128: The beginning of the "chess game"

In the midfield locker room, steaming towels gave off the scent of mint balm.

The players were panting, sweat dripping down their faces onto the concrete floor.

Old John was just about to analyze the first half's performance when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

Caller ID: Lin Feng.

He pressed the answer button, and Lin Feng's low voice came through the receiver: "John, they will focus on restricting our flanks in the second half."

"This just gives us an opportunity through the middle."

Old John clutched his phone, quickly making notes: "Let Gylfi and Henderson push forward boldly, attacking their penalty arc with long-range shots and through balls."

After hanging up, Old John looked at the players gathered in the locker room.

Their sweat-soaked jerseys clung to their skin, and excitement gleamed in their eyes.

"Gentlemen, Brighton will make adjustments," Old John walked to the tactics board and picked up a red marker.

"They will assign more players to mark Walker and Robson."

Sigurdsson looked up, his blond hair matted to his forehead with sweat: "Then what do we do?"

Old John drew arrows on the tactics board, pointing to the penalty arc area: "Gylfi, Henderson, your mission has changed for the second half."

"No longer organizing, but directly threatening their goal."

Henderson wiped the sweat from his face with a towel: "Long-range shots?"

"Long-range shots, through balls, any action that can make their defensive line nervous," Old John nodded.

"The boss said it's like playing chess, always having to see one step ahead of your opponent."

Vardy leaned against the locker, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Mr. Lin can always predict the opponent's thoughts."

Vardy's words were like lighting a powder keg; a burst of laughter and cheers erupted in the locker room, and the tension from earlier vanished.

The referee's whistle sounded in the corridor, signaling the imminent start of the second half.

The players stood up, put on their jerseys, and adjusted their shin guards and socks.

"Remember, use the opponent's adjustments to create space for yourselves," Old John reminded them one last time.

The second half began, and Brighton indeed made adjustments.

Their wide midfielders followed Walker and Snodgrass like shadows, never leaving their side.

The full-backs also no longer pushed far forward, but were always ready to assist on the flanks.

Fans in the stands noticed the change and began to whisper.

"Brighton got smart," a Hartlepool United fan shook his head.

But Lin Feng, in the executive box, showed a satisfied smile.

[Tactical Analysis System Activated]

[Opponent's defensive focus shift detected: Flank defense intensity increased by 78%]

[Central defense density decreased by 23%]

[Recommended action: Central breakthrough tactics]

In the 48th minute, the change began to show.

Sigurdsson received a pass from Tinkler near the center circle, and Brighton's midfielders instinctively prepared to press.

But this time, the Icelandic youngster did not look for a pass, but instead dribbled forward directly.

The area at the edge of the penalty box was surprisingly open.

Brighton's defensive midfielder, Cox, realized the danger and rushed forward to cover.

But Sigurdsson's footwork was exquisite; a simple change of direction allowed him to shake off the mark.

In the 55th minute, Henderson took the ball in the middle.

Brighton's defenders hesitated for a moment—should they press or maintain their formation?

It was this momentary hesitation that gave Henderson ample time to adjust.

The England youngster controlled the ball steadily, then looked up to observe the goalkeeper's position.

Brighton's goalkeeper was positioned slightly forward, clearly not anticipating a long-range shot threat.

Henderson struck with his right foot, and the ball flew off his boot.

Bang!

A powerful long-range shot cut through the night sky.

The ball's arc was perfect, heading straight for the top right corner of the goal.

By the time Brighton's goalkeeper reacted, it was too late; he desperately dove to his right.

His fingertips were still a few centimeters short of the ball.

The ball slammed heavily against the underside of the crossbar, emitting a dull thud.

Then it rebounded into the net!

"GOAL!"

The Sky Sports commentator's voice almost shattered the microphone: "Henderson! What a worldie!"

"2-0! Hartlepool United extend their lead!"

The entire Victoria Park stadium erupted instantly.

Home fans leapt from their seats, waving scarves and flags.

Henderson was uncontrollably excited; he ran to the sideline and celebrated with a knee slide.

Turf flew up beneath his knees, and his passionate celebration infected everyone.

Teammates swarmed him, encircling him.

