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Chapter 241 What happened to them?
Fu Xiaofeng finished packing his luggage, turned around and looked at his roommate Chi Zhen, who was still packing, and asked:
"When you go back, will you still take Captain Wang's plane?"

Chi Zhen said, "And Yue Hang."

Fu Xiaofeng asked in surprise, "There's one more person?"

While packing his things, Chi Zhen replied, "Yeah, we're all on that island. I originally said we'd go our separate ways once we got back, but Captain Wang disagreed. He said taking a private jet would save time and avoid the hassle of connecting flights. That way, we'd be in better physical condition when we get back to the club."

Fu Xiaofeng didn't understand: "It seems like he's thinking about you guys... but you're not on the same team."

Chi Zhen laughed: "Who said we're not on the same team, Xiaofeng?"

Fu Xiaofeng didn't react immediately: "Huh? He's in Tyne, you're in Scots, Feng Qiyuan is in Witton Hill, and Yue Hang just plays in the Scottish Premiership..."

“But we’re all on the national team,” Chi Zhen said.

Fu Xiaofeng suddenly realized—it meant "the same team"...

Therefore, Wang Lie was considering the situation from the perspective of the national team captain, with Chi Zhen and Feng Qiyuan in mind. He hoped that they could reduce travel fatigue, maintain excellent form after returning to their clubs, and reduce the chance of injury.

Since Wang Lie transferred to Tyne, he has participated in three national team matches.

This time, however, gave Fu Xiaofeng a very strong feeling:
Wang Lie truly thought and acted from the perspective of a team leader; he was more like a real team leader now.

Honestly, if outsiders heard this, I don't know how many people would find it laughable and ridiculous—Wang Lie has been the captain of the national team for fourteen years, and you're saying he's like a real captain now?

So what?

So he was a fake captain for the previous fourteen years?
But that's the truth—although Wang Lie wore a captain's armband before, the one who truly fulfilled the captain's duties and earned everyone's trust was actually the vice-captain, Chu Yu.

Chu Yu is more like a "captain" in the traditional sense. He maintains good relationships with each team member, listens to their voices, helps solve the problems they encounter, and builds a bridge of communication between the players and the coaching staff...

Even Wang Lie's fans have to admit that if it weren't for his greater fame and stronger skills, Wang Lie wouldn't actually be a qualified captain.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he be the second or third captain at Sofia United?
The Chinese team chose Wang Lie as captain based on his ability, not his leadership.

His role as captain is more like a figurehead and a mascot.

He would just yell at his teammates, urging them to move forward for victory.

Like a ruthless emperor who only cares about his own goals, he doesn't mind sacrificing the interests of others or making others the price to achieve his grand ambitions.

He often said, "I'll do anything for victory," but yes, it wasn't him who was "willing" to sacrifice...

In Fu Xiaofeng's mind, Wang Lie was like the "First Emperor of All Time," Qin Shi Huang.

Qin Shi Huang was great and his name will be remembered in history.

There's nothing wrong with that.

But what is the price of becoming a legend?

When Qin Shi Huang mobilized the people to build the Great Wall, he only had eyes for the magnificent wall. Did he ever cast his imperial gaze upon the dying bodies lying at the foot of the wall? Did he ever hear the cries of the people forcibly conscripted for labor?

Therefore, Fu Xiaofeng's previous dislike of Wang Lie was not solely due to his personal grudge against Wang Lie.

Previously, everyone had been saying that Wang Lie was different from before and had changed a lot.

He always dismissed this with disdain.

From his perspective, he didn't notice any change in Wang Lie.

Only now has he discovered that change has indeed occurred on that smelly, hard rock.

This struck Fu Xiaofeng as incredible.

Has it really changed?
Or is it just everyone's imagination?
And how should one get along with such a changing "emperor"?

Fu Xiaofeng was a little confused.

He stopped talking, and Chi Zhen didn't continue the conversation either, but continued packing his luggage.

