The Mixed Zone at Estádio da Luz was like a battlefield.
Most Boavista players, having lost the game, walked quickly with their heads down, refusing interviews. No one wanted to face the harsh reporters at that moment.
But when the figure wearing a number 16 jersey and carrying a sports bag appeared, the group of reporters, originally waiting for Benfica stars, instantly became agitated.
"It's him!"
"That Chinese Butcher!"
"Don't let him get away!"
A wall of cameras and microphones instantly formed, blocking Lin Yuan in the middle of the passage. Flashlights flickered wildly, making it impossible to open one's eyes.
A reporter from Record almost shoved the microphone into Lin Yuan's face, his tone aggressive:
"Lin! Your collision with Thiago Silva during the match has caused huge controversy! The Benfica coach called it a 'criminal act.' Do you admit that you went on the field with the intention of injuring your opponent?"
Another reporter followed closely, asking mockingly:
"Is this the legendary 'Chinese Kung Fu'? Do you think a football field is a fighting ring? Will you apologize to Thiago for your barbaric behavior?"
All cameras were pointed at Lin Yuan's face, waiting for the young man to panic or become enraged.
However, they were disappointed.
Lin Yuan stopped, his stern face appearing particularly pale under the flashing lights, yet as hard as marble. He reached out and pushed away the microphone that was almost poking his nose, his gaze sweeping over the group of vulture-like reporters.
"Apologize?"
Lin Yuan retorted, his voice not loud, but clearly audible to everyone present through the microphones.
He looked at the questioning reporter, a hint of mockery at the corner of his mouth:
"I'm a defender, he's a forward. He wants to get past me, I want to tackle the ball. This is my job."
"But you almost crippled him!" the reporter angrily retorted. "Nunez didn't even dare to challenge you for headers! You ruined the artistry of this game!"
"Artistry?"
Lin Yuan suddenly smiled, a somewhat chilling smile. He took a step closer, and the reporter subconsciously took half a step back.
"Listen. If you want to watch dancing, turn left and go to the Lisbon Grand Theatre. If you want to see art, go to a museum."
"This is a football field, it's war."
Lin Yuan pointed to the still-noisy stadium behind him:
"My salary is for stopping them from scoring goals. If my defense is too tough and makes them afraid, then they should reflect on themselves—"
He paused, then spoke into the camera the arrogant words that would ignite European football the next day:
"If you're afraid of breaking your legs, go home and play with Barbie dolls. Or, before they leave the house, they should check if their legs are covered by high-value insurance."
After speaking, Lin Yuan pushed through the stunned crowd and strode away... That night, public opinion exploded.
Portugal's largest sports newspaper, A Bola, featured a high-definition close-up of Lin Yuan colliding with Thiago on its front page, with the headline in blood-red bold letters:
"Disgrace! A Barbaric Invasion from the East!"
The article harshly criticized Lin Yuan as a "hooligan who doesn't understand football" and "a stain on Boavista," calling for the Primeira Liga to impose additional penalties on him.
Meanwhile, in the distant East, Chinese social media was also ignited by this interview video.
But this was not positive attention.
Because Lin Yuan was banned from playing in China and sent abroad, coupled with some 'football experts' and media in China setting the narrative, the comment section became a massive online bullying scene:
[@WhereIsTheFutureOfChineseFootball: Shaming us abroad! Is this our youth training product? Only knows how to kick people?]
[@PureWhiteFaith: With such character, no wonder he was banned domestically. Retire quickly, don't disgrace the Chinese people.]
[@RationalFootballFan: Too arrogant, no manners at all. Benfica is a giant, what are you?]
[@FamousFootballCommentator: This kind of player won't go far, only relies on physicality. In Europe's technical environment, they'll be eliminated sooner or later. Sad.]
Lin Yuan lay in his simple rented room in Boavista, scrolling on his phone.
The light from the screen illuminated his indifferent face.
Looking at the familiar Chinese insults, his heart was calm, and he even wanted to laugh.
"Swear, swear hard."
[Ding!]
[Detecting large-scale public opinion attack (Portugal/China)!]
[notoriety points critical strike settlement in progress...]
[+500...+800...+2000...+5000!]
[Congratulations, Host! Due to this statement causing cross-border disgust, you have received "Notorious" achievement fragment x1.]
[Current total notoriety points: 18,500 points!]
Lin Yuan turned off his phone and opened the system panel.
Eighteen thousand points.
This was a huge sum.
Among the three options: [Attribute Enhancement], [Skill Extraction], and [Status Potion], Lin Yuan's gaze was fixed on [Skill Extraction].
Currently, his body was tough enough, but his defensive techniques, apart from tackling, were very crude. He needed new weapons.
"System, consume 10,000 notoriety points to extract a passive skill!"
The roulette spun wildly.
A golden light flashed.
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained S-rank passive skill—]
[Meat Grinder (Beginner)]
[Skill Description: When you are in the defensive third, your body confrontation success rate increases by 20%. And after a physical collision, the probability of the opponent generating a "fear" negative status increases by 30%.]
[Note: This skill can be upgraded.]
Lin Yuan clenched his fists, feeling a new power surging within him.
Meat Grinder.
What a great name.
At this moment, there was a knock on his door.
Coach Pacheco's distinctive hoarse voice came from outside the door:
"Lin, open the door. The club received a protest letter from Benfica, and... a new contract."