Golden Boots & Silver Screens: I Just Wanted to Play Football!

On television, the game between Southampton and Northampton unfolded.

In this city derby, the two teams battled fiercely, with both sides displaying a variety of special moves.

Although Northampton's team strength was clearly inferior to Southampton's, they were not at all timid. They greeted the Southampton team with a barrage of behind-the-back shoves, drags, and flying kicks.

Naturally, the Southampton team was unfazed by this, retaliating with their own rough tactics.

The game was packed with fireworks, and the rhythm was frequently disrupted by fouls on both sides.

At the end of the first half, each team had received five yellow cards, with Southampton leading 1-0.

Andrew popped open his fourth can of beer and taunted Julian, "Julian, sorry, but your money's gone to waste. In 45 minutes, I'll be up 185 pounds! I told you that you know nothing. Why didn't you follow a 30-year gambling veteran like me? Now your rent for the month is gone!"

Julian just smiled.

The match was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.

So Julian was not at all anxious, instead feeling a little excitement.

After a 15-minute break, the second half commenced.

In the 54th minute of the game, Southampton made a long pass from the right. Their striker, Connolly, used his body to shrug off the defenders and found himself with a clear shot on the edge of the penalty area!

Andrew shouted as he clutched his beer can, "Connolly—shoot! Shoot!"

But just as he was about to shoot, another Northampton defender made a vicious sliding tackle, catching Connolly's supporting ankle!

Connolly clutched his foot in agony, falling to the ground.

The Southampton players immediately surrounded the scene, one of them kicking the Northampton player in the chest who had tackled Connolly.

This time, the entire stadium erupted.

Players from both teams started fighting, and even the coaches from the benches joined in, throwing water bottles at each other!

Fans from both sides began to fight as well, raining bottles and setting off fireworks onto the field.

The football match had turned into a battlefield, a typical scene in the British lower leagues where, especially before the era of sophisticated broadcast technology, fights were commonplace.

Andrew took a gulp of beer, his arms waving in excitement as he sang Southampton's team anthem, "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In!"

Julian couldn't help but chuckle.

The referee on the field tried to control the chaos, constantly showing cards to the Southampton players who were chasing after the Northampton players.

Players from both sides were sent off one by one.

The Southampton team, having the upper hand in the brawl, naturally had more players sent off.

Julian pretended to be surprised, "Uncle Andrew, what happens if there are less than seven players on one side?"

Andrew, a little flustered, explained, "Julian, of course you wouldn't know this professional football rule. If one team has five players sent off first, the game ends immediately. If the goal difference before the fifth player was sent off is not more than three goals, that team will be deemed to have lost 3-0. And the betting company will also acknowledge it!"

Julian feigned innocence, "What about the goal Southampton scored in the first half? Doesn't that count?"

Andrew was exasperated, "Forget it!"

Julian blinked, surprised. "Oh, does that mean... I might actually win? No way? Uncle Andrew, didn't you say that my way of betting is definitely a waste? Didn't you say that, we Asian, are we all just foolish with a lot of money to burn? How could I possibly win, Uncle Andrew?"

Andrew's expression froze completely.

Theoretically speaking, Julian's betting method, being a novice, is absolutely impossible to succeed!

However, who would have thought that such an unexpected turn of events would occur in the second half of the game?

Andrew felt as though his thirty years of betting experience had been instantly overshadowed by Julian, the novice.

Looking at Andrew's bitter face, Julian felt a pang of regret in his heart - if only today's betting limit wasn't already reached, he would have definitely picked up Andrew's skills.

In other words, as a logistics industry employee, Andrew's skill should be... driving, right?

Just when Julian was lost in thought, the referee sent off the fifth Southampton player on the field!

The game is over now!

The final result was Southampton 0:3 Northampton!

Julian's 86-to-1 odds bet had paid off!

He won £86,000!

So comfortable!

Although £86,000 isn't a fortune, it's enough for Julian to live comfortably for a while!

Moreover, Julian's bet was small, so it wouldn't draw attention from the gaming company.

If he encounters such an unpopular yet profitable game again in the future, he can still enjoy betting.

Julian shrugged, "Spinach, it's so simple. Uncle, let me just say, I feel really good today. I suggested you buy it from me, but you didn't listen. That's it, your private money, have you lost your mind?"

Andrew, a gambler with 30 years of experience, twitched his mouth and finally spoke, "...Brother, take me!"

What the hell!

Did he really say that?

"Uncle is wrong! Julian, your intuition is so precise! You can predict the score! The Asian people truly possess the mysterious power of the East! Julian, take me with you!"

After speaking, Andrew kept shaking his head, lamenting, "Jesus! Why didn't I follow you to bet? If I had followed you, my 1000 pounds would have turned into 86000! Alas! Alas!"

Andrew's few precious hairs trembled with his sighs.

Julian secretly smiled and before leaving, he glanced at the football newspaper on the table. "Uncle, are you done reading that newspaper? Can I have it?"

Andrew waved his hand. "Julian, don't be polite to me in the future. Take whatever you want! Now you are also... quite valuable!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" Julian immediately picked up the newspaper and headed back to his room.

Andrew slammed his chest and stomped his feet. "Oh, I've lost out on 8000 pounds! No, no! Next time, I must first ask Julian for his advice, and follow Julian to bet!"

Julian returned to his room and immediately closed the door. He couldn't help but silently pump his fists towards the sky!