After he filled his 26-inch suitcase, he zipped it up and stood it upright.

Looking at the suitcase, Fu Xiaofeng recalled the scene when they met this group of people at the airport in Jincheng after they returned to the national team.

A seven-seater van ended up with five people, plus the driver, making a total of six.

All five people put down their luggage, because it was a luxury business van that was nearly six meters long and cost over one million.

That's why we can still fit all the luggage of five people in a three-row, seven-seat layout.

Fu Xiaofeng's thoughts continued to wander, and he thought of Wang Lie, who was sitting in the car at the time.

When he saw Wang Lie, he was completely stunned.

He was genuinely surprised to find Wang Lie on the bus. It was as if Song You had predicted that he and Wang Lie were destined to meet, even here.

Another reason he was in a daze was that he hadn't expected Chi Zhen to be riding in the same car as Wang Lie. Moreover, Chi Zhen acted very naturally, without the timid and preoccupied demeanor he usually displayed in front of Wang Lie.

After learning that Chi Zhen had become Wang Lie's rival, Fu Xiaofeng also realized what it meant to "serve a king as if serving a tiger."

However, when they met in Jincheng this time, Chi Zhen sat in Wang Lie's car, joking and chatting, very relaxed, which was completely different from the impression he had given Fu Xiaofeng before.

Fu Xiaofeng was very curious as to why Chi Zhen had changed like this.

Could it be that Chi Zhen has finally come to his senses and is no longer going to compete with Wang Lie?
However, judging from the national team's training and matches this time, it doesn't seem to be the case.

Whether in training or competition, Chi Zhen's performance is always positive and full of fighting spirit. It doesn't seem like she's resigned to her fate at all...

Today marks the day everyone leaves the national team and goes their separate ways. After today, Fu Xiaofeng won't have another chance to spend time alone with Chi Zhen like this for a while. So, he finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him:

"I've always had a question, Koike. I'd like to ask you, but it's okay if you don't want to tell me."

Chi Zhen turned to look at Fu Xiaofeng with a smile on his face: "It's alright, go ahead and say it, Brother Xiaofeng."

It's that smile...

Fu Xiaofeng saw the smile on Chi Zhen's face and felt a surge of emotion in his heart.

Since Chi Zhen was promoted to a core position by the coaching staff, we've seen him smile less and less often.

You should know that Chi Zhen used to be a cheerful, lively, and energetic young man in the national team, and he was very likable.

It's the same reason why he's popular with people at the club.

Now that smile has reappeared on Chi Zhen's face, and it is precisely because Fu Xiaofeng has frequently seen Chi Zhen with such a relaxed smile lately that he feels puzzled.

"Well... do you feel like you're a little different than before?"

After he asked the question, he saw Chi Zhen pause for a moment.

Then, just when Fu Xiaofeng thought Chi Zhen was giving an unwitting answer, Chi Zhen looked embarrassed, scratched his head, and asked Fu Xiaofeng:
"Is it that obvious, Xiaofeng?"

Fu Xiaofeng was speechless at Chi Zhen's answer:
Don't you realize how obvious it is?!
He nodded with a straight face: "You practically have 'I'm so happy' written all over your face."

Chi Zhen let out an awkward laugh.

Fu Xiaofeng pressed further, "I'm curious, the last time we met—during the match against North Korea—you didn't seem like this, did you? Since the start of this new season, your performance at the club hasn't been great, you've been under a lot of pressure. So why are you like a completely different person now? Of course, if you don't want to say, I won't force you." Chi Zhen didn't mince words, but rather answered generously:
"Because Captain Wang approves of me!"

Fu Xiaofeng's eyes widened, not in shock, but because he didn't understand; his wide eyes reflected his confusion.

Chi Zhen explained to him:
"Xiaofeng, you know, ever since Captain Wang regained his form, he's been the core of the national team..."

Fu Xiaofeng nodded.

Although the coaching staff has never publicly told the players that Wang Lie is the core of the current national team.

