Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1666 - 1665: Weathering the Storm Together
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
The phone vibrated tirelessly, and Reed finally took off his headset, his eyes leaving the game replay on the computer screen, and answered the call.
"Reed."
Without even looking at the caller ID, he spoke concisely, and on the other end came Veach’s voice, so excited it was trembling and nearly explosive.
"Coach, listen, listen."
Reed remained calm, expressionless, "What?"
Veach rarely lost his composure, "Coach, listen."
Repeating meaningless words over and over, Reed was about to ask, when Veach finally found the keywords, "Outside the window."
In the next moment, Veach himself pointed the phone’s receiver towards the window, and the faint sound lightly collided with Reed’s eardrum.
Thump, thump.
Reed froze, his heart seemed to feel this force a second ahead, and it involuntarily became chaotic.
Reed stood up and pushed open the window of his home office—
Whoosh, the fierce wind came rushing in, mixed with overwhelming songs from everywhere, catching Reed by surprise, and he was stunned.
Then, a voice from his wife came from behind, "The whole city is singing, ’You’ll Never Walk Alone.’"
Reed stood dumbfounded.
He wasn’t worried about losing the game, he had already mentally prepared for this day which was bound to come; the Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t possibly have two undefeated seasons in a row.
But he worried about the pressure and impact after ending their home winning streak, that the players might put pressure on themselves and eventually crush themselves.
Previously, he didn’t need to worry because Li Wei was in the locker room, always able to grasp the moment to boost morale; but this time, what Reed worried about most was Li Wei himself, even though Li Wei was mature, rational, and smart, he was ultimately just a young man in his early twenties, Reed worried that Li Wei might bear all the pressure alone.
However, Reed forgot.
Over the years, he witnessed Li Wei’s growth, and together with thousands of Kansas City fans.
He, like them, held the same thoughts, spreading wings. In their own ways, shelter Li Wei from storms and share the weight, walking side by side.
Reed felt somewhat embarrassed.
A voice from his wife behind him said, "That’s a good kid. You were not alone in seeing it."
On the other end of the phone, Veach seemed unable to control himself anymore, both wiping tears and blowing his nose, no image is needed to depict his awkwardness.
Reed gently exhaled, "Now is the time to do something for that kid."
More than once, Reed was thankful they made the right decision at the 2017 draft, making this journey and adventure so wonderfully splendid.
Silently, silently, no one spoke, only listened to the voice of the city swirling under the sky.
"Moving forward, through the fierce winds; moving forward, through the storms.
Maybe, dreams will ultimately be betrayed.
Move forward, move forward! Full of hope, you’ll never walk alone."
Is it just because of a game?
No, far beyond that.
From the field into real life, they faced life’s difficulties and challenges again, once more trapped in tanglements and obstructions, with everything smooth sailing, unexpectedly encountering heavy hits.
Yet, they will not disarm, they will not surrender, they will not give up!
What matters is not the outcome, not the victory nor championship, but regardless, they will be by each other’s side, facing all challenges!
On the road, the red light turned green, but Li Wei did not release the brake—
On the empty road, it was now just them, Watt behind did not urge Li Wei, parked at the world’s empty center.
Opening the window, quietly waiting, waiting for the breeze to carry those waves and passion into the car, dancing above the heart.
It was like a concert, a worldwide chorus solely performed for the Kansas City Chiefs, a unique concert.
No one wanted to break such a moment.
Repeating over and over, circling intensely in the air, the eardrums roared.
Mahomes grinned, using his smile to hide his awkwardness, carefully speaking, "Seems we all have the same thought.
"Our offensive group, their defensive group. First-year players, second-year players. The fans. Kansas City residents. A rare unanimous accord."
Kelsey realized, reaching out to pat Li Wei’s shoulder, "We are not worried about losing, nor failure, but we worry about you."
"You’re the flag of the team, bearing too much alone, we worry you face those storms alone again, or perhaps just worry you once again steal our thunder..."
Hill rolled his eyes, "Travis!"
Unexpectedly, at this moment Kelsey still had the mood to joke.
Kelsey grinned foolishly, "No matter the circumstance, we all have the same thought. Rookie, it’s my honor to be your teammate and fight alongside you."
Mahomes nodded, "Me too."
Li Wei felt a bit awkward, a slight soreness in his nose, "God, did you all watch ’The Notebook’ last night? How come everyone is so sentimental."
The car erupted in collective laughter.
Li Wei calmed down a bit, paused, "This song was first performed by Annie Galas at the training base’s entrance."
Mahomes, "Yeah, after the Gillette Stadium incident."
The laughter gradually settled, Li Wei’s lips curled up, looking at the slightly sad companions, "Annie has always been there, never leaving, right?"
Kelsey nodded lightly, took a deep breath, "And Felix."
Li Wei’s lips curled up in rare ease, a bit relaxed, "Then if Annie and Felix faced this situation, what would they do?"
The three exchanged a glance, spoke in unison.
"Run wildly!"
"Fight to the end!"
"Sprint with all might!"
Not at all neat, completely lacking tacit understanding, each spoke their own words, uneven, could not be worse.
They exchanged glances, immediately started bickering and accusing each other.
Li Wei chuckled silently, finally released the brake, and through the green light, headed towards the apartment.
Just a short while, less than ten minutes, Li Wei already reached the destination, Mahomes skillfully found the key and pushed the door in first.
Li Wei did not follow, but stood waiting, Watt and Chris Jones were right behind.
With a glance, Li Wei could see Watt’s slightly reddened eyes, expression somewhat mixed.
Li Wei knew, without needing explanation, Watt still cared about the Houston Texans, after all, ten years is not erased so easily, and this is Watt’s merit, seeing today in Kansas City, Watt couldn’t help but imagine his return to Houston and the reception it would be.
He felt deeply.
Watt seemed to notice Li Wei’s gaze, but with others around, didn’t know how to explain, only showed a smile to hide, indicating he was fine.
Yet unexpectedly, Li Wei gestured an invitation, not inviting Watt into the house, "Welcome to Kansas City, JJ."
From now on, Kansas City was Watt’s new home, just as the song sang:
You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Not just Li Wei, but Watt too.
Watt soon tasted it, his lips gradually curling up, hearing the song swirling under the sky again, its flavor quietly changed.
