Chapter 002 Six Hours Ago

Now, at the age of twenty-eight, his hairstyle remains as trendy as that of a nightclub gigolo, but it aligns more with the current aesthetic of a second-rate individual, lacking the rusticity typical of urban-rural fringe areas.

So when Old Chen came out later and saw this playful scene, his expression turned cold and he was about to explode. Bai Haonan had already noticed the reaction of his teammates, who had scattered like rats, and he turned around, bowing in a flattering manner to the coach, covering his mouth as he spoke: "Boss, number 13 is a bit excited, in good spirits, number 4 is slightly limping, his left leg seems to be sore when he walks, probably still recovering from a thigh muscle strain, and number 6 is distracted..."

If this scene at noon were to be captured through the lens of a television drama, one could slowly pull the camera back to widen the view, revealing that these three or four stories are merely the base of a massive building. Only with a sufficiently high aerial shot can one see that this is a grand stadium, the kind that accommodates thirty to forty thousand people. This place is merely a corner enclosed by walls.

He actually went to borrow someone's phone to play with it in secret

Bai Haonan smiled as he leaned against the exit, arms crossed, gazing into the distance, observing not only the players warming up but also the coaches

Bai Haonan shook his head: "I don't know, then we have to go watch it live."

Bai Haonan scoffed: "Damn! What does it have to do with her..."

Before the words were finished, Coach Chen, who was emphasizing today's tactical formation while writing and drawing on a small whiteboard in the changing room, suddenly smashed the board and shouted: "Bai Haonan! Shut your mouth! Get out!"

Bai Haonan casually took the mineral water bottle handed to him by someone else, instinctively pinching the bottom of the bottle to ensure it was unopened and not leaking, before twisting off the cap and taking a couple of sips. He had already leaned against the entrance under the canopy on this side of the passage, secretly peering through the gap to see that enthusiastic fans had begun to enter in droves outside. Some drum bands had even started playing early to enhance the atmosphere, and a silly smile appeared on his face.

On such home game days, an attendance starting from 30,000 is an enviable scene for all teams across the country

Finally, it must be noted that despite being included in the substitute list announced two days before the match, they dared not to participate in the pre-match warm-up training. In any other team, at such a time, substitute players would at least be required to assist the starting players in practice or serve as helpers to the assistant coaches

Professional athlete

The security guard who lent him the phone was astonished: "Brother Nan! You are truly impressive!"

Old Chen listened helplessly, his gaze following Bai Haonan as he approached with a treacherous demeanor to report the information, scanning each of the opposing players on the field: "Where is number 7? That foreign player was just recruited by them."

Indeed, today marks the match day of the top domestic football league. As the only remaining Chinese Super League team in the southwest region of the country, the fans of Jiangzhou Blue Wind are immensely proud. Even though the team's primary goal each year is merely to avoid relegation, they have steadfastly followed the team through promotions and relegations for over a decade, braving both wind and rain.

The team doctor is also not in proper form: "Hehe, is Xiaofen also planning for family planning?"

On the other side of the stadium, the square is already filled with the sound of drums and gongs. Even though the newly displayed banner indicates that today's home game is at 7 PM, it is only around 3 PM and the crowd is surging. Everywhere is a sea of blue jerseys, with some calling out to friends and others bringing their families along. Without exception, everyone is wearing jerseys emblazoned with "Blue Wind Real Estate" on the chest. Some young people have even painted blue stripes on their faces at the small stalls by the bustling square, charging five yuan for just two or three stripes. It truly feels like a rip-off!

18:35 in the afternoon

If one looks along the exterior of the stadium at the multi-story murals of the players, they will notice a half-length portrait that has been weathered to a pale white by the elements. It is of Bai Haonan, who in the photograph is not yet twenty years old and sports an incredibly flamboyant, punk-style mohawk in bright yellow hair

Only those who are exceptionally popular may have such privileges

Bai Haonan responded with great pride, and he could still chat a few words with the young players and ball boys, kicking the ball back and forth. It seemed that apart from the coach who was somewhat exasperated with him, almost everyone enjoyed having a conversation with this tall, handsome, and unpretentious professional player.

