When their four years in university came to an end, the class monitor and the party secretary would start preparing for the "farewell meal." Even students who had a cold relationship usually had to sit together for this farewell meal. Needless to say, those who had a good relationship with each other would have this meal many days in advance.
Tang En was not popular in school at that time, but when they ate the farewell meal together, there would still be many students who would come up to clinch their glasses and say those inappropriate things before raising their necks and downing it. There were even people in the class who used a digital video camera to record the meal on a CD and distribute it to every student for them to keep as a souvenir.
Tang En did not lose it, but he did not remember where he had left it. He did not even know if Dunn had brought it along when he moved to Nottingham.
But that meal left a deep impression on him, and there was no need to watch the VCD again. The students gathered in twos and threes and said things they did not dare to say in the past under the influence of alcohol. Some were funny, some were sad. Some were full of lofty aspirations and were planning to write a new chapter in their lives in society. Some were busy confessing to their crush. Some used the excuse of being drunk to look for girls to hug. Some pulled their best buddies from university to drink, drink after drink …
In short, there was only one theme: break up, goodbye, farewell.
Even though Tang En knew that Shania was not a transmigrator, and that she had never attended university in China, he could not stop his anxious heart from thinking about the "farewell meal."
"Uncle Tony, thank you for taking care of me these few years. But in order not to interfere with your life, it's better for me to leave. Goodbye! "
Tang En did not know how he would feel if such words were to come out of Shania's mouth.
It turned out that he had already gotten used to the days and life with Shania around.
Even when she was on the other side of the ocean in America due to work and the two were separated by half a world, he never felt that this girl had truly left him and disappeared from his life.
We just can't see each other often …
Lisa Aria's words in the morning had a huge impact on Tang En.
He had never thought of the word "jealous" before, but now he had no choice but to face the problem. Even though he still didn't have a girlfriend, nor did he have a family or a career, and he didn't have any successful love experience in his previous life. But he still knew what "jealousy" meant, and he also knew what kind of people would be jealous.
The problem … seemed to have become more complicated.
※ ※ ※
Twain was a little absent-minded the whole morning. He could not focus his attention on the reserve team's training. Anyway, this level of training had nothing to do with him, so he simply put on his sunglasses and fretted alone on the sidelines.
There was no training in the afternoon. After the afternoon training ended, everyone chose to go home. Dunn planned to go back with Tang En, but Tang En rejected him. "I have something to do." Realizing that Dunn was looking at him and did not look surprised, Tang En hurriedly explained, "I'm definitely not going to some bar to look for a one-night stand this time."
"I understand, it's Shania, right?"
Twain nodded. "She called me to have dinner. By the way, Dunn, what do you think she'll say to me? "
"Happy birthday."
"She told me that at my house last night."
"That's what I told you. Today is your birthday. As for what she wants to say to you, how would I know? "
Tang En thought about it and agreed. Dunn was not a love expert, and he was not Shania herself. How could he know such a thing? He felt that he was a little muddle-headed this morning.
"Should I go back and change my clothes?" Tang En opened his arms and showed them to Tang En.
"No need. What I mean is that it's the same no matter what you change into. Just go straight ahead. "He smiled.
And so, Tang En went straight ahead. Of course, he did not forget to buy a bouquet of flowers along the way, preparing to apologize to Shania. What was there to apologize for?
Uncle Tony shouldn't have brought a prostitute home …
Ah, Miss Lisa Aria, please sacrifice yourself once more!
※ ※ ※
Tang En sat in Landy's car and arrived at Beeston, southwest of Nottingham. It was already very far from Nottingham's city center. Even Tang En was here for the first time. Separated from this small town by a river was Clifton, where the construction of Nottingham Forest's new stadium was in full swing.
Looking curiously at the scenery outside the window, Tang En realized that the taxi had stopped at the entrance of a narrow alley.
"Tony, the Chinese snack restaurant you mentioned should be here … but I don't see where the shop is …"
Landy, who was in the driver's seat, turned around and pointed out the window to Tang En. A light box was erected at the entrance of the alley, with the words "NOSH Sichuan Restaurant" written on it in both Chinese and English.
