Godfather Of Champions

“Tony Twain?”

Twain seemed to hear someone calling him. He turned his head and saw a somewhat familiar face.

Standing in front of him was a woman. She turned out to be the person who had gone to Wilford to interview him because the Forest team had wanted to buy the Chinese player, Sun Jihai. Having been chided by him once and met several times in various interviews since then, she was the reporter, Tang Jing.

“It’s really Tony Twain.” After she verified the identity of the man in front of her, Tang Jing laughed. “Why am I seeing the Nottingham Forest manager from England at the Beijing Capital International Airport?”

Twain shrugged, “It’s just a holiday. Why would I see you here?”

“This is Beijing, the capital of China, and I’m Chinese. It would be normal for me to appear here, wouldn’t it?” Tang Jing was not to be outdone.

Since their initial meeting—or to be exact, their second time meeting—the two of them had found each other disagreeable. The two had met a few times later in some interviews where Tang Jing had also asked him a few questions, so she was not considered a stranger. However, since that meeting where Twain had started to dislike this ignorant groupie, he had always been uninterested in her even though she could be considered a beautiful woman.

Twain glimpsed at a Bank of China ATM not far away and said, “If Tang suddenly appeared in the Bank of China underground vault, would be that be considered normal too?”

“You really know China well.”

“Wasn’t that already determined in your interview?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll write down the nasty way you spoke to a reporter in the airport and expose it in the newspaper?”

Twain chortled. “Why should I be afraid? My manager position is not dependent on the preferences of your Chinese media and Chinese readers. Even if you make me out to be Satan in your paper, even if your readers hate me, what does it have to do with me? Miss Tang, don’t you even know how to make a threat?”

His remark confounded Tang Jing’s retort, leaving her at a loss for words.

Dunn had stood at the side wordlessly as he watched Twain and Tang Jing pitted against each other.

When Twain saw that the other party had nothing to say, he turned and walked with Dunn towards the gate. The airport announcement was already reminding the passengers on the flight to be ready to board the plane.

Tang Jing gritted her teeth as she glared at Twain’s back. As the daughter of the company president, she had always been excellent in her studies and had smoothly advanced through her education and employment. No one had ever dared not to give her face. But in front of this man, she had repeatedly lost arguments, which was humiliating for her.

She did not believe that she could not equalize the score.

※※※

“Hey, Tony.”

“Yes?”

“Weren’t you being mean to that reporter?”

“Why? Are you feeling sorry for her?”

“Ahem.”

“Ha! I don’t know why myself. Every time I saw her, I just wanted to say something to provoke and infuriate her….Maybe I don’t like her haughtiness. I dislike pompous people.”

The pair chatted in English while standing in line to board. After they got on the plane, they put their personal belongings in the overhead compartment and continued chatting as they sat down. This time their conversation shifted to the World Cup in Germany, mainly about what they could reap in Germany this summer.

This was a row of three seats with Twain sitting in the middle and Dunn in the window seat. The aisle seat was empty. They did not pay attention to it.

As the pair were engrossed in their discussion about the summer transfers, a person came straight from the cabin and walked towards their seats.

Twain was listening to Dunn, but his eyes fell upon this person. And as she advanced, he gradually shifted all his attention to this uninvited guest.

“Dammit.” He swore under his breath.

Tang Jing was a little surprised to see the man next to her seat. However, when she saw the surprise and annoyance on Twain’s face, she suddenly laughed and smiled brightly. She made no secret of her glee and slowly walked towards Twain with a smile.

“I didn’t think we’d see each other again so soon, Mr. Twain.” Tang Jing put her bag on the overhead compartment and then gracefully sat down to greet him.

“Ah yes, I didn’t expect it either.” Twain was a little dejected. He did not like being with this woman. He had not expected such a coincidence as being on the same flight as this woman, let alone being seated together with her.

“This is quite nice. I won’t be lonely for my journey.”

“This is terrible. My journey is going to be a torment.” Twain mumbled.

“What did you say, Mr. Twain?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?”

“Just speak Mandarin! I can understand.” Twain was displeased when he heard Tang Jing use an English word. You’re Chinese. Why are you peppering your speech with English?

Looking at Twain forgetting his manners, Tang Jing smiled even more happily.

Next to him, Dunn looked at Twain with some pity and was still silent.

Tang Jing noticed him. When she had come over just now, Twain was talking to this man. They were together before boarding, and it was apparent that he was a travel companion.

“Who’s this?”

