The air in the locker room was thick with suffocating silence.
Pascual huddled in a corner, his hands clasped tightly over his head, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
The fatal own goal replayed in his mind, each recollection like a knife twisting in his heart.
"It's all my fault," he choked out, "If I hadn't played, if I had handled it better..."
Lu Chuan walked over to him and gently patted his young teammate's shoulder.
"Lift your head."
Pascual slowly raised his tear-streaked face.
"Football is just that cruel," Lu Chuan's voice was soft, but every word was clear and powerful,
"Today it's you, tomorrow it might be me, the day after it could be anyone. We are a team, and we bear all the consequences together."
Trejo walked over and knelt in front of Pascual.
"Kid, do you know how many years I've been playing?" The captain's gaze was gentle,
"Fifteen years. In these fifteen years, I've made more mistakes than you can imagine. But every fall has made me stronger."
Other players also gathered around. There was no blame, no complaints, only silent support.
Savić patted Pascual's back.
"Brother, we still have a chance."
Álvaro García handed him a bottle of water.
"Drink some water, tomorrow we continue to fight."
Pascual took the water bottle, the despair in his eyes gradually replaced by a hint of warmth.
Noisy sounds came from outside the door. Reporters had already gathered in the hallway, waiting for interviews. Their questions would surely be sharp and cruel.
Lu Chuan stood up and straightened his jersey.
"I'll go face them."
"No," Trejo stopped him, "I'm the captain, this is my responsibility."
"We all have responsibility today," Lu Chuan shook his head, "But for now, let me take it."
He pushed open the locker room door and walked towards the waiting crowd of reporters.
Flashlights instantly flared, and countless microphones stretched out in front of him.
"Lu Chuan, what do you have to say about today's loss?"
"Does a three-game losing streak mean Rayo Vallecano's season is over?"
"Do you think there are problems with the head coach's tactics?"
Questions rained down, each with a sharp edge.
Lu Chuan took a deep breath, his gaze calmly sweeping over every reporter present.
"Today's loss, the responsibility lies with me," his voice was clear and firm,
"As the core of the team, I failed to help the team achieve victory. This is my problem."
"But Lu Chuan, your performance today..."
"Performance doesn't represent everything," Lu Chuan interrupted the reporter,
"Football is a sport for eleven people, victory requires team effort. Today we lost, that's the reality."
"So what are your plans for the team's current predicament?"
Lu Chuan's eyes sharpened.
"Predicament?" He sneered, "We've just encountered some setbacks.
True warriors grow stronger through setbacks. Rayo Vallecano hasn't fallen yet, we will prove it to everyone."
The reporters wanted to continue asking questions, but Lu Chuan had already turned and left.
His figure appeared lonely and resolute under the hallway lights.
Back in the locker room, his teammates had already left one after another. Only Pascual remained sitting there, staring blankly at the ground.
"Go home," Lu Chuan gently patted his shoulder, "Tomorrow the sun will still rise."
Pascual nodded, slowly standing up.
"Lu Chuan, thank you."
"Don't mention it. We're brothers."
Leaving the stadium, night had already fallen deep. Sparse fans were still gathered in the parking lot, their faces filled with disappointment and anger.
"Paco out!"
"These tactics are garbage!"
"We need a new coach!"
Angry voices echoed in the night sky. Lu Chuan quickened his pace; he didn't want to hear these sounds, but they pierced his heart like needles.
His phone vibrated incessantly. WeChat messages, texts, calls, all about today's match.
He turned off his phone and walked alone through the streets of Madrid.
Neon lights flickered, traffic flowed like weaving threads; the city remained bustling and lively. But for Lu Chuan, everything seemed so distant and unfamiliar.
He thought of the Copa del Rey loss, of this three-game losing streak, of the disappointed eyes of his teammates.
All the effort, all the struggle, seemed meaningless at this moment.
He was the core of the team, the hope of the fans, the genius in the media's mouth. But now, he felt an unprecedented powerlessness.
Can one person's strength truly change the fate of a team?
When he pushed open the apartment door, Esther was sitting on the sofa waiting for him.
She didn't speak, just watched him quietly.
In those beautiful eyes, there was no pity, no comfort, only deep understanding and unconditional support.
Lu Chuan's defenses collapsed instantly.
He walked towards Esther, stopping in front of her.
Esther stood up, opened her arms, and hugged him tightly.
In that embrace, Lu Chuan felt the only warmth in the world.
"I know you're sad," Esther's voice was as light as a feather, but every word clearly reached his heart, "But don't forget, you're not fighting alone. Whatever happens, I'll be with you."
Lu Chuan's eyes welled up.
This man, who confronted the whole world on the football field, showed his most vulnerable side at this moment.
"I don't know what to do," his voice trembled slightly, "I've tried my best, but it's still not enough."
