Chapter 386: Brand New Identity

Chapter 386: Chapter 383: Brand New Identity

Standing amid the bustling crowd, with players coming over one after another to congratulate him, Lu Ke felt a bit dazed.

Usually, during training and on the field, Lu Ke appeared mature and experienced, a calm and collected strategist. But no one should forget that he was only turning twenty-three next month. Having just graduated from college this summer, he was still a rookie, a young man who had left the academic world to enter the professional arena and face brand-new challenges.

As a person of Chinese descent living in a foreign country, figuring out how to fit in, how to prove himself, and how to face challenges were constant issues for Lu Ke. As a player on the field, with his relatively slender frame, figuring out how to survive in the trenches, how to establish himself in the game, and how to earn respect were also problems he had to deal with at all times.

All along, Lu Ke had been doing everything in his power to carve out a place for himself, earning recognition and validation through his own abilities, both in life and on the field. It wasn’t an easy task. More often than not, Lu Ke had been a marginal figure.

Making a professional team, becoming the team’s starting quarterback, winning a game, establishing his footing on the team… He had taken it one step at a time, each one solid and hard-earned. Lu Ke never dared to relax, because he felt he didn’t have the right to. Every day, every moment, he had to give it his all.

Now, Lu Ke had taken another step forward, accepting the duties of the team’s offensive captain and moving from the periphery into the spotlight. More importantly, the trust from Goodwin, Akens, and Willis, along with the cheers and celebrations from his teammates, represented a heavy weight of trust and responsibility that now rested on Lu Ke’s shoulders.

Lu Ke knew that being a captain on a football team wasn’t as significant as one might imagine. Nevertheless, the journey from a marginal figure to a team captain felt incredibly long, arduous, and… unfamiliar.

Standing there in a daze, Lu Ke’s eyes looked a little lost. The first thought that popped into his head was, ‘Uh… what do I need to do?’

“Buy the whole team three rounds of beer at the bar after Sunday’s game!” Aldon was the first to start shouting and heckling. The other players all nodded in agreement, some even raising their hands high and chanting excitedly, “Treat us! Treat us! Treat us!”

Looking at his heckling teammates, Lu Ke couldn’t help but laugh. He spread his hands. “Only three rounds? Is that all you guys are aiming for? How unambitious.”

This provocation immediately sent everyone into a howling frenzy, all of them clamoring about drinking Lu Ke into bankruptcy. But then, Kip Kester, who was standing nearby, raised his voice. “It’s only Wednesday, and you’re already talking about drinking? Are you guys tired of playing? If you don’t perform well in this week’s home game, let’s see if the fans even let you into a bar!”

After that scolding, the noise and heckling died down a bit, but the offensive players still winked and nudged each other, genuinely happy for Lu Ke.

Seeing this, Kip added, “Warm-ups. Everyone start your warm-ups now. What are you still standing around for?”

At that, the players finally scattered, laughing and talking as they began today’s recovery training.

Now that things had finally quieted down, Lu Ke still felt a bit out of it. It wasn’t because he was overjoyed, but because he was at a complete loss. ‘As a captain, what exactly am I supposed to do?’ He began to search his mind for images of previous offensive captains, subconsciously trying to find a role model.

Logan still hadn’t left. As a close friend, he could sense Lu Ke’s confusion. He clapped him heavily on the shoulder. “Relax.”

Lu Ke whipped his head around, his unfocused gaze landing on him. Logan found it amusing. They had known each other for so long, and it was rare to see Lu Ke so out of sorts.

So, Logan let out a loud, merciless laugh. “Relax, relax.” He repeatedly slapped Lu Ke’s shoulder, taking the opportunity to give him a good-natured beating.

Before Lu Ke could react, Logan quickly pulled back his hand and said with feigned seriousness, “The real meaning of being a captain is leading the team in your own way. Every captain has a different style. You don’t need to feel too burdened. Just keep being yourself. The way you became our captain, step by step, just keep doing that and lead us to one victory after another.”

“That’s the problem, I don’t know how,” Lu Ke said, blinking blankly. He had never encountered a situation like this before, and his reaction time was a beat slower than usual.

Logan laughed out loud again, but this time he quickly composed himself. “Just be yourself. You don’t need to change. Everything is fine.” After speaking, Logan gave Lu Ke a sincere, warm hug. “Trust me, you’re an outstanding leader. Just keep moving at your own pace, and we’ll all be happy to follow.”

