The negotiations with Arsenal had officially come to an end.
Qin Xiong and Arsenal reached an agreement and confirmed that he would sign his name on a three-year contract.
However, the transfer needed to go through a process.
Arsenal needed to submit an application to the Football Association for the transfer and use the special talent clause to apply for a work permit for Qin Xiong. The job would not be too difficult. With Qin Xiong's performance as the Treble winner and MVP of the Champions League final last season, it was expected that he would just go through the process of a hearing.
The morning of June 4th.
Qin Xiong returned to Ward Street.
He came back to pack his luggage. He and Freddy booked a flight back to China this morning.
The next time he returned to Europe, he would go to London.
After the Champions League final, the reporters who had been lying in ambush at Ward Street had not seen Qin Xiong for a long time. They had left a few days ago to prepare for the news coverage of the European Championship.
In the apartment at Ward Street, Qin Xiong packed his simple luggage and took out three envelopes and put them on the table. The envelopes had three names written on them.
Lutmanson, Peter, and De Koizé.
The envelopes contained cash.
It was the phone bill, food, rent, and laundry expenses during his stay here.
After he started to score goals for Ajax, he lived a cost-free life here. Accommodation, food, and laundry expenses were all free.
The three old men honored last year's bet, but it was just a good-natured joke.
When Qin Xiong left, he still put the expenses in the envelopes to them.
He knew that if he gave it to them face to face, he would definitely be rejected.
The three old men would definitely say that they were very trustworthy people. If they lost the bet, they lost it. How could they go back on their word?
Freddy bought a new big suitcase. There were more things in it than when he came. There were Qin Xiong's shoes and clothes, as well as some souvenirs, photo albums, and personal awards that he had won at Ajax.
Qin Xiong, on the other hand, carried a large shoulder bag and walked downstairs.
The three old men and Sylvia and her brother were waiting for him outside the apartment.
George rushed over and buried her head in Qin Xiong's arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist as if she couldn't bear for him to leave.
Qin Xiong bent down and whispered something into his ear with a smile. He told him that he was already an adult and should be a strong man!
He held Georgia's hand and walked in front of Sylvia. Today, she was wearing an ordinary dress. Although she was smiling, her eyes were filled with sadness.
Qin Xiong had mixed feelings. He couldn't tell what he was feeling. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "Europe is not that big. Maybe we'll meet again. I'm on an island on the other side of the North Sea."
Sylvia couldn't help but laugh.
That was indeed the case. However, England was not just an "island". It was enough to shorten the distance between them in the future.
Although she was smiling, her feelings were extremely complicated. She resisted the impulse and said to Qin Xiong, "If you don't like the weather in England, you can come to Amsterdam often to relax. You, take care."
Qin Xiong nodded and looked at the three old men.
Peter said to him, "Go to Arsenal. Don't embarrass Ajax. You're our pride."
"If you come to Holland for a holiday, you can stay here. I'll keep the house for you."
"And my restaurant. You're welcome to come back anytime."
Qin Xiong looked at Dekoze's restaurant. One of the walls inside was covered with photos of him, the three old men, Freddy, George, Sylvia, and some restaurant staff and fans.
It seemed that this had become Dekoze's signboard, telling all the customers that Ajax star Qin Xiong was their regular customer.
Qin Xiong hugged the three old men one after another and told them to take care of themselves. Then he waved and walked towards the street with his luggage.
The three old men also waved and watched Qin Xiong leave. Dekoze's eyes were a little wet.
They had witnessed the growth and fame of an Ajax player. Now, Ajax's "child" was going to spread his wings. They did not blame Qin Xiong for refusing to renew his contract with Ajax. Just as they were indifferent to the ups and downs of the team, their mentality at this time was to bless Qin Xiong!
Three cool sports cars were parked at the street intersection.
De Rong and Heitinga leaned against the car door with their arms around their chests. Snede and a teenager also leaned against the car door to wait for Qin Xiong.
Three of his teammates came to see him off.
Freddy got into De Rong's car. Qin Xiong walked in front of Snede and looked curiously at the teenager next to Snede. Snede said casually, "My brother also plays for Ajax's youth team. You know, I've never taken him out before. Today, he also wants to see you off."
