After officially meeting Su Ye's parents as a couple, Yang Yang decided to bring her back home to Quanzhou.
It had been four years since his last return. Now, with the World Cup over and a rare ten-day break ahead, he didn't want to miss the chance to reconnect—not only with his roots, but also with the people who had quietly supported him through his journey.
At the airport, his parents, Yang Yongqiang and Shen Lifang, were already waiting. The moment they saw Su Ye walking beside him, their faces lit up with uncontainable joy. Their expressions spoke volumes—they were beyond satisfied.
The moment greetings were exchanged, Shen Lifang couldn't help but gush.
"Ai ya, such a lovely girl! Look at her—gentle, graceful, and polite. Yang Yang, you rascal, how did you manage to find someone like Su Ye?" she said with a teasing laugh. "You're so lucky!"
Throughout the ride home, Shen Lifang practically ignored her son. She pulled Su Ye into the backseat with her, holding her hand affectionately while Yang Yang was unceremoniously kicked up front to the passenger seat.
"I knew it the moment I saw you in Germany," Shen Lifang cooed. "I thought to myself, if only that silly boy would bring home a daughter-in-law like this. But he kept it secret for so long. You wouldn't believe how stubborn he is."
Yang Yang grumbled under his breath in mock frustration. Was I really your son? Or did I get adopted without knowing? He glanced at his dad, hoping for support—but Yang Yongqiang just gave a knowing smile and kept his hands on the wheel.
Meanwhile, Su Ye seemed to take all the attention in stride, listening and smiling gently. She responded with polite modesty, clearly winning more points with every word.
By the time they reached home, mother and future daughter-in-law had already bonded like old friends.
The conversation in the car eventually turned to more serious matters. Shen Lifang casually brought up family news—like how Wei Zheng and cousin Shen Yuzhu were now planning to marry. The date wasn't fixed yet, but the direction was clear.
Yang Yang, though only nineteen, was already twenty by East Asian age reckoning. In southern Fujian, it wasn't uncommon for men his age to be married or already fathers, though not necessarily registered officially. But his parents weren't in a rush—they just wanted him to know they were ready whenever he was.
"We still live in our self-built house near the village head's road," Shen Lifang explained to Su Ye. "It's a nice home, with a courtyard and good neighbors. But it's old-fashioned, and we wanted to be more thoughtful about the future."
With that, she casually dropped a bomb.
"We actually bought two single-family villas on the outskirts of Quanzhou, in a new luxury residential community. We're also planning ahead—if you two like living there after marriage, we'll take the older place and leave the villas to you. Or if you prefer the ones in Xiamen, even better. We have two there too, near Huandao Road. Lovely views, fresh air. Really livable."
Yang Yang blinked in disbelief. Since when did my parents become property tycoons?
"Dad, Mom," he asked quietly, "how much did that all cost?"
His parents had clearly bought at least four villas. But they'd never once asked him for money, despite the fact that his earnings could easily cover such expenses.
Yang Yongqiang waved a hand dismissively. "It's just some profit from the business over the past few years. And anyway, it's on mortgage. Relax."
Yang Yang suddenly realized that he didn't really know how much his parents had grown. He'd been so focused on his football journey that he hadn't noticed their quiet success back home.
He remembered Wei Zheng mentioning that business was booming and that the brand had taken off. But he hadn't imagined this level of confidence—or boldness.
So… was he a rich second generation now?
"We don't have many expectations," his father added. "You're our only son. Whether you earn a lot or a little, it's all yours in the end. As long as you're happy and grounded."
Then Shen Lifang chimed in warmly, "Su Ye, you must treat us like your own parents. And we'll treat you like our own daughter. If this rascal ever bullies you, just come to us. I'll make sure he gets a lesson he'll never forget."
Yang Yang laughed bitterly. Is this how betrayal feels? At the hands of my own blood?
But he took it all in stride. The warmth of family, the genuine affection from his parents—it filled something in him that football never could.
"Oh, right!" Yang Yang suddenly remembered. "Dad, Mom—what about Cousin Yuzhu? If she's marrying Wei Zheng, shouldn't we prepare a proper dowry gift? Maybe buy a villa so that Uncle Shen will also have a place when he visits?"
