December 25th. From early morning, Sheffield was extremely bustling, with organized large-scale celebrations unfolding in the city center.
People beat drums and danced joyfully, celebrating their holiday.
After an early training session with the players selected for the next day's match, Maël headed to the street where his aunt and uncle were staying.
Along the way, he didn't know how many men and women, young and old, he saw dressed as Santa Claus, the entire city drawn into a festive atmosphere.
He couldn't help but feel a little envious, recalling the scenes of celebrating the Spring Festival in his previous life, after all, his soul came from there.
Shaking his head, he chose to accept the life before him, accepting his family and everything in this world. Since he was here, he would settle down and not dwell on things mentally.
"Maël."
As he got out of the car, the driver called out to him, encouraging him, "I saw you were thinking about something the whole way and didn't dare to disturb you. Good luck tomorrow."
"Good luck." Maël clenched his fist at him, accepted his request for a photo, and finally gave him an autograph.
His aunt, uncle, and their family were already waiting for him at the hotel entrance. They looked the same as he remembered, but with more excitement on their faces and a bit more distance in their emotions.
"Brother."
Unafraid, Ava didn't care about formalities and broke the ice for them, running up to hug Maël's legs. "I missed you so much! Mom and Dad wouldn't let me see you."
Maël's face was full of smiles as he lifted Ava up. "Aren't we seeing each other now?"
After he put Ava down, his aunt and uncle came up, standing beside him with silly smiles, unsure of what to say. The huge change in their nephew's status seemed to make them unsure of how to interact.
"You've gotten stronger."
Clermont walked up and carefully pinched Maël's arm, asking, "You have a game tomorrow, so you must have training or meetings today, right?"
"Yeah, I'm busy all afternoon and evening."
Maël nodded. He didn't have time to take everyone around Sheffield City today; he had to go back after lunch.
"Brother."
The eldest daughter of the family, Maqi, walked over. Like the meaning of her name, 'Pearl', the sixteen-year-old had grown into a slender and graceful young woman with delicate features, but her demeanor hadn't quite caught up.
This was probably related to her childhood environment. Maël knew very well how his family had struggled when he was young.
The second son, Bruno, also came over. He didn't call out "Brother," but nodded at Maël with a dry smile, seeming a little awkward.
"Aunt."
Maël took the initiative to greet Betty. Although his aunt didn't support him playing football before, he knew how much this woman had sacrificed during the original owner's upbringing.
He had inherited this body, so he would naturally inherit everything.
"You've grown up."
Betty pursed her lips, wondering if this was the way she had imagined their meeting. She couldn't help but walk up and touch the back of Maël's head. "You seem a bit taller again. It must be hard being alone in England, right?"
"It's not hard."
Maël subconsciously retorted, a bit of genuine emotion flowing out. It seemed like the first time someone had spoken to him like this.
His aunt blinked a few times. She was a practical person and always felt that everything depended on hard work, so she could imagine to some extent how much her nephew had put in to get to this point.
Her eyes suddenly felt a little sore, and she looked away to hide it, forcing a smile. "Come home when the season ends."
Maël hummed in agreement, then waved his hand grandly, "I'll take you to eat something delicious, let's go."
He chose the restaurant where he had met with Mendes. Since his family had come all this way, he naturally wanted to take them to the best place.
If they liked it, even if they came here every day and spent thousands of pounds a day, he wouldn't feel bad.
Who else could he spend this money on besides himself?
Giving gave him a strong sense of feedback, allowing him to live authentically and no longer feel empty inside.
At times like this, he could also feel the importance of making money to him, giving him even stronger motivation.
As they walked into the restaurant, Maël walked in front. He could feel the footsteps of the five people behind him slowing down slightly, as if they were hesitant.
He led them into a private room, ordered a bottle of red wine for 700 pounds, opened it for his aunt and uncle, and let them drink.
...
"Order less."
"I don't know what to order, why are there no prices on this?"
When ordering, both uncle and aunt seemed awkward, and the other younger siblings didn't say anything, only Ava stared at the drink section of the menu.
She couldn't read the words, but the menu had pictures, and the colorful drinks dazzled her.
Taking the menu, and seeing that his uncle and aunt had only ordered three dishes that sounded very cheap, Maël began to order. He ordered seven dishes in one go before returning the menu to the waiter.
"That's too much, isn't it?"
Clermont was afraid that Maël was spending too much money. As he spoke, he poured himself a glass of red wine, took a sip, and a look of intoxication appeared deep in his eyes. "Expensive wine is indeed different."
"Let me try it." The aunt also poured a small half glass, took a small sip, and her eyes lit up immediately. "It's really good."
Maqi and Bruno also had eager expressions on their faces. They really wanted to try what a 700 pound wine tasted like.
"Today is a special day."
Clermont didn't stop them, and took the initiative to pour wine for them. "You can have a little too."
"Okay." Bruno finally smiled, he had been cold all the way.
Ava thought she could have some too, and stood aside watching expectantly, but didn't get her own cup.
She reached out to grab it herself, which made the family laugh.
"Hahaha"
The atmosphere finally became cheerful, and it finally felt like Christmas.
Maël looked at them, and even he didn't notice that he had a smile on his face the whole time.
Although the uncle and aunt said that too many dishes were ordered, they didn't hold back at all when eating. They didn't say much, just focused on eating, occasionally having a glass of red wine.
Maël ate very little, just kept playing with Ava. This kind of experience was missing since he came to this world.
