Beneath the cold winter sky, the Etihad Stadium felt strangely desolate.
The scoreboard still displayed the final result in bright, merciless numbers:
Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United.
For the supporters packed into the away section, those numbers represented another derby triumph, first place in the Premier League, and the perfect ending to 2019.
They remained shoulder to shoulder long after the final whistle, jumping, singing, and embracing one another as they poured every ounce of joy into the Manchester night.
Across the stadium, the silence of the home support could hardly have been more different.
Naturally, disappointment hung over them.
The Community Shield victory at the beginning of the season had restored a measure of hope, and when this match was viewed in isolation, City had created enough opportunities to win.
Had Sterling converted De Bruyne's perfect delivery, had Rodri managed to contain Ling for one more decisive moment, perhaps the result would have gone the other way.
Unfortunately, football offered no room for "perhaps."
If the world allowed every regret to be rewritten by an imagined alternative, then no supporter would ever truly experience defeat.
Eventually, the Manchester City fans dragged their weary bodies toward the exits.
Some cursed Sterling, some questioned Guardiola, and others simply walked in silence, but they would return next year and fill the same seats again.
Why?
Because disappointment did not stop life, and defeat did not stop people from loving their club.
On the pitch, Rodri took a few moments to push aside his frustration before approaching Ling.
"You were brilliant tonight," he said. "Those two goals were... forget it. Can we exchange shirts?"
Rodri had become the main backdrop for both of Ling's masterpieces.
Over the next several days, clips of him being deceived, outmuscled, and ultimately beaten would probably receive more views than every video made about him since his arrival in Manchester.
"Of course."
Ling removed his shirt and handed it over. "You played well too. You were just a little unlucky."
"It wasn't luck. It was ability," Rodri replied stubbornly as he passed over his own shirt. "I'll keep working."
Kanté, standing nearby, nodded with complete understanding.
He had once been assigned to mark Ling one-on-one and had suffered through several humiliating defeats because his shorter legs could not match Ling's stride once the forward accelerated.
He understood exactly what Rodri was feeling.
Some opponents inspired anger.
Ling inspired the uncomfortable realization that you still needed to improve.
After exchanging a few words with De Bruyne, Sterling, and several other City players, Ling walked toward the technical areas.
He first embraced Mourinho, who greeted him with a firm slap on the back, then approached Guardiola.
The City manager's expression remained bitter.
Ling covered his mouth and leaned closer.
"Tactically, you didn't lose. I was simply too strong."
"Get lost," Guardiola muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "A defeat is a defeat. Do you think I'm incapable of accepting one?"
Ling's shameless consolation at least dispersed some of the disappointment clouding Guardiola's face.
After a moment, the older man asked, "How are the wedding preparations going? Maria's wedding must be perfect. I don't want a single flaw."
"Don't worry. Professionals are handling the professional work, and Maria and I have checked everything ourselves. I guarantee nothing will go wrong."
Ling patted his chest confidently.
For the past month, almost every hour away from training and matches had been consumed by wedding preparations.
The schedule was exhausting, but he had genuinely enjoyed the process. After spending so much of his life chasing football alone, the thought of building a family gave him a sense of belonging no trophy could replace.
"Maria picked your parents up this afternoon," Guardiola said. "Come over for dinner tonight. We'll go through everything one final time and see whether anything has been missed."
An unexpected sense of relief settled over him as he spoke.
What father would not feel relieved when his daughter was marrying someone so accomplished, disciplined, and devoted to her?
"Try to become a little steadier from now on."
Guardiola patted Ling's shoulder before turning away, his lonely silhouette carrying the sorrow of a man who had lost a derby and was about to hand over his daughter in the same week.
...
Late that night, reports about the Manchester derby swept across the internet.
