Chapter 418: Everlasting Blue (Daily Transition)

Bei lai yin.

Lewokusen youth training base.

The weather was mild and bright, birds sang and flowers fragrant.

In the corridor leading to the tactics classroom, the walls were hung with carefully framed photos.

The black-haired figure wearing the Lewokusen number 10 jersey had long been etched into the dreams of every young player in the Lewokusen youth team.

In class.

A plump man with black-rimmed glasses drew line after line on the blackboard.

"Take good notes! Li studied extremely hard back then; he is the pride of our Lewokusen youth academy."

"Teacher! Li came from La Masia's youth academy..."

A young player suddenly raised his hand.

The immature voice of a boy not yet in his voice‑breaking years cut through the deep tone, startling several drowsy young players awake.

Teacher Bei Lun Ta lifted his glasses.

"Wrong. La Masia has players avoid physical training before 15 and refrain from teaching tactics outside the all‑attack‑all‑defense system before 16."

"Back then, Li could lead the weaker team to victory over stronger opponents thanks to his tactical understanding and ability to read the defensive line."

"His character is also excellent; no matter how much he achieves, he never creates a sense of distance with us old friends."

"Settle down!"

"Professional players must learn to settle themselves!"

"Where were we just now?"

"Conte and Tuchel's three‑center‑back system..."

"Chelsea is the most vivid example."

"Let's predict their regular lineup for next season."

"3‑4‑3!"

"Goalkeeper: Courtois."

"Defenders: Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger."

"Midfielders: Moses, Kanté, Li Kang, Marcos Alonso."

"Forwards: Hazard, Diego Costa, William."

"If you were Tuchel..."

Again interrupted by the youthful voice.

"Teacher, do we still need to study tactics for this formation?"

Li Kang's transfer to Chelsea was all but official, pending the club and player's formal announcement.

This feeling was like rushing to the bathroom in a panic, just short of taking off one's pants.

Southern Greece.

The sky was deep blue, the waves surging.

Havertz sat on the yacht, phone in hand, repeatedly checking the transfer news.

His expression grew increasingly anxious.

Brandt wondered: "Kai, why haven't you brought your girlfriend lately?"

Havertz didn't look up: "She insulted Asians online, so I'm ignoring her... Why hasn't Chelsea announced it yet? Are they waiting for some special day?"

"Wouldn't asking Li himself confirm the transfer news?"

"No, asking would ruin the anticipation."

Brandt: "..."

Lewokusen's twin stars and Li Kang stayed in constant contact, always having endless things to chat about on social media.

Not long ago, Ms. Scarya came to Bei lai yin; she didn't just want to take Dino, but planned to bring the twin stars to Stamford Bridge, only to be refused by Wo Le Er: they were too young, they needed guarantees of match time and a few more years of practice in the Bundesliga.

On a small boat in the distance.

Bellarabi shielded his eyes from the sun and shouted: "Hakan, it's Kai and them! What a coincidence! Get up and say hello."

Calhanoglu lay back in his chair, his cold expression behind the sunglasses enough to melt the sun, he said indifferently: "No need, I'm going to a real powerhouse next season."

Xiao Hei Dan looked bewildered: "Does saying hello have anything to do with joining a powerhouse?"

"They're not from the same world, you get it?"

"Those two are still young; they might not prove themselves and could end up sinking into a mid‑lower table team, whereas I'm different—I can become a powerhouse midfield core at 23."

"The gap between a top‑tier star and a third‑tier star... is like the distance between the sun and the sea!"

"The times are changing."

"Li's 200‑million‑euro transfer‑fee record has also been surpassed this year by Mbappé and Neymar."

The sea breeze blew.

A newspaper beside the chair floated up, spun a few times in the air, and covered Bellarabi's crotch.

The newspaper's front page read exactly: "Official announcement: Calhanoglu officially joins AC Milan, inheriting the legendary number 10 jersey!"

Sardinia.

Hazard put down his hamburger and smiled toward a group of enthusiastic Chelsea fans.

The agent skillfully raised the camera.

Click.

A young fan, taking advantage of a moment of inattention, secretly pinched the big belly of the Premier League dribble king.

A moment later.

Two sports reporters also ran up front.

Give up the No. 10 jersey? I'm certainly willing—that's Li!

Undisciplined? I'll finish losing weight within two weeks before the season starts.

As Chelsea's core, there's too much to bear.

In midfield there's a Li who can fully liberate himself, whether in public opinion or tactics.

Some things are like a crown—honor, yet also a bond.

Azar excitedly raised his arms, the flab on his belly shaking.

July 10.

Chelsea's official website posted a notice: "Li Kang officially joins Chelsea."

The black-haired back wearing the No. 10 jersey turned the front pages of all sports media blue!

"Two hundred and fifty million!"

"Undefeated legend, triple-crown midfield core, reigning over Stamford Bridge!"

Blue.

An expanse of blue.

Igniting the world's blue!

Two hundred and fifty million?

Again breaking the world transfer fee record.

The whole of European football seemed to tremble lightly: What era is this? Spending 250 million on an injured Li Kang?

-【The finale? Chelsea's lineup for next season will sweep Europe—if we don't win the triple crown, I'll eat shit!】

-【Tuchel: I am the best head coach of Europe in the 17-18 season.】

-【What if Li Mingdeng is affected by injury and can't live up to his price tag—what then?】

-【No need to do anything—that's Abramovich's ideal midfield Shevchenko; we can spend whatever it takes to keep him.】

-【Not to mention Shevchenko—Crespo was also kept on, and Chelsea even loaned him out while still willing to pay him year after year.】

While Chelsea dominated the top of the hot-search list... Barcelona actually followed closely behind!

"Forever unattainable 1 million euros, in installments!"

Third on the hot-search list is Lewokusen.

"Transfer market myth, legendary director Wo Le Er—Lewokusen laughs all the way to the bank with secondary transfer income!"

Bei lai yin.

Pffft!

Wo Le Er sprayed water in his assistant's face, furious, slamming the table: "Transfer myth? Angelic director? Why don't they write my nicknames from my player and coaching days?"

Immediately after.

Arsenal's official website posted a notice: "Sports director Robert steps down, thanking him for his contributions to the Arsenal."

Yin Si Lington fans were dumbfounded.

Contributions?

After three months on the job, what contributions have been made?

This guy sold Li—he's Arsenal's eternal sinner!

Barcelona Airport.

Robert, plagued by death threats from extreme fans, felt a huge weight lifted.

"Returning to this beautiful land of Catalonia, I am safe."

"Look, there are still so many Barça fans coming to greet me—security… security! Security!"

July 11, 2017.

Li Kang, under the world's gaze, clad in the No. 10 jersey, descended upon Stamford Bridge.

Everlasting blue.