"Just a signboard without a shop. Chinese food is really mysterious."
Tang En smiled and patted Landy's shoulder. "In China, there's a rule — the most delicious and authentic restaurants are definitely opened in inconspicuous places. The most run-down shop has the most delicious food. Thank you, Landy. "
Pushing open the door and getting out of the car, Tang En followed the arrow on the light box and walked straight into the alley. Going around the alley, he saw the pathetically small NOSH Sichuan Restaurant.
Seeing a foreigner walking toward them, the waiter of the restaurant welcomed him enthusiastically, using the Chinese way to welcome a guest. It was completely different from the "gentlemanly" etiquette of other foreign restaurants, which was separated by a layer of glass. However, it gave Tang En a rare sense of intimacy. Perhaps only Chinese people could understand such a feeling …
"How many gentlemen?"
"Uh …" Tang En was stumped by the question. He stuck his head out to look around the restaurant. It was officially lunchtime, and the small shop was filled with diners. Most of them were Chinese students with yellow skin, black hair, and black eyes who spoke Mandarin or dialects from various places. So, he easily found the person he was looking for among the group of Chinese people.
"He's at the same table with her," Tang En explained to the service staff as he pointed to Shania, who was sitting in the room reading the newspaper.
He was led to Shania. The beautiful girl lifted her eyes to look at Tang En, then put down the newspaper and pointed to the seat opposite her. "Sit, Uncle Tony." Her tone was a little cold.
Tang En sat down and sniffed hard, trying hard to create a topic of conversation. "The smell of chili."
"So this place is really authentic?"
"Ah?"
"I'll get someone to ask. They said this is the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Nottingham, and they told me that if I were to come, I must order this … "Shania pointed to a dish that was already placed on the table.
Tang En took a look and said in surprise, "Beef and Chili Sauce?"
"Try it. I don't know if it's really authentic, but maybe you'll be able to taste it."
Tang En did not move his chopsticks. He looked at the table of familiar and unfamiliar Chinese dishes. It was very sumptuous. In his heart, however, he was unsure what Shania was trying to do by arranging such a grand table.
"No appetite? Not hungry? "
"Uh … No." Tang En still did not dare to move his chopsticks. He was afraid that if he ate, they would really break up.
Shania clearly understood him to mean something else. She raised the beer beside her. "Right, I forgot to say. Happy birthday, Uncle Tony. "
It was clearly impolite to let a girl wait with a glass of beer. Although Tang En was uncertain, he still raised his glass. Before they clinked glasses, he carefully asked, "The next sentence won't be 'goodbye,' right?"
Shania, who had been pulling a long face, burst out laughing. However, she quickly straightened her face again.
"Uh, I feel that I should apologize to you, Shania. About last night's incident … "He handed her the bouquet.
Shania put down her glass and took the bouquet with both hands. She brought it to her nose and sniffed it. It was very fragrant.
"Thank you, Uncle Tony … But I'm not angry. I think you're overthinking it. I have no right to criticize your life. "
"You're lying." Tang En exposed her lie without holding back. "Your tone of voice is still very awkward." Seeing that she was willing to accept his flowers, Tang En was slightly relieved. He really wanted to explain to Shania everything that happened last night, but he did not know where to start or how to say it.
Shania rolled her eyes at Tang En. "What do you mean by not awkward? Actually, I didn't treat you to lunch today to listen to your apology. This was a meal that was decided a long time ago. "
"Huh?" Tang En felt as though he had fallen into a cloud.
"To celebrate your birthday, I ordered it three days in advance. It would be a waste if I didn't eat it. There's also a birthday present. It's in the parking lot. It's the jeep that I drove away yesterday. "
Tang En was completely petrified. He was not a fool, and he knew very well how serious Shania's words were. She gave him a car for his birthday!
But it was just a car, and it was easy to measure its value with real money. Only this meal … its value was inestimable.
