Gu Ran quickly picked up the phone and said, "Maria, I was so excited that I dropped my phone on the ground."

Teacher Maria on the other end of the phone chuckled and said softly, "Are you so excited? Don't worry, we'll be able to meet soon."

Holy crap!!!

How come it is that if you don’t want to come, then no one will come, and if you want to come, then all of them will come!

Gu Ran asked quickly, "Wait, Maria, you are kidding me, right? You are so busy at Edinburgh Hospital, how do you have time to come back?"

Teacher Maria smiled and said, "Of course I'm not kidding you! You're going to play in the national competition tomorrow. After all, I used to be the school doctor of Southampton High School, so of course I have to come back to support you! And I heard that you were almost banned, and I was very worried about you. So I can put aside my work at the hospital and I must rush back to comfort you and see if you need...physiotherapy, hehe."

Are you trying to give me physical therapy? I'm too embarrassed to poke you!

No, no, I've already set the flag! Besides, there's also a Salt Turner who just finished his meal over here!

Calm down, calm down! This is just my little scene of becoming the king of the ocean, I can handle it! I can do it!

——Gu Ran took a deep breath secretly.

"Gu, why are you silent? You don't want me to come back, do you?"

Teacher Maria's voice was full of mature woman's resentment.

Gu Ran quickly said in a voice that was full of real affection: "How could that be? I was so happy that I couldn't speak! Maria, I miss you so much! I can't wait to see you - by the way, you are not... on the train back to Southampton, are you?"

No way? No way? No way? ? ? "You guessed it right!" Teacher Maria chuckled on the other end of the phone: "Gu, you are awesome! How did you guess so accurately?"

Maybe it’s because of my experience.

Then I heard Teacher Maria continue: "I'm on the train now, and I'll arrive at the station in about half an hour."

Gu Ran: ...

What the hell, what kind of wish or flag did I make? This is so cool...

Now that I have taken over Sophie, I cannot treat Maria unfairly and I have to treat her equally.

Only in this way can one become a qualified Sea King...

Gu Ran said with a stiff upper lip: "Wait for me, I'll pick you up right away."

"Okay!" Teacher Maria said softly, "Then I'll wait for you~"

After hanging up the phone, Gu Ran felt numb all over.

What should I do? How should I explain this to Sophie? Otherwise, I should just admit it!

Sophie and I are just in a relationship by agreement. I think she should understand this...

Gu Ran went back to Sophie reluctantly, "Sophie... I have something to tell you."

Sophie raised her face and looked at Gu Ran like a little woman, "What's the matter?"

"I..." Gu Ran took a deep breath, "I... like you so much."

Oh shit!

What the hell am I talking about? Why did I confess?

This is not me! It must be my young body that is causing trouble!

Gu Ran rubbed his head innocently.

Sophie said shyly, "Dear, you don't have to tell me, I understand, I know everything."

Gu Ran's heart tightened, "Wait, you... know?"

Sophie smiled and said, "I'm not a little girl anymore. Of course I understand. You just want to do that, right? I knew you couldn't help it. It's not your fault. After all, I still have confidence in myself. But dear, you have to play in the national final tomorrow. For the honor of Southampton High School, we have to hold back."

"...Yes!" Gu Ran nodded and said, "Sophie, you are right. Then, next... I will take you home."

I can't be honest, I can't be honest in this life.

So let's send Sophie home first.

Sophie smiled shyly, holding her chin with her eyes blurred, "Gu, I didn't tell my parents that I came back, I want to...sleep at your place for a night."

Oh shit!

Sophie, you just said you would hold back! Why do I think you are more eager than me? Gu Ran swallowed subconsciously, "This... is not good, right?"

Sophie smiled and said, "You, why are you still as conservative as when I first met you? But I like this about you, it's so cute."

I'm not conservative...

I'm afraid that my lack of conservativeness will scare you to death! No, no!

There is another one!

Teacher Maria is on the way!

Gu Ran took a deep breath and said seriously, "Sophie, I think men and women shouldn't just think about that. Of course I'm willing to do that with you, but you finally come back, and Uncle Andrew and Aunt Sally must be missing you so much. I can't be so selfish. I want to send you home to make them happy."

Sophie's delicate body was slightly startled.