Qin Xiong took the initiative to greet Snede's brother. The teenager was very enthusiastic and took the initiative to help Qin Xiong carry his luggage. Then he ran over to Heitinga's side and got into Heitinga's car.
The sports car had a two-seater. Snede opened the door of the passenger seat and Qin Xiong got in. He did not know about cars, so he could only say that it was a good car. After Snede started the car, Qin Xiong asked, "Why did you buy a new car?"
Snede put on his sunglasses and said faintly, "I just renewed my contract with the club, so I wanted to reward myself."
Qin Xiong nodded and did not say anything. He also planned to buy a car in the future, but first he had to learn how to drive.
When the three sports cars slowly started and disappeared from the street, Sylvia suddenly felt a pain in her heart. She ran to the street with a struggling expression. When she came to the corner and ran a few meters, she saw the sports cars turn at the next intersection and disappear at the end of her line of sight.
She bit her lower lip and her eyes were moist. Her expression was extremely complicated.
She knew that after Qin Xiong left this time, they might go to different places and they might not meet again.
Heaven would not give the two of them the chance to meet again and again in the vast sea of people.
If you don't grasp it, don't regret it!
She knew that Qin Xiong was going to England to play football for a powerhouse in the top league.
He was already a star player and would be even more famous in the future!
Sylvia still could not confess to Qin Xiong because she was afraid. She was timid.
This was a strange world.
The rich would be praised if they fell in love with the poor.
The poor would be laughed at if they fell in love with the rich!
Did I miss it?
Did I miss it just like that?
Sylvia's tears could not help but fall from her eyes.
.....
Although Snede and the others bought a new sports car, they did not speed as if their lives depended on it.
Qin Xiong sat in the front passenger seat and looked out the window at the passing street. His heart was beating faster and faster. It was a strange emotion that made his heart beat faster.
It was like fear, loss, shock, regret …
He suddenly said in a deep voice, "Stop the car!"
Snede parked the car on the side of the street. When he saw Qin Xiong push the door open and get out of the car, he asked curiously, "Where are you going?"
"To solve a problem!"
From the rearview mirror, he saw Qin Xiong start to run along the sidewalk.
Snede looked up at the sky. It was a sunny day. He murmured, "Such good weather is suitable for sending off and for talking about love."
As he ran toward Ward Street, Qin Xiong chose to take a shortcut in the alley. He ignored the strange looks of others. His eyes were persistent and firm, but his heart was beating faster and faster.
Solve a problem.
A problem that Van Der Vaart said in his ear when he went to the red-light district with his teammates.
He was an adult. He had a job and an income.
He should have a woman!
Of course, if Qin Xiong wanted a woman, he would have a lot of them.
But now, he was sure that he did not want to miss a woman that he would regret for the rest of his life!
Sylvia was still standing in the same place, as if all the strength in her body had been sucked out. She covered her mouth and did not want to let her choking sob turn into crying.
Suddenly, she was hugged from behind. This gave her a fright, but in that instant, she heard a familiar voice ringing in her ears.
The arm that hugged her from behind was strong and powerful. It even made her feel a slight pain, but she did not resist at all.
"Sylvia, please allow me to hug you so presumptuously. Please give me a little time and listen to what I want to tell you.
My name is Qin Xiong. Besides being able to play football, I have almost nothing. I don't know what romance is, and I don't know how to please a woman.
I like you. I liked you from the first time I saw you. Everything about you, your beauty, your kindness, your gentleness, your strength, your persistence, your will, I like them all. It's as if you have a gravitational force that makes me unable to take my attention away from you.
I want to be with you. It's not a 'maybe' meeting next time, but a long-term, stable meeting. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy. I don't know what you'll think.
But I just have such a firm idea. I want to be with you forever!
I don't know what it feels like to be in love, but I hope to be in love with you and be happy as others say. "
After Qin Xiong finished speaking, he felt as if he had become weak and soft. It was as if his body had no strength.
