On 21 February, QPR had to embark on another long journey to the North East to travel to the Riverside Stadium at Middlesbrough for the FA Cup Round 5.

It was unusually warm in the bus, and not long after getting on the bus, most of the players and coaches were asleep or resting. It will be a five-hour journey.

When Lu Ling was about to close her eyes and take a nap, her phone vibrated a little.

Lu Ling shook his head and laughed after reading it. Neither Pat nor Leon was on the team today, and she left the two super attackers in London. This was indeed agreed by the coaching staff early on. Leon knew it a little earlier, and Pat didn't know it until this morning. Last night he repeated the same trick, "I promise to do it only once tonight." Considering he thought there was a long trip and a race today, last night's "once" claim may be credible. However, Lu Ling still refused. Although he was depressed, although he hugged her and kissed her for a long time, he did not make any further moves. They woke up together this morning. As soon as the good morning kiss ended, Lu Ling told him that he could continue to sleep. At that time, the expression on Patrick Amber's face ...... Very dissatisfied. He didn't speak, he just dragged her into his arms and touched and kissed, and didn't seem to want her to go. After a while, she began to urge, and he reluctantly let her go. His body language after that was no different from that of a child, and he turned his back angrily. As she was leaving, he suddenly jumped out of bed and kissed her goodbye. Now, I sent a message to complain.

Hatsapp keeps showing Patrick online, and as soon as she sends it over, it shows that he's typing.

Lu Ling didn't go back, anyway, he could see that she was no longer online. She put away her phone, closed her eyes, imagined his possible expression at the moment, and smiled uncontrollably.

****

After a bumpy five-hour journey, the team bus finally arrived in the north-east of England.

At the end of February, on the riverside course, the cold wind was howling.

In this FA Cup match, QPR made a relatively large rotation. Only Jacob, Ian and JT were left in the starting line-up against Bayern. However, by the 60th minute, the team had scored three goals thanks to Marcelo, Genk and Embolo.

Everything was going reasonably well until Benjamin Hamilton got up from the bench and went to the sidelines to warm up.

At this point, there was a huge boo from the fans at Riverside Stadium.

Benjamin scored a hat-trick of assists in a 9-0 home win over Middlesbrough by QPR last November. If that were the case, Middlesbrough fans wouldn't have been so "welcoming" to Benjamin Hamilton, after all, Patrick Amber and Leon Ferreira were the ones who scored a hat-trick in earnest. But who made these two guys not come today. In addition, last season, in Fulham's Championship game at Riverside Stadium, Benjamin caused a dispute on the pitch. All of this adds up, oh, and in less than 70 minutes of this game, the QPR has taken a 3-0 lead, and it completely arches the anger of the Middlesbrough fans.

On the sidelines, Benjamin's body hadn't fully warmed up, even though he had already run two rounds along the sideline. Neither the hazy sky nor the biting wind seem to be so easy to get into the mood. The noise from the riverside course did not contribute to it. Yes, for Benjamin, it's just noise.

While the static stretch, Benjamin reflected on last season. On one occasion in the second half of that game, he was brought down hard by Middlesbrough captain Adam Clayton. Clayton thought he was faking a fall and gave him a hard push in the face the moment he got up. So he fell again. Clayton was immediately sent off by the referee and the home fans booed him.

Benjamin tugged at the corners of his mouth, he never faked falls, but he also fell when it was time to fall.

Three minutes later, Benjamin was officially substituted. At this time, there was even debris thrown from the stands, but stadium security immediately intervened.

Benjamin's short silver hair flickered in the light, and he still didn't react to the ridiculous insults.

The match ended with a score of 3-0 and QPR reached the quarterfinals of this season's FA Cup.

Before leaving, Jacob leaned over and said to Benjamin: "Those □□ oggies propa doylems, man."

