From Arsenal to the Ball God

He calculated the speed of improving other skills again, primarily to distract himself and avoid constantly thinking about the upcoming match, which might affect his condition.

In the morning, he ate fried eggs and some vegetables and fruits, then sat on the sofa to watch previous match videos.

Two hours later, the doorbell rang.

”Ding ding ding ding...!”

Isabella, dressed in an Arsenal jersey, appeared at the door. She probably wore short denim shorts, but they were hidden by the long shirt, leaving only her slender white legs and Xiaobai sneakers visible.

She held a bag in her right hand, which seemed to be stuffed with many things, bulging out.

”Guess what I brought?”

Isabella greeted Ma’el with a sweet smile, walked up to Ma’el, gave a quick kiss, and then said, ”Everything a man needs for styling! I want to try to make you look the most handsome.”

”This is a very important day for you. I see that all the world stars are here; you must not lose to them in terms of image.”

Seemingly afraid Ma’el might overthink, she added some charming arrogance, ”After all, my boy is about to become an international superstar, and I believe you will surpass them in every way in the future.”

”Ah...” Ma’el glanced at her bag and instinctively said, ”It sounds troublesome, plus the match is so intense, one gust of wind, one collision, and it’s all gone.”

”Oh, come on.” Isabella wasn’t discouraged; she came up to Ma’el, ”Even if it rains, it won’t matter; trust me, haha.

”You go take a shower or wash your hair first, then I’ll help you.”

Ma’el couldn’t resist her, so he went upstairs to take a shower, and after showering, he came down with wet hair.

”Let’s go.” Isabella took a bag in one hand, held his palm with the other, and smiled as she led him to the restroom.

”Hum hum hum...!” The sound of the hairdryer started, and she used one hand to blow-dry Ma’el’s hair, the distance between them was about a fist apart.

Sometimes Ma’el would jokingly lean forward, pretending to kiss her face.

Isabella would dodge back and forth, and sometimes when she couldn’t avoid it, she would put the hairdryer away and kiss Ma’el for a while.

”Giggle... giggle giggle...!”

A burst of laughter often echoed in the restroom, just listening to it, one could feel how happy she was at the moment, causing Safina and Harry in the living room to exchange a look and shrug slightly.

The first attempt at styling failed, as Isabella probably hadn’t styled a man’s hair before, making Ma’el’s hairstyle look messy, even strange.

”Haha...” It was Ma’el’s turn to laugh; she stood awkwardly and apologetically in place.

”It’s okay.”

Ma’el rubbed her head, comforted her, ”This is pretty good, more noticeable, everyone can see me at a glance.”

He didn’t blame her; Isabella’s arrival diverted his attention, which was very important before the match.

This kind of adjustment and relaxation was something he couldn’t achieve alone.

Ma’el quickly went to the shower room to wash his hair again; the second time, Isabella did much better, her aesthetics in the fashion industry were certainly on point.

Finally, after three attempts and adjustments, Ma’el stepped out of the restroom under Isabella’s expectant gaze and appeared in front of Harry and Safina.

”I think it’s very good.” Harry propped his hands on the table, smiled, and nodded, ”Just don’t mess it up when getting dressed and avoid having it messed up by Van Persie and them.”

”Agreed.”

Safina raised her right hand and raised an eyebrow, ”You should tidy up more, let Isabella teach and help you more.”

Ma’el turned to look at Isabella, saw her bite her lips and smile, tilting her head waiting for praise.

He pinched her face, then walked toward the living room.

Mendes arrived shortly after; he had met Ma’el two days ago, but he heard that in the past two days, he was negotiating contracts with several companies.

”You two are here.” After meeting, he patted Ma’el’s shoulder and asked with a smile, ”How do you feel now? Nervous?”

”Not at all.” Ma’el’s attention had been focused on Isabella, so he hadn’t had time to be nervous.

”That’s good.”

Mendes noticed his hair, his eyes flickered, knowing it might be Isabella’s doing, he took a step back, and joked, ”After coming to London, it’s been a double harvest of career and love, you’re so enviable.”

Ma’el smiled without saying a word and glanced at Isabella again, finding her a bit embarrassed.

From now on, she initially approached him for endorsement, which indeed seemed like a purposeful move to get to know him... especially in the eyes of Mendes, who first made contact with her.

”Too fast, too fast.”

Mendes sighed twice, not knowing what he was referring to, then sat on the sofa, joking with Ma’el, ”Hey, do you know what I thought when signing the bonus contract with Arsenal?”

”I think I know.”

”Haha...Do you remember the bonus in your Arsenal contract for finishing in the top four and passing the Champions League group stage?”

Mendes chuckled, showing a mouthful of white teeth, ”Back then, I thought, this is a more realistic goal, the championship bonus was too far away.

”Who would have thought, after winning the English League Cup, you’re also getting close to the Premier League championship.

”If you succeed this time, you will immediately receive a 4 million pound bonus, and Puma’s basic endorsement fee will increase to 3.85 million pounds.

”Big harvest! Whether in terms of honor or money, it’s like that.”

He admiredly looked at Ma’el, as if having endless things to say, ”Your goals are also getting closer, whether it’s the Grand Slam or becoming the best active player, they all seem so close and tangible.