731 What Is Chinese Football? (1/2)
What was the difference between China in the summer of 2010 and the summer of 2007 in Twain's memory? In his view, there was no difference. The impact of the economic crisis in China was not as great or obvious as the European, American, and Japanese world. From the looks of it, the country was full of vitality and contained countless opportunities. Despite the global economic crisis the past two years, the country had maintained an 8 percent economic growth rate.
Although he was a British citizen, Twain did not forget that he was in fact white on the outside and yellow on the inside—a salted egg yolk custard steamed bun. Therefore, no matter how many times he went to China, he would always have a warm feeling in his heart.
Despite claiming to be of one-eighth Chinese origin, Shania clearly had fewer feelings for the country than an Englishman like Twain. For her, China was a tourist country with many fun spots and delicious food. Of course, it was a place to make money, too. A Chinese company had already approached her to be a brand ambassador because her profile said she had one-eighth Chinese ancestry. Putting in that inconsequential detail did not rule out the possibility that Fasal wanted to use it to pull in Shania's relationship with the Chinese market. Even more so, being an internationally famous model and a slightly famous actress in Hollywood excited fans in China.
As a result, when Twain and Shania married in Brazil, the Chinese media smugly stated that Tony Twain and family had an inexplicable relationship with China. Twain's good friend and assistant, Dunn, was a Chinese man. Twain himself claimed to be extremely fond of the Chinese culture and proficient in Mandarin, and he appeared to know China better than a native. There was a Chinese player in Nottingham Forest. It was said that Twain had acknowledged Dunn's parents as his godfather and godmother.
That summer, Twain, who was closely linked with China, was on holiday in China. When he and Shania, as well as Dunn, appeared at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, he was startled by a group of interviewers outside the terminal.
About 20 reporters from various media outlets gathered outside the pick-up point. It was a marked difference between the ordinary people around them who came to pick up their relatives and friends. Before the three arrived, they attracted a lot of people's attention. Everyone was guessing which star was coming to Chengdu.
The media also caught the attention of airport security. A team of security guards, responsible for maintaining the order quickly appeared around them. They did not know who was coming, but they knew that it had to be a star. They had seen a lot of such instances as airport employees.
Twain led Shania by the hand while Dunn pushed the luggage cart. At the pick-up point, the members of the media pressed the camera shutters in their hands as if they had received the signal. For a time, the flashes went off endlessly. The waiting area was bright white.
”I thought we were secretive enough...” Twain glanced at Dunn next to him because he immediately spied Tang Jing in the crowd when the flashlights momentarily stopped.
”You two are public figures, so how can it be kept a secret?” Dunn asked.
He did not deny that he had told Tang Jing the news, but he did not admit it either. He just obliquely expressed that the combination of Twain and Shania was like a firefly in the night sky, eye-grabbing and striking. No matter where they hid, they would be found.
Shania did not bicker with them. She displayed the true qualities of a star. She immediately put on her best pose with the most appropriate smile and waved to the reporters.
Consequently, Twain could only plaster a smile on his face and wave to greet the people. ”Hello everyone,” he said in fluent Mandarin.
Dunn obviously did not have to pretend. He pushed the cart behind the two big stars and turned a blind eye to the Chinese reporters.
Tang Jing moved closer and reached out to Twain across the temporary human wall of airport security guards, wanting to shake hands. ”Mr. Twain, Mr. Twain! How long are you going to stay in China? Can you accept an exclusive interview with me before you leave? You and your wife, Miss Jordana...”
Twain turned to look at Dunn, who pretended not to see anything, and glanced at Shania, who smiled at him. He extended his hand to Tang Jing and shook it, saying, ”I'd love to. You make the appointment, Miss Tang Jing.”
”Let's make it tonight,” Tang Jing replied. ”Are you going back to Dunn's hometown?”
Twain nodded. ”You know Dunn's contact details, so you must know where we are staying. Give Dunn a call early before you come.” He used words to mock the current relationship between Dunn and Tang Jing.
