Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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"Can I really go? It's a private team gathering after all…"
"Don't worry, you're not an outsider."
"Then… what am I?"
"You're my friend."
Lance drove his Aston Martin on the highway.
Lars Bender's home was not in the small city of Leverkusen, but in the Ebertplatz area of the neighboring city of Cologne.
Lance inevitably had to drive through a section of the highway.
Germany's highways have no speed limits, and sports cars often zoom past at speeds over 200 km/h.
Some motorcycles even exceed 250 km/h.
It truly felt like your body was in the car, but your soul was chasing behind.
Compared to these daredevils, Lance cautiously maintained a speed of no more than 120 km/h, following driving rules from his home country.
Chloe, the beautiful young woman in the passenger seat, seemed a bit socially anxious, feeling uneasy about Lance's invitation.
…
Last night, lying on her bed, Chloe subconsciously opened WhatsApp and clicked on her chat with Lance.
She typed a bunch of words, but then, fearing she might disturb Lance, she didn't send them.
She wanted to chat with Lance about her thoughts on the Champions League draw, but considering she was just a fan and Lance had become a rising star at Bayer Leverkusen, the distance between them was growing, and Chloe was even more hesitant to contact him.
"What if he's already forgotten me?"
"What if he no longer bothers to chat with me?"
"What if he…"
Chloe dared not think further.
Just then, Chloe suddenly received a message from Lance!
She even widened her eyes and checked several times!
It was Lance!
He had initiated the conversation!!
Chloe suppressed her nervousness and excitement and opened the chat box.
"What? Lance actually asked me out?"
As a fangirl, being asked out by her idol was simply unbelievable!
Oliver Haus, the school board director, happened to pass by Chloe's room; her door was ajar, leaving a small gap.
Through the gap, he saw his daughter squirming on the bed like a maggot.
???
"Is she in love?"
Oliver Haus couldn't help but become vigilant.
However, he never interfered with his daughter, merely keeping this matter in mind, planning to discreetly investigate later.
"As long as it's not a soccer player, it's fine."
Professional players generally have lower education levels, and many lack cultural depth.
Furthermore, they enjoy going to nightclubs, leading to chaotic private lives…
Because his daughter's social circles often brought her into contact with young players from Bayer Leverkusen's youth academy, and there were also many professional and semi-professional players from various leagues in the school.
Oliver Haus had repeatedly warned Chloe, that even if she dated, she should not date a soccer player.
This was a red line, and he believed his obedient daughter would definitely keep a respectful distance from professional players.
…
Oliver Haus, however, could never have imagined, that at this very moment, his daughter was about to attend a gathering of professional players.
Chloe was inevitably a little nervous.
She worried that her presence at a Bayer Leverkusen team event might be inappropriate.
Fortunately, Lance's warm and firm gaze greatly alleviated Chloe's apprehension.
Upon arriving at Lars Bender's house,
Lance noticed several luxury cars already parked outside, indicating that most of his teammates had arrived.
Lars Bender had decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for many years, and had already purchased a two-story house in Cologne, complete with a spacious small yard.
A group of Bayer Leverkusen stars were barbecuing on the lawn by the entrance, and they were delighted to see Lance enter.
"Lance!! You're finally here!"
"Wow! Lance, how did you quietly get to know a supermodel?!"
"Yeah, no wonder you didn't come hang out with us, this is why!"
Seeing Chloe, even those accustomed to supermodel beauties were struck by her ethereal beauty.
Surrounded by the main players of the Bayer Leverkusen first team, Chloe wished she could hide behind Lance, her hands involuntarily gripping his arm.
Feeling the young woman's nervousness beside him, Lance patted her soft, cool hand and smiled faintly.
"Don't scare her, everyone. This is my friend, Chloe."
"Good evening, everyone."
Chloe's voice was barely a whisper as she timidly greeted them.
As a Bayer Leverkusen fan, this should have been a happy moment, but Chloe didn't dare to ask these stars for autographs.
"Alright, everyone, disperse. Go check if the meat is grilled."