Benjamin smiled and said, "Ey-aye, man!" (Yes!) (Benjamin imitates Jacob's geordie dialect)

Jacob grinned. "Ye canny lad nee canny imitation though (You good boy, but you don't learn like that.) "The more he gets acquainted with Ben, the more he thinks he's a particularly interesting person at times.

"Jake!English!I thought your accent wasn't that strong anymore, and once you went back to the Northeast?canny this canny that......" Phil leaned over, mimicking Jacob in a strong cockney accent.

"You're learning worse than Ben. And Middlesbrough is also considered north-east?" Jake was very contemptuous.

Benjamin lowered his head and smiled. The sweaty body is cooling down. They walked towards the players' tunnel together, when suddenly a voice thicker than Jacob's northeastern accent came from the stands:

"Go back and your head coach! Like Amber! I know you've all done it!"

The sound didn't have an immediate effect in Benjamin's mind, and he replayed it before he realised what the Middlesbrough fan had said, and then his head started buzzing, or was it the noise from the stands? In the past few seconds, Jake and Phil have begun to curse at the voice.

"If I hadn't promised my boss that I wouldn't fight again, I'd fucking beat up that bastard. Phil said.

Jake doesn't seem to care that much. "Let that son of a bitch say, what do Liverpool fans still sing about Terry's mom likes Liverpudlians' cocks, can it be true? ”

Benjamin stopped, and walked back abruptly, staring at the stand, trying to find the owner of the voice. He didn't have any clues, but his eyes ended up on a big strong man who might be about the same height as Phil, with a bald head and a ring on his nose. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice calling him.

"Ben. ”

He didn't know how far or near the voice was, and he didn't know why it was just a short syllable, but it still made him feel extremely charming. He looked back blankly and saw her dressed very thickly. Her face was unusually small and red against the backdrop of her long puffer jacket, her eyes were brighter than the lights of the court, and he could see her eyelashes fluttering. She frowned and asked in a serious whisper, "What do you do?"

Benjamin reacted to her question, and he didn't know what he was going to do just now. He then looked back at the stands, and the bald man was nowhere to be seen. Did he want to beat him? If she didn't come, would he really beat him? He didn't know. But he felt his brain buzzing again.

"Go back and your head coach! Like Amber! I know you've all done it!"

"Go back and your head coach!

"Go back and your head coach!"

"your head coach!"

Benjamin turned his head and stared at her face with impunity. His suddenly sharp gaze wandered over her eyes and her lips. Her gaze may have been even sharper, and she tugged at his arm and took the head coach's gesture, "Back to the locker room!"

The moment her hand touched his skin, he raised his arm and shook her hand away. "Stay the ** aay from me!!" he heard his own voice, and he didn't miss the moment of shock on her face. A few whistles came from the stands. He didn't care about her. Strode towards the players' tunnel. Behind him, she didn't stop him.

****

Jacob saw Ben go to the shower as soon as he returned to the locker room, and he didn't take off his pants, and his face was like an ice cube.

Before entering the players' tunnel, Ben suddenly walked back, and he and Phil thought that Ben was trying to trouble the fan who was insulting the boss, of course, if it was, it would be too weird. That's Benjamin Hamilton, not Phil Beasley. But apparently, he was wrong, because Ben was just looking at the stands. Could it be that he saw someone he knew? Phil urged him to leave, and he didn't bother with Ben anymore. It's just that he and Phil both turned their heads again, and by that time the boss had already walked to Ben's side, so he had nothing to worry about.

Jacob also took himself to the shower. The boss will give an interview first, and it is best to take a shower within three minutes. She said she didn't like the dressing room when she spoke after the game, where the players came in and out of the shower.

Jacob glanced at Benjamin and didn't speak. He rushed casually, and after rushing he urged Ben, "You'd better hurry, she might be back soon." ”

By the time Jacob saw Ben come out of the shower, he was the classy Benjamin Hamilton again. It's weird. Jacob wondered how Ben had a lot of personality.

****

What is news made out of nothing?

