Mantovani helped the two of them find an apartment for the time being. It had the classic Mediterranean-style exterior balcony, with a commercial district downstairs.
That would help them settle into the city as quickly as possible.
Besides, finding a good place on short notice was not easy.
Interestingly, the apartment building belonged to Mantovani, and Dejan Lu's neighbor was Roberto Mancini.
No wonder Mancini later said Mantovani was like a father to him.
Being able to shop just by going downstairs was extremely convenient. Monica ran up and down excitedly, carrying all kinds of shopping bags and decorating their new home with things she liked.
"How about we keep some flowers, darling?"
Monica Bellucci said, "Hydrangeas represent hope. I hope we can have a good start in Genoa, and this flower was brought from China to Europe."
"Sure, but I prefer steel wool. Its flower language is endurance and wealth."
Dejan Lu said it without thinking.
Monica was somewhat puzzled, so Dejan Lu immediately leaned closer to explain it to her.
"You bastard!"
Monica smacked his arm in annoyance and laughed, "Could you accept an old lady in her eighties too?"
"If you make it to eighty, I might consider it."
Dejan Lu said with a smile.
Monica immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.
"In a few days, I need to prepare for the national entrance exam. It shouldn't be a problem," Monica said.
After graduating high school in Italy, students took a simple exam called L'esame di maturità. Those who passed could attend university.
However, highly competitive majors had specialized entrance exams, including medicine and law.
Monica wanted to attend Genoa University, so she still had to prepare for the upcoming exam. If she passed the September exam, she could begin school directly in October.
"You keep unpacking. I'll go visit the neighbors and see whether my future teammate is home," Dejan Lu said.
"Take a gift and your wallet. If you go out, call me in advance and let me know."
Monica reminded him.
"Don't worry. Even if we go somewhere after meeting for the first time, I'll bring you along."
Dejan Lu casually took a bottle of red wine that had come free with some whisky and went straight to Mancini's door, knocking three times with the second knuckle of one finger.
After waiting two or three minutes without a response, Dejan Lu was about to leave when a woman in pajamas opened the door and asked, "Can I help you?"
"I'm Sampdoria's new player. I heard Roberto lives here, so I came to pay him a visit." Dejan Lu waved the red wine in his hand. "We're neighbors for the time being."
She glanced at the door behind Dejan Lu and said in surprise, "I see. No wonder Mantovani called and said we might have new neighbors. Come in."
She immediately turned around to go change clothes.
Italians did not really care about such things.
But dressing so casually in front of Mancini's teammate was not quite appropriate.
As soon as Dejan Lu entered, he saw Mancini sitting there with a dark expression. Young Mancini looked rather fierce.
Combined with the couple's disheveled appearance, it was obvious what they had been doing.
"Good day, Roberto. I just signed with Sampdoria. I've always liked you, so I came specifically to visit," Dejan Lu said with a smile.
Mancini looked constipated.
The other man had said he liked him, so he could not even lose his temper.
He could only nod with a dark face before turning toward the bathroom, intending to splash some water on his face and calm down.
Mrs. Mancini, now changed into proper clothes, came over, took the red wine, and pulled Dejan Lu onto the sofa. "Roberto and I were cleaning. We bought another house, but I prefer living here, so we came back. Oh my... how rude of me. I'm Federica."
"Dejan Lu. My surname comes first; I'm Chinese," Dejan Lu said. "I came to pay you a visit today, and to invite you to dinner."
"That would be wonderful. Roberto doesn't have many friends, so I'm very happy that he has a new friend like you," Federica said warmly.
She knew perfectly well what a terrible temper her husband had.
At the last World Cup, he had gone out late at night with teammates and got caught. The manager wanted to forgive him, but he stubbornly refused to apologize and was kicked off the national team.
With next year's World Cup coming up, things might not improve.
Perhaps making more new friends would help change his bad temper.
"I'm from Napoli. Did you just transfer here from abroad?"
Federica asked.
"No. My uncle adopted me when I was young. I lived in Reggio Calabria and previously played for Reggina," Dejan Lu said.
"Oh..." Federica covered her mouth, got up, took a gossip magazine from beside the television, and pointed at the cover. "Is that you? The photo is quite good."
