Chapter Five: When the Cheat Code Comes Knocking

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"...Yesterday’s FA Cup third-round match ended with an upset: home team Sohford United was unexpectedly held to a draw by Championship side Drayton. The two teams will face a replay on January 20th..."

The broadcast showed scenes of Drayton players wildly celebrating, forming a human pyramid in the corner flag area of Sohford United’s stadium. Even the substitutes and coaching staff joined in the revelry.

In contrast, Sohford United players lay on the ground near their goal, hands covering their faces.

Their despair and anguish starkly contrasted with the jubilant Drayton players.

"At the 98th minute of the match, Drayton’s defensive midfielder Jaden Hope headed in a corner kick to secure a last-minute equalizer. Sohford United had been defending deep for over ten minutes but finally collapsed at the very end..."

The camera panned over the stands, filled with stunned, speechless Sohford United fans.

Next was a close-up of Sohford United’s head coach Sven Helden. Despite the victory slipping away into a draw, his face remained stern, his brow furrowed more deeply than usual, and his lower lip was bitten pale.

"...At the post-match press conference, Sohford United’s coach Helden stated that the eight-minute injury time should not have been added..."

The scene shifted to Helden addressing reporters. He shook his head.

"The eight minutes of injury time were abnormal. In the final moments, the entire Redstone Stadium was filled with boos—what that means is crystal clear... I believe this result is unfair to us. Without that eight-minute addition, we should have been the winners."

Off-camera, a journalist asked, "So you believe the extended injury time was caused by Wang’s refusal to leave the field?"

Helden responded expressionlessly, "Everyone knows what really happened."

Wang Lie, sitting on the couch watching the broadcast, couldn’t help but laugh aloud: "Ha! He didn’t even dare say ‘YES’ outright."

Fernando Clemente, Wang’s agent sitting beside him, chuckled too but quickly resumed a serious expression. "I have to admit, Helden played this very cleverly. Now everyone is blaming your reckless stubbornness for the team’s failure..."

"It’s a draw, Fernando. Be precise—Drayton equalized, it wasn’t a last-minute winner." Wang focused on correcting his agent’s wording, indifferent to the online backlash since he was long accustomed to it.

"In their eyes, Sohford United being held to a draw at home by a Championship side is a defeat," Clemente explained. "I’m not saying you were rash again, Wang. I know you’ve been very restrained. But the reality is, with this stunt, you basically can’t stay at Sohford United any longer. And we haven’t found a new club yet..."

Clemente had just been in Dortmund, Germany, and immediately after the FA Cup match bought the fastest ticket back to Manchester, England, aware of the seriousness of the situation.

Frankly, this could very well end Wang Lie’s career in European football.

Yet Clemente could hardly blame Wang for a moment of impulsiveness.

He understood that given Wang’s temper, holding back this long was already commendable.

Even Clemente himself had ranted against Helden on social media when that absurd substitution decision was made...

Wang’s expression grew more solemn. "We never intended to stay at Sohford United anyway... What about Ruhr Steel United?"

Ruhr Steel United, based in Dortmund in the Ruhr industrial region of Germany, was a top club in German football, second only to Isar Munich, also a powerhouse.

Clemente’s trip to Germany wasn’t just to contact Isar Munich; logically, he shouldn’t have returned so soon. But then, an unexpected event occurred.

"They didn’t reject us, but they showed no willingness to push things forward."

"Then it’s a no-go." Wang leaned back on the sofa, shaking his head with a faint smile.

Clemente sighed. "Looking back, we should have left last summer instead of listening to Helden’s lies and staying. Back then, many European clubs would have welcomed you, especially since you were the team’s top scorer last season. Now Helden has benched you for half a season—no form, no performance—and those clubs interested before have hesitated and backed off..."

Wang waved his hand, cutting off the complaints. "It’s useless to talk about this now. They’ve clearly decided to make an example out of me, so of course, I have to stay on the team."

Clemente fell silent.

Wang stopped speaking, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

The spacious living room fell into a heavy silence.

※※※

As Fernando Clemente had predicted, after being held to a draw by a Championship side, all post-match discussions focused squarely on Wang Lie.

