ALL NOVEL Chapter 22: Departure Tide
"Sorry, we haven't opened yet. Please come back later," Shen Yuzhu quickly greeted and apologized when he saw a group of young Dutch people entering the restaurant.
It was still two hours before lunch, so the kitchen wasn't prepared to serve customers yet.
Upon entering, the group glanced around, curious and searching for something. The leader of the group politely addressed Shen Yuzhu, "Is Yang Yang here?"
"Yang Yang?" Shen Yuzhu hesitated briefly.
It was the first time since Yang Yang arrived in the Netherlands that someone had asked specifically for him. Shen Yuzhu, his cousin, felt a twinge of worry.
"Yes, does Yang Yang from the Almere youth team reside here?" the man reiterated.
At that moment, Shen Ming and his wife heard the commotion and emerged from the kitchen, observing the young men closely. They asked Shen Yuzhu in Chinese, "What's going on?"
"They've come for Yang Yang," Shen Yuzhu replied.
"You're looking for Yang Yang? What's this about?" Shen Ming asked the young man in Dutch.
"Hello, I'm Henk Dimer, captain of the Almere youth team. We're here to see Yang Yang. This restaurant is the only contact information we have," Henk Dimer explained.
"It's a teammate from Almere," Shen Ming thought to himself. The three of them chuckled, initially thinking it might be some issue related to Yang Yang, especially given Yang Yang's Chinese background, sparking various scenarios in their minds.
"Yes, Yang Yang lives here, but he's not at home right now," Shen Yuzhu replied fluently in Dutch.
"Not here?" Henk Dimer looked a bit surprised. Both the team and the school had disbanded for the summer holidays.
"He should be at the skate park," Shen Ming said, glancing at the wall clock and then at his daughter. "Yuzhu, take them to Yang Yang. You can invite them back for lunch at noon."
Most people in Almere commuted to Amsterdam for work, making lunchtime typically quiet. Visitors coming specifically to see Yang Yang at home were rare, but Shen Ming wanted to be supportive.
Shen Yuzhu promptly agreed and led Henk Dimer and the others out of the restaurant, heading north towards the skate park entrance located not far from the villa area.
As they approached the skateboard area, the faint sound of a ball striking against a wall became audible.
Henk Dimer and the others, seasoned players themselves, easily recognized the sound of the ball. Could it be Yang Yang practicing here?
Upon reaching the core area and standing on the tree-lined path, they observed Yang Yang about 20 meters away from the graffiti-covered wall, diligently kicking the ball against it repeatedly. After each touch, the ball bounced back, stopped briefly, and then was kicked again.
After over a month of practice, the once mottled graffiti wall had deteriorated further, with exposed bricks and clay in many spots.
Yang Yang practiced with intense focus, sweating profusely, completely unaware of anyone approaching from behind.
The ball alternated between his right and left feet, striking the wall rhythmically.
It was a simple, repetitive movement, but Yang Yang approached it meticulously, taking each kick seriously.
The muted thud of the ball hitting the wall resonated deeply with Henk Dimer and the others, evoking both admiration and a tinge of embarrassment. This was how Yang Yang had achieved first place.
"How long has he been training here?" Henk Dimer asked quietly.
"For over a month, I think. He's here almost every day, except for eating, sleeping, going to school, and team training. He doesn't allow himself any slack," Shen Yuzhu responded softly. Since witnessing Yang Yang's dedication at the skate park, she had developed a deep respect for him. He was clearly someone with great ambition.
Though they didn't know the exact duration, seeing the worn-down graffiti wall, everyone could envision the intense training Yang Yang had put in, dispelling any lingering doubts they might have had about him.
Originally, I thought Yang Yang was working hard enough in school and on the training ground, but I never expected him to work ten times and a hundred times harder in places that couldn't be seen.
If Henk Dimer and the others had doubts about Yang Yang before, they were now somewhat convinced. After all, this was the result of Yang Yang's blood and sweat.
When Yang Yang finally paused to catch his breath, he suddenly noticed everyone behind him.
"How did you guys get here?" Yang Yang asked in surprise.
Shen Yuzhu approached with a towel in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. "They said they were your teammates. They came to the restaurant looking for you, so I brought them here."
Yang Yang wiped off his sweat with the towel and then took a few sips of water after unscrewing the bottle cap.
They were surely here because the summer amateur competition was likely to start soon.
Since she had guided them here, Shen Yuzhu needed to return to the restaurant to assist. She told Yang Yang to let his teammates have lunch, mentioning that Uncle Shen Ming had already begun preparing.
