Since his chance encounter with Shania, Twain sadly discovered that he had only spent Christmas with her once. It was in 2004, the year Nottingham Forest had just returned to the English Premier League and Shania was not a famous model yet. She was still living at her aunt’s house in Newcastle, but she was not very happy there. So, she chose to spend Christmas at Twain’s place.
That year, they and Dunn, as well as George Wood and his mother had a very happy Christmas together.
At the same time, they agreed to do this every Christmas.
Unfortunately, the reality was cruel. They had not spent another Christmas together since. Shania has embarked on the path of professional modelling. As she rose to fame, she had been busy with work more and more. Christmas was a day of family reunions for the Westerners, and a prime time for models to work and make money.
Shania could not return to Nottingham to accompany Twain, and Twain could not fly to those fashion capitals to be with Shania. Because as a Premier League manager, Christmas was also the busiest time of the season for him. Two to three games a week even kept him from returning home. He could only stay in a hotel.
Even after the two of them got married, the situation did not improve at all.
Although Shania had acted in two films, she was still a model. Over the Christmas period, she needed to rush around for the runways shows and attend various commercial events in Milan, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo… and all over the world, but just not in the tiny Nottingham.
Twain was probably the most pitiable manager in the Premier League when it came to this matter.
The other managers who had not spent Christmas with their families must be because they were too busy, and their wives were still waiting at home. At least their homes would not be dark and cold. Whereas if Twain did not go home, the house would not even be lighted up because the husband and wife were very busy…
For the Christmas in 2010, it looked like it would still be the case. Twain and Dunn, as well as George and Sophia spent this Western equivalent of the “Spring Festival.” Under the Christmas tree with the gifts prepared for everyone by the club, George Wood extended an invitation to Twain and Dunn to spend the holidays together.
“Okay, no problem, George.” Twain nodded and agreed. He did not think to turn it down. “Dunn and I will be there.”
Dunn hesitated for a moment and did not nod.
Twain felt it was a little strange and asked, “What’s the matter, Dunn?”
Dunn hesitated for a while before he spoke up, “Can… Can I bring another person along?”
Both Wood and Twain were surprised, except that there was a difference to the extent of the two men’s display of surprise. Wood just raised his eyebrows while Twain just stopped short of shouting it out.
“Well, never mind if it’s not okay…”
Wood shook his head and replied, “No problem, yes. My mother likes things to be lively.”
He did not ask who Dunn wanted to bring. He was not the kind of person who liked to pry into the other people’s privacy. He would not ask if the other party did not say.
After he settled the matter, Wood took his gift and left. Twain was not like Wood. He was actually very gossipy. He curiously asked his partner, “You’re bringing someone? Who is it, Dunn?”
“You’ll know when the time comes…” Dunn also unexpectedly did not answer Twain’s question. He picked up his gift and turned to walk away.
Twain looked at his back and scratched his head, “Hey, you have your own little secret!”
※※※
At the end of the training, Twain drove home to change his clothes. Although he was used to living alone in the big house, he still felt it was particularly cold in winter.
He did not stay long in the cold house. He changed his suit and put on his coat. Then he returned to his car to drive to Wilford.
In addition to feeling cold, the other reason why he did not want to stay at home for long was it would also remind him of Shania, who was far away in New York. Then he would remember that his wife was not around every Christmas and she was not here for him to embrace. It was not something that made him feel good.
Parking the car at the door of Dunn’s rented apartment, Twain beeped the horn.
Instead of knocking at the door, he waited in the car.
Soon the door opened, and two people came out… Wait a minute! Two people?
Twain rolled down the car window and stared with wide eyes to make sure he did not see wrongly.
Two people had indeed walked toward him. He knew one of them which was his partner and assistant, Dunn. As for the other person… he knew her too.
“I thought I’d never see you again after that interview, Miss Tang Jing.”
The car’s rear-view mirror reflected Twain’s wonderful expression. He did not know whether to express surprise or despair.
Next to Tang Jing, Dunn’s expression was a little awkward. Tang Jing herself appeared to natural and unrestrained.
“Don’t think so poorly of our country.”
