Chapter 47

Wives need to be pampered, and even more so, they need to be coaxed... and deceived...

To manage the outside, one must first stabilize the inside. No, that's wrong; it should be to repel the outside, one must first stabilize the inside...

After a few days, Liu Hao was almost unable to walk. Fortunately, his wife was pregnant, so he didn't have to "pay public grain" at home. Otherwise, with his belly growing by five taels every day, he definitely wouldn't have the energy to do anything.

Inhuman suffering!

Why must I endure such torment?

"Hungry..." In the dead of night, Liu Hao groaned in bed.

If the fat man couldn't sleep, he would usually call out in the early morning, especially when his stomach was involved. Such a miserable life had continued for five days until the weekend.

※※※※

Qingdao is one of the most developed cities in China. When Liu Hao appeared at the Zhongneng training ground, he still felt quite unaccustomed.

His most familiar friend was Mao Jianqing.

At least they had spoken a few times.

When Mao Jianqing saw Liu Hao appear, he looked delighted.

In the Zhongneng team, Mao Jianqing was actually considered an old player.

At 29, he was really considered old.

"Brother Fat, that shot was beautiful!" Although Mao Jianqing didn't see Liu Hao's shot in the game last week, he watched the replay and understood what happened.

The biggest star in the Zhongneng team wasn't the three foreign players or Li Xiaopeng, but Mao Jianqing.

His handsome appearance could charm women from three to eighty years old.

He still looks so gangster... Liu Hao muttered to himself, feeling somewhat flattered. Although Mao Jianqing talked a lot, he was actually very loyal.

"Brother Mao, you flatter me, it was just luck!" There were at most 22 national team players, and Mao Jianqing had once been one. Liu Hao wasn't a saint; getting his praise was truly an honor.

"You've lost weight!" Mao Jianqing's observation was very meticulous. Liu Hao had indeed lost weight. How could he not, if he hadn't eaten enough for a week?

Liu Hao's legs were now barely under his control.

"Hungry..." was the word Liu Hao mentioned most during the week.

"Losing weight is important..." Humility was his greatest virtue.

Li Xiaopeng was wearing big shorts today, looking very happy, laughing and talking during the training.

When he saw Liu Hao, he even patted his shoulder.

"Tomorrow, you'll still be on the bench." If other players heard this, they would definitely feel bad, but for Liu Hao? It was a very happy thing.

As long as I can play, it doesn't matter if I start or not.

"Xiaoma, you need to work hard tomorrow!" When passing by Mao Jianqing, Li Xiaopeng didn't hold back his words.

I'm starting?

Mao Jianqing's face twitched.

Being a big star, he was really not used to it...

Although it's the Chinese League Two, not starting is really not a habit. In the last game, he was still talking non-stop, but this time Li Xiaopeng had a complete change of attitude.

Starting means he would be ahead of the Costa Rican star player Castillo.

"Brother Fat, did I hear that right?" Big stars also like to start! Although he didn't get excited enough to pinch Liu Hao's face, his thoughts were clear.

This is the cruelty of professional football.

Don't underestimate the difference between starting and being a substitute. Often, the gap between starting and being a substitute is like a chasm.

Starting players earn perhaps ten times what substitutes do.

Of course, if you can't even make the roster, that's even worse.

Mao Jianqing, although a star, earns nothing if he can't play...

"You didn't hear wrong..." Liu Hao's comfort was timely, and he was more excited than anyone.

The words "bench" were enough to satisfy him. It was Li Xiaopeng's assurance, his trust. For Mao Jianqing, it seemed to be the bare minimum?

It was his first time in Qingdao, and he was a bit dazed, a bit dazzled.

This is an extraordinary city!

Why are there so many fans here?

Looking at the scattered figures, Liu Hao was a bit confused. After all, this was just a League Two match.

Even the Shenyang team had fans come to cheer, showing that northern fans were very passionate.

"Brother Fat, you already have fans." Mao Jianqing was very lazy, not even wanting to warm up, and whispered to Liu Hao.

In the stands, someone had put up a large banner that read "Fat Man, Go!" clearly aimed at Liu Hao.

"Fans can't be eaten... I just want a good meal right now." Liu Hao answered honestly, his stomach growling, a feeling worse than being drunk, "But... it seems I might have diarrhea?"

...Mao Jianqing was speechless, watching Liu Hao walk down.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Liu Hao walked into the players' tunnel.

"What's going on? Are you having diarrhea?" Assistant coach Zang Jinchuan looked intensely, not quite understanding. Liu Hao's condition didn't seem right.

Li Xiaopeng didn't pay much attention...

※※※※

During the game, the most eye-catching player on the field was Mao Jianqing.

Actually, Chinese national team players do have skill! Liu Hao muttered from the sidelines.

For money, for bonuses, no one holds back.

Playing for the national team is for fame, few think of 'honor'.

Playing for the club? When else would you give it your all?

Mao Jianqing is a prime example.

Having long played in the Chinese Super League, suddenly joining the League Two was more than enough for him.

So, the opposing right-back was toyed with by him.

Throughout the first half, what everyone saw was Mao Jianqing continuously breaking through, with the opposing right-back painfully chasing after him...

But, there was no goal!

A goal was hard to come by!

The League Two is the League Two, the tactical concepts are still not up to par...

Li Xiaopeng looked at the bench and sighed.

I really want to bring Liu Xiaopang on! But this guy's stamina... Xiao Qiao needs to be stricter.

Playing at home against Shenyang and away against Rizhiquan are two different things.

Losing or drawing against Rizhiquan is acceptable, but at home against Shenyang? We definitely need to win, or how can we explain it to the chairman?

Thinking of the club chairman Qiao Weiguang sitting in the VIP seats behind, Li Xiaopeng's expression became uncertain.

Xiaoma, try harder...

Mao Jianqing was already working hard, but as a left winger, he couldn't be responsible for scoring goals.

So many crosses from the wing, what more do you want?

Northeast China is never short of players, and the Shenyang team was a group of young players.

Actually, the Zhongneng team was also a group of young players, except for the forwards.

Everyone knew that the Zhongneng team's forwards relied on foreign players...

But why did he think of Qu Bo?

Li Xiaopeng couldn't even believe it himself.

Mao Jianqing's passes were perfect, but no one was there to finish or get into position.

"Xiaopang... warm up." It was only the 30th minute, but Li Xiaopeng couldn't sit still and told Liu Hao.

Winning the game is the top priority!

Did I hear that right? Liu Hao was also a bit surprised.

This doesn't seem like Li Xiaopeng's style...