The host, Lars Bender, shooed away the group, and beside him followed a young man who looked 99% similar to him.
Compared to the sunny and outgoing Lars Bender,
the person next to him appeared slightly more honest and steady.
Lance, of course, knew him; he was their future opponent, Borussia Dortmund's current starting defensive midfielder, Lars Bender's twin brother, Sven Bender.
Twin brothers playing for strong Bundesliga teams was considered a beautiful story in the world of soccer.
The only other pair Lance could think of were the Manchester United brothers, Rafael da Silva and Fábio da Silva.
Both Bender brothers were starting midfielders for their respective teams and also German internationals.
"Hi, Lance, I've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you."
"Pleasure is mine."
Sven Bender was a man of few words; after a brief exchange with Lance, he excused himself.
Only Lars Bender remained, chatting with Lance alongside his current girlfriend, Gabriella.
"This guy, he told me many times before that he would definitely freeze you next time he met you."
"I bet he can't defend you, but he didn't believe it and bet me 100 Euros."
"This 100 Euros is so easy to earn."
Lars Bender teased his younger brother without mercy.
"Anyway, we're playing Borussia Dortmund in two weeks, so we'll see then. You've definitely got that 100 Euros."
Lance was full of confidence.
"Exactly! Lance, I've always believed in you."
While a group of teammates gathered with beers, waiting for the barbecue, all the female companions also gathered together, gossiping around Chloe.
It made Chloe wish she could dig a hole and escape.
"Wow! You are truly adorable."
"Yes, I'm so envious of your figure."
"Are you still in high school? Have you considered signing with a modeling agency?"
Many of the Bayer Leverkusen players' girlfriends were models they had met at nightclubs, and they were both envious and jealous of Chloe's perfect looks and figure.
"By the way, how did you two meet? Did you two… you know…"
Chloe's pretty face turned absolutely crimson.
"We… we're just ordinary friends."
"But I think you two really make a great couple!"
Lars Bender's girlfriend, Gabriella, praised them sincerely.
Lance and Chloe standing together truly gave off the vibe of a golden couple.
After nearly two agonizing hours,
Chloe finally felt relieved.
Everyone chatted about previous matches, and looked forward to the Champions League knockout stage draw, and soon it was time for the draw ceremony.
"Lance, who do you hope to face?"
"It's all the same. If I could choose, I'd prefer to face Manchester City, Arsenal, or AC Milan…"
Lance's words stunned his teammates present.
Julian Brandt's expression was exaggerated:
"No way, Lance. These three are the strongest opponents among the group runners-up! We really can't draw them!"
"Exactly, it's more interesting to play against strong teams."
"Typical of you."
Captain Simon Rolfes gave a wry smile.
Everyone hoped to draw a favorable opponent like Olympiacos, but only the challenge-loving Lance wanted to increase the difficulty.
Soon, the draw ceremony in Monaco reached its climax.
This season's Champions League final was to be held at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, so, as per tradition, the draw guest was Portuguese and Real Madrid legend Luís Figo.
Figo, with a smile, delivered some polite remarks, then drew the first lucky team from the pot.
"Olympiacos! Their opponent is… FC Barcelona!"
Ah?
Lance clearly heard sighs of disappointment from his teammates.
"Ugh! Barcelona got the best draw."
"Damn it, Barcelona has such good luck!"
"They truly are Michel Platini's favorite sons!"
These jokes popular among fans were also enjoyed by professional players.
Soon, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, Galatasaray, and other teams were mostly drawn.
Fewer and fewer weaker teams were left for Bayer Leverkusen,
making the Bayer Leverkusen players' expressions increasingly grim.
Finally, they saw a familiar name.
"Next up is… Bayer Leverkusen!"
"Let's see, their opponent is…"
The Portuguese legend Figo's hand stirred vigorously in the pot representing the group runner-up teams.
Finally, he pulled out a small ball, opened it, and revealed the answer to the world.
"Arsenal!"
Premier League powerhouse, Arsenal!
After a moment of silence, Julian Brandt let out a wail.
"Oh no!! A terrible draw!"