In reality, there wasn't much that required special preparation. There were just a few dishes in the restaurant that needed to be fried.
From a distance, Henk Dimer and the others had merely observed, but as they approached the graffiti wall, they couldn't help but admire it. This was undeniable proof of Yang Yang's hard work.
"What brings you here?" Yang Yang asked, taking a sip of water.
"As I mentioned earlier, we're here to discuss the schedule of the summer youth amateur competition," Dimer replied.
"When does it start?" Yang Yang inquired anxiously.
"With the first match scheduled for next Wednesday, and then every five days thereafter," Henk Dimer informed him.
Having been preoccupied with his training lately, Yang Yang hadn't played a match in two weeks. He felt the absence keenly, realizing how crucial regular matches were for maintaining his form and improvement.
"Guess who our first opponent is?" Nick chimed in, wearing a smile.
"Who?" Yang Yang asked with curiosity.
"AS'80," Dimer answered.
Seeing Yang Yang's puzzled expression, Henk Dimer elaborated, "AS'80 is a club just east of Almere. Most of their players hail from Flevoland."
Yang Yang suddenly realized, "Ah, isn't AS'80 the amateur club affiliated with Flevoland?"
"It's said to be a longstanding club with a strong youth development program. Last year, they even sent players to the Ajax youth camp. If it weren't for Almere's recent rise, they might still be the top team in Almere," Dimer explained.
"This match gives us a chance to redeem ourselves after our last encounter with Flevoland," Yang Yang remarked eagerly.
The game against Flevoland had unsettled him initially because it was his first match and he had lost.
But times had changed, and Yang Yang was no longer the same as he was a month ago. Back then, the defenders from Flevoland struggled to contain him, and now it would be even more challenging for them.
Seeing Yang Yang in such high spirits, Henk Dimer and Nick couldn't help but nod approvingly. Yang Yang's motivation was infectious, and it lifted the spirits of everyone around him.
"Yang Yang's eagerness to face our rivals is exactly what we need," Henk Dimer remarked, sharing the sentiment of the team.
"But we mustn't be complacent. Besides the regular Flevoland players, they'll have several first-team players of the appropriate age this time. They're not to be underestimated. Though they play in the amateur league, their skills are noteworthy," Nick cautioned.
While Almere also included some first-team players, they mostly couldn't play in the top squad. The summer amateur games were crucial for them to regain peak condition.
"The first team has disbanded. Starting the day after tomorrow, our amateur squad will begin training together. I've discussed this with the coaching staff. Training sessions and matches will continue at the club's training ground," Henk Dimer confirmed.
Johnny Rep is a strong advocate for the youth team and some first-team players participating in amateur games, and the club strives to facilitate this wherever possible. However, using the home ground for these matches isn't feasible due to the significant operational costs involved. Therefore, everything needs to be self-organized by the players themselves. Nevertheless, figures like Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer have always pledged their support and assistance whenever their schedules permit.
The youth team trains together as a cohesive unit without any issues of understanding among them. With a few new first-team players joining, there's a slight adjustment period needed, but it's manageable. However, the situation with Almere's first team is less clear-cut.
During the crucial promotion playoff for the Dutch second division, the team's home defeat dashed their hopes of advancing. Criticism has been leveled at Johnny Rep's tactics, and several players' performances have been scrutinized by the supporters, resulting in a dip in team morale.
The disappointment of missing out on the Eerste Divisie promotion was palpable, especially for those who had invested so much effort since the beginning of the season, only to fall short in the final game.
"This setback not only hurts the team's aspirations but has also complicated contract renewals for several players who may leave this summer, effectively ending our chances of reaching the Eerste Divisie next season," remarked Henk Dimer. As the youth team captain, he has access to more inside information.
Almere's first team has had a strong season, with several players attracting interest from professional clubs in the Eerste Divisie, particularly those newly promoted. Despite their successful performance, the team's failure to secure promotion may lead to frustrations among players, potentially resulting in inevitable departures.
The loss of key players could significantly weaken their squad, diminishing their chances of promotion next season. However, the outcome will largely hinge on the decisions made by Johnny Rep and the club management. Wisely reinvesting the proceeds from player sales during the summer transfer window could offer a glimmer of hope.
For Yang Yang and others aiming to break into the first team, the upcoming summer amateur competition and rigorous pre-season training present an excellent opportunity. Making a strong impression during these periods could pave the way for them to secure a spot in the first team next season.