The morning sun seeped into the bedroom through the gaps in the curtains. Tang En gently got up from the bed and looked back at his wife, who was still sleeping soundly on the bed. He put on his pajamas and quietly left the bedroom.
In the bathroom, Tang En turned on the tap and filled his toothbrush with toothpaste. He then folded the washcloth and placed it aside. He was ready to wash up and start his day.
But when he looked up, he was stunned.
In the mirror, there was a person he didn't recognize.
The crisscrossing wrinkles on his face looked like they were carved with a knife. His eyes were bloodshot as if he had not slept for a long time. What was more eye-catching was not the wrinkles and reddened eyes, but the messy white hair on top of his head.
Tang En tilted his head and stared at himself in the mirror for a long time, ignoring the water in the basin that was still flowing down from the tap. He was still holding a toothbrush in his hand, but the toothpaste on it had already slipped into the basin.
Just a month ago, he had just celebrated his 45th birthday, September 9, 2013. In the blink of an eye, it had been more than ten years since he transmigrated here. If not for this transmigration, he would only be 32 years old now. This age was still considered young, still at the age where he could just eat and wait for death. He could still have the qualifications to pretend to be a shota on the internet, completely ignoring the complicated philosophical questions of where he came from and where he was going.
But here, he was already 45 years old. Although 50 was only half a century, how many people could live to 100? 90 years old was considered old, and 45 years old was already more than half of one's life. Looking at his gradually aging self in the mirror, Tang En thought of a problem for the first time — even if I don't have a heart disease, I'm not far from death. The rest of my life is definitely not as long as the years I've already lived.
As he thought of this, a wave of sadness welled up in his heart. When would he slowly begin to slowly become an old man who had difficulty moving, could not articulate clearly, could not think clearly, could not speak loudly, could not run a few hundred meters in one breath, and could only sit in a wheelchair and be supported by others to slowly push him out to bask in the sun?
In the past, he felt that such an image was too far away from him. Why did it feel so close to him now?
The rustling sound startled Shania, who was unwilling to get up from the bed.
In fact, when Twain woke up, she also woke up. Lying on the bed, she watched as her husband moved quietly and didn't want to disturb her. It was hard for her to hold back her laughter. Ever since Tony entered the bathroom, the sound of running water could be heard. It had been almost ten minutes, and the sound of running water had yet to stop.
The lazy smile on Shania's face disappeared. She got up from the bed and called out, "Uncle Tony?"
No one answered him.
Shania suddenly felt her heart beating wildly, and a bad thought came to her mind — could it be that Tony's heart disease was acting up again?
Thinking of this, she hurriedly jumped off the bed. She didn't even bother to put on her clothes or throw her shoes aside. Wearing only a pair of underwear, she ran barefooted from the bedroom to the bathroom next door.
She did not see the scene of Uncle Tony lying unconscious on the ground. When she saw Tang En holding a toothbrush and tilting his head in front of the mirror in a daze, she finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"You scared me to death, Uncle Tony."
No one answered her.
"Uncle Tony!" Shania had no choice but to raise her voice.
"Ah? What? Oh … "Seeing Shania's expression, Tang En immediately understood what was going on in his mind. "You're imagining things again, aren't you?"
Shania rolled her eyes. "You're like a dead person. You don't answer anything I ask. Of course I'm worried." She walked over and stood behind Tang En. She reached out her hands and gently wrapped them around him.
"What are you looking at? You're so engrossed. "She gently rubbed against Tang En's temples.
"Look at my white hair." Tang En grinned bitterly.
"Just dye it black." Shania kissed the back of Tang En's neck gently. "Besides, it's not completely white. It's just that the sideburns are a little white …"
The couple in the mirror were so intimate, but the visual effect was not very harmonious. The man looked old, while the woman's naked body exuded the vitality and passion of youth. If they did not do something so intimate, people would really suspect that the two in the mirror were father and daughter.
"Dye hair?" Tang En thought about it and nodded. "That's a good idea. But I never thought there would be a day when I would need to dye my hair. "
Shania laughed. "People will grow old. Do you think I'm young now? I'll still be the same as you in a few decades. If you wake up every morning and feel so sentimental about life, you'll grow old faster, my philosopher Uncle Tony. "
Tang En felt the two plump balls of flesh against his back, and his lower body gradually reacted. But now was clearly not the time to do that kind of thing. He turned around, grabbed Shania's shoulder, and pushed her over. "Put on your clothes. Don't catch a cold."
The sharp-eyed Shania saw his abnormality below, and her face smiled particularly proudly. "Look, Uncle Tony. You just did it yesterday, and you still have such desire in the morning. It proves that you're not old at all! "
With that, she ran out laughing before Tang En raised his hand to hit her.
※ ※ ※
When Tang En drove to the Wilford training base, he saw Pierce Brosnan outside again. The other man looked particularly old with a cigarette in his mouth and a frown.
Perhaps it was because of this morning, but Tang En now wanted to observe whoever he saw from the changes in their appearance. Time had changed many people, and he wanted to see what these changes were like.