It was more than a gesture. Wei Zheng had managed almost all of Yang Yang's affairs in China for the past two years, handling contracts, sponsors, and logistics. He had been like an older brother. Buying a property for them was not generosity—it was just right.
"Ha, you're one step behind," Yang Yongqiang chuckled. "We already handled that."
As it turned out, they had bought a house for Wei Zheng and Shen Yuzhu in the same neighborhood as Yang Yang's family—also in the luxury area on the edge of Quanzhou.
"We're also giving them a share in the company," Yang Yongqiang added with a rare note of pride in his voice. "They've helped so much. It's time to modernize the structure—no more traditional family management. We're bringing in a professional model, and they'll be key partners."
For Yang Yang, it was a surprising but touching moment. His father wasn't just riding on his son's fame—he was building something of his own. Quietly, proudly, and without seeking the spotlight.
...
...
Yang Yang had returned home!
The news spread like wildfire.
First, it was the villagers, followed by relatives and old friends from the area. Then came the wave of media reporters from every corner of the country, alongside municipal and provincial officials, and even teachers and administrators from Yang Yang's former schools.
He had planned to return quietly, to rest, to breathe after the storm of the World Cup. But instead, for several days straight, his schedule was overrun with constant visitors, non-stop banquets, and ceaseless interviews. Forget about training—he couldn't even find the time to take Su Ye out for a proper day together.
Despite having undergone professional media and public relations training at Ajax over the past few years, Yang Yang was still overwhelmed. Nothing could've prepared him for the whirlwind of social obligations in his hometown. In the end, it fell to his father, Yang Yongqiang, and cousin Wei Zheng to step in and manage the situation, turning down visits and politely refusing further invitations.
While Yang Yang battled fatigue and obligations, Su Ye was having the time of her life.
Accompanied by his mother Shen Lifang and cousin Shen Yuzhu, she traveled all over Quanzhou with enthusiasm and ease. They left early every morning and returned late in the evening, full of laughter and stories.
Finally, after a few days, Yang Yang managed to steal back a bit of time.
Disguised in a low-brimmed cap and mask, he slipped out with Su Ye into the heart of Quanzhou's old city. After a long day exploring narrow alleys, historical temples, and street vendors selling sweet tofu pudding and peanut soup, Su Ye tugged on his sleeve and led him—somewhat mischievously—toward the entrance of a bright, modern jewelry store in the city's biggest shopping mall.
"You said you wanted to buy me something, remember?" Su Ye asked, a glint in her eye.
Yang Yang smiled and nodded. "So… this is the place?"
"Mmhmm. Auntie and Yuzhu brought me here the other day. I saw a ring I liked. Already ordered it. Just waiting on my CEO to pay."
She grinned and pulled him inside.
As soon as Su Ye took off her mask, the staff recognized her. She was striking—impossible to forget. One of the attendants immediately brought out a small, delicately crafted diamond ring. The gem wasn't large, but the design was subtle and elegant. The ring cost just over two thousand yuan—nothing extravagant by Yang Yang's standards, but clearly meaningful to her.
"This must be your boyfriend?" one of the clerks asked, glancing at Yang Yang, still masked and hatted in the summer heat. "Your sister came with her last time and was ready to pay, but Miss Su insisted she'd wait. She said it had to be you. That's real love, you know."
Su Ye blushed, ears turning red. She avoided eye contact, clearly embarrassed, but her eyes sparkled with joy.
Yang Yang examined the ring and noticed a small engraving inside: a heart, flanked by the letters Y and S—their initials.
He looked up, stunned.
Su Ye raised her left hand slightly and, in a quiet, expectant voice, said, "Will you put it on me?"
"Of course."
Yang Yang gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her slender ring finger. It fit perfectly.
"Pretty?" she asked, lifting her hand and smiling.
Yang Yang didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace right there in the store.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered. "I'll give you everything in the future."
"Mm," Su Ye mumbled, her voice muffled against his chest.
The shop assistants clapped quietly. The two quickly paid and left, masks back on, disappearing into the crowd. No one recognized them anymore.
Though Quanzhou was his hometown, Yang Yang realized how little he truly knew it. He'd spent most of his youth buried in school or training, and now, four years away in Europe had made it all seem unfamiliar.
