Chapter 3: A Dance of Ambition

**Valencia, Spain, July 17, 2022**

The Valencia night shimmered with opulence, the city's historic opera house transformed into a glittering stage for Elena Voss's charity gala. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across marble floors, their reflections dancing in the polished glasses of champagne held by Spain's elite. Lin Feng stood at the entrance, his borrowed black suit fitting snugly against his lean frame, his hazel eyes—sharp with the intensity of his Chinese-Spanish heritage—scanning the crowd. At 17, he was out of place among the tycoons, celebrities, and politicians, yet the fire in his chest burned brighter than ever. This wasn't just a gala; it was a battlefield, a chance to prove he belonged among the powerful, to take another step toward his destiny as the Football Emperor.

The [**Supreme Football System**] hummed in his mind, a secret known only to him. Yesterday's youth match had been a triumph, his hat-trick crushing Javier Morales and earning him 400 [**System Points**], 300 of which he'd spent on [**Agile Footwork (+20% Dribbling)**]. The [**System**] had also given him a new mission after meeting Elena Voss, the Hollywood star whose beauty and presence had left him momentarily speechless:

[**Hidden Mission: Impress Elena Voss at the Gala.**]

[**Reward: 500 system points, +1 Charisma Point.**]

Lin Feng adjusted his tie, his lips curving into a confident smile. The [**System**] was his trump card, but tonight, he'd rely on his own wit and charm—amplified by the [**System**]'s subtle enhancements—to conquer this new arena. No one could suspect the [**System**]'s existence; to the world, he was just a rising football prodigy, not a man wielding a divine cheat.

He stepped into the gala, the buzz of conversation and clinking glasses enveloping him. Men in tailored tuxedos and women in shimmering gowns turned to glance at him, their eyes curious, some dismissive. He was a nobody in their world, a kid from Valencia's working-class streets, his mixed heritage marking him as an outsider. But Lin Feng didn't care. He'd faced worse scorn in his past life—teammates who mocked his "half-breed" blood, coaches who dismissed his dreams. Tonight, he'd make them see a king in the making.

"Lin Feng!" Elena Voss's voice cut through the crowd, smooth and commanding. She glided toward him, her emerald gown hugging her curves, her blonde hair cascading like a waterfall of light. At 24, she was a vision, a Hollywood star whose recent blockbuster had made her a global sensation. Her emerald eyes locked onto his, sparkling with intrigue. "You made it."

Lin Feng bowed slightly, his voice steady despite the racing of his heart. "Wouldn't miss it, Elena. Thanks for the invite."

Her lips curved, a hint of amusement in her gaze. "You're not like the others here. They're all posturing, but you… you have something real." She leaned closer, her perfume—a mix of jasmine and ambition—filling his senses. "I saw your match yesterday. Five goals? That's not just talent. That's fire."

Lin Feng's smile widened, but he kept his tone humble. "Just doing what I love." Inside, the [**System**] pulsed, its [**Charisma Point**] reward tempting him. He needed to impress her, not just for the points, but to forge a connection that could open doors to the world beyond football.

Before he could respond, a sharp voice interrupted. "Elena, why waste your time with this kid?" A man in his thirties approached, his tailored suit screaming wealth, his dark hair slicked back with the arrogance of someone used to getting his way. Diego Ruiz, a local real estate tycoon, was a fixture in Valencia's high society, known for buying up youth players' contracts to control their careers. In Lin Feng's past life, Diego had sabotaged his chances, spreading rumors that kept scouts away. Now, his dark eyes glinted with disdain as he sized Lin Feng up.

"Who's this?" Diego asked, his tone dripping with condescension. "Some street kid you picked up for charity points?"

The crowd nearby hushed, sensing drama. Elena's eyes narrowed, but Lin Feng stepped forward, his voice calm but laced with steel. "Lin Feng, Valencia CF academy. And I'm here because I was invited, unlike some who seem to think they own the place."

Diego's face twitched, his smile cold. "A football brat with a big mouth. You think scoring a few goals in a kids' game makes you somebody? This is my world, boy. Stick to your muddy fields."

Lin Feng's blood boiled, memories of his past life flashing through his mind—Diego's influence ensuring he never got a chance, his dreams crushed under the weight of this man's ego. But he didn't let his anger show. Instead, he opened the [**System Shop**] in his mind, invisible to all, and typed into the [**Search Bar**]: "charisma." A single option appeared:

- [**Charisma Aura (+50% Persuasion)**]: 200 system points.

He had 100 points left from the match. It wasn't enough, but the [**System**]'s presence sharpened his instincts. He didn't need a buff to handle Diego—not yet. He'd use his own fire, honed by years of pain and now fueled by rebirth.

