103: Chapter 103 Yu Cheng'an Lets Go? Football is No Match for Pressuring Him to Marry! Yu Bai's Comeback is Imminent, Let's See the Truth!

January 2016. The theme of English football was almost completely dominated by the "North London rising stars" Tottenham and the "miracle leaders" Leicester City in their "Dual Blue Battle."

The two clubs seemed destined to be entangled throughout this season, from the League to the cup competitions, locked in an inseparable battle.

On January 11, in the third round of the FA Cup, the two teams crossed paths at White Hart Lane.

Leicester City, missing Yu Bai, fought a fierce 90-minute battle against a full-Strength Tottenham, ultimately ending in a 2:2 draw, requiring a replay on another day according to the rules.

This draw left both sides unsatisfied but created even more suspense.

On January 13, for the 21st round of the Premier League, the focus shifted to the King Power Stadium.

This time, it was a "six-point game" in the League!

The match was deadlocked until the 87th minute, when Leicester City's center-back Robert Huth scored with a powerful header, snatching a 1:0 victory over Tottenham! They won this crucial battle for the top spot!

Claudio Ranieri's team proved with their actions that even without Yu Bai, their resilience and fighting spirit remained astonishing.

On January 21, the FA Cup third-round replay took place, again at Leicester City's home ground.

A determined Tottenham, thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, successfully took revenge with a 2:0 win, eliminating Leicester City from the FA Cup.

Three duels in just ten days, two different outcomes.

League and cup, suspense and revenge.

Every collision sparked flying flames, and every result stirred hearts.

During these three high-profile battles, one name was repeatedly mentioned in various forms, surging onto social media hot searches — #Yu Bai#.

"If Yu Bai were there, would Leicester City have won more easily?"

"If Yu Bai were there, would Tottenham's offense be sharper?"

"I miss the days when Yu Bai galloped on the Premier League pitch! Come back soon!"

"Get lost, injuries! Give us back our best young master!"

Whether it was the nostalgia of Leicester City fans, the anticipation of Tottenham fans, or the admiration of neutral fans, it all converged into a powerful wave of sound.

That 17-year-old boy, even though he was sidelined by injury, left an influence and sense of presence that still enveloped the Premier League, becoming the most missed "absentee" of this crazy season.

[Matches without Little Bai always feel like something is missing.]

[Fans from both sides are missing the same person, what a status!]

["About how I am not in the world, but the world is full of my legends"]

...

Enfield, Tottenham training base.

Yu Bai's recovery process was surprisingly fast, even making the medical team a bit cautious.

With top-tier medical conditions, a scientific rehabilitation plan, Wen Wan's meticulous care, and his own powerful willpower and physical talent, that ligament injury, which was once thought to require 6-8 weeks to heal, was repairing at a speed beyond the norm.

In late January, Yu Bai had removed all protective gear and started training with the ball. At first, it was just simple juggling and short Passing, gradually transitioning to Dribbling, jogging, and changing direction.

In early February, under the assessment of the medical team and coaching staff, Yu Bai was approved to join the Tottenham U21 team for joint training to adapt to the rhythm and intensity of the game.

When he put on his Tottenham training kit again and stepped onto the familiar yet somewhat strange training ground, his mood was quite complex.

When he left six months ago, he was still a "connected" player who was looked down upon by his teammates and had an uncertain future.

Now that he had returned, he was a "loaned" Golden Boy award contender worth 60 million euros, holding the team's top salary, and watched by all of Europe.

The young players of the U21 team looked at him with eyes full of curiosity, worship, and a trace of imperceptible distance.

They could no longer view him as a "peer" or "teammate"; it was more like they were looking up to a legendary existence from a higher dimension.

Among these young people, Yu Bai saw an "old acquaintance" — Harry Winks.

This midfielder, who once mocked him and gave him a hard time in the youth team, was still a "swingman" between the first team and the U21s.

Mauricio Pochettino appreciated his technique and awareness, but with the first-team midfield overcrowded (Dier, Mousa Dembélé, Ryan Mason, etc.) and competition fierce, he mostly stayed in the U21s to maintain form, waiting for the occasional call-up.

