Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1550 - 1549: Crossroads

"JJ, how about it? Are you interested in reporting to Arrowhead Stadium?"

The sea breeze roared, and Li Wei still hadn’t fully caught his breath. His voice was faint and was quickly torn into countless pieces by the sound of the waves.

Watt wasn’t sure if he had heard the words correctly and instinctively wanted to ask again. But his subconscious stopped him because he knew what he had heard. Li Wei’s eyes and expression couldn’t have been clearer—

This wasn’t a joke.

Obviously, this wasn’t the first or second time Li Wei had invited Watt to join the Kansas City Chiefs. Each invitation was filled with sincerity.

But...

Watt was slightly taken aback, almost a reflex, "No."

Li Wei wasn’t surprised by Watt’s reaction at all and showed a smile, "Is it because you don’t want to, or because you can’t? Both are refusals, but there’s a fundamental difference."

Watt immediately understood. Nothing could be hidden from Li Wei. He revealed a wry smile, "Rookie, take it easy on the face-slapping. My skin is quite thin."

"Haha." Li Wei chuckled directly, but only for a moment, then he composed his expression, "JJ, this time, I’m serious. Though I was serious before too, this time is different. I believe you should leave Houston."

Straightforward, bold, sharp, a direct punch right on Watt’s nose.

Watt exhaled lightly, "Rookie, you should know if it were someone else, I would have turned around and left by now, not throwing a punch is already considering our friendship."

It was rare to see Watt lower his face.

But Li Wei still wasn’t flustered, "Of course, I know. So didn’t you see? I specifically prepared an advanced machine, arranged the training camp setting, and even went to Berlin for publicity, like a peacock spreading its tail, thoughtfully considering everything and creating conditions as much as possible?"

Serious for less than three seconds.

Watt showed a helpless expression, "You’re just making things up, the Berlin thing has nothing to do with me."

Li Wei raised both hands to show he surrendered, "Okay, I’ve been caught."

Watt: ...

In the end, Watt couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

The tension that was just building was instantly defused by Li Wei.

Li Wei seized the opportunity to speak again, "JJ, just like you understand my situation, I also understand yours. There are no secrets between us."

"We’ve had such conversations not just once, right?"

"I know you’re loyal to Houston. Everything you have was given by Houston. It’s not just about the team; you’ve also formed bonds with the city and its residents. When I went to Houston for an event last time, I could feel it—that’s a connection."

"Trust me, I understand because it’s the same for me in Kansas City."

"You’ve dedicated all your time and energy to Houston. This team means more to you than just a Super Bowl Championship Trophy."

Watt’s smile showed a bit of bitterness, "Since you understand, why do you still ask?"

Li Wei, "Because this time is different, because the situation has changed now." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"We all hope forever exists, to dedicate a lifetime to a single team until our retirement, with our loyalty being recognized. But at the same time, we harbor some hesitation, like the unicorn that everyone says exists but no one has actually seen, making us unsure whether to believe in the unicorn."

"Forever. Loyalty. They seem to exist, but do they really exist?"

"JJ, you put Houston first, and Houston has always treated you as the team leader and a city treasure, but can this go on forever?"

"You know my words aren’t biased, you know."

"In the past few seasons, Houston has been critical of you. From the team to the fans and even players, everyone has had complaints. Your injuries have made people start to waver and doubt, even you aren’t sure if you can return, or how much energy you’ll bring once you do."

"First season-ending injury, second season-ending injury...you’ve seen all of this. It’s the loyalty and faith that made you choose to believe and stay, so you repeatedly turned down other distant offers."

"I believe I’m neither the first nor the last to ask about your transfer intentions."

"But this year is different."

"In this season, your on-field stats have declined across the board. Criticism and doubt from the team, the city, have been constant. Do they appreciate your loyalty?"

"No, it’s not that they don’t appreciate it, but in the face of team interests and the Super Bowl championship, your loyalty counts for little. Its value is almost gone."

"So, JJ, you can choose not to pursue the Super Bowl championship, remain in Houston, and dedicate your entire professional career, but does the city and team think the same?"

Watt’s expression showed some struggle. It was clear that he was in pain because everything Li Wei said was true.

Li Wei felt a bit remorseful.

But he didn’t stop because some truths needed to be spoken. Rather than waiting for other teams to sway Watt, it’s better to step up himself.

"JJ, there’s a harsh reality we both have to face. Whether it’s you or me, we’re all players. Players can’t surpass the team."

"This is a Professional League. Interests are everything, and the championship is everything. Players, coaches, team managers, even team owners, we all come and go. If we can’t win a championship or create interests, everything can be traded. Our existence can’t surpass the team or the championship."

"Sooner or later, we’ll both face the day when we can no longer bring competitiveness to the team and then become tradeable assets, or retire."

"JJ, be honest. After this season, how much time do you think you have left in Houston?"

Watt finally looked Li Wei in the eyes, those eyes so clear and bright, seeming to see through everything, seeing through all his thoughts.

Exposed entirely.

Watt showed a wry smile, "Rookie, you’re cruel."

Li Wei shrugged lightly, "Thank you for the compliment."

Watt, "I now finally understand how painful it is for your enemies." Watt shook his head with a wry smile, his mouth moved twice, but in the end, he couldn’t utter a reply to Li Wei’s topic.

Li Wei knew it was difficult, for Watt and for himself.

But Li Wei weighed his words carefully and still didn’t stop.

"Let me guess what the Houston outfit is thinking now."

"Firstly, of course they want to keep you. After all, you’re a banner, not only for the team but still hold influence throughout the League. Cultivating a banner isn’t easy. If possible, they also hope you continue to represent Houston."

"However, the fact staring them in the face is, how much time do the Houston Texans have left? DeShaun Watson as a young quarterback has only one year left of rookie dividends. Should they continue to believe Watson is the future or look for a new cornerstone?"

"Should the team put all its energy into next year, before Watson’s rookie dividends end, to contest for the Super Bowl, or should they look towards a more distant future?"

"For the team, for you, this is a crossroads."