"You've done very well," Esther gently stroked his back, "One person can't bear all the responsibility. You're human, not a god."
"But the fans, my teammates, they all count on me..."
"They count on you because you're worth counting on," Esther gently pushed him away, looking into his eyes, "But that doesn't mean you have to bear all the pressure. You have me, you have true teammates, you have people who love you."
Lu Chuan looked deeply at her, the despair in his eyes gradually replaced by a glimmer of light.
"You're right," he responded softly, "I still have you."
Esther smiled and nodded.
"Always have me."
She pulled Lu Chuan to sit on the sofa and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"I watched today's match," she said softly, "Your goal was beautiful, and your performance was excellent. Losing isn't your fault alone."
"But the result..."
"The result is important, but the process is equally important," Esther interrupted him, "The leadership you showed on the field, your care for your teammates, your persistence in the face of difficulties—these are priceless."
Lu Chuan picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth of the hot tea.
"Sometimes I think, if I didn't have so many halos, so many expectations, would it be a bit easier?"
"But then, you wouldn't be Lu Chuan," Esther held his hand,
"It's precisely because you bear these expectations, precisely because you have this sense of responsibility, that you've become who you are now.
This is where your charm lies, and it's why I love you."
Lu Chuan looked at her, a warm current welling up in his heart.
"Thank you, Esther."
"Don't mention it. This is how love should be," she leaned on his shoulder,
"I'll be here when you need me most. I'll also be here when you're at your most glorious."
The two sat quietly, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
The outside world was still noisy, the media was still criticizing, and the fans were still disappointed. But in this small apartment, they had the most precious thing in the world.
Lu Chuan's phone turned back on, and messages instantly flooded in.
One message from his father stood out:
"Son, I watched today's match. Losing isn't scary; losing your fighting spirit is. You are our pride, always."
And another from Trejo:
"Brother, see you at training tomorrow. We still have a battle to fight."
Álvaro García also sent a message:
"Boss, don't overthink it. We believe in you."
Even Pascual sent a message:
"Lu Chuan, thank you for everything you did for me today. I will work hard to become stronger and not disappoint the team again."
Looking at these messages, Lu Chuan's fighting spirit reignited.
"See?" Esther pointed at the phone screen, "You're not alone. So many people support you, believe in you."
Lu Chuan nodded, gripping her hand tightly.
"You're right. I can't just give up like this."
"This is the Lu Chuan I know," Esther smiled and kissed his cheek, "The warrior who never gives up."
Just then, the system's voice sounded in Lu Chuan's mind:
"Ding! Detected that the host's willpower, leadership, and stress resistance have been greatly exercised in continuous adversity. Mental attribute 'Leader' +1."
"Current LP balance: 4250"
Lu Chuan felt a new power surge within him. This was not an enhancement brought by skills, but a transformation on a spiritual level.
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the night view of Madrid.
"Tomorrow I'm going to the training ground," he turned to Esther and said, "The team needs me, I can't let them down."
"I knew you'd do that," Esther walked over to him, "This is the man I love."
"No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, I will persevere," Lu Chuan's eyes became resolute, "For the team, for the fans, and for you."
Esther hugged him tightly.
"I'll always support you, forever."
Early the next morning, Lu Chuan arrived at the training ground early.
Unexpectedly, almost all of his teammates were already there. Their faces showed no sign of yesterday's dejection, replaced instead by firm determination.
"Good morning, boss," Álvaro García was the first to greet him.
"Ready to start over?" Trejo patted his shoulder.
Even Pascual walked over, his eyes filled with gratitude and resolve.
"Lu Chuan, I want to apologize again for yesterday."
"Forget it," Lu Chuan waved his hand, "We look forward."
The Assistant Coach walked over, holding a captain's armband.
"Lu Chuan, Paco asked me to give this to you," his expression was serious, "He said, now, you are the on-field coach of this team."
Lu Chuan took the armband, feeling its weight.
This was not just an armband, but a heavy responsibility.
"I accept," his voice was firm and powerful, "But I need everyone's support."
"You have it," Trejo was the first to declare.
"We all support you," Savić nodded.
"For Rayo Vallecano!" Álvaro García raised both fists.
"For Rayo Vallecano!" Everyone responded in unison.
Lu Chuan put the armband on his left arm, feeling the trusting gazes of his teammates.
Yesterday's failure was in the past; today was a new beginning.
They still had a chance, still had hope.
As long as they stood united, no difficulty was insurmountable.
When everyone was writing off Rayo Vallecano, they would prove with their actions that true warriors never fall.
Training began, and everyone gave their all.
Sweat poured onto the green field, and determination was etched on every face.
Lu Chuan stood at the front of the team, his gaze fixed on the path ahead with unwavering resolve.
The storm had not yet ended, but dawn had appeared.
And he was the brightest light.