When Yu Bai walked toward the training ground and his eyes met Harry Winks's, the atmosphere instantly became subtle and stagnant.

The expression on Harry Winks's face was extremely complex: jealousy, unwillingness, bitterness, confusion... and a lingering sense of embarrassment.

Scenes flashed uncontrollably through his mind: the mockery of Yu Bai on the training ground, the isolation in the locker room, and Yu Bai's world-shocking performances at Leicester City, the astronomical contract, the top weekly salary... All of this was like loud slaps on his once-arrogant face.

The "Chinese kid" he could once trample underfoot had now reached a height he had to look up to, perhaps even a height he could never reach in his life.

Yu Bai walked calmly to Harry Winks. He looked at this English youth who was two years older than him but appeared somewhat constrained and gloomy. He didn't feel much of a winner's pleasure; instead, a sense of "things have changed" arose in his heart.

He felt he had "grown up." Having experienced the tempering of the Premier League, the fear of serious injury, holding a huge contract, shouldering countless expectations... He felt he shouldn't dwell on these childish grievances from his youth.

So, Yu Bai took the initiative to speak, his tone calm, even carrying a trace of sincere desire for reconciliation:

"Harry."

"I'm sorry."

"I think... I should apologize to you."

He paused, looked seriously into Harry Winks's eyes, and continued:

"For all the unpleasant things between us in the past."

"Forget the past. Really."

"Otherwise..."

Yu Bai frowned slightly, seemingly weighing his words, and finally used a term he felt was quite accurate and genuinely meant for the other person's good:

"I'm afraid... I might become your 'inner demon'."

Yu Bai was sincere.

He had seen too many talented players lose their mentality because of a powerful "shadow" or "opponent" in their youth, eventually sinking into oblivion.

He didn't want to become that "shadow" on Harry Winks's football journey.

After all, they were also "teammates."

However, to Harry Winks, these words were nothing short of the most cruel, heart-piercing, and condescending humiliation!

"Inner demon?!"

Harry Winks's pupils shrank, his face flushed instantly, then turned iron-blue. His chest heaved violently, and he squeezed the words out from between his teeth:

"What... the f*** are you talking about?!"

"Who wants your apology?! Who the f*** has an inner demon?!"

"Whether you're worth 60 million or on 100k a week, what the hell does it have to do with me?!"

"Stop acting so hypocritically here!"

He was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His emotions completely spiraled out of control. He roared at Yu Bai, then glared fiercely at him and turned to leave, his back filled with embarrassment and anger.

Yu Bai stood where he was, somewhat stunned, then helplessly shook his head and whispered to himself: "Well, kindness is treated like a donkey's liver and lungs. Suit yourself."

He thought this matter had passed.

But once the seed of the "inner demon" was planted, it would take root and sprout on its own.

In the subsequent U21 joint training, Harry Winks's performance began to become extremely unstable.

Facing Yu Bai, he would either make excessive moves, full of gunpowder, or deliberately avoid direct confrontation with Yu Bai, appearing timid and fearful.

His Passing would inexplicably fail, and his positioning began to become chaotic.

Yu Bai was like a mirror, reflecting all of Harry Winks's inner inferiority, unwillingness, and anxiety.

The more effortless and technically superior Yu Bai appeared, the more Harry Winks could feel that desperate gap.

Time was truly proving to Harry Winks —

Yu Bai had truly become his inescapable inner demon.

A mountain that crushed him so he couldn't breathe, a mountain he could barely see any hope of crossing.

...

February 7, Lunar New Year's Eve. February 8, Spring Festival.

This year's Spring Festival, Yu Bai spent it in the Yu family's mansion in London. His grandparents, Yu Chengan and Yu Luoqing, and his father, Yu Yun, flew over from Hong Kong specifically to accompany him for the New Year and to see his recovery progress in person.

The house was decorated with lanterns and festoons, with spring couplets and "Fu" characters posted, full of a rich festive atmosphere. The New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by a chef hired to come to the house, a fusion of northern and southern styles, incredibly sumptuous.

