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

Arsenal's China tour came to a perfect end with a resounding 5-1 victory over Shanghai Shenhua in a friendly match.

After a brief celebration in the locker room, the players returned to their hotels to prepare for their journey home and enjoy their vacation.

Yan Yuan was no exception; his vacation was also approaching.

The night view of the Huangpu River outside the hotel window is still dazzling.

But Yan Yuan's heart had already flown to Hangzhou.

He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Lin Jianwei:

"Weiwei, the competition is over. Everything went smoothly. See you at Hangzhou East Railway Station tomorrow at noon!"

The reply came almost instantly, with a cute kitten nodding emoji appearing, followed by a message.

"My dear, you played so well today! (*￣3￣)╭ Remember to message me when you get on the bullet train tomorrow!"

……

It happened right when Arsenal and Shanghai Shenhua were playing.

Hangzhou, hundreds of kilometers away.

In the spacious living room of Lin Jianwei's home in an upscale residential area, there is an atmosphere completely different from the "perfect" atmosphere in Shanghai.

"What kind of rubbish did Shenhua play! It's a disgrace!" Lin's father, dressed in loose home clothes and with a slightly overweight belly, pointed at the TV screen where the live broadcast had just ended.

"Tell me, when Shenhua played against our Zhejiang team, they were so energetic and aggressive in their tackling! How come they acted like they couldn't play football at all when facing Arsenal? They couldn't even get past their own half! They got completely dominated in their own half! Four goals! They conceded four goals in the first half alone!"

Old Lin was so angry that he picked up the teacup on the table and gulped down a mouthful of cold Longjing tea, as if only in this way could he extinguish the fire in his heart.

Lin Jianwei curled up on the sofa next to her, hugging a soft cushion in her arms, her eyes still sparkling, clearly still immersed in the joy of seeing Yan Yuan's wonderful performance.

She suppressed a laugh and tried to comfort her father.

"Dad, calm down. Arsenal are Champions League winners, the difference in strength is obvious. Besides, Shenhua did score a goal, right? They played... alright, didn't they?"

"Not bad at all!" Lin's father glared at him, giving him a look that said, "You don't understand football at all."

"That's Arsenal giving us face! It's a friendly match, understand? If we really played it all out and beat you 7-0 or 8-0, would that be called a friendly? That would be called making enemies!"

In the second half, Arsenal's three key players – Yan Yuan, Rodri, and Pepe – were all substituted, and the pace of the game noticeably slowed down. Otherwise, how could they have allowed Shenhua to score? Arsenal didn't even fight hard for that ball! That was clearly a throw-in! A consolation prize! Can't you see that?

Lin Jianwei was rendered speechless by her father's professional analysis and could only admit defeat with a smile.

"Okay, okay, Dad's right, I just don't understand football."

She was secretly pleased; the harsher her father scolded her, the more it proved how good Yan Yuan and his team were.

Lin's father's anger came quickly and went quickly; his attention was soon diverted.

He glanced at his daughter and asked, puzzled.

"By the way, honey, is your boyfriend... coming over tomorrow?"

Lin Jianwei's heart skipped a beat, but she pretended to be nonchalant.

"Yes, he'll arrive tomorrow at noon. I'll pick him up then."

"Why didn't you just come to our house? Why did you have to pick her up? Is your partner putting on airs?" Mr. Lin frowned slightly.

In his subconscious, he harbored a natural, fatherly scrutiny and a touch of jealousy towards the "British boy" he had never met but who had captivated his beloved daughter.

This British guy is really getting his daughter all smitten.

Lin Jianwei had already prepared her explanation and delivered it fluently.

"Sigh, my boyfriend hasn't been back to China for many years and he's not familiar with the country. He doesn't even know how to use the subway or buses. I'm worried he'll get lost in this unfamiliar place, so I'd feel more at ease if I went to pick him up."

Lin Jianwei spoke in a relaxed tone, with a hint of teasing, cleverly avoiding her father's question.

Lin's father snorted and didn't press the matter further, but then changed the subject and began his "traditional program".

"I'm not trying to criticize you, Weiwei, but those guys I introduced to you before, Professor Zhang's son, a PhD from the US, he's now a scientist at Aliyun, easily earning millions a year."

And then there's your Uncle Li's youngest son, who started his own cross-border e-commerce business. At such a young age, his company is already valued at over 100 million. And there's my colleague's son who just came back from Stanford... Aren't they all young talents?

"You're something else, not interested in any of them. You insist on finding a Chinese guy who came back from England... I want to see just how capable this kid is who's coming tomorrow, to be able to fool my daughter like this!"

Lin Jianwei knew that her father wasn't really angry, but just a little unwilling and curious.

She winked playfully and replied.

"Dad, you've set your sights on what you consider a 'young talent,' but I've set my sights on the 'one and only' one in my heart. You'll see when you meet him; I promise I won't disappoint you!"

"Alright, you smooth talker." Lin's father chuckled, then gave her a stern look before getting up to stretch his limbs.

"I have an event tomorrow morning, a pickup game with my old buddies. I'll be back right after. Remember to call me when you pick your girlfriend up from school; I'll come back and 'give her a piece of my mind'!"

"Understood! I'll be honored to welcome Instructor Lin for his inspection!" Lin Jian replied with a smile.

……

The next morning, as expected, Lin's father changed into his jersey, picked up his soccer shoes, and headed out to "conquer" the green field with great enthusiasm.

Only Lin Jianwei and her mother remained at home.

Wearing an apron, Lin's mother started working in the kitchen early in the morning.

My daughter's boyfriend is coming over today.

We must treat them well.

