Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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"What a brilliant game, I'm thoroughly convinced."
Rayo Vallecano's coach, Paco Jémez, also smiled in relief.
When he shook hands with Simeone, there was no sign of a loser's unhappiness.
"I envy you, having a player like Lance."
"Actually, you guys played very well too, you put a lot of pressure on us."
Simeone responded politely.
Rayo Vallecano's defensive wall at the start, including their extreme offence in the second half, was indeed very threatening.
If Atlético Madrid had been slightly weaker, or relaxed their guard even a little, they might have truly stumbled.
"A loser is a loser."
"You can stick to your principles, I believe in you…"
"Thanks."
Paco Jémez interrupted Simeone's comfort and turned to leave.
Before leaving, he glanced from afar at the Asian boy who was surrounded by stars.
"150 million euros, 150 million euros."
If he had 150 million, buying a player like Lance, winning the championship wouldn't be impossible.
Unfortunately, a small club like Rayo Vallecano, would have any promising young talents quickly poached by strong La Liga teams.
This season, they had no money to strengthen their defence, and the club was still in debt. It was highly likely they would be relegated.
In the era of money-driven football, it's like games from the Tencent system. No money, no play!
At this moment, Lance, who was celebrating with his teammates, couldn't have imagined that the "Coach Killer" passive skill had activated again.
A thrilling 3-0 victory, perfectly ending 2015, and the opposing coach, Paco Jémez, was already contemplating resigning.
"Lance!! Let's go to Space Ibiza later!"
Madrid's biggest nightclub, the luxurious seven-storey venue they had visited before.
Every Atlético Madrid teammate had excitement on their faces.
They weren't happy about beating Rayo Vallecano; defeating a relegation-threatened team wasn't worth this much joy.
They were happy that they could go to the nightclub to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Tonight, there would likely be even more beautiful girls from all over the world, and everyone would let loose under the influence of lights and alcohol, letting go of the past year, 2015.
Usually, Lance didn't go, and everyone was sensible enough not to invite him.
But today was a special situation.
Lance didn't have a formal girlfriend, so he wouldn't refuse, would he?
The result…
"Sorry, brothers, you guys have fun, I have plans."
"Oh… wait? Whaaaaaat?!"
"Que? Why?"
"Do you have a date?"
Griezmann, Torres, Saúl, and others widened their eyes.
Seeing Lance shower in a hurry, he seemed to be rushing?
The group was about to rush into the bathroom to gossip, but they were stopped by the veteran captain Godín.
"Disperse, disperse, Lance has his own plans, you pigs don't mess around."
Although he didn't know why, Lance's eyes showed his seriousness.
Lance had helped the team so many times normally, so Godín had to help his brother at a critical moment.
After Lance quickly showered and left, ignoring his slightly sore leg muscles, he arrived at the changing room.
He found his prepared casual suit hanging in front of the number 10 jersey's seat. It was even ironed, without a single wrinkle.
"This is…"
"Go, brother."
Godín patted Lance's shoulder.
"Captain, you're a true friend, I won't say anything else."
Lance nodded, changing clothes in a second.
"Holy Shit!"
"Ohhh, Jesus!"
It's hard for men to admit another man is handsome, unless he's truly handsome.
Looking at Lance, sharp in his suit, standing in front of the mirror, with a formal yet youthful vigour.
Many of Atlético Madrid's teammates suddenly felt much more balanced.
"Good thing Lance isn't going," Griezmann exclaimed, "otherwise, what would be left for us in the nightclub?"
"First time I've understood the charm of an Asian man."
"Vamos, tiger! Vamos."
Amidst the cheers of his teammates, Lance, in his suit, didn't even bother to grab his bag and rushed directly out of the changing room.
"Lance, are you leaving?"
"Yes, coach, I have plans."
"Alright, be careful, don't drive too fast."
Lance had informed Simeone earlier.
According to team discipline, it wasn't yet time to disband.
But students with good grades at school have privileges, and star players on the team also have privileges.
Simeone said nothing, quickly clearing the way for Lance to rush to the car park.
"Sir, shall I drive?"
At the Wanda Metropolitano car park, a flashy yellow Lamborghini Huracan LP610 was parked in the most prominent spot, its engine subtly emitting a restless growl.
His agent's assistant, Harry Kane, stood by the car like a British butler.
Beside him was his PR manager, Miss Hanna Mouller.
"Lance, there's also an interview with Madrid TV later…"
"Cancel it for me."
"Oh!! Wait! And your CCTV, the documentary crew is still waiting for you."
"Ah, I forgot about that."
Previously, to avoid disturbing Lance, the documentary crew had tried to minimise their presence and film silently.
Ma Fanshu seemed busy with something too, and hadn't come to find him.
"Miss Ma had previously scheduled an exclusive interview, hoping you could give a brief summary of this year."
"Let's talk when I get back."
"But they're leaving…"
"Then next time if there's a chance, I'm in a hurry."
Lance took the key from Harry Kane's hand and directly slipped into the driver's seat; Harry Kane quickly followed and sat in the passenger seat.
Hanna Mouller was half a beat too slow and couldn't get a spot; the supercar only had two doors.
"Huh?"
"You handle it!"
Leaving that one sentence, the Lamborghini roared away, leaving Miss Hanna Mouller to sigh with her hand on her forehead.
"I really regret quitting the club to follow him, he's too unreliable."
Pushing up her rimless glasses, Hanna Mouller had no choice but to call Ma Fanshu.
"I'm sorry, Miss Ma, Mr Lance has already gone to the airport, today's interview will probably have to be cancelled."
"Huh?"