"Hey, Mr. Bond. Why are you so depressed so early in the morning? "Tang En poked his head out of the car and took the initiative to greet the other man.
"Ah, Tony … You promised me an interview …"
"I'll arrange it another day."
"Don't change the day, Tony. The boss said if I can't get an interview with you, he'll let me have a hard time. Help me … "Brosnan frowned, his face gloomy. So this was what he was worried about.
"All right, all right. Let's do it at noon today, in the restaurant in Wilford. We'll talk while we eat. "
After Tang En dealt with Brosnan, he was surrounded by more reporters, fighting to be the first to ask him questions.
"Mr. Tang! Can you talk about Lennon's transfer again … "
This reporter touched Tang En's sore spot. He glared fiercely at the other man. "What else is there to say about something that happened almost two months ago? If you really can't find any questions to ask, I suggest you ask me what I had for breakfast, what I plan to have for lunch, and how I want to eat for dinner! "
Yes, it was already two months ago …
Due to Aaron Lennon's outstanding performance for Forest, England's flanks were practically the domain of Forest. Lennon on the left, Bentley on the right, and "Tiger Cub" Walcott were all squeezed onto the substitutes' bench. Fortunately, for Capello, it was a blessing to have so many high-level players to choose from in the same position.
In the club, Lennon could play on the left or right, which was a great help to him because he could get more opportunities to play than others. As a result, as his performance became better and more mature, he also attracted the attention of more clubs.
This summer, many clubs made an offer to Forest, hoping to buy Lennon, a winger who could play on either side. But Tang En insisted on not selling. He was a player that he had groomed himself and followed him from the youth team all the way to the First Team. He had good relations within the team. Now that he was in his prime, how could he sell him?
But in the end, he still left Forest. The reason was simple. Inter Milan made an offer that Nottingham Forest Football Club could not refuse — 30 million pounds!
Allan Adams disregarded Tang En's objections and firmly intervened in the transfer, forcefully selling Lennon to Inter Milan. At that time, the two men quarreled very badly. They were just short of fighting in front of Evan. As a result, when there were many rumors in the media that the two giants of Nottingham Forest were at odds with each other, Tang En did not say a word to clarify — I just don't get along with that money-grubber. Clear egg white?
Later, Kerslake comforted Tang En by saying that Lennon actually wanted to leave. After all, Inter Milan could give him a higher salary and other bonuses. Of course, Tang En knew this. But he felt that without Allan's intervention, with his personal charm, he could at least keep Lennon for another two seasons. If Lennon still wanted to leave then, he would have nothing to say. Because Adriano Moke had also fully matured.
It was not that he could not accept selling Lennon. What he could not accept was that Allan had broken the original agreement and forcefully interfered with his work. For Tony Twain, who liked to have everything in his hands and believed in authority, it could even be said to be a kind of humiliation. At that time, he did not resign and give face to Evan Doughty and the team. After all, it was very easy to leave. With his achievements, it was also very easy to find a job with a higher salary. But spending ten years to nurture a team that could come at a moment's notice and win every battle was not something that could be done just by saying it. Today's Nottingham Forest was all his blood and sweat. Until now, there was still no fruit of love between him and Shania. Nottingham Forest was like his son. With deep feelings, he really could not let go of this fat ten-year-old boy.
In the past two months, Brosnan, who was familiar with Tang En's temper, did not dare to mention Lennon's name in front of Tang En. This young reporter looked like a newbie …
Tang En's mood was spoiled by such a question. He vented his anger on all the reporters. He did not answer any questions. With a gloomy face, he rolled up the window and drove the car into the gates of the training base.
The reporters began to complain. Of course, they were not complaining about Tang En. After so many years of interviewing Tang En, the group of veteran reporters had long understood his temper.
They were complaining about the young reporter.
"Are you new here, kid? Don't you know the rules! "A middle-aged man shouted at the reporter who asked the question in an unfriendly tone.
"Who asked you to ask such an idiotic question? Which media company are you from? " Another bespectacled man, who usually looked absolutely gentle, also stared at the other person with gritted teeth.
"The question has already been hyped up two months ago. What are you doing bringing it up again?" The tone was already considered quite polite among the angry crowd.
"Do you know who you're interviewing? It's not 'good guy' Kevin Keegan, it's Tony Twain! Tony Twain! Damn intern reporter … I hate newbies who don't know anything the most … "
The group of people dispersed, swearing. Brosnan looked at the young reporter who was stunned by the scolding. He walked up and gently patted him on the shoulder. Without saying anything, he also left.
He thought of his experience as an intern reporter. There was no need to say anything. The kid would always understand.
Speaking of which, the reporters gathered near Wilford were probably the most special group in England. The best and most experienced reporters from various media outlets would be sent here to carry out interview tasks. Few media outlets would send newbies here, because that would only be asking for humiliation. Let's not even talk about whether they could gain the upper hand in the "news war" between a group of wily old foxes. Just the fact that the subject of the interview was Tony Twain, who was known as "the most difficult to deal with in English football," was not a task that a rookie could handle.