“Oh no, I did not mean that. I mean to say, you shouldn’t come to England again after you quit…”
“Why not? I’m free now and have more time to travel. It’s normal for me to come to England just like going to America. As a matter of fact, I only arrived yesterday.”
Twain tilted his head. His gaze bypassed the talkative woman and fell on Dunn behind her. Dunn’s expression was a little peculiar as if it was akin to… the feeling of being caught in bed. He was too quiet as compared with the chattering woman.
“Have you done anything wrong, Dunn?”
“Huh?” Dunn did not understand why Twain suddenly said that.
“You’re so quiet. It’s like you’re a child who have done something wrong and are waiting to be reprimanded by your parents.”
Dunn gave an awkward cough and pointed to Tang Jing to say, “She only arrived yesterday…”
“The additional person you were talking about is her?”
Dunn nodded.
“I was going to spend it alone with Dunn. But he did not quite agree.” Dunn did not seem to want to say much, so the task of explaining fell to Tang Jing’s lap. “I know it’s a bit presumptuous, but I suggested to him the hope of spending Christmas with you guys.”
Twain clapped his hands. “It looks like your relationship has already reached a very delicate point. Get in the car.” He reached his hand over to open the car door behind. It was impolite to let the other person stand outside and talk to himself.
“I’ll drive slowly so that I have time to hear you tell me the love story between you two on the way.”
“Tony…” Dunn called out before getting into the car.
“What?”
“We’re just… ordinary friends.”
Twain glanced in the rearview mirror at Tang Jing, who had already boarded the car. Next to the visibly embarrassed Dunn, the woman’s expression was very natural. She also did not make any rebuttal to Dunn’s remarks.
“Do you know what it means when a cover up only makes matters worse and to reveal what one intends to hide, Dunn?” Twain closed the open front passenger door that Dunn opened and said to him, “Sit in the back!”
So. Dunn listened and sat in the back seat, next to Tang Jing.
The Mercedes Benz jeep was very spacious. It did not look tight with Tang Jing and Dunn sitting together. Tang Jing patted the leather seat and exclaimed, “This car is awesome! Much better than the QQ car I drive in China! Your wife loves you very much, Mr. Twain.”
Dunn lightly cleared his throat. He was worried that Tang Jing’s words would make Twain think of Shania, who was far away in a foreign country, and reminisce.
Twain snorted, “You can also give a car to Dunn for a birthday present.”
“I don’t have any money.” Tang Jing brushed off Twain’s sarcasm. She twisted around to observe the interior of the car. “I am now unemployed and an international drifter, traveling the world.
“Did you come here in a container ship?”
Tang Jing chuckled and said, “I’m not a stowaway. I haven’t hear your acerbic tone for more than half a year. I suddenly missed it, Mr. Twain.”
“Thank you for your compliments.”
In fact, Twain’s mood was pretty good at first, but when he saw Dunn and Tang Jing together, his mood suddenly became gloomy.
The other people were coupled up and he appeared lonely. Even if he was married, he felt he was no different from a bachelor now.
Even though it was said that absence made the heart fonder which was better than being newlyweds, Twain was apart from Shania at least two hundred days a year, so he would rather not be better than being newlyweds.
Consequently, until they reached George’s house, Twain did not ask about “when Dunn and Tang Jing hooked up” in the car. He had no interest in knowing now.
※※※
Wood looked just as surprised as Twain when he saw Tang Jing. Then he leaned over to Twain and said, “I don’t want any reporters to come interview….”
Twain pursed his lips and said, “She’s not a reporter… She has resigned.”
“Then…” Wood was somewhat uncertain about what a woman who was not a reporter was doing here.
Twain’s lips were so pouted that an oil bottle could have hung from them. How could George be so dense? “The two of them are now… a couple.” Twain said reluctantly.
“Oh.” Wood did not raise any further objection. As long as she was not a reporter, he had no problem.
When Dunn introduced Tang Jing to Sophia, he said she was his friend, while Twain made eyes at the side.
Sophia was a smart person, and more importantly, she was a woman. She fully understood what was going on from the respective expressions of the two people, Dunn and Tang Jing. But she did not show it. She just smiled and welcomed everyone.
