Chapter 7: Has the Schalke 04 Quartet Formed?

“Damn! Lin, you’re way too flashy!”

The others on the training field were still digesting Lin Hao’s stunning solo run as a complete rookie, but Hao Junmin, as excited as if he had scored himself, rushed over and lifted Lin Hao up in a big hug.

“Haha, it was just okay. Mainly, Hao bro, you ran well and made the final pass perfectly!”

Brother Three was delighted, and naturally, Lin Hao felt pleased inside.

Although Lin Hao had thought before coming that his current skills should match the pace of the Bundesliga, he never expected to assist a teammate in breaking through Neuer’s goal on his very first offensive involvement.

More than anything, that one assist alone made Lin Hao confident that the stern Old Magath watching from the sidelines would definitely want to keep him.

The two of them walked back to the center circle, smiling, while Old Magath and Milner started a quiet discussion by the sidelines.

“Boss! Did you notice just now? It seems like Lin might fit better with Raul than Huntelaar?”

“Hmm, maybe. We need to observe more. But this kid is definitely a top-notch prospect. Milner, make it clear to Hughes—whatever the price, we must keep Lin!”

“Got it, boss! I’m on it right now!”

Upon hearing Old Magath’s orders, Milner immediately jogged toward the club building.

The others returned to their positions and resumed the match.

“Here!” (in German)

“Hao bro, same as always, cut diagonally!”

“Pass it to me!” (in German)

“Hao bro, cover the left side!”

...

The match was back underway.

After that assist, Lin Hao had thoroughly earned the trust of his B-team teammates.

Moreover, with no language barrier, Lin Hao even began guiding Hao Junmin on various running routes.

With an 80-rated attacking attribute and modeled after a top-tier Kane, Lin Hao played effortlessly among these seasoned Bundesliga veterans.

At one point, Lin Hao set up Hao Junmin for an open shot, but Neuer’s brilliant flying save pushed the ball just wide of the net—otherwise, Brother Three would have scored.

Lin Hao’s impressive performance naturally made the original second striker, Huntelaar, feel a bit threatened.

Everyone knew Raul’s arrival meant he was Schalke 04’s irreplaceable forward, and now there was a promising young player who looked just as capable.

Huntelaar was eager to prove himself.

So in the following opportunities where he could have passed to Raul, Huntelaar selfishly chose to shoot himself.

Though he did net a goal, this behavior caused both Raul and Old Magath on the sidelines to frown.

Especially Old Magath!

As a coach who valued tactics above all else, he despised selfish play on the field.

With only three days until the German Super Cup and the starting lineup already set, Old Magath even considered swapping Huntelaar and Lin Hao to test if Lin Hao and Raul could spark some chemistry.

...

4-1!

That was the final score of the training match.

The first team was still the first team, and despite Lin Hao’s various plays in the front line, the B team conceded four goals from the duo of Raul and Huntelaar.

Once the training match ended, Schalke 04’s session was temporarily over for the day.

After Old Magath dismissed the team, Hao Junmin immediately approached Lin Hao with a smile, saying he wanted to show him around the first team and treat him to a meal in the cafeteria.

However, just as the two were chatting, Raul, who had been watching Lin Hao closely during the match, suddenly walked up to them.

“Hao! Aren’t you going to introduce your compatriot to me?” (in English)

Whether it was because Hao Junmin was likable or because he had graciously given his number seven to Raul, although Hao Junmin didn’t have much status at Schalke 04, he was the first to build a friendship with Raul after his arrival.

Hearing the team captain wanted to meet his younger teammate, Hao Junmin excitedly pulled Lin Hao over to Raul.

“Hello, Mr. Gonzalez! I’ve been a fan of yours since I was a kid. It’s truly an honor to be on the same team with you!”

As the saying goes, it’s good to have a big tree to lean on.

Lin Hao wasn’t usually one to flatter others, but this time, it was Raul who took the initiative to get to know him.

In today’s Schalke 04, besides Raul, no one else was the undisputed leader. So seeing Raul reach out first, Lin Hao quickly modestly extended both hands.

“Haha! Lin, you Chinese really are humble. The first time he talked to me, Hao called me ‘Mister.’ Now that we’re teammates, no need for formalities—just call me Raul!”

Lin Hao had thought a superstar of Raul’s caliber would carry himself with a certain prestige, but Raul was surprisingly down-to-earth.

Not a hint of superstar arrogance, and after shaking Lin Hao’s hand, he even gave him a friendly embrace, just like he did with Hao Junmin.

Of course, Lin Hao knew that Raul’s warm approach was undoubtedly linked to his impressive performance on the training ground.

And so, Raul, Hao Junmin, and Lin Hao strolled side by side toward the locker room.

But before they had gone far, a fourth figure suddenly appeared beside them.

“Lin-san! Hello, I’m Atsuto Uchida. I’m glad to be your teammate. I watched your matches at the Asian Youth Championship. Honestly, you’re the strongest among the new generation of Asian footballers!”

The newcomer was none other than Atsuto Uchida, the Japanese right-back who had already started to edge out Hao Junmin’s position.

“Oh! Thank you!”

Though Lin Hao wasn’t sure what Uchida’s sudden approach meant, he responded politely.

Then... somehow, Uchida naturally fell in step with Raul.

Great!

Seeing Uchida cozying up to Raul, Lin Hao realized this young Japanese player was also aiming to band together for support.

Truth be told, among Schalke 04’s current lineup, it seemed only these four were genuine newcomers.