“My assistant.” Twain tersely introduced Dunn. But he immediately caught himself. Why should I introduce him to her?

“Hello, I’m Tang Jing, a special correspondent for Titan Sports in London.” Tang Jing took the initiative to shoot her hand towards Dunn.

“Hello, I’m Dunn.” Compared with Tang Jing’s self-introduction, Dunn’s version was unpolished. The two just shook hands with Twain in the middle. Twain rolled his eyes and ignored them.

“You’re Manager Twain’s assistant? You’re from China?” Tang Jing was clearly interested in Dunn’s identity. As far as she knew, no Chinese coach had ever held any position on a team in any of the five major leagues in Europe. If Dunn was truly Twain’s assistant coach, it could be sensational news.

Dunn nodded. “Yes.” He did not explain, but simply answered Tang Jing’s question. He just answered Tang Jing accordingly and succinctly. He had used to “chat” to Twain like this before becoming familiar with Twain. It drove Twain up the wall. Now it was Tang Jing’s turn to experience it.

Tang Jing did not expect Dunn’s answer to be so concise. She was a little surprised that he did not take the initiative to continue their conversation.

Twain leaned against the back of the seat with a straight face. But he was laughing inside. You tried to worm your way in and ran into a wall instead, didn’t you?

Tang Jing also realized that Dunn did not seem to good at interaction with outsiders, so she turned to Twain and said, “Manager Twain….”

“What?”

“I understand why you’re here in Beijing and China. But why do you want to find a Chinese man to be your assistant?”

Here comes the interview.

“Why not? French, British, Brazilian, Argentine, German, and Spanish men can be coaches. Why can’t the Chinese? Do you discriminate based on region and despise your own countrymen?” Twain asked in return.

“Mr. Twain… Let’s put aside our personal feud, shall we?” Tang Jing took the lead to show some goodwill. She did not want to waste her chance during a long flight with Twain.

“Do we have a personal feud? I’ve barely spoken more than a hundred words to you before today. I chose Dunn because he is capable; it’s as simple as that. When it comes to a coach or a player, I never look at their nationalities. I only recognize their abilities. Do you understand?”

“But how do you know he’s capable?”

“Interaction, conversation, and observation. He and I met online, and we got along well, that’s it.” Twain found an excuse. Even though it sounded a little unbelievable, it was more plausible than saying “we swapped our bodies and souls.” Extraordinary men did extraordinary things. If Dunn could prove his ability, then “online chats” would become a nice anecdote and conversely, it would become a joke. It had nothing to do with the rationality of the matter. It was only about the outcome.

Tang Jing was really taken aback by Twain’s online chats. She stared at Twain, and at Dunn as well.

“I like Chinese culture, so I wanted to search for some Chinese netizens through the network and practice my Mandarin. Then I met him. Before I met him in person, we were already good friends. That’s the way it is.”

Twain’s reason was still rather realistic. Tang Jing evened out the surprise on her face and cleared her throat, but she did not know how to continue her inquiry.

“Do you have any more questions, Miss Tang?” Twain looked at the Tang Jing.

“Uh… Well…”

“If you don’t, I have a question for you: Why are you on this flight?”

“The World Cup in Germany. I’m a reporter. Isn’t that normal?”

“Ah…” Twain tapped his forehead and said, “I forgot you’re a reporter.”

Tang Jing heard his sarcasm while he beat about the bush. She pouted but did not fiercely fight back as Twain had expected.

Twain puzzled about that. He stole a glance at the quiet Tang Jing. Her haughtiness was gone. What was left was an ordinary woman.

Tang Jing suddenly went quiet and Twain did not wish to say anything. Dunn was more reticent. The three people fell into a spell of silence. Despite this inexplicable silence, the three of them were happy to accept reality.

The gentle voice of the flight attendant on the announcement reminded the passengers to fasten their seatbelts and switch off all communications on their cellular phones, and that the plane was about to take off.

After they fastened their seatbelts, the fuselage of plane vibrated and the silvery behemoth skated slowly into the runway.

The roar of the engine came from outside and the sweep of the wind became louder. Sitting in the seat, Twain could clearly feel a huge thrust firmly press him to the back of the chair. He knew that the plane was accelerating for take-off. When those noises suddenly became lighter, the tight feeling in his chest and shortness of breath disappeared. The plane soared and rose toward the blue sky.

“Mr. Twain.” At that moment, Tang Jing suddenly spoke up.

“What can I do for you, Miss Tang?”

“Are you going to Germany to assess the players?”

