Chapter 61 The Lingering Aftermath

The match between Tyne and the Scousers kicked off at five-thirty in the afternoon, ending a little before seven-thirty in the evening. By the time the fans cleared out of the stadium, it was barely eight o'clock.

The ecstatic Tyne fans were certainly not going to go straight home and head to bed at this hour.

"Come on! Let's go grab a drink and celebrate this incredible victory!" Robbie Dixie proposed as they walked back to their familiar neighborhood.

"The first round is on the house for everyone today!" announced Collins, the owner of the Miners' Pub.

His decision was immediately met with universal approval and cheers:

"I officially declare that besides my wife and Wang, Mr. Collins is my favorite human being on earth!"

"Let's hear it for Mr. Collins!"

"Ooh-ooh-ooh! Collins! Ooh-ooh-ooh!"

After joining in the commotion with everyone else, Mr. Berger turned to Tang Lin beside him and asked, "You're coming with us too, right, Tang?"

Dixie also extended a warm invitation: "He has to come! He's our lucky charm!"

The others chimed in in agreement: "That's right! The lucky charm!"

Collins added, "All of Tang's drinks tonight are on the house!"

Tang Lin was in a bit of a dilemma because he wasn't particularly fond of noisy pubs...

He offered a feeble defense: "What kind of lucky charm could I possibly be..."

"This was the first match you ever came to watch, and Tyne won. Wang Lie started and scored a hat-trick... Aren't you lucky enough?" Dixie asked.

"Uh... I admit I might be a little lucky, but that doesn't mean I'm your lucky charm..."

Dixie burst into laughter: "Ha! We just came along to soak up some of your luck! Otherwise, we wouldn't have witnessed a victory and Wang's hat-trick!"

Mr. Berger persuaded him as well: "Go on, Tang. I'm counting on you to walk me home."

Actually, Tang Lin hadn't had the heart to let these enthusiastic Tyne fans down anyway, and Mr. Berger's excuse gave him the perfect out.

So he nodded: "Alright, Mr. Berger, I'll go."

Seeing the guest of honor nod, everyone cheered happily, and then they swarmed around Tang Lin, heading toward the Miners' Pub together.

***

"Let me tell you, Harry. Before Wang scored his third goal, those Scouser bastards were up there shouting abuse the entire time, using the foulest language imaginable! I honestly wonder if they've been eating shit since the day they were born, otherwise how could their mouths possibly smell that bad? We could smell the stench from down below..."

Robbie Dixie sat at the bar, recounting the scene to Harry Collins, who had missed out on attending the match because he had to mind the shop.

He described it so vividly that it felt as though one were right there at the scene.

Consequently, Harry Collins shrank back slightly: "Stay away from me, old Robbie. I think I can already smell the stench on you..."

Dixie quickly defended himself: "It was them who stank, not me!"

Seeing Dixie take a hit, everyone burst into laughter.

Amidst the laughter, Dixie found another angle: "Even if I do stink, it's all been purified by Wang's hat-trick! You have no idea—after Wang scored that third goal, those Scouser bastards upstairs all turned mute! I actually thought they'd vanished into thin air at the time..."

"That much is true." Theo Collins, who was already standing behind the bar helping his son serve the old-timers, corroborated Dixie's story. "Those arrogant Scouser fans were thoroughly silenced by Wang. From that moment until the final whistle, not a single peep came out of them."

"It felt so damn good! When we fell behind by two goals at the start, those bastards were practically jumping out of their skins with excitement..."

"Come to think of it, we actually owe them a bit of thanks," Jon Berger remarked. "Thank them for adapting that song to insult Wang. Who knows, maybe it was their insults that fired Wang up?"

"Ha, that's entirely possible!" others chimed in.

"So..." Berger raised his glass, "let's thank the Scouser fans. Cheers to them!"

"Cheers to them!" Everyone raised their glasses amid playful jeers.

After a hearty drink, they burst into laughter together.

Tang Lin didn't join in mocking the Scouser fans, even though he had detested their verbal abuse of Wang Lie during the match.

Yet, removed from that fanatical atmosphere that had caused him to lose himself, he had regained his calm and rationality, making him look completely out of place in the rowdy pub.

Mr. Berger could sense Tang Lin's awkwardness and unease.

So this time, instead of drinking himself blind with his old mates before leaving, he set down his empty glass and said his farewells to his friends a little early: "I should be heading back."

