The interview lasted for an hour and a half.
In the end, both players signed ten jerseys each for Wang Tao before parting ways.
Ye Chen and Wang Chu didn't go home but headed straight to the training ground.
Coincidentally, GuGu Sports was also filming some training footage.
Most of the team was on holiday, and only the staff on duty remained.
Klopp had already informed the staff that Ye Chen and the others could train as they pleased.
There were only four players at training today â De Bruyne, Mané, Ye Chen, and Wang Chu.
Wang Chu urgently needed to improve his stamina, while Mané and De Bruyne focused on dribbling.
Ye Chen had a lot to work on...
He felt the need to train in dribbling, defense, passing, shooting, and set-pieces.
Oh, and strength too!
But he didn't rush. He followed the system's guidance, improving step by step.
The four trained simultaneously.
Eight mannequins were placed on the field, and Ye Chen led the group in dribbling drills around them.
The system graded Ye Chen's training â different grades earned varying amounts of experience points.
Experience points were the sole measure for improving attributes.
"I'll demonstrate once. Follow my lead," Ye Chen instructed.
"The first time, you can watch the ball. From the second time onward, keep your head up. By the third, no looking down at all!"
"Got it!"
Everyone understood.
Ye Chen dribbled around the mannequins at a moderate pace, keeping the ball close to his feet.
Each run took about three minutes, and the system graded him â B rank, awarding 650 experience points!
Ye Chen was satisfied with his first B rank but aimed for an A.
Next up was De Bruyne.
With cameras filming, De Bruyne showcased his skills, dribbling fluidly with his left foot.
It was seamless â a performance that earned applause from those watching.
Ye Chen immediately rated him an A, though De Bruyne couldn't benefit from the system's experience boost.
"Come on, Wang Chu!" Ye Chen urged.
It was the first time, so everyone was slower. Once familiar, they could pick up the pace.
Of course, players couldn't train endlessly. While others practiced, some rested.
Training would last for weeks â no point in exhausting themselves on day one.
Also, Lina was flying to Norway tomorrow night. No intense training today â otherwise, the concert wouldn't happen.
Since it was the first day, they kept it light.
Wang Chu's technique was solid. When it was Mané's turn, his skills stood out the most.
But as training progressed, Mané improved the fastest â his stamina was exceptional.
Wang Chu usually needed rest first, while Ye Chen, De Bruyne, and Mané could keep going longer.
Ye Chen never forced Wang Chu to push too hard â what's suitable is best. Wang Chu had suffered serious injuries before, after all.
December 25th.
Ye Chen didn't take a break.
Klopp invited him for dinner, but Ye Chen declined.
What could be more interesting than training?
Since Lina left for Norway, Ye Chen devoted himself entirely to practice.
His philosophy was simple â the harder you work, the more you gain.
To surpass others, you must outwork them.
Fans online were curious about his Christmas plans, so he updated Instagram and Weibo.
The first post read: "No Christmas."
The photo showed Ye Chen shirtless, striking a powerful shot on the field, highlighting his strength and precision.
The second post read: "Let's work hard together and give our best for the second half of the season!"
The accompanying photo featured Ye Chen, Wang Chu, De Bruyne, and Mané squatting on the grass in a cool pose.
The comment section exploded.
"That physique... incredible!"
"So handsome... ahhhh!"
"My biggest Christmas wish is to have a concert with Ye!"
"Ye is so hardworking! Love it!"
"You just keep working hard â leave the rest to us!"
"Keep going! You'll become a legend at Dortmund!"
These posts also appeared on Weibo.
Wu Lei was the first to like the posts.
"Go idol! I'll work just as hard!"
Wu Lei, playing in Shanghai East Asia (future Shanghai SIPG), also skipped New Year's break for extra training.
That's the power of idols!
Fans were stunned by Wu Lei's reply.
Ye Chen had enabled comments only from friends â meaning he had followed Wu Lei back!
"Could Ye Chen be trying to bring Wu Lei to Dortmund?"
"Will Wu Lei become the next Wang Chu?"
"I can't wait for the second half of the season! If Ye Chen and Wang Chu play together, I'll be overjoyed!"
Ye Chen's studio Weibo blew up, and topics about him trended rapidly.
Of course, alongside encouragement, his fan club posted some quirky responses:
"Ye, don't return home â stay away from the national team!"
"Please don't join the national team â they're hopeless!"
"Ye works so hard; let's at least criticize the national team!"
"Some players: If those better than me work harder, why should I bother?"
"Effort doesn't guarantee success, but not trying guarantees ease!"
The sarcastic "toxic positivity" spread like wildfire.
But Ye Chen didn't buy into that.
He believed â the harder you work, the luckier you get.
He was certain his success in the Bundesliga would inspire others.
Even a faint light could shine through the darkness.
Fans who admired Ye Chen shifted focus â training hard or spending their time criticizing the national team.
"Three draws, two losses, winless in three games, four suspensions, five injuries â how dare they aim for the top ten?"
"Cherish life â stay away from the national team."
"Be good, or we'll send you to the national team!"
Wow, netizens really are talented!
On Christmas night, Ye Chen returned home after training.
After dropping De Bruyne off, he parked his car in the garage.
Pulling out his phone, he played "Lonely Christmas."
"Lovers fear the holidays the most,
Celebrating alone, drinking heavily,
Those I loved are all gone,
Loneliness keeps me company..."
A sense of loneliness enveloped him.
Gazing at the festive lights in neighboring homes, Ye Chen let out a long breath...