290. Don't Underestimate the Bond Between Us, You Jerk!
As expected, it's really hard to perform well while sitting in a wheelchair.
"It's okay, Wendy, it's just one goal. The opposing goalkeeper couldn't catch our attack either, so there's no need to be so discouraged. Let's work together in the second half and try to win!"
During halftime, Yun Ling patted the dejected Wendy to encourage her.
"Okay!" Wendy nodded seriously.
As for the dejected Bronya, she was muttering to herself.
"So what if you're a little older now... Bronya will grow up eventually, there's no need to be so discouraged, it's okay, it's okay..."
"Cheer up, I believe you'll grow up eventually." Yun Ling comforted her by patting her head.
"Who told you to come and eavesdrop!" Bronya punched Yun Ling in the stomach with a backhand.
Seeing Yun Ling lying unconscious on the ground, Bronya snorted, straightened her steel plate, and ignored him. Now it seems Yun Ling's praise was clearly sarcasm, wasn't it?! It definitely was!
"Wendy, it's okay, we'll definitely win the second half." Bronya came to Wendy's side to cheer her on.
"Yeah, let's all cheer each other on!" Wendy had already been comforted by Yun Ling, so she was full of morale now.
"Come on, everyone, let's discuss the tactics for the second half." Yun Ling gathered everyone together.
"First, because the opponent has a significant advantage in teamwork, we should try to avoid direct confrontations with them."
"So we can do this..."
Yun Ling quietly explained the tactics to the group.
"Will this... work?" Kiana was clearly hesitant; she had been constantly marked by one person in the first half, which was very frustrating.
While the opponent's physical attributes weren't as good as hers, their ability to seize opportunities was far superior.
"No problem! Kiana is the main attacker; Mei will support from the side; I'll handle the distraction, Bronya will be on the sidelines as scouts, and we'll attack when their attention is diverted. I'll hold the enemy back, and as for Yuna…"
Yun Ling stroked his chin, somewhat unsure of Yuna's role.
But looking at Yuna's expectant eyes…
Yun Ling pulled her cheek towards him.
"So cute, she'll be our mascot, cheering us on."
"Eh?!?"
The sudden affectionate gesture made Yuno's cheeks flush instantly, steam rising from her hair.
"You still never forget to flirt with girls," Mei whispered to Yun Ling.
"Isn't this just to share some of the burden?" Yun Ling's hand roamed around Mei's waist.
As the whistle blew, the break ended, and the second half began.
The opposing team was using the same tactics as the previous game: three players chasing Yun Ling, one guarding Kiana, and one guarding Bronya.
While Mei posed some threat, she was far inferior to Yun Ling.
They chased Yun Ling for the first half, barely managing to injure him. They were all panting heavily, while Yun Ling seemed completely unaffected.
It was easy to imagine how badly he would be handled if only two people were guarding him.
"Ladies, let's discuss this. Perhaps you could just leave me alone?" Yun Ling tried to plead.
But it was clear the opposing team hated him intensely, and there was no room for negotiation.
"Give us each a kick, and we'll let you go," the opposing captain smiled.
"So, there's no room for negotiation?" Yun Ling juggled the soccer ball a couple of times on his foot.
"No negotiation!" the captain replied without hesitation.
"Is that so... In that case, I won't hold back!" Yun Ling suddenly turned serious.
The group immediately tensed, then realized that Yun Ling's soccer ball seemed to be heading straight for their chests!
"You despicable bastard!" The captain rubbed her chest, her face flushed as she glared at Yun Ling.
"An eye for an eye, but be careful you don't get flattened." Yun Ling grinned mischievously at the three of them.
Now it seemed like the roles were reversed; it was Yun Ling's turn to chase after them.
However, would the fiercely independent Oceania branch be fooled by such a petty trick?
"If I get flattened, I'll blame it all on you!" The captain lunged forward.
