When Chu Zhongtian walked out of the Metz railway station, which looked less like a train station and more like the manor of a nobleman in the Middle Ages, he glanced back at the neo-Romanesque building.

Tourist brochures say that it was a masterpiece after the German occupation of Metz, and the station of Metz at sunset is full of Germanic style, with a large number of decorations such as reliefs, sculptures, columns and stained glass windows that reflect the power and power of the Germanic Empire.

Unexpectedly, this place has become a tourist attraction worth seeing in Metz.

Unlike the square in front of the railway station in China, the Charles de Gaulle square in front of the Metz railway station is wide, but there are few people, and there are no vendors setting up stalls at will, crowded crowds of people and vehicles, and no parking lot full of cars - Chu Zhongtian later learned that the original parking lot was "above" the railway station.

It's even a little deserted.

Chu Zhongtian exhaled the turbid air he had inhaled in the car, took another deep breath, and inhaled the air of this small town in northeastern France.

That's where he's going to be for the last season, Metz.

He looked around and there was a row of hotels across the square, but that wasn't what he was going to.

Crossing the square, he looked for a taxi parked on the side of the road.

Mr. Merry didn't come to pick him up because he was also busy. He just gave him an address and told him to go straight to the hotel and call him when he arrived.

There is a public bus stop just outside the square. But he didn't plan to make a bus because he didn't know what route to take or where to get off.

The messages on the station signs were all written in French, and he couldn't read them.

He couldn't ask people because he didn't speak French and couldn't understand it. Even if I carried a manual of everyday French with me, it was useless.

He felt like he was back in London three years ago. At that time, his English level was far from being as good as it is now, and the English education of the dumb and deaf people in China in those years did not let him learn anything. So when he came to London he knew nothing but the simplest words.

Now in Metz, France, everything seems to be back to square one, football, life, and language have to start again.

"Okay...... Find the hotel and meet Mr. Merry first, and then ......" Chu Zhongtian muttered to himself, then picked up the box and walked towards the taxi hailing station on the side of the road, and under the hailing station sign with white letters on a blue background, there was already a row of taxis of different colors parked.

※※※Escher. Morality. Belmont (escher_de_beaumont) is sitting in the driver's seat, listening to "pump_it" playing on the car stereo while waiting for guests to open the car door. He wore a blue No. 10 shirt with Zinedine Zidane's name on his back, a shaved scar on the left side of his head, chewing gum in his mouth, his head shaking to the rhythm of the music, and his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.

He doesn't look like a taxi driver, but more like a street ruffian.

In the rearview mirror outside the car, an Oriental man carrying a suitcase and a bag appeared on his back. Instead of entertaining the guests, he continued to listen to his music with his eyes glancing at the person in the mirror. The man seemed hesitant to get into the car, and Escher grinned at his distressed look.

Chu Zhongtian looked left and right, there was a row of taxis parked on this street, and there were seven or eight of them roughly counted, but this one in front of him was the first in line.

But...... Look at the driver wearing the No. 10 jersey of the French team in the '98 World Cup, and the deafening music was still thinking about the deafening music in the car, and the driver was completely immersed in the music, and his body swayed to the rhythm of the music...... Chu Zhongtian always felt unreliable.

He hesitated for a moment, thinking that if he was unfamiliar with life, he should find a normal driver.

He turned and walked towards the second car, the driver of which was dressed in a formal uniform and was about forty years old, almost fifty years old, an age that gave some security. Old driver, know the way, kind, steady...... There are a lot of similar words that come up in the minds of ordinary people.

Before Chu Zhongtian walked to the front of the car, he saw the driver in the car waving to him, saying something in his mouth, but he didn't understand a word.

He decided to speak English, wondering how English the people here were...... "Uh, sorry, can I ride in your car?" ”

The old driver chattered, but Chu Zhongtian still didn't understand. "I'm sorry, I don't understand ......"

He saw the driver pointing to the first car in front of him, then to himself, waving his hand.

Chu Zhongtian pondered for a while, and finally understood-dare to let him go to the first car, it turned out that this place was the same as coming out of Shuangliu Airport, and there was a queue for a taxi, so it was first come and then ...... You can't go past the first car and go straight to the second car.

But outside Shuangliu Airport, the drivers are so disciplined, mostly because there are supervisors on the side, but despite this, there are still some drivers of black cars who are outside to pick up passengers.

Chu Zhongtian didn't see anyone here who looked like a supervisor, and the drivers were still so disciplined - it seemed to be different from the natural free and loose character of the French. He thought to himself, confused.

There is no way, the driver of the second car does not pull, Chu Zhongtian can only go to the first car, hoping that the driver will be reliable.

Chu Zhongtian had just walked to the back of the first car when he saw the lid of the trunk slowly rising. This is for him to put his luggage in the trunk.

It's quite considerate.

Chu Zhongtian began to have a good impression of this driver - I hope it is more reliable...... He put his luggage in and pressed the trunk lid.

Then he pulled open the back door and sat inside.

