Evil Inter Milan

"Today, we're fortunate to have Miss Barbara, head of Milan's public relations department, with us. Everyone across the country is curious about your trip to Africa to hire a witch doctor. Could you tell us about it?"

Huang Kaiwen lay on the sofa watching TV.

Barbara was on a program today, once again on one of Berlusconi's TV stations.

The young lady wore a beautiful dress, sitting with her legs together in a very ladylike pose.

Then she launched into an accusation against Inter Milan.

"I hired several highly respected and powerful witch doctors in Africa. They've confirmed that Kevin was cursed, and it was an extremely vicious curse—one that used the caster's own life force as its price. The witch doctors have already tried to break it, but I still don't know whether Kevin has recovered. Inter Milan has gone too far. What did Kevin ever do wrong..."

Watching the young lady on TV, overcome with emotion and tears, Huang Kaiwen felt a little guilty.

More importantly, the next match was the Milan Derby.

Her appearance on the show at this particular moment would undoubtedly draw more attention to the match.

Huang Kaiwen had a headache too.

He'd used the [24-Hour Injury Immunity Card] against Barcelona, and now his chances of getting injured were off the charts.

It would make for quite a story if he got his revenge in the next match.

But he estimated he'd get injured just seconds after stepping onto the pitch.

He still had a [24-Hour Luck Potion] on hand—the Blessing Oil. If all else failed, he could use it and see how long he could last in the Milan Derby.

After the story spread through the television networks,

Inter Milan found itself under fire.

A wave of anti-Inter sentiment swept across Italy.

Tuttosport was even more enthusiastic than Milan News, as if it couldn't wait to destroy Inter Milan.

They even called on the Italian Football Federation to relegate Inter Milan and UEFA to ban the club from European competitions.

Many Italians voiced their support for Huang Kaiwen and their contempt for Inter Milan when interviewed.

Everyone was showing off their political correctness, and Inter Milan was the only one taking the blows.

Even Inter Milan fans came out to protest against Moratti.

Inter Milan fans protesting against Moratti was nothing new.

The previous year, they'd insulted Vieri and Moratti from the stands. Similar incidents had happened even earlier. Inter Milan fans were never satisfied.

Moratti might have been a bit unreliable, but he was certainly willing to spend money on Inter Milan.

They didn't know how to appreciate him at all.

Once they got to know Zhang Kangyang, they'd learn to show some respect.

October 24, San Siro.

More than 85,000 fans were in attendance today.

Milan fans had put up banners in the stands early, showing their support for Huang Kaiwen.

"Come on, Kevin!"

"Evil people never have the last laugh."

Some had turned their anger toward Inter Milan's management. Quite a few Inter Milan fans had even put on T-shirts featuring Huang Kaiwen's face to show their support.

Huang Kaiwen really wanted to ask, Who the hell gave you permission to use my likeness?

But, honestly, this time fate was on his side.

As he changed in the locker room, Huang Kaiwen drank the [24-Hour Luck Potion] and then pulled a scratch card from his pocket.

He figured he'd have great luck today.

Inzaghi leaned in to watch. As the coin in Huang Kaiwen's hand slowly scratched away the coating, Inzaghi suddenly let out a wail like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Kevin won 500,000!"

His voice instantly attracted everyone in the locker room.

The Milan players crowded around and gasped.

They'd bought five-euro scratch cards before, but the most they'd ever won was a hundred or so. Now they'd actually seen someone scratch off the jackpot right in front of them?

Seeing someone you knew win was more painful than losing your own money.

"You have to treat us!"

Inzaghi, unable to hide his envy, wrapped an arm around Huang Kaiwen and refused to let go.

"Yeah, you have to treat us."

"This time, we're going somewhere fancy."

"I'm ordering a few extra bottles of wine."

"Hey, you guys are pushing it. That's enough."

Maldini shooed the Milan players away like flies, then said to Huang Kaiwen, "Don't mind them."

"It's fine. We can all celebrate together," Huang Kaiwen said with a smile.

Seeing how lucky he'd been, Huang Kaiwen felt much more at ease.

There shouldn't be any problems in today's Milan Derby.

As for treating everyone to a meal, what was the big deal?

Even without winning, Huang Kaiwen treated people all the time. Now he had a good excuse.

Then it occurred to him: with luck this good today, wouldn't he have even better odds with a card draw?

Looking at his [Expectation Value] of 100, Huang Kaiwen chose to draw a card.

[ Ding! Obtained: 1934 World Cup Final, Italy vs. Czechoslovakia, Giuseppe Meazza Single-Match Experience Card ]

Boom—

Huang Kaiwen's mind went blank.

Giuseppe Meazza!

The stadium where they were playing today was called San Siro/Meazza. When Inter Milan played at home, it was called the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. Giuseppe Meazza was the greatest player in Inter Milan's history.

He was also the biggest reason Italy had won the 1934 and 1938 World Cups.

He was technically gifted and a fine finisher. Most importantly, he could play both on the wing and through the middle.

At least he wouldn't end up as a center forward playing out wide, like when he'd drawn [Trezeguet].

His luck really was good.

It was time to make "evil Inter Milan" suffer the consequences!

Seeing Huang Kaiwen smiling so happily made Inzaghi even more miserable.

How could his handsome self, Filippo, be less lucky than Kevin? It made no sense!

After the warm-up, Ancelotti handed Huang Kaiwen a small paper packet and said, "I bought this evil-spirit-repelling powder from a Filipino. Just sprinkle it on the pitch."

Huang Kaiwen: ...

Ancelotti was really taking things to the next level.

When he retired, his encyclopedia entry would probably read: "Famous football manager and occultist."

At least Huang Kaiwen didn't have to drink it. Otherwise, he'd have stuffed the whole packet into Ancelotti's mouth.

After doing as Ancelotti asked, Huang Kaiwen returned to the players' tunnel.

Coach Zhang could hardly wait to introduce the two teams' lineups to the viewers at home.

"It's another Milan Derby, and today's match has attracted a great deal of attention."

"Because of Huang Kaiwen, even more fans are supporting AC Milan. Quite a few Inter Milan supporters here have also put on masks bearing Huang Kaiwen's face."

"Today's match is a feast of football. The two Milan giants have plenty of star players. Let's take a look at the lineups."

AC Milan, 4-4-2 diamond midfield:

Goalkeeper: Dida,

Defenders: Pancaro, Maldini, Nesta, Cafu,

Midfielders: Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Huang Kaiwen, Kaka,

Forwards: Shevchenko, Crespo.

Inter Milan, 4-4-2 diamond midfield:

Goalkeeper: Alberto Fontana,

Defenders: Favalli, Materazzi, Cordoba, Zanetti,

Midfielders: Emre Belozoglu, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Veron,

Forwards: Vieri, Adriano.