Rebirth of Bloody Romance

The 1982 World Cup, like a shining pearl, shines a unique light in the long history of Chinese football. Whenever the game is mentioned, the atmosphere at the dinner table is always particularly warm.

For the 82 World Cup, this game was the first tuition fee that Chinese people paid for football, and it was also the first game that most Chinese people watched. It started with great expectations and ended with regret.

That national team should be the strongest one in the history of Chinese football, with the best goalkeeper and a striker comparable to Maradona.

When the Chinese national football team was almost certain to enter the World Cup in Spain, it was defeated by Saudi Arabia and New Zealand in a 0:5 match-fixing. This defeat also profoundly influenced and changed the development path and concept of Chinese football.

In fact, the main reason is that the AFC schedule is extremely unreasonable. After the Chinese team finished all the games, the New Zealand team still had two games to play, namely New Zealand against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In the match between New Zealand and Kuwait, Kuwait had already qualified. Fortunately, the two sides ended the battle in a draw, otherwise Saudi Arabia would have lost by only one goal in the last match and China would not even have qualified for the play-offs.

Since they did not expect Saudi Arabia to lose 0:5 at home, the Chinese team disbanded in advance and everyone returned home. Because even if Saudi Arabia lost, as long as the loss was not a big loss, the Chinese team would still qualify. In the end, Saudi Arabia lost 0:5 at home, and the Chinese team had to play in the play-offs.

After receiving the notice of the play-offs, the Chinese national football team quickly notified the players. Because of the backward communication and inconvenient transportation at that time, it took almost ten days for the players to complete the assembly. In the end, the Chinese team, which was not well prepared physically and mentally, lost to New Zealand 1:2 in Singapore. It was a bitter elimination!

I have to say this is really a pity. On the football field, although every game is full of passion and suspense, when the Chinese team lost to the New Zealand team 1:2 in Singapore, at this moment, the hopes of countless fans were instantly shattered, and the disappointment and regret were beyond words.

Looking back at the qualifying results of the Asian region in this World Cup, the Kuwait team successfully broke through and became the pride of Asia. At that time, the Chinese team won the match against Kuwait, which gave domestic fans hope for Chinese football. Therefore, everyone believed that the strength of the Chinese team was already able to compete with the Asian powerhouses and was full of expectations for the World Cup.

In that era of ideological liberation and the opening of the country, the Chinese people were eager to gain recognition from the world. Sports competitions became an important stage for displaying the country's strength and spirit. Whenever Chinese athletes achieved good results in international competitions, they would quickly become the pride of the people of the country, and their spirit would become a role model for all walks of life to learn from.

Zhong Yuemin seemed to have grasped something in his trance, but he couldn't put it into words. At this time, he had already come to his seat and sat down.

Zhong Yuemin was thinking at this moment, should he do something? No matter what the result is, he should not leave so many regrets.

When it comes to football, how can we not bet on it? Zhong Yuemin's heartbeat quickened, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. He found a pen and paper and began to write and draw, like a military strategist planning a coming war.

I remember clearly that West Germany, France, Italy and Poland advanced to the semi-finals, but who was the champion?

The images of football superstars emerged in Zhong Yuemin's mind: Maradona, Rossi, Schumacher, Giresse, Fischer... Their names echoed in his heart like a passionate hymn.

Zhong Yuemin wrote their names on paper, each of which represented the hope and dream of a team. His pen tip jumped on the paper, as if he was playing an exciting piece of music. A confident smile appeared on his face, as if he had seen the moment of his victory.

Lin Shufang was curious as she watched Zhong Yuemin writing and drawing. She had been watching him since he entered the classroom. At first he was just daydreaming, and now he was writing and drawing again. She came over and asked curiously, "Zhong Laoer, what are you writing?"

Zhong Yuemin looked up and saw Lin Shufang's curious eyes, and couldn't help but smile. He pointed to the name he wrote and said jokingly, "Big sister, I'm going to get rich again!"

"You're crazy! I don't want to bother with you." Lin Shufang went back to read.

