From Arsenal to the Ball God

September 16th, departure day.

In the afternoon, Ma’el packed his luggage in the villa, waiting for the club’s gathering notice.

Today, he will fly to the German Ruhr Area for his first away game in the UEFA Champions League.

For top players, this is actually a regular occurrence each season, but for him, it’s a novel experience.

Dortmund’s home, Westfalen Stadium, renowned across Europe as a fearsome venue... he’s long wanted to experience it.

Just in this life, he goes as a player, though in the past life he longed to go as a fan.

”Playing against Barça...”

With nothing else to do, Ma’el hummed the Champions League anthem at home. Closing his eyes now, he could already envision the heat of tomorrow’s Champions League opener.

In fact, Chinese fans edited this song like this just to comment on Arsenal’s predicament in the Champions League over the past few years.

Each time they excel in the group stage, then end up facing either Bayern Munich or Barça, reaching only the last sixteen year after year, leaving the club and fans frustrated.

”Ding dong...” The doorbell rang, Ma’el looked up to see Safina going to open the door.

He sensed that Safina was noticeably stunned after opening the door, seemingly awe-struck by something she saw, turning back with her lips slightly apart.

”Ta-da~ ta-da~...!” A lively female voice rang out, joyful yet composed.

Isabella stepped in wearing black mid-calf high heels, walking with a bounce like a tap dance, instantly warming the atmosphere at home.

Today she wore a well-tailored khaki silk shirt, with a notched lapel design accentuating her long slender neck... Her bottom was black straight-cut capris, reaching the beautifully shaped calves, rendering her legs even slimmer.

Looking up, square sunglasses rested on her exquisite pointed nose, an LV black bag hung on her shoulder, looking rather dashing as she walked.

”Surprise?”

Isabella casually tossed her bag onto the couch, moving towards Ma’el, extending her right arm for a hug.

Ma’el quickly jumped up from the couch, surprised, ”Isabella?”

”And me.”

A male voice echoed, it was Gilbert standing outside the door with a case, tanned considerably since their last meeting.

”Gilbert?”

Ma’el was now beyond surprised, he was startled, ”How did you two come together? Know each other?”

His first thought was… Gilbert never talked about his family background. Could it be that he too is wealthy, and his joy at the earlier pay raise was all a façade?

Seems like he’s the only one from an ordinary family, surrounded by well-off friends.

”Time to reveal the truth to you.”

Gilbert placed the case at the door, assuming a mysterious air: ”Actually, I... oh no, actually Isabella is the daughter of the Sheffield United owner.”

”What?” Ma’el turned to Isabella, feeling even more shocked.

Watching her shake her glossy chestnut hair, tilt her head with a bright smile... Combining all the previous fragments of detail, her presence with Gilbert today made sense.

He immediately believed with no suspicion of a prank, ”Alright, alright, alright... keeping it from me all this time.”

”Wasn’t intentional to hide it from you.” Isabella walked up, embraced him briefly, and exchanged simple cheek kisses.

Actually, Ma’el didn’t blame her, given he wasn’t curious before and never inquired.

He turned and extended his arms to Gilbert, wanting a big embrace with his old friend.

Whatever the case, joy dominated the emotions now, a reunion with an old friend.

However, Gilbert approached for the hug with a somber face, leaning in for a cheek kiss, prompting Ma’el to quickly refuse: ”I think that’s really unnecessary.”

”Hahaha...” Gilbert and Isabella laughed together, they sat on the couch, while Safina quickly brewed them some coffee.

”Why come now?”

Seated on the couch, Ma’el looked at the pair, his heart filled with worry, ”I might have to leave for Germany at any moment.”

”Because we’re leaving too.”

Gilbert hadn’t seen Ma’el for a long time, filled with joy and a hint of sentiment, he patted his shoulder, saying, ”You wouldn’t know, but Sheffield United won their first Premier League match in the last round.

”I scored my first Premier League goal, and another too, both headers smashing Swansea’s goal.”

”I really didn’t notice.”

Ma’el felt a twinge of guilt, yet opted to respond with humor, exaggerating like Mendes would, ”No choice, you must understand that I’m currently the hottest star in the Premier League.

”Sponsors lined up from here to Southampton, with all the interviews and meetings, along with a packed schedule, it’s natural not to follow this.”

”Lame, lame.” Gilbert laughed dismissively, waving his hand as if mocking Ma’el’s persistently poor humor skills despite not having seen him for ages.

”Ma’el.”

Isabella glanced casually at Safina, then turned back, smiling, ”Lately you’ve been making waves in European Football, ready to take it further in the Champions League?

”Do you remember? I promised you a birthday gift, just never found the chance.”

”Forgotten.” Ma’el scratched his head, with recent busyness, he’d indeed neglected his friends, not sparing even a sliver of attention their way.

”No grudges, neither should you.” Isabella pointed at him amusingly, meaning they’re squared, then laughed, ”See the gift I’m making up for it.”