Which reporter who could often appear here was not a veteran reporter who had been interviewing Nottingham Forest for more than three years? These people had already come up with many strategies in their "battle" with Twain over a long period of time to deal with this unpredictable Forest King. They were more familiar with Twain than they were with their own wives and children. What was an "old foxes"? A "wily old fox" knew how to read a person's words and body language. He knew what questions to ask under certain circumstances. He knew which questions absolutely could not be asked. He knew which questions might provoke an intense reaction from Tang En, but at the same time, he could create a more newsworthy result. He knew how to ask those intense questions in order to receive the best reaction.
These were all experiences. Just like a professional player, you would never know what it was like if you did not play many games …
A rookie player would one day become a seasoned veteran on the battlefield. And a rookie reporter would also eventually become a veteran reporter who could hold his own.
Just like a clumsy manager who was hit by his own players on the sidelines and got a concussion, he would now become a winning manager who had picked up two UEFA Champions League trophies, two English Premier League trophies, one EFL Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, two EFL Community Shields, and two UEFA Super Cups.
※ ※ ※
The City Ground stadium was usually quiet when there were no matches, but sometimes this tranquility would be broken by some guests from thousands of miles away.
A luxurious bus was parked in the parking lot outside the City Ground stadium. A pair of yellow-skinned, black-haired Asians wearing red caps followed a tall, fair-skinned beauty into the team's honor room in the City Ground stadium.
"Everyone, please take a look. This is Nottingham Forest's honor room. All the honors and trophies that Forest has won since the team was founded are displayed here. " The beautiful tour guide was British. Her pronunciation of Chinese was not very accurate, but it was enough to be a tour guide and translator.
"And this team's current manager, Tony Twain, has already won one EFL Cup since he took office." The tour guide pointed to a small trophy in the cabinet and said. "And two EFL Community Shield trophies." She pointed to two silver trophy plates shaped like shields. "Two UEFA Super Cups, one FIFA Club World Cup …" The beautiful tour guide walked as she introduced the trophies of different sizes, unique designs, and glittering silver to the tourists behind her.
"There are also two EFL Premier League trophies. The one on the right was won in the 07-08 season, that season Nottingham Forest won the Double. The one on the left is very new. It was won by Tony Twain and his players last season. "
She walked to a large glass cabinet in the middle of the room and then stopped in her tracks. She pointed to the four trophies inside and proudly introduced them.
"These four trophies in the shape of big ears are the supreme honor between European football clubs — the UEFA Champions League!"
Some of the people in the crowd who knew football exclaimed, while others were expressionless. They just stared curiously at the glittering silver trophies, wondering if they were really made of silver …
The tourists surrounded the glass cabinet. Although there were rules against taking photos, the fans in the crowd would still take out their digital cameras or phones to secretly take photos. To be able to see four UEFA Champions League trophies at the same time was not an easy thing to achieve.
The tour guide did not notice the tourists' actions. She continued to introduce the weight of the trophies in high spirits.
"All over Europe! The teams that can win four Champions League trophies can be counted on one hand. They are the nine-time UEFA Champions League winner Real Madrid, the six-time winner AC Milan, the five-time winner Liverpool, the four-time winner Ajax, the four-time winner Bayern Munich, and the four-time winner Nottingham Forest! Furthermore, under Tony Twain's leadership, a fifth Champions League title isn't too far off! "
Someone in the crowd raised his hand and asked, "Miss Trish, are you a die-hard fan of Tony Twain?"
The beautiful tour guide heard the question and laughed, "At least half of the people in Nottingham are his die-hard fans."
The four Champions League trophies sat quietly in the glass cabinet, silently receiving the surprised or envious gazes of the people outside. Each of them had a legendary story. In Munich, the heroes and bandits who participated in the UEFA Champions League for the first time drew their swords and shocked Europe. In Madrid, they successfully defended their title against a strong opponent with the European Footballer of the Year. In Athens, they overshadowed the king AC Milan when they returned to Europe's top league. Tony Twain arrogantly shouted the bold words "I'll jump into the sea if I can't win," but no one could make him fulfill this promise. In the heavy rain in Moscow, Eastwood defeated Chelsea and helped the Forest team defend the Champions League for the second time. That season, they also achieved the amazing Double!
If one was quiet and listened carefully, it was as if they could still hear the cheers echoing from each trophy, coming from a distant space and time, a little fuzzy.
"… Hiss hiss … The game is over! 1: 0! The English team, Nottingham Forest, who participated in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, won the title! "
"… Robson's goal! … The entire game is over! Brian Clough led his team to successfully defend this supreme honor at the Bernabéu! They are the kings of Europe … "
"Freddy Eastwood! Final kill! Tony Twain finally led the team to pick up the Big Ears Trophy! They defeated the mighty AC Milan! "
"It rained heavily in Moscow, but no matter how heavy the rain was, it could not extinguish the passion of the Nottingham Forest fans! It's Freddy Eastwood again! It's the final kill again! This time, it was the blue team, Chelsea, that fell under Robin Hood's arrow … This is the fourth Champions League trophy in Nottingham Forest's history! Long live! The Double! "
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