The cabin was spacious, with passengers sparsely seated.
Aside from Carvajal, Vinicius, Militão, and others who were not with the team due to injuries, the rest of Real Madrid's first-team players, including head coach Ancelotti, were either sitting or standing, some conversing in low voices, some messing around, and some quietly listening to music with headphones...
The typical brainless taunts often seen in novels did not appear.
When Tang Yi came aboard, the cabin suddenly fell silent.
Everyone turned to look, their gazes varied, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
The scene was a little awkward.
Tang Yi ignored the blatant stares and was about to find a seat to "plan for the long term."
"Our Dragon Country Boy is here!"
Modric stepped forward at the opportune moment, leading the applause.
The others paused for half a second, then followed suit, clapping their hands.
A little life returned to the cabin.
Modric then pulled the "newcomer" Tang Yi, introducing him to his teammates one by one.
After the whole process, Modric secretly winked at Tang Yi and patted his arm.
Tang Yi returned a grateful smile, and after Modric turned to leave, he habitually sat in the last row by the window.
This was a position where he could survey the entire scene without drawing attention.
"Team Leader's Rule Number Two."
To control the entire team, you must understand your teammates!
This was also why he had sought out Modric for information the night before.
Tang Yi rested his hands on the back of the seat in front, casually leaning forward slightly as he stood, his gaze unconsciously sweeping from Courtois in the front row, all the way to Ancelotti, who was seated at the very front of the cabin.
During the brief interaction just now, most people were outwardly cordial.
Even Ancelotti symbolically offered a few words of encouragement.
Only Vallejo, whose support rate for him was -50, couldn't even be bothered to shake his hand, merely snorting through his nose as a greeting.
Next was Güler, with a support rate of -40.
He spoke to Tang Yi with his chin raised, his eyes subtly conveying disdain, appearing quite arrogant.
As for the reason, Tang Yi couldn't quite grasp it for now.
However, it's normal for young people to have rough edges, especially a football genius from another country.
In any case, neither Vallejo nor Güler could be considered more than fringe players in Real Madrid, so as long as they didn't resort to any underhanded tricks, there was no need to bother with them.
No longer dwelling on it, Tang Yi's gaze fell to his side.
Across the aisle, also in the last row by the window, sat Real Madrid's biggest star.
Kylian Mbappé, the "French Speedster" who had been embroiled in continuous controversy recently, was wearing headphones, staring blankly out the window.
If there was anyone in Real Madrid who was truly disheartened at the moment, it was undoubtedly Mbappé.
At the start of the season, he arrived at Real Madrid with the halo of "the current best player in football," yet he failed to display strength befitting his status.
Criticism from all levels came pouring in.
Dragon Country fans even gave him the nickname "Mbappé Eight-Over" to commemorate his "excellent performance" in the Spain National Derby.
Under such pressure, anyone would get lost.
But in reality, how many can perform as dominantly as Cristiano Ronaldo did upon his first arrival at Bernabéu?
But there's no way around it; this is Real Madrid.
Even if Maradona came here, he'd be booed for a poor performance.
Mbappé was first entangled in a salary dispute, then in October, news broke that he was embroiled in a "Rape" scandal and facing accusations, and even half a month ago, some media reported that he was having mental problems.
Constantly troubled yet still having to play matches and face scrutiny, no matter how strong Mbappé's ability to withstand pressure was, he was bound to be upset.
People are often most vulnerable when they are frustrated and disheartened.
"Team Leader's Rule Number Three."
When necessary, become the spiritual mentor for the lost sheep within the team!
Tang Yi went and sat next to Mbappé, speaking directly.
"Kylian, you don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
His authentic southern France Marseille accent had a strong, almost scalding, fish soup flavor.
"Outside personnel, who taught you French?" Mbappé frowned, looking over. "I don't like Marseilles people; I advise you to sit back down."
【Mbappé's Support Rate -2】
A system prompt popped up abruptly.
Tang Yi was about to ask Mbappé if he was also so rude to Zidane, who was born in Marseille, and who exactly was "outside personnel," but seeing the prompt, he had to swallow his words.
He endured it, just about to change the subject, when a fragrant breeze wafted over.
"Tang... I bet you like orange juice."
A sickly sweet female voice, cloyingly so, could make one think of the female leads in certain simple, sparsely populated films.
Slender, fair fingers held a vibrant orange juice cup forward.
Between the cup's bottom and her palm, a note was faintly visible.
He turned to look.
A white flight attendant, a beautiful woman, though her makeup was too heavy.
She leaned down, her intentionally low-cut neckline revealing a trembling expanse of white skin. Seeing Tang Yi look over, she even arrogantly swayed from side to side.
"Thank you."
Tang Yi offered a gentlemanly smile and took the orange juice.
A tingling sensation came, as the flight attendant took the opportunity to scratch his palm.
Tang Yi subtly raised an eyebrow, feigning a slip of the hand, and the cup overturned, splashing orange juice all over the flight attendant.
"Hey, Tang, you got me wet..."
The flight attendant's eyes could have spun silk.
"Haha, our Dragon Country Boy is in luck!"
Someone whistled.
It was Rüdiger.
His loud voice attracted everyone's attention.
The others turned to the back, all looking as if they were watching a good show.
Next to him, Mbappé subtly smirked, his gaze darting between Tang Yi and the flight attendant, appearing very interested in Tang Yi's upcoming reaction.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Tang Yi stood up and reached both hands towards the flight attendant's neckline, as if to mete out justice on the spot.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.
The flight attendant, however, looked as if she had seen her prey take the bait, her eyes gleaming with a strange light.
But the next second, with a rustle, Tang Yi grabbed her neckline and pulled it up sharply.
"There's an old saying in Dragon Country: 'Don't show off your wealth.' Don't just flaunt it."
Maintaining a gentlemanly smile, Tang Yi stuffed the cup and the note back to her, continuing, "Also, I don't like orange juice."
The flight attendant was lifted up with a jolt, and after landing, she blinked her large eyes incredulously several times, then patted the orange juice off herself and walked away, swaying.
The cabin was silent.
No one expected Tang Yi to so mercilessly reject a beautiful woman's "kindness."
Finally, it was Rüdiger's exaggerated shout that broke the silence, "God, Tang, you must not know what you missed!"
"No, Antonio, I know."
Tang Yi raised his neck and shouted, "I almost drank your dishwater!"
"Kid, I didn't expect you to be so deeply hidden. Honestly, without that remark, I would have thought you were gay."
Rüdiger pointed at Tang Yi with both hands and exclaimed, "I like you, Dragon Country Boy. From now on, you can call me 'Madman' like everyone else!"
Tang Yi smiled, "Madman, it's fine if you like me, but don't expect me to share the same bed with you!"
"COME ON..."
Rüdiger turned around and, nonchalantly, wiggled his backside at Tang Yi.
Laughter erupted in the cabin.
Most people looked at Tang Yi with renewed interest.
Even Ancelotti, sitting in the front, glanced back at Tang Yi several times.
Modric, moreover, secretly nodded his approval. Tang Yi's performance would help him quickly integrate into the team, which was infinitely better than shrinking into a corner like a weakling.
Only Güler and Vallejo disdainfully turned to look out the window, unanimously labeling Tang Yi's actions as "grandstanding."
Meanwhile, the system prompts in Tang Yi's eyes were flashing wildly.
【Rüdiger Support Rate +2】
【Bellingham Support Rate +1】
【Camavinga Support Rate +1】
【Modric Support Rate +2】
【...】