Chapter 1441: Chapter 1440: Stolen Moments Amid the Hustle
Bang.
Pushing open the locker room door, Kelsey’s chatter lingered in the air, “But how could she be here? There’s no media report at all.”
“Wait, she isn’t here for you, is she?”
In the home locker room of Hard Rock Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs players were busy with their own affairs. Upon hearing Kelsey’s voice, many turned around.
Hill was the first to tease, although unaware of what they were discussing, it didn’t stop Hill from poking fun at Kelsey, “Certainly not here for you.”
Kelsey didn’t even glance at him, “Get lost.” He responded with a middle finger.
The surroundings burst into laughter.
Li Wei was searching for his locker—
This was the home team locker room, with the team returning to the American League for the 54th Super Bowl. Tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs were back as the “home team,” enjoying the home field advantage; however, they had always been the visiting team at Hard Rock Stadium, this was their first time in the home locker room, and the layout and atmosphere were slightly different.
The team staff had already stuck name tags on the lockers and neatly organized the items that each player needed.
Mahomes and Damien both waved to signal Li Wei, helping him find his spot.
Li Wei went over and found Kelsey following closely like sticky candy.
Li Wei chuckled, “No, I believe she’s not here for me, but I’m not sure, because we only exchanged a simple greeting.”
“So, if you’re curious, why not ask her yourself after the game?”
Kelsey grinned, but hearing Li Wei’s proposal, he shook his head, “No, let’s not. I think… watching from afar is good enough.”
Li Wei and Mahomes exchanged a look, both rolling their eyes, full of helplessness.
Li Wei turned back to Kelsey, “So, did you just go out looking for me, anything up?”
Kelsey’s expression was blank, “What’s up?”
Li Wei: …
Patting Kelsey on the shoulder, Li Wei said helplessly, “Prepare for the game, you’re not planning to go out with a heap of gold chains, are you?”
Kelsey’s neck bore immense pressure tonight with three layers of gold chains glittering blindingly. Both hands were adorned with various rings of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. From a distance, he resembled a moving jewelry rack, almost as if his teeth were armored as well, the media flashlights would turn the spotlight into chaos.
Kelsey froze, “The game, oh right, the game!”
Nearby, Hill ribbed him, “You haven’t forgotten why we came to Hard Rock Stadium tonight, have you?”
Chris Jones slowly and ponderously chimed in, “He thought we came for the Taylor Swift concert.”
Hahaha!
The locker room instantly erupted in a raucous uproar.
Kelsey was speechless, “Didn’t expect that from you, Chris!”
But no time for care now, Kelsey remembered the important thing, “Rookie, Coach is looking for you, he needs you to come over.”
Li Wei was full of question marks, “Coach Reed?”
This was unusual, what does Coach Reed want with him on game day?
Kelsey didn’t know either, “Yeah.”
Seeing Kelsey’s bewildered face, Li Wei knew no answers would come from there, so he paused his tidying up and left the locker room.
Super Bowl game day, although this was the third consecutive time, the bustling chaos was still overwhelming, like the tides.
Since Media Day on Wednesday, everything accelerated tenfold, leaving no breathing space. Especially this year, everyone could sense they were at a historical crossroads. The bustling wave surged to a new climax, making the frenzy unstoppable this time, as if stumbling directly onto Hard Rock Stadium without finding balance.
Everything, seemingly the same, yet entirely different.
Inexplicably, Li Wei recalled a question from Wednesday’s media day: Standing on the Super Bowl stage for the third straight year, does it feel different?
At the time, Li Wei answered, in fact, everything before me feels brand new. Every experience is different. I’m trying to avoid using past perspectives to view the upcoming game, believing the match holds countless possibilities, and we need to be 100% committed.
Evidently, Reed thought so too—
This was the reason Reed exceptionally sought a private conversation with Li Wei.
Throughout three seasons, Reed consistently trusted Li Wei and placed full confidence in him, which was why he originally chose Li Wei at the draft:
Not just a running back, and not just a player, but a leader, someone who remains calm and buoyant during crucial moments.
All along, Li Wei hadn’t let Reed down; Reed never needed to worry about Li Wei, nor the locker room atmosphere.
But this year was ultimately different. Not just Li Wei, even Reed was especially anxious. Standing at the historical crossroads, everything weighed down heavily, and the mix of tension, excitement, unease, and anticipation might distract focus or crush will—circumstances were ultimately different.
Thus, Reed realized he couldn’t push all pressure onto Li Wei; the coaching staff should step up and share some burdens with him.
Reed called Li Wei over, without delivering any motivational talks or lengthy speeches. To be exact, Reed didn’t discuss the game—
Tea drinking?
Li Wei stared at the tea set before Reed, traditional tea ware from Hua Xia, utterly dumbfounded.
Reed’s face was calm, “I specifically learned from your father, tried a few times; now, I can somewhat impress the coaching staff, and they finally realize why you folks aren’t interested in British afternoon tea.”
“Haha.” Li Wei laughed directly, “Looks like you’ve received my father’s true teachings. This tea set was air-shipped last year from my hometown as a birthday gift for my father.”
Reed was slightly surprised, “Such a precious gift?”
Yet it ended up with Reed?
Li Wei’s mouth curved completely upwards, “My father is currying favor with you, hoping the coach treats his son well, not losing the starting spot to others.”
Reed chuckled, “I am currying favor with him, and he is currying favor with me—perfect, mutual pursuit.”
Laughter echoed in the room.
Outside, the world was hectic and clamorous. Everything buzzed and moved at high speed, seemingly pressing the tenfold acceleration button, pushing tension, frequency, energy, and temperature to the extreme.
Inside, the pace slowed, with only the lingering aroma of tea.
Reed didn’t explicitly reveal his motives, and Li Wei didn’t ask. In the midst of busyness and tension, secretly seeking moments of tranquility, calming the agitated mind to find a corner unnoticed by time amidst the hubbub and crowd, quietly watching the vibrant colors outside rushing and swirling.
A unique flavor.
Tea finished, Reed still didn’t share any details, instructing Li Wei to return to the locker room to prepare.
Vaguely sensing Reed’s intention, Li Wei was slightly unsure. He looked at Reed sincerely, “Nothing else, Coach?”
Reed looked at Li Wei, his eyes concealed behind glasses without distinct expression, “Hmm, nothing else.”
Watching Reed, Li Wei grinned broadly, “Thank you, Coach.”