On the bus back, Tim showed the manager a few tweets.

Benjamin Hamilton had a tantrum with the head coach on the sidelines after the game. Wait a minute.

Lu Ling glanced at it, and the photo was the moment Ben shook off her arm. She was a little surprised that the photojournalist was still in the scene and had captured the scene. To be fair, it's a good news image.

"What's going on?" asked Tim.

Lu Ling smiled bitterly, "To be honest, I don't know. ”

"What was the situation?"

'I told him to go back to the dressing room and he told me to get out of the way. ”

Tim's eyes widened, "Benjamin told you to get out of the way?" and he teased, "Aside from the fact that he shouldn't have talked to the manager like that, maybe it's a good thing." ”

As soon as Tim's voice fell, Benjamin came from behind. He politely asked the manager: "Can I talk to you about a few words? It won't be too long." She nodded, and he immediately turned to the teaching assistant, "Mr. Louis, do you mind?"

Tim shook his head and gave way.

Benjamin sat down and didn't speak immediately. His eyelids drooped, as if he was considering. Lu Ling didn't rush. Soon, he slowly raised his head, looked at her, and said sincerely, "I'm sorry." ”

Lu Ling thought that he would say something more, but he didn't, he only said such a word. And then just looked at her patiently with those gray-green eyes. What awaits you. In fact, lately, apart from the eyes that sometimes made him feel a little sad, his expression was the exact opposite of his new hairstyle, which was still beloved by English tabloids and gossip magazines.

"Accept the apology. Lu Ling nodded his chin.

Benjamin held out his hand to her, and she hesitated before taking his hand. Her hands were smaller than his, her skin soft and hot to the touch, but not small. He pinched it a little harder, and saw the shallow fluctuation between her eyebrows as he wished, his heart tightened, and he quickly let go.

"Thank you. Benjamin bowed slightly, and stood up. He knew she wouldn't ask why. It's just that if she asks, he doesn't know how to answer. He didn't want to lie to her.

When Benjamin returned to his seat, Phil came over and arched Jacob.

Jacob didn't quite understand. Phil said, "Let me talk to this bitch." ”

Jacob hesitated, and Phil arched again, "He's a little crazy, I have experience to share with him." ”

Jacob laughed, just laughing, and the expression on his face became complicated. Ben is not a person who confides in his heart easily. He knew what Ben was thinking, and there were probably a few more people in the locker room who knew, including Phil now. Jacob then stood up and went to sit with Henk on the other side.

Phil sat down and bent down sharply to check Benjamin's mental state.

Benjamin's forehead was pressed against the glass window, and he looked out in the darkness, and he had to be very careful not to take in the light and shadow in the car. He knew that at the front, the side of her face was printed on such a glass window.

"OI" Phil shouted in a thick voice, drawing Benjamin's attention.

Benjamin didn't react at all, like a deaf man.

"What the are you thinking?!"

Benjamin still didn't respond.

Phil scoffed twice. "It's all men, I know what you're thinking. As dirty as the fans shouted and sang, you thought it was dirty, oh, I'm afraid it's dirtier than that. ”

Benjamin turned his face and looked at Phil's crooked nose, his expression not undulating.

"I thought you were the last classic gentleman in our England tough guys, and you were just pretending. ”

The corners of Benjamin's mouth moved.

"Sorry, my fault, you're not a tough guy. Phil didn't forget to humiliate.

Benjamin turned his face out the window.

“…… Seriously, don't think about it. You let her like this, making it difficult for Pat to deal with, it's all a club, do you really want Pat to beat you up at the end?"

Benjamin's throat was astringent, and he said in a low voice, "He's done fucking things and was beaten up by Flores himself, why can't I?"

Phil was surprised. "How do you know? When the didn't I know?"

Benjamin wasn't interested in explaining it to Fill. I don't want Phil to pull his arm as if he wants to listen to gossip. "If you don't make it clear, I'll sit here and bother you for five hours. ”

Benjamin glanced at Phil and said nothing.