Zhong Yuemin sat there with a frown on his face, lost in deep thought. His mind was filled with all kinds of memory fragments, like a series of blurred pictures, trying to piece together that distant football world. However, as time passed, memory seemed to become more and more unreliable, and those once clear pictures gradually became blurred and elusive.

"Rossi..." He whispered the name, and the fragments of his memory began to piece together slowly. It was a distant summer, when the Italian team was invincible in the World Cup. Rossi, as the core of the team, paved the way for the team's victory with his goals. Zhong Yuemin remembered that game, Rossi's smile, and the moment he won the Golden Ball.

However, Zhong Yuemin's eyes were shining with determination. He gritted his teeth and made a decision - it was him, Rossi, the Golden Globe Award, and the champion should be Italy.

As his thoughts deepened, Zhong Yuemin felt that his judgment was correct. The figure gradually became clearer in the depths of his memory, closely connected with the country of Italy. He seemed to see Rossi running on the green field and hear the crazy cheers of the fans.

However, as his gambling desire grew, Zhong Yuemin was faced with a difficult choice. To bet or not to bet? To bet on the European market, Williams or Pinnacle? Each choice was full of risks and temptations. Poland, this unpopular option was like a mysterious temptation, and the odds should be high. But how to bet?

Even if he got instant news from radio and television, he couldn't place bets by phone. This reality made Zhong Yuemin fall into deep thought.

Forget it, it's still early, I can figure it out slowly. Zhong Yuemin passed the first day of his junior year in a daze.

On the campus of Yenching University, the autumn wind gently blows, and the golden ginkgo leaves dance like butterflies, adding a different color to this ancient and solemn university. Students stop to watch, and some close their eyes to enjoy this rare tranquility and beauty.

Tonight is the welcome party for the freshmen of the class of 81. In the auditorium, the colorful lights interweave into a colorful dream, and the crowds are bustling and lively. The students are wearing all kinds of clothes, some are fashionable and avant-garde, some are retro and elegant, and their faces are filled with youthful smiles, full of expectations and longings for the future.

On the stage, a group of girls wearing red traditional Hanfu attracted everyone's attention. They danced gracefully, like fairies that traveled through time. Every turn and every smile seemed to exude charming charm, making people intoxicated. The audience applauded and praised them.

Under the soft lights, the host walked onto the stage with her unique elegance and charm. She was wearing an evening gown and smiling, like the warm sunshine of spring, bringing warmth and expectations to people. The audience was impressed by her beauty and gave warm applause.

The host leaned forward slightly and said in her sweet voice like a clear spring, "Dear students, next, we are honored to invite a special guest. He is from the Department of Physics, a junior. He is not only outstanding in academics, but also has an intoxicating voice. He is Zhong Yuemin. Tonight, he will bring us a song "My Deskmate". Please welcome him with warm applause!"

Following the host's introduction, Zhong Yuemin walked out slowly from one side of the stage with a confident smile. He was wearing a simple and stylish shirt and jeans, and his steps were steady, like a warrior about to conquer the stage. The audience responded to his appearance with warm cheers and screams, and the atmosphere on the scene was instantly ignited.

Zhong Yuemin stood in the center of the stage and adjusted the height of the microphone. "Hello, leaders, teachers, seniors and juniors. Actually, I can't sing. My classmates from the student union insisted that I come up and perform. I have no choice but to force myself to do it. If I don't sing well, you will be embarrassed!"

Zhou Xiaobai was mumbling in the background. "You bad guy, just sing it honestly when I ask you to! Why are you talking nonsense?"

"Dear juniors and seniors of Class 81, do you still remember your deskmate? Is it the best memory in your heart? Here is a song "My Deskmate" for you."

"Will you remember tomorrow,

The diary you wrote yesterday.

Will you still be thinking about me tomorrow?

You used to be the one who loved to cry the most.

The teachers can no longer remember.

You who can't guess the question.

I was just flipping through the photos by chance.

Just remembered you, my desk mate.

Who married you who are sentimental?

Who read your diary?

Who put your long hair up?

Who made your wedding dress?

You were always careful.

Ask me to borrow half an eraser.

