Huang Hao dispatched Li Jianqin and the Lin family to investigate and resolve the issue. Although the Lin family was not a top-tier family in Hong Kong, they were still quite influential, so the Lin family, being in Guangdong, naturally knew about them. Furthermore, Lin Kexin's parents had now shifted the focus of their business to England, and Cambridge United's reputation in England was growing day by day, so both parties naturally hit it off, reaching a deep cooperation in athlete training and rehabilitation.
After three consecutive days of treatment by Lin Kexin, the large swelling on Hawkins' ankle miraculously disappeared at a visible rate! And he could no longer feel any pain when walking! Hawkins couldn't help but flash a bright white smile, giving Lin Kexin a thumbs-up and praising her as an angel with magic, who had given him a new lease on life!
AFC Bournemouth, similarly, is one of the oldest clubs established in the southern region of England. Due to their early red and black striped jerseys or the cherry trees planted around the stadium, the team also earned the nickname "The Cherries."
Bournemouth had long struggled in the lower Leagues, only entering the second-tier League for the first time in the 1986-87 season. This year, due to financial problems, they were ruthlessly deducted 10 points. Therefore, after one-third of the League schedule, although Bournemouth had accumulated 23 points and was on the periphery of the promotion zone, the 10-point deduction caused their actual points to drop directly into the relegation zone.
The team's Head Coach is the Englishman Kevin Bond. This 49-year-old Head Coach only became Bournemouth's Head Coach in December 2006. As a result of the team's financial problems, he found himself in a difficult situation, and his coaching record was not good.
Today, Abbey Stadium was once again packed to capacity.
Lin Kexin wore a white, tight-fitting tracksuit that perfectly showcased her figure. Cambridge in late autumn had a slight chill. Annie, who had arrived early, bought a Cambridge United team scarf outside the stadium, tied it around her neck, and then slightly tucked her head into the scarf before finally feeling a bit warmer.
The seat Huang Hao reserved for Lin Kexin was directly behind the coaching bench. From here, she could clearly see every move on the substitute bench. However, at this moment, it was still empty; Huang Hao and the players were still in Cambridge United's locker room, waiting for the match to begin.
In the home team's locker room, Huang Hao was conducting a tactical briefing. Bournemouth's formation was 4-1-4-1, and Bond played a good defensive counter-attacking game.
The team's main striker, Max Gradel, had currently scored 9 goals, ranking first in the League One top scorers list. Left winger Danny Hilton, with 7 goals and 5 assists, was even more in need of the team's special attention. However, Gradel had not returned to the team since October, when he went back to Côte d'Ivoire to handle affairs after his mother's passing. Therefore, the current main striker was Wilks, who only had one goal to his name so far.
After arranging the marking assignments and precautions, Huang Hao uncharacteristically tapped the blackboard:
"Listen up, lads! Today, this place is not only filled with fans expecting us to win, but there's also a very important guest. So, if anyone performs poorly and loses this match, I'll sell them!"
The Cambridge United players had heard Huang Hao tell them to fight for the fans and for honor, but they had never heard of fighting for an important guest. They all pricked up their ears, eager to get some gossip.
"Did you see Hawkins? You heard his miraculous recovery story, right? If you want to see this miracle doctor again in the future, then go out there and win the match for me!"
Upon learning that this guest was the legendary Chinese girl who had healed Hawkins, the players were clearly highly motivated!
At this moment, in the away team locker room at Abbey Stadium, Bond frowned as he looked at Cambridge United's starting lineup, then asked his assistant coach,
"Ricardo Hawkins, wasn't he on the injury list? Did he get a painkiller injection?"
Apparently, the assistant coach didn't know Lin Kexin's story and shook his head, looking equally puzzled.
"Huang Hao seems to take this match very seriously, but he's being too irresponsible to the players!" Bond walked towards the field with a look of disdain.
When Huang Hao and the players appeared on the field, Abbey Stadium immediately erupted in thunderous applause. Three years ago, the fans who had booed Huang Hao now revered him as Cambridge United's only king.
Lin Kexin had never watched a football match live before. When thousands of people cheered simultaneously in the not-so-large Abbey Stadium, the immense shock made her excited as well. She finally understood why Huang Hao exuded such extraordinary confidence.
After the match began, Bond kept an eye on Cambridge United's center-back Hawkins. Sprinting back and forth, jumping—there was no sign of injury whatsoever! Even with a full dose of painkillers, the movements would normally be different from usual, but Hawkins's displayed state was completely different!
Could this be Huang Hao's smokescreen? A faked injury? Why would he choose a center-back?! Hawkins wasn't even an absolute core player, was he?
Just as Bond was feeling a bit confused, his favorite player, Hilton, was unceremoniously tackled to the ground by Hawkins during a breakthrough, and it wasn't even a foul!
Immediately following that, Cambridge United launched a quick counter-attack. Midfielder Wilshere received a pass from Hawkins and, while maintaining a high-speed advance, kept an eye on the trailing Vardy!
When Vardy ran to the edge of the penalty area, Wilshere's pass threaded through the feet of two Bournemouth defenders, appearing precisely at that spot!
Vardy took a touch, directly dribbling past defender Pierce, and then unleashed a powerful shot!
The ball, after passing the goalkeeper, struck the junction of the post and the crossbar! After rebounding, it was cleared directly out of bounds by Pierce!
Lin Kexin also sighed, then turned to see Huang Hao stomping his foot in frustration, and she couldn't help but let out a giggle.