"Funny," Lin Feng said, his voice carrying a quiet menace that silenced the nearby crowd. "You talk about muddy fields, but I'm the one making headlines while you're just buying up dreams you'll never understand. Care to bet on who's standing taller by the end of the season?"

Diego laughed, but it was forced, his confidence shaken by Lin Feng's unflinching gaze. "A bet? With a nobody like you? Name your price, kid."

"Ten million euros," Lin Feng said without hesitation, his voice ringing clear. "If I make it to La Liga's senior team by the season's end, you pay. If I don't, I'll be your errand boy for a year."

The crowd gasped, whispers rippling through the room. Elena's eyes widened, a mix of shock and admiration. Diego's face paled, but his pride wouldn't let him back down. "Deal," he spat, extending a hand. Lin Feng shook it, his grip firm, his eyes burning with a promise of victory.

[*Ding!*]

[**Hidden Mission Updated: Impress Elena Voss and Humiliate Diego Ruiz at the Gala.**]

[**Reward: 700 system points, +2 Charisma Points.**]

Lin Feng's heart raced, but he kept his composure. The [**System**] was rewarding his boldness, but he had to stay sharp. Diego was a snake, and this bet was just the first move in a larger game.

Elena took Lin Feng's arm, guiding him away from Diego, her touch warm and deliberate. "You're full of surprises," she murmured, leading him to the center of the gala, where a dance floor gleamed under the chandeliers. "Dance with me. Let's see if you're as bold off the pitch."

Lin Feng had never danced in his past life, his confidence crushed by years of ridicule. But the [**System**]'s subtle enhancements—his sharpened reflexes, his newfound poise—gave him courage. He took her hand, leading her onto the floor as a slow, elegant waltz began. The crowd watched, some with envy, others with curiosity. Diego's glare burned into Lin Feng's back, but he ignored it, focusing on Elena's emerald eyes.

"You're not what I expected," she said as they moved, her voice soft but probing. "Most boys your age would crumble under Diego's pressure. But you… you're different."

Lin Feng's lips twitched, his movements surprisingly fluid. "I've had to fight for everything, Elena. This is just another battlefield."

She smiled, her gaze lingering. "Tell me about you, Lin Feng. Not the footballer—the man."

For a moment, he hesitated. His past life was a wound he didn't want to reopen, but her sincerity disarmed him. "I grew up here in Valencia," he said, his voice low. "My father came from Shanghai, met my mother in a local café. They built a life together, but it wasn't easy. People like Diego—they see someone like me, half-Chinese, half-Spanish, and think I don't belong. But I'm here to prove them wrong."

Elena's expression softened, a flicker of respect in her eyes. "You're not just proving them wrong—you're rewriting the rules. I like that."

The music swelled, and Lin Feng spun her gently, earning a surprised laugh. The crowd murmured, impressed by the boy who moved like he owned the room. Diego stood at the edge of the dance floor, his face a mask of barely contained rage. Lin Feng caught his eye and smirked, just enough to twist the knife.

As the song ended, Elena leaned close, her breath warm against his ear. "You've got potential, Lin Feng. Not just on the pitch, but here, among the sharks. Don't let them swallow you."

"I don't plan to," he replied, his voice steady. "I'm the one who'll do the swallowing."

She laughed, a sound that drew every eye. "I'll hold you to that. Stay in touch, Lin Feng. I have a feeling you're going somewhere big."

As she walked away, her gown shimmering under the lights, the [**System**] chimed:

[*Ding!*]

[**Hidden Mission Complete: Impress Elena Voss and Humiliate Diego Ruiz at the Gala.**]

[**Reward: 700 system points, +2 Charisma Points.**]

[**Total System Points: 800**]

Lin Feng's heart soared. The [**Charisma Points**] made his presence feel magnetic, his words sharper, his confidence unshakable. He opened the [**System Shop**], the invisible screen glowing in his mind. Typing "skills" into the [**Search Bar**], he browsed the options:

- [**Lightning Dash (+30% Sprint Speed)**]: 350 points.

- [**Iron Defense (+20% Tackling)**]: 400 points.

- [**Charisma Aura (+50% Persuasion)**]: 200 points.

With 800 points, he could afford something significant. He hesitated, then selected [**Charisma Aura**] for 200 points, feeling a warm energy settle over him, making his every gesture more commanding. He saved the rest, knowing bigger challenges awaited.

As he left the gala, the Valencia night air was cool, the city alive with possibilities. Diego's bet loomed in his mind, a challenge that would fuel his rise. Elena's words echoed, a promise of alliances to come. Lin Feng's personal life was no longer just about survival—it was about building a legacy, forging connections that would elevate him beyond the pitch.

He walked home, the stars above a map of his ambition. The [**System**] was his secret weapon, but tonight, he'd won with his own fire, tempered by years of pain and now blazing with purpose. Diego was just the first to feel his wrath. The world would follow.