The Arrogant Roberto Mancini

Mantovani helped the two find a temporary apartment, a classic Mediterranean style with an external balcony, with a commercial area downstairs.

This would allow them to integrate into the city as quickly as possible.

Besides, finding a good place on short notice wasn't easy.

Interestingly, the apartment was Mantovani's property, and Dejan Lu's new neighbor was Mancini.

No wonder Mancini later said Mantovani was like a father to him.

Being able to shop downstairs was very convenient. Monica excitedly went up and down, carrying various shopping bags, decorating their new home with her favorite elements.

"How about we get some flowers, dear?"

Monica Bellucci said, "Hydrangeas represent hope, and I hope we have a good start in Genoa. Plus, these flowers were brought to Europe from China."

"That's fine, but I prefer steel wool flowers; their floral meaning is endurance and wealth," Dejan Lu said subconsciously.

Monica looked a bit confused, so Dejan Lu leaned in to explain.

"You scoundrel!"

Monica playfully hit his arm, laughing and scolding, "Can you accept an 80-year-old lady?"

"If you're still around when you're 80, maybe I'll consider it," Dejan Lu said with a smile.

Monica immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I need to prepare for the national exam in a few days; it shouldn't be a problem," Monica said.

After graduating from high school in Italy, there's a simple exam called L'esame di maturità. Passing it allows one to attend university.

However, competitive majors have their own specific entrance exams, such as medicine and law.

Monica wanted to attend the University of Genoa, so she still needed to prepare for the upcoming exams. If she passed the September exam, she could start school directly in October.

"You get settled in. I'm going to visit our neighbors and see if my future teammate is home," Dejan Lu said.

"Take the gift and your wallet. Call me in advance if you go out," Monica reminded him.

"Don't worry, for our first meeting, even if I go out, I'll invite you along," Dejan Lu replied.

Dejan Lu casually grabbed a bottle of red wine that came with a whiskey purchase and walked to Mancini's door, knocking three times with the second knuckle of his index finger.

After waiting for two or three minutes with no response, just as Dejan Lu was about to leave, a woman in pajamas opened the door and asked, "Can I help you?"

"I'm a new player for Sampdoria. I heard Roberto lives here, so I came to visit," Dejan Lu said, shaking the red wine bottle. "We're neighbors for now."

The woman glanced at the door behind Dejan Lu and said with some surprise, "Oh, I see. No wonder Mantovani called to say we might have new neighbors. Come in quickly."

She turned back to change her clothes.

Italians don't care much about this.

But appearing so casually in front of Mancini's teammate wasn't ideal.

As soon as Dejan Lu entered, he saw Mancini with a dark expression. The young Mancini had a somewhat fierce look.

Judging by their disheveled appearance, it was clear what the couple had been doing.

"Good day, Roberto. I just signed with Sampdoria and have always admired you, so I came to visit," Dejan Lu said with a smile.

Mancini looked constipated.

Even though the other person expressed admiration, he couldn't lash out.

He could only nod with a grimace, turn, and head to the bathroom to splash water on his face and calm down.

Mancini's wife, after changing, came over, took the red wine, and pulled Dejan Lu to sit on the sofa. "Roberto and I were cleaning. We bought another house, but I prefer living here, so we came back. Oh my goodness... how rude of me, I'm Federica."

"Dejan Lu, my surname comes first. I'm Chinese," Dejan Lu said. "I came to visit today and also to invite you to dinner."

"That would be wonderful. Roberto doesn't have many friends, so I'm very happy to have a new friend like you," Federica said enthusiastically.

She knew her husband's temper very well.

During the last World Cup, he was caught sneaking out with teammates late at night. The coach wanted to forgive him, but he refused to apologize and was kicked off the national team.

With the next World Cup situation, it might not be much better. Having more new friends might help change his bad temper.

"I'm from Naples. Did you just transfer from abroad?" Federica asked.

"No, I was adopted by my uncle when I was young and lived in Reggio Calabria. I used to play for Reggina," Dejan Lu replied.

"Oh my!" Federica covered her mouth, stood up, and took a gossip magazine from beside the TV. She pointed to the cover and asked, "Is that you? The photo looks great."

Dejan Lu was also taken aback.

