290 Wood and Eastwood Part 2 (1/2)

Not long after Eastwood showcased his hat-trick, it became obvious that he had become a front-line shooter who Forest could not part with. On the other hand, George Wood had also just signed a new contract with the team and was being promoted as the next successor to the captaincy. Both players formed the future core of Forest. Tang En did not wish for the key players under him to have too many differences.

While the situation at hand could be considered a mid-tier crisis, it was also an opportune moment for him to deal with the relationship between the two. It had been something of a headache for him.

On the final day of training before the matches began, Tang En gave out simple instructions for next day's match. After he did so, Kerslake, who was next to him, announced the end of the training session. Tang En added, ”Rest well for the night, everyone. Relax a little. I don't want to see anyone's calves still shaking on the field tomorrow.”

A burst of laughter came from the team and the group scattered.

”George, Freddy. You two stay behind.” Tang En pointed to Wood and Eastwood, who were both preparing to walk out.

While the two in question seemed somewhat surprised by Tang En's request, the rest of the players were not.

Even David Kerslake left the area. When the training grounds were only left with Tang En, Wood, and Eastwood, Tang En swept his gaze across their faces. Eastwood appeared massively ill at ease. The usual smile on his face was gone, and in its place was an uncertain expression. Meanwhile, George Wood stayed silent, his face expressionless.

While Eastwood had a good reason for his dislike of Wood, Wood probably had realized the disparity in Eastwood's attitude towards him and their other teammates. He assumed it was because Eastwood looked down on him. Since Eastwood did not like him, Wood had no reason to shamelessly insist that he had to. Those were likely Wood's thoughts about the matter.

Tang En deliberated for a moment and then asked, ”Do you know why I asked the two of you to stay behind?”

Neither answered. Regardless of who it was to answer, responding either ”I know” or ”I don't know” would be an embarrassment.

Knowing what the two were likely thinking, Tang En broke into a brief smile. No matter how, these two were still just boys.

”Have either of you recently read the newspaper or gone online?”

Both shook their heads.

”Hm. Well, it makes no difference if you have or haven't. Either way, the two of you definitely know more about this matter than reporters who only know how to make up stories. I'm also sure the both of you already know why I've asked you to stay behind. So let's not all stand here posing; there aren't any paparazzi around us. I know, Freddy. You've always harbored a grudge because of the injury Wood caused you. I'm not the kind of person who would ask someone else to simply forgive and forget. But I know you're a reasonable person, right?”

Eastwood bowed his head and made no response. He did not know how to reply to such a question.

Tang En then turned to Wood. ”George, I believe you've long been aware of the matter between you and Freddy. After you knew about it, did you apologize to him?”