Then, Logan gave Lu Ke a big smile before turning and leaving to join the others in their warm-ups.

Lu Ke let out a long breath, and the turbulent emotions in his chest gradually settled, allowing his composure to return. He had never been one to fear challenges, dread change, or worry about the unknown. That was true when he was called upon to step up in a crisis before the regular season, and it was true now as he took on the role of captain for the first time in his life.

Although Lu Ke didn’t know what qualities an excellent captain should possess, he knew with absolute certainty that leading by example was undoubtedly the most important first step. Not only because a captain bore more responsibility, but also because a captain needed to lead the entire team forward.

As captain, Lu Ke needed to be even more dedicated to his training and more focused on his own improvement, both in his fundamental drills and his study of the playbook. ‘Maybe starting tomorrow, I should wake up earlier and increase the intensity of my training.’ He had to truly lead by example and could not afford to let his guard down in the slightest.

Clenching his fists, Lu Ke began to psych himself up. He set aside all his confusion and bewilderment, all his ecstasy and excitement, and started jogging toward the locker room. After a shower and a change of clothes, he would be ready to start today’s fundamental quarterback training.

Standing just off the practice field, Parris still couldn’t quite process what had happened.

‘How could the entire world turn upside down in a single bye week?’ He couldn’t recognize it anymore. Lu Ke was the offensive captain. A rookie player was the offensive captain. What did that even mean?

Parris tried to rack his brain, searching his memory. Of all thirty-two teams in the Alliance, which one had ever appointed a rookie as a team captain? He came up with nothing. His mind was a blank. The result sent him into a panic. He tried to say something, to shout something, but no sound came out.

Right then, Parris watched as Lu Ke came jogging toward him.

There wasn’t much expression on that young, still-unseasoned face. He just gave a polite nod as a greeting. But Parris didn’t react at all. He didn’t know how he was supposed to react. He couldn’t even manage the reflexive greeting expected in social situations. He just stood there, frozen in astonishment.

And then, Lu Ke simply brushed past him.

Parris felt like an idiot.

A couple of steps behind, Colin Kaepernick lifted his head. His brow was furrowed, his expression grave, and his sharp gaze was locked onto Lu Ke, not wavering for an instant. That piercing look was less about fighting spirit and more about deep-seated resentment.

‘I don’t accept this. I don’t accept any of it! I refuse to accept it, from the bottom of my heart!’

‘The only reason Lu Ke is the team’s starting quarterback is because I haven’t had a chance to get my feet under me yet. Just give me enough time to really study the playbook and master it, and Lu Ke will be sidelined. I’m the future of the San Francisco 49ers—otherwise, why would the team use a second-round pick, even trading up for it, specifically to choose me?’

‘For now, Lu Ke’s starting position is secure only because the wins are blinding everyone. As the season progresses, his shortcomings will gradually be exposed. When that happens, the fans will start missing Alex and me. That starting spot belongs to me, not Lu Ke.’

‘But now, Lu Ke has somehow gone a step further and become the offensive captain. On what grounds? Lu Ke is just an undrafted player. He’s only played six professional games. Before the first week of the regular season against the Seattle Seahawks, he hadn’t even finished a single full game! On what grounds does he get to be team captain?!’

Kaepernick’s gaze remained locked on Lu Ke. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists so tightly that his body began to tremble slightly.

But Lu Ke just ran straight past. No pause, no greeting, not even a taunt. ‘Why? Shouldn’t he be showing off to me? Shouldn’t he be flaunting his position, gloating? Why did he just pass by like that? Does… does he think I’m not even worth the effort?’

‘Dammit.’

Lu Ke blew past like a gust of wind, leaving Kaepernick standing alone, his muscles tensed to the breaking point, like a powder keg about to explode.

In truth, Lu Ke hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Parris or Kaepernick at all. His mind was completely consumed with the thought of throwing himself into training. Even if he had noticed, he wouldn’t have cared. Compared to these personal grudges, the most important thing right now was the game in Week 8 of the regular season.

This would be his first game since taking over as offensive captain, and also the first game back from the bye week. There was absolutely no room for error. Lu Ke hoped the team could continue its triumphant march forward, advancing toward the playoffs with one victory after another!