Su emerged from the SYSTEM with a look of utter frustration on his face.

  He resembled a gambler who had lost everything overnight.

  The poor guy simply collapsed into sleep.

  It wasn't until six o'clock the next morning that Su groggily woke up.

  Glancing at the sky, Su decided to eat something before beginning his morning training.

  Though the training points didn't significantly improve his abilities anymore, Su maintained this habit religiously.

  Even if progress was slow, he was still getting stronger, wasn't he?

  By nine o'clock, after three hours of intense training, Su collapsed onto the couch, breathing heavily.

  His rest was short-lived as Lisa's cute little Beetle soon pulled up in front of his house.

  The moment he spotted Lisa's car, Su immediately accessed the SYSTEM to remove his manly extreme IRON underpants.

  The set effect was absolutely brutal.

  Five hours had been torture enough - adding another 50% would be impossible to endure!

  Lisa entered carrying - not the little leather whip (yuck!) - but her small leather bag, which she deftly placed on the couch.

  "Well..."

  "How does this work?"

  "The usual routine!"

  "I'm a bit tired from this morning's training!"

  "That's alright, I'll help you relax."

  "First, let's take your temperature!"

  "We always take your temperature after away games. Need to sterilize first!"

  "Sterilize? Will that hurt?"

  "It's oral antiseptic - completely painless!"

  "They make that stuff for oral use?"

  "I brought plenty. Su, you're amazing - faster than even Messi!"

  "Don't you know exactly how fast I am?"

  "Disinfect first. I saw the reports - your whole team went out again. Baumann was the worst - photos show Annan carrying him out in the morning!"

  "Damn it! I told you that guy was out of control again!"

  Eighteen years old. The sky was overcast when suddenly, a pair of mighty hands tore through the clouds!

  The familiar sky hissed from end to end as thunder rumbled ominously.

  Gradually, the sky seemed to calm completely - or rather...

  The eighteen-year-old volcano had finally begun to erupt!

  "Su! I hear you're leaving after this season!"

  At four in the afternoon, having finally completed her examination, Lisa asked this question with satisfaction.

  "Well, I suppose I will be."

  "Where are you planning to go?"

  "I don't know yet."

  "Remember - no matter where you go, I'm still your personal physiotherapist!"

  ............

  After finishing her inspection, Lisa drove off in her little Beetle.

  After showering, Su turned on his computer to watch the other semi-final that had ended last night.

  To Su's astonishment, Real Madrid had actually lost.

  Fielding their strongest lineup, they suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United at Old Trafford.

  Berbatov scored both goals!

  The famously elegant striker proved once again that football doesn't always require excessive running.

  Having covered just 4,000 meters all game, the Bulgarian made Real Madrid swallow the bitter pill of a two-goal away deficit - first with a clinical strike from outside the box, then with a poacher's finish in the area.

  For Mourinho, who had vowed to prepare for a final against Barcelona, Real Madrid's attacking performance was disastrous.

  Kaká's form had fluctuated all season, and at Old Trafford he completely lacked the dominance he once showed at AC Milan.

  Cristiano Ronaldo, deprived of midfield support, found himself trapped in the tactical quicksand of the stadium where his dreams began.

  Facing his former teammates, Ronaldo struggled as Manchester United's players anticipated his every move.

  Every shot attempt or dribble seemed predicted in advance.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  The post-match press conference proved challenging for reporters.

  Mourinho remained defiant:

  "I've got two Champions League trophies in my cabinet! Look carefully - two!"

  "I've won every possible title!"

  "One loss means nothing!"

  "The Bernabéu will be the deciding battle!"

  Sir Alex Ferguson appeared much calmer compared to Mourinho's fiery response.

  Victory over Real Madrid seemed part of Ferguson's master plan.

  With Manchester United still leading the Premier League, the Scotsman had one clear objective - the historic treble.

  Following the match, media outlets unanimously singled out Brazilian superstar Kaká for criticism.

