It was only after the match officially ended that Saints staff went to the commentators box and notified the commentators and director. The staff asked them for a few minutes to let Old A say a few words to announce his retirement.
In front of the commentators and all the audiences surprised expressions, Old A, right arm trembling slightly, took the microphone, and with a smile on his face, calmly introduced his seven year career that, though devoid of any highlights, was nevertheless spent putting in great effort.
He thanked all of Club Saints staff member whove served since his youth training days. He thanked his previous teammates. He thanked Angel Sword for his company and mutual support throughout the years and gave his blessing to their local division.
He hoped everyone can have a good result in this years World Championships.
R//Ad latSt ch/a/pters at n(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only
A lot of people...probably only found I was in the league because Im retiring. Although I leave no trace, like everyone else, I have been fighting in the league for several years and I dared not work any less than others.
Being a player of limited talent, I havent been understood by a lot of people. This is how its supposed to be. In competitions, only results matter.
All I could do was to never slacken in my efforts so that I could have a clear conscience. Old A turned his head towards his team and waved to his teammates. And finally he said, I was only able to seize a little bit of honor and I can only blame my lack of ability. I dont have any grievance.
Im already very fortunate. Im honored to have been able to take the stage and fight with this group of outstanding people. I was able to happily spend the most important seven years of my life with this welcoming club.
Last year, I was unexpectedly able to appear in our teams starting line-up and finally I was able to complete my retirement ceremony in such a large game. This is all because...
There were tears in old As eyes, and he paused for half a minute and continued, Because the owner of our club, the management... and my teammates didnt give up on me. They all knew that my right shoulder was going to give out soon and yet they still didnt give up. I......
Old A wiped his tears and continued, They didnt give up on me, and I couldnt give up on the team. My ability is limited. I dont dare stay on the team or join the coaching team and delay everyone but after retiring, I will join our teams sparring team and try my best.
Ive been a substitute player on the team for so many years, I really have become an expert at being a sparring partner. I will try my best to help the starting players of my team. My fans can rest assured that I will never leave Saint all my life. Saint, Jiayou!
Everyone, Jiayou!
Old A bowed deeply and returned the microphone to the host.
Yu Sui and Shi Luo were in the venue and they could clearly see that Saints players, coaches and even their bosses were waiting for Old A. After Old A stepped off the stage, everyone hugged each other for a long time.
Shi Luo tried his best to hold back his tears and took a few photos for them from a distance.
Yu Sui looked at Shi Luo, Is this the first time youve seen someone retiring?
Its the first time Ive seen it live. Shi Luo sent the photos he had taken to Angel Sword and said in a low voice, Old Qiao recorded a video when he retired. It was all clichs. It wasnt very moving. It took less than three minutes.
At that time, I saw it and felt like my chest was blocked up. It wasnt this... this direct.
Shi Luo looked sideways at Yu Sui. Yu Suis expression remained as usual, completely the same as before the game.
Shi Luo asked, How many times have you seen it?
Too many times. Playing professionally for so many years, Ive lost count a long time ago. Yu Sui pretended not to see Shi Luo wiping the corner of his eyes. He said softly, No need to feel ashamed.
The first time I saw my teammate...not Ji Yan Han, it was much earlier, a player you have never heard of, another striker.
Yu Sui continued, The first time I witnessed my teammate retire, although I didnt cry... But I changed my game ID and profile picture to his. I played more than 30 games without eating, drinking or sleeping. At that time, I was young, 15 or 16 years old.
I was much more emotional than I am now.
You... Shi Luo frowned, Going through self-abuse for someones retirement? What were you thinking?
Because I thought it was my fault at the time. Yu Sui calmly looked at the Saint team who was still hugging in the distance. I thought it was because I didnt have enough C and so he couldnt fight anymore. I couldnt accept it.
Yu Sui turned to look at Shi Luo and smiled, Who doesnt have a bit of black history, right?
What does it matter even if Old A didnt have any results? He has his teammates! He has Angel Sword! This is already worth it!
Im also a striker, I understand! That kind of medic desperately trying to protect you feels so warm! Chen Huo leaned against Shi Luos cushion. He grabbed Shi Luos tissue box and quickly pulled out a tissue and handed it to Old Qiao. Self-pitying, he chimed in, What about me?
Someday, I will be unable to play anymore and will have to retire. Who would turn into an angel to protect me? Who can I count on? Yu Sui?
Is this slag man someone I can actually rely on?!
Puppy, with a numb face, saw Yu Sui and Shi Luo. He spread his hands and said, Its been over an hour. These two have felt moved by another team. Especially Old Qiao.
He cant shake himself out of it.
Shi Luo, blank expression on his face, knocked on the door of the training room.
Old Qiao looked back and saw that it was his own people and didnt feel embarrassed. He clicked on the video playback and continued to be choked with emotions as he watched the video.
He suddenly looked back at Yu Sui and remembering the past, started crying, When I retired, I didnt have a medic with me. I didnt have my teammates. I had nothing...
Chen Huo also took a look at Yu Sui, who had a relaxed expression on his face. He continued to question, Yu Sui, do you have any heart? When the director cut the camera to you during the game, your eyes hadnt even turned red! You should have taken a page from Shi Luo!
Take a look at Angel Sword then take a look at yourself!
Yu Sui was scolded without any rhyme or reason. Its the first time Shi Luo has seen someone retire and was affected. Ive seen it too many times already... I really dont have any friendship with Old A.
Is it really strange that I didnt have much of a reaction?
Old Qiao glanced at Yu Sui reproachfully and continued to cry.
You just dont have a heart. Chen Huo said sternly, If it were me, would you protect me like that?! Would you rush recklessly to throw yourself in front of me?
Yu Sui: ...
Yu Sui was numb towards Chen Huos questions. He asked seriously, Throw myself in front of you...are you looking to die?
Old Qiao wanted to cry but also wanted to laugh a little. He hung helpless in the middle. He could only grab a tissue to wipe his face.
Puppy said coldly, Can you be more sensible and face up to the fact that our team is made up of cold-blooded villains? Stop dreaming. Were not the warm, soft-hearted types, alright?
Chen Huo held Old Qiaos shoulder, sighing while patting Old Qiao, You guys have no heart.
If you have this kind of dream, then Im going to have to warn you in advance. Yu Sui sat down and said lazily, Im not going to rush in to protect you. It may even be that when you are about to lose the last sliver of blood of your career...
Im probably going to do what Ive always done and snatch away your kill.
Pfft. Old Qiao finally couldnt help it. Your last kill and its still going to be snatched away...
Yu Sui glanced at Old Qiao and said slowly, Didnt you already know a long time ago that Im this kind of person?
Shi Luo just then realized it. He realized that Yu Sui, Chen Huo and Puppy were teasing Old Qiao so that he would no longer brood about his broken retirement ceremony.
Sure enough, Old Qiaos funny bone was tickled by the thought of having his last kill snatched away and was finally emotionally cut off. He couldnt cry anymore. He rubbed his face and finally turned off Old As retirement video. He said helplessly, Fine...
Old As situation is too sad anyway. I might not have been able to handle it. Having a quiet retirement was good too.
Old Qiao quickly cleared up his emotions, got up and urged everyone, Eat, eat, lets eat. After eating, well have training. We also have to play our semi-finals. Saint didnt hold anything back when they played against us that day.
Although they didnt say it, but they were giving us training. We have to play well in the World Championships and live up to their kind regards.