[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foresight":3,"chapter-foresight-foresight-chapter-281":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","FORESIGHT",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1847779,2452,"Chapter 281 281: Against Brazil 3","foresight-chapter-281",281,"\u003Cp>Thousands of miles away in London, inside Chelsea's headquarters, José Mourinho was watching the match in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar's performance hadn't satisfied him. In fact, he looked genuinely disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant coach spoke up cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly, Oscar hasn't played badly today. What kind of midfielder are you really looking for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho pointed at the screen, the camera centered on Kai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant coach let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can't get him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal's refusal had been absolute. Even with an astronomical offer on the table, they hadn't hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That fee would be enough to sign Neymar,\" the assistant added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neymar isn't as important as Kai,\" Mourinho replied flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right now, most people would still choose Neymar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the difference between ordinaries and The Special One. They value reputation and highlights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kai doesn't produce flashy moments every game—his position doesn't allow it. And yet he still makes headlines, because his performances are consistently exceptional.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"More importantly,\" Mourinho continued, \"his value goes beyond footballing ability. He's a natural leader. He doesn't just help a team win titles—he can become the backbone of a super team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think Abramovich wants Kai just because I asked for him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behind Kai is one of the largest untapped football markets in the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant fell silent for a moment, then sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Even so, we still can't get him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho glanced sideways at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had anyone ever told him how irritating that sounded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broadcast cut to a corner of the Mineirão Stadium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsène Wenger was seated there, alongside his longtime assistant Pat Rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men applauded repeatedly, exchanging brief comments. Their presence drew cheers from the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among Arsenal supporters worldwide, Wenger remained deeply respected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And tonight, they were here for one reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were watching Kai—Arsenal's captain and undisputed core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger waved casually toward the stands, then fixed his gaze on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's improved again,\" he said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken him less than six months to push Kai into the starting lineup and place him at the heart of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But judging by this World Cup, Kai's growth had exceeded expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger believed the current Chinese team couldn't fully unlock Kai's potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Arsenal was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With stronger teammates around him, Kai would elevate everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pat Rice clapped enthusiastically, his smile impossible to hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm already excited for next season,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kai keeps getting better. With the reinforced squad—how far can he take Arsenal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recent talks with Jorge Mendes had gone smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After prolonged negotiations, a framework for Ángel Di María's transfer was finally agreed upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barring surprises, Di María would arrive at the Emirates next season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a front line built around Walcott, Suárez, and Di María, Arsenal's attacking power would be formidable—two explosive wings feeding a ruthless central striker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In midfield, the pairing of Kanté and Kai was already generating enormous anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanté had arrived early for individual training, and reports from the ground were glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With two elite ball-winners and Kai orchestrating play, Arsenal could field one of the most balanced midfield units in modern football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defensively, options were still limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal were in talks with Keylor Navas, though Real Madrid remained involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Negotiations continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that deal went through, the final pieces could fall into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger's eyes never left the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, that's enough,\" Kai called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back into position—the referee's about to restart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had noticed Howard Webb's growing impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't the moment to invite trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chinese players jogged back into their half, passing Brazilian players along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil looked disappointed—but far from shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They still believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match restarted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil kicked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their approach didn't change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possession. Pressure. Control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For ten straight minutes, Brazil pressed relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>China endured—and struck back when possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each counterattack felt like a blade pressed against Brazil's throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After every Chinese break, Brazil tightened up for a few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then pressed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time kept slipping away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the 40th minute, Brazilian players were beginning to realize something uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Chinese team wasn't fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had thrown everything at them—and still couldn't score again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hao received a yellow card after a desperate challenge on Neymar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep running!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Left side—left!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the blazing sun, Chinese voices echoed across the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their kits were soaked, streaked with grass and sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked battered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their eyes burned bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just five more minutes to halftime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hold the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neymar received the ball and turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai was already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tight. Relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neymar struggled to shield the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to create space, but Kai followed step for step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After conceding, Kai's pressing became even more aggressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neymar wasn't used to this kind of pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Premier League football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relentless. Physical. Unforgiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In La Liga, you had time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, you had none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too much skill? You'd get tackled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hesitate? You'd get hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodge—and you concede ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't dodge—and you risk injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And against Kai's physical, confrontational style, Neymar felt both irritated—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep! Beep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One short blast, followed by a long one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee's whistle signaled halftime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai sent the ball out of play and immediately bent forward, hands on his knees, gasping for air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo… hoo… hoo…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest rose and fell like a bellows. In the oppressive heat, his throat felt scorched, every breath burning. Dehydration hit hard—his lips were cracked and dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ran his tongue over them and forced himself to steady his breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, his teammates looked even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some dropped straight to the turf, squatting or sitting, faces twisted with exhaustion. Forty-five minutes of this tempo was nothing like Chinese league football. Against Brazil's pace and pressure, the physical toll on the Chinese players was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inside, quickly! Everyone inside!