"Someone will pick you up tomorrow."
After the meal, it was time to say goodbye. Maël saw the reluctance on their faces. "Don't go to the stadium by yourselves, you will take the elevator directly from the underground garage to the box."
"Okay."
Clermont smiled awkwardly. Whenever he mentioned this, he felt like he was really sick back then. "What kind of box?"
"It's a secret."
When Maël told them yesterday, he concealed the part where they would watch the game in the team owner's private box. He imitated Clermont, "It's also a surprise."
The family laughed again. Maël waved goodbye to them, he wouldn't send them back to the hotel.
Prepare well, tomorrow, strive to take this game with the best level! December 26th, the day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.
Football in England is a working-class sport. This sport was initially the only way for workers to entertain themselves during their leisure time during the Second Industrial Revolution.
Just imagine, after a family reunion on Christmas, during a wonderful holiday, gathering workmates for a fierce football match on the grass, accompanied by sweet wine and cigarettes, how intoxicating it is.
The tradition of Boxing Day matches has been passed down and has become the most important match of the first half of the season for all English fans.
Sheffield United is lucky this season, they will play this game at their home stadium, Bramall Lane, which has also increased the enthusiasm of the fans.
Look at the Hull City fans who came from Yorkshire, even if they are equally enthusiastic and their shouts resound through several blocks, it always feels like they are holding their breath.
Three o'clock in the afternoon, half an hour before the start of the game.
The area next to Bramall Lane Stadium was already crowded with people, and the sound of whistles and songs surrounded it.
"You are a light in the dark
That there's only the road down the dark!!"
Due to the cold weather, a rather comical scene appeared.
Many Sheffield United fans wore jerseys one size larger over their jackets and cotton-padded coats, looking extremely bloated.
But this also represents their hearts, even if they become balls, they will support the team!
"Charge! Let Hull City taste our power!!"
"Sheffield! Sheffield!!"
"Let's end the first half with a victory!"
Sheffield United fans on the streets raised their hands, shouting pre-match declarations, expressing their eagerness.
Soon, over four thousand organized die-hard away fans arrived, a dark mass filling an entire street. They waved their hands every few steps, chanting in unison, "Hull City!! Hull City!!"
Seeing this, the home team fans naturally refused to be outdone. Die-hard fans with team flags organized the crowd, waving flags and shouting, "You'll go home crying! You won't take even a single point from here!"
Before the game even started, the confrontation had already begun off the field.
The two sets of fans seemed to have returned to an ancient battlefield, performing their final war dances before the charge, ready to kill each other at any moment.
"Clop. Clop!" Four or five mounted police officers rode tall horses, patrolling back and forth between the two groups of fans, fearing a conflict would erupt.
Traffic police also immediately sealed off the surrounding area, putting up tape and no-entry signs to prevent greater chaos.
More than ten minutes later, faint snowflakes began to fall, and a light snow began to descend from the sky, adding to the atmosphere of the day. The fans' cheers became even more enthusiastic, making it a memorable moment.
At this moment, a seven-seater van drove from afar. After the driver communicated with the traffic police, he was allowed to pass and drove straight into the stadium.
In the car, Clermont, still reeling from the police's 'special treatment', was drawn in by the scene before him.
"So many people."
Maqi looked at the surging crowd outside the window, her mouth slightly open. "This is so shocking, completely different from what it feels like on TV."
"I can't contain myself."
Clermont rubbed his hands, looking around curiously. "I really hope my nephew can score a goal today. I haven't heard what these people sound like cheering live yet."
The car drove into the stadium parking lot. After parking, the driver quickly got out to open the car door for the five of them, leading them towards the elevator entrance.
As they ascended to the top floor of the stadium, a different scene appeared before them. It was very spacious here, unlike the crowded fan area.
There were empty sofas everywhere, and rocking chairs placed in the corners. Waiters carried champagne and red wine back and forth, and chefs pushed exquisite food carts, promoting food to everyone.
"Is it here?"
Clermont's mood became excited. The environment here was very good, making him feel comfortable.
"No."
The driver shook his head, gesturing for them to continue forward, leading them to the end of the corridor, pushing open a door, and walking down another flight of stairs.
This place was located on the left side of the stadium, decorated in a natural wood style, leaning towards business and understated, giving a sense of old money.
Looking closely, the craftsmanship of the sofas, built-in wine cabinets, and other furniture was exceptionally exquisite, obviously worth a lot of money, using the best materials.
This was a completely private, secluded box, separated from the stadium by a glass sliding door. Standing next to it, you could see an almost panoramic view of the field.
"Here?"
Clermont's worldview was once again shocked. He realized how much their family was valued by the club after his nephew's value increased.
"It's decorated better than our house."
Maqi said something unnecessary, captivated by the place. "Living here would be nice too."
"Hahaha."
A deep laugh rang out. Only then did they realize that an old man was standing in front of the refrigerator in the corner. "Hello, I'm McCabe, I do some real estate business."
He walked over slowly, his steps steady. "Sheffield United is my team. Besides that, I also invested in a team in China."
"On behalf of the club, I welcome you. Please sit down. Just tell my driver what you need. Food and drinks, everything is available here, guaranteeing you the best viewing experience."
McCabe picked up a glass of red wine, raised his glass to signal to everyone, a bit like Little Li Zi in 'The Great Gatsby'.
Well... in the eyes of Clermont's family, he, wearing a gorgeous suit and speaking elegantly, did have the temperament of a movie star, and a powerful villain at that.
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