The refrigerator was already crammed with all sorts of fresh ingredients: top-quality grass carp, live river shrimp, pork belly, old duck for soup, seasonal vegetables, and snowflake beef...

The alcohol has been bought, including the baijiu that Lao Lin likes to drink, and some foreign liquor as well.

To cater to her daughter's boyfriend's tastes, Lin's mother cooked both northern and southern dishes.

As she prepared the ingredients, she couldn't suppress her curiosity and worry.

Lin's mother stopped what she was doing, walked to the kitchen door, looked at her daughter who was getting ready to leave, and asked softly.

"Weiwei, Mom still doesn't quite understand. Your boyfriend is almost at our doorstep, why won't you even show Mom and Dad a picture first? He only gave us his English name 'Yan'... what's his Chinese name anyway?"

Lin's mother paused for a moment, then lowered her voice and asked.

"Weiwei, tell Mom the truth... is it... is it that your boyfriend's appearance is... um... a little unsatisfactory?"

Actually, looks aren't the most important thing; being a good person and treating you well is key... But... what about the genes of future generations...?

Lin's mother didn't dare to spell it out completely, but the meaning was quite clear.

She was worried that Lin Jianwei had found someone she wasn't good enough to be with, which was why she hadn't dared to tell them.

After all, the appearance of a future son-in-law does indeed influence the next generation.

Lin's mother is an artist, and she is indeed a bit of a sucker for good looks.

"Pfft..." Lin Jianwei was combing her hair in front of the mirror when she heard her mother's words and couldn't help but laugh.

"Mom! What are you thinking about!" She put down the comb, walked to her mother's side, took her arm, and her tone was definitely a little mysterious.

"Just relax! Don't you trust your daughter's judgment? My boyfriend is... um... super handsome! Really! Much more handsome than those other businessman sons and professor sons you and my dad introduced me to. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Seeing the confidence and happiness shining in her daughter's eyes, Lin's mother felt a great weight lifted from her heart and playfully patted her on the shoulder.

"You brat, all you do is whet our appetites. Fine, fine, I don't care anymore. I'll focus on preparing my feast. Be careful when you go to pick them up, and come back early."

"Okay, thank you, Mom!" Lin Jianwei kissed her mother on the cheek and happily prepared to go out.

……

Around noon, Lin Jianwei drove her family's car to the bustling Hangzhou East Railway Station.

She parked her car and stood in a prominent position in the exit hall, feeling both excited and nervous, occasionally bending down to adjust the hem of her skirt.

She knew Yan Yuan would definitely disguise himself, but she still tried her best to search for that familiar figure in the bustling crowd.

The high-speed rail from Shanghai Hongqiao to Hangzhou East is extremely convenient, taking less than an hour.

Soon, a large number of passengers began to pour out of the exit.

Lin Jianwei tiptoed and peered carefully.

Suddenly, her gaze froze.

In the crowd, a tall and upright young man stood out.

He was wearing a simple black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, clean sneakers, a backpack on his shoulder, and a black suitcase in his hand.

Most noticeably, he was wearing a black baseball cap and a large black face mask, which covered almost half of his face.

But Lin Jianwei recognized him at a glance.

That unique silhouette, that gait, those eyes that, even when hidden by the shadow of the hat brim, still conveyed a gentle gaze.

Yan Yuan also saw her.

Through the crowd, his eyes instantly crinkled into a smile, clearly hidden behind his mask.

Yan Yuan raised his hand and waved at her.

Lin Jianwei's heart raced instantly, a bright smile bloomed on her face, and she jogged to meet him.

"Have you been waiting long?" Yan Yuan's voice came through his mask.

"No, no, I just arrived too." Lin Jianwei shook her head and naturally reached out to help him with his suitcase.

Yan Yuan gently avoided her hand, and instead opened his arms to gently embrace her.

This was a restrained hug, perfectly placed in a public setting.

But Lin Jianwei could feel the warmth and strength from his arm, and smell the faint, refreshing scent of laundry detergent on him.

"You've worked hard, playing football must be really tiring..." Lin Jianwei rested her head on his strong chest and whispered.

"It was tiring before, but seeing you made it all worthwhile." Yan Yuan lowered his head, gently nuzzling her hair with the tip of his nose through her mask, his voice tender.

"Did you miss me?"

"Of course I want to!" Lin Jianwei raised her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. Then she tiptoed and whispered in his ear in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"And wow... I bought a few new outfits... You can't buy such nice styles in England..."

Yan Yuan's ears visibly turned slightly red, his smile widened under his mask, and his eyes flashed with a mischievous and doting light.

He lowered his voice as well, responding in her ear.

"Oh? Then I'll have to see for myself..."

Lin Jianwei blushed and lightly punched his chest.

"Ugh... Oh right, sweetie, you've prepared the gifts for my parents... especially for my dad, he watched your game on TV yesterday."

"Alright, everything's ready. I've brought a Drogba jersey and a Kanté jersey, both autographed. I've also packed the whiskey and other gifts. I guarantee your parents will love them."

"My dear, you're the best..." Lin Jianwei buried her head in Yan Yuan's chest again.

Yan Yuan smiled and ruffled his hair, pulling his suitcase while naturally taking Lin Jianwei's hand with his other hand.

"Mommy, let's go back."

"Um…"

Lin Jianwei obediently took his arm and nestled close to him.

The two walked through the bustling station hall and headed towards the parking lot, just like any ordinary, sweet young couple.

The car drove out of the parking lot, merged into the traffic of Hangzhou's early summer afternoon, and drove smoothly towards the West Lake District, towards home.

Outside the car window, there was a familiar street scene of Hangzhou, with lush green trees and the distant West Lake appearing and disappearing in the distance.

Yan Yuan is about to meet his parents.