Twain dragged his feet at the back, frowning and did not look very happy. Sophia noticed his expression, quickly walked up to him and whispered to ask, “Did Shania call you?”
“Not yet.” Twain shook his head.
Sophia thought about it and glanced at Dunn and Tang Jing, who had already gone inside and laughed. Then she did a bold move that surprised Twain a little—she gently leaned her body over and put her hand around Twain’s arm that had his hand inserted into the coat pocket.
Twain’s body suddenly stiffened as Sophia leaned against him. He reflexively wanted to try to throw off Sophia’s hand that she immediately put up.
“Don’t move, Mr. Twain.” Sophia turned her head and whispered in Twain’s ear, which made it looked like she was a happy woman snuggled up to her lover’s shoulder.
Twain did not struggle, and his body gradually softened, leaving Sophia to lean on his shoulder and arm.
George Wood had entered the house with Dunn and Tang Jing. Only Twain and Sophia were both left in the empty yard outside.
No one spoke or made a sound. The two of them stood in the cold night wind of Nottingham and watched the streetlights come on one by one.
When the streetlights on the doorstep were also lit, Twain suddenly asked, “Are you cold?”
Sophia now nodded and then quickly shook her head to deny it.
“Let’s go in.”
Sophia let go of her hand and nodded with a smile.
Twain also smiled at her, “Thank you, Sophia.”
“You finally stopped calling me ‘Madam.’” Sophia covered her mouth and laughed.
Twain scratched his head. He used to always call her “Madam Sophia” or “Madam.” Influenced by the wonderous atmosphere this time, he actually called her name. Was it a bit presumptuous? No, it looked like Sophia liked it very much.
“What are you guys doing?” Wood suddenly appeared at the door and looked oddly at his mother and boss who had not come in from outside the door.
“Ah, I forgot something and went back to get it.” Twain took a small paper bag out of his coat pocket and said, “A Christmas present for you.”
Sophia said to her son, “I waited for Mr. Twain for a while.”
Just as Twain was about to enter the house, his cell phone rang.
“I got the timing right, Uncle Tony!” When he heard her voice, a heartfelt smile burst open on Twain’s face.
Sophia saw Twain’s expression change next to her and bowed her head. “Let’s go ahead, George.”
“Ah….ok.” Wood glanced at Twain and followed his mother into the house.
“Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas…”
The two of them spoke in unison, and then they laughed at the same time again.
As the laughter subsided, the two people fell into a somewhat awkward silence at the same time.
In the end, it was Twain who broke the awkward silence first. “When will you be back?”
“End of January.”
“Ah, then it won’t be too long…..”
“Do you miss me, Uncle Tony?”
“I do miss you… I miss you every day. Tell you what, you know Dunn? He’s got a girlfriend!”
Shania gave a cry of surprise on the phone.
“I just found out today. I miss you even more when I see them together, Shania.”
“Uncle Tony…..”
“But my mood becomes better when I hear your voice.” Twain simply sat on the steps outside Wood’s door. It looked like he still had a lot to talk about with Shania and was not in a hurry to get inside.
Twain did not feel cold, listening to Shania’s lively voice. In fact, he was very clear in his mind that for a long time in the future, he and Shania could only spend Christmas like this—far apart from each other. It could not be helped, unless one of them was willing to give up their current job. But this was not their style. They depended on each other and yet maintained an independent character. The two of them could mutually understand each other like they were one person but could not simply sacrifice themselves for each other and play a supporting role.
In their union, age was a barrier, but this mutually strong-minded character was also a barrier.
But they finally came together. So, the two of them also specially cherished their relationship, while maintaining their independence.
I’m married to you, not because I want an accessory and not for someone who is exactly the same as me. Otherwise I could have just look in the mirror every day. Ah, that would be so boring!
After chatting to Shania in the cold wind for a while, Twain finally had to hang up the phone without finishing what he wanted to say. He patted his buttocks and got up to go into the house.
When he looked at Twain and Tang Jing close together, he was able to be his “usual self.”
“Well, you ‘adulterous’ pair! You have progressed so fast under the circumstances that I don’t even know! I can see you’re quite the lover, old Dunn!” He muttered in his heart.
