Chapter Thirty-Four: A Child’s Play Examination

After Wei Zhe left, this small family immediately became busy. They packed up their son's belongings, prepared the necessary funds, and naturally included plenty of Xinjiang's local specialties. In the heat of summer, dried fruits were convenient to carry. Regarding expenses, Long Yuyun had consulted Wei Zhe in detail and learned that at Yunjia Tianyu Football School, a semester’s costs amounted to barely two or three thousand yuan. For a school providing board and lodging, this was remarkably cheap. Some time ago, Long Yuyun had received a remittance slip from Xi’an, reimbursing parents after the football school's assets had been liquidated. Since the principal had squandered much of it, each student received only about three thousand yuan, which meant Long Yuyun had no worries about finances.

The only concern for Long Yuyun and Yin Xiuping was about daily life. Although Long Bisheng had lived well in Xi’an over the past year without any signs of discomfort and had strong independent living skills, Yunjia was no Xi’an. Xi’an and Xinjiang were relatively close, but Yunjia was in the south, and traveling from Xinjiang to Yunjia meant crossing nearly the entire country. The distance brought differences that could not be easily overcome.

Adapting to local life might seem a small matter, but many professional players have struggled with it. Fortunately, Long Bisheng wasn’t yet playing professionally and had time to learn to adapt.

The year at Xi’an Hope Football School was not spent in vain for Long Bisheng. He clearly understood the harsh reality of pursuing a professional football career, but upon hearing the news, his heart surged only with excitement.

This was the true path to professional football. In just a few years, dozens of professional players had emerged from Yunjia Tianyu Football School. As long as one had enough ability, the platform provided by the Yunjia Tianyu club allowed ample room to shine.

Perhaps he lacked innate talent, but he was willing to work hard. If he continued to persevere, he would surely succeed!

Long Bisheng also knew that those admitted to Yunjia Tianyu Football School would undoubtedly be elite talents from across the country, but he believed that if everyone started from the same line and he worked hard enough, he would carve out a place for himself in the professional football scene.

On August 15th, led by his father, Long Bisheng once again set out on the road to becoming a professional player.

This journey was longer and farther than the one a year ago, perhaps foreshadowing the greater challenges that lay ahead.

After three days and nights of travel, father and son finally arrived in the southern city of Yunjia.

From the vast frontier of the setting sun to the lively water towns of the south, Long Bisheng immediately opened his eyes wide, greedily taking in the scenery so different from his hometown.

There were mountains and rivers here; the modestly tall Baiyun Mountain stood in the south of the city, and the clear Guan Jia River circled the city, giving Yunjia its name. There were bustling avenues and quiet, deep alleys; the new district was lively and energetic, advancing toward modernization, while the old district was leisurely and serene, exuding the carefree charm of pastoral life. This was a city where ancient and modern blended seamlessly.

Unlike Long Bisheng, Long Yuyun felt the influence of Yunjia Tianyu as soon as he stepped out of the train station. Among the young people on the street, one in every four wore a Yunjia Tianyu jersey. Outside the station, there was a giant billboard featuring the entire Yunjia Tianyu team, and even at the bus stops, Long Yuyun saw several names related to the club.

Yunjia Tianyu Club, Yunjia Fengyun Stadium, Yunjia Training Base, Yunjia Football School!

No guide was needed; a glance at the bus stop sign was enough to find the way to Yunjia Football School.

In just five years, Yunjia Tianyu had grown from a newly founded club into a brand synonymous with the city—a true miracle among Chinese clubs.

Now, Long Bisheng had the chance to become part of this miracle. Long Yuyun took a deep breath and gazed at his son with immense pride, then led him onto the shuttle bus bound for Yunjia Tianyu Football School.

The subsequent events proceeded surprisingly smoothly.

Upon arrival, the Longs quickly spotted the entrance to Yunjia Tianyu Football School. Compared to the school's reputation in Yunjia and nationwide, its gate seemed rather modest and simple.

After reporting their identities at the gatehouse, the guard made a call, and within minutes, a middle-aged man came briskly out from within. Long Yuyun noticed that the man seemed to limp slightly on his right leg.

"Mr. Long Yuyun, I presume? Welcome, welcome. I’m Xia Liquan, deputy head coach at Yunjia Tianyu Football School," the limping man said, shaking Long Yuyun’s hand. "And this must be Long Bisheng? Just as Wei said, he’s quite tall! Wei is still in the northwest looking for young players, but he’s already told me all about your situation… If all goes well, Long Bisheng can enroll this afternoon. Most of the U-11 team members have already arrived."

"So soon for the assessment? Bisheng has been traveling for three days. Shouldn’t he rest a bit first?" Long Yuyun asked as he walked with Xia Liquan into the school.

"No worries, it’s just a small assessment, and we happen to have a few U-13 players around. It’ll only take an hour."

Xia Liquan was true to his word. The assessment was indeed simple: a few tests such as dribbling, ball control, and carrying the ball, plus some passing drills to judge placement. Afterward, Xia Liquan nodded to a few people on the sidelines, clapped his hands, and said to the still eager Long Bisheng, "Okay, that’s it, today’s assessment is over."

"Is that all?" Long Bisheng and Long Yuyun exclaimed in unison—this seemed almost like child’s play!