On January 24, Monaco defeated Chateauroux and the French Cup continued to move forward.
Next, Yunsheng gave the players two days off so that everyone could have a good rest.
January 25th is the Chinese New Year's Eve, and the 26th is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Yun Sheng also takes advantage of this time to have a good rest.
On the evening of the 25th, Yunsheng brought all the Chinese players on the team home to spend New Year’s Eve together.
Whether in Monaco or France, few people celebrate Chinese New Year. Occasionally, you can see lanterns and festoons hanging in front of shops on the street, and most of them are restaurants owned by Chinese.
But Yun Sheng had already prepared everything.
He asked several employees of Yuntian Company to help him purchase many lanterns, Spring Festival couplets, red paper and other decorations in advance, and all kinds of food were available. Starting from the afternoon of the 25th, Yunsheng's house became lively.
"Boss, the pork and sauerkraut stuffing is too little prepared. It's probably not enough for me to eat alone."
"There's a pot at the back. I know you two are from the Northeast and like this."
"Perfect!"
"marvelous!"
"Da Dahai, roll out the dough faster, we don't have enough here."
"The three of you can wrap things up quickly enough."
At Yun Sheng's home, Yun Sheng, Sun Jihai, Chen Tao and Dong Fangzhuo were busy.
Dong Fangzhuo asked curiously: "Boss, you just told us that a mysterious guest will come soon. Who is it?"
Chen Tao glanced at him: "I don't know. Look at the big men in the room. It's bound to be a beauty who will come soon. It's either Miss Liu or Miss Zhou."
Yun Sheng was delighted: "You really guessed wrong. Both of them have gone home. Liu Surong went back to the country to worship his ancestors, and Zhou Xiaoyue went back to Cottbus to be with his father. I am the only one left at home today."
Sun Jihai popped his head in the kitchen: "Is he an employee of Yuntian Company?"
"No, after all, today is a gathering of a few fellow villagers in our club, and I don't have anyone from the company with me. All the Chinese employees in the company are not here now. I booked their tickets a few days in advance and arranged for them to return to China for the New Year. .”
"Boss, you are not only a good coach, but also a good boss."
"Dong Zhuo, you are not good at guessing people, but you are very good at flattering people."
"Stop coming! If you call me Dong Zhuo again, I'll beat you, you slow midfielder."
"I won't be slow, okay!"
"Compared with my speed if you can!"
"World class from the head down..."
"Say it again!"
The two young men were bickering, and Sun Jihai in the kitchen was smiling.
The movements of his hands continued unabated, and his heart was full of emotion.
It has been more than ten years since he came to Europe to play football in 1998. Almost half of the time on New Year's Eve, he makes dumplings with his brothers from China.
When he was at Crystal Palace in League One, he and Fan Zhiyi were just starting out and working hard in a strange city.
When he was at Manchester City in the Premier League, he often spent the New Year with Li Tie.
This year is already his 12th year in Europe.
Listening to Dong Fangzhuo and Chen Tao bickering at the dinner table, Sun Jihai felt very happy.
It feels really good to have a successor to Chinese football.
While Sun Jihai was thinking about it, Yun Sheng strolled leisurely to the kitchen, chatting with Sun Jihai while waiting for the dough.
"I called Tiezi and the others a few days ago and invited them to come over to celebrate the New Year, but they have a game in a few days and the time is too tight to leave, so they can't come over."
"After all, Chinese New Year is not like Christmas in the West. It is impossible to have a special holiday. When I was playing in England, I would have been very happy if I could have a day off."
"But they also had a good meal tonight. Lao Zhou from the Chinese restaurant in Cottbus invited them to have Chinese food. They are probably making dumplings now."
"Well, for those of us who live in a foreign country, if we can have a meal of dumplings on this special day, that would be better than anything else."
The two talked about Li Tie and Shao Jiayi. Both of them had good personal relationships with Sun Jihai.
At this time, Chen Tao and Dong Fangzhuo, who were making dumplings, were also chatting with their good brother Yu Hai who was far away in Cottbus.
Speaking of Yu Hai, Dong Fangzhuo found an opportunity to criticize Chen Tao: "You kid, don't think that you are all-powerful in Ligue 1, but you can't compare with Xiao Hai. He scored the first goal among Chinese players in the Champions League. He scored a goal, but he is a figure who created the history of Chinese football."
"What's the matter? Without me, I could have become the first Chinese player to win the Champions League trophy."
"Fuck you, even if you go to Arsenal next season, can you really help them win the coveted Champions League trophy? What so many geniuses like Henry, Vieira, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie have failed to accomplish, do you think you can do it? Can it be achieved easily?"
"What's more, when I go to England, I have to show them what it means to be a Chinese football genius!"
"Don't brag. Besides, Monaco will definitely be able to play in the Champions League next season, and maybe even be drawn into the same group as Arsenal. Then let's see who is the genius of Chinese football!"
Chen Tao was stunned after hearing this. He turned his head and glanced in the direction of the kitchen. Yun Sheng and Sun Jihai were chatting enthusiastically and did not notice them. Chen Tao asked in a low voice.
"Wenger is also very interested in you. Don't you want to go to Arsenal with me after this season?"
"Not going."
"Are you worried that you won't be able to get a labor certificate?"
"Shit, I already got a labor certificate when I was at Manchester United. Plus the time and number of appearances I played in Monaco. If I want to go to Arsenal, I can just go there and play. I don't have to be like you. We still need to get some special genius clauses.”
"Then why did you, um, choose to stay?"
Dong Fangzhuo stopped what he was doing and looked out the window. The weather was getting warmer today and the sun was warming.
"My starting point in Europe was Manchester United. I know the pain of waiting for an opportunity in a wealthy club. Although Arsenal is not as good as Manchester United, it is about the same. Even if I join Wenger, I may not be able to play football, even if it is a rotation. No. In Monaco, not only did I have enough playing time, but I also received special care from my boss, plus the daily guidance from my two masters, which all benefited me a lot. After careful consideration, I still decided to stay. It's the best choice. Besides, Monaco will definitely be able to play in the Champions League next season, I'm sure! In this way, I can still get training in the Champions League, which Arsenal cannot give me."
After hearing this, Chen Tao nodded and was speechless for a while.
After a long time, Chen Tao spoke slowly: "Brother, everyone has his own ambitions, and I respect your choice. When I first arrived in Europe, I may not be as mature as you think, but I still want to go to Arsenal and give it a try. I can wear the No. 10 jersey in Monaco, and maybe one day, I can also wear the No. 10 jersey in Arsenal and become the core of the Gunners and the best midfielder in the world!"