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Assistant coach Zhang Chen waved them in, a bucket in one hand and a ladle in the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As each player passed, Zhang scooped water and poured it straight over their head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shock made them flinch, cold streams running down their faces and jerseys—but the relief was immediate. He then pulled ice packs from a cooler and handed one to each player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most pressed them to their heads or the backs of their necks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai didn't bother with subtlety. Without hesitation, he shoved the ice pack straight into his shorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside the locker room, heavy breathing filled the space. No one spoke. Every second was spent trying to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai pulled the ice pack out, peeled off his soaked jersey, then his shorts, standing barefoot in his underwear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several heads lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't talk. Just listen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes moving from one teammate to the next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We survived the first half,\" he said calmly. \"But Brazil will raise the tempo after the break. I know some of you aren't used to European rhythm—but trust me, it's about to get faster. Much faster than you expect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Man, Wang Yi, Fernando Kairui, and the others nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They'll use that discomfort to break us,\" Kai continued. \"So the first few minutes of the second half are crucial. Think faster. Decide faster. Be decisive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then spoke firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three rules. First: don't dive in recklessly—wait for the moment to press. Second: if they get past you and there's cover behind, recover immediately. Third—if there's no cover—take them down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood. Tactical fouls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Man frowned. \"But we already have three yellow cards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the reality. Another mistimed foul could mean red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai turned his head toward the coaching staff. This decision wasn't his to make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Head coach Liu Hongbo stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll make two changes at halftime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke. Halftime substitutions had become routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gong Peng and Xu Cheng will come on. Yu Hao and Guan Zhe are off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both outgoing players had yellow cards. The changes strengthened defense and reduced risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hao and Guan Zhe themselves looked relieved—their stamina was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhuo Yue looked troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was empty too. Why wasn't he coming off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hongbo caught it and added, \"Zhuo Yue stays with Kai. Chen Man drops deeper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Man nodded immediately. \"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Hongbo raised a finger. \"When I say 'drop deeper,' I mean every time. Unless you're already in their penalty area, the moment Brazil attacks, you sprint back—full speed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Man blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That kind of workload would drain him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We've seen Brazil's quality,\" Liu Hongbo continued. \"We can't match their system—but we can fight them position by position. We plug every gap we can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fernando Kairui gave a bitter smile. \"That's robbing Peter to pay Paul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Liu Hongbo replied bluntly. \"Got a better idea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai clapped his hands sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, lift your heads. Captain—say something for once. Don't act like a statue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yi laughed helplessly. \"Why don't you say it for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai rolled his eyes. \"I'm already doing the captain's job. Might as well give me the armband.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without ceremony, Wang Yi pulled it off and tossed it toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai sidestepped smoothly. The armband hit the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't touch it. Don't frame me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter broke out, easing the tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Brazil's locker room was calm and orderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For them, this match wasn't the destination—it was just part of the journey. Their eyes were already on the semifinals… even the final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, both teams returned to the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stadium roared again, heat and noise rolling together like a wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both sides are back out,\" the Brazilian commentator said. \"After forty-five minutes, it's one-all. China has made a strong impression—absorbing pressure and striking on the counter. Brazil, meanwhile, has revealed some flaws. Better to find them now than later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning beneath his words was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil wouldn't lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai pulled on a dry jersey. Within moments, sweat had already begun to seep through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shut out everything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to survive it. How to help the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As China's midfield core and organizer, Kai knew his choices would shape everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how hard he thought, there was no perfect answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap in quality was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many tactical ideas simply couldn't be executed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, only one approach remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drag it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drag time. Drag rhythm. Drag uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where it would lead—he didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But change would come eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil hadn't altered its lineup. Confidence radiated from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>China kicked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yi tapped the ball back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai received it—and sent it straight back again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he stretched both arms wide, signaling his teammates to spread out and use the full width.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil wasn't pressing high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>China's defenders weren't comfortable on the ball. They preferred safety—long clearances over short passes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped deep, forming a passing triangle with Fernando Kairui and Guo Liang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three anchors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Circulate the ball. Slow the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Kai was marked out, Fernando or Guo Liang could keep it moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brazil stayed patient. The ball moved calmly across China's back line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as minutes passed, Brazil began to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>China was stalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If time kept slipping away like this, it wouldn't benefit Brazil at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For China, this might be the end of the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Brazil—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their World Cup was only just beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please do leave a review and powerstones, helps with the book's exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to advanced chapters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visit the link:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FGRANDMAESTA_30\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change @ to a\u003C\u002Fp>",1963,"2026-06-09T07:00:21.885Z",1,"novelbin.me","45d287c943f926dadb7c7293c8eed8d18b1239b82c5e7dcbe068ce2fe7de84ec","foresight-chapter-282","foresight-chapter-280",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fforesight-cover.jpg"]