After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

Yan Yuan and Lin Jianwei have returned to London Heathrow Airport.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, under a hazy sky, airplanes took off and landed.

The two of them stood in front of the airport exit, surrounded by travelers in a hurry.

"Phew, I really don't want to break up so soon..."

Lin Jianwei sighed softly, looking at Yan Yuan with deep reluctance in her eyes.

She was still tightly clutching the small, exquisite Copa Award trophy model in one hand, and holding Yan Yuan's arm tightly with the other.

This model was a souvenir that Yan Yuan specially took from the ceremony, and Xiao Lin said she wanted to take it back and put it at home.

At this moment, besides the sorrow of parting, Xiaolin's face also showed a hint of relaxation and a bright smile.

Lin Jianwei thoroughly enjoyed the two days she spent with Yan Yuan.

Yan Yuan looked at her, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

He likes her the way she is now.

Compared to the elegant yet slightly nervous female companion of the football star on the red carpet in Paris last night.

The Lin Jianwei before him, with her slightly languid demeanor, bright eyes, and relaxed smile, was even more captivating to him.

That grand ceremony not only brought honor to Yan Yuan, but also allowed her, who had always silently supported him and was occasionally a little uneasy because of the difference in their status, to truly relax and stand more confidently beside him.

"What's wrong? Are you reluctant to leave Paris?" Yan Yuan teased, reaching out to tidy up the stray hairs at her temples that had been ruffled by the wind.

Lin Jianwei gave him a playful glare, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile:

"Don't you know who you can't bear to part with? You're just asking a question you already know the answer to..."

She shook the trophy model in her hand.

"But... this trip to Paris was really wonderful, it felt like... a truly beautiful dream." She looked at Yan Yuan with gentle eyes, "Seeing you standing on that stage, receiving the honor that belonged to you, made me even happier than if I had won the award myself."

Yan Yuan felt a warmth in his heart and squeezed her hand: "With you watching me from below the stage, I feel more confident."

The two smiled at each other, and a sweet atmosphere filled the air.

After a brief silence, Yan Yuan seemed to remember something and spoke.

"By the way, Weiwei, around the middle of December... I still have to go to Turin, Italy."

"Turin? What are we going there for?" Lin Jianwei asked curiously.

"The European Golden Boy award ceremony," Yan Yuan explained, "is an award given to young players, and it's held in Turin."

"The Golden Boy Award?!" Lin Jianwei's eyes lit up. "You're sure to win, right? You just won the Kopa Award!"

"It's quite likely." Yan Yuan smiled, not denying it, then looked at her with expectant eyes, "So... how about we ask for another day off? Come to Turin with me? Just consider it... another day off?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianwei's smile froze for a moment, then turned into a wry smile.

She exaggeratedly held her forehead with her hand, making a gesture as if she had a splitting headache.

"Oh my god! Yan, the great soccer star! Please spare me!"

"Hmm?" Yan Yuan was amused by her. "What's wrong?"

"You're taking leave again?!" Lin Jianwei put down her hand, stared at him with wide eyes, and teased him.

"Xiao Yan, I used up all my saved time off to go to Paris with you this time. My boss looked at my leave application as if he wanted to tear me apart."

Lin Jianwei imitated the boss's serious expression and lowered her voice.

"Lin! Goldman Sachs isn't a resort! Do we still need to prepare year-end reports?! Do we still need to care about our clients?!"

"Hahahahahahaha..."

Yan Yuan burst into laughter at her lifelike imitation, drawing the attention of several passersby.

He quickly suppressed a laugh, his shoulders still twitching slightly.

Seeing him laughing like that, Lin Jianwei couldn't hold back either and burst out laughing.

"You're still laughing! I'm serious! And..."

She pointed to the date displayed on the airport's electronic screen.

"Besides, Yan, look at the calendar, what date is it? Christmas is just around the corner!"

This is the busiest time of year for finance professionals, with all sorts of settlements, reports, and summary meetings...

If I go back now, I'll probably have to sleep on the floor at the company to catch up on the work I've missed. And if I dare to take another day off...

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

"The boss will probably just 'fire' me and make me your full-time manager!"

"Pfft... Hahahaha... That's great! I totally agree! You'll be Manager Lin then." Yan Yuan laughed again, finding her melancholic "office slave" look utterly adorable.

"Okay, okay, I understand. Analyst Lin, you're very busy, thank you for your hard work."

He smiled and reassured them.

"If you don't want to go, then you don't have to. Actually, the Golden Boy Awards ceremony is much smaller than the Golden Globe Awards. It's just a group of young men around 20 years old getting together to receive an award. There's nothing particularly grand about it. It's okay if you don't go."

"Really?" Lin Jianwei blinked and confirmed.

