Chapter 821: Argue with reason and strength Chapter 821: Argue with reason and strength Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.
At this mont, every second is extraordinarily precious, and ti should even be asured with a stopwatch—a single millisecond might beco the key to changing the outco of the ga.
Just now, Mahos and Li Wei completed an astonishing thirty-yard pass connection, pulling the Kansas City Chiefs back from the edge of the abyss. However, playing the role of bait in the middle lane, Li Wei went down near the 20-yard line, failing to get out of bounds or stop the clock.
The ga clock was still ticking—
The Kansas City Chiefs had no tiouts left.
Eight seconds. Seven seconds. Six seconds.
The relentless ticking seed to be signaling the end of the defending champions’ season journey.
Bill Belichick started arguing fiercely: The ga was over.
But Reed reminded the referee that it wasn’t their unwillingness to continue playing; they could’ve quickly lined up and spiked the ball to stop the clock, earning another chance to attack. The only reason they didn’t was because a player was injured and down—Li Wei, after catching the ball, hadn’t gotten up off the ground.
Belichick was furious, yelling, “Fake injury! That’s a fake injury!”
“I will not allow you to show leniency out of guilt and turn a blind eye to their theatrics. I won’t allow it!”
Belichick stood his ground.
Indeed, Van Noy had just committed a foul, but in Belichick’s view, it didn’t matter since Li Wei completed the catch and gained yards—the penalty call made no difference. Now, however, the referee was overlooking Li Wei’s supposed fake injury out of sympathy, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to delay the ga despite having no tiouts.
Shaless! Filthy! Low!
Belichick argued relentlessly.
Yet all this chaos had nothing to do with Burns.
Burns rushed over imdiately. “Hey rookie, rookie? Are you okay?”
Burns’ voice was tight with worry, his heart pounding uncontrollably, so much that he didn’t even realize it almost felt like it would leap out of his throat.
“Cramp. Coach, my right leg is cramping.” Li Wei wasn’t injured, nor was he faking—his right leg was completely seized up in cramps, the muscles locked tight.
He couldn’t even sit upright, let alone stand.
“Li Wei looks like he’s cramping.”
“This is a tough match. If I’m not mistaken, this is the first ti I’ve seen Li Wei facing complete physical exhaustion in a ga.”
“Up until now, he’s been completely imrsed, losing himself in the ga without realizing, but enduring consecutive hits while still making that kind of catch finally pushed his body into alarm mode.”
“Clearly, today’s cold and damp weather didn’t help, combined with facing such a formidable opponent like the New England Patriots. Li Wei truly gave it his all.”
“Look at Li Wei’s stats—both rushing and receiving have exceeded 100 yards, plus his blocking, decoying, and baiting. He’s undoubtedly the soul of the Kansas City Chiefs, with a total running distance and intensity of engagent that’s downright insane. The fact that he held on until now before hitting a physical wall is astonishing to .”
“But right now, the situation is extrely bad, very, very bad, because the Kansas City Chiefs are still the trailing team.”
It wasn’t just his right leg.
As Burns treated Li Wei, his left leg suddenly cramped up as well.
Mahos hurried over, lifting Li Wei’s left leg to stretch it out.
The offensive players gathered beside them, faces filled with worry. The unrelenting intensity of the match had left everyone physically drained, teetering on the edge of exhaustion—and now, watching their team’s superstar cramping, the atmosphere grew tense and grim.
“Oh, God, perfect. When this gets broadcast, I bet I’ll end up living as a forever on social dia. Is my face covered?”
Lying on the ground receiving treatnt, Li Wei didn’t lose his humor, delivering a lighthearted jab that instantly drew laughter from the offensive players.
“Shoo, shoo, get out of here! This isn’t so exorcism ritual. Why are you all gathered around like this? Show a little dignity!”
Li Wei flailed his arms dramatically, prompting the Kansas City Chiefs players to burst into laughter as they dutifully turned away. Finally, grabbing water bottles from ball boys and coaches, they rembered to replenish their fluids and energy.
Burns looked down at Li Wei laying on the ground, gritting his teeth through the pain. His eyes ward slightly. “You silly kid, worrying about everyone else at a ti like this?”
Li Wei winced, taking a deep breath. “Coach, the ga’s not over yet. I don’t want to fight alone. I’m not interested in being so Superman saving the world all by himself—I need my teammates.”
Burns couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud, accidentally blowing out a snot bubble through his nose.
And then—
Pop.
The snot bubble burst.
Now it was Li Wei and Mahos’ turn: “Haha, hahahaha.”
…
In the stands, the entire crowd held their collective breath, watching the field as Li Wei was finally helped to his feet with Mahos and Burns’ assistance.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause rippled slowly at first, then swept through the stadium in waves, morphing into a roaring symphony.
Despite Li Wei’s legs still disobeying him, his movents shaky, his balance unstable—at least he didn’t need “crutches” and was able to walk under his own power.
This scene reignited hope at Arrowhead Stadium.
Facing him, Li Wei caught Reed’s concerned gaze. “How is it?”
Li Wei felt fortunate; thanks to the system, the cramps weren’t as severe and his recovery was faster than expected. He should be back to full strength soon. “No problem.”
Li Wei took a deep breath, moving his legs to shake them out, trying to restore so agility. “I can play right now.”
Reed stared into Li Wei’s eyes. He knew Li Wei was serious. So what choice should he make?
Nine seconds. No tiouts.
Though Belichick persisted in protesting, the referees concluded after review that Li Wei’s injury was legitimate and unavoidable, forcing the ga to be paused. They reset the clock.
Not only was the ga still alive, but the ti was restored to nine seconds—with possession still belonging to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In simple terms, this ant one final chance at offense. The Kansas City Chiefs had two options.
The first: a Hail Mary, sending the offense back onto the field to challenge for a touchdown—a do-or-die gamble.
The second: a field goal attempt, deploying the Special Duty Group to tie the score and fight it out in overti.
The dilemma was clear—Li Wei’s cramping ant that even if he returned, he’d likely be ineffective, whether as a target or bait; his impact would be significantly diminished.
So, what now?
Reed deeply desired victory, but not at the cost of his players’ careers. “Rest for now.”
Li Wei was anxious. “Coach, I’m fine.”
Reed turned to him again. “Rookie, this ga—we can afford to lose. But you—we cannot afford to lose you.”
With that, Reed stepped away to focus on leading the offense—
Nine seconds, no matter what, they had to try. Leave nothing on the field.
The Kansas Chiefs Offense lined up. Damien, the second running back, replaced Li Wei.
Standing on the sideline, Li Wei was a whirlwind of frustration and resignation. The ga’s decisive mont, and he couldn’t be on the field. The feeling was suffocating.
He wanted to curse.
But taking a deep breath, Li Wei reigned himself in: Trust your teammates.
Just like Berry, just like the Defensive Group—despite being unable to play, they found other ways to fight alongside their teammates.
Leading by example, Li Wei started clapping and shouting encouragent to the offense. “Focus. Focus!”
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