The catering, while not high-end, was sufficient to fill their stomachs.
After eating and drinking their fill, Cao Baming, holding a bottle of beer, set off and got into Xu Long's car. He settled into the back seat and rolled down the window. The car was a widened and lengthened model, so the interior felt very spacious, which was quite refreshing. Coupled with the soft leather seats and comfortable angles, it was even possible to fall asleep inside without any issues. There was also a faint, delicate fragrance in the car, not like an air freshener, but more like perfume, the kind worn by people. The scent was very light, yet persistent and profound.
The car slowly started, and a faint engine sound could be heard, making his bottom vibrate slightly. Although the sound was not loud, one could feel the high-frequency vibrations transmitted through the thick padding. Looking at the scenery outside the window, Cao Baming rested one hand on his chin, his gaze indifferent, with a hint of melancholy. Everything before him was the same as just moments ago; the stadium gates were not far away, and if he poked his head out the window now, he could still see the entire football field. Although this was not their home ground, the stadium still evoked deep emotions in him. He had packed his things early today, so there was no need to go back. Yet, at this very moment, he almost regretted his decision. After all, this was a place where he had spent so much time, and on the field, it held so many memories for him. Memories, both good and bad, but every scene and every small object told a story. Looking back, there was no distinction between good and bad, only endless nostalgia.
The Premier League season was coming to an end, and he likely wouldn't be back for the next two or three months. Perhaps he could catch the tail end of the season. The system's seasonal quests were only half-completed, leaving many unfinished tasks here. As the stadium gradually receded, Cao Baming's gaze also grew more serene. He pulled his head back into the car and rolled up the window a bit more. Although the English winter had a maritime climate, the biting cold wind after the match had still taken a toll. Images flashed through Cao Baming's mind: Vieira's teasing expression, Messi's sheepish grin, Henry's confident eyes, and many scenes of the team appearing focused yet suddenly unable to hold back their emotions.
During this journey, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside, his mood calmed considerably. Xu Long was also very cooperative, remaining silent since they got in the car, not saying a word, for fear of disturbing him. A text message from Wu Xue arrived on Cao Baming's phone; she was already waiting at the airport. This time, the plane would take both of them directly back to their country. Wu Xue had also taken leave from school. If she couldn't witness the World Cup comeback with her own eyes, she would likely regret it for her entire life! She was quite lucky; intending to see Cao Baming off, she coincidentally managed to get on a flight back home. This wasn't just an ordinary passenger plane, but a luxurious private jet, with specially customized seats and even a bar inside. Moreover, even though it was a private jet, there were more than enough seats. If it were just to pick up Cao Baming, it would feel a bit wasteful.
The black Rolls-Royce that Cao Baming was traveling in also gradually approached the airport entrance. Looking through the front windshield, a vast open space could already be seen ahead. It was then that Xu Long slowly uttered, "We're here." The vehicle then gradually slowed down and stopped at a designated spot. From around a corner of a building, several neatly dressed individuals emerged to greet him. Among them were some older faces that hadn't been seen before; they were likely club executives.
To provide such a dedicated pick-up and drop-off service, sincerity was definitely required. Without sending a few senior executives, how could it be considered genuine sincerity? Even the new head coach of the football team, Li Gang, had come to the scene. For this occasion, the national team had sacrificed a day of training, and the current players were given a full day off to rest properly. Li Gang had just taken over as the new head coach two months ago. He hadn't held the position before, but due to various reasons, he had been sidelined by a newly hired foreign coach. That foreign coach was the one who had clashed with Cao Baming. Within two months of that incident, he was indeed completely removed from the team, creating the opportunity for Li Gang to take charge. In his eyes, the team should belong to their own people. This incompatible fellow was bound to leave sooner or later, and it turned out exactly as he had predicted. The entire current team consisted solely of Chinese nationals, which perfectly aligned with his philosophy: only by achieving success through their own efforts could they truly be proud! He had recently heard that his coaching record was quite impressive, and the team's tactical system was better integrated than before. Cao Baming found himself feeling a sense of anticipation.
After personally shaking hands with the various leaders, his gaze was drawn to a girl in a white feathered dress in the distance. He knew that person very well. "Wu Xue?" Cao Baming completely ignored the leaders around him and called out loudly, then strode over. Wu Xue, being shy with so many leaders present, had been hesitant to speak loudly and had quietly stayed behind, not expecting him to be so direct. The two embraced tightly and whispered a few words to each other until they felt enough time had passed.
As the plane's pre-flight checks were completed, and under Xu Long's guidance, they boarded the aircraft. This marked a complete farewell to the city. Although it was a brief separation, they couldn't help but look back and scan their surroundings before boarding. Both of them instinctively made this gesture. Although the surrounding scenery was nothing remarkable, just boring airport buildings and white concrete ground, even just taking in the air was something.
After boarding, Xu Long, who followed behind, expected them to be astonished and marvel at the luxurious facilities on the plane. However, both of them looked remarkably calm. For them, this was nothing special, even inferior to the yacht they had been on before. They calmly walked towards the massage chairs in the cabin, which had a built-in massage function, then sat down, turned them on, and closed their eyes with a sense of ease.