As you see fit. Let's see who can't hold it in the end.

Phil saw Benjamin's thoughts, raised his eyebrows, and grew louder, "Then I'm really starting to sing, what are I singing? He snorted, starting directly with the phrase, "somebodan kiss"

Benjamin became irritated when he heard this. Suppressing his emotions, he interrupted Phil, "You weren't on the team at that time, and I didn't. The QPR league was playing at home to Manchester United, and Nicolas was watching the game at Loftus Road. In that game, Pate and Herrera clashed on the field, and Pate was finally sent off with a red card, and there were news reports and news pictures after the game, Pat's face was swollen, and the media has been speculating that a Manchester United player did it. What you know about Pat, if it was really a Manchester United player who beat him, would he have let that guy go back to Manchester? So, who do you think did it? Why do you think that guy did that?"

Phil thought for a moment and smiled, "Maybe the boss beat him." ”

Benjamin sneered.

Phil hurriedly said, "Just kidding, I understand. "After a while. Phil seemed to sigh. His voice was extremely low, "I don't believe you haven't read the report, there are all kinds of voices this month, but whether it is support or criticism, people know very well that these two people are not hook up, they are true love." He is her king of spades, and she is his queen of spades. What the are you? They've known each other for sixteen years, how long have you known her? they've been together once, and they've got a pair of playing cards together...... If you know what kind of girl she is, you should understand what that means to her. Do you really think everything you do makes sense?"

After Phil finished speaking in one breath, he was surprised first, "Holy **, such philosophical words, I can't say it out loud so that everyone can appreciate my Phil Beasley's wisdom." That's a bargain for you, Hamilton. ”

Benjamin listened quietly to Phil. When Phil had finished speaking, he raised his head and looked at Phil in a clear voice. "It doesn't make sense. ”

Phil was even more smug when he heard this. "So don't think about it. I know of a very senior Asian call girl, Thai? I don't remember. It seems to be some of the University of Manchester. If you want, I'll give you the number. ”

Benjamin didn't answer.

Phil got angry and said in a heavier tone, "Do you want the fuck?"

Benjamin looked into Phil's eyes and asked seriously, "...... Are you sure it's ...... "He doesn't usually make such offensive jokes, and he doesn't know how to control himself.

Phil was stunned for a moment, then laughed, and seemed to like the joke very much. He nudged Benjamin, "Fuck you!" and he remembered something, "What the hell did you give her for Christmas?"

Benjamin's thin lips moved and he spat out one word, "puzzle."

"This is why you can't win the girl's heart, never give this kind of shit, it's better than a rose. Phil stood up.

Jacob quickly sat back next to Benjamin. Before Jake started counselling, he put on his headphones. The song "Someone Just Like This" was playing in the headphones. Damn it.

Yes, it doesn't make sense, he just can't stop, and he doesn't want to stop.

Who will be next, Captain Ian, or Pat himself?

****

In the last week of February, the team was very well rested and trained. Lu Ling is very satisfied with the team's current state. On a very important note, Glenn played with the Under-23s on Monday and it looks like the main centre-backs are ready to return. In the Carabao Cup final, she will put Glenn in the squad.

With the Carabao Cup final taking place on Sunday, QPR will skip the Premier League round of 26 (a make-up match will take place in the coming week).

At present, QPR is three points ahead of Chelsea and seven points ahead of Everton, and the advantage of goal difference is even more difficult to catch, so even if Chelsea are on the same points as QPR after this round, they will not take the top spot.

The team's focus this week will be on Wembley's West Brom side against Tony Pulis.

This is the first title challenge of the season launched by QPR.

Lu Ling has won the FA Cup and the Premier League in his coaching career, but has never won the League Cup. The closest season came three years ago, when Pate left QPR to join Barcelona, and her side were eliminated by Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup that year.

