Christmas was the most important holiday in the United Kingdom. Thus, no matter how thrifty people usually were, they would rush into the mall to buy a Christmas tree. Every family had to buy a Christmas tree. They also had to prepare Christmas gifts for their children and friends. At this time, there was a dazzling array of discount products in the stores. It was too much for the eyes to take in and they were at a loss of what to do. Stores in the United Kingdom entered the peak spending season a month before Christmas, but the real climax was before Christmas Eve.
The sky darkened early in the afternoon, and there was even a drizzle in the air. The weather forecast said the afternoon temperature was only minus eight degrees Celsius, but it did not stop people from shopping. The shops in Nottingham's business district were brightly lit. All the shops advertised discounts to attract more customers. Twain strolled on the streets and often saw people walking past him with a full load. He was worried for them as he watched them carry bags that were almost half their bodies high as they walked through the crowd. He went from store to store, shopping mall to shopping mall, enjoying the festive atmosphere. This was his first Christmas in the United Kingdom! Moreover, such an atmosphere made him think of China's Spring Festival.
The cheerful laughter of strangers came from beside him. Their faces were brimming with excited smiles. They carried shopping bags of all sizes and walked past him in groups of twos and threes. No matter how many unhappy things had happened in the past year, they were all in the past.
Unknowingly, he shopped for an hour. His hands were still empty. That was because he really did not know what gifts he should buy for Sophia and Wood.
Twain was not good at choosing gifts for people. If he could, he would rather give them money directly.
Wood's football equipment was provided by the club. There was no need for him to give him a pair of football shoes. As for Sophia … Thinking of the name, Twain did not know how he felt about that woman. The initial sympathy for the weak slowly faded, and another kind of feeling gradually formed in his heart.
In the end, Tang En chose a red wool scarf for Sophia and did not buy anything for Wood, as he already knew what gift to give him.
After six in the evening, when the golden star on top of the Christmas tree in the city center was lit up, Randy James' black taxi stopped in front of Wood's house. The radio in the car was playing "Will You A Merry Christmas." Amidst the cheerful voice of a child, Tang En took out three wrapped gifts from his arms and gave them to Driver Randy, who had accompanied him for a year.
"Merry Christmas, Randy. Thank you for driving me around for the past year. Now, put the car away and go back to your family. This is a gift for you. "Seeing Randy accept the gift, Tang En opened the car door, intending to get out.
"Wait, Tony." Randy stopped him again. "I've also prepared one for you. Uh, you're a coach, so you definitely earn more than me. I don't know what to give you, so I might as well give you a greeting card." He took out the card from the envelope and handed it to Tang En. "Merry Christmas, Tony. Have a nice evening. Call me when you're ready to go home. "He gestured for the phone and started the car again.
Tang En watched Randy leave, then lowered his head to open the folded card. As expected, there was also a paragraph on it.
"Tony, thank you for not choosing to leave the forest in the summer. I know it was difficult for you at that time, and there were many teams inviting you. Actually, I was very worried that you would leave, but for your own sake, I couldn't say anything. Now, it's all good. You stayed, and you're back. Two consecutive victories! Bring us even more victories, Tony! We love you! Merry Christmas! "
Tang En smiled and shook his head gently. The British were used to expressing their emotions, be it joy or sorrow. It was no wonder they were so fanatical about football. Only on the football field could they fully express their emotions. Randy was such a typical Englishman.
He raised his head and looked around the streets. There was a huge difference from when he first came. Every house had a "Merry Christmas" slogan sprayed on their windows. Some houses even had a string of lights hanging on their walls, and there were inflatable snowmen at their doors. No matter how tough their daily lives were, they could not be shabby during the holidays. Although this was the slums of Nottingham, the festive atmosphere did not lose out to the bustling business district in the city center.
Tang En raised his head and looked at the window of Wood's house. The curtains were drawn, and orange light leaked out. Tang En thought of Sophia and Wood, who lived here and depended on each other. Even on such a gloomy and rainy night, it still warmed his heart.
Knocking on the door of Wood's house, Tang En saw George Wood with his sleeves rolled up. Clearly, he was helping his mother.
"Ah, I came just in time. Do you need help? "Tang En asked.
Wood nodded. "Yes."
