Fox in the Penalty Area

During the team's recovery training the next day, before Hu Lai went to find the boss, the boss took the initiative to find him:

"Don't rush to leave after training in a while, I will take you to the red pepper for dinner."

Hu Lai was very happy: "Boss, you are an honest and trustworthy person!"

When Tony Clark heard his words, he couldn't laugh or cry: "You think I'm going to renege?"

"No, no, how is it possible? How can the head coach of a dignified Premier League team renege on his debts? That's impossible. If he reneges on his debts, how will the other players think about it. If people lose their minds, the team will not be easy to lead. So boss you It's absolutely impossible to keep your words!" Hu Lai shook his head like a rattle.

Why couldn't Clark hear his subtext? He patted Hu Lai's head: "Okay, okay, I'll remember that I will definitely invite you. It's just me and you, and Matt , the three of us. After training, you take my car and tell your manager not to pick you up."

"No problem, boss. I'll call him right away!"

※※※

The resumption of training on the last day of the season was very easy, everyone was laughing, and the quality of the training was actually out of the question. But even Tony Clark doesn't care about these problems. The string has been stretched for a season, and if it is still stretched now, I'm afraid it will be broken. So take it easy, lower your demands, it's good for your physical and mental health, and it's good for everyone.

After the training, everyone began to discuss how to spend the holidays.

Charlie Potter came over and put his arms around Hu Lai's shoulders, and put his mouth next to his ear: "Hey, Hu, we have a party tonight, do you want to come and celebrate our relegation success!"

Hu Lai glanced at the bastard who said behind his back that he was stingy, and then smiled brightly: "Okay! I'll bring the boss with me."

The smile on Potter's face froze: "Sorry, Hu, I didn't hear clearly just now, what did you say?"

"I said I brought the boss to your party, Charlie." Seeing the change in Potter's expression, Hu Lai smiled even brighter.

"Damn it!" Porter grumbled in a low voice, "You know our players' parties never call coaches!"

Hu Lai spread his hands: "I can't help it, Charlie. I have an appointment with the boss tonight. If I want to go to your party, I can only bring him with me."

Potter's eyes widened: "You have an appointment with the boss? What is the appointment?"

"He invited me to dinner.

"

As if seeing a ghost, Potter didn't hold back his voice: "Boss invited you to dinner?!"

A group of people in the locker room cast surprised and curious gazes at Hu Lai upon hearing this.

"What? The boss wants to invite Hu Lai to dinner?!"

"Damn it! It's not fair! The owner has never invited any of the players to dinner!"

"Hu Lai, why can you be treated by the boss?"

Everyone gathered around one after another, as if Hu Lai would not let him go unless he spoke clearly today.

"Uh..." Hu Lai glared hard at the big-mouthed Charlie Potter before explaining to the other teammates: "Before I represented the team for the first time, the boss promised me that if I I can score five goals this season, just treat me to a chili..."

"Red-hot-pepper?!" There was a louder noise in the locker room.

Charlie Potter, who was right next to Hou Lai, grabbed his clothes violently, as if he was afraid that he would run away: "It's not fair, Hu Lai! Three of your eleven goals were assisted by me. It can be said that you can score so many goals and let the boss treat you to dinner, I take the credit for it, okay? So why can you go to dinner, but I can't?"

"I think what Charlie said makes sense." Pete Williams, who had been watching the excitement with his chest folded in the crowd, also nodded rarely, expressing his approval of Charlie Potter.

Hu Lai knew why he nodded in agreement, because this kid also assisted him several times...

When he said this, others also expressed their support.

As long as they had assisted Hu Lai in the game, they all jumped out and said that they should also be eligible to eat.

Even Farrek Quinn stood up shamelessly and claimed credit for Hou Lai with his assist in the last game.

And those teammates who didn't assist also have their excuses: Although I didn't pass the last pass, but the last pass, two passes, three passes before the last pass...with my participation, I can be regarded as participating in this attack By.

Even the teammates who didn't participate in the offense are plausible: If we didn't do our best to defend in the backcourt and help you block the enemy's offensive, where would you get the opportunity to attack? So I should have this meal too!

Everyone blocked Holly like this, and Charlie Potter held onto Holly's clothes tightly with both hands. In order to be able to get food, he really did everything he could.

Seeing this, Hu Lai argued, "It's not me, but the boss, it's no use blocking me!"

Charlie Potter smiled cheaply: "What are you talking about... Do you think we dare to block the boss?"

Hu Lai was speechless.

"So if you don't block you, who are you blocking?"

In desperation, Hu Lai had no choice but to take out his mobile phone, ready to ask the audience outside the venue for help.

※※※

Just as he and Matt were discussing about inviting Holly to dinner tonight, Tony Clark received a call from Holly. After putting down the phone, he had a very strange expression on his face.

"What's the matter, Tony?" Matt asked curiously.