And this year, after beating Manchester United over two legs, QPR can finally stand in the final of the competition. Before Lu Ling came to this team, the only title for QPR was the 1967 League Cup winner. She knows that the current QPR is not what it used to be, but any championship is precious, and as long as it is possible to get it, she must try her best to get it. That's what you have to do to be a top club – to dominate the domestic game, including the cup competitions, of course.

****

Sunday 28 February, Wembley, London.

It's cold, and the sky is blue.

QPR wore a red and white away kit to distinguish it from West Bromwich Albion's navy blue-white striped shirt.

Amid the hustle and bustle of more than 80,000 people, the two teams of players walked into Wembley.

Lu Ling looked up, and half of the stands were occupied by the team's blue and white. The colors of the two teams are similar, but they are instantly distinguishable to her.

It's been seven years. She realized. She has also been with the club for six years since she was recruited by Tom Jones in 2014 and removed the middle slack.

Reserve Team Assistant, First Team Assistant, Acting Coach, Official Head Coach...... Also, the FA Cup winner, the Premier League winner. She loves this team, and the people here, and she's grateful for everything.

She was a little excited, but not so much that she burst into tears. Patrick-Amber smiled at her as she looked up, and she smiled at the man she loved. She suddenly thought of that season in the Championship, which was the first professional memory.

She turned her head and walked towards the West Brom boss.

Tony Pulis walked over. This old Welsh man, Lu Ling doesn't remember how many times he has duels with him. His team has always been boring and rough, but tough and suited to the general environment of English football. She smiled, and Priss greeted her with a smile.

Ahem, in fact, Lu Ling wants to laugh every time he meets the bald old man wearing his trademark peaked cap and a thick dark blue sports coat on the other side.

This is also the third meeting this season. This time, Lu Ling finally couldn't hold back. "Tony, I've always wanted to wear a hat like yours and wear it during the game. She teased.

"I'm sure that's going to work for you. The 63-year-old Priss twisted crow's feet at the corners of his eyes and grinned in a hypocritical shape.

Lu Ling knew that Tony Pulis had a weird habit.

In every game, he must come to the court in a suit and leather shoes, and when the game is over, he will change back into a suit as quickly as possible to appear in front of the camera and reporters. However, this gentleman must change into this rustic sportswear and cap for the game. And every time she saw him like that, his clothes were crumpled, and she wondered how he did it.

She remembers Zixiang once said: "I think Tony Pulis must want to create a good brand image for himself - Welsh red neck." Didn't he know that the image of the Welsh was bad enough?" and made a couple of "dry sheep" movements.

Lu Ling let go of Pris's hand, she didn't think the Welshman's cap would bring good luck to his team in this game.

Oh, she's sure not. It has been a long time since it was difficult to snatch a near-title title from Kristen Lu.

The game begins.

****

"It's a very special moment! 1966 League Cup winner West Bromwich Albion against 1967 League Cup winner QPR......" Martin Taylor's familiar voice rang out in the Wembley box, "Tony Pulis is chasing the first major title of his coaching career, and Kristen Lue certainly wouldn't agree. West Brom have also scored points from QPR this season......"

Nathaniel Lawrence glanced at the manager on the sidelines. She wore a well-tailored suit with a coat over it, which was very much in line with the style of the final manager.

Her team has begun to besiege.

Nathan Neal suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Christine a long time ago about Pulis's West Brom. At the time, he complained to Christine about the coach's style of football, believing it to be "primitive" and "uncivilized" long-pass football.

Christine looked at him and said, "You probably didn't know that Tony Pulis used to study the Italian 'chain defence' and use it for himself. You may not have learned the essence. He's a realist through and through, he's adapted to the special environment of English football and has never been relegated. This at least shows that he is not completely devoid of ideas. I don't like his football, but it's dangerous to underestimate him. ”

Nathan Neal understood what the manager meant, still, in his eyes, Pulis's football, lacked beauty. He didn't completely dislike simplicity and roughness, but he liked the simplicity and roughness of the collision of passions. If it's just simple and crude, it's obviously too boring.

