Fox in the Penalty Area

"Hu Lai, let me tell you, when I found out you were not replaced, I knew something was going to happen!"

In the restaurant in the evening, Zhang Qinghuan said this to Hu Lai, who was sitting opposite him.

Hu Lai laughed and was very happy...

Nearly three hours have passed since the end of the afternoon game, but Zhang Qinghuan is still aggrieved that he did not score all three points.

"Whether it is from the player status or the tactical arrangement, we should win. In the end, because of your kick in front of the goal, the three points became one! A cooked duck can fly, it's really... Qingqing is here, so I won’t say bad words!”

Li Qingqing, who was sitting next to Hu Lai, also had a smile on his face.

This was a meal they had agreed on before the game.

However, the mood of the two parties eating was completely different.

The last time Hulay visited Barcelona and helped Madrid Pirates defeat Saria, the two also had dinner together.

Although he lost the game at that time, Zhang Qinghuan's mood when eating was completely different from what he is now.

Mainly because the Madrid Pirates showed complete dominance from the beginning in that game, and it was indeed difficult for Saria to win. So losing is normal.

But today it's completely different.

It is really possible for Saria to win this game, just because of Hulay's goal, the win turned into a draw.

Even if they return undefeated, it is a good result for Saria, but Zhang Qinghuan is still worried about it.

On the contrary, a draw did not allow Madrid Pirates to regain the lead in the standings, and Hulay can still laugh now.

Because a draw is better than a loss.

Being one point behind the Madrid Kings does not look good.

However, the competition between the three teams is so fierce that it is really difficult to guarantee that the Madrid Pirates can maintain a one-point lead and end the league.

After all, the lead is too small and the opponent may overtake him at any time.

Just like in a marathon, it is very tiring to always be the front runner. The huge psychological burden will cause more physical exertion than normal.

Everyone also knows that in the competition for the league championship, ups and downs are normal. Instead of being upset about a game that cannot change the outcome, it is better to quickly adjust your mentality and meet the challenges ahead.

For now, let's give up the first place in the league to the Madrid Kings, and they will take it back later.

The entire Madrid Pirates team believes they have this chance.

Because now the pressure is on the Madrid king to be the front-runner.

Zhang Qinghuan sighed again: "We really hope to win! Casas told us before the game that you will definitely send Kyrie as a substitute, but he told us not to worry about Kyrie because Kyrie is playing. There won’t be any performance after that, he really got it right! Alas!”

Hu Lai was also helpless: "No one thought that Kaili really stretched his crotch. He didn't look like this at all in training."

Li Qingqing said from the side: "Continuous serious injuries have a great psychological impact on players. Not to mention that Kyrie is already 33 years old. At this age, he will care more about the impact of injuries."

"Then will Kaili completely sink?" Hu Lai turned to ask her.

Li Qingqing shook his head: "I can't say, it depends on whether he can get out of the psychological shadow. But even if he can get out of it, it will definitely not be possible in the short term. And what's worse is that in this game, Saria You have set a correct example of 'how to freeze Kyrie' to your next opponents. Other teams will definitely follow suit..."

Hu Lai looked at Zhang Qinghuan: "Damn, what you said, our next game will definitely be difficult... Why do I think Brother Huan should treat you to this meal today?"

"It's none of my business! I suggest you go to Kaili for reimbursement after the meal. He is the culprit!" Zhang Qinghuan originally wanted to say something rude, but when the words came to his lips, he remembered that Li Qingqing was present, so he could only force it out. Hold it back.

"What's your bad idea? Do you think if I go to Kaili to reimburse him, he can ignore me?"

"Then do you think I will pay attention to you?"

Seeing the two people bickering, Li Qingqing covered her mouth and laughed happily beside her.

※※※

Sophia knocked lightly on the study door, and her husband's voice sounded from behind the door:

"Don't disturb me, Sophia. Leave me alone for a while."

"..." Sophia was silent for a few seconds and then said, "Okay, you can call me if you need anything."

"Go to sleep, Sophia. I can handle it myself."

This time his wife did not agree to him, she just left. She must have left, because Kaili in the house heard his wife's footsteps getting further and further away.

When the footsteps could no longer be heard, the study became quiet again.

Kaili was sitting on a chair in this silence, looking out the window at the night sky.

He seemed to be back in the afternoon game.

Seeing Hulay's goal, other Madrid Pirates players rushed forward and wanted to celebrate the goal crazily.

However, Hulay, who scored the goal, got up from the ground, got into the goal, grabbed the football and ran towards the center circle before Saria goalkeeper Bahun could react.

There was not much time left and they had to score one more goal to win the game.

His teammates all followed him and ran back. They put their arms around his shoulders and patted his head...

Kyrie stood in the distance, watching this scene, and a thought suddenly came to his mind that he was no longer the person who could lead this team forward.

Although in the end the Madrid Pirates failed to score another goal in the remaining minutes to win the game.

But Hulay's goal allowed them to avoid the embarrassing result of losing at home.

Until now, Carey can still think of that scene.

In fact, this was not the first time he had seen this scene.

It's just that he wouldn't have thought this way before, because he always thought that after he recovered from injury, the treatment he received from all the stars would be his.

He will take back everything that belongs to him, including his position as the core of the team.

But today's game shattered all his pride and illusions.

Kaili also knows that at this moment, countless people are criticizing and laughing at him in various news and on the Internet.

He acted like a coward and a clown in this game.

