Another day passed.
Early morning.
The Manchester United squad ate breakfast in the buffet restaurant.
Ancelotti was asking the Chinese head chef how to make Cantonese roast meats.
Giggs carried his plate over and sat with a few new signings and youngsters, then suddenly asked, "How does it feel, lads?"
McTominay grinned sheepishly and unconsciously looked out the window. "Nice weather. Bright sunshine."
Greenwood held his knife and fork. "This sauce is good. Fantastic flavor."
Rakitic put down his cutlery, his expression reverent. "Li is a god. Playing with him feels like a dream. I love passing the ball to him!"
At those words.
The two Manchester United youngsters looked utterly baffled.
Giggs and the older assistant coaches paused, clearly most pleased with the Croatian's answer. "You've secured a starting spot in the Community Shield, Rakitic!"
Li Luo was still lying in bed in his hotel room. He had just woken up and stared blankly for a moment with his eyes open. Seemingly remembering something, he picked up the book on the bedside table and began reading with relish.
It was a collection of stories set in ancient China.
But judging by the wording, it seemed to have been written by someone in more recent times.
"Long ago, a practitioner of Chinese medicine traveled the land with his apprentice."
"One day, master and apprentice reached a riverside and saw a woman of exceptional beauty. The apprentice stood transfixed, staring at her. The old physician sighed. 'Judging by her complexion, this woman has little time left to live.'"
"The apprentice dared not question his master's words. Clasping his hands, he urgently asked, 'Master, what illness afflicts this woman? Can she still be saved?'"
"The old physician shook his head, considered for a moment, then said, 'Go embrace her at once,