Following the press conference, a series of trending topics exploded on social media, such as:

"#Drayton’s 'Subspace Goal'"

"#Wang&Helden"

"#WangRefusesToLeaveField"

"#UnnecessaryInjuryTime"

"#SohfordUnitedInfighting"

"#WhatDidWangSay"

"#DraytonHonoraryPlayer"

...

Clicking on any of these revealed they all related to Wang Lie.

"#Drayton’s ‘Subspace Goal’ — Helden’s comments are not just shirking responsibility. I timed it: from the fourth official raising the substitution board to Wang finally leaving the field took 3 minutes and 37 seconds. How could a normal substitution take that long? The referees added all this delay to the injury time, which extended the second half by eight minutes. And Sohford United conceded in those final moments. So Helden is right: without Wang’s stubborn defiance, there wouldn’t have been eight minutes of injury time, and Drayton’s equalizer wouldn’t have happened! I’m not a Sohford fan, just stating this objectively!"

"I was at the stadium! I can confirm! When the fourth official raised the eight-minute injury time board, the entire Redstone Stadium booed! Why so much injury time? Everyone knows why! #UnnecessaryInjuryTime"

"I’m a Drayton fan; we all thank Wang. I made this image (showing Wang in a Drayton jersey). I just want to say we welcome Wang to join Drayton! If you have nowhere else to go, please consider us! #DraytonHonoraryPlayer"

"#WhatDidWangSay? Apparently, when Wang finally left the field, he said Helden’s substitution was suicide. He was right—it was suicide. But not Helden’s suicide, it was his own. I used to sympathize with Wang, but after this, I think he deserved it!"

...

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Besides those enjoying the spectacle or venting their emotions, many professional journalists also voiced their opinions.

Harry Wright, ESPN UK commentator: "I know there’s conflict between Wang and Helden; after all, Wang was benched half the season. But I didn’t expect Wang to explode in this match... Frankly, Helden’s substitution was problematic, but Wang’s problem is bigger! This outright defiance of the coach is unbelievable from a veteran like Wang! This isn’t about who’s right or wrong, it’s a matter of principle! Players must obey the coach!"

Kellan Corroy, editor-in-chief of Sunday Sports: "Wang had a chance to resolve this better but chose self-destruction. I know Helden deliberately blamed Wang for not winning, but Wang handed him the reason to do so.

"Looking calmly, Helden’s substitution was indeed flawed and should have been severely criticized after the game, but all fire was directed at Wang instead... You’re almost 38, Wang, just six years younger than me. Grow up a little. How can you still act like an 18-year-old brat?"

Lawrence Dadomo, veteran columnist and notorious Wang critic: "I’ve said many times that Wang’s impulsiveness would ruin him, and then his fans attacked me like mad dogs. So now the facts prove me wrong?

"From the moment Wang ignored the ongoing match, refused to leave, and shouted at the assistant coach on the sideline, he destroyed everything at Sohford United himself. If this is what Wang’s fans wanted to see, congratulations—you got it..."

Dean Campbell, editor and columnist for 442 website, seasoned fan: "I disagree somewhat with Sven Helden. I don’t think those extra minutes of injury time were the main reason Sohford conceded late. I think Wang’s confrontation with the coaching staff on the sideline was decisive—not because it added minutes, but because it was a morale killer, done in front of everyone.

"He ripped open the wound and showed the bleeding wound to the whole world. Imagine if you’re a Sohford player on the pitch—what would you think? ‘God! Our star player is publicly fighting with the coach! How can we keep playing?’"

Liam Adeyemo, renowned football biographer: "I feel since late last season, after hearing home fans boo him at Redstone Stadium, Wang’s mental state has been off balance. He even said after the season, 'If the team rebuilds starting with me, I can leave, no problem,' which caused a stir because it sounded like sulking rather than taking responsibility. Some believe he was just making excuses to escape a non-Champions League team...

"But whatever, it shows this: Wang was once the unstoppable ‘China Wang’ on the pitch. As he aged and his physical abilities declined, his temper grew more impatient. Maybe because he deeply realizes his decline.