After a coward like him had mustered up the courage to say these words, it was as if he was preparing to welcome a trial of fate.
His gradually weakened arms let go of Sylvia's delicate body. But just as his arms let go, Sylvia suddenly turned around. Qin Xiong saw that her gentle and beautiful face was covered with tears. He could not help but raise his hand to wipe away the tears on her face. His fingertips could feel the softness of her skin. It was simply a wonderful touch.
Sylvia also raised her hands. She held Qin Xiong's face. More and more tears fell. She said to Qin Xiong with slight excitement, "Is what you said true?"
Qin Xiong nodded with a serious expression. He kept nodding.
"I'm not the kind of girl who will easily give herself to a man. I believe in you! I also want to be in love with you, always and forever! Qin Xiong, I, I … "
She was incoherent in her excitement. In the end, she stood on her tiptoes, held Qin Xiong's face, and kissed him on the lips.
Qin Xiong knew that she was different from the many girls he had seen in the nightclubs. But the Dutch received sexual education from a young age, so even if Sylvia took the initiative to give her first kiss, she would not be particularly clumsy.
In addition, Qin Xiong had been to the red-light district before. Naturally, he was not an absolute fool.
He seemed to have been revived on the spot. Sylvia's words made his heart beat faster, but it was so strong that he simply wanted to roar to the world: I am the king of the world!
The young man and woman hugged and kissed on the street. Both of their faces were full of shyness, but they were obsessed with the pleasure of embracing each other's bodies and the intertwining of lips and tongues.
When both of them were out of breath, they pulled back slightly at the same time. Sylvia put her arms around his neck and leaned on his shoulder. She whispered in a slightly coquettish tone, "I almost thought I would miss you forever."
Qin Xiong said softly with slight self-blame, "I'm sorry to make you cry. It's my fault."
Sylvia slowly pushed him away, raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her face with a smile. She tidied up Qin Xiong's clothes and said, "Let's go. Don't miss the plane."
Qin Xiong lowered his head and took the initiative to kiss her again. He kind of fell in love with this feeling.
He said to her, "Okay, I'm leaving. I'll call you and come to you when I have time. After you graduate, you must marry me!"
Sylvia couldn't stop smiling and said, "How can you propose like this? Okay, I won't think about it this time. I promise you! "
Qin Xiong looked at the time. It was indeed a little late. As he ran in the direction of the alley, he turned back and shouted at Sylvia, "It's a deal! No regrets! "
Sylvia covered her mouth and almost cried. She was so happy.
When Qin Xiong's figure disappeared in the alley, Sylvia jumped up and waved her arms like a lively girl, which was rare for her …
When Qin Xiong returned to Snede's car with a silly smile, Snede didn't say a word, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
When Qin Xiong and Freddy arrived at the airport, the plane was already boarding.
After waving goodbye to Snede and the others, Qin Xiong walked a few steps and then quickly walked back. He came in front of Snede and said with a serious expression, "It seems that I still owe you a meal."
Snede and the others laughed. He punched Qin Xiong on the shoulder and said fiercely, "I'll make you owe me a lifetime."
Qin Xiong said seriously, "If there's a chance, I'll fulfill my promise."
After that, he turned his head and walked into the airport terminal with Freddy.
The two ran to check in and go through the security check. Freddy even fell. Fortunately, he wasn't injured. Qin Xiong, on the other hand, had an excited smile on his face.
On the highway outside the airport.
Three sports cars were parked here.
Snede, Heitinga, and Derrong stood on the side of the road. They had checked the departure time of the plane. Although it wasn't necessarily accurate, when they saw a plane take off at the right time, they looked up for a few seconds and sat in their sports cars.
Snede stared at a necklace hanging in the car before starting the car. There was a ring on the necklace.
The ring had a unique shape. The two sides were printed with the shape of the Eredivisie champion's plate and the Dutch Cup champion's trophy, while the front was in the shape of a big ear cup. Below the big ear cup, it was written: Ajax 2003-2004.
A word was engraved on the inside of the ring: champion!
This was the commemorative championship ring that Ajax's players had privately ordered after winning the championship.
