With great difficulty, Tang En recovered from his slightly dazed state of mind. He realized that Shania had not come down yet. He walked up the stairs, feeling a little strange. The two bumped into each other at the staircase.
"Ah! Uncle Tony … "Shania was startled by Tang En's sudden appearance.
Tang En sized her up. It turned out that she had gone to change her clothes.
"Are you going out?" he asked.
Shania nodded, then pulled on Tang En's arm. "I'll go shopping with you. It's not good to be cooped up at home. "
Tang En felt that this was a good suggestion. It would be a waste to not make use of the day off and just stay at home.
If the two were to go out, they would need to put on some "makeup" to hide their identities. In reality, it was mainly to hide Shania's identity. If Tang En were to go shopping alone, he would not need to hide anything. It would not be a big deal even if he was recognized on the streets. At most, they would just chat a little, sign autographs, and take photos.
A manager was also a person. No matter how famous a manager was, he had his own life. If the paparazzi caught wind of something as ordinary as going shopping and took photos to follow and publish in the newspapers, wouldn't the readers tear up the newspapers?
Therefore, there was basically not much gossip about managers in the various English media. This was related to the fact that most managers were mature men with families and lived a more regular and low-key life. Reporters from The Sun could squat at the mansions of big star players and rummage through their trash to find sex tapes, but these paparazzi could not squat at the doorstep of a manager's house.
Shania, on the other hand, was different. As one of the most popular supermodels in the world, her every move would be of great interest to the entertainment media. Most importantly, if the media were to find out that Shania, who had not been involved in any scandals, was holding hands with an old man and shopping intimately, and that the old man was not her father or grandfather … God knows what kind of rumors would spread.
From this point of view, it was necessary for the two to disguise their identities. Even if it was not in London or Manchester, where the media was concentrated and paparazzi were everywhere.
Shania wore a pair of wide-rimmed sunglasses that covered almost half her face and a delicate hat. If one did not stare at her, they would not be able to recognize her. Tang En was dressed more casually. He only wore a pair of sunglasses. Just like that, the two of them walked out the door hand in hand.
While waiting for Landy's car at the entrance, Tang En glanced at Shania, who was standing beside him and holding his arm. He was thinking, if outsiders saw them like this, what would they think first?
— Are they father and daughter? What a great relationship!
Although he was only thirty-eight years old, it was reasonable for people to mistake him as Shania's father based on his face — a foreigner showing his age.
Even though Tang En did not like to be seen as old, he really hoped that was how everyone saw their relationship now. It was better than being seen as a sugar daddy who used money to buy fashionable gifts for young girls and then coaxed them into bed.
Landy arrived very quickly. He drove the car to the front of Twain's house and waved to the two of them from inside the car. He smiled and said, "What a pair of loving father and daughter!"
Tang En smiled in relief. Randy didn't say he was a sugar daddy. But Shania's next reaction gave him a headache.
Shania said happily, "Yes, yes! Then I'll call you Daddy today, Uncle Tony! I was still having a headache about how to address you outside later. It's settled now! Thank you, Landy! "
Tang En grinned, his expression awkward. He did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Shania opened the car door and pointed inside. She said to Tang En, "Let's get in, Daddy!"
Tang En glared at her and helplessly got into the car. Shania followed him in. After closing the door, she asked, "Where are we going to play, Daddy?"
Landy, who saw Tang En's awkward expression in the rearview mirror, smiled happily.
"Shania … We're not in a public place yet …" Tang En coughed.
"This is just a warm-up! I'm afraid I won't be able to get into the zone later and give myself away! "Shania answered confidently.
Tang En's eyes bulged and he raised his right hand. "If you continue to be naughty, Daddy will spank you!"
"Wow! Daddy is so fierce! You're admitting it! "Shania first shouted exaggeratedly. Then, she pointed at Tang En and smiled proudly. "Daddy, I want new clothes! Daddy, I want new toys! Daddy, I want some pocket money! Please, Daddy … Daddy! "She pulled Tang En's hand and acted coquettishly.
Landy laughed so hard that he could not get up from the steering wheel.
Tang En did not dare to get angry at Shania. He could only say gruffly to Landy, "Drive your car, Landy! Hold the steering wheel tight! "
Shania's plot succeeded and she leaned on Tang En's shoulder proudly.
Landy glanced at the rearview mirror. No matter how he looked at it, they looked like a pair of father and daughter who had a good relationship … But, it was a pity that they were father and daughter …
※ ※ ※
When the sky darkened, Tang En and Shania returned home with piles and piles of things in their arms.
On the streets, Shania put her acting skills to the extreme. She played the role of a daughter who liked to act coquettishly to her father. When she saw something she liked, she would not leave and insist that her "Daddy Tang En" buy it for her. Fortunately, what she liked were small toys and not anything too expensive.
Oftentimes, a blind salesperson would smile and compliment Tang En as he paid with his card. "Your daughter is so beautiful, sir!" Or they would say to Shania, "Your father treats you so well, Miss!"