"Huh?" Dixie was somewhat surprised by his early departure, "You've only had one drink, Jon."

"One drink is plenty," Berger shook his head.

"The last time we beat Hellingham, you drank until you couldn't stand! What's got into you today?" Not just Dixie, but everyone else thought Berger was acting strangely today.

Berger replied, "I just suddenly realized something... Wang's contract with Tyne doesn't run out until the end of this season, right?"

Old Collins shook his head in response: "No, rumor has it he signed a year-and-a-half contract with the club."

"So that means he'll still be at Tyne next season. And I was thinking, matches like today's, and victories like the one against Hellingham, aren't going to be one-offs. If I get blind drunk after every single win, I'm afraid I'll kick the bucket before that year and a half is up. So, I need to pace myself. One drink at a time, a steady stream that lasts long—that way, I can keep drinking for a long time."

With that, Mr. Berger beckoned to Tang Lin: "Let's go, Tang."

Tang Lin stood up to join him and offered his arm to support Mr. Berger.

"Goodbye, lads. See you tomorrow."

Watching the two of them leave, Robbie Dixie curled his lip and muttered, "Steady stream my foot. I reckon he realized that Chinese boy wasn't used to the pub atmosphere and just made up an excuse to give him a way out..."

Theo Collins smiled: "Jon makes a fair point. We'll probably have plenty of occasions to celebrate wins in the future... Given his health, he really does need to pace himself."

The others began to look forward to the prospect as well:

"More wins... Does that mean next season we finally won't have to fight relegation?"

"Relegation? I reckon we might even start dreaming about European football!"

"European football?! You must be joking!"

"How is that a joke? Look at our current league standing. Is a Europa Conference League spot really that far out of reach?"

"European football... such a distant concept. When was the last time we played in Europe? What competition was it again?"

"Let me think... Thirty-four years ago, in 2005, we played in the UEFA Intertoto Cup..."

Overhearing the patrons' discussion, Harry Collins couldn't help burying his face in his hands: "Thirty-four years ago... I wasn't even born yet! And now they're already daydreaming about European football..."

He found it all utterly absurd.

***

Walking home from the pub, Tang Lin had been worrying about one particular thing the entire way—that Mr. Berger would invite him to another football match...

Even though he had thoroughly enjoyed today's game, he still didn't care for football.

If Mr. Berger used today's success as an excuse to invite him to future matches, he honestly wouldn't know how to turn him down...

To Tang Lin's surprise, however, all the way back to their building and right up until they parted ways at their respective doors, Mr. Berger never once brought up the topic of watching another game.

Though Tang Lin was slightly curious about why Mr. Berger had suddenly changed his tune, he didn't dare ask—he was afraid of reminding him.

So after bidding Mr. Berger goodnight at the stairwell, he retreated straight to his room.

Changing into some casual loungewear, he sat down at the desk by the window, suddenly remembering that he hadn't spent much time properly reviewing his studies all day.

He opened his textbook, intending to read for a bit before going to sleep.

Yet once he finally quieted down, he found that his mind kept conjuring up the images he had witnessed at Leazes Park Stadium earlier that day.

A low ringing echoed in his ears, as if he were still standing in the stadium stands.

The piercing boos, the ugly insults, the stadium-shaking roar of celebration every time Wang Lie scored.

And that soulful local folk song; he never would have imagined that when tens of thousands of fans sang it in unison, such a slow ballad could blend so harmoniously with the fierce intensity of a football match.

These sounds still lingered in his mind, echoing long and clear.

After several failed attempts, Tang Lin found himself utterly unable to immerse himself in the ocean of knowledge.

In the end, he gave up.

He simply snapped the book shut, leaned back in his chair, and fixed his gaze straight ahead, focusing on the row of clothes hanging on the opposite wall.

Among them was the blue Tyne jersey he had just changed out of.

Printed on it were Wang Lie's number and name.

WANG
99

The synchronized chants of the Tyne fans echoed in his ears:
"China Wang! China Wang! China Wang..."

He had to admit that even though he didn't understand the sport and couldn't claim to like it, this man's presence had left the deepest possible impression on his memory.

He could understand, to a certain extent, why this man commanded such a massive global following, and why—even as he aged and grew frail—so many die-hard fans still fought tooth and nail to defend him.

Based on this single match alone, countless people would undoubtedly fall in love with him, to the point where even someone like him, who had always been indifferent to football, felt a flutter of fascination.

