Chapter 73: Baggio's Ball Sense? (Combined)

After a brief celebration.

The fourth official raised the LED number board near the center circle.

"Lewokusen made a second substitution, replacing Li Kang with Bellarabi!"

"It should be to conserve the young players' energy, preparing for the second round of the Champions League group stage three days later!"

At the Bayer Stadium, thunderous applause erupted.

Lewokusen fans gazed reluctantly at their Chinese youngster.

Li Kang's behavior was somewhat unusual...

He quickly ran off the pitch.

After shaking hands with the coaching staff, he hurried toward the player tunnel.

Dragon Kingdom livestream room.

The fans laughed.

-【After taking the lead, shouldn't a substitution be slow leaving the pitch? Enjoy the home fans' enthusiasm, delay the match a bit!】

-【He still lacks match experience; if replaced by someone else, he could at least drag it out three minutes! Li Kang left the pitch in under thirty seconds!】

-【This probably has a lot to do with Platini's resignation a few days ago; UEFA issued a new rule requiring the top five leagues to increase effective playing time.】

-【The effective playing time regulation won't last long.】

-【Platini didn't resign; he was just suspended for 90 days.】

Li Kang took a shower and changed clothes.

He then returned to the locker room, took out his backpack, and started his homework.

Havertz complained: "Teacher Belunta clearly knows Lewokusen's schedule is tight, yet she assigned so much homework..."

Li Kang smiled.

The homework's difficulty is equivalent to that of ninth grade in the Dragon Kingdom.

There are just many questions.

If he hadn't been taken off early, he might have had to work late again.

Havertz continued grumbling: "Li, you must have saved quite a bit of money, right? Not buying a house? Not investing in something?"

Li Kang shook his head.

Is it easy to go from frugality to extravagance?

Actually, it's also difficult.

A person's consumption habits aren't easily changed in just a few months.

Veltins' endorsement, the club's new contract top salary, plus goal and assist bonuses...

Let him suddenly have a large sum of money.

He really doesn't know how to spend it.

His foster mother also refuses to take any money.

His material desires aren't high; his diet is strictly controlled by the coaching staff, and even Brandt could use his name to have the club buy all the mainstream gaming consoles...

Buy a house?

He hasn't decided where to buy, and many countries have age restrictions.

Living in the first-team dormitory is quiet, provides companionship, and there are security guards on 24-hour rotation...

Investment?

It seems money hasn't affected his daily life at all.

After finishing his homework.

Li Kang and Havertz put away their backpacks.

He returned to the bench again.

The LED scoreboard above the Bayer Stadium changed: 4-1.

The small print showed the goal time and scorer's name.

78 minutes, Brandt.

88 minutes, Marler.

Li Kang had just sat down for a moment.

The regular match time precisely reached the 90th minute.

Beep! Beep-beep~

The referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

This is what Bundesliga fans complain about most: when the goal difference is three or more, the officials don't add injury time!

Tuopu Laotou looked dissatisfied with the concession at the death.

He shook hands with Uncle Martin, then shoved his hands in his pockets and walked alone toward the dark player tunnel.

The Lewokusen players immediately pulled Li Kang from the bench back onto the pitch.

They took turns giving him strong hugs.

Then they raised his arms to thank the home fans in all stands!

Havertz couldn't help but remark: "Li, that shower was for nothing!"

This guy is a bit of a neat freak.

As soon as he finished speaking,

Everyone quickly shifted their focus and lunged at him.

The home fans watched this scene, thinking of the Camp Nou a few days later... for a moment, their emotions were complex.

Thousands of words ultimately boiled down to one sentence:

Leverkusenallez!!!

Leverkusenallez!!!

Leverkusenallez!!!

In the distance.

Kaliwusi wondered aloud: "Wuteng, you kept saying before the match you wanted to swap jerseys with Li, didn't you? Go over now!"

Wuteng Jiaji's expression was torn, he regretted: "Li-san, he's already taken a shower, the clothes he's wearing aren't the original sweat-soaked..."

Kaliwusi quickly stepped back two steps, looking disgusted: "These little Japanese... really a bit perverted."

Post-match press conference.

The melancholic Uncle Mading was left out.

Media reporters bombarded Tuopu Laotou with questions.

"Mr. Tuop, with the Nou Camp match three days away, has Lewokusen already made sufficient preparations?"

"Do you have confidence to defeat... the MSN Barcelona of the post-dream-three era?"

