Chapter 49: The System Ships a Patch
Beep!
The match was over,
Arsenal's unbeaten record was broken!
Norwich's match-winner Grant Holt took man-of-the-match honors.
"Ding, match ended, rewards settling…"
"Host played 10 minutes this match, participation C-, performance A, reward: +5 attribute points."
"Ding, regional legend level +1."
"Ding, regional legend level +1."
"..."
The usual rewards that would have cheered Xia Qi today couldn't lift his spirits.
As control returned after the whistle, Xia Qi stood with hands on hips, eyes fixed on the LED screen in the stands.
His resentment was visible even through the screen.
A life of cheats can't beat a bad whistle!
Damn it — what a day.
Xia Qi suspected with the worst intentions that there was a current in English football that wanted Sir Alex Ferguson to retire gloriously.
This year the Premier League title must belong to Manchester United.
No!
Never!
Xia Qi clenched his fists and told himself: a life with cheats will never be manipulated!
After the match, Arsène Wenger unusually launched into a blistering attack on the referee and the FA:
"I know our referees are poor, but I didn't expect to see three clear wrong calls in one match. Perhaps they came with a task tonight."
"If because Arsenal rarely criticize or complain we become an easy target, from tonight on we will shout and fight…"
After eight rounds of the Premier League:
Chelsea 6 wins 1 draw 1 loss, 19 points,
Manchester United 6 wins 0 draws 2 losses, 18 points,
Arsenal 5 wins 2 draws 1 loss, 17 points,
Manchester City 5 wins 2 draws 1 loss, 17 points,
Chelsea back on top of the table.
Manchester United had overtaken Arsenal, trailing Chelsea closely; Arsenal and Manchester City both had 17 points, but Arsenal led on goal difference.
Thus no Premier League team remained unbeaten. The title race was shaping into a four-way battle — the fiercest among the big five leagues.
(Everton 15 points in 5th, Tottenham Hotspur 13 points in 7th, Liverpool 10 points in 13th.)
…
At the training ground, Xia Qi kept sweating it out. Five skills, four experience bars showing 90%, 92%, 94%, 95% progress — a new weapon was almost ready to equip.
That was his best motivation.
"Why is Xia Qi training two hours longer?" someone asked.
"Stimulated by Norwich…," came the reply.
"Nonsense! Pat, training should be scientific…"
"He's only 18, full of energy and a fire inside — if we don't let him blow off steam here, aren't you afraid he'll go partying at night?"
"But what about his body?"
"Rebecca said: if he's not playing matches, let him train as he wants. Next round we play the Wanderers — rest Xia Qi!"
"We never intended to rely on one hero. Like against City, everyone should be a hero."
"Arsène, have you decided on Xia Qi's development path?"
Wenger groaned, clutching his head: "You know I love Lionel Messi. I've always wanted to coach him.
But I've always envied Sir Alex for Cristiano Ronaldo — you know that. When Ronaldo went to Real Madrid I even bought you a drink."
"Wait, Professor, aren't you supposed to owe me for that drink?"
"Pat, Xia Qi's family Fuding white tea is excellent — have a cup."
"If this cup counts as that drink, I'll skip it."
"No, of course not. You'll buy me another tonight — this tea's worth two drinks, trust me, I only exploit old friends."
Pat Rice: ()!
"Now, I also think having a goal-eating monster in the box wouldn't be bad... Pat, look: Xia Qi isn't Inzaghi — he has physique, speed, technique...
If we let him wreak havoc in the box, he can carve a path different from Messi, Ronaldo, or Inzaghi — a path of his own.
I'm in agony. Give me a month—no, two weeks, I'll give you Xia Qi's training plan, okay?"
"Probably. I've been training his strength and conditioning. I've never seen such high footballing comprehension — he's like a sponge and absorbs new knowledge fast..."
The two exchanged big-picture ideas about Xia Qi's development and, when they finished, Pat Rice pocketed some of Wenger's Fuding white tea.
"Oh, this tea is indeed good — it counts for the drinks…"
Wenger: (^○^)!
…
A day of training ended.
Back in the dressing room Xia Qi saw three or four missed calls — all from his friend Mario Balotelli.
Xia Qi expected this braggart had something to boast about.
But Balotelli's voice on the line was downcast: "Xia, I'm going back to Italy."
"Why?"
"I can't get into the starting eleven here. Mino (Raiola) wants me to go back."
"Don't listen to that vampire, Mario. Your problem is spending time off the pitch. Stop the nightlife, focus on training. Mancini is your mentor — he'll give you chances."
"Wah...why do coaches all hate me? Mourinho calls me an idiot, Mancini coaxed me here and now sits me on the bench…"
Hearing Balotelli sniffling, Xia Qi felt bad.
Don't be fooled by his tough exterior — inside he's fragile.
Left with foster parents as a child, black and not the brightest, mocked in racially charged Italy, he'd been tormented his whole life; even as a global star he'd be a target for jokes.
Xia Qi understood Balotelli — he'd grown up with discrimination too.
Balotelli was the only friend he could confide in completely; others like Wilshere or Oxlade-Chamberlain were only half-friends.
"Mario, don't go back. I don't know who Mino has lined up but it's not for your good.
Your biggest problem is lack of discipline. If you go back to Italy you'll let yourself go — in a year you'll be done."
"I know, but ever since you left no one trains with me after hours. I don't push myself beyond team sessions…"
"Look, stop blaming Mancini for not starting you. This is the Premier League — the world's top competition. You play at Manchester City — a title-chasing team. Do you really think singing, drinking and chasing girls gets you into the starting XI?"
"Xia, I'm wrong — can I stay with you? I have no friends..."
"I'll ask the boss. If he wants you he'll take you, but he has no money; that vampire's asking price is high. I'll ask — wait ten minutes."
"Ding, detected bond between host and former teammate Mario Balotelli. Hidden quest triggered."
"Hidden task: help Mario Balotelli transfer to Arsenal. Completion reward: system patch package. After patch update, the host can perform goal celebrations in one-click auto mode."
Oh — that patch is useful!
No more walking back to the center circle after a goal with no passion, but finishing this task would be difficult.
Wenger, after hearing Xia Qi's call, was actually tempted.
Most Premier League coaches juggle league, FA Cup and European competitions.
Wenger was no exception; especially in the Champions League, since losing the 2006 final 1–2 to Barcelona, Arsenal had declined season after season...
That was one reason Fàbregas and van Persie left.
Competing on three or two fronts requires depth. With Giroud not fully fit, buying another striker wasn't impossible.
Wenger pondered for a moment and said, "Let me think properly — seriously, okay?"
Transfers are complicated; even in the winter window many aspects must be handled...
"Thanks, boss."
"Mario, I spoke to the boss. He'll consider it seriously. Whatever happens, don't go back. You've been wasting time and friends here; if you return you'll be drowned in social life and ruined. We're still young — not yet time for that."
"Xia, I know. I just can't control myself... thanks, Xia."
The day before Arsenal faced the Wanderers, Balotelli told Xia Qi that Wenger had talked to "that fat guy" and, as expected, the price was very high...
(END CHAPTER)
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