Yu Bai's injury recovery was ideal.

He was already able to perform most football-specific training; sudden stops, changes of direction, jumping, and Shooting caused no obvious discomfort.

The medical team's assessment was: if it were a crucial match like a Champions League final, he could now consider entering the squad list.

But Yu Bai himself, Jonathan Barnett, and the club all maintained the utmost caution.

For ordinary matches, they would never risk an early return.

Their goal was a complete and thorough recovery, leaving no hidden dangers.

On the dinner table on New Year's Eve, the atmosphere was warm.

Yu Chengan looked at his grandson, who had matured significantly, who would take the initiative to pick food for his grandparents and chat and drink with his father. He was deeply gratified, a smile hanging on his face throughout.

Yu Luoqing was smiling from ear to ear, constantly picking food for Yu Bai.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic.

Yu Yun became more talkative, and somehow brought up the previous controversy regarding Yu Bai's national team choice. He said to Yu Chengan with a teasing tone:

"Dad, you don't know, when that photo of Little Bai wearing the England jersey came out, your reaction, tsk tsk, almost blew our roof off! You even said something about cutting ties..."

Yu Chengan's old face flushed, he coughed awkwardly, and secretly glanced at Yu Bai, who was eating quietly beside him.

Hearing this, Yu Bai put down his chopsticks. He raised his head, looked at his grandfather, with a trace of curiosity and inquiry on his face, half-jokingly and half-seriously asked:

"Grandpa,"

"If I... really chose to play for England."

"What would you do?"

The atmosphere at the dinner table went quiet for a moment.

Yu Chengan's hand holding the wine glass stopped in mid-air.

He looked at his grandson's clear, calm, yet persistent eyes, and thought about his grandson's rapid growth over the past six months, thought about his own heartache when he was injured, thought about his meticulous thoughtfulness this Spring Festival, and thought about his wife's day-by-day counseling...

Those past stubbornness, anger, and the obsession with so-called "national righteousness," in front of this grandson who made him proud to the bone, suddenly became... not so important, and not so hard.

He was old. His son's wings were strong, and his grandson was soaring in the nine heavens. How much more could he control? How much more did he want to control?

After a few seconds of silence, Yu Chengan suddenly laughed out loud. He shook his head, finished the wine in his glass in one gulp, and then, with an unprecedented tone of open-mindedness and a hint of 'giving up,' said with a smile:

"You little brat!"

"You're still young!"

"Make your own decisions for your own life!"

"I can't control you, and I don't want to anymore!"

He patted his chest and sighed half-jokingly, "How many days do I have left to live? I'll be satisfied if I can see you doing well and living safely."

Then, he changed the subject, glared, and used the classic line of old-school parents pushing for marriage and children:

"The most important thing for you right now is to hurry up and give me a great-grandchild to play with!"

"If you have the ability, have a few more!"

"Don't waste the good genes of the Yu family and your mother's side!"

"Go ahead and have them! I have plenty of money to raise them for you! I can afford eight or ten!"

"Don't be like your dad, pretending to be a romantic when he isn't, only to make a mess of things in the end!"

"If you're capable and have a whole basket full of women, so what? Grandpa will only praise you for being capable!"

This remark, seemingly just banter, was actually a complete release and blessing.

It meant the old man had finally reconciled with himself, and also with the choices his grandson might make that he once couldn't accept.

Yu Luoqing kicked Yu Chengan under the table, her eyes full of smiles and relief. Yu Yun also laughed out loud.

Yu Bai was stunned for a moment, then smiled as well, and the last bit of hidden worry about his family quietly dissipated.

He raised his glass: "Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Happy New Year! Don't worry, I will play football well!"

"As for personal matters, the question of how many women... Grandpa, I'm only 17!"

"So what if you're 17? When I was 17, your Grandma..."

"Yu Chengan! Don't talk nonsense! The child is still young!"

"Hahahaha..."

...

The Spring Festival holiday ended, and the family returned to Hong Kong.