"Mr. Enrike indicated they will field a full starting lineup!"

"Do you think Li Kang can maintain his stellar performance at Nou Camp? According to related news, Barcelona intends to make another bid for Lewokusen during the winter transfer window!"

What a bunch of nonsensical, boring questions?

Tuopu Laotou hesitated, then said: "We have made sufficient preparations! The starting lineup has no injury troubles, and the core players have also gotten sufficient rest!"

"I believe Li Kang will put on an even better performance at Nou Camp; he's only 17 this year! Barcelona cannot stop his growth!"

Returned to the training base.

Tuopu Laotou hesitated for a moment, but still announced a day off for all players.

Dino said: "The coaching staff hopes everyone maintains peak condition to welcome the Nou Camp match!"

Upon saying that,

Instantly, the joy of victory faded.

The atmosphere became somewhat solemn.

Captain Bender did not organize a big white girl party.

Sun Xingmin did not go out for extra training.

Kelamo put away his gaming console.

Even Hafuci refused a date with his online lover.

After everyone said simple goodbyes, they each drove off.

Li Kang returned to the first-team dormitory.

The system notification sounded softly:

【Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the Bundesliga weekly chest quest!】

【Personal rating: SSS+!】

【Mission reward upgrading... triggering cross-league reward!】

【Congratulations, Host, obtained: Golden Chest → Serie A Legend·Golden Chest!】

What the hell?

Serie A?

Can an SSS+ rating trigger cross-league rewards?

He glanced at the prize pool.

He instantly felt dizzy and swollen-headed.

【Zuofu 'Immovable as a Mountain' module (defective)!】

【Rivera 'Miracle Heavy Cannon' module (defective)!】

【Rossi 'Miracle Golden Boy' module (defective)!】

【Piola 'Classical Shooter' module (defective)!】

【Baresi 'Last Sweeper' module (defective)!】

【....】

Limited by the chest's level.

Most modules are defective versions.

Many names.

Li Kang doesn't know any of them at all.

【The chest is opening....】

【Congratulations, Host, obtained: Roberto Baggio 'Ball Sense' module (defective)!】

【Additional attribute increase: none.】

【Life is just like a penalty kick.】

Next day.

Lewokusen club, sporting director's office.

Wo Le Er held an advertising quote, frowning: "A endorsement fee of 1 million euros? A supercar? Too stingy! Which brand would give such a low endorsement fee? No way! Are they crazy? Li is only 17!"

The small assistant nervously said: "Their boss is a die-hard AC Milan fan... according to his words: Li's through ball is practically identical to Luis Costa's!"

There's also a very important matter! Boss, Dr. Haken's electroshock therapy for Li Kang...

Get lost! This contract.. ask Li himself what he thinks.

After Li Kang finished his morning training, he heard this news.

He himself had no objection.

Although the other party is the stingiest supercar brand...

But only needing to finish one ad, they would immediately pay 1 million euros.

The most important thing is: no need to sign any non-compete agreement.

He just felt life was like a sci-fi movie.

With his current status, could he get a supercar endorsement? Too sci-fi!

Lewokusen's coaching staff had no objection to the shooting date; today was originally a day off, and they only made one request: during the ad shoot, no intense actions could be made!

Three hours later,

Li Kang and Lewokusen's staff arrived in Sweden, at the Koenigsegg headquarters.

The brand's building complex looks more like a McDonald's junkyard in appearance.

Several vicious dogs at the gate barked nonstop!

A bald, big man in a suit and shorts rushed out and firmly shook his hand.

"God! I finally see you! The successor of Lu Yin Ke Si Ta! You should join Milan! Reshape..."

Wo Le Er's expression was a bit stiff...

The bald big man quickly laughed: "Now isn't the time to talk about this! Let's hurry, Mr. Wo Le Er!"

He used to be an internet celebrity in the Dragon Kingdom.

The youngest supercar brand founder in the world.

Chris Xin.

He likes to encourage young people to be independent; when he was in his twenties, he... how hard the struggle was, taking 20,000 euros... and the 100 million euros his father gave him, he founded Koenigsegg.

Many opinions hold: Koenigsegg is the king of supercars, the most expensive supercar on Earth.

But it was denied by relevant institutions: the pricing of high-end luxury goods is never affected by the market; a supercar brand that has sold fewer than 100 vehicles in ten years cannot have its value judged by ordinary standards...

Before 2015, Koenigsegg had never filmed a major ad.