This remote little restaurant that he had never been to before was said to be the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Nottingham. He did not know who Shania had asked for help and how she had found it.
"I know you like Chinese food … To be honest, English food is terrible." Shania shrugged. "Eating at Burns' bar every day will cause you to have problems with the food sooner or later."
Tang En picked up a piece of husband and wife lung slice and stuffed it into his mouth silently, chewing it slowly. Hmm … It's a little more sour and sweet than the authentic one, and not spicy enough. But …
He raised his head and smiled at Shania. "It's really authentic."
A faint smile appeared on Shania's face.
"Can you stop putting on a straight face, Shania?" Tang En pleaded. He could not get used to Shania's cold face, as if she was a model on the runway.
"But I don't feel like smiling right now."
"So you're angry at me … Actually, it's just a misunderstanding. That, that woman is just a … uh, prostitute I met when I was drinking at the bar to relieve boredom. You know, sometimes I need … "
"Really?" Shania asked in return. She then picked up the newspaper that she had placed at the side and raised it in front of Tang En, letting him see the headline on the front page.
"The secret girlfriend of the famous English Premier League manager, Tony Twain!!"
"A prostitute who cameos as a beautiful reporter, or a beautiful reporter who cameos as a seductive prostitute?"
Seeing the newspaper, Tang En really wanted to fall into the plate of husband and wife lung slice in front of him.
"That's the reporter going crazy from wanting to become famous. She's spouting nonsense!" Tang En hurriedly defended himself.
"Are you spouting nonsense?" Shania shifted her gaze from Tang En's face to the narrow sky outside the shop.
Seeing Shania's expression, Tang En suddenly thought of Lisa Aria's words of "jealousy."
"Uncle Tony, do you hope that it's nonsense?" Shania shifted her gaze back.
Tang En did not know how he should answer this question. He felt that Shania was behaving strangely today. She kept saying inexplicable things and showing inexplicable and unfathomable expressions.
"Hope?" Seeing that Tang En did not answer, Shania pressed on.
Tang En had no choice but to face this question. He carefully recalled the bits and pieces of him and Shania together. He was silent for a long time. This time, Shania did not rush him.
After a long time, Tang En raised his head to look at Shania and said, "I don't know."
Shania smiled and did not pursue the matter further. To her, she was already very happy that Uncle Tony did not immediately nod and say "I hope".
The two of them, each with their own thoughts, silently finished the lunch with a strange atmosphere. Then, Shania brought Tang En to the parking lot to see his birthday present.
"A Mercedes-Benz Jeep. I hope you like it, Uncle Tony." In the parking lot, Shania pointed at the white Jeep and said.
Tang En touched the cold body of the car with his hands and did not know what to say. In the end, he smiled helplessly and said, "Shania, this present of yours is too expensive. For your birthday, I only gave you cheap Totoro plushies … "
"If you like Totoro plushies, I will also give you Totoro plushies. Buying them to give to someone who is willing to give them, no matter how expensive it is, no matter how cheap it is. "Shania did not want to listen to Tang En's words. She shook her head and said to herself. "Send me to Heathrow Airport!"
"Airport?" Tang En was very surprised.
"I snuck out, I don't have time to play here. I have to hurry back now. "
"You flew back from America just to celebrate my birthday?" Tang En looked at Shania with a look of disbelief.
"Yes, why?"
"Don't you think … Don't you think … This is too far, too troublesome?"
"I don't think so." She shook her head. "This is the first time I'm celebrating your birthday. I don't want to say 'Happy Birthday' over the phone. "
"Actually, I'd be very happy if you could just give me a call, Shania."
"I'm not happy! I've said it before, no matter how far it is for me to give it to someone I want to give it to, I don't think it's too troublesome! Now, send me to the airport! "
Without waiting for Tang En to respond, Shania opened the door to the front passenger seat and got in.
Tang En shook his head helplessly and opened the door as well. He realized that today was very strange. He had never gained the upper hand in the confrontation with Shania. It was not like this in the past …
"Alright, I'll say this first. My driving skills … are very bad."