The driver in the front row turned his head to look at Chu Zhongtian, and Chu Zhongtian realized that this person's appearance was a little fierce, and the horizontal flesh on his face was squirming as he chewed gum, what did he look like a little ruffian? It's just a little ruffian...... The driver said a word of French to him, but Chu Zhongtian didn't understand. But he guessed something like "Sir, where are you going?"

He didn't speak French, but he had written his destination on a slip of paper in French beforehand - no, it didn't matter, he always could. Now he pulled the note out of his wallet and handed it to the smiling driver.

The young driver looked down at the address on the note, then nodded. He said another word of French, and seeing Chu Zhongtian's confused look, he reached out and pulled the seat belt, making a "buckle" gesture.

Chu Zhongtian understood, this was to remind himself to fasten his seat belt and set off.

Just as Chu Zhongtian lowered his head to fasten his seat belt, the driver started the car engine.

The low roar of the engine made Chu Zhongtian have a trace of doubt, and he raised his head to look ahead-he had not sat in a taxi, and it was the first time he had heard the roar of a taxi's engine that could produce the roar of a racing car...... The body of the taxi was shaking slightly.

The driver reached out and turned the sound up a little more, then whistled.

When his hand was withdrawn, his foot let go of the clutch. Chu Zhongtian only felt as if he was riding a dislodged wild horse, his body was pushed to the back of the chair by a huge momentum, his head hit the back, and his neck was almost dislocated...... The black taxi slammed out with a roar.

At this moment, Chu Zhongtian heard the driver shouting, and this time he finally understood:

"Welcome to Metz! Ha ha! ”

※※※ Chu Zhongtian no longer knows how he got to the hotel where he stayed.

All he knew was that he couldn't enjoy the scenery of the street outside on the way, because he spent it in a state of constantly falling to the left and tilting to the right, leaning back and diving.

It didn't seem to take long, but he was still choked by the toss.

When the taxi he was in squeaked and braked sharply to a halt, his body surged forward and hit the back of the seat in front of him, despite the seat belt holding him back.

"What the fuck ......" Chu Zhongtian, who felt that his bones were about to fall apart, put his head on the back of the chair, gritted his teeth and scolded in a low voice.

The driver in front of him looked at his watch proudly and then said something in French. It seems to be boasting about its own technology.

Chu Zhongtian was not interested in talking to him...... He just wanted to get out of the car now - he was afraid that the driver, who was in a hurry to get reincarnated, would drive out without waiting for him to get out.

It may not be appropriate to use "rolling and climbing" to describe Chu Zhongtian's car, but it is not much different from that realm.

When he "rolled" out of the car, his legs were still weak. Fortunately, the hotel doorman had already taken out the luggage for him, so he didn't have to work hard.

Putting his luggage aside, Chu Zhongtian turned back and went to pay the fare. The driver, who continued to listen to music at a leisurely pace, didn't seem to be worried that his passenger would simply pick up his luggage and run away.

Chu Zhongtian had exchanged the euro before he came, and now the euro has begun to circulate in the EU area, and the UK is still proud of sticking to the pound. He pulled out a twenty euro and handed it through the window, glaring at the driver, who didn't care how the customer felt in the car. If he could understand Chinese, Chu Zhongtian would definitely scold: "You are anxious to be reincarnated!" ”

The driver didn't care about Chu Zhongtian's murderous eyes at all, he found the change, and then handed it to Chu Zhongtian along with a business card.

The young "Scar" hairstyle driver pointed to the business card and said to the puzzled Chu Zhongtian in very simple English: "Urgent, phone, me." ”

If he is in a hurry, he can call the number on his business card and ask him to book a car.

Chu Zhongtian took the change, but he didn't pick up the business card, he shook his head and said, "I don't think so." I won't be riding in your car again! ”

The driver laughed, very heartless. He also started the car, as if he couldn't wait to leave.

Chu Zhongtian had just turned around to pick up his suitcase, when he felt a gust of wind behind his buttocks, and when he straightened up again, the white taxi had already disappeared...... "Fuck!" Chu Zhongtian turned around and looked at the door of the hotel, where there was no car, and cursed.

※※※When he came to the booked room, he finally saw his agent, James. Mr. Merry.

When Mr. Merry saw him, he gave him a hug with open arms, and then gave him a "poof" on his left and right cheeks.

"Wow......" Chu Zhongtian didn't expect that after a few days, Mr. Merry would be so enthusiastic that he would kiss his face.

"It's the way the French like to meet, you have to get used to it as soon as possible, haha!" Mr. Merry smiled, "Welcome to Mace, how does it feel?" It's a beautiful city. ”

"Uh...... Isn't it beautiful, I haven't had a chance to see it yet......" Chu Zhongtian scratched his head and said. yes, he rolled in the back seat all the way, and he hadn't even seen what it was like outside the window.

"It's a beautiful place, and I think you're going to love it." Mr. Merry took his luggage.

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. He didn't know if he would fall in love with it, but the first time he came to Metz, the city of Metz gave him a disadvantage...... That's not a good impression.

