Translator:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Maybe Tang En was the only one in the entire world who believed in Dunn’s ability. But if he could not make anyone else believe, even if Dunn was outstanding, it would be pointless. He had invited Dunn on an impulse, and should not let Dunn leave just because he could not get the trust of others. He had to be responsible for his actions.
Furthermore, Tang En also knew that to make others believe in Dunn’s ability, the best way was to prove it with actual results. But would others give Dunn this opportunity and time? Tang En did not know.
First of all, he would have to clear this with Evan.
Twain could certainly use his authority to forcibly put Dunn in the assistant manager position. But as a result, his reputation in the team would be affected and it would cause an irreparable rift between him and Evan. This was not what Tang En wanted.
Now, besides attending the coach training courses of the English Football Association, Dunn rarely appeared outside. He seemed to be trying hard to make up for the year-and-a-half of lost time. But seeing Dunn like this gave Tang En a bigger headache instead. Dunn was not good at communicating with people. He could converse more with him, perhaps because they shared the same fate.
In reality he was quite lazy as a person and disliked trouble. So why was he always taking the initiative to attract such trouble?
When he returned home every day, Tang En would chatter nonstop, even if Dunn only spoke ten words that night. He would continue talking and chat about the things he had encountered when he first got here and about every little thing that had happened over the last year and a half. If there had been nothing to say, he would have just said some nonsense.
He only hoped that the reticent Dunn would get livelier. He did not expect him to jabber on in a torrent, but he also did not want him to be so uncommunicative and to have nothing to talk about but football.
Every time Tang En tried to get him to go have a drink at Kenny Burns’ bar, he always shook his head and refused. If he asked him the reason, he would not explain except to say he had vowed not to drink. Tang En tried many ways, but he just refused to go. Tang En finally had met a man who was more stubborn than he was.
Evan would be back tomorrow. He had specially called him and wanted him to bring the assistant manager along to meet him. It seemed he was also concerned about the team’s assistant manager.
What would happen tomorrow?
Looking at Dunn, who was still poring over the video of a football game, Tang En scratched his head.
Dunn… Well, tomorrow, Evan—that’s the young Mr. Chairman of the club, I spoke to you about him before—He wants to… he wants to meet you.
Dunn knew what was going on when he saw Tang En’s sighs.
Are you worried that my identity won’t be accepted?
Tang En nodded.
It really is ironic. A Chinese guy who doesn’t understand anything is immediately accepted, just because of his body. But the real football coach can’t get the opportunity to prove himself because he’s in another skin. Hey, Dunn, do you ever hate me? You know, because everything I have now was supposed to be yours?
Tang En had had this worry when he found Dunn. A position that originally belonged to him was snatched away by a stranger who did pretty well, but in turn, he… Tang En did not know what to say.
But wouldn’t a normal person think like that?
Loathing, jealousy, resentment, hate… One would want to take back the things that belonged to them. Was this not how a normal person would feel?
That’s mine! Glory! Money! Beautiful women! Status! They are all mine! You just robbed me of my body and now you are enjoying everything that is supposed to be mine! You son of a bch! Give me back my stuff!
Wouldn’t anyone think that that behavior was consistent with common sense, and the logical thing to do?
Tang En thought so too. If he had returned to China to find Dunn surrounded by countless beautiful women, sitting in helicopters with the Air Force escorting him to Chunxi Road for a stroll, being worshipped by people around him, with no need to have money, and he could just directly take anything he wanted to buy… In that case, he would be jealous even if he was successful in Britain.
Dunn looked at Tang En and then turned his gaze back to the television screen.
If I suddenly jump up, throw you down on the floor and use all my strength to strangle you, hoping to kill you, do you think that would fix anything?
He said abruptly, with his back facing Tang En.
Tang En felt slightly chilled by his words. If Dunn really were to do that, he would not be surprised. A taciturn person always gives off a dark feeling, doesn’t he? At the sudden thought of this question, he realized that he and this person had lived under the same roof for more than a week. It was really daring of him to do so. He could not help but rub his neck.
If I say I’m very glad to see what you’ve accomplished, then I must be lying to you.
Dunn continued,
If I say congratulations, Manager Twain, then I must be confusing you to let you lower your guard against me. And one day, if your performance is bad enough to be criticized by the media, the person who speaks ill of you behind your back and wants to replace you would be me. So, now, are you starting to regret letting me come to Nottingham?
When he heard Dunn’s words, Tang En was stumped for a moment, and then he burst into laughter.
Dunn was somewhat astonished at Tang En’s reaction. He frowned back and said,
What are you laughing at?
Nothing. It feels nice to hear you talk so much in one breath. If you didn’t talk like this, I would really have thought that you had a speaking disability.
Tang En smiled and shrugged.
Do you know? When I found out that I was you, I was angry for a long time… Yes, but I’ve looked this face all day long, and I’m used to it after a year and a half. I don’t know how you have adapted to this situation, but I think I’ve adapted pretty quickly. Maybe I’m a heartless person.
He looked at Dunn, and Dunn looked back at him. Neither of them spoke.
After a while, Dunn turned back to continue watching the video of the games, and said vaguely,
I think this is how we were originally supposed to be.
Were we born in the wrong place?
Tang En shook his head and said to Dunn,
Tomorrow, I will try my best to fight for you with Evan.
Dunn interrupted him.
I know what you’re fretting about. You can make David Kerslake the assistant manager for the First Team. He’s a very responsible coach.
What about the youth team?
Tang En stopped speaking and saw that Dunn was silent. Wasn’t the real Tony Twain transferred from being the head of the youth team to the First Team? Very well, he and Kerslake had also worked together in the youth team for half a season and worked well together.
That’s a good idea. If it’s acceptable to you, I’ve got no problem with it either. It’s still gonna be difficult to persuade Evan to agree, but it’ll be easier than convincing him to agree to you being an assistant manager.
