Chapter 151 Do You Want a Gold Trophy or a Silver Trophy?

"Legendary support! Another strong general added to Jiu Xing Du Nai's list of defeated opponents!"

"The Huaxia civil war at the World Cup! A continuation of the national team trials! Jiang Xiao double-kills Xie Yan, proving his strength once again."

"Zhongyuan Min battles with raging flames, Huaxia Du Nai weeps! Jiang Xiao wins again! He continues to challenge the world's perception of support!"

"A brilliant match, a soul-stirring match! Jiang Xiao defeated his opponent and lifted up his teammates!"

"A lone sprout! A lone sprout named 'support'! Growing wildly through wind and rain! How far can he go?"

At this moment, Jiang Xiao was sitting in a special bus heading from the airport to the hotel, browsing the match news on Fang Xingyun's phone. There was nothing he could do; without Wi-Fi, Jiang Xiao's phone couldn't connect to the internet.

In terms of traffic alone, Jiang Xiao's level of attention was no less than Hou Mingming's, and even slightly higher.

Therefore, as Jiang Xiao's match came after Hou Mingming's, the web pages were filled with news about Jiang Xiao after his victory.

However, news of Hou Mingming's defeat was already brewing and about to explode. Separated by three news articles, Jiang Xiao could see related news about Hou Mingming.

"An upset, national team captain Hou Mingming loses to Gu Xinzhi."

"Cherry blossoms fill the sky, Tang sword is sharp. Japanese national team captain Saito Nobuyuki powerfully destroys the World Cup speed king."

"Speed! Speed! Still speed! Although Hou Mingming showed superb close combat skills, after all, she is a long-range class, and was defeated by Gu Xinzhi's relentless close-quarters combat and entanglement."

"This is a match with predictable results, a textbook match of perfect star technique counterplay."

The more Jiang Xiao read, the tighter his brow furrowed. Beside him, a hand suddenly reached out.

Jiang Xiao turned his head, and Fang Xingyun's hand just happened to land on Jiang Xiao's shoulder, patting it gently, seemingly to soothe Jiang Xiao's emotions.

Fang Xingyun took off one of Jiang Xiao's earphones and said softly, "Remember Xie Yan's advice to you: Don't let anyone's words affect your mind."

Jiang Xiao shook his head and smiled, saying, "The reason why Mingming can become the speed king is basically because she relied on class and star technique counterplay to get to where she is today, but I didn't expect her to run into someone who countered her."

Hearing this, Fang Xingyun couldn't help but nod. Jiang Xiao's reaction was quite good, after all, she knew that Jiang Xiao and Hou Mingming had a good relationship. Although they had always been competitive, it was undeniable that they were also friends.

Fang Xingyun consciously guided Jiang Xiao, saying softly, "In fact, if she encountered you, it might be the same result. You and that Gu Xinzhi are among the few players of the same type at the World Cup."

Jiang Xiao shook his head and said, "I'm a support, he's a Min warrior, we're not the same type."

Fang Xingyun said gently, "At least in the realm of Star River, your Blink and his Cherry Blossom Domain are no different in terms of speed.

Although Blink is more advanced than Rapid Movement, after all, Rapid Movement has a course of action, and there is an essential difference from Blink. But in the eyes of your opponents at this stage, there is almost no difference."

Jiang Xiao: "Mm..."

Fang Xingyun continued, "You and Gu Xinzhi have equally powerful combat skills, and your combat skills are more comprehensive and skillful than his.

But he has some Min warrior-type star techniques, on this point, he will be a little stronger than you. But you also have support-type sustain and hard control star techniques, which makes you stronger than him."

"In fact," Fang Xingyun said softly, "I think if you encountered Hou Mingming, the battle might end even faster. Her close combat is good, but definitely not top-notch; her bow and arrow are her foundation."

Jiang Xiao pursed his lips and accepted this fact, saying, "If I could have encountered Saito Nobuyuki, Hou Mingming might have gone further no matter who she encountered."

Fang Xingyun comforted, "This round is already the sixth round of the World Cup, 21 into 11. At this stage, it's neither good nor bad luck for her to encounter you or Gu Xinzhi."

Jiang Xiao nodded.

Fang Xingyun said, "In fact, it's also a good thing for her to experience some setbacks. She has become accustomed to victory along the way. This failure, if it can make her recognize her shortcomings, will be a good thing for her."

Fang Xingyun sighed and said, "The purpose of the World Cup may be to win glory for the country and win honors, but for individuals, it is a process of recognizing themselves. Believe me, she will gain more from losing this match than from winning it."

Jiang Xiao, however, laughed and said, "Teacher, you don't need to comfort me; I'm not that affected."

Fang Xingyun's face was serious, and she looked at Jiang Xiao with her eyes, saying, "No, I want you to persuade Hou Mingming. I know that child's personality; even her mother, Ye Hua, finds it difficult to manage her."

Jiang Xiao grinned and said, "Why should I persuade her?"

Fang Xingyun said softly, "Because you are qualified."

Jiang Xiao: "Mm?"

Fang Xingyun said softly, "Among your peers, you are one of the few who can beat her. In this World Cup, you may even be one of the only two who can defeat her; you are more qualified than anyone else."

Jiang Xiao scratched his head in distress. Did you forget about Zhao Wenlong?

Besides, couldn't you, Fang Xingyun, kill Hou Mingming with a wave of your hand? Being able to win is enough, why do you have to specify someone of the same age...

