This bitter fruit Lu Ling undoubtedly had to swallow by himself. She's the manager, and she made this substitution. If Pat remains on the court, the outcome may not be the same. She didn't know. Who would have thought that what Nick did to Wenger a few hours ago, Klopp did to her. But if she chooses again, she will still replace Pat.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Patrick squeezed her thin shoulder with a slight strain.

Lu Ling slapped his hand away, his face was expressionless, and asked, "Do you have a sore hamstring?" she walked towards the player's tunnel after asking.

Patrick raised his eyebrows slightly, was that why? She noticed that he had some hamstring discomfort after a hard time. He quickly chased after him, his words softening, "Tina, I'm not hurt. ”

"I know. But I can't risk it. Your running form at the time, it's obvious that it's been affected. Lu Ling pursed her lower lip, with what she knew about him, he definitely wouldn't take it too seriously, but she couldn't. "Let's go back to the locker room first. Also, I'm your manager in the stadium, you can't question me!"

“fine.” The boy agreed, a smile already on his lips.

In fact, if it weren't for the three points that turned into one point in the last minute, a draw at Anfield would definitely not be a bad result. Even if Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola are here, they won't complain too much about a single point.

****

At the post-match press conference, Lu Ling was conservatively questioned, she didn't explain too much, but the answer was not happy.

Because the ending of this game is strikingly similar to the previous Arsenal vs Everton, some reporters compared that game.

"I'm really tired of you constantly mentioning Everton or Nick in my press conference, if you're really that interested, maybe you can join the opposing fans in the next game and sing 'Nick Flores'!" Lu Ling was in a bad mood and responded in a very fast voice.

There were a few seconds of silence and embarrassment at the press conference, and only the sound of the keyboard could be heard.

Lu Ling let go of his clasped hands, pouted and asked, "Is there no problem?"

"Patrick seems to be a little unhappy with being substituted......"

"He was not dissatisfied. His performance in this game is still very good. His hamstrings were a little tight, I replaced him just to be safe, I'm not a god, there's no way to predict what will happen next. But as a manager, it's my responsibility to do what I think is right. It's a long season and a draw at Anfield isn't unacceptable for me, it's over and there's nothing I can do to change anything. I'll be ready for the game against Jose at Loftus Road. ”

She stood up. It was so crowded that she was a little out of breath.

If it weren't for the damn fact that she would have to go back to London tonight, if it weren't for the damn Nick hadn't called yet, she probably wouldn't have been so depressed.

****

As we left Liverpool, the sky began to snow. It's just an extremely small snow spot, and if you don't look closely, you can't tell whether it's rain or snow. Liverpool is further north, a bit colder than London. I don't know if it will snow in London this year. At the beginning of December, the Christmas spirit is already in full swing. Many of the houses passing by are lit up.

Lu Ling looked at his watch, it was only six o'clock in the evening.

The atmosphere in the car was harmonious and the players were a little bit sorry for the late goal, but it was just as precious. They have temporarily risen to 11th place in the rankings.

Unbeaten in the last six games, with five wins and one draw, no team would sack a manager of this kind of performance. But Lu Ling still felt a little pressure. Although Steve sued her, he was already in talks with the club about her formal contract.

She took out her phone again and looked at it, but there was nothing. No phone, no message. She wondered if Nick was back at Liverpool, or if he was still on his way?

Lu Ling chatted with George about the standings for a few words, and then she leaned against the window, faintly sleepy.

When I was about to fall asleep, the phone in my pocket vibrate. She hurriedly took it out and saw the caller ID, her face full of loss.

It's Tony.

Tony said they would wait for her in Harrington.

She asked impatiently, "Who the hell is it?" ”

"You'll know when you get there. The gentleman wouldn't let me say. Tony laughed.

Lu Ling felt bored, said a few perfunctory sentences, and hung up the phone. She slept and didn't contact her until she returned to Harrington.

She got off the bus. London wasn't that cold and it didn't snow, but it was late at night and the wind was strong. She glanced at the sky, took a deep breath, and had a hand around her waist.

"Let's go home?" Patrick whispered in her ear without hesitation.

The boy's breath was hot, and Lu Ling's cool left ear was warm, and she hurriedly walked to the side. Fortunately, the players were a little tired and either went straight to the car park or to the dressing room. No one noticed them.

