Chapter 16 — The First Time Feeling Like a Star
Premier League debut,
a haul of four!
Liverpool popped champagne at halftime, swallowed four pastes!
After the final whistle, Xia Qi became a rising new star in England.
When the referee blew the whistle,
"Ding, this auto session has ended. Remember to give a five-star rating."
Xia Qi once again felt his own body.
But after the system's power faded, the overexerted him could no longer hold on and collapsed right there.
Although he was weak all over, he still gritted his teeth and found the strength to take off his boots, shin guards, and socks.
Thank God!
Maybe Luis Suárez didn't hit the right spot, or maybe constitution at 100 resists punishment.
In any case, there were no red or yellow warning tones in his head.
That meant the ankle wasn't injured internally.
And the ankle looked not too serious on the surface either, just a bit of bruising and swelling.
Xia Qi finally breathed out and lay on his back on the turf looking at the sky.
Steven Gerrard, who had come over to change shirts, saw him and cried out:
"You're like this and you still played? Aren't you afraid a small injury will become a big one?"
The ankle was fine, Xia Qi was in a great mood, and he was in the mood to joke.
"Steven, football is higher than life — others don't understand that, but you should."
"Football isn't about life and death, but football is higher than life and death."
A motto from Liverpool legend Bill Shankly, and Liverpool's maxim.
Something soft in Gerrard's heart was touched.
"Xia, you should have come to Liverpool."
"Aren't I trying to become a captain?"
"Haha…" Gerrard laughed — a double-edged line: both a refusal and an implication.
"How much of the Professor's white hair have you caused?"
"Don't talk nonsense, or I'll sue you for slander…"
The two exchanged shirts, and Arsenal's club doctor rushed onto the pitch.
"Dr. Rebecca, don't worry, I'm fine…"
"Are you stupid? Why not go off first to be treated and then come back on?"
Of course — if you could go off, who would choose treatment first?
Naturally it started with the three-stripe slide-knee and then a "driving test" style celebration.
Meanwhile, Xia Qi's head kept chiming as the system settled this match.
He ignored it for the moment. After Dr. Rebecca dressed his ankle, he collected the Man of the Match trophy, then asked the referee for the match ball.
These were all firsts in life, very memorable. Although the performance was achieved with auto-play, and wasn't purely his, if he didn't say it, no one would know — and it was his.
No problem!
…
"Ding, this match has ended. Reward settlement in progress…"
"This match the host played 45 minutes, participation B, performance A, reward: +5 attribute points."
"Ding, the host completed the season's first hat-trick and the first four-goal haul, reward: +20 attribute points, awarded skill: BatiGoal!"
"Ding, the host earned the Premier League's first Man of the Match, reward: +10 attribute points."
"Ding, regional legend level +1."
"Ding, regional legend level +1."
…
Xia Qi checked and saw his legend score had jumped past 200,000 — over 200k in a single match, showing the number of Arsenal fans.
…
After three rounds of the Premier League,
Chelsea three wins — 9 points,
Manchester City two wins and a draw — 7 points,
Manchester United two wins and a loss — 6 points,
Everton two wins and a loss — 6 points,
Arsenal one win and two draws — 5 points.
Although Arsenal sat fifth in the table, after that come-from-behind win over Liverpool expectations for Arsenal this season rose; English media thought Arsenal would make the Champions League places without much problem.
Xia Qi did a post-match interview.
Out of protection for Xia Qi, Arsenal's press officer allowed only three questions from reporters.
The London Daily, pro-Arsenal, had John first in the queue and he naturally got the first question.
John threw an easy question at him.
"Congratulations on Arsenal's first win this season. One point off the Champions League places — Xia, do you think Arsenal will make the Champions League in the end?"
When John finished, his colleagues showed disdainful faces.
Money and favors!
What a disgrace for the self-styled un-crowned kings.
If Xia Qi answered "Of course," everyone would walk through the motions.
But Xia Qi sneered at the premise: "Champions League? Is Arsenal Four better than Arsenal Five? That's certain, but I think if Arsenal can't be Arsenal, then even being fourth every season is a failure."
Wow!
The press perked up and came alive; everyone stretched out hands hoping to get picked. A few female reporters even deliberately lowered their necklines to flirt with Xia Qi and the press officer.
The Arsenal press officer leaned to Xia Qi and asked: "Did the Professor not teach you how to answer reporters?"
"Mr. Rice told me, but I think he was wrong."
Social anxiety?
I'll cut my head off.
"Hi, ladies and gentlemen, Xia Qi is feeling unwell. Thank you, everyone."
The press officer cut off questions and took Xia Qi away.
He wasn't naive enough to think reporters would report as-is.
Tomorrow's headlines would certainly be:
"Rookie thinks Manchester United can't win the title; Sir Alex cannot retire with honor."
"Explosive: Arsenal manager and players clash, rising star Xia Qi unhappy with Arsène Wenger…"
You didn't say that?
If you say Arsenal will be champions, then Man United can't win…
If you say Arsenal shouldn't be 'Arsenal Four', aren't you contradicting Wenger?
Ah!
Still too young!
The next day's papers printed exactly as the press officer expected.
Clickbait wins.
However, some were reasonable.
"Miracle Kid, Another Miracle — Four Goals to Daze Liverpool."
"This season's biggest transfer culprit, Manchester City cannot defend the title because of 'him.'"
"Brilliant tactics, forwards take on new responsibilities."
…
After the match Xia Qi called his parents. As soon as they picked up they said excitedly:
"Son, your dad and mom are proud of you…"
"You watched the live? I just played normally…"
"Be humble — you got a bit of success and you're floating already."
Dad, your son's playing with his eyes — floating? With these looks?
"Is the ankle seriously injured? Mom and I want to come to London to see you."
"How's business at the noodle shop?"
"Our food is an assault on British tastes. After thinking it over, your mom and I decided to add a fried egg to each bowl; now business is booming."
"Business booming and you still coming to London?"
"You child, can money ever be enough?"
"Don't worry, you two work hard and build the business. If your football fails, you can come back and inherit it."
"Bah! Nonsense — our son will be fine…"
His parents were coming, and no amount of persuasion could change their minds.
Let them come!
The next day Xia Qi returned to London and was warmly welcomed by Alice's family as soon as he walked in.
"Xia, when I saw you charging at Luis Suárez, I was yelling that the Professor was ruining people's lives, but I was so shallow."
"Arsenal will be different because of you, right?"
"Xia, my classmates know you live at my house and they are so envious. You're the male god for all the girls at school now."
They spoke in turns and Xia Qi didn't know whom to answer first — for the first time he felt like a celebrity.
(END CHAPTER)
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