Chapter 7: Dining at the Children's Table

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Although they were held to a draw by Dretin in the FA Cup match, Sven Helden, the disciplinarian head coach, did not impose any punitive measures by canceling the post-match rest. He stuck to the original plan, granting all the players who appeared in the FA Cup game half a day off.

It wasn’t out of kindness but because the schedule was unbearably congested—league matchday 19 on Tuesday, the FA Cup on Saturday (yesterday), the League Cup next Tuesday, league matchday 20 the following Saturday, then a rescheduled FA Cup third-round match the Tuesday after that, followed by a weekend league fixture again.

Counting from Christmas, league matchdays 17 and 18 were also played within a single week, meaning Sofor United had two matches per week for four consecutive weeks.

Without rest, Helden feared the team’s stamina would be drained, increasing injury risks. By then, it wouldn’t just be about losing one FA Cup match...

This was why Wang Lie had the time to receive two “guests” at his home in succession.

After dining and resting at home at noon, he drove to Sofor United’s training base, Heaton Sports City.

Typically, he arrived earlier than his teammates to begin warm-up drills—a habit he had maintained steadfastly for twenty years, whether at Sofor United, Barcelona Atlético, or Boen.

Usually, the locker room would be empty when he arrived, but today he encountered the team captain, Tyler Murphy, clearly waiting for him.

“Have you already decided to leave the team in the winter transfer window, Wang?” Murphy asked bluntly as soon as he saw him.

“Yes.” Wang Lie’s reply was concise and unwavering.

“No wonder...” Murphy mused thoughtfully. “No wonder you clashed with the boss…”

Wang Lie interrupted, “It has nothing to do with that. Whether I had decided to leave or not, I would have acted the same. He not only humiliated me but used the team’s interests as leverage. You were there—you heard what I said—it was a suicide substitution. It actually proved I was right.”

Murphy gave a wry sigh, “But public opinion is blaming your stubbornness and impulsiveness for our failure to win...”

“Which do you believe, Tyler?” Wang Lie fixed his gaze on Murphy.

Murphy looked away, “I’m not here to judge, Wang. I’m here to warn you—the boss won’t let this go easily. Maybe you should go apologize to him, bow a little?”

Wang snorted, “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”

“Many things aren’t simply about right or wrong, Wang. Think calmly—you lost your temper during yesterday’s match, and now the media pins the blame on you for our lack of victory. If you keep clashing with the boss, soon every failure will be attributed to you...”

Wang shrugged, “I don’t care. Those rumors won’t hurt me.”

“Yes, you’re steel-hearted, and you have a super strong heart. But it makes your teammates doubt you. Some have even asked me if you wanted to transfer last summer because the team couldn’t qualify for the Champions League... You’re a legend of this club. Even if you’re leaving, shouldn’t you depart with dignity?”

Wang laughed, “Ha! If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have known I’m the club’s legend! So I’m a legend here? And I’m not notorious enough yet? I thought I was just a shameless bastard... Since you brought it up, tell me—being subbed on only in the last few seconds, then subbed on and off in the second half—does that sound like how you treat a club legend?”

Perhaps provoked by Murphy’s words, Wang grew more animated, his voice rising, his gestures more expressive.

“They say I should respect the coach, but why does no one respect me?! I gave everything to this team, made club history, so why has the club never thought to respect me? Last season, when we failed to qualify for the Champions League, the media said I was the biggest problem. I’m the top scorer—yet the top scorer became the biggest problem... Ha!”

At this, Wang even chuckled.

“At that time, where was the club? They let the media spread nonsense about ‘goals hurting the team’ and did nothing! Fine, I said if I’m the biggest problem, I can leave—the club can rebuild starting with me. What did Hall and the newly appointed Helden say? They said the team needed me, I was still an important member. So I stayed. And now? The media’s spreading rumors that I want to leave just to play in the Champions League... If I wanted that, I would have left two and a half years ago! Why would I have renewed my contract with the club for no reason?!”

“I don’t want to sound conspiratorial, but clubs hiring PR firms to smear their own players isn’t unheard of in Europe. Even if Sofor United didn’t do that, why didn’t they come out to defend me when the media attacked? What do they take me for?! A stepping stone to assert the new coach’s authority! They never thought I deserved respect! And now you want me to apologize to those who never respected me—why don’t they apologize to me?!”

Murphy was startled by Wang’s outburst, his mouth slightly open, unsure what to say.

Seeing the captain at a loss, Wang realized he shouldn’t vent his anger on someone known as an “easygoing” team player.