To think that when the entire stadium was performing the bow-down gesture, he had been right there among them!

Had such a thing happened before today, not only would he never have done it, he wouldn't even have entertained the thought—how could he have lost his mind and bowed down in worship to another human being?

Before he had even grown to like football, he was already harboring thoughts of becoming this man's fan.

How insane, yet how terrifying!

He let out a long breath, feeling his heart still beating somewhat faster than normal; the lingering aftershocks were far greater than he had originally imagined...

***

"Daddy!"
"Daddy!"

When Wang Lie unlocked the front door, he was greeted by his son and daughter waiting eagerly in the entryway, along with his wife, Tang Xingmei.

Wang Lie crouched down, scooping up his son and daughter with one arm each, and asked, "Was the match exciting or what?"

"Daddy is awesome!"
"Daddy, you were amazing!"

Each of the children planted a kiss on Wang Lie's left and right cheeks respectively.

Tang Xingmei looked on with a gentle smile: "When you scored your third goal, Qiqi actually ran outside and did a whole lap around the yard."

Wang Lie burst into laughter.

Amidst his laughter, Wang Ziqi declared, "I wish we were going back tomorrow!"

Wang Lie's laughter cut off abruptly: "Huh? Are you not having fun staying here?"

"No!" Wang Ziqi quickly shook his head to clarify, "I mean I wish school started tomorrow!"

"Since when did you become so eager to learn?" Wang Lie was even more puzzled.

"That way I can go to school and get a good look at SB's reaction!"

"SB? Which of your classmates has such a weird name?"

Tang Xingmei chimed in from the side to explain for their son: "It's that boy I told you about before—the one who got into a fight with him because of you. That SB is the classmate who insulted you."

"His name is Shi Bo, 'S-H-I' for Shi, 'B-O' for Bo, SB, Shi Bo!" Wang Ziqi added by way of clarification.

"Oh..." Wang Lie suddenly understood. "That Chi Zhen fanboy from your class?"

"Yeah, him! So annoying!"

Just mentioning the name brought a look of disgust to Wang Ziqi's face.

Yet Wang Lie merely smiled: "Don't pay it too much mind. Other people's words and opinions can't affect your dad."

Tang Xingmei backed him up: "That's right, didn't I tell you? Your dad is a person with a very strong inner core."

Their daughter, Wang Zilin, waved her tiny fist: "Daddy is the strongest!"

Wang Ziqi curled his lip: "But my inner core isn't that strong..."

Tang Xingmei adopted her maternal tone: "Then you better learn from your dad!"

Wang Lie chuckled heartily: "Don't worry, nobody's going to have the chance to insult your dad ever again."

Hearing this, Wang Ziqi's eyes lit up: "Just like today?"

Wang Lie nodded, making a promise: "Mmm. Just like today."

"Yay!" Wang Ziqi threw his arms up in triumph.
"Yay!" little Wang Zilin chimed in, copying her brother.

***

Emerging from the shower, Tang Xingmei saw her husband leaning back against the bed scrolling through his phone, and said, "I was thinking about it the whole time I was showering—you really shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself just to keep the kids happy."

Knowing his wife was referring to the earlier conversation, Wang Lie gave her some reassurance: "Don't worry, there's no pressure. Even without making them promises, wouldn't I be trying my best anyway? As long as I perform well, the people talking trash will naturally shut up, and Qiqi won't have to take any more grief at school. It's a win-win."

Tang Xingmei laughed: "You talk as if you can score a hat-trick every single match..."

Wang Lie chuckled along: "A hat-trick every game is impossible, but I'll definitely keep getting better. I'm never going back to the way things were in the first half of the season."

Based on her interactions with her husband lately, Tang Xingmei felt that his current state of mind was indeed exceptionally good—and she didn't just mean his form on the pitch, but his mental state. The confusion, anguish, and anger that she could clearly sense over the phone previously had been completely swept away.

Coming to Newcastle this time and reappearing before her, her husband radiated a vibrant energy and overflowing confidence, as if he had been reborn.

Tang Xingmei stared blankly at her husband.

Wang Lie gazed at his wife with equal tenderness.

Under the warm yellow lighting, her loose, lightweight gauze nightgown could not completely conceal her exquisitely graceful figure.

Despite having two children, thanks to consistent skincare and regular workouts, the forty-year-old wife still maintained a superb physique.