"Really." Yan Yuan nodded, looking at her tenderly. "Besides, you looked stunning enough in Paris. The Golden Boy Awards were too small a spectacle for my Weiwei's second appearance."

Sure enough, two red blushes rose on Lin Jianwei's cheeks again, and she glared at him reproachfully.

"You're not allowed to say I'm not good enough. In any situation where you're around, I feel I am..."

As they were talking, Lin Jianwei's taxi arrived, and she had to go back to the company immediately.

"We have to part ways again," Lin Jianwei said with some reluctance.

"Mm," Yan Yuan replied, his eyes revealing reluctance.

The two stood facing each other, surrounded by a flowing crowd.

Yan Yuan reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her delicate skin.

Lin Jianwei tilted her head back, tiptoed slightly, and closed her eyes.

A gentle, tender kiss landed softly on her lips.

This kiss wasn't a typical cheek kiss, nor was it done under the spotlight with any tension; rather, it was the purest and warmest intimacy between lovers.

Their lips parted, and Lin Jianwei opened her eyes, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling.

"Be careful on the road, Weiwei. Message me when you get to the company," Yan Yuan said in a low voice.

"Okay. You too, remember to message me when you get back to the club. Also, be careful during training and matches. I checked your schedule for this month, it's quite packed. If you need any help with your studies or finances, just let me know." Lin Jianwei nodded, then couldn't help but remind her again.

"By the way, Yan Yuan... when you go to Turin to receive the award, remember to take a picture and send it to me. I want to see you receiving the Golden Boy Award as soon as possible!"

"Okay, I promise you'll see it right away." Yan Yuan smiled and gently pinched Lin Jianwei's cheek.

Lin Jianwei was amused by him, and finally gave him a deep look, as if she wanted to engrave his image in her heart.

Then, Yan Yuan helped her put her suitcase into the car trunk.

This time, Lin Jianwei gave Yan Yuan a hug that was so tight it felt like she could meld him into her body.

Yan Yuan patted her back gently and said softly with a smile.

"Alright, alright, you're three years older than me, acting like a little kid..."

Lin Jianwei buried her face in his chest and stammered.

"Actually... there's nothing wrong with being a child... it's just that you're the only one who's willing to treat me like a child..."

After their embrace ended, they parted again.

Yan Yuan watched Lin Jianwei get into the car until it drove out of the airport.

Inside the car, Lin Jianwei kept watching him through the rear window until Yan Yuan's figure was blocked by the traffic.

The feeling of two people in love working hard for their respective careers, walking side by side, is more reassuring and blissful than any trophy.

……

In the days following the Paris Golden Globe Awards ceremony.

The English football world was then thrown into an uproar by another bombshell.

Manchester United have officially announced that following Mourinho's departure, the club has appointed reserve team coach Solskjaer as the team's new head coach for a three-year term!

The news caused an uproar.

"Solskjaer?! Has Manchester United gone mad?"

"My God! This is Manchester United! Not some small team!"

"Let someone who's only coached in the Norwegian league and the Premier League reserve team manage Manchester United? Are you kidding me?"

"Sorcerer's return? The nostalgia factor works, but is his skill level sufficient?"

"What are Manchester United's management thinking? This move is incomprehensible!"

A barrage of questions, surprises, and ridicule followed.

Solskjaer, the Manchester United legend known as the "Baby-faced Killer," made great contributions to the Red Devils during his playing career, especially his famous Champions League final winning goal, which made him a darling of Old Trafford.

However, as a coach, his resume is pitifully thin, with a dismal record during his time managing Cardiff City in the Premier League, which ultimately led to relegation.

He then coached Molde in Norway, where he won the league title, but the competitiveness of the Norwegian league was not comparable to that of the Premier League.

Now, he has been "promoted" directly from the position of Manchester United reserve team coach to the first team manager, taking over this behemoth that is in turmoil and has undercurrents in the dressing room.

This is nothing short of a high-stakes gamble.

However, behind the clamor of doubts, Manchester United's management's calculations are remarkably clear.

Solskjaer, a true "insider," has a deep understanding and identification with the club's culture and is deeply loved by the fans.

More importantly, he is mild-mannered, humble, and has a good relationship with the players, unlike Mourinho who is strong, sharp, and controversial.

After experiencing the chaos of the dressing room falling out and discord between the manager and players during Mourinho's later years, Manchester United's management urgently needs a "good guy" who can "stabilize morale" and "unite the dressing room."

Solskjaer is undoubtedly the best candidate to meet their current needs.

Besides being able to play the "nostalgia card" effectively to appease fans, Manchester United's management also wanted an easy-to-control manager, and Solskjaer perfectly fit that requirement.

As for long-term plans regarding the competitive aspect?

That's something we need to consider later.