  After the 2010 World Cup, Kaká had undergone surgery to address a recurring meniscus injury in his left knee. While successful, the procedure sidelined him for half a season.

  Upon returning, Kaká endured the most disappointing period of his career - managing just four goals and five assists in half a season for Real Madrid.

  These statistics might suffice for most players, but for Real Madrid's second-highest earner and former world record transfer Kaká...

  His performances have been a huge disappointment to many Real Madrid fans.

  With the semi-final loss, Kaká's decision to play through injury at the World Cup - which led to his recurring problems - was once again brought up by the media.

  Early the next morning,

  Su and Hao drove to the club together.

  Right outside the club entrance, reporters stopped Su!

  "Su! What's your take on Kaká? Many are saying his choice to play injured at the World Cup was extremely selfish!"

  The reporter shoved his microphone through the car window.

  Su was momentarily speechless.

  This was tricky - one wrong word could cause offense!

  What could he say?

  "Well... I haven't played in a World Cup, so I can't really comment. But Kaká is a player I greatly admire - his ability is absolutely world-class!"

  With that, Su and Hao hurried into the club.

  The journalists clearly weren't satisfied with Su's diplomatic answer.

  What did he mean he hadn't participated so he didn't know?

  The club vs. country dilemma is something every top player faces!

  However, just as the spotlight remained on Kaká, a Manchester City talent stole all the media attention with one explosive comment -

  Mario Balotelli!

  The Italian wonderkid joined Su as a finalist for the 2010 European Golden Boy Award.

  After the finalists were announced, Balotelli told Sport England:

  "The Golden Boy? Definitely me! Su? That guy just passes the ball - I'm way more versatile than him!"

  "Chinese Su! Remember my name - Mario Balotelli! If we ever face each other, I'll show you exactly what I can do!"

  The endearing Balotelli seemed completely unaware why reporters specifically asked him about Su during a Golden Boy finalist interview.

  But knowing Balotelli's temperament, even if he had realized it was a trap, he would've said the exact same things!

  Soon, footage of Balotelli's interview reached Su.

  "Haha! Su! That kid's calling you out!"

  Seeing Balotelli's antics made Su's teammates burst out laughing during training.

  "Tch!"

  Su knew exactly how this "Super Mario's" mind worked.

  Historically, Balotelli did win the 2010 Golden Boy award.

  But now... things were different.

  Regardless, it seemed they wouldn't face each other this season anyway.

  So when faced with Balotelli's provocation, Su didn't even bother responding.

  We Chinese know that psychopaths aren't even legally accountable for murder - why bother with their dislike?

  However, just as everyone was laughing off Balotelli's comments, someone unexpectedly spoke up.

  "Balotelli? He's not in Su's league! Only Manchester City would buy such a brainless player!"

  The speaker?

  Sir Alex Ferguson himself!

  While everyone knows the Manchester United manager despises City, publicly attacking their player over some Bundesliga youngster...

  This is completely... Well, actually standard behavior for him!

  "Damn it!"

  "I told you to shut that guy up!"

  At Manchester City's training ground, Mancini's hands trembled with rage as he read the newspaper reports.

  "Boss, it's just Ferguson's mind games - the Manchester Derby's this weekend!"

  "I know!"

  "But Balotelli doesn't think like a normal person! Get him on the phone - no more interviews until further notice! Before he makes things worse!"

  "Understood, boss!"

  Yet the assistant coach returned moments later:

  "Boss, it's too late! Balotelli's already responded - he told reporters Ferguson should've retired years ago and that City will slaughter United in the derby!"

  Mancini froze.

  He collapsed into his chair.

  He could already envision what awaited them at Old Trafford.

  He'd hoped Ferguson might rotate players to rest for the Champions League, giving City a chance to close the gap.

  Not anymore.

  With Balotelli's outburst, they'd now face a fully-motivated, furious Manchester United.

  ............