Vardy was the first to rush over, slapping Henderson's back hard: "Fantastic, Jordan!"

Sigurdsson also showed a rare smile, reaching out to high-five Henderson.

Sophie in the stands excitedly recorded the moment, her pen moving quickly across the paper.

Amidst the cheers for the goal, Sophie didn't shout with the crowd; instead, she looked down at her tactical analysis chart, her gaze fixed on the central area, that fatal gap precisely calculated by Lin Feng.

Lin Feng clapped softly in the executive box, his expression still calm.

But Arnold noticed that the boss's fingers, holding the coffee cup, tightened slightly.

"Perfect tactical adjustment," Arnold praised.

"The opponent thought they were foolproof by restricting our flanks, but they didn't expect us to have a Plan B ready."

Brighton's head coach, Adams, kicked over a water bottle at the sideline.

His face was flushed with anger and helplessness, and he stood with hands on hips, gazing at the sky.

This goal completely extinguished Brighton's hopes of a comeback.

The 2-0 score allowed the home players to play with more composure, and they began to display a dominant performance on the field.

In the 62nd minute, Vardy's run in the attacking third tore open the opponent's defense.

Snodgrass delivered a precise through ball, and Vardy was through on goal.

Although his final shot was saved by the goalkeeper, the fluidity of this attack was pleasing to watch.

In the 68th minute, Maloney's individual brilliance on the left flank gave Brighton's right-back a torrid time.

The Irish winger's continuous feints left the opponent dizzy, and his subsequent cut-in shot only narrowly missed the post.

In the 75th minute, substitute Tom Ince almost added another goal.

The young forward received a brilliant pass from Sigurdsson, and his shot inside the box grazed the post and went out for a goal kick.

The remaining time of the match completely turned into a Hartlepool United show.

Every pass from the players exuded confidence, and every run was full of threat.

The tactical and technical dominance left Brighton's players feeling helpless.

They could only watch as their opponents did whatever they wanted on the field.

In the 88th minute, Walker's attack from the right flank once again threatened the opponent's goal.

His link-up play with Snodgrass flowed smoothly, and the final cross was barely parried away by the goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, Hartlepool United even began to engage in showboating with passes in their own half.

Brighton's players tried to press, but each time they were easily thwarted by their opponents.

The referee checked his watch, preparing to blow the final whistle.

Ultimately, Hartlepool United comfortably defeated Brighton 2-0 at home.

They secured their seventh consecutive League victory, continuing to lead the League One table with a perfect record.

Before the final whistle, Brighton's players had given up pressing, simply watching in a daze as Hartlepool United's players leisurely passed the ball around in their own half.

When the final whistle blew, Victoria Park erupted once again.

The home players embraced in celebration, their faces beaming with the joy of victory.

Brighton's players, however, walked quickly with their heads down towards the player's tunnel, unwilling to linger there for another second.

The press conference was about to begin, and reporters from all sides began to gather in the press room.

But Sophie did not follow the main group to the press conference.

She stood alone in the corridor outside the player's tunnel, quietly waiting for something.

The lights in the corridor were dim, with only the distant murmurs of fans leaving the stadium.

About ten minutes later, Lin Feng's figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

He wore a dark cashmere coat, his steps calm and elegant.

Seeing Sophie, the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.

"You didn't go to the press conference?" Lin Feng walked up to her, his voice gentle.

"I was waiting for you," Sophie looked directly into his eyes, her tone carrying a certain firmness.

"The chess game is over," Lin Feng said with a smile.

"Now, it's our turn to play."

This sentence made Sophie's heart suddenly race.

She felt an unprecedented sense of tension, but at the same time, it was full of anticipation.

"Where do you want to go?" Sophie asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Lin Feng didn't answer directly, but made a "follow me" gesture.

The two walked out of the stadium and arrived at the parking lot.

Lin Feng's silver Audi stood out prominently in the night.

He opened the passenger door for Sophie, his movements gentlemanly and considerate.

After the car started, Lin Feng did not drive towards the city center.

Instead, he chose the country road leading to Durham County.

The English countryside in the night was quiet and peaceful, with the outlines of distant mountains faintly visible under the moonlight.

"Where are we going?" Sophie asked again, her curiosity fully piqued.

