Lower Saxony gradually awoke to the dawn.
The Volkswagen logos on the buildings looked as though they had just been taken out of a freezer.
The entire Wolfsburg training ground looked like a toy wrapped in a wet wipe and left in the refrigerator overnight.
Li Luo hurried through breakfast, glanced around, and noticed the railings, walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, turf, trees, wire fencing...
Everything was as cold as he was.
"Good morning, Li! Another wonderful day has begun!"
"Good morning."
The older groundskeeper smiled and waved.
Three German shepherds dragged their cold chains along, wagging their tails happily. Even they seemed to know who deserved the credit for their extra food after a win.
Inside the changing room, warm yellow light fell over neat rows of small lockers.
Everyone chatted as they changed clothes and put on their boots.
Bendtner said excitedly, "My friends said the English media have been praising Li to the skies. He hasn't even gone back yet, and he's already the hottest topic in the Premier League!"
Arnold smiled. "I saw those Manchester United fans going wild on social media too."
"Loads of celebrities, stars, and models have been sharing the Crescent Moon Curler video."
"If Manchester United sell Li..."
"Impossible."
"Why is it impossible? If they can sell a prince, they can sell a crown prince. Nothing illogical that happens in football would surprise me."
Bendtner solemnly pulled on his trousers, then turned toward the Chinese teenager with a mischievous grin and tipped up his chin. "Right, Li?"
Li Luo smiled.
He said nothing.
He had never considered that possibility.
He played for Wolfsburg now and wore their number ten shirt. Even if he was only on loan, he should not express homesickness or thoughts of when he would return to Manchester United in front