"It's very close to the Metz club, we'll be there tomorrow morning and you'll have a medical check-up and you'll sign it off. If you're done with it, you'll go to training the next day, and I'll help you find a house and live here before you find one. The French teacher's business, the Metz club has promised to help you get in touch, and you don't have to worry about it. All you need to do now is to adapt to life here, in all aspects, and learn French as soon as possible. If you don't communicate well, you can't show your level on the pitch, you know that your future position is a midfield commander, and you can't communicate with your teammates. Want to hear my advice, Chu? ”

"Say, Mr. Merry."

"Before you learn the language, start with a purely defensive midfielder. You're used to simple defense, and starting with simple strengths may make your path smoother. ”

"Hmm." Chu Zhongtian nodded, admitting that what Mr. Merry said was right.

"Okay, it's planes and trains all the way, are you tired?" Merry clapped her hands and ended the conversation.

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. It's not that I'm tired of planes and trains, but I'm tired of the taxi part of the last few minutes...... "Let's have dinner together, just celebrate your signing in advance and enjoy a French meal, hey." ”

※※※After dinner for two people, take a stroll through the streets of Metz. This is the first time Chu Zhongtian has appreciated the small city of Metz - the population of Metz is 200,000, and 200,000 is already considered a medium-to-large city in Europe, but for Chu Zhongtian, a Chinese, there are no more than ten big cities in the whole of Europe, and a population like Metz is at most equivalent to a town in China.

However, Metz is cleaner than most Chinese towns, the roads are not wide, or even a little narrow, and the greenery is very good. Towering skyscrapers are rare in the city, with several Gothic churches being the tallest buildings. Sometimes, when you walk through the street, you can see that the end of the road in front of you is blocked by a row of buildings, and there is a pointed roof, which looks so close that it seems that you have reached the end of the street. Actually, it's still far away.

James. Mei Li and Chu Zhongtian walked around and introduced him to the city.

"Although this city is a French city, German is as common here as French, and many Germans usually work here and live in Germany, so there are a lot of Germans here."

"Shouldn't I learn two languages?" Junior high school day asked.

"There's no need, it's still a French city after all. However, if you are interested and have the energy, you can learn German. It never hurts to learn more than one language. In order to better cover the French Open, I often had to come to France for interviews. I taught myself French, don't you think I'm using it now? ”

Chu Zhongtian nodded thoughtfully. It's good to learn a few more languages, and you won't be afraid to go anywhere...... He suddenly remembered the strange thing he encountered when he took a taxi today, why did the second place have to let him be the first car first, aren't the French people very casual? Why be so disciplined?

He asked the question. Merry told him that it was because the city had been occupied by Germany for a long time, so it also had strong German characteristics, such as the rigor and rigidity of the Germans, which was not uncommon in the city.

"It's a strange city." The freedom of the French and the rigor of the Germans were expressed at the same time in the same city, which made Chu Zhongtian sigh like this.

'If you want to play here, you have to adapt to the environment. Clear. Don't lock yourself in the house after training in the future, I don't approve of that way of life, you still have to go out and walk more and get in touch with this society. Why did you play well at Wimbledon? Because you've got a lot of contact with the Wimbledon people, they're a great way to help you settle in. ”

Chu Zhongtian felt that Mr. Merry's statement was a little fresh. Isn't it enough for a player to just play well?

"Don't believe me? When your teammates are discussing what's going on around them, but you don't know anything about it, do you feel like you're being alienated? When your fans support you in the stands, you can't feel their support because of their lack of understanding and affection? It's all the same, why you were able to perform so well against Chelsea, not only because you didn't want to lose, but also because you had so many people supporting you, giving you strength and fighting spirit. And it's because you're integrated into life at Wimbledon, you've made a lot of friends who help you on and off the pitch. So, Chu, no matter where you play, you have to be actively involved in the team and the local area, so that you can get supported on the pitch. ”

James. Merry said a lot, Chu Zhongtian nodded, he felt that what Mr. Merry said was very reasonable. If it weren't for the fact that he had been working at the Wimbles Bar, maybe he wouldn't have developed feelings for that team and wouldn't have given everything to the game. If it weren't for him and Emily, Uncle John, their teammates...... How can he have a harmonious atmosphere in the team and outside the team? Otherwise, he has to spend a lot of time intriguing with his teammates every day, how can he ensure the efficiency of his play?

"So, football is a part of life, but it's not just football in life. Enjoy your time at Metz, even if you get setbacks on the pitch. When your life is in shambles, you don't expect you to play well. Merry patted Chu Zhongtian on the shoulder.

Chu Zhongtian felt that what Mei Li said should be right, but the young man couldn't understand all of this. But it doesn't matter, he can write it down, put it in his head, and slowly understand and digest it later.

"Thank you, Mr. Merry."

"Stupid, don't say thank you to me in the future. You remember, I'm good for you, it's because then I can make more money, ha! Hello, I'm okay too. ”

Chu Zhongtian suddenly remembered a certain advertisement, and he shivered.

The night was falling, Chu Zhongtian's first day in Metz had passed, the city had given him a dismount on the first day of his arrival, what was waiting for him next?

(To be continued)