"My life is in your hands. Do as you see fit, Uncle Tony." Shania sat in the front passenger seat and began to fasten her seatbelt.
Tang En admitted defeat.
※ ※ ※
"Have you been troubled recently, Uncle Tony?" On the M1 highway to London, Shania asked Tang En, who was concentrating on driving.
"It's not a big deal." Tang En wanted to put on airs at his own cost, but his answer was weak.
"I've asked Dunn. He said that you've been drinking and smoking more than before. Is it because of the transfer issue? "
"It's normal for a manager to worry about all sorts of things."
"How can this be considered normal? You don't necessarily have to use alcohol and cigarettes to relieve the pressure at work. To be honest, Uncle Tony, I'm very worried about your health. Have you gone for a medical examination? "
"What's the point of doing that?"
"You'd better go for it." Shania began to use her fingers to list out his "crimes" for Tang En. "Irregular lifestyle, poor sleep, high pressure at work, alcohol, smoking addiction, lack of exercise … Do you think your life is too long, Uncle Tony?"
If not for the fact that he was driving, Tang En would have definitely raised his hands in surrender. He was really afraid of this girl today.
"Alright, alright. I'll listen to you. I'll go for a medical examination tomorrow, and then quit drinking and smoking. I'll definitely have a regular lifestyle … But I can't control the pressure at work. There's no such thing as a manager who doesn't have pressure in this world. "
"It'd be great if you could really do that." Shania clearly had sufficient awareness of Tang En's integrity. She sighed somewhat helplessly.
※ ※ ※
After sending Shania to the check-in counter in the airport lounge, the two of them were about to say their goodbyes.
"Don't sneak out like this next time. You'll make things difficult for Mr. Fasal." Tang En handed the backpack he was carrying to Shania, who had already put on a pair of wide-rimmed sunglasses and a sun hat.
"If I don't sneak out, it'll be difficult to see you, Uncle Tony." Looking back at the check-in counter, Shania finally felt a trace of reluctance.
"Are you that busy?" Tang En asked.
"Very."
"Uh … When this season ends, I'll definitely go to America to play with you for a while." Tang En did not know how to comfort Shania, so he could only say that.
"There's still ten months." Shania pouted.
"To be exact, it's nine months. The Premier League ends in May. "Tang En corrected her mistake.
"That's too long …"
An awkward silence fell between the two of them.
Tang En looked at the flow of people around them and reminded, "It's time to go through the check-in, right?"
Shania nodded.
"Then … goodbye, Shania." Tang En waved his hand in a farewell gesture.
However, Shania did not say the same. "Goodbye, Uncle Tony."
She stood very close to Tang En. Shania, who had her head lowered in reluctance, suddenly raised her head to look at Tang En. Her scorching gaze was captivating, causing Tang En to be stunned. He did not understand what Shania wanted to do.
The announcement in the airport building began to play, urging passengers on the flight to Los Angeles to hurry up and check in. However, Shania did not turn around to leave. She took a small step forward, almost burrowing into Tang En's arms. Then, she raised her head and pressed her delicate, pink, and tender lips onto Tang En's.
The warm, moist, and soft sensation was like a knife carved into Tang En's mind. Shania's breath smelled like orchids. It was as if a glass of fine wine had just been placed to his mouth, and Tang En was already drunk. His brain and body seemed to have drunk too much and were not listening to him. His entire body was stiff, and he did not know what to do.
In a trance, he heard Shania murmur in his ears. "Maybe you'll think it's very sudden, Uncle Tony. But I can't wait … I love you, Uncle Tony. I love you. "
Tang En's brain capacity was completely insufficient. Too many things had happened today, and it was too much for his eyes to take in. The excitement that this confession brought to him had already been diluted by Shania's bold kiss. Just as he continued to be in a daze, Shania had already jumped out of his arms with a grin.
"This is a Goodbye kiss. Goodbye, Uncle Tony!"
※ ※ ※
PS: There's another chapter at 6: 30 p.m.
Shania finally revealed her feelings, but what would Uncle Tony think of this sudden confession of love?
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