Chapter 941: Life and Death Line

On November 18, 2018, the Washington Redskins played at home against the visiting Houston Texans.

At that time, the Washington Redskins had a season record of six wins and three losses, leading the National Conference East Division.

The quarterback Alex Smith, who led the Kansas City Chiefs to the top of the Super Bowl the previous season, transferred to Washington amidst controversy and doubt. Meanwhile, Mahomes, left in Kansas City, needed to prove himself, and so did Smith, who had arrived in Washington–

He did.

Smith persevered under pressure, demonstrating his brilliance. Even with the Redskins’ roster incomplete, he played his role as an excellent leader.

Without question, the Washington Redskins showcased strong competitiveness in the National Conference East Division. After consecutive victories over division rivals Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, they held a leading edge in the playoff race.

That game, the Washington Redskins were set to face the Houston Texans, who had the same season record of six wins and three losses, in a direct clash for a playoff spot.

The game was highly contested and closely watched by many.

However, no one could have expected that this match would be remembered for entirely different reasons.

During a play, Smith was brutally sacked by Houston Texans’ dual force Kareem Jackson and JJ-Watt. This joint tackle caused Smith’s right tibia and fibula to suffer a spiral compound fracture.

Simply put, his leg was broken.

In that game, the Washington Redskins were forced to send in their backup quarterback. Tragically, the backup quarterback was also injured and had to leave the field. The team ultimately lost by a narrow margin of “23:21.”

Worse still, the Redskins’ nightmare had only just begun. In the remaining games of the season, they managed only one victory and missed the playoffs; meanwhile, both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles advanced out of the National Conference East Division, leaving behind Washington’s devastating collapse.

Yet nothing compared to the disaster Smith experienced.

This fracture turned out to be far more severe than anticipated.

After the first surgery, Smith’s wound suffered multiple infections and complications. If the situation continued to worsen, the doctors would have no choice but to amputate.

During the fight against infection, Smith developed sepsis. The doctors issued a critical condition notice: either amputation or risk to his life.

Smith fought bitterly on the line between life and death. He underwent a total of seventeen surgeries, spending much of the time in a semi-comatose state. Visits from even his family were strictly limited, and he spent nearly two months in the intensive care unit before finally escaping danger.

Li Wei still remembered the last time he spoke with Smith’s wife, Elizabeth, over the phone, how Elizabeth broke down on the other end.

“I–I don’t know how to help him.”

“The doctor has to give him sedatives and painkillers to bring him back from the pain, only to tell him, ‘You’re infected again, we need surgery, and amputation might be necessary. These are your choices, what do you want to do?'”

“He’s forced to fight for his life in a haze, half-awake, half-dreaming.”

“Rookie, I’m scared, I’m really, really scared.”

Standing before death, they felt so small and helpless.

Though Li Wei understood that injuries were inevitable in pro sports, he never imagined they would come so dangerously close to death.

It was during that time that Felix barely avoided death and Annie unexpectedly passed away, leaving Li Wei deeply reflective.

Those games, those battles, were no longer just simple competitions.

Fortune smiled on Smith in the end. He survived the complications and sepsis, endured seventeen surgeries, and finally regained consciousness.

However, at this very moment, seeing Smith in person, Li Wei still couldn’t believe his eyes. A whirlwind of emotion surged deep in his throat.

Even though so much time had passed, Smith’s body and right leg remained unnaturally swollen. His right leg was encased in a contraption reminiscent of Iron Man, with layers of iron rings securing the plaster within. The entire leg’s diameter exceeded eighty centimeters, resembling a cannon barrel.

Sitting in a chair with difficulty, Smith’s mechanical leg snarled viciously at any visitors, as though baring sharp teeth in mockery.

Honestly, Li Wei couldn’t imagine what Elizabeth had gone through, let alone what Smith had endured.

Taking in a deep breath, Li Wei asked, “So, when can you start rehabilitation?”

At this moment, Smith, unshaven, had deep gray hollows under his eyes. Despite the smile tugging at his lips, he exuded a strange sharpness and hostility.

This was a far cry from the captain Li Wei remembered–always affable and harmonious.

Smith chuckled lightly, “Beth sent you here, didn’t she?”

His first words were laced with mockery.

Li Wei shrugged, “Of course. If it weren’t for Elizabeth, do you think I, such an important busybody, would find the time to visit a useless wreck like you? Captain, is that how you see me? After defending the Super Bowl title, I’ve become arrogant like Brady and full of myself?”

A string of jabs–mocking, teasing, attacking–effortlessly rolling off his tongue.

Smith struggled to respond.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Smith eventually spoke, “You know I didn’t mean that.”

Yet Li Wei didn’t reply.

Smith didn’t hear a word back and had to open his eyes. He was greeted by Li Wei’s smile, which left him stunned.

Li Wei said, “Captain, you’re still so easy to fool. There’s no sense of achievement. Elizabeth said you’ve changed, drowning in depression with no way out. I was expecting more of a challenge from you. I haven’t even warmed up, and you’re already throwing in the towel. What does that make me?”

Smith froze, letting out a powerless smirk before it quickly faded. “A bad guy?”

Li Wei seriously considered the remark. “I’ve always thought villains have more style than superheroes. Superheroes are too tied up in restrictions; villains seem to live more freely. So… thanks?”

The last word hung with a slight upward inflection.

Smith ultimately couldn’t hold back. Li Wei was still Li Wei–witty, humorous, seemingly capable of solving any problem with ease.

This time, though… it might prove too much.

Smith’s grin faded again as he glanced at his right leg. “Rehabilitation? With that monstrosity? I look like a creature Frankenstein created, a monster. I might scare kids just by walking around.”

Li Wei tilted his head. “Hey, you know the Winter Soldier has a robotic arm, right?”

Smith hadn’t anticipated this angle at all, unsure how to respond, staring blankly at Li Wei.

Li Wei shrugged lightly. “Sorry, I attended the ‘Avengers’ premiere recently, so my head’s full of superhero stuff.”

The self-mockery, poking fun at his own celebrity appearances, caught Smith off-guard. He couldn’t help but burst into laughter.