Injured at Kickoff

"Hat trick!!!!!!"

"Huang Kaiwen scored a hat trick in his very first Champions League match. His instinct for getting on the end of chances is simply incredible."

Huang Kaiwen embraced his teammates again.

Even after scoring a hat trick, he did not celebrate on his own.

Seeing that the time was about right, Ancelotti called Gattuso over to warm up.

Even though Kevin had not been injured today, they could not overuse him, could they?

A few minutes later, during a stoppage in play, the fourth official raised the substitution board.

Huang Kaiwen was still chatting with his teammates when Kaka gave him a shove. "You're coming off."

"Me?"

Huang Kaiwen looked toward the sideline. Ah, it really was number ten being substituted.

What was Ancelotti thinking?

With a gloomy expression, Huang Kaiwen walked to the sideline, hugged Gattuso, and headed for the bench.

Ancelotti eagerly handed him a towel, beaming as he said, "You've only just recovered, so you shouldn't play too long. You've already scored three today—give the Ukrainians a way out."

I give the Ukrainians a way out, but who's going to give me one?

I spent more than half the destiny points I got for saving Inzaghi's career on today's [Injury Immunity Card], and you still won't let me play the full match? Where am I supposed to argue my case?

Huang Kaiwen sat on the bench, feeling rather depressed.

Rui Costa nudged Huang Kaiwen with his elbow.

Seeing that it was the veteran who had given up his number for him, Huang Kaiwen quickly put on a smile.

"Don't be upset. The coach is doing it for your own good."

Rui Costa said with a smile.

Young people these days were just too competitive. When he had been twenty-one, he only played around twenty matches a season, with very few starts, yet hadn't he still endured until becoming a Benfica regular?

He advised him again, "Patience is a virtue. People who are restless and impetuous rarely succeed."

"Alright, thank you for the advice." Huang Kaiwen took two bottles from his bag and handed one to Rui Costa. "Argentinian mate tea. Want to try some? I specially prepared it, but I haven't tasted it yet."

Rui Costa took it and had a sip. His face twisted from the bitterness, then slowly relaxed. "A little bitter, but there's sweetness too. The sweet-and-sour taste must be lemon juice. I feel much more alert."

As he spoke, he took another big gulp.

"You really know your stuff!"

Huang Kaiwen gave him a thumbs-up. He took a sip too and nearly spat it out.

He only knew that Messi and Suarez drank it all the time, so he had gotten some to pass the time in the stands. The taste was truly hard to describe.

It was far too intense.

Seeing Huang Kaiwen's reaction, Rui Costa immediately spat out the tea in his mouth and burst into laughter.

Huang Kaiwen understood at once. This guy had been pretending—he had set him up.

Huang Kaiwen said with a wry smile, "Why would you do that?"

Rui Costa blinked and said, "You always have to try new things in life, or you'll grow tired of it."

Huang Kaiwen could only keep giving him a thumbs-up.

You're impressive. You're so lofty.

You're a footballer, yet you talk like a philosopher.

He had always thought highly of Rui Costa. After all, the man was a huge star who had given up his number for him. But Rui Costa's way of speaking today gave Huang Kaiwen quite a fright.

In football, the only people who talked like that were Cantona and Balotelli. Neither was someone you wanted to get close to.

Fortunately, the match moved along quickly. Seedorf scored another goal, and the final score was locked at 0–4 as Milan claimed a glorious away victory.

At the post-match press conference, Ancelotti could not suppress the smile on his face at all. He told the reporters that Huang Kaiwen would no longer be injured: "Milan Lab has entered a brand-new era. We have invited the best sports injury specialists in the world, and many players have benefited as a result. The team doctors told me Kevin's previous injury was completely accidental, and it won't happen again. Kevin's body is as strong as a bull!"

Kaka, who also attended the press conference, expressed his delight. "Kevin is the perfect teammate. He is humble, yet immensely capable. He keeps a low profile, yet he is dependable. As long as Kevin stays healthy, he is the most important member of the team."

The next day, La Gazzetta dello Sport also changed its tune.

"Although Kevin did not display his dazzling dribbling skills in his first Champions League appearance, he completed a hat trick. Football is, after all, a sport decided by goals. Even an ordinary Kevin possesses such ability. I am already looking forward to the next match."

[Some Chinese fans have high hopes for you. Anticipation +5]

[Local fans continue to look forward to your goals. Anticipation +10]

[Teammate Kaka is greatly looking forward to playing with you. Anticipation +5]

[Inzaghi is looking forward to you fulfilling your promise and creating chances for him. Anticipation +2]

[...]

After completing a hat trick, Huang Kaiwen's anticipation meter filled up in a single day. It was clear just how many people had high hopes for him.

Likewise, Ancelotti was also looking forward to the next match.

September 21, the day before the third round of the league.

Ancelotti arrived at the Duomo di Milano in a very low-key manner.

He sat in a seat off to the side as usual.

Ancelotti clasped his two chubby old hands together and began to pray. "Almighty and merciful God, You are the source of life. Please bless those who are ill, so that they may face the hardships of disease with courage, hope, and faith. Grant them the strength to endure their suffering, allow them to receive proper treatment, recover soon, and regain their health. Please watch over Kevin. He is a clever and outstanding child. Please, make sure he does not get injured in the next match. Amen."

Putting on a baseball cap, Ancelotti quietly left.

He felt that it was a sure thing.

Last time, he had merely promised not to smoke before the match, and Huang Kaiwen had not been injured. He had now gone two days without smoking—wouldn't Huang Kaiwen practically soar to the heavens?

One day later,

San Siro.

Milan faced Messina.

Huang Kaiwen was still in the starting lineup.

Ancelotti's remarks before the match had left the fans feeling optimistic as well.

During the warm-up, Huang Kaiwen chose to draw a card.

[ Ding, obtained 00–01 La Liga Round 3, Real Betis VS Real Madrid, Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez Experience Card ]

Joaquin might not have been as dazzling as Vicente at his peak, but he was still decent. At least he was a winger.

Finally, he would not have to keep charging into the box to fight for loose balls.

Inzaghi had complained quite a bit about it before the match.

Huang Kaiwen wore a confident smile, and his teammates also felt that he was in good form today.

More than sixty thousand fans had come to San Siro today. Before their eyes, at 7:30 p.m., the referee blew the whistle to begin the match.

Inzaghi immediately played a square pass to Shevchenko, who returned it with a back pass.

As Huang Kaiwen received the ball, Riccardo Sampaogna rushed forward to press him, and Huang Kaiwen hurriedly passed sideways.

The moment he put force into his right foot, he felt a sharp pain and collapsed to the ground.

Sampaogna was terrified. The Messina forward raised both hands, on the verge of tears. "I didn't touch him! I really didn't touch him! He fell on his own—it has nothing to do with me!"

Ancelotti watched blankly as the medical staff rushed onto the pitch, then carried Huang Kaiwen off on a stretcher.

Ancelotti's knees gave way. Throwing back his head, he howled, "Why? Why, exactly, why?!!!"