Nathan Neal's eyes were on the man who was dribbling the ball on the field.

Patrick-Amber never cares whether the other side is pragmatic or aggressive. West Brom filled the box with tall players who averaged more than six feet three inches, but Patrick Amber already knew how to deal with that kind of defence. He dribbled horizontally and cut between the two lines of the opposition before sending a through ball that Leon went after but was saved by the goalkeeper.

Genk De Graaf catches up and fills the ball into the empty net!

Nathan Neal looked at his watch, and it was only the ninth minute. That's for the best. He is thinking that it looks like he could easily win his first title of the season, after which he will meet Christine Lu, who is still on the cusp of English football. When it comes to this kind of thing, he has to put on the face of a pragmatist, or a successful businessman.

****

Just before half-time, Patrick scored again. On the counter-attack, he used his speed to swoop through the middle of the opponent for up to 50 meters and then pushed the ball into the net, and the West Brom players struggled to form a direct block in the whole process, and he only passed one man on the way before advancing into the box, where other opponents desperately chased after him.

At halftime, Lu Ling left more time for the captain.

The Scotsman's voice resounded through the dressing room, and the response was one of Old English louder than the other.

“aye!”

“aye!!”

“aye!!!”

Lu Ling held his pocket and listened slightly sideways. She already knew that Ian Parker was William Wallace.

As soon as the second half came up, West Brom created a couple of set-pieces in front of him. This is the strength of the Pulis team. Thankfully, the opponent didn't score. However, on a corner, Jacob Harding jumped high and collided with Craig Dawson on the opposite side.

Jake was almost unresponsive when he fell to the ground. Everyone exclaimed.

Lu Ling broke out in a cold sweat on the sidelines.

The team doctors were already on the pitch, and Jacob looked to be recovering some of his reactions. Lu Ling took a breath cautiously. It should be a concussion. When Jake and Alice walked up to her, she asked again, but luckily it was fine.

She then got Glenn ready to play and told John to play at wing-back and David Luiz to play at right centre-back, with Glenn in the centre-back role. Then, she brought on Phil Beasley for Leon.

Phil was a little dissatisfied with not starting this game, and now he is even more unhappy that Jake was injured, and he made the opponent turn on his back as soon as he came on the court. His header back for Genk to volley into the third goal of the game from the edge of the box.

The suspense is gone, and it's only a matter of time before you lift the glass.

Lu Ling replaced Patrick with the last spot and replaced Joey Freeman.

As Patrick passed by her, he whispered to her with a straight face, "That's a bad idea, you'll know tonight." ”

Lu Ling naturally ignored him. After a while, she looked back and saw him sitting next to Scott, the second team doctor, presumably inquiring about Jake's condition.

After the game went to stoppage time, Genk scored a hat-trick. He dribbled the ball down the left flank into the opponent's already unmotivated defensive line and fired a right-footed shot into the far corner.

The whistle blows. QPR won their first title of the season at Wembley.

Lu Ling got up from the coach's bench and walked towards Pulis again. The other party's face was not good, but it was quite calm. Lu Ling knew that he was in a hurry to go to the locker room to change his suit, so he didn't say much to greet. As soon as Pulis turned, she no longer had any scruples, smiled heartily, and walked towards the players.

She hadn't taken two steps before Phil rushed at her. She didn't really want to be picked up by the players, and she didn't want to be thrown away when she won more important championships in the future. She thought so, so she hid for a while, but Phil still hugged her, but he didn't hold it steady. Phil is like mixing on the soles of his feet in front of the penalty area......

You've got to kill Phil Beasley, don't want me to adopt it. This was the last thought that Lu Ling had when he fell backwards.

Fortunately, someone grabbed her waist from behind. 166 Reading Network