<h4>Chapter 396: Santa us Part 2</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio <strong>Editor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio


    Although they were missing one person, the Christmas dinner at Sophia’s ce was still very festive. Everyone had a wonderful evening with Sophia’s meticulous nning.


    Shania also received arge Totoro soft toy in Mn, Italy, sent to her via FedEx; a soft toy as tall as a person. Shania tore open the package in front of the other models, which got her exmations of envy. That greatly satisfied the young girl’s vanity. Although she ate fast food backstage during Christmas, to be able to receive such a Christmas present was enough to make her the happiest of all the girls.


    However, she had a little trouble answering the girls’ questions about the person who sent the gift.


    Her parents and rtives?


    Definitely not.


    Friends?


    In the end, she could only say, “It’s from a very, very good friend.”


    How close are you guys?


    We’re just very, very close.


    ※※※


    After Christmas dinner, Twain led the team to their away game against Aston Vi on December 26th, which began their hellishpetition schedule of two away games and one home game, a total of three matches in six days during the Christmas season.


    On this day in Mn, the girls who roomed together went out to go sightseeing in this fashion capital, with most of the holiday spent on shopping. Shania declined her roommates’ invitation and chose to stay in the hotel room alone. She turned on the television and searched for a television channel on which she could watch the English Premier League game.


    By the time she finally found a channel that broadcasted Nottingham Forest’s away game against Aston Vi, the second half of the game had already begun.


    The television broadcast just so happened to show a close-up shot of the Forest team manager. Shania’s anxious and restless heart suddenly settled down after she saw Twain.


    Aston Vi had just equalized the score, and the television broadcast wanted to show the expression on Twain’s face. But Shania did not care about the score. As long as she could see the person she wanted to see, she was content.


    On the television screen, Twain could be seen staring intently at the field, unaware that the camera had locked onto him. He was also unaware that he was watched by another pair of eyes in Mn, Italy.


    Sitting next to him, David Kerke talked to him and Twain asionally nodded as he listened. Then he stood up and walked to the sideline of the field.


    He did not do anything. He just walked to the sideline and stood there with his arms across his chest. Nheless, his yers seemed to receive some kind of motivation and the visiting team, Nottingham Forest, suddenly began to exert their force. Shania seemed to be in a trance as she watched. Although she liked Uncle Tony to joke around with her with his face full of smiles, she also liked this serious-looking Uncle Tony. Different looks had their different appeal.


    When the television footage moved to the battle between the teams on the field, Shania rolled her eyes and curled her lip. She was not interested in the game at all.


    The matchmentary was not in Italian or English. It sounded like one of thenguages from Scandinavia, perhaps Danish or Norwegian. But Shania did not care. It did not matter to her if she did not understand thementary.


    ※※※


    The Vi Park stadium was full of hubbub and the home fans worked hard to cheer Aston Vi on, hoping that they could give their supporters a victory on this Christmas night as a present.


    But Nottingham Forest was not willing to hand over the three points. Both sides were in a stalemate.


    Twain certainly did not think that tying the away game with Aston Vi was an eptable oue. The Aston Vi manager said before the game that he wanted to beat the league’s second-ranked team at their home ground to bring somefort and confidence to the Vi fans who were in despair over the team’s current poor record.


    It was good to have a winning conviction, but it also depended on where it was to be used.


    Tony Twain was not Santa us for the Vi fans. He also had a reason that he must win.


    With fifteen minutes left in the game, they entered injury stoppage time. Twain reced the physically exhausted Albertini with Arteta to strengthen the organization of the midfield offense.


    Twain noticed a detail.


    When Albertini saw that he was going to be brought off, he turned to look for George Wood as he took off the captain’s armband from his arm. In the past, the Italian would have run over first to put it on George Wood. However, this time, it was George Wood who ran over first and took the captain’s armband from the Italian to put it on his left arm. Next, he waved his left hand with the captain’s armband on to let his teammates press up. He would defend the rear.


    Since Keane’s departure, George Wood had seemed more active. He would often use bodynguage to express his ideas.


    Twain knew that Roy had talked to Wood before he left, but he did not know what was said. He did not ask Keane or Wood. He thought this should be a secret between both of them. He was d to see that Wood was actively making some changes, and that was enough.


    Aston Vi really wanted to win the game. They did not give up on the offense, even in thest ten minutes. Although the Forest team pressed hard, they did everything possible to seize the opportunity to fight back. The game suddenly intensified in thest ten minutes.


    George Wood’s performance as the defensive midfielder made everyone feel reassured. Even though Keane’s training with the Forest team was short, George Wood had learned some things.


    Aston Vi counterattacked after they intercepted Ashley Young’s dribble. But they did not expect the ball to be cut by George Wood rushing up just when they passed over the center circle. His tackle was very fierce, but it was not a foul. The boos at Vi Park were not enough to stop Nottingham Forest’s attack.


    It was a very simple pass. Wood passed to Arteta, who in turn passed it again to Anelka. Finally, the French striker used a sudden change in speed to create a space for him to shoot. He kicked the shot without hesitation. The football brushed against the goal post and rolled into Aston Vi’s goal!


    The jeering was gone. In its ce was the Nottingham Forest fans’ cheering and the “Merry Christmas” song.


    Amidst the “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” song, the goalscorer, Anelka, ran all the way to the substitutes’ bench and took the red Santa us hat from his teammate’s hand. Just when the television audience thought he would put it on himself, he suddenly turned towards Tony Twain, who was celebrating the goal with Kerke, and put the hat on his head!


    Then, before Twain could react, Kerke pulled out a fake white beard from his chest and stuck it on Twain’s chin.


    “Ah… You nned this!”


    With a red hat and a white beard on his chin, Twain looked like a Santa us in front of the television camera.


    “Merry Christmas, chief!”


    “How’s this for a Christmas present, Tony?”


    Everyone around Twain burst intoughter.


    “You rascals...” Twain tried to scare them with a straight face, but heughed as he looked at all theughing faces.


    Looking at theical Uncle Tony in front of the television, Shania copsed and rolled on the bed as sheughed, holding the Totoro soft toy.


    ※※※


    “This was a surprise that the yers gave Tony Twain. It looks like it’s a sess! He was stunned!” Thementator, John Motson,ughed happily.


    “Poor Aston Vi, their Christmas is destined to be associated with failure. Tony Twain makes a great Santa us, but he only serves the supporters of Nottingham Forest!”


    “Merry Christmas, Manager Twain!”