Chapter 1 A Liverpool Club Commentator

Such an incident, where a Liverpool club commentator suddenly suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital, might not cause much of a stir in other parts of England, nor would it make the national newspapers. Fans of other teams wouldn't care about the life or death of someone who wasn't affiliated with their own team.

But within Liverpool Football Club, Hartson's sudden heart attack was a very important matter.

At the start of training the next day, Martin O'Neill said to the players with a solemn expression: "At the end of yesterday's game, old Hartson suddenly collapsed and was hospitalized due to a heart attack. He is not yet out of danger. I've decided that once his condition improves, the three captains will accompany me to the hospital to visit him."

Everyone was surprised when they heard what the manager said.

Of course, they were familiar with Hartson. He was the team's commentator and used to be the live DJ at Anfield, playing music and leading the fans in chanting the players' names.

Despite his unassuming profession, he was well-liked within the club because of his loyalty, and he was also highly respected.

Just three months ago, when Liverpool held their Premier League title celebration, they specifically invited old Hartson to host the event. Hartson was wearing a smart black suit at the time, looking high-spirited and not at all like a seventy-year-old man.

No one objected to the captains representing the team to visit him.

Some people even wanted to go themselves, but Martin O'Neill told them that in order for Hartson to get better rest, it was best not to have too many visitors. Therefore, having the three captains represent the team would be enough.

"I understand how you feel. If you want to help old Hartson, why not win the game on the field to make him happy? You know, old Hartson is a Liverpool fan for life. He's happiest when he sees Liverpool win. That's what we should do."

The team's atmosphere was slightly somber during training today because they were worried about old Hartson's condition.

For the Liverpool old-timers, especially someone like Gerrard, old Hartson was almost like family. His friendship with old Hartson had lasted for a long time, and Gerrard didn't put on any airs in front of Hartson. Hartson had watched Gerrard go from a youth team player to the first team, and then grow into a big star. Gerrard wouldn't act pretentiously in front of anyone, let alone Hartson.

Chen Hero couldn't understand Gerrard's feelings for Hartson, but that didn't stop him from wanting to do something to help Hartson's condition, because Hartson had a heart condition.

Chen Hero was familiar with heart disease. His good friend Cassano almost had his career cut short because of it.

So Chen Hero felt a sense of kinship with heart disease patients… he had a deep understanding.

Now that someone he knew was afflicted with heart disease, he planned to do something for old Hartson.

※※※

Steve Hartson's influence and status among Liverpool fans was indeed quite high. When the local Liverpool media reported the news that Hartson had fallen ill and was hospitalized due to a heart attack, it immediately caused a sensation. Fans flooded the Liverpool official website with blessings and greetings for old Hartson. Some people even went to the hospital to send flowers and blessings. Although they couldn't go in, expressing their feelings didn't necessarily require them to see Hartson. Among them were many local celebrities from Liverpool, who were all Liverpool fans and had grown up watching Liverpool games since they were children. Whether Hartson was doing DJ work at the stadium or commentating on the game from the commentary box, they were all very familiar with Steve Hartson's voice. For them, Hartson's voice was simply a memory of their childhood and adolescence.

During this time, half of Liverpool was concerned about Hartson's fate.

He was unconscious, and some people even stayed up all night outside the hospital, praying for Hartson.

The good news came on the third day. Hartson, who had been unconscious due to his heart condition, finally woke up.

He had also passed the critical period, and his vital signs were stabilizing.

Many people breathed a sigh of relief when the good news arrived.

However, there was also bad news that came with it. Given Hartson's physical condition, he would have to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery and would not be allowed to watch football games, especially Liverpool games.

The doctor specifically emphasized the phrase "especially Liverpool games" when he said this to him.

This blow was heavy for Hartson, and he almost lost consciousness again…

He had served Liverpool for a lifetime, and his affection for Liverpool was beyond doubt. After Liverpool had been in a dark period for twenty years, they were finally showing signs of resurgence and were about to usher in a bright future. How much he longed to see Liverpool once again reign supreme…

But at this moment, his disappointing body suddenly had a heart attack, almost sacrificing himself in the commentary box at Anfield Stadium. He was also deprived of the right to continue watching Liverpool games in the future.

How could he accept such a reality?

His body swayed at that moment, showing signs of fainting. The surrounding doctors and family members were terrified.

So when Chen Hero, Gerrard, Reina, and manager Martin O'Neill arrived at the hospital room door, they were stopped by Hartson's son.

"My father's emotions are not very stable right now, so if possible, I hope you don't talk to him too much about Liverpool Football Club… I hope you understand…"

Martin O'Neill nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Hartson. We won't upset him."

Little Hartson, old Hartson's son, smiled apologetically when he heard this, and then opened the door for them.

Chen Hero immediately saw old Hartson lying on the bed. His face was gaunt and he looked very haggard. When he saw the four people come in, there was a flash of light in his eyes, but it quickly faded.