"A quiet place," Lin Feng focused on the road ahead.

"A place suitable for playing chess."

Soft classical music played on the car stereo, creating a romantic and mysterious atmosphere.

Forty minutes later, the car stopped by a lake.

This was a small natural lake in Durham County, surrounded by dense woods.

Moonlight spilled onto the lake's surface, shimmering and breathtakingly beautiful.

Lin Feng opened the trunk and took out an exquisite picnic basket.

And a bottle of expensive-looking red wine.

"You planned all this in advance?" Sophie was a little surprised.

"I just made some preparations, just in case," Lin Feng smiled calmly.

He spread out a checkered picnic blanket by the lake.

His movements were practiced and elegant, clearly well thought out.

The two sat on the ground under a sky full of stars.

The lake water gently lapped against the shore, making soft sounds.

Occasionally, the chirping of night birds could be heard in the distance, adding a touch of life to the quiet night.

Lin Feng took out an exquisite small box from the picnic basket.

When opened, it contained a travel-sized international chess set.

The black and white pieces gleamed softly under the moonlight.

"To learn chess, you must first understand one thing," Lin Feng began to set up the pieces.

"Every piece has its own value and destiny."

He picked up a white pawn and placed it in front of Sophie: "The pawn, the weakest, but also the bravest. They can only move forward, never retreat."

Next was the rook: "The rook, straightforward, powerful, but with a single path."

Then the bishop: "The bishop, moves diagonally, elegant and swift."

The knight: "The knight, jumps forward, with a unique path, the knight of the chessboard."

Finally, he picked up the king and queen: "The king, seemingly the most important, but actually the most vulnerable. The queen, the strongest, the freest, can go anywhere she wants."

Sophie listened intently, her eyes full of curiosity.

Moonlight fell on Lin Feng's profile, casting a silver glow on his features.

His voice sounded particularly magnetic in the night, every word clearly reaching Sophie's ears.

"Then, Mr. Lin," Sophie asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"In this game of chess, which piece am I...?"

Faced with Sophie's question, Lin Feng did not answer immediately.

His gaze was particularly deep under the moonlight, and his fingers gently caressed the various pieces on the chessboard.

The night breeze brushed across the lake, bringing waves of coolness.

Lin Feng picked up an exquisitely carved white "Queen" and slowly placed it in front of Sophie.

The piece glowed softly under the moonlight.

Immediately after, he picked up a "King" and placed it on the board in front of himself.

"In my chessboard, there is no such concept as a 'piece,'"

Lin Feng's voice was particularly gentle in the night.

"Only partners fighting side by side."

His gaze met Sophie's eyes directly, and that seriousness made Sophie's heart involuntarily quicken.

"You are the 'Queen,' the strongest, the freest existence."

"You can go anywhere on the board you want."

"Guarding the entire battle."

Lin Feng's words carried an unprecedented sincerity.

"And I am the 'King.'"

"Seemingly the most important existence on the chessboard, but actually the most vulnerable."

"Only under your protection, step by step, can we walk towards victory."

Sophie was stunned. She was used to scrutinizing everything with a questioning eye, but at this moment, Lin Feng's words left her with no room for rebuttal, only a warmth rising from the bottom of her heart.

Sophie realized that for the first time, she could clearly read the emotions in his eyes—it was a candid invitation.

All her defenses and tests completely melted away at this moment.

In their place was an uncontrollable flutter of her heart and a sense of warmth.

"Lin..."

Sophie's voice trembled slightly. She had never imagined that this man, who always seemed to be in control, would have such a gentle side.

"I never thought you would see our relationship this way."

Lin Feng smiled gently, reaching out to caress Sophie's cheek.

"Sophie, do you know?"

"In business, on the football field, I can calculate everything, predict everything."

"But when I face you, I find that all calculations and predictions become meaningless."

The lake water gently lapped against the shore, making soft sounds.

The distant chirping of night birds added a touch of poetry to the quiet night.

The two sat quietly like this, each able to hear the other's heartbeat.

"Tell me your plans for the future."

Sophie said softly, her eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

Lin Feng put away the chessboard and took out the bottle of red wine from the picnic basket.

The sound of the cork popping was particularly crisp in the night.

"Future?"