89: Chapter 89: England's No. 7 Sparks Online Frenzy! Wearing the national team jersey, which side will Yu Bai choose?

After the soul-stirring 3-0 victory over Manchester United, Yu Bai did not return directly to Leicester with the team. He was picked up by his grandparents—Yu Chengan and Yu Luoqing—and taken back to their home in Manchester.

This was a long-overdue, yet unexpectedly warm, home-cooked dinner. There were no exotic delicacies, just a few home-cooked dishes made by Yu Chengan himself, but they gave Yu Bai a long-lost taste of "home."

What surprised and delighted the two elders—even making them feel a bit flattered—was Yu Bai's behavior during the meal.

Not only did he take the initiative to naturally call Yu Chengan "Grandpa," but he also, like a little adult, nagged them about their health:

"Grandpa, drink less alcohol. If you can decline social engagements, do so."

"Grandma, your legs and feet aren't good. When the weather gets cold, remember to dress warmly; don't just think about looking pretty."

"Health is always the priority. No matter how much money you earn, it's all for nothing if your health fails."

Holding his rice bowl, Yu Chengan listened to his grandson's words, his hand holding the chopsticks trembling imperceptibly. The sour and warm emotion in his heart almost overwhelmed the authority he was trying hard to maintain. He gave a muffled "Mm," and lowered his head to eat, though his eyes felt a bit hot.

Even Grandma Yu Luoqing, who had always been closest to Yu Bai, widened her eyes, which were still clear, and looked at her grandson as if he were an alien. After a long while, she laughed and teased: "What's happened to our Xiao Bai? Your football skills have improved rapidly, and now you've suddenly become so sensible? Grandma almost doesn't recognize you."

Yu Bai smiled without giving much explanation, simply picking up a piece of the pork ribs she loved and putting it in her bowl.

He couldn't explain this change himself. Perhaps it was the subtle maturity and openness brought about by the "32-year-old self" in his mind.

If even something as absurd as a "System" could fall on his head, what hurdle in life was there that couldn't be overcome, or knot that couldn't be untied? Moreover, these were his blood relatives right in front of him.

He just wanted to be good to them, nothing more.

After this meal, the relationship between the three generations seemed to be quietly mended and drawn closer by a silent warm current.

Yu Bai didn't return to Leicester until the next day, feeling a long-lost sense of relaxation.

...

However, the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease.

The arrival of the international match break was like a precise catalyst, pushing the unresolved "time bomb" of Yu Bai's national team allegiance to the forefront of online public opinion, and directly igniting the fuse!

The ignition point came from a seemingly ordinary private gathering.

Chloe, the daughter of David and Susan, the independent musician with a unique temperament, came to Leicester. She messaged Yu Bai, saying she had a small performance nearby and asked if he was free to have a meal together after training.

Yu Bai thought about it and agreed. He finished extra training, took a shower, and went to the meeting place wearing the casual clothes he had worn to training.

He was completely unaware of the issue—because when he left in the morning, he was wearing the clothes that Wen Wan had matched for him a long time ago and hung up neatly, ironed.

A classic red and white England National Team No. 7 long-sleeved retro jersey (a style paying tribute to Beckham), paired with well-fitting dark jeans and sneakers.

It was trendy, handsome, and very much in line with Wen Wan's aesthetic; it was the kind of outfit that would get extra looks on the street.

Usually, this outfit would be completely fine. But at this particular moment—during the international match break, with the national team topic being sensitive, and him having just shone at Old Trafford—this outfit took on a completely different meaning.

Therefore, when Yu Bai and Chloe were dining in a relatively quiet restaurant, chatting and laughing, they were photographed. It wasn't just paparazzi; local fans who recognized Yu Bai excitedly approached him for photos.

The photos and videos spread with viral speed, instantly sweeping the internet in the British Isles and China.

In the photos: Yu Bai had a clean smile, wearing the eye-catching England No. 7 jersey, dining with an outstanding British woman, the atmosphere harmonious.

In the videos: Fans excitedly hugged Yu Bai, who was wearing the England jersey, for photos, and Yu Bai accepted all comers, his attitude friendly.

One stone stirred up a thousand waves!

...

In England, public opinion was completely boiling!

The Sun front page: "Yu Bai's Choice?!"

Image: A close-up of Yu Bai wearing the England No. 7 jersey.

Article text: "The genius puts on the Three Lions jersey! This is the clearest signal! The FA, what are you waiting for?!"

Daily Mail: "National petition! We must see Yu Bai's name on the next national team roster!"

An online petition link was attached at the bottom of the article, with signatures exceeding 100,000 in just a few hours.

BBC comment section:

"Wearing an England jersey and eating with a British girl? Isn't that obvious enough? He is one of us!"

"Are the officials at The FA asleep? Start the naturalization procedure immediately!"

"Even my grandma knows what to do. Call him now!"

"Expert" interpretation (a retired player wrote in his column): "Yu Bai choosing to wear that significant No. 7 jersey at this time and place is almost an open, gentle hint. He is telling us that he is willing and ready. This jersey carries not just a number, but a legacy and recognition."

