Chapter Fifteen: Farewell

Long Yuyun’s sigh was not without reason.

If this matter were true, then the fact that Yun Jia Tianyu could rise from a newly assembled second-tier team, take three major leaps in two years to reach the top league, and then claim runner-up in their first year and the championship in the second, could never be mere luck.

What kind of place is Xinjiang? In the realm of football, Xinjiang is an absolute desert. There has never been a player from Xinjiang in the national team; in this respect, the Uyghurs lag far behind the Koreans. One must know that Yanbian’s team in the top league is composed mainly of Korean players, and the national team has always had Korean players as well.

But even in this football desert, Yun Jia Tianyu’s scouts could be seen. If a club’s thirst for talent reaches such intensity, what reason would it have not to succeed?

Other clubs do not invest in youth development as Yun Jia Tianyu does. They would rather spend millions to buy a player than invest a mere hundred thousand to build a complete youth system. Although many clubs are beginning to recognize this, Yun Jia Tianyu has undeniably surged ahead of everyone.

Sometimes, being one step ahead isn’t merely a single step. By the time other clubs establish their own youth systems, Yun Jia Tianyu will have already become the land of promise in the hearts of every aspiring young player.

Take the Bayi team, for example. They possess such vast potential, but after that selection, they never again made such efforts. If children of the military want to play football, they must attend football schools or try out for youth teams at other clubs.

Long Bisheng, however, didn’t notice his father’s unusual mood and continued to ask excitedly, “Dad, do you think Azati can get into Yun Jia Tianyu’s reserve team? I believe he’ll become a big star! Right, Dad?”

In Long Bisheng’s heart, his father knew everything. What he said must always be right.

“Yes, he will certainly make it.” Long Yuyun sighed, picked Long Bisheng up in his arms. “But now you’ll have one less friend to play football with…”

Long Bisheng paused, only now realizing that if Azati left, his only friend close in age would leave him too.

After a moment of sadness, Long Bisheng lifted his head and said seriously, “I’m not afraid. It’s good for Azati to go play football. Maybe he’ll become a famous star one day, and then I’ll definitely ask him for an autograph!”

Upon hearing this, Long Yuyun was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with his wife and asked, “But he’s your only companion on the pitch. Don’t you wish he could stay?”

“I do,” Long Bisheng answered honestly. “But it’s more important for Azati to play football. I’ll be fine.”

“Good boy! You truly are my son!” Long Yuyun laughed heartily, tossing Long Bisheng into the air and catching him. “Son, don’t worry. As long as I have time after school, I’ll accompany you to play football!”

Suspended in the air, Long Bisheng broke out in a radiant smile.

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“Bisheng, I’m going to Yun Jia,” Azati said.

The next day after school, Long Bisheng met Azati on the grassland. Azati wasn’t tending sheep today, obviously waiting for his young friend, six or seven years his junior.

“That’s wonderful! You’re sure to become a star!” Long Bisheng was genuinely happy for his big brother. As the only child at home, he had few close friends in their compound, but over the past two years, Azati, the Uyghur youth, had cared for him as though he were his own younger brother. How could Long Bisheng not regard him as his elder?

“It’s not that easy! The elimination rate in Yun Jia Tianyu’s youth system is quite high,” Azati laughed, clearly prepared for this. His father supported his ambitions, knowing that even if it didn’t work out, Azati could always return to shepherding.

“You’ll make it!” Long Bisheng clenched his fist. “I believe in you!”

Azati smiled sincerely. “You must work hard too… Scout Wang said every year, many scouts visit schools to select players. If you perform well, you’ll have your chance!”

As he spoke, Azati pulled Long Bisheng into his arms. “Bisheng, I believe our brotherhood will bring us together again someday.”

Wang Sa stood nearby, delighted. Upon returning to Azati’s home, he conducted a simple test for him. Azati’s skills were rough, but his superb long passes were unmatched by any fifteen-year-old in Yun Jia Tianyu’s youth team, and even rare among senior players. He could place the ball exactly where he intended. Moreover, he was energetic and fast. With such a solid foundation, a few years of formal training would equip him to stand out in the first team—truly remarkable!

Negotiations with Azati’s parents went smoothly. His father immediately agreed to Wang Sa’s invitation. To this honest Uyghur man, his son’s chance to play football was far more promising than tending sheep. Since his son refused to attend middle school, he had been troubled about his future.

Now, things were looking up. He had heard that those players could earn hundreds of thousands a year—how many years of shepherding would it take to match that? And even if his son didn’t make a name for himself, it was only a few years lost; he could always return to shepherding.

“Alright, we must leave now, or we’ll miss the bus.”

Seeing the two brothers lingering in farewell, Wang Sa had to play the villain.

Azati released his hold, exchanged a few more words with Long Bisheng, and then set out with Wang Sa on the road away from home—his father would accompany him to Yun Jia, confirm Wang Sa’s credentials, and then return.

Long Bisheng waved his hand continuously until the figures vanished into the town, only then stopping. Unknowingly, tears had already streaked down his face.

This was Long Bisheng’s first farewell. From today, his elder brother would embark on a completely different path.

And Long Bisheng’s own path showed no sign of change—at least, not yet.