The first half ended, and Ferguson, sensing the game was already decided, subbed off Vidi?, Ferdinand, and the veteran Giggs.

  Even then, Manchester City still couldn’t stop Manchester United’s relentless attack.

  Rooney scored a brace, and PiaoZhixing added another goal during a frenetic 30-minute stretch in the second half!

  The score remained 5-0 until the 85th minute.

  In the dying moments, Manchester City capitalized on a counterattack, with Tevez pulling one back to salvage some pride.

  The final score was set at 5-1!

  After the match, Ferguson took another swipe at Balotelli in front of the cameras:

  "I told you—that Balotelli guy is no match for Su! For the European Golden Boy Award, I stand with Su!"

  And just like that, the sensational Manchester Derby came to an end.

  A furious Mancini announced post-match that Balotelli would be demoted to the reserves for some self-reflection.

  However, Super Mario seemed unfazed, even admitting he was somewhat excited about the prospect.

  ......

  Monday morning!

  Once again, media outlets worldwide sprang into action.

  Bar?a’s chartered flight arrived in Gelsenkirchen right on schedule!

  The second leg of the UCL semifinal was about to begin.

  Guardiola made his intentions clear in an interview:

  "We're here to claim victory!"

  And it wasn’t just Guardiola.

  Even Messi, who usually avoids interviews, surprised everyone by speaking up after disembarking.

  The only thing that prompted Messi’s rare remarks?

  A reporter from Gelsenkirchen Sports shouting a question about his thoughts on Su, who had matched his performance in the last game.

  "Su is a very good player, but he doesn’t belong at Schalke 04!"

  "His talent will be wasted there. I think he should come to Bar?a! Football isn’t a one-man sport—even I can’t win games alone."

  "We’re going to win this match!"

  Messi’s words sent the media into a frenzy.

  Messi inviting Su to Bar?a?

  What a bombshell of a story.

  If anyone else had said it, people might have dismissed it as pre-match mind games.

  But coming from Messi?

  No one would ever suspect such a thing.

  The humble Messi has never been one to perform for the cameras.

  His personality mirrors his style on the pitch—even when fouled, he doesn’t wait for the whistle but immediately gets up, focused solely on winning back the ball.

  Now, Messi had openly invited Su.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  And right before the match, no less.

  Many Schalke 04 fans grew anxious.

  The fans weren’t fools. They knew Su had only signed a two-year deal.

  With the way Schalke 04’s greedy hierarchy operated, Su would become a free agent at the end of next season.

  They would never let go of a prized asset like Su without milking every last penny.

  Rumors about Su’s transfer had been swirling for months.

  One day it was Real Madrid making behind-the-scenes contact, the next it was an agreement with Bayern Munich, and then came whispers of him joining Manchester City to form a "Golden Boy" duo with Balotelli!

  The season wasn’t even over yet, and already, Su’s future was the subject of endless speculation.

  Yet, among all these rumors, not a single one suggested that Schalke 04’s executives were prepared to invest heavily to keep Su and build a dynasty around him.

  Fans quietly prepared to rally together, even organizing protests outside the club’s headquarters. Some had even started a fundraiser to keep Su at Schalke.

  And now?

  The opposing team’s superstar had come to their city and was openly poaching their star player.

  This was Barcelona—what player didn’t dream of playing for Bar?a or Real Madrid?

  Even Cristiano Ronaldo, who achieved godlike status at Manchester United, couldn’t resist the allure of Real Madrid. How could Su be any different?

  The Next Day!

  Su drove to the club early in the morning with Hao.

  But along the way, a group of fans suddenly blocked their car.

  "Su! Don’t go!"

  "Su! Don’t leave Schalke 04!"

  "Su! Schalke needs you!"

  Fans held up banners, desperately pleading with Su to stay.

  Su was completely baffled.

  What’s going on?

  We’re still in the Champions League—why is everyone acting like the season’s already over?

  "Su, you really don’t know? Didn’t you see the news yesterday?"

  Hao, noticing Su’s confusion, couldn’t help but ask.

  "See what? I had physiotherapy yesterday… I went to bed right after training!"

  "Hah!"

  Seeing Su’s evasive reaction, Hao immediately guessed what he’d been up to.

  "Messi went on camera and said he wants you to join Barcelona!"

  "Huh? Messi said that too?"

  "Eh? Who else said it besides Messi?"

  "Xavi! When we were swapping jerseys after the match, he covered his mouth and whispered that he hoped I’d move to Bar?a!"

  "WOCAO! I told you, the internet is still speculating about what Xavi said to you."

  "What's there to speculate about? It's obvious they want to know what the pangolin said to old Grandpa!"

  "And you knew about this?"

  "Hurry up! We'll be late for training!"

  "Hey! It's almost the end of the season, you kid. I really envy you!"

  "I don't even know what's going on myself, all this gossip is ridiculous!"

  Su looked at the fans for a moment and felt his heart grow heavy.

  For fans of Schalke 04, a small club, their situation could be truly pitiful at times.

  Their loyalty lasted a lifetime, but so did their disappointment and even despair.

  Whether they developed their own players or discovered them later, the only role of a minor league team was to act as a stepping stone, selling their stars for profit!

  The club could still make money from it, but what about the fans?

  All they got was disappointment!

  Endless disappointment!

  The car continued moving forward.

  "So I'ma love you every night like it's the last night, like it's the last night..."

  Su's phone rang.

  He took out his mobile phone and looked at the screen.

  Yoo-hoo!

  An old acquaintance. They hadn't been in touch for a while.

  Ann Carr, Principal Director of Manchester United's Gelsenkirchen office!

  "Haha! Ann, it's been a while! Are you guys back in Manchester? You didn't say anything - I would've seen you off!"

  "Su!"

  "Don't go to Bar?a!"

  "Don't trust those crooks!"

  "They've already got Xavi - you'll just end up on the bench if you go!"

  "Hmm... Press the legs first...!"

  "Oh! Su! Remember! I'm still waiting for you!"

  Press the legs?

  Wocao!

  This Ann Carr was really living the good life.

  Getting leg massages early in the morning?

  Last time, after being rejected by Su, he'd stayed in Gelsenkirchen instead of returning to Manchester!

  Su had thought it was a joke at the time.

  But unexpectedly, the guy had stayed from the beginning of the season until now, nearly the end!

  What a comfortable life this guy was living!

  Thinking about poor Ann Carr's situation made Su feel a pang of sympathy for him.

  At that very moment!

  In an upscale clubhouse.

  Ann Carr was finally finishing all her treatments after ten minutes.

  Walking up to the front desk, Ann Carr didn't even need to speak before the receptionist pulled out the bill.

  The receipt clearly showed charges from the Red Tavern, including four hours of detailed conversation with someone while ordering numerous expensive bottles of red wine and other luxuries!

  Ann Carr had truly mastered the art of living extravagantly.

  Meanwhile, back at Schalke 04's training ground!

  Magath looked sorrowfully at the players going through their drills.

  "Boss, the team doctors say Raul definitely won't be able to play the full match!"

  Baumann injured, Uchida unavailable!

  Now Raul too!

  Magath couldn't help but shift his gaze to Boujellab, standing at the end of the line!!!

  At that moment!

  Boujellab, noticing Magath's stare, felt his heart begin to race wildly!

  "You probably think that you are better now, better now!"

  "You only say that 'cause I'm not around, not around!!!"

  .....................