"Everyone ages, that’s natural. But Wang seems unwilling to accept this. He fights himself, others, the world, even time.

"He’s playing a game doomed to fail. He knows the outcome but gets more uncomfortable the more he knows. That explains why from the end of last season to now, negative news has surrounded him: on-field conflicts, pushing reporters, disputing calls, heckling opposing fans... and many unconfirmed but not baseless rumors.

"Fans once asked what fault Wang had. Since turning pro at 18, he’s always been so competitive. All the traits once praised are now reasons for criticism. Why?

"So did Wang do wrong?

"I think if he did, it’s not accepting aging. Being competitive is noble; he can be competitive but can’t deny aging.

"If he neither accepts defeat nor aging, then in the twilight of his career, he looks bad and undignified..."

Nick Waters, former Sohford United legend and well-known commentator: "...You all know I’ve always considered Wang one of the world’s top players, deserving all the praise he received. But this afternoon, his performance tarnished the Sohford badge on his chest. Our core value is ‘team first,’ but Wang disrespected that this time. If I were him, I’d apologize to Helden and teammates to prove Sohford United is foremost in my heart. I’m truly disappointed..."

...

Not only foreign media but also many Chinese journalists criticized Wang Lie’s actions.

"When Helden decided to substitute Wang Lie, Wang’s agent Clement tweeted accusing Helden of publicly humiliating Wang. If I recall correctly, Clement said the same two months ago—when Helden only subbed Wang in the 93rd minute after warming up all match.

"Both Clement and I criticized Helden then for how he treated a legendary star.

"What did Wang do then? He didn’t refuse to play; he went on, even though within 40 seconds of entering, he touched the ball zero times before the match ended. He didn’t openly defy.

"After that incident, many criticized Helden. But now? European media almost unanimously blame Wang. Shouldn’t he reflect on why?

"Wang has always been a role model for many, but now he’s set a bad example for all his fans. This time, I really can’t defend him; he went too far..."

Sports journalist Li Qing’s remarks resonated widely on Chinese social media.

No one believed Helden’s substitution was right, but they felt Wang’s reaction was wrong, turning a winning position into a disaster.

He should have chosen a better way but picked the worst.

So now, except for extremely loyal diehard fans like Zhao Zhou, even many of Wang’s followers dare not speak up online.

Even the usual "pretty boy fans" who often mock and insult Wang now remain silent, fearing heavier backlash.

Their only outlet is venting privately in Wang fan groups:

"Bro, don’t you realize how unfavorable the public opinion is now? Why make such a public mess!"

"Bro, please stop, we really can’t take it anymore!"

"Bro, you have a big heart, but we fans don’t—we’re scared of the insults..."

"Bro, how about retiring? Really, retire. You’ve earned enough, why keep struggling?"

※※※

"...Okay, okay, I understand, I’ll make sure to educate Wang Ziqi... Yes, yes... Thank you, Teacher Sun. Sorry to trouble you... Okay, goodbye, Teacher Sun..."

Tang Xingmei hung up and looked at her son, her smile replaced by a stern expression.

"Teacher Sun told me you started the fight. Tomorrow at school, you’re going to apologize to them with me!"

Wang Ziqi stiffened his neck. "No!"

"You! If you say no again!" Tang’s anger flared. Her husband was already in enough trouble; now her son was adding to it.

After school, she noticed bruises on her son’s face and body. He said he got them during gym class, so she didn’t think much of it.

Only when a parent from his class contacted her on WeChat to complain did she learn Wang Ziqi had been fighting with other classmates...

She feared the other side’s one-sided story and tried to get information from the homeroom teacher. Instead, Teacher Sun called her directly.

Sun confirmed the complaints and added information Tang didn’t know: Wang Ziqi fought more than one person and even broke one boy’s glasses.

So she had to take her son to apologize to each child and pay to replace the broken glasses—a special pair of defocus glasses for correcting nearsightedness, costing several thousand to over ten thousand yuan.

Money wasn’t an issue for Tang, but she worried that this incident would spark unnecessary public controversy at a critical time, making her husband’s situation even harder—although their elite private school protected family privacy well, and no classmates knew Wang Ziqi was Wang Lie’s son.

