Chapter 212: Chapter 79: Masterpieces of the World: Legacy and Respect

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The fans are cheering for the “Crown Prince”.

Meanwhile, all over the world, countless “children” are watching this 16-year-old boy, their eyes full of hope. Everyone envies Chen Zhong; everyone wants to become the next Chen Zhong, playing as a starting midfielder for Real Madrid at sixteen, basking in the cheers at the Bernabeu, watched by millions on TV.

How could such an experience, such a life, not be enviable?

After taking the lead, Real Madrid played with more composure, completely controlling the pace of the game.

The Spaniards had long lost their initial confidence, even resorting to more fouls to block Real Madrid’s offensive.

“Real Madrid’s attack.”

“Marcelo.”

“Breakthrough on the flank.”

“On the left, choosing to cross directly.”

“Higuain goes for the point.”

“Beautiful!”

After the team took the lead, Marcelo also unleashed himself, participating more in the attack. This bold penetration and dribbling down the wing was something the Spaniards didn’t expect.

His cross from the left was very precise, landing right on Higuain’s head.

Higuain, after receiving the ball, didn’t choose to shoot himself but made a beautiful header assist, sending the ball to the charging Chen Zhong.

Facing the oncoming ball, Chen Zhong didn’t hesitate for a moment and took the shot.

“Boom!”

The ball slammed out like a cannonball, “piercing” through the goalkeeper’s ten fingers.

With Moises hanging on him, Chen Zhong scored another beautiful goal.

“2:0”

“Chen Zhong!”

“His keen forward run.”

“Even though Moises sensed something was off early.”

“But there was simply no way to stop Chen Zhong.”

“He almost watched as Chen Zhong scored this goal.”

“A brace.”

“For a newcomer, Chen Zhong’s performance this season has been outstanding.”

“The season isn’t over; can he hit double digits in goals and assists?”

“Let’s wait and see.”

Schuster, upon seeing Chen Zhong score another goal, jumped up entirely. His aggressive runs from the back completely disrupted the Spaniards’ defensive plans.

Midfield advance, playing a “center forward” role in the attack.

This tactical approach…

Seems to have potential.

Schuster squinted while pondering and trying to send dear Francisco a few big slaps.

In the stands, the Real Madrid fans also cheered for this goal, their eyes locked on Chen Zhong as they watched him lead the players toward the corner flag, all jumping high together. Finally, they shouted, “CHEN!”

After the stirring shout, they couldn’t help but start discussing this homegrown genius.

“His body is really strong.”

“The opposing defenders just can’t stop him.”

“And his awareness, he can always be in the right place whether in defense or attack.”

People enthusiastically discussed Chen Zhong, his strengths, and his future. They seemed to understand the mentality of Barcelona fans a bit.

When their team produced Messi, Dos Santos, Bojan, that kind of mindset when showing off their homegrown talents to others.

After conceding the second goal, the Spaniards couldn’t hold it together.

The only one still trying might have been the former Castilla player, Luis Garcia.

He didn’t necessarily want to win; he just wanted to show his best in front of his “home team”, and his efforts were indeed rewarded.

In the 37th minute, the Spaniards got a decent counterattack opportunity.

The ball ended up at Luis Garcia’s feet; he would deliver the last pass in this Spanish attack.

He controlled the ball on the flank, his eyes fixed in the distance.

A beautiful long pass carved a charming arc over the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

And beneath this charming arc was Marcelo’s terrified look, along with Baldo, completely unmarked and poised for an easy header.

“2:1”

“Real Madrid has once again exposed defensive holes during set-piece defense.”

“Marcelo’s offensive performance in this match has been outstanding.”

“But defensively, his old habits have returned.”

Marcelo’s face turned a little pale; he made the same mistake again. He looked towards Chen Zhong, who signaled him to stay calm.

The match continued.

The first half time was running out.

“Real Madrid’s attack.”

“A series of passes.”

“The ball is passed to Chen Zhong.”

Chen Zhong received the ball; the Spaniards’ players had almost all retreated to their half. Moises came close from the side, and Chen Zhong didn’t shrink back, actively seeking physical confrontation.

Moises stumbled but didn’t fall, yet by the time he regained his balance, Chen Zhong had already slowly dribbled past him by half a body.

Moises reached out to tug at Chen Zhong, while his teammate Smijanic closed in from a distance.

