Chapter 107: Welcome Back Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Freddy Eastwood's matter was settled very easily. As he was currently playing for an amateur team, he was valued at a very cheap amount. Nottingham Forest only needed to pay £100,000 to take him away from Grays Athletic. Actually, it was possible to not pay a single cent. However, as Tang En felt bad for Eastwood, he still gave the money. After all, it was because Grays Athletic had been willing to take in a striker who had broken his leg, let him participate in matches to keep him in shape, that Tang En was able to see such an energetic Eastwood.
Both parties signed the club transfer agreement. From the first of January onward, Eastwood would be considered a member of Nottingham Forest.
Tang En, who had just returned from Basildon, heard that night that Collymore's team had lost yet another match. He knew that this kid was not far away from stepping down.
On Monday morning, the London Stock Exchange Market was open, and Nottingham Forest club announced through a stock market announcement, the changes in the shares of the club—Edward Doughty was currently in possession of 75 percent of Nottingham Forest's shares through means of purchase.
The news confirmed Tang En's guesses. He also completely understood what Doughty and his financial advisor had been doing for the past half of the season.
What did it mean for someone to possess 75 percent of the shares of an English football club? It meant that that person would be in an authority position higher than the board of directors, and that the entire club would completely belong to him. He could immediately announce the club's exit of the stock market, and make the private limited company with a shareholders' system into a private club. There was also no need for him to go through board of directors' meetings to carry out any new policies and future development plans for the club, including reconstruction, expansion, new football fields, purchase and sale of players, the appointments of the upper echelons of the club… In other words, he would become the emperor of the club, and no one could go against any decision of his.
Even if Doughty were to say "from next season onward, Nottingham Forest's season ticket prices will increase by 300 percent, and the prices of the food and beverages sold within the stadium are to be increased by 100 percent", this would become an unchangeable decision despite the fans' protests.
Of course, Tang En believed that Doughty would not be foolish to such an extent.
Tang En took a look at the league's points ranking. As Nottingham Forest had consecutively lost matches, it had already fallen to the fourth last team in terms of ranking. It had to be known that the last three teams of the league would be relegated to League Two after the end of the season. If Nottingham Forest were to really be relegated, the percentage of shares Doughty possessed would no longer matter.
If he wanted to make the team into a money-making machine that served a few people, the team would have to produce good results.
Tang En knew that it would soon be time for his debut.
Edward! Give me a call! Tell me you need me!
Just as Tang En finished shouting in his heart, his phone suddenly rang.
"It can't be that coincidental, can it?" Tang En muttered as he picked up the call.
It was indeed Doughty, but his purpose for finding Twain was not to ask him to return to City Ground Stadium, but to tell him unexpected news.
"Tony, I just received a call, telling me that Collymore has been assaulted in a small alley outside a bar, and that he is currently being sent to the hospital. Do you know any news regarding this matter?"
"Ah?" Tang En was stunned for a while, before shaking his head and said, "No, I don't know. This incident won't have any negative repercussions, will it?" Actually, he really wanted to say, "Who assaulted him? I want to write him a letter to express my thanks." However, thinking that such an incident had happened when Doughty had just taken control over the club, there would undoubtedly be some negative association.
"Maybe yes, maybe no." But upon hearing Doughty's voice, he seemed to not be worrying much at all. "I'll make a call to verify. I was afraid that you were somehow related to this incident."
Tang En thought of someone. Rolling his eyes, he said, "No, why would it be related to me? You know I've been busy recently with Eastwood's matter."
"Mhmm. In that case, I'm relieved. By the way, Tony… Are you ready?"
"I've been ready for half a year, Edward."
Amidst the laughter of the two of them, Tang En hung up the call.
Tang En stood up and got dressed. Although it was already close to 10 p.m., he had to make a trip.
Sophia looked at the old Quartz clock hung on the wall anxiously. The hour hand had already passed 10, while the minute hand was pointed to six. It was already half past ten.
One hour ago, she made Wood go out to buy some things. With Wood's speed that could rival track and field athletes, he only required a little bit more than half an hour to come back. But now...
She heard an anxious knocking sound coming from the door on the first floor. She hurried to the windows and peeped through the small gap in the curtains. The person whom she saw knocking on the door shocked her—Tony Twain!
It is already so late. Why is Mr. Twain here?