This made Tang En roll his eyes, while Shania buried her face in the fluffy dolls and giggled.
When they got home, Tang En placed the things in his arms on the table and collapsed on the sofa. He was so tired that he did not want to get up again.
"It's so tiring to accompany a woman shopping!"
Shania pouted. "All men say that. Daddy, you're so vulgar! Ah … "
Just as she said that, she suddenly realized that they were no longer in public. She did not need to call him that anymore.
Tang En turned to look at her helplessly. She stuck out her tongue and giggled. "I've been calling him that all day, and I've gotten used to it … I really didn't mean it, Daddy … Uncle Tony!" She saw Tang En raise his hand and quickly corrected herself.
"I'm going to be angry, Shania!" Tang En grinned.
Shania did not give him a chance. She made a funny face and ran upstairs with a bunch of dolls.
Tang En was so tired that he lay down again. He suddenly felt something in his waist. He got up and touched it. It was his phone.
As he had pressed the button, the screen lit up. He was surprised to find a text message.
Regardless of whether it was before or after his transmigration, Tang En did not like to text others. He disliked the slow typing speed of a finger on the phone's keyboard. He would call directly if there was anything. Those who were familiar with him would call him if there was something. Very few people would send him a text message — unless the call did not go through or no one picked up the phone. Shania was the only exception. When she was out on the runway, she would text Tang En to chat when she was bored. It was only then that Tang En would patiently reply with a text message.
He opened his inbox and found that the text message was from an unknown number.
"Goodbye, Mr. Tang En. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again in the future. "
There was no beginning or end, and Tang En was confused. The text message was sent three hours ago. At that time, he and Shania were on a shopping spree on the streets, playing the role of a "father who loves his daughter."
He stared at the string of numbers for a long time, but could not remember whose number it was. He had wanted to call to verify it, but when he saw that the person's text message did not even have a signature to introduce his identity, he could not be bothered to be nosy. In any case, no matter who it was, no matter what it was, let him be.
He pursed his lips and placed his finger on the "delete text message" button.
But he thought about it again and finally moved it away.
"Shania, are you hungry?" Tang En raised his head and shouted upstairs.
"A little!" Shania replied in a loud voice.
"Just you wait. I'll make you delicious Chinese food today!" Tang En got up and went to the kitchen to busy himself.
After a while, Shania also changed her clothes and came down to help. At the same time, she curiously followed Tang En to learn how to make Chinese food.
The two of them were busy in the kitchen, but they were also very happy.
Tang En also forgot about the strange text message amidst the laughter.
※ ※ ※
The next day, Tang En woke up early. He had to resume work today. Dunn was not by his side, and there were more things he needed to busy himself with.
At the dining table, he casually picked up a newspaper next to him and habitually flipped to the sports page.
"Hey, Uncle Tony!" Shania realized that he was reading the newspaper while eating again. She frowned and called out in dissatisfaction.
This time, Tang En did not listen to her and obediently put down the newspaper. It was as if he was possessed, holding the newspaper and freezing.
"Uncle Tony, Uncle Tony …" Shania snatched the newspaper from Tang En's hands. Tang En did not blame her. She was puzzled when she saw Tang En pull out his phone.
She glanced at the newspaper that had Tang En possessed. The large headline on it was very eye-catching:
"Goodbye, José: Mourinho leaves Chelsea."
The subheadline below was:
Abramovich: This is an amicable breakup.
Of course, she knew who Mourinho and Abramovich were. She also understood why Uncle Tony would behave like that.
Tang En flipped open the text message he had received yesterday and dialed the number.
When Mourinho's voice rang from the other end of the phone, Tang En froze and did not know what to say. He had called on the spur of the moment. He had not thought of what to say when it actually got through.
"Hello? Mr. Tang En, if you're calling me early in the morning to wake me up just to waste your phone bill, then I don't mind leaving the phone on and continuing to sleep. "
"Ah, ah …" Hearing Mourinho's sarcasm, Tang En returned to normal. "Hmm … Damn it. I saw the news and suddenly wanted to call you, but I don't know what to say … How did you get my phone number yesterday?"
"Jorge gave it to me." Jorge's full name was Jorge Mendes. He was Pepe and Rafinha's manager and could be considered an old acquaintance of Tang En's.
"Oh …" Tang En's tone revealed that he understood. But he had not thought of what to say next.
It was Mourinho who helped him out. "Is the news of my departure so shocking that even the quick-witted and sharp-tongued Mr. Tang En doesn't know what to say?"
Speaking of this, Tang En's mind became a little clearer. "No, I knew a long time ago that you would leave Chelsea."
Mourinho was very interested in what he said. "Oh? Since when? "
"Since the day you became Chelsea's manager."
Mourinho laughed in a low voice.
"I'm not telling a joke. You and Abramovich's personalities are incompatible. One of you will have to leave sooner or later. The possibility of the club chairman leaving is much lower than the possibility of the manager leaving. So, the one who will leave will definitely be you. "
Mourinho listened to Tang En's analysis with interest and then asked, "You … can also be considered a person with a tough personality. Why are you still doing well as Nottingham Forest's manager?"
