Chapter 29: A multiple-choice question!

"Li, you really are going back to Barcelona?"

Brandt suddenly asked.

The first-team cafeteria was very empty at this time.

Li Kang shook his head.

Barcelona?

He had already transferred to Lewokusen.

How could he possibly return to Barcelona within a transfer window?

Where did this rumor come from?

Brandt looked at his expression and asked doubtfully: "This is something everyone at Lewokusen knows! You really don't know? Has anyone from Barcelona contacted you?"

"Your release fee is too low; I could scrape together enough money to buy you!"

"We still thought you would be like Fabregas."

Li Kang thought carefully.

No one from Barcelona had contacted him.

His foster mother only occasionally called to check on his health and life, mentioning nothing else.

Brandt muttered: "I really thought you would go back to Barcelona, the sporting director's office fax machine... uh... who could refuse Barcelona and Real Madrid..."

He hadn't finished speaking when a sudden rush of footsteps interrupted him.

A staff member in a suit shouted: "Li, you forgot to bring your phone again when you went out; Mr. Wo Le Er has something to discuss with you—are you free now?"

Moments later.

Sporting Director's Office.

From the TV came occasional excited commentary and shouting.

Wo Le Er snipped his cigar and handed Li Kang a sheet of fax paper.

The paper bore Barcelona's crest.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

The assistant chuckled awkwardly: "Li, don't be surprised; in the same transfer window, the number of transfers isn't limited, just like Demichelis and Haman..."

Wo Le Er waved his hand, signaling the assistant to leave first.

He then handed Li Kang a renewal contract bearing Lewokusen's crest.

He smiled: "Don't rush; take a look at this match first, then reply to me."

One old, one young.

Thus they sat in Lewokusen's office, watching Lewokusen's home match.

BayArena.

The two teams launched into an all-out attack.

Magath's Hertha Berlin dealt Lewokusen a heavy blow right at the kickoff!

Bayern discard Witsel, wildly charging down the flank, broke through Boeressi and sent in a cross!

The ball fell into Lewokusen's penalty area.

Haraguchi Genki headed it in for a goal.

0-1.

"Hertha Berlin got the opening goal."

"Haraguchi Genki's height advantage isn't obvious! Winning that header isn't easy, but he seized the chance!"

"Magath is also a German head coach who really likes using Asian players."

The camera suddenly cut to the sidelines.

Magath's expression was calm and composed, as if this goal were entirely expected.

Schmidt angrily pounded the ground.

The match continued.

Lewokusen had possession.

Calhanoglu began directing his teammates' runs.

Unfortunately.

The team's attacking tempo slowed down.

Hertha Berlin seemed to have found a way to break Lewokusen, just as they had against Manchester United.

Witsel and Darida frantically disrupted Calhanoglu.

Whenever Lewokusen's midfield core showed a tendency to have the ball,

the two would engage in various fierce challenges.

18th minute of the match.

Darida successfully won the ball.

Hertha Berlin launched a quick counterattack.

Haraguchi Genki scored again.

0-2.

43rd minute of the match.

Witsel again charged wildly into the box and was tripped.

He won a penalty kick.

Yinbisheweiqi converted it.

0:3!

Lewokusen goalkeeper Lai Nuo angrily pounded the turf.

Bayer Leverkusen stadium fans are going crazy.

Happy Bean players are also going crazy.

The previous two seasons.

Lewokusen beat Berlin Hertha four times!

The star players of both teams differ in value by several times.

How did we concede three goals in the first half tonight?

Damn Magath, is he really that miraculous?

What's wrong with Lewokusen now?

Losing two goals to Manchester United is forgivable.

But the opponent now is Berlin Hertha?

Foolish Schmidt, why not put on that Dragon Descendant genius who can turn the tide?

After failing to find the black-haired figure.

Lewokusen fans finally realized.

That Dragon Descendant genius isn't even on the roster!

Finally.

The 90-minute match ended.

Lewokusen lost 0:3 to Berlin Hertha.

The midfield was completely disconnected.

Calhanoglu and his teammates had a dispute.

If it weren't for Berlin Hertha's players constantly shooting high.

This match will again create a tragic scene.

Lewokusen's coaching staff, their hearts are like dead ashes.

The club's upper management itself was very dissatisfied with that Manchester United match.

Now they still lost three goals at home to Berlin Hertha?

The opponent last season was a relegation team that everyone bullied!

Bayer Leverkusen stadium, filled with curses!

The players lowered their heads, dispirited.

The fans were furious beyond control.

Post-match press conference.

Magath calmly said: 'Lewokusen's players have strong individual abilities; they are fully capable of establishing themselves in a top club.'

Berlin Hertha's player representative Weigl spoke bluntly: 'Van Gaal gave other Bundesliga teams a lesson; Lewokusen's tactical system has been thoroughly studied, too simplistic! It's not easy for a car mechanic to coach the Bundesliga; I think Mr. Schmidt would be better suited elsewhere, perhaps the Chinese Super League!'

'Perhaps... his level, coaching in the Chinese Super League would also get him fired!'

Winning the game, exterminating the heart.

The entire stadium erupted in an uproar.

The camera cut to Lewokusen's coaching bench.

There was no sign of Schmidt.

The assistant coach, wearing an innocent face, was bombarded by reporters.

'Excuse me, Lewokusen coaching staff, how do you view this crushing defeat?'

'Does Mr. Schmidt lack the courage to face the camera? In the match against Manchester United, he already appeared lacking in tactical ability!'

'Will Lewokusen's future tactical system be improved and changed? Dragon Descendant youngster Li Kang, he will become part of the lineup.'

Dragon Kingdom livestream room.

The bullet comments were a chorus of ghosts wailing and wolves howling.

The little host scolded Schmidt until his voice was hoarse.

'Brothers, don't rush, let me check overseas news! What's going on? Lewokusen isn't letting Li Mingdeng enter the roster.'

'Holy crap! Brother Li wants to return to Barcelona? The summer transfer window is about to close!'

'He can't return to Barcelona; if he goes back, his treatment will be cut by more than half, not to mention he's destined to be loaned out.'

'Super genius midfielder Little Dennis joined Barcelona in 2013, from the reserves to a loan at Villarreal... wherever he goes he's a superstar, his goal and assist numbers explode, he ripped through a La Liga powerhouse in one go, Europa League assist king.'

'His performance is even better than Li Kang's at Old Trafford, yet he still hasn't managed to return to Barcelona's first team.'

'Enrique and Schmidt are the same type of head coach.'

'As long as Rakitic stays injury-free.'

'Other newcomers, no matter how well they perform, are just used as cannon fodder; they won't get many chances!'

'I'm just afraid Li Kang has caught the same illness as Fabregas!'

Late at night.

Lewokusen issued an official announcement: the club unilaterally relieved Schmidt of his head coach duties; he will leave the team together with his assistant coach.