I Just Wanted to Play Soccer, But I Became a Hollywood Heartthrob

The system notifications popped up one after another.

Ding!

"Host has collected: Defensive Pressing Training +10 hours. Today's collection progress: 2/10."

Ding!

"Host has collected: Stamina Training +10 hours. Today's collection progress: 3/10."

Ding!

"Host has collected: Close Marking Training +10 hours. Today's collection progress: 4/10."

"Reminder: Host has accumulated 100 hours of specialized training and has received 1 corresponding talent point."

Ding!

"Host has collected: Defensive Interception Training +10 hours. Today's collection progress: 5/10."

Gu Ran's eyes lit up.

Another talent point acquired!

And this batch of collected bubbles was extremely valuable.

Without hesitation, he invested the newly acquired talent point into stamina.

Ding!

"Congratulations! Stamina increased from 55 to 56."

Immediately, he felt a renewed lightness in his breath, as if the fatigue from the warm-up had already started to fade.

His stamina had improved significantly, but it still wasn't at a professional standard.

No rush. Progress had to be made step by step.

A football career wasn't built in a day.

With 12 years of advanced football knowledge, Gu Ran had patience.

Just then, Coach Carter stepped onto the field with a stern expression.

The previously lively and chatty players immediately fell into formation.

As Carter approached, Gu Ran noticed something interesting—the uncollected bubbles from earlier were slowly dissolving into the air before fading away completely.

It seemed that any uncollected system bubbles would disappear after three minutes.

Carter's hawk-like gaze swept across the team, making sure every player felt his presence before he finally spoke.

"Tomorrow marks the beginning of the National Championship group stage."

"As you all know, the National Championship consists of 32 teams, divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each, playing in a single round-robin format."

"A single round-robin means that each team plays three matches, one against each group opponent. Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the Round of 16 knockout stage."

"The competition is fierce. The pressure is immense."

"Our best historical result as the Stag Horns was reaching the quarterfinals."

Carter paused for a moment, then added with pride,

"I was the team captain that year."

The players remained silent.

They had heard this story at least a hundred times before. By now, it barely registered anymore.

But Gu Ran found it quite interesting.

He hadn't expected this trash-talking, no-nonsense coach to have actually led the team to the national quarterfinals in his youth.

Carter continued.

"Do you know what making the quarterfinals means?"

"It means you can apply to any top-tier university sports program in the UK."

"If you make the semifinals, top universities will actively recruit you."

"If you win the championship—my god, professional club scouts will be blowing up your phone nonstop!"

"You'll become a football star. The media will chase you down. You'll make a fortune. Fans will treat you like a savior!"

Taking a deep breath, Carter's voice lowered as he stared down the team.

"So, tell me, boys. Are you ready to step onto the path of a professional career?"

The players roared in unison, their blood boiling.

"YES, COACH!"

Carter, however, let out a mocking laugh.

"—BULLSHT! TOTAL BULLSHT!!!"

"Do you really think becoming a star is that easy? Do you think making the quarterfinals is a walk in the park?!"

"You lazy, undisciplined morons! You really think you're ready?! Your tactics are still a mess! I'd bet my grandmother's gravestone that you'll get absolutely destroyed by your opponents!"

The intense fire of excitement the players had just felt was immediately extinguished by Carter's brutal words.

Gu Ran, however, secretly admired the coach's honesty—even if his words were harsh as hell.

Carter's sharp eyes scanned the players again.

"You are the worst team I've ever coached!"

"So I have zero expectations for you."

"I don't expect you to make the quarterfinals for a shot at university scholarships. I don't expect you to win the championship and go pro."

"I just want you to play every group match with everything you have—so that, when you leave high school, you can at least say you ended your journey properly, even if it wasn't perfect."

"You're not playing for me."

"This is your youth."

"Don't let yourselves regret it!"

The players clenched their fists, some of the more emotional ones even looking like they were about to cry.

After delivering this intense emotional speech, Carter finally got to the point.

"Now, we begin the intra-squad match."

"This match will determine the final 18-player squad for the tournament."

"Drummer," Carter called over the assistant. "Same as always. Distribute the training bibs. You're the ref. Pick two guys to be the assistant referees, and let's get started."

"Yes, Coach!"

Drummer, being experienced with these routines, quickly sorted the players.

Players with red bibs were the starting lineup, while those with green bibs were the reserves and substitutes.

Gu Ran wasn't given a bib.

Which was expected.

He had joined the team at the last minute and wasn't part of the existing rotation.

Watergate, now wearing a red bib, swaggered over to Gu Ran with a smirk.

"Hey, China boy. Where's your bib? Oh wait—you don't even have the right to play in the intra-squad match, do you? Hahaha!"

Gu Ran remained calm, flashing a faint smile.

"Good luck in the match."

To Gu Ran, this was just another opportunity—a chance to collect more stamina and defensive training progress.

Watergate snorted.

"Us starters vs. backup players? Of course, we're going to win! Enjoy watching from the sidelines!"

Rust walked over, his tone gruff but friendly.

"Hey, Watergate, ease up on Gu. He's new here."

Then, he turned and gave Gu Ran an encouraging smile.

Watergate frowned.

"Rust, are you seriously siding with the China boy? I'm doing you a favor, man. And you're taking his side?"

Then he squinted suspiciously.

"Wait… you wouldn't happen to be after that pink note Gu Ran had earlier, would you?"

Rust's face flushed red in an instant.

"W-what?! No! Of course not! I-I wasn't even thinking about that!"

Gu Ran nearly burst out laughing.

Big guy, your acting skills are on par with a terrible soap opera.

BEEP!

Drummer, acting as temporary referee, blew the whistle.

The intra-squad match had begun.

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