After three in the afternoon, the sun shone through the huge glass window and shone on the table. The gold rings on the ceramic teacups sparkled under the sunlight. The golden cookies looked as though they were naturally baked under the sun, giving off an alluring aroma on the plate. Sweetened black tea, a warm afternoon, and a group of people sitting around chatting — this was the traditional afternoon tea time in England.
After Mrs. Clough finished her work, she sat beside her husband with a smile on her face, quietly listening to the men chatting. Her husband had just undergone a liver transplant in January this year and had been recovering. She was only relieved when the doctor said the operation was a success. The old man liked to drink and smoke when he was young, and his health had deteriorated to the point that his life was in danger.
Especially when he retired from his position as Nottingham Forest's manager, there was a period of time when her husband had lost all his luster in the eyes of his wife. It was a good thing to be able to see her husband in such high spirits like he was today.
Walker vividly described to the boss the scene that Tang En had played in the changing room. He talked about how a group of fans had rushed into the changing room, and how the players had shocked expressions on their faces. When Bowyer had cried out involuntarily, Clough had laughed out loud. As the boss laughed, Bowyer could only lower his head and quietly drink his tea in embarrassment.
Previously, Tang En thought his topic would be the main character of the afternoon tea. He did not expect Walker to finish his story. After Clough was done laughing happily, he tossed Tang En aside and went to ask his three old subordinates about their current lives. At the same time, they reminisced about the days when they fought together and the interesting things in the changing room. It was a feast for the ears of Tang En, the "listener." Bowyer and Burns were the main players who had won two UEFA Champions League titles with Clough back then. Walker could only be considered a junior in front of them. As for Tony Twain … Although he held the highest position among the four, he was also the one with the lowest status. There were many topics that he could not join in on. His memories of football in the late seventies and early eighties were practically blank. He could only take the opportunity to add some relevant knowledge.
If he were a simple fan, to be able to be in such a place and experience such a scene would definitely be something to be excited and proud of. He would listen to the older generation of players and coaches' conversations with great interest, not missing a single word. But for Tang En, who had already identified himself as a manager, he was a little disappointed.
He had thought that he would be praised by the king and that the topic of the whole afternoon would revolve around him. They praised him, affirmed him, encouraged him … but nothing happened.
He began to lose focus and turned his head to look out the window more and more often. Even though he thought he had done it very discreetly and naturally, he was still noticed by someone.
When the last cookie fell into Walker's stomach, Clough stood up with the help of his wife. "I think it's time for me to walk the dog."
Everyone understood that this was to tell them that tea time was over. Hence, they stood up and politely bid farewell to Clough and his wife.
Twain pursed his lips and said goodbye to them, feeling very disappointed. Nothing happened that afternoon. He even felt that he had wasted the precious afternoon.
After waving goodbye to the chief who was holding Sam's hand in front of Clough's house, the four of them drove back to Nottingham.
On the way home, Walker noticed that Tang En was not in a good mood. He rolled his eyes and roughly guessed the reason.
"Tony, do you want to hear a story?"
"En …" His reply was weak. He looked like a child who was angry because of disappointment. Walker snickered in the back seat.
Burns saw Walker's expression and asked with his eyes. Walker pointed at Tang En with his mouth, and Burns understood in his heart.
"Do you know Roy Keane?" Walker asked.
"Of course I know." Who did not? Manchester United's current captain, the best defensive midfielder in the English Premier League, and even in the world of football.
"When Keane played the first game for the Forest team, although we lost the game, he did well. Everyone was talking about this Irish kid who played for Forest for the first time. They were all saying, 'Hey, who is that kid?' "
Sitting in front, Tang En shrugged. "Other than the result of the game, it was a very successful debut."
"That's what everyone thought, including that kid Keane. Then the next morning, before the team's training, Keane met the chief in the locker room. The chief first asked for Keane's name … "
Tang En interrupted Walker. "It's impossible for him to not remember the name of the player he sent on yesterday."
"Of course he remembered, but he still asked. Keane answered honestly, 'Roy.' After that … after that, do you know what the chief did? "
"I don't know." Tang En shook his head.
Walker laughed. "The chief took off his muddy boots because he had just come back from walking the dog on the field. He said to Keane, 'Roy, can you clean this up for me?' Roy did not hesitate and immediately agreed. "
Hearing this, Tang En turned his head and looked at the smiling Des Walker.
"Finished with the story?"
"There's still an epilogue: Later, the kid who helped the chief clean his shoes became the leader of Manchester United, the captain of Team Ireland."
Tang En looked at Walker, and Walker looked back at him. After a while, Tang En nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Des. "
"You should be thanking the chief. But if you really want to thank me … buy me a drink tonight. "Walker nudged Burns with his elbow and got him another piece of business.
"No problem, you can drink as much as you want!" Having understood Clough's painstaking efforts, Tang En's mood immediately turned for the better, and his voice became much louder.
Looking at the endless stretch of road in front of him, Tang En felt that what he had gained this afternoon was enough to last him a lifetime. Clough had told him something very, very important.
Kid, you're just a rookie in this business for less than half a year. No one will pay attention to you. You're getting carried away now? It's too early!
The golden shepherd dog jumped happily in front of the old man. It burrowed into a bush and startled a few yellow-tailed birds above the bush. They chirped and chirped. It was obvious that Sam, who only cared about his own happiness, had barged into their home.
After condemning the shepherd dog's "bandit behavior," the beautiful yellow-green birds circled above the bush helplessly for a while before flying over the old man's head. They drew an arc in the air and turned into the distance.
The dog ran back from the bush. The old man bent down and scratched its neck. "You damned dog, you scared away our guest. Bullshit birds … That's a bird I haven't seen in a long time. "
Sam whimpered, as if he had been wronged. The old man smiled and patted the dog hard on its back. "Alright, I know you didn't do it on purpose. Go and play! "
The old man slowly stood up as his beloved dog barked and ran away again. His gaze went past Sam, past the pasture, past the old windmill by the river, past the forest in front, past the hazy city in the distance … all the way to a place far, far away.
Short bushes were scattered across the field in early spring. The fallen leaves from last autumn had long dissolved into the soil after a winter, and tender green grass poked out. A gentle breeze blew past, bringing with it the smell of the soil and the fragrance of the grass. It was the smell of spring.
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