It's night again, and Manchester is wrapped in neon lights.

After saying goodbye to Owen, Shao Yifan sent Catherine to the door of his home, and after reluctantly parting from her, he returned to his home.

The family was not wealthy, but barely middle-class in Manchester, and the family of three lived in a decent apartment.

When he walked into the house, the familiar greeting sounded in his ears: "My darling, are you okay today?" ”

A tall middle-aged woman with a white ponytail walked out of the bedroom, and it was Shao Yifan's mother, Kate Woolf.

"Hi, Mom. I am fine. Shao Yifan put down the training equipment, walked to the living room and sat down on the sofa, without saying a word.

Woolf looked at her son, who was not in a high mood, shook her head helplessly, walked up to him, and said: "If you really don't want to play in China, I can try to help you persuade your father." ”

"Really?" Shao Yifan looked at his mother in surprise, "Sure enough, it's still Mom, you love me the most!" ”

Woolf hurriedly pressed her hand and said blowingly: "Don't be too happy, your father will probably not agree." ”

Shao Yifan fell on the sofa in frustration when he heard this. Indeed, he also knows his stubborn father very well, as long as it is something that his father recognizes, no one can change it, especially when it comes to the motherland.

"At the beginning, the Manchester United coach talked to him about your football for a week, and he agreed to ......," Woolf continued to talk about Shao's father's old past.

For a Chinese parent who has been influenced by Chinese society and culture since childhood, it is indeed difficult to accept that his child should engage in the football industry. However, thanks to the excellent football environment in England, Shao's father can see the hope of this industry. So in the summer of 10 years ago, he agreed to Manchester United's invitation and sent his son to the Manchester United Academy. But now, when his son wants to wear a white shirt and play for England, he decisively opposes. In his consciousness, he still thinks that Shao Yifan is a Chinese, not an Englishman.

"Oh, and your father is coming back from France...... Woolf reminded again.

Shao Yifan stared blankly at the TV screen that was not turned on, and his appearance was reflected on the screen, and no one knew what he was thinking at the moment.

……

Soon, the news that Shao Yifan was called up to the England national junior team spread to the other side of the planet.

In an instant, it was like an explosion between the fans. There are supporters and opponents, but most of them sigh.

If Shao Yifan is a complete Chinese, then his joining the England national junior team will naturally cause great criticism. However, he still has half of his English ancestry, and he has good reasons to play for England. What's more, anyone who stands in his position and chooses between the national football team and England will choose England!

Taking a step back, at this time, there was no example of a naturalized player wearing a national team jersey in China.

However, the news of Shao Yifan's selection for England still dominates the headlines of major sports news and has caused a lot of shock among Chinese fans.

……

The next day, Shao Yifan came to Manchester United's training ground early and began to train seriously. As usual, he was always the first to come to the training ground.

Soon after, the other United boys were on the training ground. laughed with Shao Yifan. From their mouths, Shao Yifan also learned that Ricardo, Wright, and Sanchez Jr. were also recruited by the national junior team. This made Shao Yifan more determined to go to London tomorrow. However, in this day's training, Shao Yifan was a little out of shape. I wandered my mind a few times, and I didn't know what I was thinking.

After the training that afternoon, Shao Yifan booked a train ticket from Manchester to London online, and then went back to pack his luggage briefly.

In the early morning of the next day, under Woolf's encouraging gaze, Shao Yifan embarked on a journey to London.

"Actually, I'll be able to do it alone, you don't have to come along." Shao Yifan looked at Catherine beside him and said helplessly.

"Why, it didn't cost you money. Where do you care where I go? Catherine pouted, "Don't you hate me?" ”

Shao Yifan didn't speak, just clenched her hand. His eyes drifted out of the car window, and pictures of the English countryside flickered past him.

……

London, the political and economic center of England, is the largest city in England and one of the largest in the world. Here, tradition and fashion, classical and modern, are intertwined and blended with each other. In terms of football, it is also an important football city in Europe. It is home to many famous Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

"Don't be in a daze, see where we're going next?" Catherine pulled Shao Yifan, who was looking at London City in a daze, and asked.

"Ah, oh, okay, let me see." Shao Yifan hurriedly opened his mobile phone to check and began to plan his trip.

London is huge, and prices are frighteningly high, so naturally they can't afford to take a taxi all the time, and their financial conditions don't allow it. However, the good thing is that there is a subway to the destination. The two of them began their first steps in the big city.

Walking in the rushing crowd of London, Shao Yifan suddenly asked, "Where are you going to live?" ”

"My family has an apartment in London," Catherine smiled maliciously, "how?" Do you want to come and live with your sister? I'm alone. ”

Shao Yifan rolled his eyes and rubbed Catherine's head, "Have you learned to tease me now?" Who else admits you're a sister? ”

Catherine pouted, "Isn't it?" I'm two years older than you. ”

"Owen, that guy is also two years older than me, and he hasn't been abused by me yet." In front of familiar people, Shao Yifan doesn't know what modesty is.

“……”

"Okay, the team will arrange a place to stay. You don't have to worry about me. Shao Yifan said.

"Humph! A sucker! Catherine whispered her displeasure.

When they came to the destination English Football Association training camp, they were received by special personnel, and after careful registration, they arranged accommodation for Shao Yifan.

At noon, after eating expensive dark dishes with Catherine in a small restaurant in London, Shao Yifan ushered in his first in-team training for the national junior team in the afternoon. Of course, today is just some simple physical training and skill tests.

During training, Shao Yifan naturally came into contact with his new teammates. There were also a lot of acquaintances, such as Liverpool boys such as Owen and a few boys from Manchester United, as well as boys from other clubs.

"It's really hard to imagine that you're only fifteen." Owen has started the business blow mode again.

"I also have a hard time believing you're seventeen." Shao Yifan joked.

"......" Owen.

Soon, the head coach Deman came over and explained the specific training tasks for today. And he also made it clear that the team's ultimate goal is the World Junior Championship at the end of the year. Then, he also referred to the friendly against Brazil in three days' time. All of this made the teenagers' blood boil.

Shao Yifan could clearly feel the difference between the group of teammates around him. Although Manchester United's junior team is also excellent, it is still far from the best junior team selected from all of England.

Originally, Shao Yifan's running speed on the field can be said to be unbeatable among Manchester United teenagers, but in the England national junior team, although he still retains an advantage, it is not such a big gap. Of course, Shao Yifan still maintains confidence in himself.

……

At the same time that Shao Yifan arrived in London, on the other side, Shao Yifan's father, Shao Shiping, also hurried back to Manchester from France.

"Where's that stinky boy?" Shao Shiping asked his wife.

"Gone." Woolf replied as she watched the TV and ate an apple in her mouth.

"Gone? Where did it go? Shao Shiping was a little annoyed.

"London." Woolf replied.

"Didn't I let him go?" Shao Shiping watched his wife completely ignore him, and angrily stepped forward and turned off the TV fiercely, "You don't know where to stop?!" ”

Woolf put down the half-eaten apple, "Why did I stop him?" Whatever my son does, I support it. ”

"You...... You're used to it! Shao Shiping said angrily.

"Also, you turn on my TV." Woolf said.

Shao Shi couldn't be calm, he really wanted to turn around and leave, but he still silently stepped forward and turned on the TV.

"No matter where you want Yifan to play, let him finish the game in a few days. It's also the fulfillment of one of his wishes. Woolf looked at her husband and said earnestly.

Shao Shiping slowly dissipated his anger and sighed, "Then let's do it first." ”