On the other end of the phone, Ma Fanshu was stunned. Didn't they agree? Why the sudden change of plans?
Is he avoiding me?
Ever since that slight hint of closeness, Lance seemed to deliberately avoid her.
Hmph! Am I really that undesirable?
At school, and at the station, she was a goddess harassed by admirers, but facing Lance, Ma Fanshu couldn't help but start doubting herself.
She had thought that, relying on their "Dongda fellow townsman" connection, she could approach Lance more easily.
If any scandal spread, or she managed to marry into wealth, wouldn't she save 20 years of struggle in this life?
Just look at Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend, Irina.
Why?
Where did I lose?
"Miss Ma, are you still listening?"
"Oh, oh, it's fine, the interview content itself was temporary and not in the initial schedule, so it's not a problem."
"Okay, then if there are any changes in the future, please contact me in advance."
"No problem."
On both ends of the phone, the two women sighed simultaneously…
"Sir, your phone is lit up, do you need me to reply?"
"Oh, no need."
"Then do you need me to drive, you can rest for a whilst."
"It's fine."
But, I am not fine!
Harry Kane was always a composed gentleman, but today his hands were tightly gripping the handle above the passenger seat, watching the Ferrari weave left and right on the motorway.
He felt like he was playing "Forza Horizon 6: Madrid."
"Near Miss 100, 4007 × 2.2"
Was he going to crash here today?
I'm just a trivial assistant, so it's fine if I die.
But Lance is Atlético Madrid's hope, a superstar cherished by fans all over the world!
He couldn't bear the responsibility if anything happened!
Fortunately, they drove smoothly into Madrid Airport, parking safely in front of the terminal entrance.
"You can drive it back for me, thanks for your trouble."
Harry Kane nodded, his face pale, as Lance had already disappeared through the main doors.
Running, he typed quickly on his phone with one hand.
Chloe: [Congratulations, Lance! The hat-trick today was so cool!]
Lance: [Sneaking to watch the game instead of studying]
Chloe: [Watching the game is more important]
Chloe: [I said I'd cheer for you]
Lance: [Thanks, very touched]
Chloe: [Then I'll continue studying, you also get some good rest and relax]
Chloe: Typing…
Lance: [What do you want to say?]
Chloe: [Nothing, I'll tell you tonight after I finish studying]
…
After sending the message, Lance's side was silent for a long time.
The girl held her phone, lost in thought, and finally smiled faintly, putting down her phone and immersing herself in her study materials.
"Who are you messaging? Smiling so sweetly… Do you have New Year's Eve plans?"
Laila's gaze was ambiguous as she looked her up and down.
"No! I'm just messaging my family, tonight I only want to study."
"Oh?" Laila looked at her suspiciously.
"Are you really not coming to the party with me? Yesterday there was another handsome guy from the Delta fraternity, he wants to meet you, he's really handsome."
"No, you go have fun."
"Oh, oh, my poor little thing, spending Christmas and New Year's Eve all alone."
Laila was already feeling a bit of pity for this Barbie doll.
With such beauty, this sweet girl could walk around school like she owned it, she could be a campus celebrity.
Yet she was using her wonderful university life to study?
Such a waste!
"Alright, then I'm going to have fun. I'll get you some handsome guys' contact info later."
Laila was already impatient, packing her things and getting ready to leave.
The sky was getting dark, and the library had long been empty.
Everyone had gone to celebrate New Year's Eve, leaving behind only unpopular bookworms.
"No need! You keep them for yourself!" Chloe pushed her away, annoyed.
"Goodbye, dear, I'll try to come back early to accompany you."
The blonde, wavy-haired French bombshell blew a kiss, eager to leave.
After she left, the noisy sounds disappeared, and the library became exceptionally quiet.
Only the Christmas tree from a week ago remained outside the floor-to-ceiling window, covered with a thin layer of snow, its surrounding coloured lights now dim.
Chloe suddenly felt that she was as lonely as this Christmas tree.
She opened her phone and switched to the chat interface.
Her finger hovered over the [Video Call] button, and she bravely pressed it.
Her fair little hands clenched into fists, countless ways of greeting brewing in her stomach.
Unfortunately, the call rang for a long time with no response.
"He must have gone to the nightclub with his teammates for New Year's Eve, right?"
On Twitter, she occasionally saw Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid players frequenting nightclubs.
Chloe knew that players' ways of relaxing were nothing more than nightclubs.
European nightlife was scarce; most commercial areas closed when it got dark. What else was there to do besides nightclubs?
"It's good as long as he's having fun."
With a slight smile, Chloe couldn't help but scroll up through the chat history, savouring their past conversations.
As she read, she suddenly put her phone in her pocket, walked out of the library, and stood under the "expired" Christmas tree, looking up at the slightly starry night sky.
The poem "The More Loving One" by the British modern poet W. H. Auden came to mind:
"…Admirer as I think I am"
"Of stars that do not give a damn"
"I cannot, now I see them, say"
"I missed one terribly all day."
…
"Sir, would you like some red wine or champagne?"
"Thank you, no, let me rest for a whilst."
"I apologise, I won't disturb you further."
In first class, the blonde, blue-eyed, busty flight attendant's eyes were full of regret, and she could only disappear with a polite smile.
Lance, such a high-quality eligible bachelor, currently the highest-valued player, reportedly earning 20 million euros annually.
If he took an interest in her, even just a fleeting romance, the flight attendant would be thrilled.
Unfortunately, Lance was a sigma male today, quietly gazing out the window at the last hint of purple-red sunset about to fade, and the occasional twinkling stars.
How could the girl looking up in the campus know that the two of them were at this moment looking at the same starry sky.