After Bournemouth defended a Cambridge United attack, they successfully passed the ball to midfielder Wilks!
Wilks had just carried the ball past midfield when Hawkins, rushing up, executed a sliding tackle and dispossessed him! After winning the ball, Hawkins immediately got up from the ground and distributed the ball to Sterri on the wing!
Faked injury! Absolutely a faked injury! Huang Hao is too despicable! Bond glared at Huang Hao with resentment!
Huang Hao, who was fully engrossed in directing the match, suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He turned his head and saw the furious eyes of the Bournemouth Head Coach. After a moment of stunned, he immediately understood what was going on. So he grinned at Bond, which further convinced Bond that this was a cunning conspiracy by the Easterner!
However, Bournemouth was not a pushover and would not be at a loss simply because of Hawkins' unexpected appearance.
When Vardy's shot was once again blocked by the post, Bournemouth began their favored defensive counter-attack!
Hilton quickly dribbled the ball along Cambridge United's left side, penetrating to the edge of the penalty area. As Suxi came over to assist in defense, he delivered a beautiful cross, accurately finding Pierce among the crowd. Pierce leaped high and headed the ball towards the goal!
Pantilimon was extremely focused. He jumped from a standing start and tipped the ball over the goal line!
The corner kick taken by right winger Stacey was headed directly out of the penalty area at the near post by Zhu Lu. Outside the box, Bournemouth's defensive midfielder Berry controlled the ball and passed it back to Stacey on the wing.
After receiving the ball, Stacey took a touch forward, evaded Bennett's sliding tackle, and then delivered another cross!
Hawkins jumped but did not make contact with the ball! Waiting behind him was Bournemouth's Hilton!
Hilton bravely held off Warren behind him and chested the ball down to Wilks nearby!
Wilks half-turned and struck the ball with his left foot. The ball soared over Pantilimon's head, struck the crossbar, and rebounded out of bounds!
Bond roared angrily on the sidelines! Venting the resentment in his heart!
Bournemouth's goalkeeper Cooper was exceptionally brilliant today, with another diving save, denying Dzeko's shot! It made Dzeko question his life a bit.
In the 40th minute, Cambridge United won their fourth corner kick of the first half. Grove took a short corner, playing a quick one-two with Sterri, and then lofted the ball into the penalty area from the right side of the big box!
When Bond saw Hawkins leaping high behind him, his heart sank halfway! Sure enough! The leaping Hawkins did not disappoint the Bournemouth Head Coach, heading the ball steadily into the top left corner of the goal, 1-0!!!
After scoring, Hawkins immediately ran towards the home team's coaching bench! Just as Huang Hao thought he was going to hug him, he tensed his legs and lowered into a horse stance, knowing it wouldn't be pleasant to be hit by a black tower. Unexpectedly, when he reached in front of him, Hawkins stopped and made a heart shape with both hands in front of his chest, dedicating it to Lin Kexin behind the coaching bench!
Huang Hao, who had been left hanging, felt a bit awkward and a little jealous! Damn it, trying to steal my woman? He immediately gave Hawkins a kick, sending him back onto the field! This made Lin Kexin laugh so hard she couldn't straighten up!
Just as Bond was still reeling, Cambridge United surged forward again!
Sterri received a goal kick from goalkeeper Pantilimon and kicked it directly to Tadić in front. Tadić broke forward along the sideline into Bournemouth's half.
At this moment, Stacey was defending Tadić. As a fellow winger, he knew how formidable Tadić's footwork was. He maintained a distance of about 2 meters from Tadić, gradually shortening the distance between them as Tadić advanced, to prevent himself from being dribbled past.
But just then, Tadić suddenly stopped! With the outside of his foot, he directly curled a shot, and the ball floated towards Bournemouth's goal!
A lob shot? As Stacey was confused, full-back Putz was also watching the ball float towards him, completely unaware that Bennett had quietly ghosted into the penalty area from behind him!
By the time Putz noticed Bennett, he had already appeared at the far post, leaping high!
The excellent Cooper was unable to stop Bennett from that position! He watched helplessly as the ball flew over his head and into the goal!!!
2-0!
Seeing Tadić's otherworldly pass, Huang Hao excitedly turned to the stands, constantly raising his hands to the fans, signaling everyone to give the biggest cheers to Tadić!
The match ended with Cambridge United defeating Bournemouth 2-0, continuing their winning streak. Huang Hao arranged for Darren to attend the press conference, while he immediately retrieved his winter coat from the locker room and draped it over Lin Kexin, who had been waiting for him outside the stadium for a long time.
It was already past ten o'clock, and Lin Kexin apparently didn't know that after a match, the Head Coach still had a series of tasks to complete.
Huang Hao snatched a car from Li Jianqin and personally drove Lin Kexin back to St. Mark's Hospital's staff apartment. Along the way, the two seemed to have endless topics, making Lin Kexin chuckle frequently. However, as the car stopped downstairs at the apartment building, a brief silence fell over the car, and a subtle, ambiguous atmosphere gradually permeated the space.
Finally, Huang Hao broke the deadlock with a cough and invited Lin Kexin to watch Cambridge United's home matches in the future. Lin Kexin happily accepted the invitation, then waved goodbye to Huang Hao somewhat reluctantly and walked towards the apartment.
Huang Hao watched Lin Kexin's retreating figure, and an unprecedented flutter arose in his heart. Perhaps he should be more proactive?