If they couldn't talk about Liverpool, then what else could they talk about?

The four of them simply expressed their condolences and blessings to old Hartson one by one, and then took their leave without saying much.

It was clear that old Hartson really wanted to say something, especially when facing Gerrard, who he had watched grow up, but he swallowed the words back down when they reached his lips, perhaps remembering the doctor's orders…

Old Hartson's son, Little Hartson, saw them out of the ward, and then said to them apologetically: "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry…"

Liverpool's stars had come to see his father, but they basically hadn't had a good conversation. It was indeed a pity.

Chen Hero had a question to ask Little Hartson: "Why do I feel like your father's spirits aren't very good? Is heart disease that powerful?"

Speaking of this, Little Hartson sighed: "It's all because of what the doctor said… He's not allowing my dad to watch Liverpool games anymore. You know, my dad has been a Liverpool fan all his life. Not letting him watch Liverpool games is worse than taking his life. Liverpool is practically his spiritual pillar, and now…" Little Hartson shook his head, "The spiritual pillar has collapsed."

Chen Hero was shocked: "How can that be? What's the most important thing for a patient? It's their spirit. If their spirit isn't good, their body will also collapse. I don't understand why the doctor would say that."

"Ahem, Hero. The doctor meant well." Gerrard explained.

Indeed, heart patients can't get too emotionally excited.

But special circumstances require special analysis. Chen Hero felt that if old Hartson continued to be so depressed, it wouldn't be a good thing for him.

It was too common for a person to quickly age and then pass away soon after losing their spiritual pillar, especially among the elderly. That feeling was especially obvious.

He asked Little Hartson: "How was your father's health before?"

Little Hartson said: "It was pretty good. We've never heard of him having any problems with his heart, so his heart attack this time was a surprise to our family."

Chen Hero clapped his hands. "Look, Mr. Little Hartson. This is how I understand it. I think your father's health was good before because Liverpool, as his faith, had been supporting his body, allowing him to continue to be active in the commentary box at the age of seventy. Commentating is a very physically and mentally demanding task… But because of an accident, he got a heart attack, and then the doctor told him that he wasn't allowed to watch Liverpool games anymore. His faith was gone, and the will that supported his body was also gone. Before, his body was like a balloon filled with air, but now it's like it's been deflated. Haven't you seen him aging visibly? He doesn't look like seventy years old, but more like eighty. Three months ago, I saw him at the celebration of our league title. He was high-spirited at that time, not at all like an old man over seventy years old. So surgery can solve his heart problem, but it doesn't necessarily solve his psychological problem. Therefore, under the premise of ensuring safety, he still has to watch our games. Don't worry, we definitely won't let him be worried. I guarantee that he will only enjoy the pleasure of victory, which will help his recovery…"

The other three were worried that Chen Hero was making promises he couldn't keep—what if he couldn't do it?

Gerrard tugged at Chen Hero's clothes, but Chen Hero ignored him and continued, "So can you allow me to say a few words to your father alone?"

"Hero!" Martin O'Neill couldn't stand it any longer. What were you meddling in other people's family affairs for? To put it bluntly, whether old Hartson lived or died was none of his business. But if he rashly intervened and ended up harming old Hartson, could Chen Hero bear the responsibility?

Chen Hero heard the boss's call, but his stubborn temper rose.

He just felt that his idea was right. The old man obviously looked like he was not doing well, and his spirit had completely collapsed. Even if there was no problem with his heart now, other diseases would appear.

He was Chinese, and he had heard a lot of similar stories when he was a child. An old person worked hard to raise their children, get them married, and have children, and then suddenly passed away. Why? Because they had no worries, or, to put it bluntly, they had no spiritual pillar. Although they were very tired before, life had a goal, and there was a breath supporting them. No matter what difficulties they encountered, they would not fall.

So Chen Hero believed that old Hartson was now in the same situation. His faith was gone, his spiritual pillar was gone, and that breath was gone.

Therefore, he did not agree with the doctor's statement. For safety, he could watch less, but not allowing him to watch at all was too inhumane. Following the doctor's orders was not done in this way.

Chen Hero ignored his teammates and manager and just looked at Little Hartson. "Do you believe me, Mr. Hartson? Do you believe what I'm saying? If you believe me, then let me go and say a few words to your father."

Little Hartson looked at Chen Hero. After a while, he seemed to have made a decision. He took a step to the side, giving way to the door of the ward.

Chen Hero smiled at him, then put his hand on the handle.

"Hero!" This time it was Martin O'Neill, Gerrard, and Reina speaking at the same time.

Chen Hero looked back at the three of them and smiled at them: "Don't worry, trust me."

After saying that, he no longer hesitated and directly pushed the door open and entered.

Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, even if the risk is great, it is always worth a try.