Dejan Lu was stunned as well.
He had not expected the street race with Monica to be photographed, nor had he expected to be recognized even with a helmet on.
"It says you used some trick to run off with a beautiful girl, and that girl is also a very promising model." Federica smiled. "I always feel like the person who wrote it was jealous of you. After all, the two of you look very well matched."
"Thank you."
Dejan Lu said.
Mancini came out of the bathroom with water still on his face. He had been listening to their conversation the whole time.
Mancini said, "Since you're worth a foreign player slot, that means Mr. Mantovani recognizes your talent. I hope you can prove that he didn't misjudge you."
Federica immediately glared at him.
Dejan Lu did not particularly care.
He had already guessed how Mancini would behave.
"Don't worry. I'm very good at passing."
Dejan Lu said with a smile.
Mancini turned around, put on his trench coat, and impatiently urged, "Let's go eat. I don't want Mr. Mantovani criticizing me."
Federica gestured toward Dejan Lu with her mouth. Her husband was just that awkward.
Dejan Lu got up and went home to bring Monica along.
The four of them took Mancini's car to a restaurant called Carmine.
Mancini took the initiative to ask what they liked and handled the ordering. The guy was actually quite considerate.
Federica said, "Two days before every Sampdoria season, the chairman invites the whole team to gather at this restaurant. Everyone is like one big family."
"This place looks very nice."
Monica said.
"Yes, the seafood here is delicious, and the lasagna is excellent. Roberto likes lasagna. He also likes sweets..." Federica went on and on.
"You really know Mr. Mancini well. Haven't you only been married for two years?"
Monica asked.
Newspapers covered football stars' marriages.
"We've known each other for a long time. My father and his father were close, and my father was also very close to him," Federica said.
Dejan Lu thought about it briefly.
Mancini calls your father his brother, so isn't he your uncle?
Mancini's attitude improved considerably during the meal.
He was probably upset that afternoon because his mating had been interrupted. Even animals would not take that well.
"Do you smoke, kid?"
Mancini asked after wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Italian food used very few seasonings, but a great deal of olive oil.
"Not usually. Sometimes it's hard to refuse."
Dejan Lu said.
"Then don't smoke. Gianluca smokes, and he won't listen when I tell him to stop. Sooner or later, tobacco will ruin him," Mancini complained.
The Gianluca he meant was Vialli.
There was not much to say about that.
After all, tobacco companies had previously promoted smoking aggressively for profit. Movies around the world had similar lines, saying that men should know how to smoke, while women's smoking was portrayed as a symbol of progress and fashion.
There were plenty of heavy smokers in football now. Zinedine Zidane even smoked before the World Cup final. The only difference was whether the media caught it on camera.
There were plenty of heavy smokers in Milan too.
Even around 2010, Manchester United's Berbatov was smoking, and before him there had been Butt.
Rooney was rather unfairly caught smoking. He was the type to light up while drinking just to look cool; he did not really smoke much himself.
"It seems you two have a lot in common."
Federica interjected.
Mancini said nothing.
Dejan Lu asked, "Does your name come from Germany? I remember William II's granddaughter had that name."
"Yes, you're so knowledgeable!" Federica exclaimed. "Everyone only knows that I'm from Napoli. You're the first person to ask whether I have German ancestry."
"Aren't you afraid he'll get angry when you praise another man?"
Monica teased.
Federica joked, "If Gianluca Vialli praised another man, he'd probably get angry."
Everyone except Mancini laughed.
His relationship with Vialli was indeed extremely close.
The meal ended with both sides thoroughly pleased.
Mancini took the initiative to pay the bill.
After they returned home, Monica immediately pretended to be asleep after washing up, afraid Dejan Lu would try something again. Somewhat bored, Dejan Lu opened the system and, as expected, saw that the mission had been completed.
Successfully remained in one of the top four leagues. Mysterious Event activated. The first Mysterious Event will appear when the league begins. You have successfully remained in one of the top four leagues. This is a good choice. Although Sampdoria has already declined, as Brazil's final superstar prospect, you can absolutely lead Sampdoria to new glory. A ship needs a helmsman to sail the sea; lead the young sailors forward! Your performance this season will be evaluated at the end of the season, and rewards will be issued.
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