Sophia, who had heard their conversation upstairs, said loudly, "No! Mr. Tang En, you can just sit and rest! " Hearing her panting voice, Twain laughed and replied in a similarly loud voice, "Don't try to be brave, Madam! I'll make you guys Chinese food. I just learned it, haha! "
※ ※ ※
After a busy period, the three of them only sat around the table at eight o'clock in the evening to eat their Christmas Eve dinner.
In the corner of the narrow living room/dining room/kitchen, there was a small Christmas tree covered in lights and greeting cards. Streamers were also pulled up at the corners of the ceiling. In the middle of the dining table was an old-fashioned candlestick, with white candles lit and inserted into it. Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, Tang En felt that it was like a New Year's Eve dinner in China. The family was gathered together, happy and harmonious … except that he and Wood were not a family.
Before dinner, Sophia even went back to the bedroom to change into her best winter clothes and touch up the makeup that was ruined from roasting the turkey. Her hair was no longer tied up, but draped over her shoulders. Under the light, it was as black as a waterfall. Tang En felt that this woman seemed to have regained her luster. Compared to the first time they met, the current Sophia was like a different person. Even the illness in her body had been chased away.
When Tang En saw Sophia's affectionate gaze and slightly bashful smile in the candlelight, he thought he already knew what had caused such a huge change in Sophia …
Feeling Sophia's burning gaze, Tang En turned his head away in embarrassment, just in time to see the present he had placed under the Christmas tree when he entered the door. So, he took the opportunity to get up to take the present.
"Merry Christmas, Madam. This is for you. "He handed the wrapped scarf to Sophia.
"It's beautiful … How did you know I like the color red, Mr. Tang En?" Sophia exclaimed as she opened the packaging and took out the red scarf.
It can't be? Such a coincidence? Tang En was a little stunned. "Uh … Sometimes, a man's intuition is quite accurate." He could only explain it this way.
Sophia happily tied the scarf around her neck and ran back to the bedroom to look in the mirror.
Taking the opportunity, Tang En looked at Wood opposite him. Wood was also looking at him. Neither of them spoke, and there was some awkwardness between the two. After a while, Wood finally said, "My mother also has a present for you. If you don't want it, I won't let you off." He lowered his voice, clearly not wanting his mother in the room to hear.
Tang En smiled. "Of course I won't reject it. Why should I?"
Hearing him say so, a hint of a smile appeared on Wood's face.
"George, it looks like you're doing well in the youth team." Tang En took the opportunity to show concern for him. "How many minutes of playing time does Kerslake give you in a match now?"
"I just played the entire match," Wood replied.
"How do you feel about your performance?"
"Very good." There was no change in Wood's voice when he said this. He played it down as if this performance was a matter of course.
Tang En nodded and did not say anything more. At that moment, Sophia came out of the bedroom with a box in her hand. The scarf around her neck was gone. Clearly, she had carefully put it away.
"This is a present for you, Mr. Tang. I also wish you a Merry Christmas! "
"Thank you, Madam." Tang En took it and opened the box. It was also a scarf! But it was white.
"I saw that you didn't seem to have a scarf, so I made one myself. Because I didn't know how old was suitable, I used George as a model. "Sophia turned her head to look at her son and smiled. "At first, he thought it was me who called him. He even said he didn't want it. "
He gently caressed the handmade scarf that did not have a store label. He could feel its warmth just by putting his hand on it. Actually, it was not that he did not have a scarf. It was just that he did not have the habit of wearing one in winter. But perhaps from today onwards, he would have to develop this habit.
Looking at the somewhat embarrassed Wood, Tang En smiled. "George, I'm sorry I didn't bring you a present today. When I come back from Norwich, look for me in the office. "
Wood nodded but did not ask any questions. This made Tang En a little disappointed. He had intended to let Wood finish asking the "why" question before revealing the answer to the mystery.
"Uh... after the winter break, the team will have two EFL Cup semi-finals, and we happen to be missing a defensive midfielder. I plan to transfer you to the First Team. If you perform well, you can stay and sign a new contract. This time, it's a professional contract for the First Team. "
Wood's face did not show any expression, but Sophia, who was beside him, cried out in surprise. "Is it true, Mr. Tang?"
Tang En nodded. "Your son is about to become a real professional footballer, Madam."
At this time, Wood finally understood what was going on. He looked at the smiling man in front of him in surprise. Tang En liked the expression on Wood's face, so he smiled and said, "Merry Christmas, George."
(To be continued. If you want to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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