Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1653 - 1652: Stand by Me

Always winning, always winning, emotions start to become complicated.

On one hand, victory seems already a matter of course, slowly turning numb, and when winning again, there is not that ecstatic joy anymore.

On the other hand, a fear of failure begins because victory has become a habit, and the hideous and ugly visage of failure grips the throat, making it difficult to breathe.

Now, Li Wei finally realizes what his void is—

In today’s final showdown of the match, fear and pressure grabbed their ankles, and they ultimately couldn’t explode with the momentum to determine the outcome, unlike the 2017 season when they burned their boats, made a last-ditch effort, lacking such courage and determination, so they couldn’t stop the opponent.

Those conflicts, those fears, those burdens are wearing away their edges.

Li Wei is afraid, afraid that they will lose that sharpness and impulsiveness; the tangled emotions continue to pull, a lingering uneasiness flowing amid guilt, pressure, anger, and bitterness, suspending the whole person mid-air, unable to descend, even daring not to face reality, and the ostrich mentality emerges.

Short-lived confusion and bewilderment make Li Wei deeply realize he is not omnipotent, even living another life, he still doesn’t have answers to all the problems.

Moreover, everything in front of him is brand new, everything is unfamiliar.

Not knowing how to face the fans, not knowing how to face the players and coaches, or even how to honestly face himself.

He can face failure, but aside from a match, real life has more complicated matters to confront.

The voice of Thalia comes through the telephone receiver, confident and resolute, a faint force seizing the heart suspended in mid-air, slowly feeling gravity again, returning to the ground.

"Who could believe it, five years ago, you knew nothing about football, not even knowing whether football is played with hands or feet, let alone the difference between football and soccer."

"A complete outsider, a rookie of little significance."

"But now, you’ve continuously won four championship trophies, from NCAA to NFL, from regular season MVP to Super Bowl MVP."

"You don’t need to prove anything to anyone except yourself, you are fighting for yourself, you are fighting to challenge limits and challenge yourself, you are the target that the entire league looks up to and pursues now."

"So, the regular season winning streak ends, so what? The home winning streak ends, so what’s the big deal? These are the footprints left by you and the team to write a marvelous, incomprehensible journey, don’t be sad for its end, but should be happy because of what has happened, witnessed, and experienced."

"Next, we’ll embark on a new adventure again."

"You are you, a unique existence, you don’t need to apologize to anyone, you don’t need to explain yourself, you don’t owe anyone anything."

"As a fan, I am immensely happy to witness such a grand Chapter and be part of it, not willing to trade it for anything in the world."

"If someone disagrees..."

The words falter here.

Li Wei senses Thalia’s meaning, "Let them get lost, right?"

Thalia’s smile broadens, "Oh, Li Wei, you’re such a bad influence, I’ve started to swear. But you’re right, let them get lost."

"If they don’t like it, they can suck it up."

"Ha." Li Wei can no longer control himself, a smile climbs to the corners of his mouth, and he bursts into laughter, "Hahaha."

On the other end, Thalia’s eyes are filled with tears.

She knows, she knows it all.

Li Wei is always this way, as a captain and leader, boldly bearing all the pressure and responsibility on his shoulders, setting an example for facing storms, the greater the ability, the greater responsibility, desires to wear the crown must bear its weight, Li Wei knew this from the beginning and has always done so.

This match is far beyond just a simple victory or defeat, the indomitable Kansas City Chiefs have finally shown a hint of vulnerability.

That small flaw is even more significant than the loss itself, giving hope to the league’s other teams, making them realize Kansas City Chiefs can also grow weary and have weaknesses, renewing competitor’s confidence and courage, possibly altering the entire mental state.

Everyone longs to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was merely theoretical until now, someone finally did it, and other teams will be encouraged to ignite their fighting spirit, each contributing 120% or even 200% energy to achieve a dragon-slaying feat—

"If Las Vegas Raiders can, so can I."

"Even if Las Vegas Raiders can, why can’t I?"

"Las Vegas Raiders did it, I’m next."

It’s conceivable that in the coming period, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the threat of an all-out siege, wave after wave, with varied intensity and degree.

Not just one opponent or two, but a wheel battle, one after another takes the stage, ready with relentless vigor to be the second Las Vegas Raiders, if the Kansas City Chiefs cannot timely adjust and catch their breath, they may collapse in successive attacks; even if they barely sustain through the regular season, the playoff collapse poses greater danger.

In other words, after this match, the crisis of the Kansas City Chiefs truly begins, exposing their Achilles’ heel and weaknesses, losing to Las Vegas Raiders merely tears a small opening, anticipating storms impatiently brew and eye eagerly await.

And Li Wei stands at the forefront, calmly facing the storm, a little hesitation, a little doubt, even the slightest crack can become a breakthrough.

Such pressure cannot be felt merely by imagination.

In the face of such a predicament, Thalia can’t help, she has no answers and doesn’t know what to do.

Thalia only knows one thing, she won’t leave, she won’t reproach or attack the team, she won’t be upset or regret the end of the winning streak, she’ll be the support for the Kansas City Chiefs and Li Wei, accompanying them to face all storms and challenges—

"You’ll never walk alone."

Thus, she did just that, as Li Wei always conveyed the energy to her and Kansas City Chiefs fans, now it’s their turn to reciprocate to Li Wei.

Finally, Thalia hears Li Wei’s joyful laughter, the stone in her chest softly lands, and she feels relieved all over.

Then, Li Wei’s voice comes through the phone, "Thalia."

Thalia, "Hmm?"

Li Wei:... Jumbled thoughts surge, numerous words flash swiftly in his mind, yet stop at his lips.

After thinking a moment, Li Wei says, "Have you seen that movie, ’Stand By Me’?"

Thalia, "What movie?"

Li Wei, "The old movie from 1986 or was it 1985, I can’t precisely remember, but if I’m not mistaken, it should be adapted from a Stephen King novel..."

No response from the phone, Li Wei chuckles silently, "Sorry, when the movie was released, your parents probably hadn’t even had a chance to meet yet, right?"

Is this really okay?