Then, Sophie said with a face full of shame: "Gu, you are right... I was too excited just now. When I saw you, all I could think about was... I shouldn't have done that. So... Can't I stay at your place for one night?"

Sophie looked at Gu Ran pitifully.

Gu Ran hardened his heart and said, "No. But after the game tomorrow, I will definitely compensate you."

"Okay then." Sophie praised sincerely: "Gu, you are such a good man."

Yes, although I look like a scumbag, I am really a good man.

Gu Ran took a deep breath and said, "Let's go. I'll take you home first."

Sophie asked unwillingly, "But it's still early. Can't we stay outside for a while? Like, stay in your car for a while?"

Gu Ran said: "Uncle Andrew and Aunt Sally missed you so much."

Sophie begged, "Can you just stay for half an hour?"

Gu Ran said: "They must miss you like crazy."

Sophie said gloomily, "Well then..."

Less than ten minutes.

Gu Ran drove Sophie back home.

Before getting out of the car, Sophie hugged Gu Ran and kissed him wildly for a while. Only when Andrew and Sally came out of the house did Sophie get out of the car reluctantly.

Andrew said in surprise: "Gu? Is it really you? Haha! We will go to the national finals tomorrow to cheer you on!"

Sally also said excitedly: "Gu! Nice to meet you! Stay for dinner! I made your favorite roast lamb kidney pie!"

Gu Ran didn't even get out of the car, waved his hand and said, "No, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Sally, I have something else to do, I'll leave first!"

After saying that, Gu Ran stepped on the accelerator and fled the scene.

Sophie shrugged, "Mom and Dad, I'm home."

"Oh - what are you doing back here?"

"Why don't you go with Gu Ran?"

Sophie: …

Gu Ran drove at an accelerated speed and arrived at Southampton Station in just over ten minutes.

After parking the car, Gu Ran rushed into the flower shop next to the station at a sprint speed, bought a large bouquet of flowers, threw down the money, and ran out at a sprint.

The flower shop owner was stunned: Why does it feel like this scene has happened before? When Gu Ran walked onto the platform holding the flowers, the green train from Edinburgh just arrived at the station.

Teacher Maria came down from the carriage carrying a suitcase.

Her mature figure was still as hot as a devil. Her big wavy hair trembled and jumped slightly as she walked. She was wearing a floral mini skirt on her slender thighs and a pair of bright high heels with thin heels on her feet.

She looks like a mature woman! Gu Ran couldn't help but feel dry in the mouth, "Maria!"

"Ah! Gu!" Maria ran towards Gu Ran happily and threw herself into Gu Ran's arms.

Teacher Maria is not as wild as Sophie, but Teacher Maria's tenderness as a royal sister makes Gu Ran feel a little breathless.

"Wow! Gu, you seem to be taller and stronger than before! And your muscles are firmer too!" Teacher Maria's eyes were full of charm, and she touched Gu Ran's muscles and praised him endlessly.

Gu Ran quickly said: "Maria, there are too many people here, why don't we go to the car to talk."

Teacher Maria winked and said, "Look how anxious you are - let's go."

"Here are roses for you."

"Thank you!" Teacher Maria leaned on Gu Ran happily.

Gu Ran put his arm around teacher Maria's slender waist and walked out of the platform.

The staff on the platform asked: Why does this scene seem to have happened before? After getting on the train, Teacher Maria asked in surprise: "Is this your car? You bought a car?"

Gu Ran took the initiative to say: "This car is a Cayenne, the shock absorbers are so-so."

Teacher Maria chuckled, "Gu, you are still so cute. Come on, let me give you a good kiss."

Gu Ran said quickly: "I know there is an empty path not far ahead..."

Gu Ran stepped on the accelerator and drove the car to the deserted road where he had parked before.

Before the car stopped, Teacher Maria couldn't wait to hug Gu Ran and kiss him madly.

Gu Ran's hands were naturally not idle. After all, what was given to Sophie had to be given to Maria as well.

...Double happiness! But, I am always a serious person, I know this is wrong! Gu Ran took a deep breath, "Maria, I want to tell you something..."

"You go ahead and do your thing. There's no need to delay." Maria mumbled.

Gu Ran tried hard to control his body, "What I want to say is... Maria... you are awesome!"

Oh shit!