The reason they didn't say it wasn't because they wanted to handle the handover between the two generations of core members discreetly, but because it's common knowledge that doesn't need special emphasis.

Given Wang Lie's current form, if he's not the core player of the national team, then who is?
Seeing Fu Xiaofeng nod, Chi Zhen continued, "But actually, I haven't given up either. I've always wanted to compete with Captain Wang. After all, Captain Wang said he hopes everyone will strive to become stronger. So, my way of becoming stronger is to compete with Captain Wang..."

Fu Xiaofeng nodded in agreement. He could see through Chi Zhen's thoughts, and probably few people in the national team couldn't see it either. However, considering the awkward relationship between the two, no one said anything.

"...But before, I was always worried that what I was doing was wrong, that I was... being a bit 'disregarding the big picture,' or... what right did I have to compete with Captain Wang? In any one of these areas, Captain Wang would crush me... Many people online have been cursing and mocking me... Not only online, but also many people around me have advised me not to compete with Captain Wang, saying that there would be no good outcome, it was unnecessary, and it would only make me feel bad..."

Chi Zhen initially intended to explain to Fu Xiaofeng, but as he spoke, he became emotionally involved, and his gaze began to wander, undoubtedly recalling his previous conflicted state of mind.

Fu Xiaofeng actually thought the same thing—why did you provoke him for no reason? Do you really think you can win? You can't win at all, you know? Besides, what good will it do you to offend him? It's really not worth it, really.

Chi Zhen continued rambling on:

"...It's strange, isn't it? Logically speaking, I've watched Captain Wang play since I was a kid. He's my idol. I should be happy to see my idol make a triumphant return. Besides, it's not shameful to be a supporting player for Captain Wang... But right now, I just want to challenge Captain Wang. I don't care if I can win or not, I just want to try. I just want... even if I can't win, I want Captain Wang to treat me as an opponent..."

Fu Xiaofeng couldn't help but ask, "Don't you know what it means to be considered his rival?"

Chi Zhen nodded: "I know, they all end up in bad end... Ha!"

He laughed at himself.

"But I think that anyone who can be considered an opponent by Captain Wang and go all out for is no ordinary player. After all, he wouldn't consider a stray dog ​​as an opponent, right? So... if I can be considered an opponent by Captain Wang, does that mean I'm stronger than before?"
"I persisted with that mindset until the third round of the league, the game where Scorsese played away against Tyne. I lost, I lost badly. Although I scored a goal, I felt like I was completely outmatched by the Kings... This result was quite frustrating. I gave it my all, but it seemed like I still wasn't qualified to be a match for the Kings..."

"But right after the game, Captain Wang suddenly approached me and wanted to exchange jerseys with me!"

At this point, Chi Zhen's tone regained its previous energy, and he excitedly recounted the events that had transpired and his conversation with Captain Wang to Fu Xiaofeng.

After hearing all this, Fu Xiaofeng already knew the answer:
Wang Lie believed that Chi Zhen was qualified to be his opponent.

This gave Chi Zhen tremendous encouragement and also strengthened his beliefs and ideas, freeing him from the internal struggle he had previously faced regarding whether he should or could do something...

After letting go of a huge weight in your heart, don't you feel instantly lighter and like a completely different person?

Fu Xiaofeng's previous doubts were resolved, but new doubts arose in his heart:

Why did Wang Lie do this?
Why did he acknowledge and encourage Chi Zhen's challenge to him?

Chi Zhen's previous state was clearly one of suffering. This suffering could be said to be related to Wang Lie, and that's partly true... but most people would probably think it had nothing to do with Wang Lie, and was Chi Zhen's own psychological problem.

After all, Wang Lie didn't force Chi Zhen to challenge him.

Moreover, based on Fu Xiaofeng's previous understanding of Wang Lie, Wang Lie wouldn't care at all what Chi Zhen thought:

Whether you challenge me or not, what does it have to do with me?
What does it matter to me whether you feel good or bad?
If you keep exhausting yourself and it kills you, that's your own problem, what does it have to do with me?
Besides, people who aren't mentally strong enough aren't worthy of being my teammates. If they die, they die; if they're useless, they're useless.

