110: Chapter 110 Yu Bai's Choice of England—One of the Most Correct and Greatest Decisions in Football History

The second call was to his father, Yu Yun.

Yu Yun's reaction was much more direct: "Choose England! Is that even a question?! The platform, the money, the honor—which of those isn't better than going back?"

But after saying that, he seemed to realize he sounded too utilitarian and added, "Ahem... of course, Dad is just analyzing it for you. You decide what to choose in the end. No matter what you choose, Dad supports you. If you need money, just tell Dad!"

...

The third call was a video call to his grandparents.

On the screen, Yu Chengan and Yu Luoqing were sitting in the living room of their home in Hong Kong, beaming. They chatted incessantly about daily life, asking Yu Bai if he was eating well in London, if his injury had completely healed, if the weather was cold... as if they were completely unaware that their grandson was facing an earth-shattering decision.

Looking at his grandparents' kind, smiling faces on the screen and listening to their concerned chatter, the string in Yu Bai's heart regarding "home and country" was gently plucked, yet he strangely felt a sense of calm.

In the end, he didn't ask that question.

Perhaps it was because he didn't want to ruin this warm atmosphere; perhaps it was because he had already received a tacit answer from his grandfather's attitude during the Spring Festival.

...

Finally, the most important call: he called Claudio Ranieri.

The phone rang a few times before it was answered, and Claudio Ranieri's familiar, Italian-accented voice came through: "Yu. Calling so late, are you in trouble?"

Yu Bai took a deep breath and told this mentor, whom he respected and trusted the most, everything about his struggles over these past few days, his analysis of the pros and cons of the two choices, and the pressure from the outside world.

Claudio Ranieri listened quietly on the other end of the line without interrupting.

Until Yu Bai finished speaking, Claudio Ranieri spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying a power that pierced through to the heart:

"Yu."

"Listen."

"You called me to ask what you should choose."

"But in fact, you already knew your choice, didn't you?"

"Your heart gave you the answer ten days ago, or even earlier."

"Your current hesitation, struggle, and pain are not because you don't know what to choose, but because you are afraid."

Claudio Ranieri hit the nail on the head.

"You are afraid of the potential failure after making the choice. You are afraid that if you wear the England jersey but fail to lead them to the championship, you will be mocked as 'nothing special'; you are afraid that if you choose China but fail to lead them into the World Cup, you will be branded with the infamy of 'wasting talent'."

"You are even more afraid of being scolded. You are afraid that no matter which side you choose, endless accusations and abuse will pour toward you, and you are afraid that you won't be able to withstand that pressure."

"But, Yu!"

Claudio Ranieri raised his voice, his tone becoming passionate and encouraging:

"Listen to an old man's words!"

"If you want to become a true King of Football, if you want to stand at the pinnacle of the world, these are all things you must experience!"

"Maradona, Pelé, Zidane, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo... which of them hasn't been scolded? Which of them hasn't moved forward amidst questioning and pressure?"

"What's important isn't which path you chose, but whether you have the courage and ability, after making that choice, to walk that path to its most glorious end!"

"Use your feet, use your performance, use championships and honors to prove that your choice is correct!"

"At that time, all the questioning and all the abuse will automatically shut up and turn into the most fanatical support and worship!"

"This is the path of a King of Football! This is the path you, Yu Bai, should walk!"

"Don't fear failure, don't fear being scolded."

"Make the choice! And then, go conquer!"

Claudio Ranieri's words were like a thunderbolt, exploding in Yu Bai's ears and deep within his already turbulent heart!

Yes...

I knew the answer long ago.

From the moment Roy Hodgson took out the number 7 and number 10 jerseys, from the moment the scales in my heart tipped while I was analyzing the pros and cons, from the moment I was afraid of failure and being scolded and didn't dare to admit it... I already knew.

What I was afraid of was never the choice itself.

It was the stronger version of myself that would need to bear all the responsibilities and consequences after the choice.

The phone hung up.

The study fell back into silence.

But the confusion and heaviness in Yu Bai's eyes receded quickly like a tide, replaced by a clarity after the clouds parted and a determination to burn his bridges.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air that had been pent up in his chest for a long time, feeling much lighter.

At this moment, the door to the study was gently pushed open. Wen Wan was carrying a steaming cup of calming tea, carefully poking her head in. She saw the change in expression on Yu Bai's face and was slightly taken aback.

Yu Bai looked at her, and for the first time in these past few days, a truly relaxed and relieved smile appeared on his face. He beckoned to her.

Wen Wan walked in, placed the tea on the desk, and said softly: "Drink some tea to moisten your throat. Don't think too much." After speaking, she turned to leave, not wanting to disturb him.

"Sister Wan." Yu Bai called out to her.

Wen Wan stopped and turned back.

"Stay with me." Yu Bai looked at her, his eyes clear and firm.

Wen Wan didn't understand, "Stay with you? Stay with you for what?"

Yu Bai didn't explain, just signaled with his eyes for her to sit down or stay.

Although confused, Wen Wan nodded obediently, walked to the chair by the desk, sat down, and watched him quietly.

Yu Bai picked up his phone and found the number that had been saved for a long time but had never been dialed — Roy Hodgson.

Meanwhile, in a hotel suite in London.

Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate were sitting face to face, the ashtray in front of them already piled with cigarette butts. Neither spoke, their eyes occasionally glancing at the phone with the black screen lying on the coffee table. The room was filled with an anxious, tense, and almost suffocating atmosphere of waiting.

The last night, the last moment of the ten-day deadline.

Would the phone ring?

As the clock hands slowly pointed to the last notch before midnight.

"Buzz — Buzz — Buzz —"

The phone screen suddenly lit up! The pleasant ringtone broke the dead silence!

The caller displayed on the screen — Yu Bai!

Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate both jolted, staring at each other, seeing ecstasy, nervousness, and disbelief in each other's eyes!

Roy Hodgson's hand trembled slightly as he picked up the phone, took a deep breath, and with as steady a voice as possible, pressed the answer button and turned on the speakerphone:

"Good evening, Yu."

On the other end of the line came Yu Bai's calm, clear, yet unquestionable voice:

"Good evening, Roy Hodgson. Gareth Southgate should be there too, right."

"I have decided."

"I choose —"

"To play for The Three Lions."

"Yes!!!" Gareth Southgate sprang up from the sofa, threw a punch into the air, his face showing unmasked, immense ecstasy and excitement! His eyes were even a little red!

Although Roy Hodgson tried hard to remain calm, his hand holding the phone was still trembling slightly, and the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably, breaking into a big, relieved smile, as he said repeatedly:

"Great! Yu! This is really great!"

"Welcome! Welcome to The Three Lions!"

"One of the most correct and greatest decisions in the history of England football!"