Phil Neville said excitedly on the show: "Look at the way he plays! Technique, Vision, creativity, big heart! This is exactly the kind of 'high-end goods' our England team has lacked for years! A player who can change the rhythm of the game! The FA must act immediately, at all costs, to recruit him! This is a strategic necessity!"

...

In China, public opinion exploded!

Weibo trending topics TOP 3: #Yu Bai England Jersey#, #Yu Bai National Team Choice#, #Chinese National Football Team naturalize Yu Bai#. Followed by "Explosive."

Hupu/Dongqiudi and other football communities:

"Damn! Don't do it, Xiao Bai! You are Chinese!"

"What can a piece of clothing prove? Maybe he just thinks it looks good!"

"Wake up! This is the international match break! He was photographed wearing this while eating with a British woman. You say there's no implication?"

Pessimistic fans: "It's over, my heart is half cold. The competitor is the 'European China Team,' the England that wants 'Football to come home'! What do we have? The Chinese National Football Team that can't be helped up? If it were me, I'd choose England too..."

"Clear-headed" fans: "To be honest, Yu Bai choosing the Chinese National Football Team would be irresponsible to his own career. Going to England means having the best teammates, the biggest platform, being able to play in the European Cup and the World Cup, and letting the whole world see his talent. Coming to the Chinese National Football Team? Accompanying those masters struggling in the World Cup qualifiers? Wasting his youth in a football desert? I support him choosing England, I want to see him play on the highest stage!"

Calling-to-action fans: "Chinese Football Association! Are you dead?! Can't you see the public opinion?! Act quickly! Contact, communicate, plan! Show some sincerity! Yu Bai is our own child, we must not let him go!"

Neutral fans: "Sigh, I understand Xiao Bai's dilemma. On one side is emotional belonging and the expectations of 1.4 billion people, but the road ahead is bleak; on the other side is a bright future and a top-tier stage, but he might bear the infamy of 'forgetting his roots.' This choice is too hard..."

...

In London, the old Yu residence.

Yu Chengan watched the news and the photos of Yu Bai wearing the England jersey pushed to his phone, and his blood pressure shot up, his face turning livid instantly.

He grabbed his phone and wanted to call Yu Bai to tell him to clarify immediately, publicly, and completely cut off the delusions of those Brits!

"Chengan!" Yu Luoqing pressed his hand, her eyes full of worry and restraint, "Don't be impulsive! Wasn't Xiao Bai so sensible when he ate with us that day? Calling to question him like this will only make things worse!"

Yu Chengan's chest heaved violently. Didn't he know his wife was right? Thinking of his grandson's rare, warm advice that day, he really couldn't bring himself to interrogate him with that tone.

But this anger was pent up in his heart, and it was about to explode! He slammed his phone onto the table and dialed another number—his son, Yu Yun.

The call was answered almost instantly, and Yu Chengan roared right at him:

"Yu Yun! Did you see the news?! Your son is almost becoming a British person! Are you going to manage him or not?! What are you doing as a father?!"

Yu Yun on the other end was silent for two seconds, and then, a voice even more aggressive and impatient than Yu Chengan's roared back:

"Old man! You're retired, yet you still want to interfere with the company's trivial matters all day long. I don't even want to talk to you!"

"But regarding my son's affairs, is it your turn, a person who hasn't even properly been a 'Grandpa' for a single day, to point fingers?!"

"Have you ever managed Xiao Bai for a day? Aside from opposing him playing football, have you ever given him a good look?! Now that you see he's successful, you want to come and pick the peaches and put on airs as a Grandpa?!"

"You! You bastard! Your wings are hard now, aren't they?!" Yu Chengan was shaking with anger, "Do you believe I'll skin you alive?!"

"Skin me! Come and do it!" Yu Yun was clearly also in a fit of rage, not giving an inch, "Even if I, Yu Yun, were penniless one day, I would still have a star son! He can afford to support me!"

"Old man, do you know what Xiao Bai's market value is now? 30 million Euros! He is only 17! In the future, it might be 300 million! You don't know shit about football, and you don't know shit about his value and his thoughts!"

"You..." Yu Chengan was choked by his son's words to the point of almost passing out.

He never expected that his useless son's greatest confidence and reliance now actually came from the grandson he once didn't think would succeed on the football path! What the hell kind of world is this?!

"Old man, the signal is bad here, I can't hear you clearly."

Yu Yun clearly didn't want to argue anymore, his tone stiff and fast, "Don't worry about Xiao Bai's affairs. Wen Wan and I won't interfere too much either. He has grown up and has his own thoughts and judgments."

"We respect his own choice."

"The signal is cut, hanging up. Bye."

"Beep... beep... beep..."

The busy tone came through.

Yu Chengan held the phone, frozen in place, and after a long while, he violently smashed the phone onto the floor! The screen shattered instantly.

"Rebellious! All rebellious!"

He panted, holding onto the table to steady himself, a deep sense of powerlessness like a hero in his twilight years, mixed with anger, swept over him.

He couldn't control his son, and it seemed... he couldn't control his grandson either.

He sat dejectedly on the sofa, looking at the shattered phone on the floor, and then at the smile of his grandson wearing the England jersey frozen in the magazine, his chest feeling stuffy and panicked, yet helpless.

"Forget it..."

"Let him be..."

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings..."