Li Yufei's Ruthlessness, No Regrets About the Decision Made

But knowing it was one thing...

Li Yufei did not regret it.

For Arsenal's long-term dominance, for the successful transition between generations in the squad.

Replacing Van Persie, who was about to decline, with Suarez, who was steadily entering his prime, had been an extremely cost-effective decision.

But Van Persie himself certainly could not accept it.

To him, the attacking partner who had once charged into battle alongside him had turned around and abandoned him for the club's future.

The sense of betrayal and disappointment had clung tightly to Van Persie's heart for over a year...

As time passed, those emotions had not faded. Instead, they had continued to ferment.

What had begun as grievance and heartbreak had gradually turned into the obsession and hatred he felt now.

At every moment, he wanted to prove that Li Yufei's decision back then had been wrong.

At every moment, he wanted to slap everyone in the face with his ability and prove that he was still world-class.

And this World Cup quarterfinal was his finest, grandest stage for revenge.

The eyes of the entire world were focused here. All eyes were on this match; no one would miss it.

As long as he could defeat Li Yufei in this match and lead the Netherlands to eliminate England.

As long as he could breach England's goal and put on a dominant performance.

He could prove to the entire world that he had not been discarded because he lacked ability.

He could viciously tear apart Li Yufei's cold theory of competition—"survival of the fittest."

This was Van Persie's greatest obsession in this match, and the greatest source of his competitive fire.

Li Yufei took it all in. He understood everything perfectly, yet his heart remained completely calm.

He understood Van Persie's anger and sympathized