He hadn't expected to be photographed while street racing with Monica before, and he was recognized even with a helmet on.

"It says you tricked a beautiful girl into leaving with you, and that girl was a promising model." Federica said with a smile, "I always feel like the person who wrote this article is very jealous of you. After all, you two look like a perfect match."

"Thank you."

Dejan Lu replied.

Mancini, with water on his face, came out of the restroom. He had been listening to their conversation.

Mancini spoke, "Since you're worth a foreign player spot, it means Mr. Mantovani has recognized you. I hope you can prove he didn't misjudge you."

Federica immediately glared.

Dejan Lu didn't seem to care much.

He had already guessed how Mancini would react.

"Don't worry, my passing is very good,"

Dejan Lu said with a smile.

Mancini turned and put on his trench coat, impatiently urging, "Let's go, let's eat together. I don't want to be criticized by Mr. Mantovani."

Federica nudged Dejan Lu with her mouth, commenting that her husband had a difficult personality.

Dejan Lu got up and went home to get Monica.

The four of them took Mancini's car to a restaurant called Carmine.

Mancini took the initiative to ask about their preferences and was in charge of ordering. He was quite enthusiastic.

Federica said, "For the first two days of every season, the chairman invites the entire team to this restaurant for a gathering. We all feel like a family here."

"This place looks very nice,"

Monica commented.

"Yes, the seafood here is delicious, and the lasagna is excellent. Roberto likes lasagna. He has a real sweet tooth..." Federica chattered on.

"You really know Mr. Mancini well. Haven't you only been married for two years?"

Monica asked.

The marriages of football stars were all reported in the newspapers.

"We've known each other for a long time. My father and his father were good friends, and my father is also very close to him," Federica said.

Dejan Lu thought for a moment.

Mancini and your father are like brothers, so is he your uncle?

Mancini's attitude improved considerably during the meal.

Perhaps it was because their intimacy was interrupted in the afternoon. Even animals would be upset by such a thing.

"Do you smoke, kid?"

Mancini asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Italian food uses very few ingredients, but a lot of olive oil.

"I don't usually smoke, but sometimes I can't refuse,"

Dejan Lu replied.

"Then don't smoke. Gianluca smokes, and I advised him not to, but he wouldn't listen. He'll eventually be ruined by tobacco," Mancini complained.

The Gianluca he was referring to was Vialli.

There was nothing that could be done about it.

After all, tobacco companies had aggressively promoted smoking for profit. There were similar lines in movies worldwide, like "a man should smoke," and smoking among women was portrayed as a symbol of progress and fashion.

There were many heavy smokers in football at the time. Zidane even smoked before the World Cup final; the only difference was whether the media caught him.

There were also many heavy smokers in Milan.

Even around 2010, Berbatov of Manchester United still smoked, and Barthez did before him.

Rooney, on the other hand, was somewhat unfairly caught smoking. He was the type to smoke after drinking to look cool, and he didn't smoke much himself.

"It seems you have a lot in common,"

Federica interjected.

Mancini didn't say anything.

Dejan Lu asked, "Is your name of German origin? I remember William II's granddaughter had the same name."

"Yes, you're so knowledgeable!" Federica exclaimed, "Others only know I'm from Naples. You're the first person to ask if I have German ancestry."

"Aren't you afraid he'll get angry if you compliment other men?"

Monica teased.

Federica retorted, "If Gianluca Vialli complimented other men, he would probably get angry."

Everyone except Mancini laughed.

His relationship with Vialli was indeed very good.

The meal concluded with everyone satisfied, both host and guest.

Mancini insisted on paying the bill.

Back home, Monica washed up and immediately pretended to be asleep, afraid Lu Deyang might do something else. Feeling a bit bored, Lu Deyang opened the system and indeed saw that the mission was complete.

[Successfully stayed in the top four leagues, Mysterious Event activated. The first mysterious event will appear as the league begins.]

[You have successfully stayed in the top four leagues, which is a good choice. Although Sampdoria has fallen, as Brazil's last reserve superstar, you can completely lead Sampdoria to create new glory. Sailing the vast sea depends on the helmsman; lead the young sailors forward! Your performance this season will be evaluated at the end of the season for rewards.]

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