He sighed, shook his head, and said quietly, “Sorry, Tyler... I know none of this is your fault. You’re just doing your duty as captain... Sorry for snapping at you.”

Turning, he walked to his locker to change.

Behind him, Murphy spoke apologetically, “No, I should be the one apologizing, Wang. Sorry I can’t do more... I was voted captain by the team, but I know they only did it because I’m easy to get along with...”

“No need to blame yourself, captain. You’ve done well.” Wang said without turning around. “This isn’t your business. You’re willing to stand up—that makes you a good captain.”

Murphy gave a helpless smile and didn’t try to persuade Wang to apologize to the coach.

As Wang said, this had nothing to do with him. If it were someone else, they might not even bother with such a pointless gesture.

Since the rift between Wang and the coach was irreconcilable and Wang might leave at any time, there seemed no need for him to bow to the coach.

Murphy returned to his locker to change.

As training time approached, first-team players gradually arrived. But after yesterday’s match, everyone still seemed unsettled, feeling awkward around Wang. No one knew how many truly believed Wang had ruined the victory that should have been theirs.

Wang didn’t care what others thought. Having changed, he was ready to warm up.

Then someone called after him.

Second assistant coach Danilo Lindsay opened the locker room door and waved at Wang, “Wang, come here.”

He said nothing else, and Wang didn’t ask. He followed him out naturally.

As they left, the locker room atmosphere grew lively again.

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Players who had been speaking quietly now gathered and discussed:

“Hey, guess who called Wang out?”

“Who else but the boss? Danilo’s just the messenger…”

“Doesn’t bode well!”

“I think Wang’s leaving this winter, whether he wants to or not.”

“Maybe it’s for the best—for him and for us.”

“Yeah, but leaving like this, so bitterly... really unnecessary.”

“What can we do? The boss is iron-fisted, and Wang won’t back down.”

“Now I think those online folks were right—character determines fate. Maybe Wang’s personality is why he’s always surrounded by controversy...”

Captain Tyler Murphy quietly tied his shoelaces, not joining the chatter.

He knew things couldn’t be undone; nothing anyone said now would help. He also didn’t want to gossip about an old teammate behind his back.

※※※

Wang Lie looked at head coach Sven Helden and club general manager Jonathan Hall with a sneer.

“So, are you here to announce some big decision?”

His tone was far from polite—not because of newfound confidence from a recent advantage, but from repeated clashes with the club and coach, his patience for pretense long exhausted.

“Speak plainly, don’t waste my training time.”

Helden maintained a poker face, silent.

Hall, however, smiled warmly and spoke smoothly.

“I’m here because we want to resolve this before things get worse. Wang, you’re a symbol of this club. I remember my first major task after taking office was unveiling your signed footprint on the Redstone Stadium’s outer wall. That’s one of my career’s fondest memories. You’re the pride of the club, and the club is proud of you. I hope this beautiful chapter can have a proper ending...”

Wang was unimpressed by the rambling and cut to the chase.

“So what do you want me to do?”

His bluntness made Hall’s smile falter briefly before recovering.

“In training shortly, the club wishes for you to apologize to the coaching staff in front of the whole team—not just the head coach but also the assistant coaches. Don’t worry, it will be an internal apology, not public.”

He added the last two points with emphasis, the club’s general manager lowering himself considerably—his manner impeccable.

Wang was resolute, “Impossible. I did nothing wrong. Why apologize? Not in front of the team, not even in this room privately, not even just you and him—I won’t apologize.”

He kept his gaze fixed on Helden, whose usually impassive face finally flickered with anger.

Seeing Helden’s change, Wang mocked, “Of course, if our head coach would apologize to me for twice humiliating me with those substitutions, I might consider it.”

Helden’s expression grew livid, “I already said I could have chosen not to substitute you, but you were prepared the entire match. Putting you on was a sign of respect! I didn’t want you to be disappointed!”

“Ha! So I should thank you?” Wang laughed bitterly. “Mr. Hall, you heard it—the coach calls charity respect.”

He looked back at Helden.

“You don’t even have the courage to admit you used me to assert authority. Yesterday, you hid behind Demos, didn’t dare say a word to me. Afraid the media would say we argued on the sideline?”

“I didn’t want to argue during the match. I put the team first. What’s wrong with that?” Helden retorted.

Wang gave a thumbs-up, “Nothing at all, Mr. Helden. Losing is because players don’t understand your tactics, don’t train hard enough, the opponent’s home referee, phantom fouls... but never because of your tactics or substitutions.”

As tensions rose, Hall quickly intervened, “Enough, gentlemen. Let the past go, look ahead. I hope you can reconcile. Unity is most important.”