Since his chance encounter with Shania, Twain sadly discovered that he had only spent Christmas with her once. It was in 2004, the year Nottingham Forest had just returned to the English Premier League and Shania was not a famous model yet. She was still living at her aunt’s house in Newcastle, but she was not very happy there. So, she chose to spend Christmas at Twain’s place.
That year, they and Dunn, as well as George Wood and his mother had a very happy Christmas together.
At the same time, they agreed to do this every Christmas.
Unfortunately, the reality was cruel. They had not spent another Christmas together since. Shania has embarked on the path of professional modelling. As she rose to fame, she had been busy with work more and more. Christmas was a day of family reunions for the Westerners, and a prime time for models to work and make money.
Shania could not return to Nottingham to accompany Twain, and Twain could not fly to those fashion capitals to be with Shania. Because as a Premier League manager, Christmas was also the busiest time of the season for him. Two to three games a week even kept him from returning home. He could only stay in a hotel.
Even after the two of them got married, the situation did not improve at all.
Although Shania had acted in two films, she was still a model. Over the Christmas period, she needed to rush around for the runways shows and attend various commercial events in Milan, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo… and all over the world, but just not in the tiny Nottingham.
Twain was probably the most pitiable manager in the Premier League when it came to this matter.
The other managers who had not spent Christmas with their families must be because they were too busy, and their wives were still waiting at home. At least their homes would not be dark and cold. Whereas if Twain did not go home, the house would not even be lighted up because the husband and wife were very busy…
For the Christmas in 2010, it looked like it would still be the case. Twain and Dunn, as well as George and Sophia spent this Western equivalent of the “Spring Festival.” Under the Christmas tree with the gifts prepared for everyone by the club, George Wood extended an invitation to Twain and Dunn to spend the holidays together.
“Okay, no problem, George.” Twain nodded and agreed. He did not think to turn it down. “Dunn and I will be there.”
Dunn hesitated for a moment and did not nod.
Twain felt it was a little strange and asked, “What’s the matter, Dunn?”
Dunn hesitated for a while before he spoke up, “Can… Can I bring another person along?”
Both Wood and Twain were surprised, except that there was a difference to the extent of the two men’s display of surprise. Wood just raised his eyebrows while Twain just stopped short of shouting it out.
“Well, never mind if it’s not okay…”
Wood shook his head and replied, “No problem, yes. My mother likes things to be lively.”
He did not ask who Dunn wanted to bring. He was not the kind of person who liked to pry into the other people’s privacy. He would not ask if the other party did not say.
After he settled the matter, Wood took his gift and left. Twain was not like Wood. He was actually very gossipy. He curiously asked his partner, “You’re bringing someone? Who is it, Dunn?”
“You’ll know when the time comes…” Dunn also unexpectedly did not answer Twain’s question. He picked up his gift and turned to walk away.
Twain looked at his back and scratched his head, “Hey, you have your own little secret!”
※※※
At the end of the training, Twain drove home to change his clothes. Although he was used to living alone in the big house, he still felt it was particularly cold in winter.
He did not stay long in the cold house. He changed his suit and put on his coat. Then he returned to his car to drive to Wilford.
In addition to feeling cold, the other reason why he did not want to stay at home for long was it would also remind him of Shania, who was far away in New York. Then he would remember that his wife was not around every Christmas and she was not here for him to embrace. It was not something that made him feel good.
Parking the car at the door of Dunn’s rented apartment, Twain beeped the horn.
Instead of knocking at the door, he waited in the car.
Soon the door opened, and two people came out… Wait a minute! Two people?
Twain rolled down the car window and stared with wide eyes to make sure he did not see wrongly.
Two people had indeed walked toward him. He knew one of them which was his partner and assistant, Dunn. As for the other person… he knew her too.
“I thought I’d never see you again after that interview, Miss Tang Jing.”
The car’s rear-view mirror reflected Twain’s wonderful expression. He did not know whether to express surprise or despair.
Next to Tang Jing, Dunn’s expression was a little awkward. Tang Jing herself appeared to natural and unrestrained.
“Don’t think so poorly of our country.”
