71: Chapter 71 An Eternal Pain: A Beautiful Reporter Asks Sharp Questions, Yu Bai Talks About the Gunman with Tears in His Eyes

She was Chi Shuxin, a newly appointed field reporter for "Total Soccer," who had gained some fame among fans for her professional, sharp, and down-to-earth interviewing style.

"Yu Bai, congratulations on your advancement, and congratulations on being named Player of the Match."

Chi Shuxin's voice was clear and pleasant, carrying a professional affability as she held the microphone out to Yu Bai. "First of all, could you say a few words to the fans back home who have been supporting you?"

Yu Bai wiped the sweat from his brow, flashed his signature clean smile at the camera, and said in Chinese, "Hello everyone, I am Yu Bai. Thank you all for your support, we will continue to work hard."

After the brief pleasantries, Chi Shuxin cut to the chase. Her question was gentle yet aimed straight at the core:

"Yu Bai, we've noticed that your recent performances have been outstanding, and you've played a decisive role in several key matches. But as you know, you're only 17, very young. At your age, many players are still finding their way in the youth teams. What, or perhaps who, is driving you to be so dazzling, to adapt so quickly, and to shine on the Premier League stage?"

Yu Bai thought for a few seconds, his expression serious. "I think, first of all, it's confidence. My teammates and the coaching staff have given me a lot of confidence, allowing me to dare to make moves on the pitch and try things out. Then there's trust, especially from our head coach, Claudio Ranieri. He gave me the greatest freedom and trust, telling me to 'be yourself,' which is very important to me. Of course, it also wouldn't be possible without the help and support of all my teammates; football is a team sport."

The answer was appropriate and comprehensive. Chi Shuxin nodded, a flash of admiration appearing in her eyes. But she didn't stop there; she asked the question that all Chinese fans—and perhaps the one most complicated for Yu Bai himself—were wondering:

"The next question might be a bit special."

Chi Shuxin's tone slowed down, her eyes becoming softer, but the question was like a precise scalpel. "This weekend, you will face Arsenal in the Premier League. We all know that you are a Gunner fan, that you entered the London Colney Training Centre at the age of 8, and that you are a product of the Arsenal youth academy. Yet, just three months ago, your connection with Arsenal... seemed to reach a turning point. Today, you have become one of the hottest rising stars in European football."

She paused, observing Yu Bai's expression, her voice lighter yet more powerful:

"Facing such a former club, facing the team you once dreamed of playing for, and now having to stand before them as an opponent..."

"Yu Bai, what is your mood right now? Can you share it with us?"

The moment the question was asked, the smile on Yu Bai's face slowly disappeared at a speed visible to the naked eye.

He did not answer immediately.

The camera zoomed in for a close-up. It was clear to see that in Yu Bai's originally bright and clear eyes, extremely complex emotions suddenly surged—reminiscence, unwillingness, a flash of pain, buried attachment—all finally transforming into a layer of hard-maintained calm.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but was blocked by something.

He subconsciously pursed his lips, lowered his head, and blinked rapidly a few times. When he looked up again, his eyes were slightly red, but no tears fell.

That expression of suppressed, intertwined, and unspeakable emotions was full of story and impact, enough to be captured as a classic image of a "broken-hearted youth" or a "moment of reconciliation with the past."

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Only the distant clamor of the stadium served as background noise.

Chi Shuxin did not urge him, just waiting quietly with a trace of imperceptible sympathy and understanding. She could even feel the stormy waves raging in the heart of the boy before her, who had just been dominating on the pitch.

Finally, Yu Bai took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and spoke into the microphone, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness, uttering two short syllables:

"...Sorry."

He didn't say what his mood was, nor did he share any feelings. Just "Sorry." Sorry that I cannot answer, sorry that I am not ready to face it, sorry that my emotions got the better of me.

But this "Sorry" explained his extremely complex state of mind at that moment better than any lengthy answer could.

Chi Shuxin's heart was gently touched. The third question she had prepared—that more aggressive and controversial one, "Who is better, you or Son Heung-min"—was swallowed back instantly.

There would be time later. She had already been arranged by the station to be stationed in Leicester to follow Yu Bai for the long term. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future to ask sharper questions. But at this moment, she chose to protect this rare, genuine display of emotion from the boy.

"It's alright, Yu Bai. Thank you very much for accepting our interview."

Chi Shuxin ended the conversation at the right time, a sincere and understanding smile on her face. "I wish you a smooth match this weekend, and I look forward to your even more brilliant performances in the future."

Yu Bai looked at the understanding female reporter in front of him, nodded gratefully, whispered a "Thank you," and then turned and walked quickly toward the player tunnel.

Chi Shuxin watched his slightly hurried yet straight back, and turned to the camera to wrap up in a professional tone: "Alright, dear viewers, that concludes our post-match interview from the King Power Stadium."

"Yu Bai, this 17-year-old Chinese talent is using his feet to write his own legend. And there is clearly much more to look forward to in his story. This is 'Total Soccer,' I am Chi Shuxin, we will see you next time."

[I'm broken... that look in Xiao Bai's eyes, I'm crying.]

[Reporter Chi is so gentle, she didn't push the last question, well done!]

[Yu Bai's feelings for Arsenal are deeper than we imagined...]

[That "Sorry" speaks volumes of so much grievance and unwillingness.]

[I can already imagine the plot for the Arsenal match this weekend, the sense of destiny is maxed out!]

...

Walking into the slightly dim player tunnel, away from the cameras and the noise, Yu Bai's pace finally slowed slightly.

In his mind, however, Chi Shuxin's voice and those few keywords kept echoing: "Former club..." "Gunner fan..." "Abandoned..." "What is your mood..."

Every word was like a tiny needle, gently pricking a corner of his heart that had never healed. The eight years at Arsenal—the laughter, sweat, tears, discrimination, bullying, and the initial dreams... came rushing in like a tide, almost drowning him.

He leaned against the cold wall, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, that trace of complexity and fluctuation had been deeply suppressed, replaced by a gradually igniting, clear fighting spirit.

This weekend, King Power Stadium, facing the Gunners?

Yu Bai straightened up, adjusted his jersey, and his eyes became sharp and firm once again.

Then... let's fight!

He started walking toward the locker room, his silhouette stretched long under the lights of the tunnel.

Some knots need to be untied on the pitch.

Some things need to be said with the football at his feet.