📰 Sky Sports: Ling's Two Masterpieces Give Manchester United 2–1 Derby Victory
📰 BBC Sport: Red Manchester Ends 2019 on Top as Ballon d'Or Winner Sinks City
📰 Manchester Evening News: Backheel Flick, Chest Control and Glory—Ling Produces Another Etihad Classic
📰 The Athletic: Guardiola's Tactical Plan Works Until Ling Steps Beyond It
📰 The Sun: Inside the Lavish Wedding Preparations of Ballon d'Or Winner Jeremy Ling and Maria Guardiola
📱 @UnitedStand ✔
The sky above Manchester is red. Ending the year top after beating City away could not be more perfect.
| ↳ 📱 @StretfordEndTom
| Reply: Pep now has to attend dinner with the man who just beat him and then walk his daughter down the aisle toward him. Brutal week.
📱 @CityZenBlue
Sterling could have kicked that volley almost anywhere and scored. He somehow passed it directly to De Gea.
📱 @NeutralPremWatch
City played well enough to win, but Ling produced two moments nobody else on the pitch could produce. That is the difference.
📱 @PremTableWatch ✔
Liverpool also won. United and Liverpool remain level on points, but Manchester United stay top on goal difference.
...
The stars shifted, night gave way to morning, and the final day of the year arrived.
December 31st, 2019.
St. Ann's Church on the outskirts of Manchester had been transformed into a scene from a dream.
The old stone architecture remained, but everything around it had been enhanced by shimmering mosaic installations, elegant floral arrangements, carefully positioned lights, and fireworks designed to bloom above the grounds at precisely planned moments.
Within that ancient yet luxurious setting, the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner was about to be married.
"The media rights sold for two million euros?"
Maguire stared in disbelief while stuffing a generous piece of cake into his mouth.
He had been trying to reduce his weight recently and had been suffering terribly. Today, he intended to exploit the occasion and eat as much as his body could endure.
A cold sensation suddenly crawled down his spine.
He turned and found Mourinho staring directly at him.
Maguire awkwardly swallowed the cake, then slowly returned the second piece in his hand to the table as though he had never intended to eat it.
"I heard today's officiant is Bishop Colton, the same man who presided over Beckham's wedding," Bruno Fernandes said, looking around with obvious envy.
"And isn't that Sir Alex Ferguson? He brought Rooney, Scholes, and half the old United dressing room with him."
The guest list revealed the extraordinary position Ling now occupied at the club.
Manchester United legends, current Premier League stars, managers, celebrities, business figures, and even the mayor of Manchester were present.
Almost every direction offered a face recognizable from television.
"Of course they came," McTominay said proudly. "Ling led United to a domestic double and then a Seven-Title season. Do you understand what that means? At the club, only people with special historical importance, like Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex, stand above what he's already achieved."
McTominay had been Ling's teammate for almost ten years.
They had trained together as children and had even shared a bed during academy trips when space was limited.
Their relationship required no explanation.
Watching his closest friend rise from a Carrington prospect to the greatest player in world football filled him with genuine happiness.
"I also heard the entire wedding cost at least ten million," Maguire whispered after confirming Mourinho had turned away.
He immediately grabbed another piece of cake and shoved it into his mouth, wiping the cream from his lips before anyone noticed.
"It may be called a wedding, but there are commercial partnerships, sponsored installations, and licensed media coverage involved," De Gea said with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.
"Ling might actually make money from it."
There was no avoiding the commercial side.
Ling's popularity had reached such a level that international brands practically threw endorsement offers at him.
Several involved in the wedding had worked with him or Maria for years, making it difficult to reject every proposal.
As long as the partnerships remained tasteful and did not interfere with the ceremony itself, the couple had accepted a limited number.
Not far away, the Ling and Guardiola families sat together in conversation.
Ling Changzheng and Guardiola had somehow drifted into a tactical discussion.
"The 4-3-3 makes good use of the spaces between the lines," Ling Changzheng said, "so why do teams still rely so heavily on secondary attacks from the wings?"
