My beautiful CEO wife

Chapter 1774: Narrow Encounter with an Old Foe

When Xiao Zheng parked the car, Annie was already waiting by the roadside.

Seeing the three of them approaching, Annie said, "I’m quite familiar with the staff here. Just follow me, and I’ll take you inside. Since there’s a match tomorrow, the stadium is under strict management right now."

Xiao Zheng and the others nodded and followed her into the stadium.

True to her word, Annie was indeed well-acquainted with the stadium staff, chatting easily even with the cleaning lady. This way, the four of them reached the football field.

The vast field could accommodate up to 30,000 people.

Just by looking at the seemingly endless rows of seats, Xiao Zheng could imagine how thrilling tomorrow’s game would be. After all, 30,000 people cheering together would create an awe-inspiring atmosphere.

"Playing away and with such a disparity in team quality,"

"If the Zhonghai Team doesn’t lose in tomorrow’s match, it would defy all logic."

Chu Xiaoran withdrew her gaze from the stands on both sides, sighing as she spoke.

In her heart, she definitely supported the Zhonghai Team.

Unfortunately, the gap between the two teams was too wide for her to believe the Zhonghai Team had any hope of winning tomorrow.

Seeing her a bit downcast, Xiao Zheng patted her shoulder and said, "Cheer up. It’s all about trying your best. Even if the Zhonghai Team loses, it’s not a big deal."

Chu Xiaoran nodded and perked up once more.

Just then, Leng Ruobing suddenly pointed towards the field and said, "Look, some players are coming out."

Hearing this, Xiao Zheng and the others immediately focused their attention on the field and indeed saw a team slowly emerging from the locker room. Since it was just a training session, the players appeared quite relaxed, joking and chatting with each other.

Xiao Zheng observed for a while and couldn’t help but ask, "Why are there so few people training? Shouldn’t there be more with two teams including the substitutes?"

He counted carefully and found only twenty-three people, including the coach, on the field.

Upon hearing this, Annie smiled and explained, "Brother Xiao, there’s something you might not know. Two teams never train on the same field before a match."

"Some tactics must be kept secret; otherwise, if the opponent knows them in advance, how are we supposed to play?"

"That makes sense." Xiao Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, realizing how naive his question was.

But you couldn’t blame him; he’d never delved into the world of football before.

"Let’s go sit over there. They probably need to warm up first before starting the official training," Annie suggested, "The team training here today seems to be your Zhonghai City’s team."

"It really seems so. I see Lin Xiaofeng..." Chu Xiaoran said, somewhat speechless, as she focused on a figure on the field.

"Lin Xiaofeng? Is he participating in this match too?" Xiao Zheng also noticed Lin Xiaofeng. The bruises on his face hadn’t faded yet. "This guy is like an indestructible cockroach. He just got beat up a few days ago and now he’s full of energy again."

"He got beat up? What’s that about?" Annie asked curiously.

Chu Xiaoran then recounted the events that had unfolded at Qianlong Beach in recent days.

After learning what happened, Annie couldn’t help but look down on Lin Xiaofeng: "I’ve always said that Lin Xiaofeng has a bad character. If it weren’t for his exceptional football talent, he wouldn’t even make it to the National Youth Team."

"Young people tend to be hot-tempered; it’s normal," Xiao Zheng laughed generously, "Let’s just continue watching their training. After all, there’s nothing else to do here."

The three girls nodded, all eyes turning back to the field.

At this moment, the Zhonghai Team had finished warming up.

As the players were preparing to start training under the coach’s instructions, a teammate suddenly elbowed Lin Xiaofeng and excitedly said, "Peak Bro, look at the stands over there; there’s actually someone watching us train! And it seems like those three are beauties too!"

"Beauties? Where are the beauties?" Lin Xiaofeng asked.

At the mention of beauties, his eyes lit up.

However, once Lin Xiaofeng clearly saw the four people sitting in the stands, his expression became quite complex. Yes, he recognized Xiao Zheng and Chu Xiaoran.

Seeing Xiao Zheng, the humiliation he’d suffered a few days ago surfaced in Lin Xiaofeng’s mind.

"Peak Bro, what’s up with you?"

"Why did your face suddenly turn so pale? Are you feeling unwell again? Want the team doctor to take a look?" a teammate asked with concern.

Though that teammate didn’t like Lin Xiaofeng’s arrogance, Lin Xiaofeng was their key player for tomorrow. Regardless of his feelings, he had to pretend to care at the moment.

"It’s nothing, just saw an enemy," Lin Xiaofeng replied, unable to resist patting his chest, as if it still ached.

"An enemy? Seriously? Don’t tell me it’s the guy sitting next to those three beauties?" the teammate hesitated and then asked, trying to please him.

Lin Xiaofeng shook his head, "No need. Even if our numbers doubled, we wouldn’t be able to take him on. Let’s focus on training, and I’ll meet him later."

"Is he really that tough, capable of taking on dozens of people?" the teammate asked skeptically.

"Believe it or not, I’ve told you what I needed to. If you don’t want a beating, just go and mess with him," Lin Xiaofeng said before heading towards the coach.

The teammate scratched his head, deciding not to say more.

With a whistle from the coach, the Zhonghai Team began their official training. The drills were the usual—dribbling, passing, and shooting.

Perhaps knowing Chu Xiaoran and the others were watching, the players trained with extra effort. Some even attempted fancy moves, like bicycle kicks, sparking cheers and applause from Chu Xiaoran and Annie.

Just like Chu Xiaoran, Annie was an ardent football fan.

The whole afternoon seemed set to pass in this harmonious atmosphere.

Until Lin Xiaofeng approached, breaking the peace...