"We're not focused on the Premier League title."
"Well, if I said that, I'd be lying to myself."
"We can't help thinking about the Premier League title, but our focus right now is still on the upcoming matches."
"We want to reach the FA Cup final. That's the most important thing for us at the moment."
"Arsenal are an excellent team, and we'll fight them with everything we have until the final moment."
April 18. Pre-match press conference.
Facing a room full of reporters, Leo Lin answered calmly and fluently, displaying his usual skill with words.
"Leo, this is Dika from Marca."
"Manchester City have lost two games in a row, while Liverpool have taken one win and one draw. You now lead City by five points."
"Many people say Liverpool already have one hand on the Premier League trophy. If you help Liverpool win their first Premier League title since the league's restructuring and end the fans' decades-long wait, would that mean a lot to you?"
At that moment, Leo Lin recalled the overwhelming support Liverpool fans had shown during the Champions League semifinal second leg.
"Of course. What I mean is that we have the best fans in the world."
"They truly deserve a Premier League title, and we will fight until the very last moment for the shirt we wear and for every fan who supports us."
Dika immediately followed up.
"Do you believe Liverpool can secure the title with this five-point advantage?"
Leo Lin smiled.
"If we win the Premier League, then this five-point lead will help us win the title."
"If we don't win the Premier League, then this five-point lead won't matter."
"So let's just wait and see what happens next."
Klopp nodded in satisfaction. Leo Lin always managed to speak at length while revealing almost nothing, which was exactly the best approach in a press conference.
There was no need to make bold statements before a match or dramatic claims afterward. In the end, only results mattered.
At the same moment, far away in the Netherlands, a Dutch manager with a bald head just as shiny as Guardiola's watched the interview.
He switched off Leo Lin's press conference livestream and clicked his tongue.
"What a shame. The kid is excellent in every way, but when it comes to press conferences, he still has a lot to learn from me."
"But this Manchester United side might need someone like me to lead their revival."
"Just wait, Liverpool."
"When the day comes that I arrive in the Premier League."
"I, Ten Hag, will step onto the Premier League stage."
...
The FA Cup semifinal would take place on April 20, and Liverpool players had plenty of time to rest beforehand.
Several starters had been rotated in the match against Stoke City, so Liverpool's main squad remained in good physical condition with little muscle fatigue.
At 4 PM on April 18, Leo Lin returned home after training.
Pep Guardiola's eldest daughter Maria was lying on the sofa watching a variety show.
"Leo, you're back."
Maria immediately got up to greet him.
With some rare free time, Maria had come to Liverpool to visit Leo Lin. She had asked him for the password to his smart lock earlier, bought a pile of snacks and drinks, and had been watching TV while patiently waiting for him to return.
Meanwhile, far away in Manchester, Guardiola suddenly felt uneasy.
For some reason, ever since Maria had grown closer to Leo Lin, a vague sense of worry had lingered in his mind.
"Maybe I should have the defenders practice their tackling more. If someone could take Lin out on the pitch..." Guardiola thought.
"I think Barnett should be more decisive. Buy a bouquet of flowers, drive a Rolls-Royce with one hand on the wheel, and ask Delores to get back together with him. She'll definitely agree."
Maria nodded dreamily.
"That's true. What girl would refuse a bouquet of flowers?"
Leo Lin shook his head.
"Maria, the important part isn't the flowers."
"It's driving the Rolls-Royce with one hand."
Leo Lin had already told Maria about Barnett and Delores. The two were chatting happily when Barnett suddenly sent a message.
Speak of the devil.
"Leo, are you home? I have something I want to talk to you about."
Leo Lin replied immediately, asking Barnett to come over as soon as possible. He and Maria had already created a perfect plan to help Barnett win Delores back.
At 5 PM, Barnett arrived carrying a bottle of red wine, with two boxes of cheese bread stuffed in the wide pockets of his suit.
But when the door opened and he saw Maria, Barnett froze.
"You two... aren't even officially together yet, right?"
Maria smiled, pulled Barnett inside, and closed the door behind him.
Barnett looked confused, but he could sense a strange and dangerous energy building behind him.
Leo Lin's clear voice rang out.
"Barnett. Starting today, we will launch a two-week operation to conquer Delores."
"Maria and I will be your support team. Think of us as your right and left hands."
"Whatever you call us doesn't matter. We will be the strongest support duo in history."
"Two weeks."
"We capture Delores."
Barnett had come today to talk with Leo Lin about Delores.
But after hearing the full two-week plan created by Leo Lin and Maria, the fire in his heart was instantly ignited.
Barnett felt that it was time for him to take the initiative like a real man.
"Alright!"
After reading the plan, Barnett slammed the table.
"A bouquet of flowers. A Barrett. And a Rolls-Royce."
"Two weeks!"
"In two weeks I'll win Delores back!"
"A soldier never jokes!"
Leo Lin clapped and laughed, then suddenly realized something felt wrong.
"I understand the flower and the Rolls-Royce."
"But what's the Barrett rifle for?"
Barnett turned toward Leo Lin with an evil grin.
"You came up with the plan. You're my strategist."
"If I fail, I'll shoot you."
Leo Lin shouted loudly.
"No way!"
"No way no way no way!"
April 19. Day one of Operation Delores.
The same Anfield Park.
The same familiar path.
The same twisting route and the same hidden seats on the left side of the stands.
Except this time there were three people.
Maria crouched beside them, carefully poking her head out just like the other two as they observed Delores from a distance.
"Alright. Let's try to finish this on the first day."
Leo Lin patted Barnett on the shoulder, straightened his silver hair, and adjusted the rose pinned to his chest.
"A man doesn't need to be handsome."
"But he must look sharp."
"You look extremely sharp now. You can definitely do this."
"Go, Barnett. Show Delores your manly charm."
Maria encouraged him from the side.
"That's right. No matter what mistakes you made before, go apologize first, then show her how determined you are to win her back. She'll definitely be moved."
"Don't forget the rose. And casually show her the keys to your new Rolls-Royce."
Looking at the two so-called strategists in front of him and thinking about their incredibly detailed plan, Barnett suddenly felt like a warrior marching toward battle without fear of death.
He stood up firmly, straightened his suit, froze in place for three seconds, then suddenly grabbed Leo Lin with his left hand and Maria with his right and dragged them away.
"I just remembered I have work to deal with."
"Let's talk about this tomorrow."
"Hey! Barnett! Did you chicken out again?"
"Someone bring me my Barrett!"
"A commander must never lose courage before the battle!"
"When the general is useless, the entire army suffers!"