Chapter 891: Settling the Score
The home game victory against the St. Louis Rams didn't result in any special system tasks, even though Ryan Baldwin and the "Golden Sea" attracted the attention of the entire league. It was likely classified as a minor branch of the hidden main objective, "Forging a King's Heart."
In the end, all game tasks were completed successfully, earning a total of eleven base points.
Additionally, the daily training task also had its second chance for points, earning one more base point. This brought the total number of base points Lu Ke had to twelve.
Lu Ke didn't hesitate much on how to allocate the points, consciously trying to make up for his weaknesses.
Fake Throw: Increased by five points, from 90 to 95.
Throwing Power: Increased by four points, from 86 to 90.
Explosive Power: Increased by three points, from 85 to 88.
This is a gradual process.
First, he focused on the core skills of a pocket quarterback. Second, he made adjustments based on the current state of the 49ers' offensive players, viewing himself as a part of the team. His goal was to improve the entire team's strength by consciously adding points where they were most needed.
This season, the 49ers' offensive line has improved, which has given Lu Ke more time for strategic plays. There was no rush to improve his shortcomings in right- and left-side awareness. However, this season, the 49ers' tactical system and passing routes are no longer a secret, so opposing defenses can be more targeted.
In a way, this is also one of the reasons for the fluctuations in the performance of the wide receivers and tight ends.
This forces Lu Ke to enrich his own arsenal and further counter the opponent's defensive strategies. The most direct example is that Lu Ke is running out of the pocket more often. But it's not like a running quarterback's option play. Instead, he uses his fake moves to disrupt the opposing defense's balance and then gain yardage.
So, Lu Ke is now slightly slowing down the improvement of his technical strengths while increasing the frequency of physical enhancements, methodically strengthening himself with a more targeted approach.
He is about to face the Chicago Bears, and Lu Ke is not hesitating or backing down. Instead, he is even more excited, precisely because of the focus everyone in the league is talking about: their defense!
Facing the league's number two defense this season is undoubtedly the best test for the offense and the best test of Lu Ke's ability!
What could be more exciting than a showdown between two powerhouses? Winning that showdown!
Although the test is coming, Lu Ke is methodically preparing for the game. The tactical training for the second-string offense is still on time, with full focus on tactical analysis and drills. If Harbaugh wants to substitute a receiver during the game, they will be ready at any moment.
After the tactical meeting, Lu Ke had just left the conference room when he saw Logan walking toward him. Lu Ke subconsciously prepared to step back, but Logan caught a glimpse of him and immediately rushed over. "Wait, wait! I saw you! Bambi, I saw you!"
This time, Lu Ke didn't continue to retreat. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Logan, who was speechless with laughter.
Logan had been looking for Lu Ke all morning. He couldn't find a chance during the recovery training. Finally, he cornered Lu Ke in the office hallway and stared at him with wide, angry, and frustrated eyes, a look of "settling the score."
Lu Ke didn't leave or say anything, just giving him a resigned expression.
Seeing Lu Ke like this, Logan was at a loss for words. "You..." But he only managed to squeeze out one word from his throat and didn't know what to do next. "I..." He still didn't know what to say. The frustration building up in his chest finally turned into a long sigh.
"You should know that if it weren't for you, I would punch you right now!" Although Logan was still venting, his frustration was at its limit.
"Yeah," Lu Ke nodded.
"You should know that I don't let anyone bully Julia but me!" Logan was still complaining, but his bluster had no real power.
"Yeah," Lu Ke nodded again.
"You should know that Julia is very, very sad right now. My mom and dad thought I was the one who bullied her!" Logan said with a resentful look, his eyes now looking pitiful.
"Yeah," Lu Ke nodded again.
Logan's mouth was slightly open. "..." But he didn't know what to say next. Did he want Lu Ke to accept Julia's confession? Or did he want Lu Ke to reject her? It was like... neither was quite right. In the end, he just dropped his shoulders in frustration.
