A hospital in Gothenburg.
Wearing a hospital gown, Almir began, "Don’t tell him yet, I know Leite too well. If he knows now, he definitely won’t be able to continue playing the ga."
"I don’t want him to miss such an important mont. For the team, for him personally, the European League Cup championship is crucial."
By his side, Deng Kai spoke up, "But this surgery carries certain risks, he should be inford."
Almir shook his head, "I am aware of my own condition, and this year I have clearly felt that I am not up to par. I dare not tell him, nor dare I go to the hospital."
"Even if I die on the operating table tomorrow, I hope he finishes the ga before he cos to mourn ."
Deng Kai nodded, "In my hotown, there is a very important exam called the Gaokao. Similar situations occur, and I can’t understand it, I don’t agree with it."
Almir laughed, "I don’t understand the Gaokao, but as a father, I understand parents. Parents all over the world would make the sa choice I did."
"Thank you for taking care of Leite these past two years, I can feel his progress, especially ntally and psychologically."
"I know he is talented, but I have always been concerned about his ntality. His heart is not as strong as his body, but with your help, I now believe he can beco a global superstar!"
Deng Kai shook his head, "No, Mr. Almir. The reason Adriano will beco a global superstar is only one..."
"It’s you."
"So for Adriano’s sake, you must hold on."
"He’ll co to you with the Championship Trophy!"
"I promise!"
"You need to promise too! Can you?"
After a while.
Almir’s choked voice ca from the hospital room, "I... I promise... Tha... thank you... Kai..."
...
Adriano’s father Almir was diagnosed with serious heart disease and other complications during this physical examination, which is very deadly.
But there is even deadlier news.
Twelve years ago, in the Crucero slum of Rio de Janeiro, there was a gang shootout.
Almir, who happened to be passing by, was unlucky to be hit by a stray bullet in the head.
Luckily, he did not lose his life because of it.
Unfortunately, the bullet pressed on his cranial nerve and could not be taken out at the ti, nor were there conditions for it.
And this, along with heart disease, would beco the main culprits for Almir’s death on July 25th this year, as he witnessed his son leading the team to win the Copa Arica and reach the pinnacle of his life.
Both the heart disease and the bullet had co to a point where they must be dealt with.
Every day delayed, Almir’s chances of a successful surgery decreased a bit.
One of the strong motives for Adriano to play well is to give his father a good life, to make him healthy.
Almir, on the other hand, did not want to beco a burden to Adriano.
He wanted to resolve all problems once and for all.
And Manchester City was able to help him contact the best doctor in the world for such surgeries.
His chances of survival were as high as seventy-five percent, even higher than Adriano’s penalty kick success rate!
But... the remaining twenty-five percent was a gamble that nobody could afford to take.
...
That evening, Deng Kai returned to the team, and during dinner, he ran into Adriano.
"Hey, Captain Kai, what were you taking care of this afternoon? Everyone said they didn’t see you," said Adriano as he ca over to greet him.
"Thank you, Adriano. My father said he had a pleasant chat with you in the afternoon," Deng Kai made room for Adriano.
"And , did Uncle ntion ?" Feng Te on the side was very eager.
In the afternoon, he and Adriano had entertained Deng Kai’s relatives and friends together.
Adriano was pretty good at it.
He knew all about the advanced butt-kissing technique of "befriending the family of the boss".
"Thank you, I took care of so team matters this afternoon," Deng Kai hadn’t planned to steer the conversation this way.
But Feng Te just had to talk about it, "Oh, that must have been tough. Adriano’s father didn’t co to see him today. He was feeling down. Hey, Captain, why don’t you let start as the main striker in the finals?"
Feng Te cracked a joke.
However, neither of the two listeners laughed.
"And... your father?" Deng Kai asked.
Adriano shrugged with so irritation, "His flight was delayed. He was transferring at so place called... what’s it... and got delayed there."
"I’m absolutely speechless! I’ve told him so many tis not to take budget airlines, they’re not safe, but he never listens!"
"Saving that little bit of money for what? One day sothing will happen because of it and good, let him learn his lesson!"
"He won’t make it this ti. Such an important mont and he actually... I’m really angry!"
Though he said that, Adriano’s concern was clearly visible.
His lips were even turning white.
Deng Kai imdiately took out his phone; he was the only player who had the freedom to communicate freely before such a critical match.
"Hello, connect to Mr. Mansour, yes, it’s an ergency... Mansour, Adriano’s father ran into a slight issue during his transfer... right, the main thing is to confirm the exact situation."
"The most important is his personal safety... uh-huh, okay, then I’ll wait for your response."
In the midst of Adriano’s grateful gaze, Deng Kai said, "Actually, it’s not a big deal not to be able to see this match."
"There’s the Copa Arica this year."
"Next year we’re going to participate in the Champions League."
"The year after that, there’s the World Cup."
"There are so many important matches ahead, there’s plenty of ti for you and your father to witness them together, isn’t there?"
Adriano was on the verge of speaking, wanting to say that his father’s health might not be very optimistic, and that the future may not hold as many opportunities.
"As long as there are no other issues with your father over there, then everything is fine."
A few minutes later, Deng Kai’s phone rang.
"Mm-hmm... staying at the best hotel there... okay... no problem, no problem... thank you, Mansour!" Deng Kai hung up the phone and then told Adriano, "Don’t worry, Mr. Mansour has sent a private plane to pick up your father. You might see him after the match."
But whether he would still be alive... well, that was another matter.
On the other end of the phone.
Maxa had just hung up when his wife asked, "What’s going on? Why did you call Mansour? Who called you?"
Maxa explained, "It was Kai, must be so important matter he needed to cover for. It’s a man’s understanding, you wouldn’t get it."
Maxa’s wife smiled at the corner of her mouth, suddenly opened her bathrobe, revealing sexy black stockings as she approached him, "Really? Do you understand the understanding between husband and wife then?"
"Darling! Stop trying to conquer Europe, co conquer instead!"
Maxa’s wife lunged at him.
And was then deftly sidestepped by Maxa.
Maxa walked towards the tea table, "I’m not conquering any Europe, what I’m mainly conquering right now is this pile of Pu’er tea. If I can brew this Pu’er tea to taste like Maotai, Kai would be really happy!"
"He’s allergic to liquor."
Bang!
Maxa’s wife threw a pillow at him, "You’re allergic to romance, you damn janitor!"
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