Eyes excited and fluttering, the gazes on Li Wei were so intense they were almost lting him as everyone began to eagerly fill in the blanks in anticipation.
Surrounded on all sides, Li Wei nevertheless remained calm and gave an utterly unexpected answer.
"Oh, I haven't considered that question for the ti being."
What?
The reporters were so shocked and taken aback that they experienced a brief mont of blankness. Not within the scope of consideration? What does that an, 'not within the scope of consideration'?
It was this mont of astonishnt that left the encircling reporters' formation loose, and Li Wei, as if entering a realm devoid of people, walked away composedly.
Just a mont behind, the reporters finally snapped out of it and surged toward Li Wei like a tide.
From a distance, Burns and Saban were watching this scene unfold.
Initially, Burns was prepared to step forward to assist, but then he saw Li Wei suddenly take off, signaling Humphrey and Hertz, who were watching the drama unfold, to escape with him.
Humphrey, seeing Li Wei and Hertz running off, started to run as well but was completely baffled and kept shouting, "Why am I running? Wait, can soone tell why I'm running?"
Questioning while running.
In no ti, the three young n had shaken off the reporters, and the reporters with larger bellies were left gasping for air, unable to keep up.
Burns couldn't help but laugh, "It looks like he doesn't need any help after all."
Saban's lips curved into a slight smile, "No, a little bit of help is still needed."
Burns: ?
Saban didn't keep him in suspense, "We're at nine consecutive victories, with three more regular-season gas left, then the League championship, the bowl gas, and possibly the nationwide championship. The dia, already frenzied, will only intensify from here. I'm worried about the level of pressure these young people are facing."
Suddenly, Burns understood.
Just look at last season.
Last year, the Crimson Tide Storm kicked off the season amidst high expectations as the number three seed, only to lose early in week three, shedding their pressure prematurely.
The Clemson Tigers, however, were unstoppable. Starting the season as the twelfth seed and maintaining an undefeated streak to the top, they beca the number one seed. All of North Arica's focus was swarming over the young DeShaun Watson as they carried a fourteen-ga winning streak into the nationwide championship ga, maintaining their Undefeated Golden Body.
The pressure was all on Clemson.
The outco is already known to everyone; the Crimson Tide Storm toppled the number one seed to beco champions.
This year, the Crimson Tide Storm is in Clemson's shoes, and the pressure is only increasing.
From the start of the season, the Crimson Tide Storm set out as the top seed and defending champions, but only they knew how big a void Derrick Henry left behind, compounded by running back injuries, stirring imnse pressure within the team to prove themselves.
Now, as they've been advancing triumphantly and finally facing off against Louisiana State University, pressure, shortcomings, and weaknesses were all laid bare.
Today, the Crimson Tide relied on Li Wei's outstanding performance to break the deadlock and continue their Undefeated Golden Body, but the upcoming challenges will only increase in difficulty. The last thing they need is to repeat the mistake of Clemson, winning the entire season but losing the most crucial ga.
In such circumstances, they truly don't need the dia causing trouble.
Burns looked to Saban, "What are you planning to do?"
Saban took a deep breath, "Ban all interviews, in all forms."
Burns was taken aback, "Nick! You know this will make us a target for the dia."
Saban nodded. "I know. But this is my command, and if they have any complaints, they can co at . I'll speak to the president personally about this."
Which is to say, Saban alone would play the bad guy.
Saban then turned to Burns. "We're in the age of the internet now. Confiscating players' cell phones doesn't work anymore. They'll definitely look at their phones; however, I need help to get them to pay as little attention to the dia as possible. They should ignore the news, whether it's praise or criticism."
"Burton."
A single call was enough, after all, the two had worked together for ten years.
Burns raised both hands, smiling. "No problem for . You're the bad guy anyway, I'm just executing orders. The kids will cooperate."
Saban didn't mind at all, his face cold and impassive, embodying the ruthless decisiveness of a disciplinarian coach. "Burton, keep an extra eye on Li Wei."
Burns. "What's wrong, you worried about him? It's true, he's in the eye of the storm. Alas, it's our fault for rushing things, for having him stand in the lilight too soon."
To Burns's surprise, Saban shook his head. "No, in fact, I'm not worried about him. He's always handled the dia with composure. I'm talking about his performance on the field. In today's ga, Li Wei must have learned a lot. If he cos to you for advice, you'll need to spend so extra ti with him."
Burns laughed. "Of course."
Saban lowered his voice, talking to himself. "Maybe, we really have unearthed a treasure. I don't want our greed or haste to ruin him."
Burns heard him. "Nick, do you think he should enter the draft next year?"
Saban didn't answer, but fell into deep thought.
The draft was indeed a significant topic because participating in the draft ant turning professional and truly entering a higher level of expertise.
Even though the reporters didn't believe it, all of Li Wei's answers were genuine—
He truly hadn't thought about it.
At least, not so far.
The season was gradually moving into its latter half, and Li Wei had no reference points—he didn't know how Derrick Henry perford last year because he hadn't paid special attention; he believed his performance was sufficiently outstanding, probably eting the president's expectations. However, the season had not ended yet, had it?
Furthermore, the more he observed, the more convinced Li Wei beca that there must have been so kind of deal between Burns and the president, although he did not know if they had t their standards.
Though his entry into the football team was just a transaction at first, Burns's whole-hearted efforts had not escaped Li Wei's notice, and neither had Saban's. They didn't treat Li Wei rely as a tool or a chess piece, but truly helped him grow increntally based on his situation.
If possible, Li Wei also hoped to help Saban and Burns achieve their goals.
So, for now, the draft really wasn't sothing Li Wei needed to consider.
But...
Entering the Professional League through the draft, experiencing confrontation, facing challenges, sprinting to the limit—it all sounded quite intriguing, and Li Wei was curious about his ceiling too. With the help of the Football Training System, just how high could he reach, and how many top-tier competitors could he face in peak duels?
Imagining the sound of helts clashing and the strategic play of offense and defense got his blood pumping.
But no rush, there was no need to hurry. The draft and going professional required long-term planning.
Here, Li Wei was unhurried and thodical.
There, the Professional League was already a burgeoning whirlwind, even ahead of the dia—
One fact was clear: when team managers saw the dia focusing on the potential of Li Wei entering next year's draft, it ant the entire League already knew.
If they were only now belatedly paying attention, they would already be several steps behind their competitors.
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