"Damn it!" Yun Ling's composure crumbled instantly. He tried to break through with the ball, but the opponent's tight defense left him helpless.
Seeing several people kicking at his vitals, Yun Ling quickly passed the ball, dodged, and darted to Yuna's side.
"Don't hide if you dare!" the captain roared, seeing she hadn't caught Yun Ling again.
"You guys can say whatever you want, huh? I've already passed the ball. Why are you still staring at me?"
"We'll find a chance to beat you up."
"Damn, you're not even pretending anymore!"
Yun Ling started playing tag on the soccer field, hiding behind Yuna, wary of another attack.
Yuna trembled like a lamb surrounded by the group.
The ball was passed to Mei's feet, and the person guarding Bronya immediately retreated.
Since Mei couldn't control the ball, her passing skills must be terrible.
Compared to Kiana, who was physically strong and athletic, Bronya posed less of a threat.
"Kiana!" Mei sensed someone approaching from behind and immediately called out.
Then she hooked the ball high into the air.
"Roger that!" Kiana broke through the defense, but her defenders were utterly confused because Kiana wasn't heading towards the ball but towards Mei's position.
They didn't know what she was up to, but they still ran towards the ball.
However, what happened next completely surprised them.
Mei made a strange hand gesture, Kiana jumped, landing on Mei's hands, and Mei then threw Kiana with force.
Although Mei's technique wasn't great, her strength was still there.
Kiana instantly overtook the two defenders, caught the ball in mid-air, and then executed a stylish bicycle kick, sending the ball towards the goal.
"Are you guys doing some kind of acrobatics?!"
The opposing goalkeeper wanted to curse, but her feet didn't stop; she dived and blocked the ball.
Kiana couldn't generate much power in the air; just aiming at the goal was impressive enough.
A perfect attack was thus shattered.
"Damn it..." Kiana landed safely, but felt a little defeated.
"Don't underestimate me!" The opposing goalkeeper wiped her nose; they'd already been caught off guard once, and conceding another goal would be unacceptable.
After receiving possession, the opposing player easily dribbled past several players and reached the goal, kicking the ball towards the corner.
She only kicked lightly, afraid of accidentally hitting Wendy.
"I won't give up!!!"
Wendy's hands suddenly exerted force, knocking the wheelchair over. Wendy braced herself against the ground before crashing heavily to the floor.
She could even smell the fragrance of the earth.
"Wendy!" Several players rushed forward, the opposing team abandoning the game to run over.
Wendy slowly raised her head, a few blades of grass still on her face, looking somewhat disheveled, but the joy on her face was undeniable.
Because she had blocked it!
Wendy stubbornly clung to the ball, trying her best to show everyone.
It seemed she wanted to prove she was a goalkeeper too, and that no one could easily score against her!
"Yun Ling!" Wendy threw the ball with all her might.
By then, it was too late for them to get back to defend.
"Don't worry, Wendy, we'll win!" Yun Ling caught the ball and charged towards the opponent's goal.
Because he always believed in Wendy, believed she could stop that shot, believed Wendy would definitely get back up.
That's why Yun Ling hadn't gone over earlier.
"Come on!" The opposing goalkeeper got into position, swallowing hard as she faced the aggressive Yun Ling.
"Don't underestimate our bond, you bastard!" Yun Ling roared, raising his leg high.
Hearing this, the goalkeeper immediately felt a chill. Was this some kind of classic shonen manga?
Left or right?
Sweat dripped slowly from the goalkeeper's forehead.
Her eyes were fixed intently on the football and Yun Ling's right foot.
Such a passionate line, such a powerful shot—it couldn't possibly change direction! It was to the right!
Before Yun Ling even kicked, her body reacted first, diving to the right.
Then Yun Ling slowly lowered his right foot, casually kicking the ball to the left. The ball slowly rolled into the net—a goal!
"You...you!" The goalkeeper gasped for breath, nearly being carried away like a patient with a heart attack.
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