……

After leaving Manchester United, Mourinho did not immediately take over a new team, but chose to take a short break.

He has not made any public comments on Manchester United's decision to appoint Solskjaer, and everything at Manchester United is no longer his concern.

However, in an in-depth interview with a well-known sports media outlet shortly afterward, this "madman" gave a surprising answer.

The interview took place in a quiet private club in London.

The host is a seasoned journalist with a good personal relationship with Mourinho.

The interview was conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, with topics ranging from a retrospective of Mourinho's coaching career to his views on modern football and his future plans.

"Mr. Mourinho," the host asked, his tone filled with genuine respect.

"Looking back on your illustrious coaching career, leading Porto to the Champions League title, breaking Chelsea's monopoly, achieving a treble with Inter Milan, and breaking Barcelona's dominance with Real Madrid... these are undoubtedly achievements etched in history. So, in your opinion, which is the greatest achievement of your career?"

This is a very common question, and the answer seems obvious.

The audience is hoping he will mention Porto's underdog miracle or Inter Milan's treble-winning peak.

However, Mourinho picked up his coffee cup, took a small sip, put the cup down, leaned back slightly, and a complex smile appeared on his face.

He thought for a moment, then said clearly:

"My biggest achievement? I think it's... leading Manchester United to second place in the Premier League."

"What?!" The host was instantly stunned, thinking he had misheard! The expression on his face changed from expectation to incredulous astonishment.

"Second place? Manchester United? Are you...are you sure? You're not joking?" The host repeatedly confirmed, trying to find any trace of a joke on Mourinho's face.

Mourinho's expression, however, was unusually serious.

He wasn't joking.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, his sharp gaze meeting the host's directly:

"I know many people will think I'm crazy when they hear this answer. They'll say, 'Mourinho, you've won two Champions League titles! You've won league titles in four different countries! How can you call a league runner-up your greatest achievement?'"

Then, Mourinho paused, leaned forward slightly, and said seriously.

"Okay, let me tell you why this is the answer."

That season, we faced a Manchester City team built by Guardiola, a near-perfect team that broke countless records and achieved 100 points! They were one of the most formidable teams in Premier League history!

"And what about Manchester United back then?" Mourinho spread his hands, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"What do we have? We have a bunch of spoiled brats! We have a broken locker room, a challenging internal environment, and we lack stability, confidence, and even some of the most basic... fighting spirit."

"But!" Mourinho suddenly emphasized, his eyes sharpening again.

"In that environment, under such immense pressure, and faced with such an almost impossible task, my team, the players who were willing to give their all for this jersey, and I did it."

We got 81 points, we finished second in the league, we defended Manchester United's bottom line, and we showed Manchester City that in Manchester, red still has its dignity and power!

Mourinho's words were resounding, subtly conveying a sense of pride.

"81 points. In the history of the Premier League, this score would have been enough to win the title in many years, but in that season, against that opponent, it could only be ranked second."

But this second place makes me more proud than many of the champions.

Because it was achieved under the most difficult conditions, with the fewest resources, and under the greatest pressure.

It proved my football philosophy: even under the most adverse conditions, I can still lead the team to a respectable level.

Mourinho leaned back in his chair, his tone returning to calm.

"Leading a perfect team to a championship is great, but leading an imperfect team, struggling and fighting against adversity, and ultimately reaching a position far exceeding people's expectations..."

The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction is completely different.

It tests not only tactics, but also willpower, leadership, and the spirit of never giving up—and these are the core of my understanding of football.

The interview room was completely silent.

The host was deeply moved by Mourinho's powerful, emotional, and incisive words.

He understood Mourinho's subtext: at Manchester United, he never received the same level of support and ideal environment as he did at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.

Mourinho single-handedly dragged the team to second place in the league amidst ruins and chaos.

These 81 points and second place are medals he earned under immense pressure, overcoming numerous difficulties, and fighting through internal struggles and external doubts.

This demonstrates ability and resilience more effectively than winning a prize in favorable circumstances.

"So," Mourinho concluded, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness and relief.

"If someone asks me what my greatest achievement in my career is, I will say without hesitation: leading Manchester United to second place in the Premier League."

This may not be my most dazzling achievement, but it is definitely the challenge that I have put in the most effort for, the most difficult for, and that best reflects my football philosophy.

The interview has ended.

Mourinho's words, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, have once again stirred up a huge wave in the football world.

Supporters praised his pride, resilience, and honesty;

Opponents mocked him for being stubborn, a sore loser, and using the runner-up finish as a fig leaf.

This interview is like a belated, highly personal "performance report".

This marked a controversial yet undeniably memorable end to Mourinho's managerial career at Manchester United.

Manchester United's future, under Solskjaer's management, has taken an uncertain turn.