Munich.
Legendary footballer Matthäus appeared on a talk show on German television.
Holding statistics from recent matches, he began criticizing current issues. "There's still some sand in Bayern Munich's gears. Why was our UEFA Champions League match against a Manchester City side still in its adjustment period so perilous? We only won by one goal, and it was scored by a defender. I've always praised Guardiola, but now I think his personality is a little strange..."
"The Matador's acrobatic style blowing into Bavaria isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"Why does that bald guy always come up with such bizarre tactical arrangements during matches?"
He continued blasting Bayern Munich's management.
Then he blasted Schalke 04, followed by Dortmund.
"Wolfsburg?"
"Well, Hecking is currently Germany's best coach. I think he could replace Guardiola as Bayern Munich's manager."
"He could replace Löw too. That guy became too full of himself after winning the FIFA World Cup. Judging by his call-ups, our national team manager has deep prejudices against several clubs. That could become very dangerous."
"Hecking transformed Li Luo and unleashed De Bruyne's potential. There are many factors involved: player development, tactical compatibility, squad fit..."
"Li Luo, in the UEFA Youth League final footage, was a more technically refined version of Matthäus. After arriving in the Bundesliga, he discarded the flashy but impractical things and is developing toward the direction I was in at my peak. No colorful acrobatic moves—he's very much like me."
"I once believed the football world would never produce another player like me."
The host could not get a word in throughout the entire segment.
Matthäus had gotten carried away and kept talking without pause.
The audience enjoyed it. They had not heard this big mouth praise a coach or player so desperately in a long time.
Wolfsburg's training base.
At two in the afternoon, the club blew the whistle to end training.
Li Luo wanted to stay behind for extra training, but the assistant coach and fitness trainer stopped him.
"The day after tomorrow, we face Leverkusen."
"What you need to do now is rest, relax, and sleep."
Hecking was no fraud. His staff placed great importance on player injuries and rest, and a few years ago, they had come within inches of creating the footballing miracle of "an entire season without a single injury."
This season, Wolfsburg's coaching staff was still working toward that "miracle."
As long as they could keep their key players healthy, fighting on multiple fronts would not seem so frightening.
"Alright."
Li Luo did not argue and followed his teammates to the entertainment room at the base to watch a movie.
A highly popular comedy was playing on the large screen.
With the young players gathered together, no one could settle down to watch anything seriously. They chatted now and then, played on their phones, and complained about how bad the movie was.
Only when the film showed indecent scenes did everyone briefly fall silent.
Half an hour later.
Tom stepped into the entertainment room. "Li, we need to go. We're attending a charity event in Lower Saxony."
"What charity event?"
Li Luo froze for a moment before remembering. "Going to the banks of the Aller River to maintain the trees and shoot a public service commercial."
"That's right!"
In late September, the Aller River looked like a silver ribbon caressed by the setting sun.
The branches and leaves along the riverbank had begun to wither.
The glittering river surface flickered continuously.
Occasionally, white herons skimmed across it, their wingtips breaking the surface and tearing apart the trees' reflections.
"Li!"
"Your performance in the Europa League was incredible. An outstanding commander and an outstanding aerial Heavy Cannon."
Hans, a Volkswagen executive, warmly came forward to greet him.
He then pulled Tom aside, saying he wanted to discuss the tax-exemption issue for football stars attending charity events.
Quite a few reporters had gathered along both sides of the riverbank.
The bearded director took out a Wolfsburg number 10 shirt. "Li, after the Europa League match, my son became your fan. Could you sign it for him?"
Li Luo smiled and did not refuse.
Suddenly.
A faint fragrance drifted over on the riverside breeze.
A gentle voice sounded beside his ear.
"Li."
"Could you sign one for me too?"
Li Luo looked up.
He saw a young girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and delicate features.
Her long, straight legs looked like artwork sculpted by God; her rounded, lifted hips radiated a sexy, alluring charm.
Her perfect proportions were breathtaking.
"Of course, Long-Legged Girl."
"Long-Legged Girl? Haha! You... you can call me Lei."
Nineteen-year-old Lorena Lei smiled like a flower just beginning to bloom, like grapes slowly ripening.
The bearded director chimed in, "Li is so kind. Maybe he'll really become a superstar someday. If Lei grows old and falls into poverty, she can sell Li's signed shirt for some money."
"..."
"Hm? Why do you two look so strange? I'm right, aren't I? Li's Wolfsburg shirt will become a limited edition once his loan ends next year!"
The public service commercial did not require a script.
He and Lei worked together to maintain the trees on both banks of the Aller River.
There was no helping it. It was both of their first times.
Their first time maintaining and caring for trees, so their movements were rather clumsy.
The community staff occasionally offered reminders.
Gradually, the boy and girl seemed to be like Li Luo facing Everton's tough men in the Europa League—every now and then, there would be some "unintentional physical contact."
Their arms accidentally brushed together.
When passing tools, their hands accidentally touched.
When moving small buckets, they accidentally bumped into some part of each other's bodies.
As it happened again and again.
Li Luo was a respectable man. He truly did not want this, resisted it, and was not used to it.
He had long since forgotten what Lauren and Larissa looked like.
Of course, to outsiders, his and Lei's behavior looked perfectly normal, healthy, and civilized.
Forty minutes later.
Filming for the public service commercial was over.
Lei could not help covering her flushed cheeks with her hands. Breathing quickly, she said softly, "Li, you..."
What young girl did not yearn for love?
The nineteen-year-old German supermodel had never had a boyfriend. Her family's agency had protected her well, and she had never been so intimate with a man.
"What about me?"
Li Luo put on a serious expression and took out his phone. "You're the first German girl I've met since coming to Wolfsburg. Let's exchange contact information. I can invite you to watch Wolfsburg play sometime."
"Alright. Nice to meet you, Li."
Lei's expression relaxed. She had never seen any gossip in the papers about Li Luo. She only knew that his private life was healthy, that he did not casually flirt with girls, nor did he visit nightclubs or red-light districts. Besides, his style on the pitch was exceptionally elegant. He was a handsome midfield commander who was also skilled at violent... headers.
Thus, the two happily exchanged contact information.
Tom, who had come over with water and towels, was stunned when he heard Li Luo's words. The first girl he had met since coming to Wolfsburg? No, the first German girl! That did seem right. Lauren was Dutch, and Larissa was Brazilian... Should he report this to the boss? No, he could not betray Li. Li had gotten Manchester United to raise his salary. If anything really happened in the future, The Sun could tell the boss!
A long time later.
The Aller River returned to tranquility.
The branches and leaves on both banks trembled softly in the wind, as if cheerfully bidding everyone farewell.
North Rhine.
Leverkusen's coaching office.
Assistant coach Dino's hair was a mess.
"If we want to contain Li, we can't simply raise the intensity and physicality."
"First, we need to cut off his passing connections with the other Wolfsburg players, then..."
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