Dominate the Super Bowl

Packed to the brim, a sea of people.

As far as the eye could see, a daunting, endless crowd made even the Peach Bowl venue, the Georgia Dome, seem miniature by comparison. The surging throng had encircled the site, making it completely inaccessible.

Nothing but people, still more people.

This was the home field of the NFL team the Atlanta Falcons, and it had also been the site of the Peach Bowl for the past twenty-three years.

This year was a little different.

This would be the Georgia Dome's last year hosting any event, as the structure was scheduled for demolition ten months later, turning this city landmark laden with countless memories into history.

The match—one less to watch with each game played—had drawn an unbelievable turnout today. Nearly half of Atlanta had mobilized; coupled with the fact that it was New Year's Eve, the last day of 2016, countless citizens had chosen to spend this commemorative day at the Georgia Dome.

The scene was spectacular.

Li Wei thought they had been seasoned by a season's worth of home games at the hundred-thousand-capacity stadium, and should have been able to handle any situation with ease. But upon arriving at the site, he couldn't help but exclaim:

This was different. Truly different.

The Bowl Game, it had arrived.

"Li Wei, are you planning to stay in the NCAA for another year?"

"Next season, do you still intend to play football or are you thinking of going back to mixed martial arts?"

"Do you think you're ready for the challenge of the Professional League? After all, the NFL is a different level of competition. Do you think Chinese players can adapt to the intensity?"

"Who do you think is the biggest rival to the Crimson Tide Storm's title defense, Watson-led Clemson?"

"Do you have confidence against the University of Washington?"

Chattering, bustling.

The microphone was thrust unhesitatingly into Li Wei's throat, as if yearning to reach his stomach, and the media reporters encircling him brought to mind scenes of 'The Walking Dead'.

Clearly, Li Wei remained the center of attention; everyone tried to get a piece of him. The media, ever fond of novelty, had already cast Lamar Jackson aside; the Professional League indeed proved to be a cruel world following the adage 'laugh at the new while ignoring the old's tears.' Read latest stories on empire

However,

Just as Li Wei was about to speak, a plump figure squeezed through from behind, guarding him fiercely, and shoved the reporters aside as rudely and brutally as a mother hen protecting her chick, baring his teeth and shouting.

"Back off, all of you back off!"

"Media ban, haven't you heard of it? If you don't want to be completely banned from Bryant-Denny Stadium next season, get out of my way."

"Don't make me call security to clear the area."

"Back off! Damn it all to hell, scatter!"

Burns looked like the devil incarnate.

The media reporters were all stunned. They were not afraid of Burns, but they feared Saban. They knew that when Saban said he would do something, he meant it. If Saban completely banned the media from the Crimson Tide Storm's home field next season, that would be problematic.

Instinctively, the reporters lifted their cameras and pressed the shutter, aiming at Burns's rotund, scowling face.

But Burns wasn't playing that game. Exposure by the journalists didn't bother him. Saban's media ban had already spread throughout the football community—not just the NCAA, but the NFL was abuzz with it too.

"Get lost!"

"Clear out!"

Burns didn't care, in fact, he even raised his middle finger, commanding the media to step aside.

Finally, the reporters began to back away. No one wanted to provoke Saban—

The consequences might be more than they could bear.

The bustling crowd in front of them parted like the Red Sea before Moses, and Burns patted Li Wei on the shoulder, signaling with his eyes.

Only then did Li Wei take a step forward, a smile on his face as he walked at ease under the welcoming gaze of the onlookers. Those sharp and keen eyes seemed ready to peel off a layer of skin from him, yet they dared not make a move.

The Crimson Tide Storm players made their way forward when finally a reporter couldn't resist and shouted at Li Wei's back.

"Li Wei, Budda Baker said you only have a 'pretty face,'" how do you respond to that?"

Budda Baker, the star quarterback from the University of Washington, was exactly the opponent of the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm in the Peach Bowl.

He was widely regarded as having first or second-round draft potential, and unlike most black safeties, his physical gifts did not give him an advantage. At 5.8 feet (178 cm) tall, he often found himself at a disadvantage in confrontations, but his judgment, positioning, and skills showed an exceptional standard.

This was a player who was always learning and growing.

Indeed, despite his modest collegiate honors, his growth in the Professional League has been steady. With five Pro Bowls, two All-America First Team selections, and two All-America Second Team honors, his performance far exceeded the scouts' evaluations.

Simply put, this was a player who relied on his brains to play the game.

Actually, this season, Baker's performance was enough to rank among the elite, undoubtedly the leader of the University of Washington team.

Before the game, Baker had started firing shots to disturb Li Wei's focus.

"Pretty face"—the insult was extremely strong, and the subtext of the implication went without saying.

Indeed, Li Wei stopped in his tracks.

Clark was somewhat concerned, "Li Wei."

But Jacobs had a calm expression on his face; handling this kind of trash talk was a breeze for Li Wei.

"Thank you."

The air carried Li Wei's voice.

Not only were the reporters stunned, but even Clark and Jacobs were taken aback. Had Li Wei not understood the subtext of Baker's nickname?

No way...

"But no, I'm not interested."

Li Wei continued to speak, and without pausing his stride, he turned and walked away at a steady pace.

Snort.

Allen was the first to lose control, bursting out laughing. Li Wei was just too clever; he insulted without using a single swear word. The reporters hadn't even caught on, looking at the confused and hesitant faces around. The Crimson Tide Storm players were laughing very arrogantly and unrestrained—

Baker said Li Wei was all show and no substance.

Li Wei suggested that Baker's praise of his looks was because of a secret crush, an admission of affection discreetly rejected.

There's always someone better.

It must be admitted that in the art of trash-talking, others clearly lagged behind Li Wei.

The reporters were slow to catch on, but once they did, they laughed even more heartily.

Entering the bowl game and stepping onto the nationwide stage, both the level of scrutiny and intensity of competition rose a notch. Li Wei, who had dominated the college and Professional League conversations this season, naturally became the target of all competitors; everyone wanted to beat Alabama, everyone wanted to beat Li Wei.

It wasn't just Baker, the quarterback from the University of Washington was also ready with his ammunition.

"No, I'm not concerned about Li Wei. In my view, he is not a threat. The only thing we need to focus on is the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group, Allen, Foster, Humphrey, they are the true heroes of Crimson Tide Storm."

"In my opinion, the media should pay attention to the players who truly brought the Crimson Tide Storm to where it is now, not create unnecessary hype just because of his identity and skin color. Honestly, he's just a pretty face, that's all."

Roar, roar, roar, this move was brilliant—seemingly complimentary and not overly sharp, but in fact, it was—

A divide and conquer strategy?