Sophia wanted to go down and open the door, but right when she reached the staircase, she made a U-turn and returned to her room. Standing in front of the mirror, Sophia took her comb and tidied her hair despite the fact that her hair was not messy at all. After confirming that no issues could be spotted from any angle, an exultant smile akin to that of a young girl appeared on her face before she joyously ran to open the door.
Waiting for the female that was extremely shocked by his sudden visit to tidy up her looks, Tang En had already been out in the cold wind for about a minute knocking on the door several times.
Just as the disappointed Tang En was about to leave, the door creaked open. The light from within the house leaked out, sprinkling on Tang En's feet. Tang En lowered his head, only to see the figure of a woman standing inside the house.
He was slightly shocked. "Madam?"
"Mr. Twain, why are you here?" Sophia was slightly panting and her face was slightly flushed. Her pair of bright eyes were covered with a thin layer of mist, unknown whether it was due to the fatigue from sprinting, or a result of some other reason…
"Erm, I'm here to look for George. Is he around?" Actually, when Tang En asked this question, he already knew the answer.
Sophia made way for the door and replied, "He went out to buy something. Please come in Mr. Twain. It's cold outside."
Tang En hesitated for a while, but still walked in.
The tenant residing on the first floor had not come back. Perhaps he was still working hard outside to make a living. Currently, there were only two people in the house, himself and the woman in front of him. Suddenly, Tang En's heart raced.
"Mr. Twain, do you still not add anything to your red tea?" Sophia was making tea for Tang En.
"Yes…. Erm, no need to trouble yourself, Madam. I'll leave as soon as I see George." Tang En wanted to stop the enthusiastic female owner, but it was apparent that it was no use. Sophia opened the refrigerator and took out two boxes of biscuits, before turning around and waving the biscuits at Tang En.
"Do you like milk-flavored or chocolate-flavored?"
"Both are fine with me."
As such, Sophia placed both boxes of biscuits on the table, before taking the plates from the cupboard. Seeing Sophia's happily busy look, Tang En gave up on persuading her, as long as she was happy.
Before he knew her, how often was she so energetic, with a brimming smile on her face?
Sophia seemed to have wanted to get the plates from the highest row. Seeing her tiptoeing with great effort yet unable to reach when she extended her arms, Tang En decided to help her.
He stood up and walked to Sophia, standing behind her. Then, he extended his arms and easily touched that row of plates.
"Did you want this, Madam? Erm.." Tang En, who asked this question, felt that something was amiss.
Unknowingly and accidentally, both of their bodies were touching each other. Despite this being the winter and they wore proper clothes, the awkwardness caused was still inevitable.
The room was momentarily silent. The yellow light cast a vague, joint shadow on the wall beside the two of them. If Tang En put down his hands which were raised up high, it would look as if he was hugging Sophia.
Sophia was not tall, so when Tang En stood behind her, her hair happened to be right under Tang En's nose. A clear fragrance could be smelled alongside the smooth hair, and he could not help but greedily inhale a breath.
Tang En felt the body that he was in contact with, tremble. He instantly regained his senses and immediately took a few steps back. Slightly at a loss of what to do, Tang En explained to Sophia, "So, so sorry! I.. I didn't do it on purpose. Sorry! Sorry." He was still holding on to the porcelain plate in his hands when he was flailing his arms around. The light reflection made it seem as though he was an acrobat.
Sophia was tickled by Tang En's actions. "Can you pass me that plate, Mr. Twain?" She extended her hands naturally, but her cheeks secretly revealed a slight blush.
Tang En looked at the plate in his hand embarrassedly, before handing it over.
Sophia stood in front of the table with her head lowered, as she transferred some biscuits onto the plate. Her long, black hair lowered like a waterfall. Seeing this, Tang En recalled that incident from just now. Did that fragrance actually come from her countless strands of hair, or from the naked and exposed neck?
Shutting his eyes, he suddenly missed that feeling.
He could clearly feel the burning ball of flames that was in contact with his body at that time. The air was filled with mesmerizing fragrance that was extremely elusive. When one wanted to catch a hold on it, it would escape right from the tip of the nose.
"Smells really good," he lightly sighed.
When Tang En opened his eyes again, he discovered that Sophia was looking at him and smiling. The biscuits were already placed on the plate, and the fragrance of the tea filled the room.