"Because the triangles are constantly shifting," Guardiola explained with surprising enthusiasm.
"More passing points give the team greater variation, while wide circulation stretches the defensive line and creates openings inside."
"Then what are the weaknesses of the 4-3-1-2?"
"The natural attacking width is limited, and most teams cannot generate enough threat with it. Even I would struggle to use it with the wrong squad. In modern football, Manchester United are probably the only side capable of making it work at the highest level."
"Who is the strongest player in the world right now?"
"Your son," Guardiola replied without hesitation, "and my son-in-law."
The two men went back and forth, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Was Ling Changzheng's tactical knowledge particularly advanced?
Not really.
But Guardiola did not mind.
He explained every question with great patience, perhaps because both men had discovered that football offered the easiest language through which to build a friendship.
"Back when we sent Ling to England, I never imagined eleven years would disappear so quickly."
Yan Lanxia looked toward a large photograph of her son and sighed.
At the time, she had been reluctant to let him leave home, but Ling Changzheng had made the decision with an uncompromising firmness.
Looking back now, she understood that he had been right.
Even so, thinking about all the loneliness, pressure, injuries, and hardship their son had endured still made her heart ache.
"The children have grown up," Cristina said softly, taking Yan Lanxia's hand. "They deserve to live their own lives now."
Unlike Guardiola, Cristina had never struggled to accept Ling.
She was more than satisfied with him.
Their family had no shortage of money, influence, or resources, nor did they live with extravagant expectations.
What they had always wanted was for Maria to find someone with good character who would cherish her.
Many famous footballers, both active and retired, had reputations as playboys.
Ling had spent years under intense media attention without becoming involved in any romantic scandal or serious controversy.
That was extraordinarily rare.
It was also the quality Cristina admired most.
"Then they should hurry and give us grandchildren, shouldn't they?" Yan Lanxia suddenly added after her emotional sigh.
"Well..." Cristina smiled awkwardly. "We should probably let them decide that themselves. There's no need to interfere with their plans."
"You're right. They have plenty of time."
Yan Lanxia also realized she was becoming impatient.
Once all the guests had arrived, a graceful melody began to play across the church grounds.
Two hot-air balloons appeared in the distance, drifting slowly through the winter sky.
From above, Ling looked down and saw that the entire area surrounding St. Ann's Church had been filled with people.
Most were Manchester United supporters who had come simply to offer their congratulations, even though they had no invitation and could only remain outside the grounds.
In their hearts, Ling already stood above every United player of the twenty-first century.
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Wayne Rooney.
None of them could compare any longer.
Ling had brought Manchester United more than trophies. He had restored the indomitable, iron-willed spirit that every truly great club required.
For several years after Ferguson's departure, United had appeared close to losing their belief in resurrection.
Then the new number 7 had picked it up and carried it forward.
"LING!"
"LING!"
"LING!"
The earth-shaking chants gave way to Manchester United's famous songs, sung by thousands of supporters as their own form of wedding blessing.
Ling looked down and smiled more happily than he had expected.
The work of all those years had not been in vain.
When he waved toward the crowd, the response became even louder.
The balloons descended slowly and finally landed within the grounds of St. Ann's Church.
Ling stepped out wearing a vintage-style suit, while Maria emerged from the second balloon in a magnificent wedding gown of her own design.
Together, they immediately became the focus of the entire venue.
The ceremony began soon afterward.
Maria held Guardiola's arm as he walked her along the aisle toward Ling, who waited beneath the altar lights.
Bishop Colton looked over the gathering before speaking.
"Today is a special day. We have come together to celebrate the marriage of these two people and to witness the covenant through which they will build a joyful life together."
He thanked the guests, welcomed both families, and then looked toward Guardiola.
'Pffffttt..'
This was supposed to be a serious occasion, so why did he keep wanting to laugh?
The image of Manchester City's manager personally handing his daughter over to Manchester United's greatest star was so absurdly perfect that Bishop Colton struggled to keep his expression composed!
