"According to reliable information we've received, Kevin has no problems with his body. That's right: Milan's two miracle doctors have both said that every time he recovers from an injury, his physical condition is better than anyone else's on the team. His frequent injuries make no sense. And after investigating, we've finally uncovered the truth—it's Inter Milan that's behind all of this.
On the African continent, hiring witch doctors to cast spells is a common practice, and it's widely used in football, too. Ever since Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992, they've owed their witch doctors wages and still haven't paid them. They haven't had any good results since.
There have been examples in European football, too.
Before the 1986–87 European Cup final, Porto hired a witch doctor named Delane Vieira. Before their penalty shootout against Bayern, he found two toads in a special location and put them on the pitch. In the end, unfancied Porto won 2–1.
England manager Hoddle made a deep impression at the 1998 World Cup. He brought a witch doctor along with the team to counsel the players.
And spells can be cast not only on your own team, but on your opponents as well.
Kevin's inexplicable injuries were clearly the result of a witch doctor's curse. And according to our investigation, the witch doctor responsible came from the hometown of Inter Milan's Nigerian striker, Oluseyi Adeyemi.
Inter Milan had once tried to curse Kaka, but it hadn't worked because Kaka was protected by the Lord. But they'd succeeded with Kevin.
They'd nearly destroyed AC Milan's super-talent. Kevin kept getting injured for no apparent reason. It was a truly terrifying curse. The most important thing for AC Milan now was to find someone who could lift the curse placed on Kevin."
When I saw the report in La Gazzetta dello Sport that morning, I hadn't expected them to embellish it and drag Kaka into the story, too. The editor had some nerve. Kaka was a devout believer, so the curse hadn't worked on him.
That logic was flawless.
Huang Kaiwen contentedly tossed the newspaper aside.
Overall, he was pretty satisfied with what they'd written.
At last, he, Huang Kaiwen, wasn't getting injured for no reason. Inter Milan had hired someone to "curse" him.
Barbara came over after washing up and picked up the newspaper on her way to breakfast. She immediately forgot all about eating.
She was completely engrossed.
Huang Kaiwen smiled and said, "It's all nonsense."
"How could it be? I think the newspaper makes a lot of sense. Damn it, they're definitely behind this." Barbara angrily slapped the table.
By the time she finished reading and put the newspaper down, her chest was heaving with emotion.
"I knew it. I knew it."
Barbara stood up and threw her arms around Huang Kaiwen's head, soothing him softly. "Don't worry, darling. I'll find out how to break the curse today. I'll hire the best witch doctor I can find and get you healthy again."
Huang Kaiwen was dumbfounded.
He hadn't kept it from Barbara to get this reaction.
But since the young lady was set on it, he'd let her go ahead.
After all, rich people got restless if they didn't have something to fuss over.
When he got to team training, everyone was united in outrage.
"Don't worry, Kevin. We won't let those bastards get away with this."
"Damn Inter Milan, always resorting to dirty tricks. I knew Moratti was no good."
"Why don't you start believing with Kaka? Look, nothing's happened to him."
Oh?
Huang Kaiwen had found another way.
Once he really lifted the [Abnormal Status] and got rid of [Fragility Change], he could say Kaka and God had done the trick. Who the hell in Europe would dare question that?
Perfect!
But for now?
Huang Kaiwen wasn't in the mood. He couldn't settle his mind enough to go to church; that would be sacrilege.
Even Ancelotti expressed his sympathy and promised that the club would step in to resolve the matter.
When training ended that evening, Barbara hadn't come to pick him up. As soon as Huang Kaiwen left Milanello, he spotted Gianni Nanni being cornered at the entrance by reporters.
"Yes, Kevin has no problems with his body. His constant injuries make no sense, and they haven't caused any damage to his body. Yet he keeps getting injured. I don't want to admit it, but I think La Gazzetta dello Sport's report makes sense."
Gianni Nanni spoke to the reporters, looking uncomfortable.
For a doctor to blame injuries on ghosts and spirits was embarrassing in itself.
When the reporters saw Huang Kaiwen, they immediately found their main target.
"Kevin, have you really been cursed?"
"Could there be something evil lurking in the mirrors in your house?"
"Have you experienced anything supernatural at home?"
"How do you plan to deal with this?"
Huang Kaiwen lowered his head and used his tongue to trigger his gag reflex. When he looked up again, his eyes were brimming with tears.
"I...I don't know, either. Before I came to Italy, I'd never been injured. I was in great shape. Even though I'd never had professional training, I often played basketball, football, and badminton, sometimes for an hour or two at a time. At most, I'd get a few minor bumps. I'd never had a serious injury. I...I'm not someone who gets injured easily, but now I'm starting to have doubts, too."
When the reporters tried to ask more questions, Kaka happened to drive by. He got out, pulled Huang Kaiwen into the passenger seat, and said, "I'll take you home."
"Thanks. You've saved me from a lot of trouble."
Huang Kaiwen wiped the sweat from his forehead. He'd never played the victim before; if he had to keep it up, he might as well just "faint" at the gates of Milanello.
"Seriously, you can come to church with me sometime. The Lord will save you."
Kaka spoke earnestly.
"Maybe later. I'm not really in the mood right now."
Seeing the troubled look on Huang Kaiwen's face, Kaka said no more. He simply sped up and drove him home.
Barbara came back rather late. When she saw Huang Kaiwen waiting to eat with her, she apologized. "I'm sorry I'm late, darling. Someone told me about a few witch doctors today. I'm planning to go find one in the next few days."
"All right, all right. Let's eat first."
Huang Kaiwen led Barbara to her seat before starting dinner.
As they watched TV, a news report about Inter Milan came on.
The club's communications director said, "Inter Milan has never targeted any player or resorted to underhanded tactics. La Gazzetta dello Sport's accusations are utter nonsense. We reserve the right to take legal action. Kevin is a talented player, and we wish him a speedy recovery and a future free of injuries."
"No one's going to admit to a crime, haha!"
The young lady sneered.
Seeing Huang Kaiwen looking upset, Barbara gently tried to reassure him again. "The witch doctor someone recommended to me is excellent. They'll definitely be able to fix this. Tomorrow—I'll go find them tomorrow."
Huang Kaiwen thought, This has turned into Jujutsu Kaisen.
Maybe I should get involved?
He could put out a newspaper ad offering a reward: anyone who could keep him from getting injured so often for six months would walk away with a million euros.
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