But in today’s information age, with technology so advanced, who could truly remain invisible online?

If someone wanted to, they could find some clues.

Tang always taught her children to be low-profile and careful outside, fearing trouble and backlash.

Her younger child was well-behaved; her eight-year-old son was entering a rebellious phase but generally obedient.

So this time, the trouble her son caused was unexpected...

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Despite his mother’s anger, Wang Ziqi did not immediately back down but cried out, "Why should I apologize?! They should apologize! Why can they insult my dad, but when I insult them, they say I’m losing control! That’s not fair! Not at all!"

Tang, turning to find something to discipline him with, stopped.

Her son kept crying:

"They called my dad a clown, but why don’t they say what that old Helden did to my dad?! My dad endured so much; why can’t he lose his temper?! Is my dad a robot that must endure everything?! Everyone says my dad’s approach is wrong, but Helden’s is fine?! What authority does that coach have? What kind of coach is that? Who says we must respect him?! He’s trash! He doesn’t deserve it! He doesn’t!"

Tang suddenly felt exhausted and sat down on the edge of the bed, neither scolding nor hitting him, letting her son’s heart-wrenching cries fill the bedroom.

Outside the room, Wang Zilin, hearing his brother’s muffled sobs, looked back at their grandmother in a wheelchair and asked, "Isn’t brother helping Dad? Why does Mom want him to apologize?"

Grandma Zhou Hong patted her granddaughter’s head. "Hitting others is never right..."

Wang Zilin frowned in confusion. "Those bad kids called Dad a clown; is it wrong for brother to hit them? Then should brother just insult others first from now on?"

Zhou Hong opened her mouth but didn’t know how to explain the situation to the little girl. She herself thought Wang Zilin was not wrong... So she sighed.

※※※

Clemente had left. Wang Lie sat on the sofa, staring at the turned-off TV.

Before leaving, Clemente hesitated to speak but said nothing and walked away. Wang guessed what he wanted to say.

Actually, after last night’s match, when he called his wife Tang Xingmei, she had mentioned:

"Why don’t you come back home to play?"

What did he say then?

"Oh, okay, I’ll seriously consider it."

His wife probably thought he was just brushing her off.

But he had truly pondered it all night.

With one and a half years until the 2038 World Cup in the UK, returning home now would allow him to play one and a half seasons, surely enough to keep his form.

But on the other hand, the quality of the domestic league cannot compare to Europe’s.

Also, he needs a more convincing performance to prove to national coach He Zhenyong that he can return to the national team—and remain a key player.

This national team already has many excellent players, some of whom are stars in European football.

For example, forward Chi Zhen, a regular starter at English Premier League giants Scarsen; attacking midfielder Fu Xiaofeng at Ligue 1’s Lille; starting center-back Feng Qiyuan of Premier League’s Whetton Hill; and defensive midfielder Su Ju, nicknamed "Iron Lung," at La Liga’s Liaral...

All are core players at their clubs, mostly mid-career or younger, capable, insightful, and ambitious.

To remain a leader capable of guiding such a group to the World Cup, just returning home to play is not enough for Wang Lie.

There is another crucial reason: Wang Lie is unwilling to give up.

No matter how much he tries, several times he nearly convinced himself to accept it... but deep inside, a voice always says:

No, I won’t accept it!

That frustration churns wildly inside his chest, waking him in the dead of night, fists clenched, cursing fiercely—so harshly that the curses would be muted if spoken aloud.

After a night of this, Wang Lie seemed less suffocated but still felt discontent whenever he thought about it.

Tch. Damn it...

He leaned back, resting his head on the sofa’s backrest.

Then he heard knocking at the front door.

At first, he thought he imagined it; then, three distinct knocks came:

"Bang, bang, bang."

The sound was soft but clear.

He thought it might be Clemente returning since only Clemente could enter through the gate and knock.

Another agent, Ran Hanming, was in China.

Besides that, only his wife Tang Xingmei could enter without knocking.

"Did you forget your lighter or something..." Wang teased Clemente while opening the door, but when he saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face, he froze completely.

The visitor smiled brightly upon seeing Wang Lie:

"Hello, Wang Lie."