"This is one of the most important moments of your lives," he continued. "May you become a guiding light for one another and, one day, for the family you may build together. May you respect, protect, and love each other, relying on one another throughout every season of life."
The vows followed.
Then came the rings.
"May these rings become symbols of a love that endures for the rest of your lives."
Bishop Colton paused and discreetly signaled Guardiola with his eyes.
What was going on?
Was he truly that reluctant to let go his daughter?
Guardiola looked at the anticipation in his daughter's eyes, and his fragile heart suffered another blow.
Losing a football match was one thing.
There would always be another season, another derby, and another chance for revenge.
But handing over his daughter felt permanent!
After taking several deep breaths, he finally placed Maria's hand in Ling's.
"I will love her for the rest of my life," Ling promised, looking directly at his father-in-law.
"You'd better."
Guardiola released her hand and walked away without looking back, heading quietly toward Cristina.
He needed his wife's comfort.
Bishop Colton smiled.
"Groom, you may now kiss your bride."
A storm of confetti fell around them as Ling drew Maria close and kissed her deeply.
The guests rose in enthusiastic applause, offering the newlyweds their most sincere blessings as fireworks bloomed above the church.
The wedding was destined to become one of the most widely discussed and envied celebrations in football history.
At the same time, countless female fans around the world felt their hearts shatter like glass.
"We'll make up for the honeymoon next summer," Ling whispered, wiping a tear from the corner of Maria's eye.
The football schedule made an immediate trip impossible.
The Premier League title race, domestic cups, and Champions League knockout rounds left little room for several uninterrupted weeks away.
"I'm already happy enough."
Maria smiled through her tears.
Their relationship had begun with the most clichéd possible encounter—a heroic rescue straight out of a romance story—but from that unlikely beginning, they had slowly moved through friendship, affection, love, and finally commitment.
Remembering the entire journey made it impossible for her not to cry.
"I think the bride should forget throwing the bouquet," Maguire shouted from the crowd. "Put the Ballon d'Or on the table and throw that instead!"
In his mind, the logic was flawless.
He was the tallest person there.
He would definitely catch it.
"Get lost. You're only trying to show off," De Gea said, quickly dragging him away. "And if you play badly against Arsenal in two days, I'll tell the boss you've been stealing food all afternoon."
"Ling is playing against Arsenal with us, right?" Maguire mumbled.
"Of course. He represents England, remember?"
De Gea lowered his voice. "He might travel briefly after the Arsenal match to visit the Chinese U23 camp and meet his academy staff, but he'll mostly provide support remotely. Mourinho could rest him against Wolves or in the League Cup anyway."
"With me here, there's nothing to fear," Maguire declared. "We'll crush Manchester City in the semifinal."
He recalled how he had lifted Bernardo Silva's leg and used it to kick the ball out during the derby.
His confidence immediately surged.
Once the most important part of the ceremony had concluded, Ling and Maria began moving from table to table, thanking friends and guests.
With more than five hundred people present, the process took a considerable amount of time.
"Congratulations," Beckham said when they reached him. "Seeing Bishop Colton again after all these years reminded Victoria and me of our wedding, although I don't remember nearly this many supporters standing outside."
He sighed with genuine emotion.
Beckham had achieved extraordinary commercial success, but his football career still contained regrets.
Whenever he returned to a Manchester United gathering, he could not help wondering how different his life might have been if he had never left.
"Thank you."
Ling raised his glass with a smile.
Later, as the celebrations reached their height, Ling and Maria stood at the center of a large group photograph alongside Manchester United's players, Mourinho, Guardiola, their families, and several club legends.
Every face in the picture carried a smile.
For one evening, the title race, rivalries, tactical arguments, and old resentments were set aside.
The Ballon d'Or winner had found his family.
And as 2019 drew to a close, Jeremy Ling entered the new year no longer walking alone.