Bai Haonan, indifferent, said: "Damn! I've been drifting outside for many years and still don't know these things? Isn't it just about hooking up and having some drinks? I neither smoke nor do drugs, and I don't eat recklessly, so of course I pay attention to family planning..."

The staff outside, assistant coaches, and team players all seem accustomed to Bai Haonan's eccentric behavior, laughing and calling out "Brother Nan" everywhere.

Grandson! You still owe me a meal...

Looking at the phone in someone else's hand beside him, he was just contemplating whether to borrow it to make a call when the visiting team players began to emerge from the locker room one after another. The sound of their cleats clattering on the concrete floor made Bai Haonan turn his head to give way, and as a result, many of the visiting players recognized him: "Lao Nan! Long time no see! Have you been looking at something inappropriate with your eyes?"

Moreover, it goes without saying that in the face of a head coach who holds absolute power within the team and has the final say, one would not dare to act frivolously or evade responsibility

Old Chen's gaze swept over the opposing players and finally settled on Bai Haonan, no longer as irritable: "Bai Haonan, tell me, if you were diligent and hardworking enough, with your talent, you could definitely be in the spotlight, even making it to the national team is possible. And what is the result? Just look at Feng Jinming, Zhang Cunyong, those who are in the same batch as you..."

However, the business is still exceptionally good

Daring to stay out and indulge on the night before the competition, only returning to the team a few hours prior to the match, is almost impossible in many professionally managed teams!

Old Nan, aren't you on the main list? Why are you so relaxed

Old Chen could only let out a long sigh as he walked to the coaching bench at the edge of the field with the assistant coach, who was both amused and exasperated, watching the players begin their pre-match warm-up preparations

With just over an hour left before the match, Bai Haonan, dressed in gray sports pants and a black hoodie, leaned casually against the door frame of the changing room, his right eye swollen to the size of a pigeon egg. Next to him, the team doctor, Old Qin, wearing a white coat, was applying ointment to his eye and quietly said, "Did you use protection? You’re out there all day flirting and showing off, don’t come back and infect me with something!"

Go away, when have I ever done anything wrong? I have been a model of spiritual civilization year after year! When have you ever seen me receive a red card?

Twenty-eight years old is actually the golden age for football players

All that could be heard was a loud bang from behind, as the changing room door closed, accompanied by the frantic voice of Old Chen from inside

With a smile, more than ten away team players bounced onto the field, and the away team's coaching staff that followed out clearly recognized Bai Haonan, several of them nodding at him, though not as openly greeting him as the players did

At this moment, the players of the Blue Wind team also came out, full of enthusiasm: "Nan Ge! You really made Old Chen quite angry!"

Bai Haonan innocently said: "What did I do to anger him? It's just that he has some fire in his heart and is taking it out on me. Go away, go away, it's the 13th, I'm a bit excited today, so be careful." While speaking, he casually slapped his teammate's butt, causing the young men to exclaim and jump back, complaining that he must have touched something strange yesterday and they didn't want to catch any disease.

Although it was not to the extent of handshakes and hugs, Bai Haonan still smiled and nodded at each person: "Da Zhang, are we having hot pot tonight? It's on me!"

The members of the sports team speak in this manner, with vulgarities and coarse language prevalent everywhere, as if this is the only way to fit into such a hormone-fueled environment

The blue small board brush landed directly on the somewhat balding back of the team doctor's head, causing Old Qin to turn around with a sigh of complaint to look at the coach. The players, who were casually sitting on the benches by the wall in the locker room changing into their jerseys and putting on their shoes, burst into laughter. Old Chen felt that the serious pre-game atmosphere had been disrupted, and in his anger, he jumped up and rushed towards the door. Seeing the situation was not good, Bai Haonan quickly abandoned the team doctor and ran away without any loyalty.

Bai Haonan actually dared to cover his head with both hands in pain: "Master! Disciple was wrong... Please, do not recite the tightening spell anymore! I was wrong..." He even performed a one-legged pose resembling Sun Wukong, and finally, he simply swayed back and forth, running in a drunken boxing stance!

The smiling Bai Haonan lowered his head, transforming into a silent, disdainful sneer

You know nothing about HMP

Old Nan, are you going to cause trouble again