Yu Bai returned to his villa.

Pushing open the door, he saw Wen Wan wearing the new Chinese-style dress he had bought her for the New Year, her makeup exquisite, sitting alone on the sofa, staring blankly at the rerun of the Spring Festival Gala on TV, with an unconcealable loneliness and a forced smile on her face.

Although the house was tidy, it was cold and lacked the liveliness that the New Year should have.

Yu Bai felt a sudden, inexplicable ache in his heart.

He walked over, sat down beside her, and asked softly: "I told you, you could have gone home for the New Year. You don't have to stay with me all the time."

Wen Wan's body trembled almost imperceptibly. She turned her head slowly and looked at Yu Bai. Her beautiful emerald green eyes were instantly clouded with a layer of mist, but she forcibly suppressed it.

She tugged at the corners of her mouth, trying hard to smile, but it looked worse than crying:

"Go home?"

"This is my home."

Her voice was very soft, but it carried a categorical, almost stubborn sincerity,

"If... you allow me to say so."

Yu Bai looked at the vulnerability and longing hidden deep in her eyes, and his heart shook.

He was silent for a moment, then finally just shrugged, not saying anything about "allowing" or "not allowing."

She lowered her head, her voice choked, and said intermittently:

"My parents... they only love their son."

"For me... whether I go back or not is not as important as the money I send home every month."

"As long as they have mahjong to play, as long as their son doesn't have to work and has money to spend, and doesn't suffer any grievances... that is their greatest happiness."

"As for me..."

She looked up, the tears finally couldn't be held back and fell, but she tried hard to smile at Yu Bai, that smile poignant and strong:

"As long as I'm not dead and can still send money home... that's enough."

"Go home?"

"That would only make them feel uncomfortable."

"Here, listening to my cousin, is being the most filial daughter to them."

Every family has its own difficult scriptures to read.

Yu Bai understood her loneliness, her grievances, and her humble cherishing of this place as "home."

He didn't ask any more questions, nor did he offer any empty comfort; he just stood up:

"Mm. This is your home."

"I'm going to train."

"What do you want to eat tonight? I'll make it for you."

Wen Wan watched his back as he walked toward the basement gym, wiped away her tears, and responded loudly: "Anything you make is fine!"

At that moment, two lonely hearts, under this roof called "home," drew closer.

...

February 15, Premier League Round 26, the focus match — Tottenham challenges Manchester City away.

Yu Bai traveled with the team to the Etihad Stadium.

This was his first away trip with the team since his injury.

Once the news came out, it immediately triggered crazy speculation from the media and fans.

"Is Yu Bai coming back?! Against Manchester City?!"

"Pochettino's secret weapon?"

"Is it too risky to play against Manchester City just after recovering from an injury?"

At the pre-match press conference, the reporters' questions almost all revolved around Yu Bai.

Pochettino's answer was very cautious: "Yu Bai's recovery is going very well, but we need to be responsible for his career. Whether he will be in the match squad still needs a final assessment."

However, when the match squad was finally announced, Yu Bai's name was not among them.

He was wearing casual clothes, sitting in the VIP stand at the Etihad Stadium, watching the entire match calmly.

In the end, Tottenham narrowly defeated Manchester City 2-1 away.

After the match, Pochettino specifically found Yu Bai, put his arm around his shoulder in the locker room tunnel, looked at him seriously, and said:

"Yu, not playing against Manchester City."

"Giving you four more days."

"Four days later, Europa League, 1/16 final, away at Fiorentina."

"You, starting."

The Argentine young manager's tone was unquestionable, full of trust and expectation.

Yu Bai's eyes suddenly lit up. He didn't hesitate at all and nodded heavily: "Understood, Boss! I'm ready!"

Not playing against Manchester City was the right decision.

Facing Guardiola's team in his comeback match would have been too high intensity and high risk.

The Europa League match against the Serie A powerhouse Fiorentina had sufficient intensity, but compared to the Champions League and Premier League title battles, the pressure and environment would be slightly friendlier, making it a more ideal comeback stage.