"No, I still have a meeting. Lu Ling said.

Patrick looked at her, "I can wait. ”

"There's no need, I don't even know when it's going to end...... Oh yes......" she said as she called out to the team doctor, and then to the boy, "you go get a check-up and see what they say." ”

"Good. Patrick glanced at the team doctor and hugged her, "Sorry, ...... after the game."

"Oh, if you talk to me like that in the dressing room, you're going to be in trouble. Lu Ling smiled reluctantly, pushed Patrick away, and walked inside the building.

"You know I won't. Hey, Tina, call me after the meeting. ”

Lu Ling vaguely agreed, and his head hurt a little.

****

Tony's secretary looked a little sleepy, and when she saw Christine finally appear, her eyes lit up, and Lu Ling guessed that she had seen the hope of getting off work.

"Tony is in there?" Lu Ling still asked. The heating in the building was a little loud, and she took off her down jacket and held it in her hand as she asked. Only then did she notice that there were two tall security guards at either end of the room. She remembered that Tony usually brought one with him, sometimes not at all, and it seemed to be the mysterious American's.

"Yes, and ......," said Miss Secretary's face, "Mr. Lawrence, too." They waited for you for half an hour. ”

"Mr. Lawrence?" The American?" some impressions flashed through Lu Ling's mind, but he really couldn't remember which famous Lawrence it would be.

"Nathan Neil Lawrence. After speaking, the secretary waited expectantly for the head coach's reaction.

"Nathan Neal Lawrence?" Lu Ling repeated the name, oh, she had definitely heard it, but ......

The door to the conference room opened, and at the same time, a nice male voice rang out. Typical American accent and accent.

"Oh, she's talking about me. ”

Lu Ling turned around. Almost as tall as Klopp. That was her first reaction.

After that, the tall man threw a wink at the secretary and said flirtatiously, "Sweetheart, you can go home." Don't worry about Tony, I'll sue him. ”

Lu Ling then turned his gaze to the man's face.

A very familiar face. So handsome that the secretary's lady blushed when she looked at him, and her green eyes were firing all the time.

Nathan Neal Lawrence. Lu Ling finally linked the name and face, as well as the background.

The heir to the Lawrence family, a real estate tycoon. After Lawrence Sr. died the year before, Lawrence Jr., his only son, at the age of twenty-seven, inherited all the inheritance and became one of the youngest billionaires.

But the most impressive thing about this little Lawrence is that he makes headlines on the entertainment page at least once a month, and the speed at which he changes girlfriends is amazing.

However, seeing the real face, Lu Ling was not surprised at all.

He wears a brown cropped suit with a very form-fitting fit, a black shirt, no tie, and an open neckline. From head to toe, it feels exactly like his photographs, rich, but bohemian.

Nathan Neal's gaze shifted from the face of the secretary to the acting coach of the team.

Lu Ling smiled slightly and walked over, "Hello Mr. Lawrence." ”

Nathan Neil, who had been leaning against the door, now took a few steps forward. He feigned casual glances at her. The girl in front of him was much shorter than him, wearing the team's training uniform, and seemed to be sweating a lot, and her hair was scattered casually on her shoulders. She looked extremely confident, polite, but somewhat arrogant. She was very similar to what he imagined, but there were some surprises.

For example, her figure is much better than what she looks on TV.

Nathan Neal smiled as well, he lowered his head and reached out, "Nate, please. Oh, Christine, finally see you in person." ”

Tony also came out of the conference room, and he exhaled, "Finally." ”

Lu Ling smiled apologetically at Tony. Nathan Neal seemed to touch her finger as she withdrew her hand, and she was a little surprised and looked up at the American. But Nathan Neal smiled politely as if nothing had happened, with only a hint of hunter-like cunning flashing in his lake-like eyes.

"Oh, there was a delay in the post-match press conference. Lu Ling had no intention of delving, and looked at Tony and said.

"I thought it was because ......" Tony said halfway through seeing Christine's unkind face and not continuing.

Nathaniel's eyes twinkled, and of course he knew that Christine had a close friend of the same head coach at Liverpool.

So, the three of them walked into the conference room together.