"My boss is smarter than your boss. He knows when to give in. He knows to delegate power to his subordinates. He knows to sacrifice his personality to satisfy others …"
On the other end of the phone, Mourinho grunted. "That's right. You're absolutely right." He seemed to be nodding, his pronunciation halting as he spoke.
After another brief silence, Tang En asked, "Can I ask what you plan to do next, Mr. Mourinho?"
"I have an agreement with Chelsea. In the next year, I won't coach any English Premier League team. That way, I can get more 'break-up fees.' Besides, I also want to rest for a while … "For Mourinho and Tang En, it was a first for Mourinho and a first for Tang En. There was not the slightest bit of hostility between them, nor was there the slightest smell of gunpowder.
The feeling was so fresh and wonderful that Tang En forgot to eat breakfast. Shania did not rush him. She just waited quietly by the side.
"Then, can I buy you a drink?" Tang En brought up the past again.
Mourinho found it strange. "Why are you so persistent in buying me a drink, Mr. Tang?"
"Uh, well … One of my reasons for becoming a manager is to use my position to have a drink with all the famous managers in the world after a game."
Hearing Tang En's strange reason, Mourinho laughed. "Only England has such a strange tradition — a drink after a game, Mr. Tang. But I still have to turn you down. "
"Why?" Tang En asked.
"Because we're still enemies. I didn't say I'm going to give up football and retire. You're still coaching Nottingham Forest, and it looks like this team won't be relegated in the next few years. They'll often appear in Europe's top competitions … So, Mr. Tang En, we'll always have the chance to play against each other again. As long as there's this possibility, you're still my enemy. I never drink with my enemy. "
"All right." Tang En gave up on the idea. "Are you going back to Portugal?"
"Yes, home to rest."
"Not going back to England?"
"No, I didn't sell the house in London. The agreement only says that I can't coach a Premier League team for a year, but it doesn't say that I can't coach a year later. Who knows what will happen in the future? "
"All right, then I wish you good luck."
"I wish you good luck too, Mr. Tang En."
After hanging up, Tang En looked at Shania, who was opposite him. Shania also looked at him.
"You don't look too happy, Uncle Tony?" Shania said, tilting her head to look at Tang En.
"Why do you say that?" Tang En did not deny it.
"I don't know. I just have a feeling — you're not happy."
Tang En smiled. "I should be happy."
"Why?"
"Because there's one less very powerful enemy." Tang En pointed to the newspaper at the side. "But my real thought is, 'God, there's one less interesting opponent!' Once I think of that, I can't be happy anymore. You're right, Shania. I'm not happy. My heart feels a little empty. It's like … like, I've lost a very important friend … "
At this point, Tang En laughed to himself again. It was a self-deprecating laugh.
"Have you ever heard something like this, Shania? 'Actually, the person who understands you the most and cares about you the most is often your biggest enemy.' Look at what these newspapers say … "He picked up the newspaper and pointed to the photo of Mourinho waving. There was a line of small print below. He read," Goodbye, José. Without you, the Premier League will feel lonely. "
"This is the first time I agree with The Sun. I also feel a little lonely."
Shania looked at Tang En, who was staring at the newspaper and talking, and did not say a word.
※ ※ ※
When Tang En arrived at the entrance of the Wilford training base, he found a lot of reporters gathered there. He was a little surprised. Logically speaking, shouldn't the center of the world's media be Stamford Bridge in London? The dismissal of the madman manager, Mourinho, could be considered a piece of news that shook the world.
"Why are you still here?" Tang En looked at the reporters and said, "Aren't you going to London? There's something big happening there. "
One of the reporters stood up and said, "So you also know, Mr. Tang."
"Thanks to you reporters, I already knew when I was eating breakfast." In fact, he already knew yesterday afternoon …
The reporter continued, "According to one of Abramovich's confidants, the Russian admires your coaching results and wants you to go to Stamford Bridge. We're here to verify it … "
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Tang En's laughter. Tang En laughed very happily. He was really very happy and definitely not pretending.
"Thank you for letting me hear the funniest joke of the day. Thank you, Mr. Reporter." Tang En finished laughing and said to the group of confused reporters.
"No, this is not a joke. It's true. I have reliable insider information …" The reporter felt that his integrity had been insulted. He very seriously emphasized the authenticity of his source of information.
Since he was serious, Tang En also kept a straight face.
"Well, if what you said is true, and you do have a confidant of Abramovich as an insider, and he told you that Abramovich is interested in me, then please reply to that confidant and Mr. Abramovich himself."
A group of reporters pricked up their ears and turned on their phones and recording pens, ready to record Tang En's response to the rumor. The television reporters extended their microphones to Tang En, and the camera lens was naturally pointed at the man.
"Dear Mr. Roman Abramovich …" Tang En cleared his throat and said to the television camera.
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