“You can put it that way. But I have another job. I was hired by the BBC 5 Station to be their special guest pundit for their World Cup broadcast.” Twain threw a piece of gum into his mouth and the ringing in his ears was finally relieved.

“I see. Don’t you think we were destined to meet here?”

Twain turned his head to look at her.

“Can I be so bold as to venture a request?”

“Please, speak your mind.”

“There are few foreign coaches who can speak fluent Mandarin and know so much about the situation in China. You are a successful coach from a country that is fully developed in football. Can I ask you to be the football critic to write articles for our newspaper during the World Cup? The fees can be discussed.”

Twain had not expected Tang Jing to make such a request after such a long silence. His eyes widened.

“I know this request is a little abrupt, but I think introducing some advanced materials for our readers is a very good idea.”

Watching this woman put her conceit aside and adopt a humbled stance, Twain really found it hard to refuse. Besides, why would he reject it? He could simply write a few hundred words to express his thoughts and feelings after the games and be paid for it, plus he would also open up his influence in China. So, why not?

Of course, he might think so in his heart, but he still had to put on an act.

“Oh… I have to be the BBC’s guest pundit during the World Cup and I still have to write my review for the Nottingham Evening Post…” When he saw Tang Jing’s worried expression, Twain was tickled inside and decided not to tease anymore. The way the woman became quiet just now made an impression in Twain’s heart. “But it’s no problem writing one more article.”

“Do you agree? That’s great!”

“Are you this happy about that?” Twain was puzzled.

“That doesn’t matter….Let’s talk about the specifics in detail, shall we?”

“There’s nothing to talk about, is there? I’ll just give you a manuscript every match day. How is the fee calculated?”

Tang Jing covered her mouth and laughed when she saw that Twain was so concerned about his income.

“You led your team to advance into the Champions League final. Unfortunately, you lost to the Barcelona manager in the end. And you’re still so concerned about this tiny fee?”

“What’s the difference between that and this? Besides, even though a mosquito is small, it is still protein. Any amount of money I earn from my labor is equally important to me.”

“Sometimes I really don’t think you’re British, Mr. Twain. You’re simply Chinese to the core.” Tang Jing murmured.

Twain broke out in a cold sweat A woman’s instincts are really terrifying.

“Mr. Twain, do you mind if I ask you some things about the Champions League final?”

“Are you asking on behalf of the Chinese readers?”

“Of course.”

“In that case, you may. Your opinions don’t affect me anyway. What do you want to ask?”

“If it’s possible, can we start with that silver medal?

“Isn’t that subject being hyped up by the media?”

“That’s the Western media. What we know was through them. It’s inevitable that we would lose some information during the correspondence.”

“You’re very dedicated to your work.”

During the long journey from Beijing to Munich, the two people slowly chatted. Dunn sat by the window and turned his head to look out at the sky outside. He pulled his eye mask down against the glare of the sun and leaned against the back of his seat to go to sleep.

※※※

After ten hours of flight time, the Lufthansa flight landed at the Munich Airport. The atmosphere of the World Cup was already thick. When Twain and the others got off the plane and walked out of the terminal, the atmosphere fully hit them in the face. There were various football shops selling mascots and souvenirs, large World Cup advertisements, German flags hanging high everywhere and visitors wearing various national team jerseys.

These made Twain fully feel that he had arrived in Germany and reached the venue of the World Cup.

“Modern technology is really advanced. We were still in China this morning and we’re in Munich this evening! Let’s go, Dunn!” Twain gave his back a good stretch.

“Where’s that reporter?” Dunn turned his head and did not find Tang Jing.

“Let’s go. She said goodbye the moment she got off the plane. Her colleague is here at the airport to pick her up.”

“Oh… It looked like you had a very productive conversation. Didn’t you dislike her before?”

“What I detested was that she was arrogant.” Twain thought of Tang Jing, who suddenly became quiet when the plane took off. She was quite charming when viewed from the side.

“Isn’t that what being a successful career woman is like?”

“Why does she have to pretend to be a strong career woman? Gloria is a very successful woman, but she doesn’t make me dislike her at all. Being strong is to have self-confidence. Pompous people in fact often have little confidence. They are just putting up a front. There’s a saying that’s so apt, Dunn. Do not pretend to be strong, or else you will be struck down. All right, forget about her. We have a lot of star players waiting for us to buy them! Although we’re not the champions, we’re still the Champions League runner-up. That title is still rather attractive.” Twain turned to look at Dunn and grinned, revealing his signature smile. “We’re a strong team now, Dunn.”