They talked about today's game.

Toney was a little disappointed with the result, but in essence, a draw away to Liverpool was a good result for a team like QPR. He didn't mean to criticize Christine, but he also asked Patrick about his fate.

Lu Ling explained why.

Nathan Neal never spoke, he looked at Tony as he spoke, at Christine as he spoke, and sometimes at the floor as if he were thinking.

Lu Ling didn't like his gaze very much, although he was very educated and there was nothing wrong with it, she just didn't like it.

She suddenly glanced at the American and deliberately asked, "Nathan Neal, what do you think of our lineup?" and she called his full name anyway.

Nathan Neal actually thought about it seriously and said, "Not good. For a team to get into BIG4, it has to change more than half of them. Then he got his wish and saw Christine's astonished gaze. She wanted to make things difficult for him, and she thought he didn't know anything about football because he was American.

Tony also knew Christine's intentions, and explained with a smile, "Nate is a Premier League fan for many years. ”

Lu Ling was slightly embarrassed, and she was about to speak, but Nathan Neal spoke first.

"Not that typical American, is it? In fact, I've watched most of the games you coach. I love your coaching style. He didn't seem to care about her previous slight malice.

"Thank you. Lu Ling smiled at him.

"I still like your voice. The American said abruptly.

"What?"

"Your voice, to me, is like □□. Nathan Neil's voice didn't change in tone, and he said it as if he were saying "It's so nice today."

Lu Ling's complexion changed completely, she stood up abruptly and sneered, "Mr. Lawrence, I don't like this joke very much. Please apologize!"

Her pretty face was a little distorted. Nathan Neal curled the corners of her mouth as if she hadn't done anything, and her reaction was what he expected.

Tony was embarrassed. He knew that little Lawrence couldn't stand it for a while.

"I apologize, Christine. Nathan Neal was quick to say. He also stood up, with a little sincerity, and said again, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so angry, I promise not to make such jokes on this occasion in the future, please forgive me." ”

Lu Ling pursed his lips, still wanting to shake his hands and leave.

"Christine......" Tony exclaimed in embarrassment.

Lu Ling did not accept Nathan Neal's apology, but looked directly at Tony and asked, "How likely is the Lawrence family to take a stake in the club?"

"One hundred percent. Nathan Neal replied.

Lu Ling glanced at him, his voice was cold, "Then when it is finalized, I will congratulate and welcome you." ”

Nathan Neal looked at her and said, "Okay, it won't be long. "She's still angry, but she's angry. She glared at her when she saw him look at her, and he smiled apologetically at her. Then, looking down at his watch, "I have to go back." Maybe we'll see you next week. ”

Tony stood up, "No problem. ”

Nathan Neal shook Tony's hand, he was about to hug Christine, but it seemed unlikely, so he reached out, and she hesitated before reaching out.

They shook hands.

Lu Ling quickly withdrew his hand.

With a subtle smile, Nathan Neal left the room.

When Lu Ling sat down again, a suchadick popped out of his mouth.

Tony sat down next to her, "This guy had a flirtation with my secretary for a long time before you came. Everyone knows that he likes women, beautiful women. He doesn't mind what others think of him. ”

"I don't like him. ”

"Because he's interested in you?" Tony asked with a smile.

Lu Ling snorted lightly, "Just because I saw him, I have to ......" she said and didn't continue, anyway, Tony knew the reason.

"He's busy. Tony said and stood up, "Actually, he's a good businessman. I do have an interest in football. He's got an NFL team, you know? Next week, he's coming to see us play Manchester United. ”

"Tony ......"

"What?"

"Will he buy your shares?"

"Perhaps. We're still talking. However, if nothing else, I will not give up a majority of my shares, and I will still be the president of the team. The Malaysian smiled, "I love football and this club." ”

"Oh, Tony, trust me, the fans are going to die laughing when they hear that. ”

"I know, they hate me. Tony shrugged, he'd been used to infamy.

****

As soon as the elevator door opened, Lu Ling saw Patrick.

He hasn't left yet, he's really waiting for her.

"Nathaniel-Lawrence?" the boy asked, the expression on his face far from pleasant.

"Did you touch it?" asked Lu Ling.

Patrick nodded, remembering the chance encounter.