What the hell am I talking about! Why am I encouraging you?

——Gu Ran covered his face! Maria chuckled, "I have something even better."

Gu Ran quickly held Maria's face, "Maria...we can't do this...I have an important game tomorrow."

Teacher Maria was slightly startled, then she chuckled with a blush on her face, "Gu, you are so annoying! Do you think I want to do that? No, of course I know you have an important game tomorrow, I just... want to check on you... to see if you have made any progress."

Gu Ran said quickly: "Maria, I will let you do a more in-depth examination after the game tomorrow."

Maria chuckled, "...Okay. So what do we do now?"

Just don't eat.

Gu Ran cleared his throat, "Maria, do you want to go back and see your parents first?"

Depend on……

Gu Ran said with a stiff face: "What about your...grandparents?"

Maria said: "Dead."

"Other relatives?"

"No." Maria flirted, "I'm in Southampton, and you're the only one."

Gu Ran: ...Then let's eat! "Then you..." Gu Ran said helplessly: "You must be hungry, right?"

Maria nodded. "I've been sitting in the car for half a day. I'm really hungry! I want to eat Chinese food!"

Gu Ran nodded reluctantly, "I just happen to know a Chinese restaurant that does pretty good food..."

Gu Ran drove Maria to the "Shiji" Chinese restaurant, and then skillfully ordered a serving of nine-turn large intestine, a serving of sweet and sour pork, a serving of boiled pork slices, and a serving of three fresh delicacies.

The waiter walked towards the kitchen with the menu, wondering as he walked: Why does it feel like this scene has happened before?

After the food came, Maria started eating happily.

"Wow! It's delicious!"

"Gu, it's so delicious, why don't you eat it?"

Gu Ran smiled at Maria and said, "Seeing you eating so happily, I am satisfied."

Maria was so moved that she almost cried, "Gu, you are so kind... But you can't not eat, you still have a competition tomorrow! You need to eat more! Come on, open your mouth, I'll feed you."

"Maria, I really, I... um! um!"

Gu Ran's mouth was stuffed full.

"That's good." Maria wiped the corners of Gu Ran's mouth tenderly, and said to the waiter, "Give this gentleman another bowl of rice!"

Gu Ran cried silently in his heart: Double the happiness... and double the appetite...

Maria smiled and said, "Gu, I'll sleep at your place tonight. I promise I won't do anything with you."

Gu Ran tried hard to swallow the food in his mouth, hardened his heart, and said, "No, I'll book a hotel for you."

Gu Ran was not afraid of Maria's hesitation, but mainly wanted to be fair to Sophie.

It's not easy to be the king of the ocean, you have to be fair.

Maria said resentfully, "I came all the way back, and you let me stay in a hotel tonight?"

Gu Ran sighed and said with a very real feeling: "I am afraid that I can't control myself at night. Who told you to be so great?"

Maria immediately chuckled, "Hateful! Your mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter. Come, have another bite of food, ah——"

Gu Ran said: "I can't eat anymore..."

Maria pretended to be coquettish and said, "You only ate a little bit, how can you not eat more? If you don't eat more, how will you have the energy to play football tomorrow? Okay, I promise you, as long as you eat all these dishes, I will stay in a hotel tonight."

Gu Ran took a deep breath, "...I'll eat."

"Good boy!" Maria hooked Gu Ran's chin happily, with a full aura of a queen.

After the second dinner, Gu Ran drove Maria to a five-star hotel in Southampton.

After arriving at Gu Ran’s own dune villa, he was almost exhausted.

The job of Aquaman is more tiring than playing football!

It’s better to play football... No need to eat so much.

Gu Ran spent more than an hour on the beach and swam for a while in the swimming pool in the backyard. Only then did he almost digest the two meals he had that night.

Fortunately, Annie did not get involved.

If Annie comes back by flight, then... I really won’t be able to eat!

Gu Ran didn't dare to think too much, and quickly cleared his messy thoughts. Then he took a shower, used the frozen liquid nitrogen space capsule and sauna steam therapy, and then returned to bed.

These two times today were really exciting.

It brought back all the energy that had been held back for three days.

My physical constitution is strong to begin with, and my body's needs are great. After being stimulated twice in a row, I really can't take it anymore.

Fortunately, we are experienced.