Helden calmed down and magnanimously added, “As long as Wang fully recognizes his mistake, I’ll overlook what happened on the sideline yesterday.”

He emphasized it happened on the sideline.

Wang sneered, “Did I not make myself clear? Or didn’t you understand? I won’t apologize to you, Sven Helden, not on the training ground, not in this office. You should apologize to me—sincerely.”

Helden’s magnanimity vanished, and he roared, “Then from today, you’re banned from using any first-team resources, including training equipment and the cafeteria! Until you realize your mistakes!”

Wang was unfazed, “So I’m just sent down to the reserves...”

“No, not the reserves—you’ll train with the youth squad only.” Helden’s tone and gaze were icy.

“Whatever.”

Wang shrugged and turned to leave.

“Hey? Wang! Wang... don’t be rash...” Jonathan Hall called anxiously but inwardly sighed with relief.

“God have mercy—I’m not neglecting my duties. The club really did its best! Whatever consequences, the responsibility isn’t ours!”

※※※

When Wang pushed open the locker room door, the previously lively room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

He approached his locker and took off his already changed training gear, putting on the clothes he came in.

This scene startled many.

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Although it wasn’t his concern, captain Tyler Murphy couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on, Wang?”

Wang kept packing his things, joking, “Nothing, captain. Just that from now on, I’ll be eating at the kids’ table.”

Murphy didn’t quite get the cultural reference.

“Huh?”

But someone else did.

Stanley Harris exclaimed, “You’ve been sent down to the youth team?”

His shout stirred the locker room again.

Wang didn’t answer but slung his bag over his shoulder and said to everyone, “Goodbye, mates. Sorry for the trouble. Don’t worry—it’ll blow over soon.”

Without hesitation, he left the locker room.

Behind him, some called his name, others hesitated to speak, but he ignored them all.

After he was gone, the noise only grew louder.

Some were incredulous, some confused, some whispered complaints, others sighed, “Character determines fate, after all...”

Captain Murphy had to raise his voice, “Alright, alright! Training time’s coming! You all know what happens if you’re late!”

His words worked, and everyone composed themselves, ready to head to the training ground.

Coach Sven Helden’s obsession with discipline was near fanaticism; no one wanted to get on his bad side.

Didn’t they just see the club’s top star and legend sent down to the youth team by him?

※※※

“Breaking news: Wang Lie banned from first-team training at Sofor United!”

“Team reporters confirm Wang appeared at the youth team’s training ground!”

“Legend’s end? Wang’s journey with Sofor United has reached its conclusion!”

“Helden vs. Wang war over—Helden triumphs!”

“…At training’s end, countless reporters and fans gathered outside Heaton Sports City, hoping for confirmation from Wang himself… but when Wang’s car left the ground, he didn’t stop, didn’t open the window to interact with media or fans, and drove off directly. Yet footage clearly showed a stern expression on Wang’s face…”

Sam McNeill watched the shaky footage on his phone, the crowd’s movement causing interference.

Still, a few clear frames revealed Wang’s grim visage.

His rare refusal to sign autographs or pose for photos hinted at his dark mood.

“When I played alongside him at Sofor United, I never imagined it would end like this…” McNeill sighed.

Beside him, Cesar Varo commented, “He looks abandoned by the whole world.”

“Sounds sad. But it’s good news for us.”

“You still believe in him?” Varo asked.

McNeill nodded, “Yes. His experience and top-tier spirit are vital for our struggling team. We need him.”

“He hasn’t played seriously for half a season. Who knows his form? We need immediate impact…”

“He is immediate impact. Did you see his performance after coming on as a substitute in yesterday’s FA Cup? He still influences tactics. His refusal to be subbed off blurred the real issue. Helden’s substitution was a mistake. A player like Wang intimidates any defense as long as he’s on the pitch. Dretin’s defenders aren’t as easy as the internet says,” McNeill said confidently.

“But his agent talks only to top clubs playing in the Champions League. We’re fighting relegation—how do we convince him to come?”

“That’s why it’s a tragedy for Wang, but a boon for us,” McNeill said, pointing to the screen showing Wang surrounded by cameras and phones. “Unless Wang plans to return to China, if he wants to stay in Europe, he’ll find only Tyne genuinely needs him. He can’t afford to be choosy anymore.”

He then searched his contacts for Wang’s number and dialed.

“It’s time to catch up.”

But shortly after, he frowned and hung up.

Varo asked, “What happened?”

With a resigned click of his tongue, McNeill said, “Busy signal.”

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