It wasn't until today that Li Wei truly understood the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, the captain of the offensive group—
In others' eyes, the average and ordinary Smith actually had his pride and his persistence, diligently fulfilling his responsibilities.
Indeed, perhaps he couldn't conquer opponents with personal charisma like Manning or Brady, but he always played the role of team leader in silence.
Taking a deep breath, Li Wei finally found the opportunity, something he had been wanting to tell Smith, "You've always been here, always the captain of the offensive group."
Smith, puzzled, "Hmm?"
Li Wei explained, "Just now you said you hope to fight alongside us, you hope to lead the team to victory, but the truth is, you've been doing just that, always standing with us, always fighting alongside us."
"Without you, we might have not held on in the first half, let alone made it to the end."
"Leading the team to victory isn't just about charging into battle; there are so many other ways, believe me, I'm not the only one who thinks this way."
Smith was slightly startled, his eyes flickered briefly, seeming a bit warm, and he quickly diverted his gaze, taking another deep breath, and looked back at the night sky.
"But, I'm afraid there isn't much time left for me."
"Patrick is growing fast, maybe by next year, or the year after at the latest, he can take over as the starting quarterback. My salary occupies too much of the cap space, the team won't keep me as a backup quarterback, the most appropriate way is through a trade, to bring more benefits to the team."
"So, I know, my time in Kansas City is limited."
It's cruel, but it's reality.
Smith isn't a rookie anymore; he understands how the League works, and he knows his place.
However, as much as the principles make sense, as much as the rules and the reality are crystal clear, that still can't control the feelings of loss and regret in one's heart.
"Li Wei, do you believe it? Actually, I really like it here."
"When I left San Francisco, I was like a dog that lost its home, almost losing all confidence, but this city welcomed me with open arms; they made me feel warm, they made me believe I am welcome here, not just Coach Reed, but all the fans without exception."
"I have always hoped to bring them playoff victory, even if not a Super Bowl Championship, I still wish to go further in the playoffs."
"They... need a little hope."
So it turns out, Smith knew this too.
They live in this city, an ordinary city in the central part of the North American continent, where residents welcome them with all their passion and enthusiasm, wholeheartedly loving this team, providing a sense of home and warmth to players gathered from all over.
How should they repay them?
"This time, just a little bit, almost let them down again."
"But thankfully, it didn't happen."
Smith let out a long breath.
Although he didn't speak, one could clearly feel the pressure on Smith's shoulders.
"Rookie, I, I want to give it a try."
Li Wei looked at Smith, offering an inquiring gaze.
Smith straightened up a little, mustering the courage to say.
"I want to give it a try, to achieve my first ever back-to-back victories in the playoffs in my career."
"I am an insignificant man, even if I dream of winning the Super Bowl, I am always too timid, afraid to easily speak out such a grand dream, even the thought of reaching the American League finals feels daunting; but I really want to win another game, for Kansas City, and for myself."
"Before the wild card game, I didn't dare to dream, fearing that even a bit of greed might become a curse, overturning our hopes; but in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, I saw you, Houston, Kelsey, and Hill, and Revis, all of you were fighting."
"I don't want to stand behind supporting you; I want to join in. At that moment, I truly believed, maybe my playing days in Kansas City aren't over yet,"
"So, whether the opponent is Pittsburgh or New England, I want to give it a try."
"That way, when I leave Kansas City, at least I can hold my head high and stand tall."
Li Wei always thought, since you're dreaming, why not dream big? Who knows, it might just come true?
But at this moment, looking at a cautiously Smith, one could clearly see the marks of battle that the veteran had accumulated, tired and depleted, no longer young and ascending, no longer like a rookie who believes that with a long enough lever one can move the Earth—
Even in dreams, a bitterness and caution seep through.
However, it is precisely this state of mind, weathered and mature, that reveals even more of an edge.
No grandiose speech, no stomping declaration, the words spoken gently, but Li Wei tastes a toughness in them.
"I support you one hundred percent," Li Wei said.
Smith turned to look, then saw Li Wei raising his hands and feet, which brought the smile back to his face.
Li Wei continued, "This is our battle, but at the same time, it's your battle. No one can replace you, certainly not that eager number fifteen."
Just then, number fifteen, Patrick Mahomes, sitting in the driver's seat, suddenly sneezed, lifted his head like a meerkat to glance around, but found nothing, so he lowered his head and continued watching game footage.
Li Wei, "But, you can trust us. We will always be by your side, fighting this battle together. When the season is over, no matter where we end up standing, no matter what happens next, don't have any regrets."
After speaking, Li Wei raised his right fist.
The usually restrained and low-key Smith felt his blood boiling and also raised his right fist, bumping it against Li Wei's.
As if one could truly feel the energy bursting forth.
Li Wei, "So, ready to leave? That number fifteen is waiting for me in the parking lot."
Smith, "Haha, you go ahead, I'll stay a bit longer."
Saying so, Smith placed his hands on the field, feeling the texture of the turf with his palms—
It was clear that Smith had no confidence, no matter who the next opponent was, even if the Kansas City Chiefs had beaten them in the regular season, the playoffs were after all different. This was true for Smith, true for the Kansas City Chiefs; the playoff curse, like a tight spell, was hard to shake off,
Smith thought the next game might be his last for the Kansas City Chiefs, so tonight he showed a bit of reluctance to leave.
All that fighting spirit, passion, and blood, like a swan song, echoing out.
Li Wei stood up and took two steps out, but couldn't help stopping and turning back to look.
The figure, neither particularly strong nor tall, sat resolutely on the grass, his back perfectly straight, reluctantly and unwillingly soaking up the energy from the training field.
Li Wei called out, and Smith reflexively turned his head to look.
"After the next game, let's call the offensive group players over for 'counting stars.'
Smith was puzzled, full of question marks.
But Li Wei did not stay or explain, turning around and striding towards the parking lot.
The Republican era sung out loud in "counting stars"—
"Stop obsessing over wealth, let's count stars together, worldly possessions, ignite and let them sink into the river's depths, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger." Read latest chapters on My Virtual Library Empire