Chapter Five: A Goal Defended by Nine

He refused to testify or return to football. Shen left him a video of Zhou Yan saving penalties. At dawn next day, Wei watched training through the fence for half an hour. “He guesses too early and keeps his hips upright. He'll need a replacement hip by twenty-five.” “Teach him.” Shen offered a contract paying less than the depot. Wei cursed, then signed, on the condition that he remain a reserve and face no media. In the penultimate relegation match, victory over Red River Miners meant safety. Ten minutes in, Zhou injured his ankle. Without a full warm-up, Wei entered a professional goal for the first time in 1,809 days. The home stand sang “warehouse keeper.” His first advance was late, and Red River chipped him.