Chapter 1013: Chapter 1012: The Season Ends

Chapter 1012: The Season Ends

The winter in San Francisco was cold and desolate, with the night falling early. By the second half of the last regular-season game in the afternoon, the lights at Candlestick Park had been turned on to ensure the game could continue smoothly.

The game had been over for more than three hours, and the stadium-wide celebrations had lasted for a very long time. All the San Francisco 49ers players and staff came out to thank the fans for their support. The post-game press conference was also particularly lively and noisy. The media had packed the room so tightly that the 30-minute interview was not nearly enough.

Even so, the fans were reluctant to leave. After the party inside the stadium ended, large groups of fans still gathered at Candlestick Point, yelling, jumping, singing, and dancing. They lived every minute as if it were their last, fully and completely.

Three hours had passed. As he walked back into the players’ tunnel, stadium manager Raymond Jackson could still hear the lingering echoes of roars and shouts. He closed his eyes and felt his heart pound, then softly chanted, "Bambi! Bambi!" It was as if just saying that name could put them on top of the world.

A smile formed on his lips. Raymond walked with a light step onto the field, ready to feel the lingering heat in the air and savor the highlights of today’s game. Then he would turn off the lights, lock up Candlestick Park, and end this crazy and joyous day.

Then, Raymond saw a figure standing in the middle of the field.

He was still wearing the clothes he had changed into for the press conference: a casual suit with a navy blue trench coat. The simple outfit had a touch of sophistication, and unlike his usual athletic wear, it gave him the air of a smart, studious academic. It was the same face but with a completely different demeanor, just like his nickname.

Bambi.

Who would believe that a little deer named Bambi could actually carve out a place for himself in a jungle filled with lions and black bears?

But Lu Ke did it.

However, all the players had already left the stadium. Why was Bambi still here?

Raymond hesitated, unsure if he should call out to Lu Ke. What if he interrupted Lu Ke’s thoughts? What if he disturbed his solitude?

Unexpectedly, Lu Ke noticed him first. The sound of footsteps echoed in the players’ tunnel, and in the now-silent stadium, it was amplified even more.

"Hey, are you here to tell me I have to leave?" Lu Ke asked, his cheerful voice clearly showing his joy and contentment.

Raymond quickly waved his hands. "No, no, no. I’m just here to check the field and, um, I need to turn off the lights. But there’s no hurry at all. You can stay as long as you want. It’s not a problem. I... I can leave now if you want to be alone."

"It’s fine," Lu Ke said, leaving the field with a smile. "I just stayed on the field to feel the atmosphere. All the seats are empty now, but it still feels like I can see that red ocean, so lively and powerful. It’s a wonderful experience, isn’t it?"

Lu Ke loved stadiums, and every stadium had its own story.

Whether it was standing in Lambeau Field for the season opener and feeling the indomitable spirit of the Green Bay Packers fans, or returning to Candlestick Park for the season finale and savoring the joyous cheers and unwavering belief of the 49ers fans, it was a beautiful and unique moment.

This was the last regular-season game of the 2012 season. Although the 49ers would have home-field advantage in the playoffs, he still wanted to return to the field one last time to enjoy the brief quiet and subtle excitement. That’s why his teammates had all left, but he had come back.

It was the end of another season, and the feeling was hard to describe, especially when this season had created so much glory and so many miracles. The memories and feelings were even more surreal. It was hard to believe that in July of last year, he still didn’t know where his future lay. And now, he had a moment all to himself.

Everything had happened in this stadium, holding all his memories.

Lu Zhengze and Jiang Youning watched their first game here. Candice snuck back to celebrate his birthday. He threw three interceptions and lost to the Arizona Cardinals. He threw a touchdown on his first-ever pass. He lost to the New York Giants in overtime in the NFC Championship game. He played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rare snowfall. And the surging red ocean led by the Bambi banners...

And the golden ocean that held the weight of Ryan Baldwin’s life.

If they really made it back to the Super Bowl, could Ryan go see the game in person? In the playoffs before the Super Bowl, would Ryan have a chance to come back to Candlestick Park and watch a game? In the next season, would Ryan still have the chance to be with them during the regular season? Would Ryan... have a chance to confess his love to the girl he liked?

For many, a stadium is just an arena for competition. But for a few, it is a world that carries their lives and dreams.

Lu Ke looked up again at the empty seats, as if he could see Ryan in his wheelchair sitting in the stands again.

A smile formed on his lips, then faded. Lu Ke turned and walked toward Raymond. "It’s been a wonderful season."

Raymond nodded in agreement. Without realizing it, he had started walking alongside Lu Ke, heading for the exit of the players’ tunnel. "It’s the most perfect and happiest season I can remember." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Because we were undefeated?" Lu Ke asked with a light laugh.

"No, yes, no, no, I mean, yes, but not really." Raymond was still a little nervous, and his words were jumbled. "An undefeated season is, of course, a happy thing. Every fan longs for a perfect season like this. But more important than the undefeated season is that the familiar 49ers are back. We don’t miss a single play, we don’t give up on any game. That’s the best part."

After he finished, Raymond scratched his head, seeming a little shy and embarrassed. "I mean, thank you, Bambi. Thank you for leading us to find ourselves again."

"I’m the one who should be saying thank you. Thank you for letting me join this team, and thank you for watching me play here," Lu Ke said with a genuine smile. "So, next up is the Super Bowl. Are you ready? This journey isn’t over yet."

Raymond clenched his fists and swung them hard, unable to hold back a cheer. "On to the Super Bowl!" The passionate cry echoed in the wide tunnel, a booming sound that made him want to cheer along.

Lu Ke and Raymond both laughed heartily.

Then, Lu Ke patted Raymond’s shoulder. "I’m going to leave now. I won’t disturb your work. Candlestick Park is in your hands for the next week." Without stopping, Lu Ke walked on.

But he didn’t get far before he stopped and turned around. "Raymond!"

Raymond hadn’t left. He just raised his chin, his eyes filled with a questioning look.

"Do you believe this is our best year?" Lu Ke called out. His voice echoed in the wide tunnel.

"No, I don’t." Raymond’s answer was unexpected. He clenched his fists tightly. "Because we are a team that never gives up. We will give it our all in every game, every year. Remember? ’Fight On!’ Every year will be our best year!"

Fight On.

Lu Ke thought of Ryan again.

For Ryan and for the team, they should go to the Super Bowl. They should win the Super Bowl. They should keep winning. That thought had been lingering in his mind for a long time. Sometimes, when players carry the expectations of a whole team and a whole city, the pressure can be overwhelming.

But now, he was finally at ease. The undefeated season had made his mind wander. He was worried about winning and losing because he cared so much. In reality, he should focus on the fight, focus on the game. This was what he was best at. More than the Super Bowl, what Ryan needed was the spirit of never giving up!

"Fight On," Lu Ke repeated the words, nodding heavily. "Fight On!"

Then, Lu Ke turned and walked away.

The regular season was over, and the playoffs were coming. This battle was not yet at its end. He was already looking forward to getting back into the fight, fighting for Ryan and for himself.

From behind him, Raymond’s voice echoed in a cathartic release. He kept shouting, "Fight On!" and then burst into a cheer. Today, and today only, the celebration was not yet over.

Leaving Candlestick Park, Lu Ke’s mind settled down again. In the deep of the night, he jogged back to the parking lot next to the training facility. From a distance, he could see Candice in a light blue trench coat, sitting in the driver’s seat of his car. The creamy yellow light of the parking lot outlined her face.

Then, Candice opened the car door and stood outside, smiling at Lu Ke. "Hey, handsome, interested in getting a cup of coffee tonight? My treat."

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