From Arsenal to the Ball God

On December 25th, Sheffield United City was extremely lively from the morning, with organized large-scale festive activities taking place in the city center.

People were beating drums and dancing joyfully, celebrating their holiday.

After Ma’el finished morning training with the players selected for the next day’s match, he headed to the street where his uncle and aunt were staying.

All along the way, he lost count of how many men, women, and children he saw dressed in Santa Claus costumes; the entire city was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit envious, recalling the scenes of celebrating the Spring Festival in his past life, after all, his soul came from there.

Shaking his head, he chose to accept his current life, to accept the family and everything in this world; since he was here, he should make the best of it and avoid mental exhaustion.

”Ma’el.”

As he got out of the car, the driver stopped him and encouraged, ”I saw you thinking about something all the way, didn’t dare to disturb you, good luck for tomorrow.”

”Good luck.” Ma’el fist-bumped him, accepted his request for a photo, and even gave him an autograph in the end.

His uncle and aunt’s family had been waiting for him at the hotel entrance for a long time. They looked the same as in his memory, just with more excitement on their faces and a bit more unfamiliarity in emotions.

”Brother.”

With the boldness of youth, Eva didn’t care about the norms, broke the ice for them, and ran up to hug Mael’s waist and legs, ”I missed you so much, mom and dad wouldn’t let me see you.”

Ma’el’s face was full of smiles as he lifted Eva, ”Aren’t we meeting now?”

After he put Eva down, his uncle and aunt finally came over, smiling silly at the side, not knowing what to say, the massive change in their nephew’s status seemed to leave them unsure about how to interact.

”You’ve gotten stronger.”

Clément came up and carefully pinched Mael’s arm, asking, ”You have a match tomorrow, shouldn’t there still be training or meetings today?”

”Yes, both this afternoon and evening are busy.”

Ma’el nodded, indicating he wouldn’t have time to show them around Sheffield City today, as he had to go back after eating.

”Bro.”

The eldest sister, Maki, came over, much like the meaning of her name ’pearl.’ At sixteen, she had grown into a tall, slender, and beautiful girl, though her demeanor didn’t quite match it.

This likely had to do with the environment she grew up in, and Ma’el was very aware of what his family’s life was like when he was little.

The second brother, Bruno, also came over. He didn’t call out ’bro’ but gave Mael a nod with a dry smile, seemingly a bit awkward.

”Auntie.”

Ma’el greeted Betty proactively. Even though his aunt didn’t support him playing soccer before, he knew how much this woman had contributed to his growth.

Inheriting this body naturally meant inheriting everything else.

”You’ve grown up.”

Betty pursed her lips, unsure if this was how she imagined their meeting would be. She couldn’t help walking over to touch Mael’s head, ”You’ve grown taller again. It’s tough being alone in the United Kingdom, isn’t it?”

”Not tough.”

Ma’el instinctively retorted, and a genuine sense of emotion welled up. It seemed to be the first time someone had spoken to him this way.

Aunt blinked several times, being pragmatic, always believing that everything relies on hands, so she could somewhat imagine how much her nephew had sacrificed to get this far here.

Her eyes suddenly turned a bit teary, she looked elsewhere to cover it up and forced a smile: ”Come home when the season ends.”

Ma’el responded affirmatively and then waved his big hand: ”Let’s take you to eat something good, let’s go.”

He chose the restaurant where he met Mendes, as it was rare for the family to visit, naturally, they should have the best.

If they liked it, even if they came for every meal, costing a thousand pounds a day, he wouldn’t mind.

After all, who else could he spend this money on besides himself?

Giving gave him a strong feedback loop, making him feel truly alive, no longer empty inside.

At times like this, he could also feel the importance of earning money, which gave him more motivation.

When walking into the restaurant, Ma’el led at the front, sensing that the footsteps of the five people behind him seemed to slow down a bit, with some hesitation.

He led them into a private room, ordered a 700-pound bottle of red wine for his uncle and aunt to try.

”Save some.”

”I don’t know what to order, why isn’t there any price on this menu?”

While ordering, his uncle and aunt appeared shy, and the other siblings remained silent except for Eva, who was fixated on the drinks section of the menu.

She couldn’t read the words, but the colorful drink photos dazzled her.

After seeing the menu, knowing his uncle and aunt only ordered three seemingly cheap dishes, Mael started ordering. He ordered seven dishes in one go before handing the menu back to the waiter.

”That’s... too much.”

Clément felt concerned that Mael would spend too much money, saying this while also pouring himself a glass of red wine to taste, revealing a trace of intoxication deep in his face, ”Good wine truly is different.”

”Let me try.” Aunty also poured a small half-glass and took a sip, her eyes instantly brightening, ”Indeed, it’s good.”

Maki and Bruno also appeared eager, wanting to try the 700-pound wine to see what it tasted like.

”It’s a special day today.”

Clément didn’t stop them, actively offering his glass to pour wine for both of them, ”You can have a little too.”

”Okay.” Bruno finally smiled, having been cold all the way.

Eva thought she could have some too, standing aside with eager eyes but didn’t get her turn.

She reached out to grab some herself, making the whole family laugh.

”Hahaha....”

The atmosphere immediately lightened, finally resembling a Christmas celebration.

Even Mael didn’t notice, but he had a constant smile on his face while watching them.

Though his uncle and aunt said there were too many dishes ordered, they certainly didn’t hold back while eating, barely talking and focusing on eating, occasionally toasting with the red wine.

Mael ate very little, mainly playing around with Eva, an experience that had been missing since he came into this world.

”There will be someone to pick you up tomorrow.”