Especially right after a shower, she looked as fresh and pristine as a lotus rising from the water.

Perhaps buoyed by his stellar performance on the pitch, his spirits were exceptionally high at this moment.

Putting his phone aside, he got up, strode over to his wife, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Hey? What are you doing?" Tang Xingmei asked, slightly startled.

"This." Wang Lie gave her a simple, affirmative reply before scooping her up horizontally and tossing her onto the bed.

Caught completely off guard, Tang Xingmei let out a startled shriek, which she quickly muffled, scolding him in a soft whisper: "What are you doing! The kids only just fell asleep!"

"What do you mean just fell asleep? They've been out for ages! Relax, the house is big enough, we won't wake them..."

As he spoke, Wang Lie reached out to pull aside his wife's gauze gown.

Instead of stopping him, his wife opened her eyes wide and protested: "You literally just finished playing a match..."

"Yeah, exactly—that's why we're doing this now. You gotta stay abstinent before a match."

With that, Wang Lie leaned over, his breathing growing heavy as he transformed into a beast.

Tang Xingmei tensed up, unable to suppress a slight shiver.

***

Tang Xingmei lay sprawled across her husband's chest, her eyes closed as she savored the afterglow of their intimacy.

Though she had been somewhat reluctant at first, one look at her expression now revealed just how thoroughly satisfied she was.

At her peak, she had felt as though she might melt right into her husband's strong embrace.

She let out a contented sigh: "Hubby, you've changed..."

One arm wrapped around his wife while the other scrolled through his phone, Wang Lie experienced a startled jolt: "Huh?"

"You've gotten much more ferocious!"

Wang Lie rolled his eyes: Could you please not pause so dramatically in the middle of a sentence next time?

"Oh, well, absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know," Wang Lie brushed it off casually.

"Nonsense, how long has it even been since we last saw each other? What 'absence'? We were intimate on your birthday too, and it felt completely different from today! It's like you've grown younger!"

His wife's remark stirred up some different thoughts in Wang Lie's mind, but he temporarily set aside probing that question to placate his wife first, making sure not to give anything away—losing focus at a time like this could be fatal...

Feigning casual indifference, he said, "That's normal. I scored a hat-trick today, after all! Haven't you heard the saying? 'Scoring goals keeps a man young'..."

Tang Xingmei scoffed: "I've heard 'Power keeps a man young'."

"What power does your hubby have? I only know how to score goals, so goals keep me young. Makes total sense."

Tang Xingmei had only been making an offhand remark anyway and wasn't genuinely looking to debate the philosophy of it with her husband, especially since she felt his explanation held up entirely.

So she went back to resting her head on her husband's chest, eyes closed, savoring this private world shared solely by the two of them.

Meanwhile, her husband continued to hold his phone, though his mind wasn't on browsing at all.

His wife's comment just now had unlocked the answer to a minor puzzle in his own mind.

When he saw his wife step out of the shower earlier, he had been struck by an uncontrollable urge.

He had initially chalked it up to a few days of pre-match abstinence.

Now, it seemed it might actually be because he had grown a year younger during today's match...

It was his body that had grown younger, not his chronological age.

A younger body could help him score more goals on the pitch, but that same vitality could clearly be channeled into the bedroom as well...

If he continued to grow younger in the future—younger and younger still—his libido might very well revert to the state it was in during his youth.

If his wife wasn't by his side when that happened... the long nights ahead would be awfully hard to endure!

At that thought, Wang Lie put his phone down and suddenly hugged his wife tighter: "After you send the kids back home, come back and stay with me, alright?"

Tang Xingmei was surprised that Wang Lie was bringing this up again: "Didn't we already talk about this? We can't really turn the kids into left-behind children; I need to stay by their side."

"I need you by my side too..." Wang Lie buried his face in his wife's soft chest.

Tang Xingmei raised a hand to toy with her husband's hair: "Don't worry, I'll come visit you from time to time, treat it like taking a holiday for myself—you have no idea how mentally and physically exhausting raising kids is. If I don't give myself a break, I'm afraid I'll lose my mind."

"Then you should take breaks often and not put too much pressure on yourself," Wang Lie's muffled voice came from below.

Feeling tickled, Tang Xingmei squirmed away slightly with a laugh: "Got it, got it. Don't worry, I'll give myself plenty of breaks."

She gently patted her husband, comforting him while harboring her own quiet expectations.