Su Ye, however, was comfortable and confident. She led him around like a local, dragging him from stall to stall, restaurant to restaurant. He didn't resist—he let go completely. He ate everything, even greasy, sugary, high-calorie treats he normally avoided. Fried buns, oyster omelets, mango shaved ice—he devoured it all.
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be watching your diet?" Su Ye teased, grinning.
"I'll just train harder later," Yang Yang replied casually. "And you? You always talk about keeping your figure for acting roles."
"You said we'd burn it off together," she shot back, sticking out her tongue.
They spent hours exploring until eventually ending up at the beach. When they finally returned home, the clock had passed 9 p.m.
In the living room, Yang Yongqiang and Shen Lifang were chatting with Shen Yuzhu and Wei Zheng. They'd even just finished a call with Su Wenhong and his wife.
The elders were entirely supportive of Yang Yang and Su Ye's relationship, delighted at how well the two fit together. They'd begun musing about the future—university graduation, marriage, a life together. Nothing official, of course, but hopes were high.
Wei Zheng and Shen Yuzhu reminded them gently to let the young couple make their own choices.
When Yang Yang and Su Ye returned, flushed with joy from the day's adventure, everyone smiled knowingly.
Still, one shadow hung over the evening.
In just a few days, Yang Yang would return to Europe.
After the guests left, and Yang Yang's parents retired for the night, he stretched and announced, "Alright, I'm heading to shower. I'm beat. Let's all sleep early."
But as he turned to go, Su Ye reached out quietly and took his hand.
Head lowered, voice soft.
...
There's something strange about the body's biological clock.
When the first sliver of morning sunlight broke through the curtains and cast a warm hue across the room, Yang Yang stirred awake.
Even though he had blocked the Dream Training System last night to get proper rest, his sleep had been deep and undisturbed. He awoke feeling unusually refreshed, his body brimming with energy, mind clear, and limbs light — as if every muscle had been perfectly recharged.
He had rarely felt so at peace.
Turning his head, he saw Su Ye still sleeping beside him — her breathing gentle, her skin fair and glowing, her lips curved slightly in the blissful smile of someone content even in dreams. Her long hair spilled over the pillow like a silk curtain, framing a face more delicate than a spring begonia in bloom.
And in that moment, something quietly shifted within him.
This woman... was now the person closest to him in the world.
Whether it was the way he was raised or something deeper in his nature, Yang Yang made a silent vow: he would protect her, respect her, and take full responsibility for their future — whatever it may bring.
The room was softly cooled by air conditioning. A thin sheet loosely covered their bodies, its gentle folds tracing out her silhouette — graceful, alluring, almost dreamlike. He was a young man in his prime, and in such a setting, it was hard not to be moved.
Still, he averted his gaze.
Moderation, he reminded himself. Life should be a balance — moments of joy, yes, but discipline above all. There was still work to do, still ambitions to chase. He was about to leave for one of Europe's top leagues, and with Su Ye by his side now, he had even more reason to become stronger.
With effort, Yang Yang carefully slipped his arm from beneath her.
The motion stirred her slightly, and before he could pull away completely, she instinctively reached for him and wrapped her arms around his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. Her voice was soft, laced with sleep, and teasing.
"Already going for a run? Can't you stay with me a little longer?"
The words were light, but they struck something deeper.
Everything about her in that moment — the warmth of her breath at his ear, the playfulness in her voice, the way her body melted against his — threatened to unravel him completely.
'She's dangerous,' Yang Yang thought, half-laughing to himself. 'My natural-born weakness.'
He looked at her again and shook his head, grinning. "You're going to be the end of me."
Their limbs tangled again for a moment, her laughter bubbling out in soft gasps as he tickled her lightly, then pulled her close.
"Easy," she whispered, breathless, cheeks flushed from the night before. "I'm still recovering…"
They had barely slept. The memory of last night — the closeness, the laughter, the chaos, the intimacy — was still fresh in both their bodies.
Yang Yang kissed her gently, then mock-scolded her. "Starting tomorrow, I have to double down on training. So don't go tempting me. If you do… well, there will be consequences."