"Nonsense that the locker room rioted..."

Matt heard the word and got up nervously from his chair, bumping into it.

However, he didn't care about the chair that fell behind him at all, but stared at Clark solemnly: "Riot? What riot? Why would a good team riot? Is it internal strife? Or..."

Clark quickly raised his hand to stop his further association: "No, it's just that the boys heard that I was going to invite Hu to eat red peppers. They were jealous and wanted to go to Cengfan. If we don't agree to their request, they will ..."

"What are they going to do? To tear up tickets?"

"Ha, no, they won't let Hu Lai go. It's normal for young people to make trouble. In fact, I think Hu created a good opportunity for me."

"What a good opportunity?"

"I have been in the team for a season, and apart from training and games, I have had too little contact with the players. I am a newcomer and need to establish and maintain my authority, so it is normal to use some tough methods. But we cannot continue to be so tough. So this is a good opportunity to get closer to the players. Although I don't like Lauren Galli's tolerance and concessions to the players without a bottom line, it doesn't mean that I want to separate myself from the team Come."

Tony Clark explained.

"And today's incident just gave me a chance. And it was brought up by the players-they hoped that my head coach would invite them to dinner, which shows that they are willing to get along with the head coach."

Matt also reacted, nodded and said: "This is a good thing. It means that they are accepting you as a new coach. After leading them to relegation, your reputation in their hearts will also increase."

"Yeah, so I plan to take advantage of the situation and agree to their request, and simply ask the whole team to go to the red pepper."

Matt originally planned to agree, but suddenly remembered something, with a strange expression on his face: "Tony, you invite the whole team to eat Chinese food. If Ms. Schmidt finds out about this... I'm afraid it's not good?"

Clark's smile also froze on his face.

After a while, he waved his hand: "It's okay, when the pre-season training is held, we can increase the intensity of physical training a little bit."

Matt sighed: "That's the only way..."

※※※

One after another, various cars parked on the side of the road where the Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant is located, and some figures that could make Leeds City fans scream came down one after another.

The media reporters who rushed to get the news in advance pressed the shutters of their cameras one after another, and recorded every Leeds City player who appeared in front of the "Red Pepper" Chinese restaurant.

This kind of collective off-site activity is a big deal for the small team Leeds City. After all, it is not a wealthy team, and the paparazzi will follow the star when he goes out for a walk. Most of the players in Leeds City are not yet at the level of "star". Off the pitch, they're normal people.

Lacking stars, there will naturally be much less off-court gossip.

Now that the entire Leeds City team has come to the Chili Peppers for dinner, of course it can be regarded as big news in the local area.

Even the local TV station came, with the host facing the camera and recording a news program with his back to the door of the Red Pepper Restaurant: "The whole team of Leeds City suddenly arrived at the Red Pepper Restaurant, yes, it is the whole team, our reporter is on the side of the road Squat down and confirm that every Leeds City player has come... It is speculated that it may be related to the team's successful relegation. This should be a celebration within the Leeds City team. After the end of the season, they can finally relax completely, Have a great time celebrating..."

The Leeds City players who didn't know what was waiting for them in the pre-season training camp next season, when they saw the door of the Red Pepper Restaurant, they all let out a cry of excitement.

"Haven't you ever eaten red peppers?"

Hu Lai, who had never eaten red pepper, was surprised by this.

Although he has never eaten here, he has also heard the name of red pepper. You must know that this is a famous restaurant that has been selected as the top ten Chinese restaurants in the UK for two consecutive years.

The main store is in Leeds, and there are also branches in London and Birmingham, which is very famous.

"No, it's mainly because it feels so good to eat Chinese food openly, hehe!" Charlie Potter explained to Hu Lai beside him.

Hu Lai suddenly realized, and immediately understood the excitement of his teammates.

It's like a father who disagreed with his playing football for many years, if one day he suddenly said: "Go, son, Dad will take you to play football!"

The excitement must be completely different from the usual sneaky football.

Hu Lai set his sights on the famous red pepper restaurant.

Unlike those who like to decorate with Chinese elements, so that everyone can tell what kind of restaurant they are at a glance, from the outside of Red Pepper Restaurant, it is impossible to tell that this is a Chinese restaurant.

There is only a small light box sign above the gate, with two crossed red peppers on it, and the Chinese below: Red Pepper Restaurant.

This is probably the only thing that can denote its identity as a Chinese restaurant.

At the door, the manager of Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant went out to greet him personally.

When he saw Hu Lai, he was very enthusiastic: "Hu Lai, you are amazing! You have won glory for the country!"

Hu Lai was a little surprised: "Are you Chinese?"

The manager smiled: "Of course, I didn't give up my Chinese nationality!"

"This store...is it old?" Hu Lai looked up at the signboard door (Note 1).