You once mentioned accidentally,

Like being with me.

The sky was always blue then.

The days always go by too slowly.

You always say graduation is a long way off.

In the blink of an eye, they went their separate ways.

Who met you sentimental,

Who comforts you who loves to cry?

Who read the letter I wrote to you?

Who threw it to the wind.

The old days are gone,

I will also have my wife.

I would show her the pictures.

Tell her about you, your desk mate.

Who married you who are sentimental?

Who comforts you who loves to cry?

Who put your long hair up?

Who made your wedding dress?

La...la...la...la...la...la...la...la...la...."

Zhong Yuemin's song "My Deskmate" brought the welcome party to a climax. When Zhong Yuemin stood on the stage and sang the first line of the lyrics with his magnetic voice, the atmosphere of the entire venue immediately became extraordinary.

Zhong Yuemin's voice is affectionate and infectious, as if it can travel through time and remind people of those green school days. He sings the beauty of youth and the troubles of growing up. Every word and every note is full of emotion, which is irresistible.

As Zhong Yuemin's singing became more and more popular, the students and teachers in the audience were also deeply moved. When the song entered the second round, some people began to hum along. Although their voices were weak, they spread like ripples and infected the entire venue.

At this moment, the welcome party reached its climax. The students and teachers seemed to be brought into a whole new world by Zhong Yuemin's singing, a world full of memories and emotions. They were immersed in the song, feeling the beauty of youth and the passage of time.

On Sunday morning, the sun shone through the gaps in the curtains onto Zhong Yuemin's face. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and sat up from the bed. This weekend, he decided to go to his old home to look for his father, Zhong Shanyue.

After breakfast, Zhou Xiaobai pushed out his motorcycle and asked curiously, "Yuemin, where are you going?"

"I have something to ask my dad, do you want to come?"

"I won't go. You go by yourself. I have something else to do later!"

After hearing this, Xiao Shihua rolled her eyes and ran over. "Dad, I want to go too. I want to see grandpa."

"Girl, what are you going to do? Just play at home."

"No, I'm going to go. Okay, Dad?"

Zhong Yuemin couldn't stand his daughter's coquetry. "Okay, okay, I'll listen to my daughter."

Zhou Xiaobai was a little unhappy. "Yuemin, you are such a fool. Why do you let your daughter go? Just spoil her as much as you can."

"Wife, this is really new to you. My own daughter, who else should I spoil if I don't spoil her? Wife, are you jealous?"

"Go away, you just talk nonsense all day. Go away now, you are such a worry every day."

Zhong Yuemin rode his motorcycle with the little girl, passed through the familiar alley, and came to Zhong Shanyue's door. The old locust tree at the gate of the courtyard was still lush and leafy, as if telling the vicissitudes of time. He gently pushed open the half-open door, held the little girl's hand and walked into the yard.

Zhong Shanyue was sipping tea in his study when he heard footsteps at the door. He looked up and found it was his son Zhong Yuemin and granddaughter Xiao Shihua.

When Xiaoya saw Zhong Shanyue, she shouted, "Grandpa, my dad and I are here to see you."

"My baby granddaughter is here, come here and let grandpa hug you." Zhong Shanyue quickly put down the teacup in his hand and hugged the little girl.

Zhong Yuemin poured himself a cup of tea and sat there drinking it. Zhong Shanyue looked at him curiously and asked, "Why do you have time to come here today?"

Zhong Yuemin chuckled. "Dad, I don't miss you anymore, so I came to see you."

Zhong Shanyue looked at him, a little bit unconvinced. What kind of son is he? He still knows. "Don't say these useless things. If you have something to say, just say it."

Zhong Yuemin smiled awkwardly. "Dad, you really understand me. Take a look at the newspaper now."

Zhong Shanyue saw in the newspaper that the Chinese men's football team defeated Japan 1:0. He wondered, this is nothing good to watch? "What do you want me to watch? This is nothing good to watch. When did you start to care about football?"

"Dad, don't you have any thoughts after reading this?"

"Isn't this a good kick? What else can I think? Your question is so weird!"

Well, Zhong Yuemin was speechless.