The two towering burly men, both over 180cm, closed in again. Chen Zhong didn’t force his way through, instead passing the ball to Raul, who had retreated. Raul took the ball, faced the challenging defender, and returned the pass.

Chen Zhong suddenly burst with energy, displacing Moises who had barely kept up with him, and charged towards the penalty area.

Moises initially hoped for his teammate Smijanic to intervene, but only saw Smijanic being “bounced” aside by Chen Zhong. Faced with such a situation, Moises extended his evil hand and gave a hard shove.

Chen Zhong had just bumped into Smijanic, and faced with this unexpected force, immediately lost his balance and fell to the ground.

And the place where he fell was…

The penalty area!

“Chen Zhong!”

“Beautiful teamwork.”

“His physique is really robust.”

“Is he really only 16 years old?”

“Absolutely unstoppable.”

“Smijanic was knocked aside directly.”

“Huh?”

“Moises.”

“Extend his hand?”

“Down…”

“Chen Zhong fell!”

“Why extend a hand here? Even if he pulls him down, it’s a penalty kick.”

“Let’s see if the referee will show the red card now!”

The referee decisively awarded a penalty kick, then hesitated as he faced Moises before ultimately giving a yellow card—denying the fans’ anticipation of a red card and penalty combo.

After all, Chen Zhong wasn’t in an absolute scoring position, as there were still defenders when he entered the penalty area.

Raul picked up the ball and hesitated for a moment before walking over to Chen Zhong. If Chen Zhong scored, he would complete a hat trick. However, when Chen Zhong saw Raul approaching with the ball, he directly shoved it into Raul’s arms.

“This is your 200th goal.”

“You’ll definitely score, right?”

This season, Raul had already given up a penalty to Chen Zhong once, and his total league goals had reached 199. Scoring this goal would register his 200th league goal, marking a milestone achievement.

Chen Zhong could have held the ball in his arms to pursue his own hat trick.

But he’s still young, like a rising sun, while Raul is already aging, and his matches are numbered.

With most players retiring in their 30s, perhaps in a few years Raul might retire…

Raul, feeling somewhat moved, looked at Chen Zhong as the league neared its end. It’s a big question mark whether he would score in the remaining matches, given that the league had reached round 27 and he only scored 12 goals.

“I will.” Raul looked at this junior he had picked up in his car, smiling: “You kid.”

Raul stood at the penalty spot, took a deep breath, calming his emotions.

Approached and kicked.

Raul deceived the goalkeeper, effortlessly sending the ball into the net.

“Goal!”

“3:1”

“Raul handled the pressure.”

“Scored the 13th goal of the season, and also his 200th goal in La Liga.”

“This is an incredible achievement.”

“Meanwhile, a touching scene occurred just now.”

“After Chen Zhong helped the team win a penalty kick, Raul wanted to give the penalty to Chen Zhong, but Chen Zhong refused.”

“He chose to forego a hat-trick to honor his senior on the team, a sign of respect.”

“At the beginning of the season, Raul had also given a penalty to Chen Zhong, a gesture of mentorship.”

“Now in retrospect, if Raul hadn’t given up that penalty earlier, he might have reached his 200th league goal much sooner.”

Many new fans watching Chen Zhong were unaware of the underlying story.

Initially, when they saw Chen Zhong forgo the penalty, they were grumbling.

“Why not a hat-trick?”

“Got a penalty kick yet didn’t take it, really cowardly, just pretentious.”

“What’s the deal, rejecting someone’s penalty kick?”

But after hearing the narrator’s explanation and understanding the whole story, their opinions changed.

“Is there a background story?”

“Chen Zhong, a true man!”

“So this is the cultural legacy and mentorship in the team?”

After scoring, Raul ran over and pulled Chen Zhong to walk together towards the diehard fan section, and this scene was captured by reporters.

No. 7 Raul embraced No. 22 Chen Zhong, as their backs faced the diehard fans, who wore white shirts and waved white flags.

This scene also became another world-famous painting in Chen Zhong’s career: Mentorship and Respect.

Later on, internet users would joke about it.

Raul: You see, this is the kingdom I laid down for you.

…

The first half ended, and the two teams seemed to have reached a tacit understanding, slowing down the pace in the second half.

By this point in the season, both teams were already very fatigued.

Schuster substituted Chen Zhong and Raul in the 77th minute, allowing both to again bask in the applause and cheers at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The final score was fixed at 3:1

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep