Rough Exterior, Delicate Interior

"Hey...! Anno, I haven't even congratulated you yet!" On the flight to Brazil, Aloisio sat beside Chen Anno, a trace of envy in his eyes.

"Congratulations on joining Borussia Dortmund. They're a Bundesliga giant. From now on, you'll get to play in the Champions League. Heh... when you make it big, don't forget this brother who once fought alongside you."

Chen Anno patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, brother. No matter what, I'm someone who's heard you snore."

Aloisio immediately rolled his eyes. "Can we not bring that up..."

After saying that, Aloisio's gaze drifted a little, as if carrying a hint of yearning. "After I finish this season, I might leave too. Go to China. Go to the place where you once trained in secret."

Fine. He had no idea who had spread it, but people were saying that the two years he spent in China had been for some kind of secret training, which was why he had come back even better than before.

One person told ten, ten told a hundred, and everyone believed it was true. Chen Anno couldn't be bothered to explain.

Only he himself knew what he had gone through during those two years to stay in good form.

He turned to look at Aloisio, wanting to say something but stopping himself. In the end, he only patted his good brother on the shoulder and silently wished him luck.

At the same time, he couldn't help thinking: when Alo went to the Chinese Super League, if he wanted to get on the pitch, would he also have to gift two bottles of Moutai?

Chen Anno was pressed for time. After returning to Sao Paulo, he packed his luggage and treated his teammates to a meal.

In particular, for Lucio and Ceni, Chen Anno gave each of them a watch, thanking the two seniors for their careful guidance during this period.

The gifts weren't expensive. They were simply an expression of his feelings.

The next day, he rushed to the airport again. After all, the Bundesliga season would begin in three days, and he still hadn't trained with his teammates. He figured he wouldn't get a chance to play in the first few rounds.

At the airport, Chen Anno received a call from his second uncle, Chen Shouqing.

"Xiao Nuo... you transferred to Borussia Dortmund?" Chen Shouqing sounded a little excited over the phone.

"Yes, Second Uncle. I originally wanted to give you all a surprise when I went to Germany. I didn't expect you to find out so quickly."

"Well done! Xiao Nuo, you've really done well!"

Chen Anno could practically imagine his second uncle's expression on the other end of the line, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help lifting.

"You have no idea. Today, the sports newspapers, the internet—it's all news about you. I was so happy reading it! Xiao Nuo... tell me... if your dad knew what you've achieved now, he'd definitely be even happier than me... sob..."

Chen Shouqing, a man in his thirties, actually started crying on the other end as he spoke.

Chen Anno was instantly affected too. His eyes reddened, and his nose stung.

He raised his head and looked at the sky outside the window. A cloud gathered together, as if forming his father's face.

"What is wrong with you? Why bring all this up when everything was fine! Don't go making our Xiao Nuo upset!"

His second aunt's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Smack... smack..."

Then came the sound of slaps.

"Hey... why are you hitting me just like that? I just got emotional all of a sudden... hey... stop hitting me... I'm still on the phone!"

Listening to the sounds coming through the phone, Chen Anno, who had been somewhat sorrowful, immediately laughed.

His second uncle and second aunt, this bickering pair, had always been like this. Every time the two of them stayed together for less than half an hour, they would start arguing.

But their relationship had always been very good!

After hanging up his second uncle's call, there was still a while before boarding, so Chen Anno sent Neymar a text.

Even his second uncle on the other side of the ocean knew about his transfer, so Neymar, who was also in Europe, must have known long ago. He still hadn't contacted him even now, which clearly meant he was waiting for Chen Anno to report it himself.

Ding-dong...

Sure enough, the moment the message was sent, the reply came instantly.

[Neymar: I've been waiting for your message! Did you only think of me after notifying everyone else?]

Seeing the message, Chen Anno felt helpless. Holding his phone, his two thumbs danced nonstop across the screen.

[Chen Anno: I swear, you were absolutely the first person I notified. I've just been way too pressed for time. I'm still at the airport sending this to you right now.]

After sending the message, Chen Anno attached a selfie as well. The background was the waiting hall of Sao Paulo Airport.

[Neymar: Porra! Are you showing off your looks in front of yours truly?]

[Neymar: But... you really did get more handsome again. You're only that tiny bit away from catching up to yours truly. (JPG selfie, background: beside a villa swimming pool, surrounded by many scantily dressed women)]

Seeing the photo, Chen Anno smiled helplessly too. This guy—Spain should be in the afternoon right now, right? He was already starting a party?

[Chen Anno: Speaking of which, La Liga should be starting soon too, right? Don't you guys have training camp?]

[Neymar: We do. If we didn't, wouldn't I have stayed in Sao Paulo a few more days? Training camp's already over. I just got back from America, so I need to rest a bit.]

[Neymar: Oh right, you'd better pray hard. For this season's Champions League draw, don't run into us. Otherwise, with Borussia Dortmund's strength, watch us beat you black and blue, haha...]

Chen Anno rolled his eyes. There were thirty-two teams. How could they run into each other that easily? Besides, even if they did, who beat up whom was still uncertain.

The two of them chatted casually on WhatsApp like this until it was time for Chen Anno to board, and only then did they stop.

"Hey...! Anno, over here!"

As soon as he walked into the hall, Chen Anno saw Wagner waving his right hand there.

Ever since Chen Anno signed with Borussia Dortmund, Wagner had never left.

"I've already taken care of your daily necessities and such. The club has arranged a dorm for you for now, right inside the Brackel training base. I took a look, and the environment is pretty good." Wagner stepped forward and took Chen Anno's luggage.

"If you don't like living in the dorm, I can also go find you another place these next couple of days."

"No need. Living inside the base is fine. It's convenient for training too." Chen Anno shook his head.

Why would he go live outside on his own? He might as well stay in the dorm.

"Works too. It's a single room anyway, and the facilities are all pretty good. But... I suggest you find time to get a driver's license. In Germany, you can take the test at seventeen, though you have to wait until eighteen if you want to drive on the road alone. You're nearly there, so get it first, and you'll be able to drive next year. By then, it'll be more convenient if you move out."

Wagner chattered on like a parent looking after a child, and it made Chen Anno feel a little warm inside.

Back in Sao Paulo, Vizoli had often looked after him like an elder too. Now that he had come to Germany, everything had to depend on him.

Fortunately, after losing both his parents over the years, Chen Anno had developed an independent personality.

"Oh, right. Everything has already been arranged with Klopp. He said you should rest for a day first. All those flights in a row must have been tiring. Report in the day after tomorrow.

"He asked me to tell you not to rush. Although you missed the pre-match joint training, please don't worry. He'll find a way to help you integrate into the team as soon as possible."

Chen Anno nodded, feeling even more grateful toward Klopp, his new head coach.

He could sense that this German big man, who looked somewhat rough on the outside, was actually an extremely thoughtful man.