Chapter 18 Another Life-And-Death Battle! Can You Come Off The Bench This Time?

"It hurts..."

Su Luo groggily rose, his throat parched like it had been scorched by Roberto Carlos's free kick, nearly knocking him out.

As he opened his eyes and surveyed the room, he realized he wasn't in his bachelor pad; it was an unfamiliar bedroom, decked out in pink decorations, resembling a girl's boudoir.

Glancing down, he spotted a sleeping beauty nestled under the covers.

It seemed they'd been drinking together last night. He couldn't recall much of their conversation or even her name.

Checking the time, it was 8:00 in the morning, an hour before the pre-match training camp.

Su Luo gingerly withdrew his arm, attempting not to disturb her, then peeled off his shirt and pants.

Spotting his shoes on the floor, he tiptoed out of the bedroom.

It was a swanky Berlin apartment, much larger than his own, spanning over 140 square meters. Su Luo couldn't help but feel curious. She must be around his age, either a wealthy heiress or perhaps a supermodel.

"Is it really alright to leave her alone and sneak off?"

As Su Luo grasped the doorknob, hesitancy clouded his mind.

...

Josephine stirred from a strange, somewhat embarrassing dream, slipping into a loose T-shirt before heading to the bathroom.

Midway there, she caught a rustling from the kitchen.

In her solo apartment, who could it be?

Josephine shivered, her senses sharpening.

Grabbing a high-heeled shoe, she approached cautiously, only to find an Oriental boy in a white shirt busy at the stove.

Upon hearing her approach, he turned with a smile, basking in the morning sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a radiant glow.

"Morning, freshen up, and let's have breakfast."

"You..."

As Josephine beheld Su Luo's face, fragments of memory flooded back. He was the protagonist of her dream last night. He'd been invited over for drinks.

Her guard softened upon realizing it was him.

"Not bad, then."

...

Over breakfast, Su Luo broke the silence first.

"I recall you have a car, right? Can you drop me at the Berlin joint training base later?"

"Huh?" Josephine was taken aback before shyly smiling.

"Sure, I remember you're a player, right?"

"Yes... I'm Su Luo, a member of the Union Berlin first team."

Su Luo extended his hand for a handshake.

Josephine, a bit flustered, quickly set down her utensils and shook his hand firmly.

"Josephine van derden, a fashion model... just starting out."

Although they'd bonded last night, this was their first official introduction post-awakening.

As they chatted, the awkwardness gradually dissipated.

Pulling up to the training base in Josephine's BMW Mini, Su Luo retrieved his phone.

"Let's exchange contact info. And hey, promise me you won't go clubbing alone next time. If we don't meet, then..."

"Sure, I'll add you."

Josephine's face flushed crimson, almost buried in the steering wheel.

Had she not argued with her manager two days ago, she wouldn't have ended up drowning her sorrows alone.

After swapping numbers, Su Luo hopped out of the car.

"See you later! Bye!"

"Bye-Bye!"

As Su Luo bid farewell, Josephine's heart fluttered.

It was her first nightclub experience and the first time she'd connected with a boy this way.

"Maybe it's not so bad after all?"

Lost in thought, she was about to hit the accelerator when a knock on her window startled her.

Glancing up, she saw Su Luo.

Rolling down the window, she gazed at him curiously.

"What did you forget..."

"Yes."

Before Josephine could finish, Su Luo leaned in unexpectedly, catching her off guard.

"Hey!"

A few seconds later, they parted, Su Luo waved, and dashed into the training base.

"Hey, you..."

Josephine was flustered and irritated, about to retort, but he was already out of sight.

"Damn it, a little heads up next time, please."

...

Since the 3:2 Sandhausen reversal, Berlin United coach Neuhaus noticed a significant improvement in the team's morale.

Players bantered and laughed during training, fostering a livelier atmosphere.

Previously, the team's mood was somber due to poor results early in the season.

However, Su Luo's inclusion in the first team had brought about positive changes.

Except... he'd taken the players to the nightclub again last night!

Even conscientious Captain Matuschka had been led astray!

Annoying!

"Uwe, will Su Luo start in the next match?"

"No, his training performance is still inconsistent... and his lack of physicality makes him unsuitable for a full game. He'll be on the bench."

"Alright."

Assistant coach Hofschneider admired this spirited Oriental boy.

"Also, inform the fitness coach that Su Luo has requested a customized strength training regimen, and the nutritionist should prepare a diet plan to help him bulk up."

"Got it!"

Hofschneider was pleased. Despite the coach's apparent disdain for the boy, he secretly cared for him.

Perhaps he harbored hopes that Su Luo would become a star like Messi or Ronaldo in the future, even if he eventually left the team.

Union Berlin could proudly claim him as a product of their grassroots program.

In the 12th round of the Bundesliga, Union Berlin faced 15th-ranked Aue at home!

Another showdown with a relegation rival, another "six-pointer" match!

In the locker room before the game, Neuhaus shouted fervently:

"Forget the last victory! Do you want to languish in the second division?"

"No!"

"Do you want to battle Bayern and Dortmund in the top league?"

"Yes!"

"Thanks to you, we have no room for error! Every game is now a final! Now, go out there and win!"

"We will!"

"Eisern_Union!!!"

Though Su Luo didn't earn a starting spot, it didn't dampen his spirits.

With only a Ronaldinho "player card" for now, he hoped to earn some game time today and possibly "recruit" new players!

Su Luo brimmed with determination!

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