..."
"But don't worry, Kai. Uncle Fan will clean up this mess for you! That idiot Zhao Tai—how the hell is he even the youth team leader? I'll push the Football Association to investigate him when I get back!"
A few hours earlier.
Kai had returned to his home country as a naturalized player, responding to the call to participate in the selection for naturalized athletes.
This year's AFC U-19 Championship was being held at home in China.
The national youth team was actively expanding its roster—clearly trying to save face on home turf!
But even such a small team... was a swamp.
Team leader Zhao Tai summoned a group of media and, right in front of them, secretly instructed the players to play a fixed match.
Zhao Tai wanted to use the media to hype up his utterly talentless son, giving him the title of the "next youth team prodigy"—
So that his son could be naturally promoted to youth team captain!
Every player on the team knew what was going on, even if they didn't say it aloud.
Anyone who defied the team leader's orders? They'd be done for.
At the very least, they'd never make the youth team.
With no other options, the players had no choice but to kiss up to the "Crown Prince of the Youth Team" to survive.
Only if Zhao Jr. was happy would they have a shot at getting selected for the home-soil championship!
In Chinese football, skill wasn't always the key.
But if you didn't know how to play the political game, you'd never make it to the top!
However—
Even if the rest of the youth team chose to swallow their pride and go along with the act—
Kai wasn't one to play along!
He had traveled thousands of miles back home—this was a Chinese dual-national player who had spent two and a half years training at Barcelona's La Masia!
More importantly—he was a transmigrator!
In La Masia, he wasn't all that special.
But back in China, Kai quickly realized—
He was a total monster.
From football IQ to technique, he crushed everyone.
Kai even felt like these youth team players weren't even on par with Spanish middle schoolers playing street ball.
And even so, they weren't working to improve—they were playing dirty politics instead?
Shameless!
"Damn Zhao Tai! How did a parasite like him end up in the youth team? Secretly fixing matches, putting on a show, even encouraging dirty tackles? This is madness!"
Fan Zhiyi was furious. Just remembering what happened earlier on the training field had the Chinese football legend fuming.
Kai shook his head silently, feeling there was no saving the national team.
Right there on the training pitch, in front of the media, he refused to take part in any fixed-match nonsense. During the scrimmage, he utterly humiliated the youth team's Crown Prince.
What was supposed to be a balanced match turned into a massacre—Kai, playing as a midfielder, danced through the field and scored three goals in just twenty minutes.
The so-called prodigy was completely lost—he was embarrassed and fuming.
On the sidelines, team leader Zhao Tai was livid—this was like a public slap in the face!
At his command, Zhao Jr. and the other youth team players began targeting Kai—
Launching into dangerous slide tackles one after another!
Their dirty, reckless moves finally pushed Kai over the edge!
Standing 185 cm tall at just 16 years old, built like a tank, and having trained in boxing back in Portugal—
Kai grabbed Zhao Jr., who had just slid into him, and beat the crap out of him!
Seeing his son getting pummeled, Zhao Tai lost it—he charged onto the field—
Only to get beaten down too!
The scene was terrifying.
A 16-year-old kid beating the crap out of the youth team leader and his son?
The media on the sidelines were stunned.
Camera shutters clicked like crazy—the entire training base was in an uproar!
An ambulance even had to be called in.
In the end, it was Fan Zhiyi who stepped in personally to barely calm things down.
"Kai, you son of a— you're done for! You'll be held criminally responsible! The national team will ban you for life!!"
"You'll never bring honor to the country! You're finished!!"
Those were the final threats Zhao Tai spat out, face bruised and swollen.
But Kai felt nothing.
Living two lifetimes, he was already completely disillusioned with the national team.
He ignored the media who would no doubt sensationalize the incident—
Booked the earliest flight back to Spain and came straight to the airport.
He was going to return overnight—
For a match that meant everything to him.
"Uncle Fan, sorry for the trouble. Next time I'm back in China, I'll bring my dad along to treat you to dinner..."
Kai sighed, saying his goodbyes as he prepared to go through security.
Fan Zhiyi shook his head.
"Don't say that. I held you in my arms when you were little! When I was playing for Crystal Palace back in the day, I'd just arrived in London, couldn't get used to living with those Brits. Your dad helped me find a place to stay..."
Fan Zhiyi and Kai's father had been friends for many years.
After a pause, he glanced at Kai beside him.
Just 16, yet already fully grown—185 cm tall and built like a tank. Even Fan Zhiyi couldn't help but admire him.
"Kai, are you rushing back to Spain for a match?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah. With the Euro qualifiers happening, Barca's first team lost a bunch of starters to the national squad..."
"Guardiola's calling up some youth players to train with the first team! I need to get back for this La Masia assessment—it's a shot at moving up to the senior squad."
Hearing that, Fan Zhiyi's eyes lit up.
A chance to move up to Barcelona's first team?
But then he quickly fell silent.
He noticed a flicker of uncertainty in Kai's eyes.
"Kai…. if things don't work out in Spain, maybe consider other paths. La Masia might be a football paradise, but the best option isn't always the right fit."
Fan Zhiyi had caught the internal conflict in Kai's gaze, and couldn't help but worry.
"I played in England back in the day—I can get you a trial over there. If you ever need it, just say the word."
Kai nodded gratefully.
"Thanks, Uncle Fan. I understand... But for now, I still want to try and make it in La Masia. This kind of opportunity is too rare. If I ever get the chance to step into Camp Nou..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
To be honest, he wasn't confident.
As a midfielder, he knew better than anyone—
Barça was the last team in the world lacking midfielders.
And his style? Totally un-Barça.
In 2010, Barça's Dream Team dynasty was in full swing.
The legendary midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets was unbeatable.
The tiki-taka system was back in fashion, defining the style of both Barça and the entire Spanish football world—
A system centered around possession and short passing.
But Kai?
Despite being in La Masia—
He hated tiki-taka.
His style was all-out aggression and directness, earning him the nickname "freak" in La Masia.
He had a feeling—
If he didn't impress in tomorrow's match—
He might just get purged from La Masia.
The future of his football career... was a blur.
That night.
The plane soared through the night sky, headed for Spain.
Kai was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep—his mind was spinning with thoughts of the future.
Just then—
Ding!
Detected host facing a life crisis. Activating Green Field King System!
Personal attributes panel loaded!
Newbie gift pack delivered upon first system activation. Open now?
A robotic electronic voice echoed in Kai's mind!
His expression instantly changed!