After dinner, it was time to say goodbye. Ma’el saw the reluctance on their faces, ”Don’t go to the stadium by yourselves. You’ll take the elevator directly from the underground car park to the box.”

”Okay.”

Clément smiled awkwardly. Whenever this was mentioned, he felt he was really foolish at the time. ”What’s the box like?”

”That’s a secret.”

Yesterday, when Ma’el informed them, he didn’t reveal that they would be watching the game in the club owner’s private box. He mimicked Clément, ”It’s also a surprise.”

The family laughed again. Ma’el waved goodbye to them; he wouldn’t be seeing them off to the hotel.

Prepare well for the game tomorrow, and aim to show your best performance to win this match!

......

December 26th, the day everyone had long awaited, finally arrived.

Football in the United Kingdom is a working-class sport. Initially, during the Second Industrial Revolution, it was the only form of entertainment for workers in their leisure time.

Imagine, after enjoying a Christmas reunion with family, during a wonderful holiday, gathering with fellow workers for an intense football match on the field, followed by sweet wine and cigarettes - how intoxicating!

The tradition of Boxing Day matches has thus been passed down, and it has become the most anticipated match of the first half of the season for fans all across England.

This season, Sheffield United is lucky, for they will be playing this match at home in Bramall Lane, which has heightened fan enthusiasm.

Look at the Hull City fans who have traveled from Yorkshire. Even though they are equally passionate, their cheers echo for several blocks, but they somehow feel suppressed.

At 3 PM, the match was set to begin in half an hour.

The vicinity of Bramall Lane Stadium was already crowded with people, surrounded by steam and singing.

”You are a light in the dark.... That there’s only the road down the dark....!!”

Due to the cold weather, a somewhat amusing scene appeared.

Many Sheffield United fans wore oversized jerseys over their jackets and coats, appearing very bulky.

Yet, this represented their sentiments - even if they turned into balls themselves, they would still support their team!

”Charge! Let Hull City taste our strength!!”

”Sheffield! Sheffield!!”

”End the first half with a victory!”

Sheffield United fans stood by the roadside, raising their hands, chanting war cries, expressing their impatience.

Soon, over four thousand organized die-hard away fans arrived. They formed a dark crowd filling the street, taking a few steps before waving their hands and chanting in unison, ”Hull City! Hull City!!”

Seeing this spectacle, the home fans weren’t to be outdone. Die-hard fans with team flags organized themselves, waving flags and shouting, ”You’ll be crying home! You won’t take even a point from here!”

The match hadn’t yet begun, but the confrontation had already started outside the stadium.

Fans from both sides seemed to be transported back to ancient battlefields, engaging in a final battle dance before the charge, ever ready to attack the other side.

”Clop... Clop!” Four or five mounted police on tall horses patrolled back and forth between the fans, fearing outbreak of conflicts between the two sides.

Traffic police swiftly imposed a blockade around the area, raising barriers and no entry signs to prevent further chaos.

Ten minutes later, weak snowflakes began to fall, signaling light snowfall that added atmosphere to the day. Fans’ cheers grew even more enthusiastic, guaranteed to be a memorable moment.

At this time, a seven-seat business car drove in from afar. After communicating with the driver and traffic police, it was allowed through, driving straight to the stadium.

Inside the car, Clément had not yet shaken off the thrill from the police’s ’special treatment’ before the scene outside caught his attention.

”So many people.”

Maki looked at the surging crowd outside the window, slightly agape, ”This is so overwhelming, completely different from how it feels on TV.”

”I can’t hold back anymore.”

Clément rubbed his hands, curiously looking around, ”I hope my nephew scores today. I’ve never heard what these people’s cheers sound like live.”

The car entered the stadium parking lot, and after parking, the driver quickly got out to open the door for the five people, leading them towards the elevator entrance.

As they ascended to the stadium’s highest level, a different scene unfolded before them. It felt spacious here, unlike the crowded fan zone.

All around were vacant couches and rocking chairs in the corners. Waitstaff carried champagne and wine back and forth, while chefs pushed exquisite food carts, promoting delicacies to the audience.

”Here?”

Clément’s mood turned excited; the environment was great, comfortable.

”No.”

The driver shook his head, gestured for them to proceed, and led them forward until reaching the end of the corridor, pushing open a door and descending another flight of stairs.

This area was located on the stadium’s left side, decorated in a wooden style, introducing a business-like, understated ambiance, giving a sense of old money opulence.

Upon closer inspection, the craftsmanship of the embedded sofas and wine cabinet among other furnishings appeared exceptionally exquisite, obviously quite valuable, using top-notch materials.

This was a fully private, secretive box, separated from the stadium by a glass sliding door, providing a nearly panoramic view of the field from alongside.

”Here?”

Clément’s worldview was once again shaken. He realized the value of his nephew’s rise and the extent to which the family was appreciated by the club.

”The decor is much better than home.”

Maki uttered a somewhat unnecessary comment, captivated by the place, ”It would be nice to live here.”

”Hahaha....”

A low laughter was heard, and they finally noticed an elderly man standing near the refrigerator in the corner. ”Hello, I’m McCabe. I do some real estate business.”

He walked over unhurriedly, his steps steady, ”Sheffield United is my team. Besides that, I also invested in a team in China.”

”On behalf of the club, welcome. Feel free to sit and inform my driver of any needs, food or drink. Everything is available here, ensuring the best viewing experience.”

McCabe lifted a wine glass, raising his cup in gesture towards everyone, reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio’s gesture in ’The Great Gatsby.’

Hmm... In Clément family’s eyes, dressed in a lavish suit with elegant speech, he indeed exuded the aura of a movie star, like those powerful antagonist types.