Returning to his apartment in London, Yu Bai locked himself in his room.

He calmed his excitement, and then his mind moved slightly.

The light blue system panel slowly unfolded before his eyes —

[Name: Yu Bai]

[Age: 32]

[Speed 70→72, Burst 78→80, Strength 51→55, Ball Control 83, Passing 92, Shooting 91]

[Dribbling 94, Tackling 31, Heading 31, Vision 95, Composure 70→72, Stamina 88→90]

[Overall Rating 91]

[Skills: Beckhams Curve (Superstar), Demon of Dribbling (Legendary), Carloss Shooting Power (Superstar), Kevin De Bruynes Gods Eye View (Superstar)]

[Enhancement: Knee (Permanently reduce injury risk by 50%)]

[Special Ability: Star Treatment]

During his injury recovery, he did not completely stop "growing."

Strength and resistance improved during rehabilitation training.

His mentality became more stable after the baptism of serious injury and family reconciliation.

The most critical thing was Stamina!

Two months of systematic, high-intensity rehabilitation training, combined with his crazy dedication, actually allowed his Stamina to break through the 90 mark, reaching 90!

This meant that as long as his injury didn't recur, he would have an extremely abundant supply of Stamina, enough to support high-intensity full-field running.

Speed and Burst also had small natural increases.

Overall rating, firmly standing at 91! A top star level capable of being the core of a giant club!

Looking at the gorgeous panel in front of him, Yu Bai's eyes were calm.

This serious injury was not entirely a bad thing for him.

It was like a tempering process, allowing him to shed some impetuousness, understand how to protect himself better, and understand the principle that "a tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

In future matches, he would play smarter, know how to use the rules better, and know how to distribute his physical Strength and avoid risks.

His thoughts had already drifted to four days later, Italy, Florence, that ancient city full of artistic atmosphere, that stadium named Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Europa League 1/16 final, starting!

During these two months of recuperation, did his Transfermarkt value drop by 10 million euros?

Are the media and experts still questioning whether he is worthy of Tottenham's top salary?

Are those giants watching him, waiting to see his state after injury?

Yu Bai slowly clenched his fist, his eyes as sharp as a knife, and the corners of his mouth hooked into a cold and confident arc.

Fine.

Very good.

Let me show you —

I, Yu Bai, am I worth this £100,000 weekly salary!

Am I still that — Demon of Dribbling, who can make you all feel fear and despair!

That night, Yu Bai updated his personal social media.

He didn't post a long declaration, he just uploaded a photo that Wen Wan had snapped of him on the sidelines of the training ground.

In the photo, he was completing a high-intensity shuttle run training, sweat soaking his temples, his eyes focused and firm, his leg muscle lines clear and powerful, and the ankle brace was gone. The sunset glow plated a layer of golden halo on him, and the whole picture was full of power and readiness to strike.

The caption was only a simple but weighty sentence:

[Four days later, Stadio Artemio Franchi, let's settle this!]

The post was released, and in just a few minutes, the number of likes, comments, and retweets soared crazily!

Tottenham die-hards, Leicester City fans, Chinese fans, and even countless global fans conquered by Yu Bai's performance, instantly flooded the comment section:

"It's here! The King returns! (Crying)"

"These muscle lines! These eyes! State is maxed out!"

"Fiorentina, your nightmare is coming! (Dog head)"

"Can't wait! European debut! Charge, little Bai!"

"Who took the photo? The composition and lighting are amazing! By the way, is the injury really okay?"

"Upstairs, looking at this lively appearance, does it look like there's a problem? (Laughing and crying)"

"Tottenham official, retweet quickly! Our ace is back!"

"Levy's 100k weekly salary, let's see this match!"

"No matter where you go, I will always support you! Go, Young Master!"

In the night of London, Yu Bai put down his phone and looked out the window.

Italy, Florence, Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Four days later, that place would be the stage where he would announce the complete return of the "Demon of Dribbling".

All the waiting, all the questioning, all the anticipation —

Will all get the loudest response there.