Same age my foot. I'm not even 18 yet, she's already 22, a whole gold brick and almost half a brick more than me...

Fang Xingyun said softly, "Help her, after all, you are teammates and friends."

Teacher Fang is still so kind.

Jiang Xiao nodded lightly: "Okay, Teacher Fang, I'll try my best. But we have to see what her state is first; if she's in good shape, then you're just worrying for nothing."

Fang Xingyun: "Before taking off from Qiu Yu City Airport, I had already spoken with the team leader by phone. Hou Mingming clearly needs some help."

Jiang Xiao: "......"

Alright, let me soothe her wounded heart.

Young Pea Sister,

Did you lose this gold trophy? Or this silver trophy?

As the vehicle entered the national team's hotel, Jiang Xiao hurriedly looked around amidst cheers, found Xie Yan, and put his arm around his shoulder, constantly nodding to the crowd.

People also understood Jiang Xiao's meaning and spoke words of encouragement.

Some people didn't say anything, they just surrounded Jiang Xiao and Xie Yan, vigorously patted their backs, and shook their shoulders. The scene was much more harmonious.

Then Jiang Xiao flashed and disappeared without a trace.

Leaving only Xie Yan alone, facing a group of staff and team leader teachers, listening to words of encouragement, recognition, and inspiration, Xie Yan could only cope helplessly.

Although he was a little helpless, his mood was indeed much better.

The teachers quickly set new goals for Xie Yan. He still couldn't relax in the next few days. The ranking competition was coming up, so he had to go back to his room to rest for a while, and then quickly come out to study his opponents.

Jiang Xiao hid in his room for a long time, took a pleasant shower, wore the national team's sports short sleeves and shorts, slippers, and held two egg yolk pies in his hand. At around 9:00 p.m., he came to Hou Mingming's door.

Jiang Xiao knocked gently on the door and said softly, "You didn't attend the evening match summary meeting, and I didn't see you eating in the cafeteria tonight. What bad things have you been doing inside all day?"

There was no response from inside the door.

Jiang Xiao knocked on the door again gently: "Don't hide inside and not make a sound, I know you're home."

Silence.

Jiang Xiao knocked on the door again: "Open the door, open the door, open the door, open, open, open the door."

Bang!

The door was suddenly pulled open, Hou Mingming was disheveled, looking down at Jiang Xiao, this angry look, this aura, tsk tsk...

Of course, saying "disheveled" is not accurate, after all, it's an idiom to describe someone with unkempt appearance.

Hou Mingming was "with her hair scattered," her appearance was neat, but she hadn't tied it into a ponytail. Her waterfall-like long hair was scattered behind her back, lacking a bit of heroic spirit and adding a bit of feminine softness.

Jiang Xiao looked up slightly, looked at Hou Mingming's face, and said, "You don't even turn on the lights at night, don't tell me Zhang Ren is inside."

Hou Mingming held the door frame tightly with one hand, took a deep breath, and seemed to be trying her best to restrain her emotions.

Jiang Xiao flashed directly into the room behind Hou Mingming and reached out to turn on the living room lights.

The single rooms arranged by the national team for the trainees were all of the same level, and the layout of this level in the hotel was almost the same. Jiang Xiao was very familiar with this place. After turning on the lights, he sat down on the sofa with a thud.

Hou Mingming didn't turn around, she was still blocking the door, but she said, "Is this the mocking segment?"

"Here." Jiang Xiao said with a pout, "I'm not that bored, I just came to see you."

Hou Mingming said, "I'm fine, you can go."

"Come, come." Jiang Xiao said, "Aiya, come here quickly, it's late at night, close the door quickly, what kind of habit is this, it's so dangerous not to close the door at night."

Hou Mingming slammed the door shut, walked to the living room, and saw Jiang Xiao on the sofa.

She saw Jiang Xiao take out two egg yolk pies from his pocket and handed one over.

Jiang Xiao: "Why didn't you go to eat tonight? Are you dieting?"

Hou Mingming looked at Jiang Xiao expressionlessly.

Jiang Xiao carefully looked at Hou Mingming's face and said, "Is being sad more important than eating? You young people, you don't eat just because you're in a bad mood. Here, take it, make do with it."

Hou Mingming didn't say a word, she just turned and walked to the window, crossed her arms, and looked at the night outside the window.

The room fell into silence.

Jiang Xiao was silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "If you had another chance, have you thought of a way to defeat him?"

Hou Mingming said in a deep voice, "My arrow betrayed me, it exploded on the wrong person."

Jiang Xiao said, "I don't think relying on luck to win is your style."

Hou Mingming's hand that was gripping her arm suddenly clenched.

Jiang Xiao said, "He countered you a lot."

Hou Mingming's voice became more and more gloomy: "You can go."

Jiang Xiao stood up, came to the window, turned his back to the windowsill, leaned his elbows back on the windowsill, tilted his head and looked at Hou Mingming, and said, "Just like you counter other players. Distance is their fatal weakness, and distance is also your fatal weakness."

Hou Mingming suddenly turned around, grabbed Jiang Xiao's collar, lifted him up directly, brought him to her eyes, and said word by word, "Do you have to mock me today?"

Jiang Xiao grabbed Hou Mingming's hands and said, "I'm telling you your fatal weakness. Now, it's your turn to tell me."

Jiang Xiao looked straight into Hou Mingming's eyes and said, "Look into my eyes and tell me if I have any intention of mocking you."