The "Flying Dutchman" lost speed, could no longer fly, and was no longer the unique "MAX".

So what's left for him?

※※※

After dinner, Hu Lai and Li Qingqing bid farewell to Zhang Qinghuan at the door of the restaurant.

"You have to rush back so late. Why don't you stay one night before leaving? Anyway, you won't be training tomorrow morning." Hu Lai said.

"I'm going back now. Even if I'm a little tired on the road, I can still go home and rest and sleep. I don't have to run around on the road tomorrow morning. The training effect will be better in the afternoon." Zhang Qinghuan shook his head.

"Okay. Speaking of which, Little Star is coming to play an away game next week. I plan to have dinner with him. Do you still want to come?"

Zhang Qinghuan was a little tempted, but he shook his head and rejected the proposal: "We also have a Europa League match."

"Oh, yes. I always forget this. Oh, Brother Huan is also a player who has played in European competitions..."

"Hu Lai, you really underestimate me, don't you?"

"No, no!" Hu Lai waved his hands repeatedly, but the smile on his face betrayed his true thoughts. "I didn't look down on Brother Huan, I really didn't. I promise I definitely didn't look down on you!"

"You don't need to stress this over and over again..."

Seeing Hu Lai and Zhang Qinghuan bickering here, Li Qingqing stood next to Hu Lai and watched with a smile.

When Zhang Qinghuan saw this scene, he couldn't help but shake his head again: "Seeing you two together, I still feel very magical..."

"What for? Do you think I'm not worthy?"

"Yes, yes, yes. I have keys here, how many do you have, Hu Lai?"

"Haha, you are jealous, Brother Huan."

"I'm jealous of you, Hu Lai. Let me tell you, while you were still playing in the mud, I did what you should play with!"

"I don't believe it, can you explain it in detail?"

"Haha, we can't talk about paid content..."

"Bah!" Hu Lai sneered.

Zhang Qinghuan sighed: "Flowers are stuck on cow dung!"

"What's wrong with cow dung? Cow dung is rich in nutrients, so it can better nourish the delicate flowers!" Hu Lai puffed up his chest, as if "I am cow dung, I am proud, and I provide nutrients for the flowers."

Zhang Qing smiled happily: "Okay. When will we drink your wedding wine?"

Hu Lai was stunned, and Li Qingqing's face turned slightly red.

Seeing their reactions, Zhang Qinghuan was a little surprised: "No, haven't you two considered this issue?"

Hu Lai prevaricated: "We are still young..."

"What does this have to do with being young?" Zhang Qinghuan originally wanted to say a few more words, but suddenly she remembered that she was not their parents, so why did she press for the marriage?

Thinking of this, he shook his head:

"Forget it, you can get married whenever you want. But you must invite me then."

"That's for sure, that's for sure!" Hu Lai quickly agreed with a smile. "No one can forget you, Brother Huan!"

When Zhang Qinghuan saw the car he called coming, he waved to the two people: "Okay, my car is here, let's go back first."

"Brother Huan, be careful on the road." Li Qingqing waved to him gently.

"Brother Huan, let's go slowly. We'll make an appointment next time we go to Barcelona to play Catalonia United."

Zhang Qinghuan shook his head: "I'm afraid we can't make an appointment."

"how?"

"We were coming to Madrid to play the Kings that day, and I wasn't in Barcelona."

Only then did Hu Lai react: "Ah, yes..."

"See you back home." Zhang Qinghuan waved casually, turned around and got in the car.

Sitting in the car, through the rearview mirror, Zhang Qinghuan could still see Hu Lai and Li Qingqing standing on the roadside, watching him leave.

Although he teased Hu Lai for being unworthy, Zhang Qinghuan still felt it was natural when he saw this scene.

It was as if the two of them should stand side by side like this.

He didn't know how many stories there were between Hu Lai and Li Qingqing, and why Hu Lai never told them.

But seeing the two of them standing side by side so naturally, Zhang Qinghuan, a veteran in love, naturally knew very well that the tacit understanding between the two was far beyond anyone else's.

What a perfect match.

Zhang Qinghuan, who saw this scene in the distance in the rearview mirror, suddenly felt a different kind of emotion well up in his heart.

A little...well, lonely.

※※※

After watching Brother Huan's car merge into the traffic, Hu Lai said to Li Qingqing: "Shall we go home too?"

"Yes." Li Qingqing nodded, but stood still and turned to ask Hu Lai: "Are we going to get married?"

"Of course."

"Getting married...it always feels so far away from us." Li Qingqing sighed softly.

"So there's no need to worry. Are you anxious?" Hu Lai asked.

Li Qingqing shook his head: "That's not true. I really haven't thought about getting married yet... I think it's good for us to be like this now."

"But you still have to get married, right?"

"Of course, I want to get married."

Hearing this, Hu Lai patted his heart and pretended to take a long breath: "It's okay, it's okay. It scared me to death. I thought you didn't want to marry me. Let me tell you, everything is not for the purpose of marriage." Everyone is acting like a hooligan when they are dating, so don’t act like a hooligan!”

When Li Qingqing saw that he was so stubborn, she raised her hand and slapped him: "I hate it, what are you talking about!"

But her hand was grabbed by Hu Lai.

"Let's go home with me!"

Hu Lai held Li Qingqing's hand tightly, as if he was afraid that she would run away.

Li Qingqing did not struggle, but obediently let Hu Lai hold her hand.

The two of them walked hand in hand towards home.