117: Chapter 117 The Secret Code Among Players

"Fk!" Per Mertesacker grew angrier the more he thought about it. A surge of fury rushed straight to his head. Facing the direction Yu Bai was moving away in, almost gritting his teeth, in a volume only he could hear, he made a "solemn vow":

"If you have the ability..."

"Make me score another own goal!"

"If you can really do that..."

"I... I'll call you Daddy!"

Yu Bai naturally didn't hear it at all.

White Hart Lane was like a boiling pot at this moment. Leading their local rivals 2-0, the fans' singing, shouting, and jeering mixed together, the decibel level high enough to drown out any whispers.

But sometimes, metaphysics is just that magical—certain "wishes" seem to really be heard by the "gods" of the pitch, and... are happy to fulfill them.

...

The first half was nearing its end.

In the 43rd minute, Tottenham organized an attack on the left flank of the frontcourt.

Yu Bai received a pass from Christian Eriksen in the half-space. Facing Héctor Bellerín, he didn't force a breakthrough. Instead, he suddenly made a nimble cut inward, feinting to cut inside for a shot.

Héctor Bellerín and Francis Coquelin immediately closed in on him.

Just as the two were about to form a pincer movement, while running, Yu Bai lifted his right foot without warning and gently tapped the ball backward with his heel! An extremely subtle and imaginative backheel pass!

The ball obediently slipped through the gap between Héctor Bellerín and Francis Coquelin, rolling toward the space near the left byline!

Danny Rose had already understood the intention and made a high-speed overlapping run!

He controlled the ball perfectly, took a step forward, and before the retreating Gibbs could block him, sent in a lightning-fast cutback cross straight to the edge of the six-yard box!

"Great ball! Danny Rose's cross!"

Near the penalty spot, after completing that exquisite backheel pass, Yu Bai didn't stop for a second, ghosting forward into position!

He drew his bow and arrow, planted his left foot, swung his right leg back, his body extended, facing the ball coming from Danny Rose, ready to complete a volley!

In a flash, a red figure came sliding in from the side like a madman! It was Aaron Ramsey!

The Welsh midfielder threw his entire body out, beating Yu Bai to the ball, and used his toe to thrillingly poke the ball out over the byline!

"Beautiful defense! Aaron Ramsey! A key interception!" the commentator shouted.

Yu Bai's swung right foot kicked at empty air. His body was slightly off-balance because the exertion was interrupted, and he stumbled, but he quickly steadied himself.

He looked down at Aaron Ramsey, who was gasping for air on the turf after completing the interception. His eyes were somewhat complex—there was recognition for this brilliant defense, and also a trace of regret at having a good opportunity ruined.

Francis Coquelin ran over and reached out to pull Aaron Ramsey up.

Aaron Ramsey stood up and brushed the grass clippings off his body. He looked at Yu Bai, his face devoid of unnecessary expression, but his eyes were sharp and firm. In clear English, he said to Yu Bai:

"Don't even think about it."

"No way."

"In the second half," he paused, his tone deepening, "we will 'get back into the game'."

The "get back into the game" he mentioned was a common secret code between players, meaning to recover one's form from an unfavorable or chaotic situation, regain the rhythm and intensity of the match, and bring the suspense back.

Upon hearing this, Yu Bai's lips curled into a smirk.

As he turned and jogged toward the corner flag (he was taking this corner kick), without looking back, he responded in a clear voice:

"Anytime."

"I have always been in the game, and—"

He paused, his tone calm yet filled with powerful confidence: "Always will be."