Dunn did not say a word, and Tang Jing did not mind. Having settled the interview with Twain and Shania, she looked excited. ”I have a car. Would you like to take my car?”
Twain shook his head and refused. ”Thank you for your kindness, but we also have a car.”
Twain and his companions walked outside. The reporters followed behind with incessant questions, hoping to get answers from them. In fact, these reporters were not there for Twain. Some of the media wanted to interview Shania, and some of the media was more interested in Dunn. They walked out of the airport surrounded in that manner.
”All right, all right, my friends.” Twain thought it was too much trouble to bring along a large group of people. He stopped and turned around to speak loudly to the reporters. ”I'm here in China for a holiday, and I hope I can enjoy a quiet one. Thank you for coming to welcome me. Please go back now!”
Having said that, the three walked straight to the outside car lane to queue up for a taxi.
Tang Jing asked in surprise, ”That is your car?”
Twain turned to her and smiled. ”A taxi is a car, too, Miss Tang Jing.”
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In the car, Twain complained in English about everything that happened at the airport. ”A quiet holiday is an extravagant hope for me.”
Shania sat next to him and held his hand. She smiled and said, ”I'm used to it. I never thought I could go visit somewhere in peace and quiet.”
Dunn sat in the front passenger seat in silence.
Twain saw him and remembered the matter he was concerned about. ”I say, mate, at what stage has your relationship with Tang Jing developed to?”
”Huh?” Dunn did not clearly hear him.
”Are you and Tang Jing dating?” Twain changed his tactic.
”How... How could that be?” Dunn flatly denied it.
”Look, I'm bringing Shania back to see your parents,” Twain said. ”If they ask about your plans for marriage, what are you going to say?”
”I'm still young,” Dunn said.
”Is 29 years old still young?” Twain asked.
In fact, Dunn's actual age was 41, which was Twain's current age. Dunn did not speak because he did not know how to answer the question.
”You know... Regardless, they'd rather see you settle down and get married so that they can still carry your kids around,” Twain muttered, a little lost in his thoughts.
He was not the biological son of his parents. There was always a difference between close and distant relatives, which was human nature. Although he felt a little uncomfortable, he could only accept the reality. He got the fame, fortune, and love he had yearned for, so he had to pay it back in return. Hence, he lost his biological parents.
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In the evening, Tang Jing suggested that she would play host and invited the three vacationers to dinner. Twain thought her excuse was interesting. She was not Sichuanese, so how would that make her the ”host?” They still gladly made the appointment. Didn't they have to give face to Dunn?
After dinner, they returned to the hotel. In the room, Twain and Shania accepted an interview with Tang Jing together. In fact, it was mainly an interview with Twain. After all, Tang Jing was a sports journalist and not a freelance writer for a fashion magazine.
Tang Jing was concerned about Nottingham Forest's prospects for the upcoming season and wanted to hear about Twain's plans. He selectively revealed some details. Following which, they looked back at the last season. He was generally satisfied with the team's performance. To be able to successfully squeeze Chelsea out and advance to next season's UEFA Champions League were in line with his expectations.
The next step was to talk about his married life with Shania, which was very loving and happy. On the football field, Twain's goal was to pursue victory and championship titles. In the couple's life, it was to have a child.
Tang Jing took a look at Twain's physical condition and asked him to talk about his experiences after more than five months of resting at home due to his heart disease. He did not think there was much to talk about. An illness was not a good thing, let alone a heart attack. He directly stated his attitude to the question. He was not going to answer it.
The atmosphere was considered harmonious enough that Tang Jing momentarily forgot that she was interviewing Tony Twain, who was said to be the most difficult interviewee by reporters. On the issue of Twain's health, she finally experienced the man's unreasonable side.
She could only move on to the last part. As the manager of Nottingham Forest, the most successful young manager in Europe in recent years and a public figure who understood the Chinese football world well, what were Tony Twain's views on Chinese football?