Wenger: This Child Will Surpass Messi and Ronaldo

At the post-match press conference, Hodgson faced the Fleet Street reporters with a flushed face.

He kept feeling like those bastard journalists in the room were eyeing him with mockery and ridicule, even if he couldn't see it.

But he had that feeling, and it was strong.

"Mr. Hodgson, you said before the match that Fry was just a kid, nothing to worry about, and that your Liverpool would teach him a lesson. Now, do you still think that?"

The first question came from a reporter for The Times, the UK's most influential newspaper.

Coming straight out with such a sharp question made Hodgson's expression turn extremely sour.

"I don't think there was anything wrong with what I said before. Remember, Fry isn't even 18 yet—he's still a minor. Is there a problem with calling him a kid? No, there isn't!"

"As for this match, the kid did play well! But the bigger reason is that we had a man sent off in the first half. From the 40th minute onward, this became an unfair contest."

"I won't say the referee's decision was wrong, but clearly, sending someone off with so much of the game left is highly unreasonable!"

"We held out until the 83rd minute before falling behind, and I'm proud of my players for that."

Several more media outlets followed up with questions about Fry.

But clearly, Hodgson had lost the patience to spar with them and eventually left in a hurry.

On the other side, Wenger was full of praise for Li Yufei during his interview:

"This kid is even better than I imagined! I have to admit, I thought I'd already rated him as highly as possible, but it turns out I still underestimated him."

"Let's just say, this is what a true genius looks like! He doesn't need the grind of professional matches to deliver brilliant performances."

"I'm genuinely delighted that Arsenal has acquired such a talented player!"

The media reporters pressed further: "Do you think Fry is ready for a starting spot now?"

The Old Man smiled at the loaded question, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor. "We still need to evaluate further, but at least Fry has proven he has the ability."

Not getting the answer they wanted, the reporters stirred the pot again: "Where do you see Fry's ceiling? Can he surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?"

Wenger thought for a moment before speaking slowly: "Discussing this now is pointless. Leo and Cristiano have already become true legends."

"Fry is still a newcomer. He needs time to prove himself, but I have full confidence in him. His future is infinitely bright."

Seeing that Wenger wouldn't take the bait, the reporters were frustrated.

But they decided they'd "slightly tweak" Wenger's words when they got back. Surely Mr. Arsene wouldn't mind.

After the press conference, reports on the Liverpool vs. Arsenal match spread across England and gradually to other European countries.

Back in the locker room, Li Yufei took a shower to wash off the sweat, then headed home with his girlfriend.

"Honey, you were amazing today! Come here, Sister's got a reward for you!"

Taylor beamed with excitement at Li Yufei and planted a kiss on him.

Li Yufei wasn't about to let someone take advantage of him for free. As Taylor pulled back, he reached out with his left hand, pressed the back of her head, and went in for a French kiss.

Taylor was startled at first but quickly melted into it.

The temperature in the car shot up.

Before long, the young couple was locked in a passionate embrace, devouring each other without a care for who might see...

(We know you don't want to read this, so we'll skip it, hehe...)

The next day.

News about Li Yufei had exploded across England, with media from other major European football nations also jumping on the story.

The Times: "Arsenal's Super Prodigy, Fry Adams, Scores Twice in League Debut, Single-Handedly Creates Three Goals!"

The Guardian: "A Nepotism Hire? Super-Rich Kid Fry Adams Says, 'I Play Purely on Merit!'"

The Daily Telegraph: "Mr. Arsene Says Fry Adams Will Surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Become the World's Best Player!"

The Sun: "American Country Pop Star Taylor Swift Watches Boyfriend's Premier League Debut Live; Couple Allegedly Engages in Car-Based Activities After Match"

He was famous. After yesterday's match, Li Yufei was truly famous.

A highly touted young talent had delivered a near-perfect performance in his professional league debut against a European giant like Liverpool.

How could the media pass up such a golden story?

Let's just say, from now on, Li Yufei was a real celebrity.

Waking up early the next morning.

After his morning run, Li Yufei pulled out his phone and saw a flood of reports about himself.

The content was mostly the same—some were serious, focusing on football-related news.

Others were pure bait, using superstars like Messi and Ronaldo as fuel for controversy.

But none of that mattered.

Until Li Yufei saw the article in The Sun. His face darkened, and he was utterly speechless.

"Motherfucker, that goddamn The Sun really knows their shit!"

Li Yufei had heard about The Sun journalists—or rather, paparazzi—and their knack for catching scandals back in his past life.

Basically, any rumor involving football players, they were the first to break it.

And their accuracy rate was damn high!

You could say The Sun was a gossip rag flying under the banner of football.

Any football-related news? Might as well use it as toilet paper after taking a dump.

But if it touched on a scandal, just believe it and move on!

"Honey, what are you looking at?" Taylor, still groggy from just waking up, hugged Li Yufei from behind and peeked her little head over to glance at his phone.

But since Taylor was nearsighted and couldn't make out the tiny words on the screen, she buried her face in the back of his neck and mumbled:

"Read it to me. I don't wanna look, too sleepy..."

Li Yufei shook his head fondly and read out the news from The Sun.

Who knew Taylor couldn't care less? She just nodded, totally indifferent. "That's it? What's the big deal?"

"Ever since I publicly announced our relationship, I never thought we'd get a quiet life as a couple."

"At least those annoying media won't stop reporting on us, just like David and Victoria back in the day."

"Honey, does it bother you?"

Li Yufei quickly shook his head at that. Come on, how could it bother him?

The media was boosting his fame for free—he'd be thrilled, not upset.