Dominate the Super Bowl

Looking at Li Wei laughing heartily in front of her, Thalia realized how very close, too close, they were, almost within arm's reach. Only then did the young girl begin to feel shy.

Thalia moved slightly away, noticing a detail a beat later: Li Wei had spread his arms to avoid touching her with his arms or hands, a gesture of politeness that made Thalia's cheeks flush lightly.

Raising her head again to look at Li Wei, gazing into those calm and sincere eyes, and noticing the slight weariness in his expression, Thalia asked, concerned.

"Are you okay?"

Li Wei was taken aback, but still smiled, "I'm fine."

Thalia shook her head, "You know what I mean. Maybe you're not physically hurt, but what about your mental state? I can't imagine the pressure you're under right now."

An all-winning season, just one step away from completing the historic feat of a three-peat undefeated season, and coupled with Felix's dreams, everything piled layer upon layer onto Li Wei's shoulders—

The final step is often the hardest.

Li Wei chuckled silently, "No."

Thalia: ?

Li Wei gently shook his head, "No need, I hope you never have to know such pressure, not even have to imagine it or worry about it, just simply enjoy performing."

"Everything starts off simple and happy, but as time goes on, things gradually become complicated, and in the end, we're swept up in the tides of life."

Li Wei didn't directly respond to Thalia.

Thalia pondered over Li Wei's words, "So, do you regret it?"

Li Wei didn't expect such a question. Does he regret it?

The beginning was merely because of the system, which might be the key to changing life and destiny; he stepped onto the football field with ignorance and ambiguity.

When did things start to go off track?

Was it those disheartened people at the Old Oak Tavern, wandering through the endless nights of unemployment, relying on the Kansas City Chiefs as their only hope in life?

Or was it Annie Galas and Felix Gray, those children tortured by illness, who faced a battle with an early predetermined outcome with admirable courage, defiantly challenging the Death God, letting life burst into splendid colors?

Or perhaps it was Mahomes, Kelsey, Hill, these teammates fighting shoulder to shoulder, facing numerous challenges yet always staying united and refusing to surrender?

Maybe it was all of these, or maybe none; perhaps it was merely at some moment that he genuinely fell in love with this sport, full of wisdom and power, full of challenges and limits, and then he fell in love with this city and these people.

Things have long been different.

Indeed, they are now under tremendous pressure, they are now exhausted and burned out, and they don't know how much energy they still have left in their bodies.

But, does he regret it?

"No," Li Wei said.

As soon as he spoke, a faint self-mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "That sounds really stupid."

Thalia laughed along, "But you still don't regret it."

Li Wei nodded, "Yeah."

Lightly spoken, but with a deep resolve emanating from within, which made Thalia unable to look away.

Li Wei thought about it seriously, "Because all of this makes me believe that dreams have meaning. Maybe they can be realized or maybe not, but they can ignite a ray of hope in endless darkness, guiding us to keep moving forward, making life bearable, giving life weight and color."

"Pressure is not only terrifying but also painful, but in this battle, we're not alone."

"We have Arrowhead Stadium, we have Kansas City, we have Annie and Felix, I'm not facing this alone."

Thalia quietly watched Li Wei, not saying a word, just silently gazing at him.

That look, so focused and persistent, made Li Wei stop, looking back at Thalia.

Finally, Thalia spoke, "And you have me."

Li Wei froze, the corners of his mouth raised slightly.

Thalia seemed dissatisfied with Li Wei's response and emphasized again, "And you have me."

Li Wei chuckled silently and pondered, "Thalia, at some points in our lives, age doesn't matter, anyone can go through this phase where we mistake admiration or attachment for love, believing in forever, thinking such emotions can be eternal, but it's just an illusion."

Thalia didn't back down; she shook her head, "I don't believe in forever."

Li Wei didn't expect that.

Thalia shrugged lightly, "You see, we do have a generation gap, old man. Nowadays, young people don't believe in forever; there's no such thing as forever in this world."

Li Wei burst out laughing.

Thalia continued, "Precisely because I don't believe in forever, I hold onto the present, cherish every moment happening now, not hesitating or holding back, but loving boldly, taking risks boldly, running boldly. Even if, in the end, it inevitably disappears, at least it once bloomed brilliantly."

"I'll be grateful I once had it, rather than lamenting its disappearance."

Thalia gazed at Li Wei, more focused and earnest than ever.

"I know you think I'm still young, that this is just a phase mistaking another emotion for love, but, Li Wei."

She paused.

"You can't deny that you've been moved. I've seen the hesitation and wavering in your eyes; I know you like me, you're just afraid to admit it."

Li Wei tried to defuse the tension.

Yet, unusually, Thalia cut him off.

"But it's okay, I have time. After all, old man, I'm still young, right?"

"I can wait, wait for you to be willing to confront your own feelings; you should also wait to see if my feelings are a fleeting impulse or true love."

"Maybe by then, you won't keep being a coward."

Then, Thalia took a small step forward, stood on tiptoe, leaned towards Li Wei, gently exhaled, and her smile widened.

"Friendly reminder, my birthday is August 17th. By then, you'll have no more excuses."

After speaking, seeing Li Wei's bewildered face, Thalia swiftly planted a kiss on Li Wei's cheek.

Li Wei was caught off guard and jumped in surprise.

Thalia turned and ran away, jogging and cheering, then turned back to look at Li Wei, laughing openly, showing a set of neat white teeth and elf-like pointed ears hidden in her hair, "I just left my mark, that's my imprint."

Then, without waiting for Li Wei to respond, Thalia turned and skipped away, her lighthearted and joyful song echoing down the hallway.

"He's here, he's there, he's everywhere, he's the Edgerunner, Li Wei Li Wei Li Wei."

The song echoed, swirling in the hallway.

Even someone as quick as Li Wei was stunned by everything in front of him, standing motionless, unable to react for a moment until a commotion arose.

Whoosh.

Kelsey, Mahomes, Hill, Jones, and others tumbled out of the storage room as if beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Mahomes, being squeezed in the front, raised his head and saw Li Wei. He hurriedly stood up, covering his eyes with his hands, "I didn't hear anything."

"Ah, wait." He swapped to covering his ears, "I heard nothing. Really."