“Oh no, I did not mean that. I mean to say, you shouldn’t come to England again after you quit…”
“Why not? I’m free now and have more time to travel. It’s normal for me to come to England just like going to America. As a matter of fact, I only arrived yesterday.”
Twain tilted his head. His gaze bypassed the talkative woman and fell on Dunn behind her. Dunn’s expression was a little peculiar as if it was akin to… the feeling of being caught in bed. He was too quiet as compared with the chattering woman.
“Have you done anything wrong, Dunn?”
“Huh?” Dunn did not understand why Twain suddenly said that.
“You’re so quiet. It’s like you’re a child who have done something wrong and are waiting to be reprimanded by your parents.”
Dunn gave an awkward cough and pointed to Tang Jing to say, “She only arrived yesterday…”
“The additional person you were talking about is her?”
Dunn nodded.
“I was going to spend it alone with Dunn. But he did not quite agree.” Dunn did not seem to want to say much, so the task of explaining fell to Tang Jing’s lap. “I know it’s a bit presumptuous, but I suggested to him the hope of spending Christmas with you guys.”
Twain clapped his hands. “It looks like your relationship has already reached a very delicate point. Get in the car.” He reached his hand over to open the car door behind. It was impolite to let the other person stand outside and talk to himself.
“I’ll drive slowly so that I have time to hear you tell me the love story between you two on the way.”
“Tony…” Dunn called out before getting into the car.
“What?”
“We’re just… ordinary friends.”
Twain glanced in the rearview mirror at Tang Jing, who had already boarded the car. Next to the visibly embarrassed Dunn, the woman’s expression was very natural. She also did not make any rebuttal to Dunn’s remarks.
“Do you know what it means when a cover up only makes matters worse and to reveal what one intends to hide, Dunn?” Twain closed the open front passenger door that Dunn opened and said to him, “Sit in the back!”
So. Dunn listened and sat in the back seat, next to Tang Jing.
The Mercedes Benz jeep was very spacious. It did not look tight with Tang Jing and Dunn sitting together. Tang Jing patted the leather seat and exclaimed, “This car is awesome! Much better than the QQ car I drive in China! Your wife loves you very much, Mr. Twain.”
Dunn lightly cleared his throat. He was worried that Tang Jing’s words would make Twain think of Shania, who was far away in a foreign country, and reminisce.
Twain snorted, “You can also give a car to Dunn for a birthday present.”
“I don’t have any money.” Tang Jing brushed off Twain’s sarcasm. She twisted around to observe the interior of the car. “I am now unemployed and an international drifter, traveling the world.
“Did you come here in a container ship?”
Tang Jing chuckled and said, “I’m not a stowaway. I haven’t hear your acerbic tone for more than half a year. I suddenly missed it, Mr. Twain.”
“Thank you for your compliments.”
In fact, Twain’s mood was pretty good at first, but when he saw Dunn and Tang Jing together, his mood suddenly became gloomy.
The other people were coupled up and he appeared lonely. Even if he was married, he felt he was no different from a bachelor now.
Even though it was said that absence made the heart fonder which was better than being newlyweds, Twain was apart from Shania at least two hundred days a year, so he would rather not be better than being newlyweds.
Consequently, until they reached George’s house, Twain did not ask about “when Dunn and Tang Jing hooked up” in the car. He had no interest in knowing now.
※※※
Wood looked just as surprised as Twain when he saw Tang Jing. Then he leaned over to Twain and said, “I don’t want any reporters to come interview….”
Twain pursed his lips and said, “She’s not a reporter… She has resigned.”
“Then…” Wood was somewhat uncertain about what a woman who was not a reporter was doing here.
Twain’s lips were so pouted that an oil bottle could have hung from them. How could George be so dense? “The two of them are now… a couple.” Twain said reluctantly.
“Oh.” Wood did not raise any further objection. As long as she was not a reporter, he had no problem.
When Dunn introduced Tang Jing to Sophia, he said she was his friend, while Twain made eyes at the side.
Sophia was a smart person, and more importantly, she was a woman. She fully understood what was going on from the respective expressions of the two people, Dunn and Tang Jing. But she did not show it. She just smiled and welcomed everyone.