The First Team's main players all had one. Qin Xiong certainly had one too.
After staring at the ring for about 15 seconds, Snede put on his sunglasses, started the sports car, and drove away along the highway with a wild smile on his face.
In his mind, he recalled the scenes of Qin Xiong appearing in Ajax's team this season.
From the time Qin Xiong broke into the locker room to change his jersey until today, there were indeed too many stories that had happened.
Where would the next time we meet?
Would we still be teammates?
Or, when we become opponents, what kind of feelings would each other have?
Snede also showed a puzzled expression as he drove, because his brother's smile was very silly!
Sitting in the first class cabin of the plane, Qin Xiong finally breathed a sigh of relief. He helped Freddy check the knee that he had injured when he fell. After confirming that it was only a minor injury, the plane slowly took off.
Qin Xiong's bright eyes looked out of the window. He saw Snede, Heitinga, and Derrong driving the sports car in one direction from the highway. The three sports cars became small, and the plane soared into the sky.
Qin Xiong closed his eyes and smiled.
They are going to the UEFA European Championship.
I am also going back to participate in the AFC Asian Championship.
Our journey has only just begun!
Qin Xiong's heart was also looking forward to the next meeting.
More than nine months ago, Qin Xiong took a plane from the distant east to Europe. Today, he returned to the distant China from Europe.
He looked at the sea of clouds outside the window and said silently in his heart: Goodbye, Holland!
Goodbye, Freedom City!
.....
In the summer of 2004, Ajax created the greatest glory of the new millennium!
When people's prophecies about Ajax were repeated like nine years ago, no one expected that after Ajax became the king of their home country in 2004 and reached the summit of Europe, they would not be able to become the king of their home country for the next six years. They would also find it difficult to progress in the European arena!
The existence of the Eredivisie clubs was like a curse!
The more successful a team was, the faster it would decline!
Because the Eredivisie was the talent nurturing base of Europe's top leagues, a successful team meant that the fruits of the nurturing were ripe and would be divided among the European powerhouses. The club would be quickly squeezed dry!
The 03-04 generation of Ajax's Dream Youth Army almost all left Ajax in the next three to five years!
They were like Qin Xiong who joined the English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal. The unexpected transfer at the same time was that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Van Der Vaart had a direct conversation during a friendly match, which caused Van Der Vaart to be injured and led to internal strife. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was expelled by the club and sold to Juventus. That was the beginning of the collapse of Ajax's Youth Army. Half of the players joined the powerhouses, and the other half played for the teams in the top leagues. Almost all of them were in the top leagues.
Although the manager, Comain, did not join the powerhouses, he led the second-tier league team, Ajax, to win the championship. After that, he led the second-tier league team to the top eight of the Champions League twice.
.....
In 1996, a 20-year-old Brazilian who was called an alien won the FIFA World Player of the Year award. That was the beginning of the golden generation of players after the '75's shook the European football world.
In the summer of 2004.
Kaka, the Son of God, who also came from Brazil, became the champion of the world's first league in Serie A.
Camp Nou's famous elf, Ronaldinho, danced in Europe.
At the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, the 19-year-old Portuguese genius, who was called Ronaldinho, shed tears of pain in the finals and was the runner-up of the UEFA European Championship.
Ajax's Youth Army reached the top of Europe in the Champions League!
The new generation surpassed the old.
In the world of football, the generation of geniuses was significantly lower than that of the '70s. The players of the' 80s quietly stepped onto the stage of history and began to push the giant wheel of the Grassi world.
This was an era where the masters were retiring. This was an era where the football world was becoming more and more utilitarian. The world of football was moving forward in reform. Individual heroism was gradually diluted, and the advantage of the team as a whole was becoming more and more obvious.
But the brilliance of the geniuses could never be covered!
In this era, there might not be a bright scene of masters gathering, but it highlighted the extraordinary status of the geniuses standing proudly in the clouds and overlooking all living things!
The scroll of the new era was slowly being pushed open …
The first scroll: The sword has become a blade before it is unsheathed (the end)
The next scroll: The Arsenal's Heavy Armor Goes into Battle!
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