Gu Ran tossed and turned in bed for more than an hour before finally falling asleep.

Early the next morning.

The last amateur competition of my high school career has finally arrived!

Gu Ran got up energetically and went for some liquid nitrogen space capsule and sauna therapy to get his body into optimal condition.

There were more than ten text messages on his mobile phone, including those from Anne, Sophie, Maria, senior management of Southampton Club, and scouts from other clubs. These text messages were all wishing him to lead the team to victory today.

Gu Ran didn't reply to anyone's text messages.

Today, he needs to concentrate completely, and anything else will have to wait until after the game!

After having a nutritious breakfast, Gu Ran drove to school.

The school team’s chartered bus was already waiting at the school’s main entrance.

There were huge crowds of people at the school gate, and a cordon was set up at the gate - the scale of this farewell was larger than any other time, so there were twice as many security personnel as last time.

The school's directors were all dressed in formal attire and greeted the players of the Bucks Steelhorns within the cordon.

Outside the cordon stood students, parents, and alumni of Southampton High School who came to see them off.

The most eye-catching among them is Gu Ran’s official fan club—all of them are girls in JK short skirts.

Today is a big day for Southampton High School. It is the first time in their history that they will compete for the national championship! Especially when everyone knew that Gu Ran refused to play a match-fixing game and was almost given a red card and suspended, everyone's emotions became even more excited!

Everyone wants to see Gu Ran appear with their own eyes so that they can be completely relieved.

When Gu Ran appeared at the school gate, thousands of people cheered for him at the same time! The gate of Southampton High School was almost set on fire!

The whole scene was like a crazy star-chasing scene! If there weren't for more than 40 security guards maintaining order, these crazy students and parents would have already broken through the cordon! "Gu! Good job!"

"Gu! You are the pride of our Southampton High School!"

"We thank you for everything you have done for Southampton High School! We thank you for rejecting the Westminster School buy-off!"

"Gu! I love you! I want to give birth to a baby for you!"

"Gu! Beat the Missionaries for us and win the national championship for us!"

"Gu, Auntie still wants to see your 40-meter-long Crescent Moon Scimitar!"

"Chinese Dad! Chinese Dad!"

"My god! My god! My god!"

"Gu Ran's support club officially authorized the Southampton High School branch to cheer for the male god Gu Ran!"

The girls in JK short skirts performed a thigh dance towards Gu Ran in unison.

The whole scene can only be described in one word - fanaticism.

"Hey! Gu! Come on!"

In the boiling crowd, Sophie and her parents waved happily to Gu Ran.

Gu Ran also waved to Sophie quickly.

"Hi Gu! You're the best!"

On the other side, Teacher Maria was also waving at Gu Ran.

Gu Ran quickly waved to Teacher Maria.

Fortunately, there were too many people and no one could tell who Gu Ran was waving at.

After waving his hand, Gu Ran immediately turned around and got into the bus.

The exclusive team doctor, Myv, and the exclusive physical therapist, Gregory, were already in the car.

When they saw Gu Ran get on the car, they immediately stood up and greeted Gu Ran.

"Hi Gu!"

“Is Anne Hathaway really gone?”

"Oh, what a shame, we haven't had time to ask her for an autograph yet."

Mav and Gregory's faces were filled with regret.

At this time, other team members also got on the car one after another and high-fived Gu Ran.

"Hi, Gu!"

"I thought I saw Sophie just now!"

"I just saw Teacher Maria!"

"Gu, can you handle it?"

Gu Ran smiled calmly, "...it's just a small scene!"

“Awesome!”

“Winner in life!”

“I’m so jealous!”

After head coach Carter was the last one to get on the bus, the bus slowly started moving with two police cars leading the way.

The crowd who were seeing them off clenched their fists and cheered at the bus, shouting for it to go.

The Bucks Steelhorns players in the car were all infected by the farewell mood and their blood was boiling.

The bus drove into the main road and began to accelerate towards Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

When the vehicles on the road saw the Bucks' bus, they all gave way and honked their horns in salute.

Many vehicles followed the Bucks Steelhorns bus, accompanying and escorting it all the way.

The entire convoy was huge and endless! This was the most spectacular scene in the history of Southampton High School! Countless native Southamptonians were watching this epic game!

(End of this chapter)