88: Chapter 88 Dream Theater Conqueror! A Second Blossom + Top Celebrity Confession, Yu Bai: Love-struck?

Manchester United, under the command of Louis van Gaal, appeared to be stumbling and had lost its edge at "Old Trafford" this evening.

Their attacks, facing Kante's omnipresent sweeping and Leicester City's increasingly solid overall defense, seemed all thunder and no rain, struggling to truly threaten the goal guarded by Kasper Schmeichel.

What made the Red Devils even more hesitant were Leicester City's counterattacks, which were as precise as a scalpel and as swift as lightning. Especially that number 52; every time he touched the ball, it was as if he were dancing on the heart of Manchester United's defensive line, making everyone's heart jump.

What they feared most, happened.

In the 63rd minute of the second half, a desperate attack by Manchester United was neutralized, and Leicester City instantly transitioned from defense to offense! A 3-on-4 situation!

Yu Bai advanced at high speed on the left flank, while Vardy and Mahrez created distractions in the center and on the right.

"Pass!" some anxious away fans in the stands were already shouting.

If he passed the ball out, it would very likely be an excellent opportunity. But Yu Bai did not pass.

Facing Daley Blind, who was rushing to cover, he gently nudged the ball to the left, appearing as if he were going to the byline. At the moment Blind shifted his center of gravity, he fiercely pulled the ball back with the sole of his right foot, simultaneously executing a swift shoulder drop to change direction!

Blind was completely shaken off by this extremely simple yet deceptive La Croqueta, tripping over his own feet and nearly falling!

Having bypassed Blind, a Shooting angle appeared before Yu Bai! He made no further adjustments; from the left side of the penalty area, about 18 meters from the goal, he swung his right foot and unleashed a powerful, heavy shot!

The ball was like a cannonball leaving the chamber, whistling towards the top left corner of the goal!

De Gea once again displayed the reflexes of a world-class goalkeeper, diving sideways with his arms stretched to the limit!

His fingertips seemed to have grazed it slightly? But the ball was too fast, the power too great! The ball changed its trajectory slightly, yet it still slammed hard against the underside of the crossbar! It made a loud "clang" sound!

However, this time, the Goddess of Luck was on Yu Bai's side! The ball, having struck the underside of the crossbar, carried with it a strong spin, deflecting downwards, crossing the goal line, and bouncing into the net!

0:3! Yu Bai with a brace! The victory was sealed!

"Goooooooooooal!!! Yu Bai! A world-class goal! Hit the crossbar and went in! A brace!"

"The game is over! Yu Bai has killed off all suspense!"

"Old Trafford has been conquered by him tonight!"

After the goal, an excited Yu Bai rushed to the corner flag area, once again performing his signature "telescope" celebration, with a brazen smile that belonged to a winner on his face. Another three customization points secured!

[Holy crap! He didn't pass even then? But scoring is just awesome!]

[Telescope Boy! Young Master is so handsome!]

[De Gea: I touched it! But the crossbar betrayed me!]

In the 67th minute, the outcome was decided. Claudio Ranieri protectively substituted off Yu Bai, who had scored a brace and shone throughout the match, replacing him with Marc Albrighton.

The Blue Army from King Power Stadium, as well as many neutral fans, gave Yu Bai a prolonged and enthusiastic round of applause. This was the best tribute for a conqueror.

In the subsequent match, Manchester United seemed to have lost its spirit, with few attacks. Leicester City knew when to stop while ahead, defending steadily and counterattacking. In the end, the score remained 0:3, Leicester City won a complete victory over Manchester United away from home, continuing its triumphant advance in the standings!

Yu Bai contributed two goals and one assist in this match, creating three goals all by himself, and was the undisputed Man of the Match.

As the final whistle blew, Yu Bai high-fived his teammates in celebration, while quickly tallying up in his mind.

["One Goal, Three Points" mission completed!]

[Goals × 2, obtained 6 Free Customization Points!]

