Chapter 286: Half‑Season Champion? (Fast‑Forward Chapter – Viewer Discretion Advised)

The Asia trip ended.

Li Kang and his teammates flew back to Madrid.

On the plane.

De Gea occasionally hammered the tablet with his fist.

"This new football game... Chelsea is absurdly strong! Doesn't the developer want to make money?"

"So it's Abu's investment?"

Li Kang was playing too.

He had picked Arsenal at the start, and by the end of the 15‑16 season, forget about finishing second in real‑life Premier League—he couldn't even secure a top‑four spot!

Even with all pre‑match preparations set and quick tactical adjustments on the fly, he still couldn't overcome the injury wave that hit the Premier League in the second half of the season.

He couldn't help wondering: What on earth has Wenger gone through these years? How does he manage to bring his team into the Premier League top four year after year?

But in the Champions League round of 16, he still let Arsenal thrash Lewokusen's own side.

The next day.

Las Rosas Training Base.

There was still plenty of time on the international match day.

After training.

Carvajal handed Li Kang a banana: "Li, why not take a spin around our Real Madrid training ground? You're sure to love it!"

The Real Madrid training base is forty times larger than the Bernabéu and boasts the most top‑tier, luxurious facilities on Earth.

"Exactly! Not even a bird could cross the base's sky in a short while."

"Zidane is practically there every day!"

Vázquez and Asensio chimed in.

Yin Si Ke couldn't help interjecting: "What's fun to see at the training ground? Might as well go sunbathe in Málaga… Hey, Ramos, let go!"

Martinez seized the moment: "Li, there are still a few days before the Premier League kicks off—how about a trip to Munich?"

Morata pondered, then said: "Who knows? We might get the chance to go there in the Champions League round of 16..."

The morning sun dispersed the white mist.

Withered leaves drifted onto the bench beside the pitch.

Bosque watched the scene with a smile, not stopping the players' horseplay.

The turnover of the Bullfighters' squad wasn't as bad as imagined.

I have to accompany Li through the World Cup two years from now!

Not far away.

Minayo led King Felipe VI and a young girl over.

A group of bodyguards accompanied them.

The players exchanged glances: just winning a friendly match, and now the royalty wants to check in?

"Li!"

"You are a gift from God to the Yin Biliya Peninsula!"

Felipe VI excitedly grabbed Li Kang's hand, repeating over and over the words he had said the last time they met.

That royal maiden, about sixteen or seventeen, looked seven‑eighths like the princess; she clung tightly to a white Spain number‑6 away jersey, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes revealing nervousness and anticipation.

"Yin Laisi! You've been arguing with Lai Angnoer about getting Li's signed jersey... what are you hiding from?"

"Li is our hero; he won't turn down your request!"

Felipe VI's tone wasn't that firm.

To be embarrassing, this mascot isn't the first time a star has refused him.

If he were to lose face in front of his niece...

Li Kang politely nodded, took the pen and away jersey from the royal maiden's hand, and signed his name.

His handwriting was still a bit crooked, but it had improved a lot since the European Championship.

It's hard to improve one's handwriting in a short time.

Yin Laisi could barely conceal her joy; she almost couldn't resist rushing up to the hero of the Yin Biliya Peninsula.

Which girl doesn't harbor a springtime longing?

Especially at seventeen or eighteen, the season of blossoms and rain.

Yin Si Ke's positioning was timely, nipping the girl's budding spring feelings in the bud.

"Li, if we meet on the Champions League pitch, you definitely have to swap jerseys with me!"

"Pff!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Felipe VI quickly added: "Li, I really look forward to your return to the Bernabéu!"

A moment later.

Li Kang and Yin Laisi added each other's social media accounts.

The Spanish royalty departed.

The royal maiden kept glancing back, prompting the teammates to tease Li Kang left and right.

Li Kang had no improper thoughts; he picked up the ball again, and the team's training resumed as usual.

Bosque said satisfiedly: "Not bad; Li should interact more with the Castile girls."

Morata on the bench suddenly realized: "Boss, I still have a sister..."

The international match day ended.

Li Kang's social media account gained many new friends: Morata's sister, Carvajal's sister, De Gea's sister, Yin Si Ke's cousin...

After returning to London.

He resumed a calm and monotonous life, facing wave after wave of intense challenges.

Premier League Matchday 8.

Arsenal hosted Swansea at home.

"Can Arsenal Resist the Black Swan?"

Swansea's team crest is a black swan.

He also has another nickname: Jack.

The opposing head coach is a rare American head coach, Bob Bradley.

Bradley is no nobody.

He once led the US team to reach the 2010 World Cup.

The match had little suspense.

Swansea's midfield core, Ji Chengyong, faced the pressuring of Cazorla and Xhaka, but had no power to fight back!

Arsenal eventually won 4-0 against the opponent.

Li Kang contributed one assist and one goal, once again earning Man of the Match.

Premier League Matchday 9.

Li Kang and his teammates arrived in Sunderland, in the northeast.

"The Gunners' decline first shows, the Black Cats strongly break through!"

They will visit to challenge the Black Cats, Sunderland.

This club's head coach is the Dutch renowned coach, Advocaat.

Facing another opponent aiming to avoid relegation.

The unstoppable Arsenal did not have good luck at the start.

In the 8th minute, Manchester United youth product Januzaj helped Sunderland win a penalty kick, which Defoe converted.

Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal!

The subsequent developments were serious.

Arsenal's stars launched into attack mode!

The opposing side surprisingly produced a genius young goalkeeper, Pickford! He made save after save, prompting English scouts to slam the table in praise.

Finally.

The score was rewritten as 1-4!

!

Premier League Matchday 10.

Arsenal hosted Norwich at home!

"The Canaries dispel London's chill!"

This club's nickname is "Canary".

Asian fans prefer to call it "Flathead Brother".

Because at this time Norwich, no matter the opponent, always insists on playing counterattacks!

Still, no upset result occurred.

Arsenal produced a 6-0 slaughter massacre!

Winter arrived.

Wenger also put on a thick down jacket, the only thing unchanged being his bright red tie.

The anticipated injury situation also gradually occurred among the players, but Li Kang's performance on the pitch kept getting better!

Premier League Matchday 11.

Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth.

Li Kang scored twice.

Champions League Group Stage Matchday 4.

Arsenal 3-0 Eindhoven, Li Kang contributed one assist and two goals, helping the club secure a Champions League Round of 16 spot in advance.

Premier League Matchday 12.

Arsenal 3-0 Burnley.

Li Kang completed a hat-trick.

Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5.

Wenger, considering the players' stamina reserves, carried out extensive rotation.

Arsenal 1-1 Monaco.

Premier League Matchday 13.

Watford faced Arsenal.

It wasn't that the opponent's defense was solid, but rather that the goals by Morata, Cazorla, and Sanchez were all ruled offside or attacking fouls!

Fortunately, in the last stage of injury time, Li Kang smashed a powerful long-range shot to score! Helping Arsenal extend their winning streak!

Media reporters hurried to spread the news: "The Arsenal's invincible myth continues!"

On the scorer list, Li Kang overtook Kane to rank first.

On the assist list, amidst the lineup of genius midfielders like De Bruyne and Fabregas, a forward's name slipped in: Morata!

Of course, among the Premier League veterans, many different voices also arose.

Gary Neville publicly stated: "Arsenal are strong contenders for the half-season champion every season, but what's the result? Injury waves will renew the suspense over the Premier League champion."

UEFA Champions League group stage, sixth round.

Barcelona, away at Emirates Stadium, faced a must-win match to qualify.