Twain dragged his feet at the back, frowning and did not look very happy. Sophia noticed his expression, quickly walked up to him and whispered to ask, “Did Shania call you?”
“Not yet.” Twain shook his head.
Sophia thought about it and glanced at Dunn and Tang Jing, who had already gone inside and laughed. Then she did a bold move that surprised Twain a little—she gently leaned her body over and put her hand around Twain’s arm that had his hand inserted into the coat pocket.
Twain’s body suddenly stiffened as Sophia leaned against him. He reflexively wanted to try to throw off Sophia’s hand that she immediately put up.
“Don’t move, Mr. Twain.” Sophia turned her head and whispered in Twain’s ear, which made it looked like she was a happy woman snuggled up to her lover’s shoulder.
Twain did not struggle, and his body gradually softened, leaving Sophia to lean on his shoulder and arm.
George Wood had entered the house with Dunn and Tang Jing. Only Twain and Sophia were both left in the empty yard outside.
No one spoke or made a sound. The two of them stood in the cold night wind of Nottingham and watched the streetlights come on one by one.
When the streetlights on the doorstep were also lit, Twain suddenly asked, “Are you cold?”
Sophia now nodded and then quickly shook her head to deny it.
“Let’s go in.”
Sophia let go of her hand and nodded with a smile.
Twain also smiled at her, “Thank you, Sophia.”
“You finally stopped calling me ‘Madam.’” Sophia covered her mouth and laughed.
Twain scratched his head. He used to always call her “Madam Sophia” or “Madam.” Influenced by the wonderous atmosphere this time, he actually called her name. Was it a bit presumptuous? No, it looked like Sophia liked it very much.
“What are you guys doing?” Wood suddenly appeared at the door and looked oddly at his mother and boss who had not come in from outside the door.
“Ah, I forgot something and went back to get it.” Twain took a small paper bag out of his coat pocket and said, “A Christmas present for you.”
Sophia said to her son, “I waited for Mr. Twain for a while.”
Just as Twain was about to enter the house, his cell phone rang.
“I got the timing right, Uncle Tony!” When he heard her voice, a heartfelt smile burst open on Twain’s face.
Sophia saw Twain’s expression change next to her and bowed her head. “Let’s go ahead, George.”
“Ah….ok.” Wood glanced at Twain and followed his mother into the house.
“Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas…”
The two of them spoke in unison, and then they laughed at the same time again.
As the laughter subsided, the two people fell into a somewhat awkward silence at the same time.
In the end, it was Twain who broke the awkward silence first. “When will you be back?”
“End of January.”
“Ah, then it won’t be too long…..”
“Do you miss me, Uncle Tony?”
“I do miss you… I miss you every day. Tell you what, you know Dunn? He’s got a girlfriend!”
Shania gave a cry of surprise on the phone.
“I just found out today. I miss you even more when I see them together, Shania.”
“Uncle Tony…..”
“But my mood becomes better when I hear your voice.” Twain simply sat on the steps outside Wood’s door. It looked like he still had a lot to talk about with Shania and was not in a hurry to get inside.
Twain did not feel cold, listening to Shania’s lively voice. In fact, he was very clear in his mind that for a long time in the future, he and Shania could only spend Christmas like this—far apart from each other. It could not be helped, unless one of them was willing to give up their current job. But this was not their style. They depended on each other and yet maintained an independent character. The two of them could mutually understand each other like they were one person but could not simply sacrifice themselves for each other and play a supporting role.
In their union, age was a barrier, but this mutually strong-minded character was also a barrier.
But they finally came together. So, the two of them also specially cherished their relationship, while maintaining their independence.
I’m married to you, not because I want an accessory and not for someone who is exactly the same as me. Otherwise I could have just look in the mirror every day. Ah, that would be so boring!
After chatting to Shania in the cold wind for a while, Twain finally had to hang up the phone without finishing what he wanted to say. He patted his buttocks and got up to go into the house.
When he looked at Twain and Tang Jing close together, he was able to be his “usual self.”
“Well, you ‘adulterous’ pair! You have progressed so fast under the circumstances that I don’t even know! I can see you’re quite the lover, old Dunn!” He muttered in his heart.