Chris Xin, it seems, also doesn't care about supercar sales.

Globally, Koenigsegg also can't sell more than a few cars a year.

The signing ceremony was very simple.

Put down the pen.

Feng Tu gave a mysterious smile: "Li! To show sincerity, I personally will give you a..."

Wo Le Er and the little assistant were dumbfounded!

Who said Koenigsegg is stingy?

This is damn sincere!

You gotta know!

Any random Koenigsegg car! Its price exceeds 100 million...

Crazy!

Too crazy!

"Deng deng deng deng~"

Feng Tu pulled out a car model from his pants pocket...

Shortly after.

Everyone came to a basement.

Dozens of filming staff bustled back and forth.

The bearded director excitedly waved at Li Kang!

A graceful young woman walked over.

Feng Tu explained: "I don't want any woman near our Milan genius! But my wife says there's no need to worry about the ad's grade; your partner... is a female star my wife really likes!"

Milan genius?

Wo Le Er and the little assistant were about to rebut when Feng Tu pulled them into the side lounge.

The girl smiled and introduced herself to Li Kang.

The name is too long.

Li Kang didn't remember it, nor did he carefully size her up.

He's a decent person; he won't fall for someone just after meeting them.

On the way here, he was still messaging Fei Niao Jiang.

After the two came out of the changing room.

The ad shoot officially began!

The big red cloth in the middle of the basement was lifted!

A powerful supercar attracted everyone's gaze!

The bearded director waved his hand: "Let's hurry up!"

He suddenly shivered, as if remembering something, pointing at the girl and saying: "Ai si li! Stand farther away! Yes! Stand even farther, don't get so close to Li!"

The ad shoot content is a bit complicated.

It took a full four hours.

Finally finished shooting.

The staff hurriedly packed up the props.

The big‑bearded director, just before leaving, unexpectedly reminded him: "Li, I have to go shoot on location! We'll still meet at the Feertings brewery museum—I signed a long‑term deal with them…"

The girl named Ai si li looked at the director, wanting to kill him.

She struggled to suppress her emotions, smiling as she left Li Kang a contact method.

How to put it?

Co‑shooting an advertisement with a young football star is, in a sense, a long‑term investment.

If one day Li Kang puts in a stellar performance in an important match…

As the advertisement airs,

his popularity and buzz will rise along with it!

She had inquired: Li Kang's private life is very clean; even any gossip is limited to dating.

Such a disciplined, positive‑image young talent will also raise his own standing!

That night.

The big‑bearded director worked quickly and soon had the final cut ready.

Ai si li, feeling anticipatory, watched it over and over… and was left dumbfounded.

Where's my own appearance gone!

Damn director!

In the picture,

An exaggerated‑line supercar speeds along a road through the vast Nordic mountains!

Accompanied by passionate BGM and a beast‑like roar!

The supercar's speed is pushed to the extreme!

The wind howls!

At the end,

Li Kang's figure in the car flashes by.

Where is the female partner's silhouette?

The big‑bearded director explained: "The endorsement fee of 1 million euros, according to international image‑rights regulations, is just for this amount of screen time—look at the Feertings Group…"

Feng Tu's expression was somewhat excited: "Not bad, no big problem; if Li is willing to wear the red‑black jersey, that would be even better!"

He completely forgot that Li Kang also has a female partner.

That night.

The Koenigsegg advertisement quickly rose to the top of the hot search list.

The number of comments and likes surged.

-【Wait! The endorser is Li Kang? Awesome! He got a supercar endorsement at 17—did he also break a world record?】

-【Judging by the screen time, the endorsement fee shouldn't be high! Still, for an Asian to land a supercar brand deal is already a miracle.】

-【Not preparing properly for Barça, yet going off to shoot an ad… Actually it's no big deal; losing to Barça isn't a problem, after all, the opponent is Messi.】

-【Besides Neymar, Suarez, Yinniesita, Busquets… what does Lewokusen have to win with? Park the bus, concede fewer goals, fight for second in the group—that's the correct qualification strategy.】

After various taxes are deducted from the Koenigsegg advertisement fee,

the amount left in hand is only a few hundred thousand euros.

Li Kang had just returned to the Lewokusen base; without resting, he grabbed a football and went straight to the training ground beneath the dormitory building!

Without a system, I'm just a worthless piece of trash.

There aren't any complicated negative emotions.

In the match at Camp Nou, we cannot lose.