After the frustration and anger gradually dissipated, Logan calmed down. Looking at Lu Ke's sincere eyes, he raised his right index finger and pointed it at Lu Ke from a distance. "Luckily, you have a good attitude!" After saying that, Logan didn't continue to bother him. "So, what did Julia say? No matter how many times I ask her, she just says it's nothing."
"..." Lu Ke smiled wryly. "She said it was all a joke, a joke she and you planned for my birthday."
Logan's mouth was slightly agape, a look of shock on his face.
"We just have to pretend it's nothing. That's the best choice. Otherwise, what's she going to do during your games and mine?" Seeing that Logan hadn't reacted yet, Lu Ke added an explanation.
"Ah..." Logan sighed meaningfully and nodded. "That's better. That's better, right?" He then gave Lu Ke a questioning look.
Lu Ke nodded in confirmation.
Logan gradually came back to his senses. "From now on, when you get a girlfriend, remember not to flaunt her in front of Julia!" A small smile appeared on Lu Ke's lips.
Logan didn't notice and added, "It seems impossible for me to forbid it completely. I'll have to vet her first. Or how about this: you can only have a girlfriend after Julia gets a boyfriend." After saying that, Logan nodded to himself. "Yes, that's it. That's a good plan!"
Lu Ke didn't answer, but he smiled.
This afternoon, Candice would be flying out of San Francisco. Although her work for New York Fashion Week was over, a model's work is year-round. She had two magazine shoots coming up. In addition, she needed to start preparing for this year's Victoria's Secret fashion show.
Her trip to San Francisco was a break from her busy schedule.
More importantly, Candice and Lu Ke had decided to keep their relationship a secret for now.
For Candice, it didn't matter. A model's dating life isn't a big deal.
But for Lu Ke, this season is crucial. The high pressure from the intense attention is constantly building up. As the center of attention, any little thing could cause a huge stir. The subsequent effects could be unpredictable, like a domino effect.
In such a situation, Candice's identity as a model could be a catalyst. The drama in the entertainment industry could be magnified tenfold. At that time, a swarm of reporters could disrupt the 49ers' game preparation and even distract the team.
2012 might be the 49ers' best chance. Even if it isn't, Lu Ke needs to stay focused and hopes to continue the current winning streak.
What's more, the 49ers' locker room is full of clowns. They were already making a fuss when Lu Ke and Candice weren't even official yet. Now, if the news gets out, the scene would be unimaginable. Being able to separate one's personal life from one's professional life is also part of being a professional.
So, Lu Ke and Candice decided not to announce it publicly but to let things happen naturally. If the players find out, they'll be honest. If not, they'll keep a low profile.
Logan?
Not to mention that he's a chatterbox in his daily life and might accidentally let something slip. The Julia situation just happened, so it's clearly not the best time to come clean.
Seeing that Lu Ke remained silent, Logan raised his right hand, put it on his friend's shoulder, and looked at Lu Ke up and down with a serious and inquisitive expression. "Honestly, I really can't see what's so charming about you. Other than you're a good player, you have a good work ethic, a good sense of humor, and a nice smile. Seriously, I don't know what's so charming about you. How could she like you? It's so strange."
Lu Ke's mouth was slightly open, his face filled with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. But on the surface, he nodded very seriously. "Yeah, yeah, I think so too."
"Right? You think so too! See, I'm more handsome, more humorous, and more witty than you. No matter what, I'm the more charming one. I also get more attention from women."
Logan was still rambling, but Lu Ke was full of questions. "Are we still talking about Julia's preferences?" He felt that the conversation was going in a strange direction.
Logan paused for a moment and then said bluntly, "No, we're discussing if you're charming, but I'm more charming than you, right? Are you zoning out? Oh, that's not a good habit. You get distracted even when you're walking. You'll be walking and then you'll start thinking about the playbook. That's not right..."
Just a moment ago, they were discussing the Bears' defensive strategy, and suddenly it turned into a charisma competition?
In this regard, Lu Ke really couldn't keep up with Logan's train of thought. He took a step forward in a daze. Since Logan was in a strange mood today, he'd just have to put up with it.
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