"I've been driving for almost thirty years... Hey, I'm not stupid. It's easy to give up Chinese nationality, but it's hard to get naturalized again." The manager shook Hu Lai's hand, "I've known you for a long time, I was looking forward to having you come here for dinner, but in the end I was looking forward to the stars and the moon, but I couldn’t expect you..."

Hu Lai quickly explained: "Uh, I just came here and I'm still in the stage of physical training. The team won't let me eat Chinese food."

"Understood, but it's okay to have a meal once in a while. Let me tell you, more than one person in the Leeds City team has come to eat with us..." the boss lowered his voice, covered his mouth with his hand and said to Hu Lai .

The first thing Hu Lai thought of was Charlie Potter, he chuckled.

"Today, you bring all your teammates. I'll give you a 50% discount to make sure you look good!" The manager patted his chest and said proudly. "That's... I hope you can take a photo together in my store? Don't worry, I don't use it for commercial use, just hang it in my store, so that my poor restaurant can flourish!"

Hu Lai waved his hand: "It shouldn't be a problem to take a group photo. There is no need for discounts. It is not easy to do business. You still have to earn the money you should make. Besides, today is our boss' treat. If you give a discount, then you are Look down on him, it seems that his hospitality is not sincere..."

Hearing that the manager turned his head to look at the team coach Tony Clark who just got off the car, he nodded thoughtfully.

※※※

In order to meet the dining requirements of the entire Leeds City team, the Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant directly closed its doors to thank guests this evening, and does not accept individual visitors.

So the entire restaurant was booked out by the entire Leeds City team.

Everyone sat at different tables and enjoyed the same standard Chinese food.

The manager was right, many of them had eaten here.

Including the team's head coach Tony Clark, when he first coached Leeds City, he also came here to eat with Matt. After all, "Red Pepper" is famous, not only deeply loved by the international students in Leeds, but also loved by the local people.

Things are a little different today though.

Hu Lai became the focus of the team's attention.

After each dish was served, everyone asked Hu Lai to taste it first, and they all stared at Hu Lai nervously, waiting with bated breath for his evaluation.

After all, Hu Lai is the only player from China in this team, and Red Pepper is a Chinese restaurant, which has always been known as authentic.

But how do they, who have never even been to China, know if the food here is really authentic?

Well now, here comes a real Chinese, so we must let him try the dishes for everyone.

Hu Lai put down his chopsticks, carefully chewed the Kung Pao Chicken in his mouth, and felt it with his eyes closed... In fact, he couldn't feel anything. This is not a gourmet article. Nothing exploded in his mouth, no light leaked from his mouth, nose and eyes, and he was not so excited as if he had been drugged to the point where hallucinations appeared in front of his eyes...

But the drama still needs to be full, especially when so many teammates are looking at you expectantly.

When he finally opened his eyes, the teammates around him all widened their eyes and asked impatiently, "How is it? Is that the smell?"

Hu Lai raised his eyebrows, his eyes lit up, nodded and said, "That's right, that's the smell!"

"Yeah!!!"

The Leeds City players around him burst into cheers and applause, as if they had won something in a bet.

Before Hu Lai went abroad, he also saw some sand sculptures by foreigners on the Internet. It seemed very boring. You can't understand why they can be so excited.

For example, a group of people can gather under a large screen in a shopping mall, and then watch the "DVD" screensaver logo on the screen wander back and forth in the screen, and bounce back when it hits the edge of the screen. When the logo landed perfectly on the four corners of the screen, all the people present would burst into cheers, throw their drinks into the sky, and embrace each other warmly... just like witnessing such an amazing event .

But when he went abroad, he could somewhat understand these sand sculpture behaviors.

The emotions of foreigners are more open. To put it bluntly... they are more like a group of older children.

Not to mention that professional players themselves are all big kids, and they often make some actions that others think are particularly naive.

Like sneaking up behind you on the training ground, and then taking off your pants while you're not paying attention...

This kind of childish joke can make everyone laugh out loud—except for the person whose pants were stripped.

※※※

As night fell, the red pepper restaurant was brightly lit, and through the glass windows, people outside could clearly see what was going on inside.

A reporter looked up at the situation in the restaurant, bowed his head and typed quickly on his mobile phone:

"...After the league just ended, the players of Leeds City gathered together, under the leadership of the head coach Tony Clark, came to the red pepper restaurant for dinner...The joy of successfully relegation is on the face of every Leeds City player The overflowing and joyful scene will surely make every Leeds City fan happy - hope such joyful scenes and smiles will be seen more often next season..."

※※※

Note 1: Most of the descriptions about Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant are fictional by me. After all, I have never been to Leeds, and I have never eaten Red Pepper. The information on the Internet is limited. If there are friends who have eaten red peppers in Leeds, if they find that there is something inconsistent with your cognition, just laugh it off, just know that it is a fiction, and don’t care about the truth.