Without the slightest hesitation, Yu Bai moved his mind and went all-in with the 6 points he had just received, adding them to [Stamina]! (72 → 78)

Abundant Stamina is the cornerstone of sustained high-performance, and also the capital to survive in the meat grinder that is the Premier League.

Feeling the longer-lasting sense of power surging from deep within his body, Yu Bai was full of anticipation for the upcoming schedule.

Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, Liverpool's Anfield... might every giant's home stadium, just like Old Trafford, hide special "System Easter Eggs" and generous "Scenario Rewards"?

Thinking of this, Yu Bai's eyes shone even brighter. Challenging giants, reaping rewards, becoming stronger... this was simply a perfect script tailored for him.

...

In the post-match mixed zone, the crowd was more crowded than usual. Besides sports reporters, entertainment paparazzi also caught wind of it, with cameras aimed at one person—Ella Walker.

This talented young singer's pre-match "confession" to Yu Bai had fermented into the hottest gossip headline following Leicester City's big win and Yu Bai's perfect performance.

Ella Walker, accompanied by friends, still had a hint of excitement on her face, and her emerald green eyes were sparkling, clearly in a great mood.

A reporter couldn't wait to hand the microphone to her: "Ella! The game is over, Manchester United lost 0:3. How are you feeling now? As a Manchester United fan, aren't you very disappointed?"

Ella Walker blinked her charming green eyes, a complex expression mixed with "distress" and "sweetness" appearing on her face. She tilted her head and said, in her uniquely magnetic voice, without any concealment, even sounding a bit "lovesick":

"To be honest... before coming here, I thought if I saw my home team lose, I would be very sad, would cry."

"But..."

She paused, the corners of her mouth rising uncontrollably into a bright and slightly silly smile. "I didn't. Not at all."

"I saw Yu Bai... what a perfect game he played! Assists, goals, a brace... the way he ran on the pitch, the way he celebrated after scoring..."

She seemed to be savoring it, even imitating Yu Bai's "telescope" celebration, her voice softening unconsciously, carrying a dreamlike quality:

"I feel... I am just like those silly girls who have fallen deeply in love."

"My heart... is sweet."

"Wow—!"

There was an uproar at the scene! This confession was too direct, too unsubtle!

The reporter immediately seized the explosive point and followed up: "Oh my god! Ella, you used the word 'love'! If... I mean if, Yu Bai really sends you a date invitation after the match, what would you do?"

Ella Walker, upon hearing this, was not shy. Instead, she raised her chin, revealing a "does that even need asking?" expression, with a bit of feigned haughtiness and infinite anticipation, and answered in a crisp voice:

"I would immediately go home and open all my wardrobes!"

"Then, in my fastest time," her eyes brightened, as if she had already seen the scene, "put on the dress I think is the most beautiful in the world, use my favorite lipstick, and then—"

"Run to see him!"

She even clasped her hands together, making a small prayer gesture, her tone carrying undisguised longing:

"God, how I wish... this wasn't an 'if'."

After speaking, she seemed to realize she had said a bit "too much," stuck her tongue out playfully, and then, dragged away by her female friend who was already dumbfounded as if meeting her for the first time, "escaped" from the reporters' encirclement.

Her friend walked while lowering her voice, asking incredulously: "Ella! Are you crazy? Do you know what you just said? All the media in the UK will write you up as 'Yu Bai's number one lovesick fan' tomorrow!"

Ella Walker, however, didn't care at all. She looked back one last time at the direction of the player tunnel, where Yu Bai's figure could no longer be seen, but the smile on her face was even brighter, and her emerald green eyes flashed with a strange brilliance:

"Let them write."

"Everything I said... is true."

"Besides," she leaned close to her friend's ear, saying in a whisper, with a hint of mischievous success, "don't you think the way he plays... is super charming, making people... addicted?"

Her friend looked at her completely "fallen" state, could only hold her forehead and shake her head, sighing in her heart: It's over, this girl is hopeless.

It seems not only did Manchester United lose the game, but her good friend's "soul" also seemed to have been hooked away by that Chinese boy.