I, Wang Lie, will not associate with good-for-nothings!

So what if I don't have many friends?
Only cattle and sheep travel in herds; wild beasts always roam alone!
However, what Fu Xiaofeng heard from Chi Zhen was a completely different version, a completely new version that was entirely different from what he had previously known.

In this version, the seemingly cold and aloof Wang Lie is clearly helping Chi Zhen overcome his mental exhaustion, encouraging him, affirming him, and giving him positive stimulation.

Furthermore, considering that he proactively invited Chi Zhen and his group to travel on the same private jet...

The image of a reasonable and caring older brother appeared in Fu Xiaofeng's mind.

The thought of Wang Lie's "strict father" face turning into a "kind father" startled Fu Xiaofeng.

He shook his head reflexively, as if trying to shake this new image of Wang Lie out of his mind.

Although Fu Xiaofeng disliked the previous image of Wang Lie, when this new image appeared, Fu Xiaofeng felt his mental state plummet, and it also made him feel uncomfortable...

Fu Xiaofeng figured out the reason for the dramatic change in Chi Zhen.

But why Wang Lie also underwent such a dramatic change... that's not so easy to figure out.

Because Fu Xiaofeng couldn't possibly ask Wang Lie like he did with Chi Zhen today:

Brother Wang, you seem different than before. Why is that?

Putting aside whether Wang Lie would answer him, based on his impression of Wang Lie, he certainly wouldn't be able to bring himself to ask.

This problem seems destined to remain unsolved...

※※※

After the match against Australia, the entire Chinese team left by plane the day after the competition.

Everyone buys their return tickets based on their destination.

They parted ways in the airport terminal.

People who are close will arrange to travel together, even if their destinations are different, they can go through security and wait for their flights together.

Song You and Fu Xiaofeng traveled together.

As he walked, he asked Fu Xiaofeng, "Hey, Lao Fu, tell me. The private jet was arranged by Tyne, and the shuttle bus was also arranged by Tyne. But Captain Wang brought several players who weren't with Tyne. Doesn't that count as... misuse of official vehicles and aircraft?"

Most of the Chinese team players arrived at the airport terminal in the national team bus and then separated.

Wang Lie, Chi Zhen, Feng Qiyuan, and Yue Hang left the hotel alone in a private car.

Because business jets and regular commercial airliners have different check-in and security checkpoints, business jets have their own dedicated terminal, and check-in, security checks, and waiting areas are all operated independently.

The last time they met in Jincheng was because the van that was picking up Wang Lie was leaving the airport and had to pass through a regular terminal.

It was only by chance that the two met.

As for the business vehicle used for the airport transfer, it's no surprise that it was once again paid for by the wealthy Tyne Club.

Fu Xiaofeng was engrossed in playing a mobile game and ignored Song You, or perhaps he hadn't heard her at all.

Song You continued, "I have a feeling. I feel that this season, for every national team match, Tyne will probably arrange a private jet and car to pick him up and drop him off, just like this time... It's good to be rich!"
"Let me remind you, Lao Fu. Back home is your match against Tyne, so you'd better be careful. It's Tyne's first Champions League match in over a hundred years, and also Wang's first match back in the Champions League. Be careful he doesn't use you as a scapegoat!"

Despite Song You's reminder, Fu Xiaofeng kept his head down, playing on his phone, and simply hummed in response.

※※※

"...After defeating Australia 2-1 away from home, the Chinese national team concluded all their matches in this World Cup qualifying campaign. They ended the campaign on a high note with a victory away from home."

"The national team's focus will now shift to preparing for next year's World Cup... We hope that the national team players can maintain their form and deliver excellent performances after returning to their respective clubs, so as to be well-prepared for next year's World Cup!"

(End of this chapter)