As he said this, he gave her a light playful slap on the hip — not enough to hurt, but enough to make her squeal and bury her face in his chest.
"You mean… this is the punishment now?" she mumbled, cheeks burning but not pulling away.
"Exactly. You better remember it," Yang Yang replied with a wink.
Su Ye tightened her embrace like she never wanted to let go.
"Just today, okay? I'll come run with you tomorrow," she whispered.
Her voice was soft, seductive, innocent — all at once. Yang Yang's resistance crumbled all over again. He almost nodded... but caught himself just in time. Instead, he gave her another playful slap and narrowed his eyes.
"See? There you go again. Trying to tempt me."
Su Ye bit her lip and smiled, eyes glittering with mischief. "I'm not tempting you. I'm just... being close."
Yang Yang looked at her for a long moment, then grabbed the thin sheet and pulled it up to cover her — not just to preserve modesty, but to protect himself from completely giving in.
"Alright, dangerous woman," he muttered, standing up and stretching. "Get a bit more rest. I'll be back soon."
He bent down and kissed her lips — a soft, lingering kiss.
"Okay," Su Ye whispered. "I won't sleep. I'll just wait here for you."
She closed her eyes again, her smile still on her face.
Yang Yang looked back as he reached the door, and something about that sight — her tucked into his bed, relaxed and at peace — made his heart ache in the best possible way.
He clenched his fists gently and turned away before he could change his mind.
"Gentle comforts… the tomb of heroes," he muttered under his breath with a wry grin.
Maybe the old proverb really was right.
...
...
When Yang Yang returned from his morning run, still glistening with sweat and full of energy, Su Ye was already seated in the kitchen, quietly eating breakfast at the dining table.
Even though they'd been inseparable in private — affectionate, teasing, even a little wild — Su Ye always maintained a composed, gentle demeanor in front of others. But when she looked up and saw him walk in, her gaze softened with warmth and something deeper — affection that no one else in the room could mistake.
At the table sat his mother, Shen Lifang, and his cousin, Shen Yuzhu, both chatting over breakfast. From their expressions, it looked like they were mid-conversation and not particularly pleased.
Yang Yang pulled out a chair beside Su Ye and sat down. A bowl of hot porridge had already been set out for him. He began eating without fuss, pausing only to glance up curiously and ask, "What were you all talking about just now?"
Shen Yuzhu answered with a small sigh. "Nothing much. We made plans yesterday to visit Qingshuiyan Temple in Anxi and maybe spend the day sightseeing nearby. But this morning, Su Ye said she wasn't feeling well, so we had to cancel."
"Your health always comes first," said Shen Lifang gently. "You can visit the temple anytime. But you have to take care of your body."
Yang Yang furrowed his brow and turned toward Su Ye, concern written all over his face.
"You're not feeling well? What's wrong?"
Su Ye immediately turned red. She lowered her head and avoided eye contact. Then, under the table, her foot gave Yang Yang's shin a firm and deliberate stomp.
"Ow—" Yang Yang flinched, wincing before catching himself.
Right. He had just asked the dumbest question imaginable.
Of course she wasn't feeling well — he was the reason she had trouble getting out of bed this morning.
Realizing his blunder, he quickly shot her a sheepish grin, raising his eyebrows and mouthing an apologetic "my bad" with a guilty smile.
Su Ye didn't say a word, but her face was still glowing red, and she reached out for her soy milk in silence.
The little exchange between them didn't go unnoticed.
Shen Lifang and Shen Yuzhu glanced at each other and chuckled softly. They didn't press the matter — everything was already obvious. The teasing stopped there.
"Well," Shen Lifang said with a mother's earnestness, "since she's not feeling well, I'll go buy some things later to help her recover. You can't just ignore it."
Yang Yang nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, absolutely. Thank you, Auntie."
Su Ye's blush deepened, and under the table, she nudged him again.
...
...
In the days that followed, Yang Yang returned to his rigorously self-disciplined training routine.
Every morning, he ran along the shaded hills near his neighborhood, with Su Ye often accompanying him at his side. Afterward, he would head into the city to train at the gym in a high-end downtown hotel, focusing on strength and endurance. By afternoon, he was back home, refining his touch and ball control in the courtyard. In the evenings...
