Translator:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
At that moment, while he was still working, he received a call from China.
A call that he had been looking forward to for a long time, and had almost given up waiting on.
When Tang En picked up the phone, he did not immediately hear the voice that he had once been most familiar with. However, he did not urge the person on the other end. He just held the receiver and waited patiently. He did not know what kind of response the person would give him, but he could still look forward to it.
After some time had passed, Tang En finally heard the voice he wanted to hear the most.
You… still need an assistant manager?
With the cellphone in hand, Tang En grinned widely and soundlessly. His biggest problem had been solved.
Certainly! Of course, I still need an assistant manager! Very much indeed!
After he had hung up, Tang En called Evan Doughty again and told him that an assistant manager had been found, and that the club did not have to worry about it anymore.
Evan was delighted as well.
That’s great, Tony. Who is he?
Tang En was stumped for a moment. What was he going to say to Evan? Was he going to tell him that the assistant manager that he had found was just a 24-year-old Chinese guy who was unknown in football circles, had no coaching experience, and was younger than the players? He could almost imagine that Evan would have thought he had had one drink too many.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Tang En decided to be honest and tell Evan. He did not want to let him find out later and think that he had deceived him. It would not be good for the cooperation between them.
Um, Evan… He’s a young man who hasn’t even received his coaching license…
He tried to frame his case with a more tactful approach.
However, Evan was obviously happy, and ignored the true meaning of the sentence.
Young people are good; the Forest team lacks young people. Aren’t you one as well? We both are, Tony. Good, you can prepare a contract for him, however long you want to sign him for.
Seeing Evan speak so boldly, Tang En felt too sorry to tell him that he had misunderstood him… he could only pretend not to know.
※※※
A week later, Tang En had finished redrafting the schedule and itinerary for the two-men Portugal tournament trip, under Ms. Barbara Lucy’s proactive workings. It was then that his assistant manager, the other guy named Tang En, arrived at Nottingham, England from China.
Tang En made a special trip to London to pick up his assistant manager at Heathrow Airport. In reality, even if he had not gone, the other Tang En would have known his way. After all, he was the genuine englishman. However, to show his enthusiasm, Tang En felt that he owed this Tang En. If he did not try to do better in other areas, he would feel guilty.
Sitting in the car while returning to Nottingham, Tang En from China looked out the window at the fleeting scenery and was quiet all the way. Perhaps the familiar sights reminded him of his past here.
Landy’s car sent the two men directly to No. 13 Branford Garden Lane. After getting out of the car, Dunn stood in a daze in front of the house where he had once lived.
Tang En put the luggage on the ground as he watched this scene, not knowing what to say. I feel like a cuckoo stealing a magpie’s nest; I’m like a body snatcher… I occupy this other person’s body, and also occupy his house. Of course, he also occupies my body. But from the current point of view, I seem to be doing better than he is.
Um, some things have been changed since you last lived here.
Tang En opened the door in front, then stood aside in the doorway and motioned for the other man to come in.
Once they had entered the house, Tang En closed the door, and led Dunn to the second floor. A bedroom was specially prepared for him, on the east side of Shania’s room. Incidentally, Shania now also had her own fixed bedroom here.
When they had just walked up the stairs and the main bedroom was directly ahead, Dunn looked up and saw the photograph hanging on the wall. Upon seeing him staring blankly again, Tang En scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.
I think I did a good job.
Dunn said nothing, walked into the bedroom, stood under the photograph and looked up at the photograph of him with his arms raised and shouting—his former self. He had never had such a wild, glorious moment. After looking at it for a while, he looked back at Tang En standing at the door.
Tang En knew what he was going to ask, so he pointed to the photograph and said,
This was the first victory I led the team to win after I came to this place. The next day, this photograph was published in the newspapers. I like it a lot, so I asked for an enlarged copy. I have to admit that sometimes I can be kind of vain…
It’s looks good,
Dunn replied. He turned to walk out of the room.
I was afraid you wouldn’t come at first, because you didn’t call me until the day I left China. What made you decide to come back to Nottingham?
Tang En asked, standing at the door.
Dunn looked back at the photograph hanging on the wall and said,
I… I just don’t think I can do anything well except football.
I decided to agree with your self-evaluation so that I could have a great partner.
Tang En laughed.
I’ve seen the notes and information you left in this house. I must say… I don’t know what you’d achieve in other jobs, but it’s truly a shame if you’re not a football manager! I’m very glad that you could come. I’ve made a few friends here, and we have a great plan. I think if you listen to it, you’ll be interested.
Seeing Dunn looking less than convinced, he continued.
Well, even though you don’t say much, and you don’t seem too likeable most of the time, I know you and I are the same person. Do you like failure?
Dunn shook his head.
I don’t like it either.
Tang En smiled and spread his hands.
You see, I’m right in what I said. We are men who don’t like to fail. Okay, do you want to hear the plan for the Forest team? Well, it’s not something that can be made clear in two or three sentences. Why don’t you take a shower first? And then, we will talk this over slowly… I guarantee you’ll like it, because we’re both men who dislike failure. In other words, we both like to win, like to be champions, right?
