Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 943 - 942 Mixed Flavors

Chapter 943: 942 Mixed Flavors

In the air, an utter silence pervaded.

It wasn’t absolute silence; you could still hear the sounds of machines, footsteps in the corridor, conversations next door, all those trivial noises flowing around. However, all of this only made the quiet in the hospital room even more pronounced, a kind of silence and stillness that clutched the heart and left one breathless.

Until Smith broke the silence—

“I’m not a coward.”

“Choosing to retire doesn’t mean weakness.” Li Wei nodded gently, “Sometimes, choosing to let go or back down requires incredible courage, because you’re saying goodbye to a career and dream you’ve dedicated your life to, and letting go might be harder than holding on.”

Visit freewёbnoνel.com for the best novel reading experience.

Smith stared blankly at Li Wei.

Since the injury, everyone treated him like a fragile glass doll, with utmost care and patience, accommodating his every need, fearing that even a little criticism could cause him to collapse entirely. But such kindness made him feel suffocated and endlessly frustrated.

Not Li Wei.

There was no pampering but also no harshness, keeping a level relationship, conversing like friends, and the mixed emotions unknowingly settled down.

Smith said, “I thought you came to cheer me up, to get me back on my feet.”

Li Wei didn’t answer directly but laughed, “Haha. Hahaha. Captain, am I so heartless? Can’t I just come purely to see you?”

Smith glanced awkwardly outside, trying to control himself, “I’m no longer your captain.”

Li Wei nodded, “True. We’re not that close to talk about ‘once a captain, always a captain,’ right?”

Smith immediately picked out the sarcasm in Li Wei’s words, “Ha. Ha. Ha.” He gave a dry laugh, indicating it wasn’t funny at all.

Li Wei’s smile grew brighter, “Cheering someone up doesn’t always mean taking a single path. Facing life calmly, embracing the unknown bravely, and confronting difficulties serenely is also a positive attitude.”

“I just hope you can find happiness again, Captain.”

Smith turned his head sharply to look at Li Wei, a sharpness appearing in his gaze.

Li Wei didn’t back down.

“Because I know it’s difficult, even ten or a hundred times harder than I can imagine. You’ve just survived a life-and-death ordeal, and even facing your current situation calmly is a challenge.”

“So, I just hope you’re happy.”

“Life is too precious; we don’t have time to wallow in self-pity and torment ourselves.”

Smith was immersed in Li Wei’s words, feeling a bit lost, with a bitter taste on his tongue, as tumultuous thoughts filled his mind.

When he looked at Li Wei again, Smith had regained his composure, “Is it because of Annie Galas?”

Li Wei replied with a smile, “It’s because of Annie, and also because of you.”

With a gentle exhale, it was clear that these matters were also not easy for Li Wei.

“Annie faced a battle with a predetermined outcome, she gave her all, she held nothing back, yet she still lost in the end.”

“And you, too, are facing a battle with unpredictable results, or rather, a fight that doctors believe has already been determined. You fought, you countered, and you escaped death’s clutch.”

“So, whatever choice you make next, and whatever the future holds, you’ve already won. I just hope you can find happiness.”

Candidly, sincerely, yet finding a touch of strength in the vulnerability of the gaze.

Under Li Wei’s gaze, Smith felt somewhat embarrassed.

Then, Li Wei’s smile blossomed fully, “Of course, if you ask me, I’d still love to see you back on the field.”

“People always say that Alex Smith is too mediocre, too ordinary, completely without characteristics, but you know what? Those who say such things might end up breathless after running ten yards, with daily diets of fries, beer, and steak turning themselves into mounds of fat, without a clue of their own ignorance and foolishness.”

“Just look at how tragically the Washington Redskins ended their season.”

“Honestly, is there a tiny part of you that’s relieved the team fell apart at the end of the season?”

Smith couldn’t believe his ears, “Li Wei!”

Li Wei raised his hands in surrender, “Most importantly, I hope we can face off on the field, and then help Sherlock beat you personally.”

Nonchalantly, Li Wei issued a challenge, catching Smith off guard once again—

How many times has that been now?

But that’s Li Wei, always catching people off guard, always breaking boundaries, inadvertently drawing his audience into his rhythm.

That’s why Li Wei could grow into a locker room leader and become the core soul of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Smith imagined the scenario of standing opposite Li Wei and Mahomes, the Washington Redskins facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it couldn’t help but set his blood boiling.

The emotion, so turbulent and passionate, almost scalded his chest, forcing Smith to hurriedly control himself and change the subject.

“Just between us, after the anesthesia wore off, I checked the team’s record, and I’m somewhat relieved we didn’t see a Keenum scenario.”

Last season, after Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Sam Bradford got injured, the unknown quarterback Keenum seized the opportunity to take over the team and lead them all the way into the National Conference finals.

It turned out, that even the always straightforward Smith has his own scars—

After all, he’s gone through it once with the San Francisco 49ers, having missed games due to a concussion and then completely losing his starting job.

Li Wei lowered his voice for a light-hearted jab, “Keenum is no longer in fashion; the League is all about Lamar Jackson now.”

Smith let out a gentle sigh, “I also wonder what’s next for Joe Flacco.”

In the Baltimore Ravens, given Li Wei’s understanding of Harbaugh, Flacco probably won’t have a chance, and he might be traded to any team and then start anew.

Although the League leans toward young players, a seasoned veteran quarterback like Flacco should still be in demand, unlikely to be without work.

Smith glanced at Li Wei, showing a bitter smile, and made a self-mocking remark, “Who would’ve thought I’d one day be compared to Flacco?”

Li Wei was puzzled.

Smith shrugged gently, “A championship ring seems to earn some reputation in the League, making you not as obscure as an unknown, yet it’s hard to pinpoint any standout features.”

“And as the age and injuries pile up, one might have to wander between different teams, just wishing for a job.”

Li Wei suddenly understood, “I don’t think so.”

“At least, your half-season stint with Washington has already proven your capability unless you chose to retire now, then perhaps your demonstration record might seem insufficient; otherwise, you still have the chance to prove yourself.”

Smith squinted his eyes at Li Wei for a moment, “So you’re still trying to persuade me to return to the field, right?”

Li Wei, “Shh, don’t let Elizabeth hear.”

Smith didn’t anticipate that response and burst out laughing.

Elizabeth stood at the door, listening to Smith’s long-lost hearty laughter, momentarily stunned.