Well, let's just say that ever since their relationship had crossed a new threshold, Yang Yang and Su Ye had embraced a cohabitation that was as sweet as it was unabashed. Behind closed doors, the two lived with the openness of young love — no longer shy, but deeply attached.
By the end of June, global football attention had completely turned to the World Cup in Germany. And news came flooding in.
Germany, Italy, Portugal, and France had each secured a spot in the semifinals — triggering massive excitement among Chinese fans. After all, it was China who had held Portugal to a historic group-stage draw, with Yang Yang scoring a stunning brace in that match. Those moments had made millions dream, and now that Portugal had reached the final four, Chinese fans took pride in knowing their team had stood toe-to-toe with a semifinalist.
Yang Yang himself followed the tournament closely. He watched the live broadcasts of several knockout games and noted with some surprise that Scolari had reverted to a midfield trio of Costinha, Maniche, and Deco — the same configuration he had once doubted. Yet Portugal's performances remained rock-solid and tactically sharp.
Italy, on the other hand, was navigating the storm of the Calciopoli scandal. The Italian Football Federation had just released the preliminary results of their investigation: Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio, and Fiorentina would face prosecution, with relegation proposed for some. Juventus had already been stripped of their last two Serie A titles.
The full verdict wasn't yet final, but the implications were seismic. The traditional titans of Italian football had been cracked in half. Everyone could see what was coming — a sharp decline in Serie A's influence on world football.
Ironically, that turmoil seemed to light a fire under the Italian national team, who were playing with resolve, pride, and defiance on the world stage.
As the tournament progressed, something else began to take shape — something unexpected.
Yang Yang's four goals from the group stage continued to rank among the highest in the tournament. Only one player had scored more than him — Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had just reached five. And with only the semifinals and final remaining, it seemed increasingly possible that no other player would surpass Yang Yang's tally.
This sent a wave of speculation rippling through the football world.
The 2006 World Cup was full of world-class attacking talent. France had Zidane, Henry, and Trezeguet; Portugal boasted Figo, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pauleta; Italy featured Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Francesco Totti, and Pippo Inzaghi.
And yet, only Klose had outscored Yang Yang — and just barely.
As unlikely as it had once seemed, there was now a real possibility that Yang Yang could walk away from the World Cup with the Silver Boot — despite China's early exit. To score four goals in just three matches, and to remain near the top of the scorer's table until the semifinals, was nothing short of astounding.
Some in the media began to say it outright: if Yang Yang finished the tournament with four goals and still earned the Silver Boot, it would be a badge of honor — and a glaring shame for the strikers of traditional powerhouses.
At the same time, pundits and columnists around the world began to shift the conversation. With each passing match, the tournament was revealing something deeper: the golden generation of the early 2000s — players like Ronaldo Nazário and Thierry Henry — were nearing the twilight of their careers. Their dominance, though undeniable, was beginning to fade.
And in their place, a new generation was rising.
Among them, Yang Yang was unquestionably the brightest flame.
In recognition of this changing of the guard, FIFA had introduced a new award for the 2006 World Cup — the Best Young Player, given to the tournament's top performer under the age of 21. It was created to supplement the Golden Ball and Golden Boot, with an evaluation process involving six shortlisted candidates, fan voting via FIFA's website, and final deliberation by a panel of elite coaches and tactical analysts.
As of early July, Yang Yang was not just a candidate — he was the overwhelming favorite.
Online voting had him far ahead of his peers, with fans from across the globe drawn to his incredible group-stage performances. As the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung put it: "Four goals in three games — and he's only 19. What more can you ask for?"
Of course, the fan vote wasn't the only determining factor. But as public attention grew louder, and as more analysts highlighted his impact, it became clear:
Yang Yang was the leading contender to become the first-ever recipient of the World Cup's Best Young Player Award.
Just as the calendar turned to July, Yang Yang's phone rang. It was Raiola.
The next morning, Yang Yang packed his bags, said goodbye to his parents, and left for Beijing — Su Ye by his side.
That afternoon, under the radar, he met privately with a group of special guests who had flown in from abroad. The meeting took place at a five-star hotel near Beijing Capital Airport.
The next move in Yang Yang's career was about to begin.