We are the champions · Gemini

Author: Lin Haitingtang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features:
This is a football-themed novel that caused a huge response when serialized on major Chinese websites. Countless netizens and football fans willingly paid to read it, becoming a pillar work for VIP reading on multiple original literature websites in China.
This is a football-themed novel that caused a huge response when serialized on major Chinese websites. Countless netizens and football fans willingly paid to read it, becoming a pillar work for VIP reading on multiple original literature websites in China.
Due to the stagnation of Chinese football, driven by the mindset of "hating to see it fail but unable to help it improve" and a love for football, the author picked up the pen to create this football novel that shook the sports and literary worlds of China.
In the book, the author explores the path forward for Chinese football through a fictional lens.
If there truly comes a day when Chinese football can compete on the world stage, what would the players like Sai Yang and the team look like?
If there truly comes a day when Chinese football, in reality, produces a team like the one in the book, how happy would we, as fans, be?
There is no doubt that this is a wishful thinking novel, not a development blueprint for Chinese football. In the dark and bleak years of Chinese football, only through this way can people find solace. At the same time, this is not just a wishful thinking novel, but also a search for a path for the future of Chinese football. Even if this path seems purely fictional now, who can guarantee that it won’t become reality in the future?
Zhang Xing San
Zhang Xing San
“Ole! Ole, Ole, Ole! We are the champions! Ole! Ole, ole, ole! We are the champions! We are the champions! Ole! Ole, ole, ole!”
Everyone sang "We Are the Champions," jumping around on stage, their necklaces of gold medals (plated!) swaying with their movements, sparkling. In front of them lay the championship trophy of the National High School Football Championship. It was their second year in a row, and the entire team of Shuguang Middle School was so excited they almost forgot who they were, where they came from, and what they were supposed to do. But for players like Kaka, a senior, seeing the trophy also meant it was time to say goodbye.
An Ke placed a bundle of beer on the table, making a dull sound.
“We are students, we can’t drink alcohol,” a team member whispered. But An Ke glared at him: “Nonsense! Today is the celebration, everyone must drink, must drink! Whoever doesn’t drink will run 10,000 meters every day!” The member was scared into silence.
“One, don’t throw up at the dinner table if you get drunk; two, don’t forget your personal belongings when you leave; three, make sure old Liang gets completely drunk today; four, don’t spare Kaka; five, and also—the most important point—everyone watch out for An Ke’s alcohol-induced madness!” Yang Pan, holding his hands into a “microphone” shape, announced the reminders.
“Yang Pan, you…” Yang Pan was the team captain and a year older than An Ke, so An Ke had no choice but to swallow his anger.
The team’s top scorer, Zhang Jun, watched from the side, smiling foolishly.
It’s already time to end? The scene of everyone training together two years ago was still fresh in their memories, how quickly time flies!
“Kaka, remember us even after going to Brazil!” An Ke walked over holding two cups of wine, giving one to Kaka and keeping one for himself. He took a sip first as a toast. Kaka smiled and drank it down in one gulp, then frowned. What kind of terrible beer is this?
Old Liang—their coach—wasn’t drunk for long. Because each player had to have a separate drink with him, or a whole teacup. He now gripped a small bottle, sipping it quietly. Whenever someone approached to toast him, he raised the bottle and made a drinking motion. Once a drop of wine rolled out, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and that was that. Of course, the players wouldn’t stand for it, but he glared and repeated An Ke’s words: “Another toast, or I’ll make you run 10,000 meters every day!” But those who were about to graduate and leave didn’t buy it, so he ended up drinking far too much and feeling extremely bloated.