"My dear daughter, where did you pick up this little puppy?"
Guardiola was in the main venue. When he saw Maria come in with an adorable dark soy sauce colored puppy following behind her, he quickly stepped forward to greet her.
But his light footsteps gradually became heavy, because he saw another figure slowly emerge behind Maria. Liverpool's midfield general, Leo Lin. The main culprit behind Manchester City losing titles one after another.
It was a very subtle feeling.
When you had watched the team you managed repeatedly lose championships because of an extraordinarily talented young man, and then that very same young man appeared as an important guest at your daughter's birthday party.
And judging by the way the two of them were walking arm in arm, with sweet smiles on their faces, it was obvious their relationship had gained another layer.
"Dad, you must be very familiar with Lin. We're officially together now. I came here especially to tell you the good news!"
Maria smiled as she showed off to her father, Guardiola. Guardiola forced out a smile. At a moment like this, all he could do was offer his blessing for his daughter's happiness.
It was just that his smile looked more than a little strained.
"See? I told you my dad would be very happy. He's a reasonable person."
Maria left to continue setting up the venue. Leo Lin rubbed his hands together. The Golden Retriever puppy stayed beside him, looking up at Guardiola, then back at Leo Lin.
"Uh..."
"Want to give this puppy a name?"
Leo Lin decided to use that sentence to break the awkward silence, but he failed. The already delicate atmosphere became even more awkward.
"Since Maria adopted the puppy, I think we might as well call him Guardiola. Naming him after you would show how close Maria is to you."
Leo Lin originally thought this idea was unbeatable, but after thinking about it more carefully, it seemed like there was something not quite right about it.
"I'm not good at naming dogs. You do it yourself. I'm going to help my daughter set up the venue."
Guardiola left with a dark expression. Then the person who appeared at the back door was Barnett, who had come by invitation.
Barnett waved at Guardiola. He had seen the murderous aura radiating from Pep Guardiola.
"Well, judging from Pep Guardiola's reaction, I should have known. You and Maria have finally become another perfect couple in the football world."
"Don't worry about Pep Guardiola. He's just like that. Sooner or later, he'll come around."
"Once all his titles have been taken by you, and once he realizes his own daughter is on your side too, he'll abandon the darkness, turn toward the light, and accept you."
Leo Lin almost wanted to agree with Barnett, but then he remembered a post Barnett had made before. The famous nickname Bald Man had become popular because of that post.
Soon, it was afternoon, and the many invited guests took their seats.
Most of them were Maria's friends, along with some of Guardiola's football friends.
Leo Lin and Barnett sat at the very back of the party, tasting the food.
Neither of them planned to head to the dance floor, since both of them were being watched. Delores was ready at any moment to slap the steak in her hand onto Barnett's face, as soon as she noticed his sharp little eyes drifting toward any beautiful woman on the dance floor again.
Leo Lin, on the other hand, was not very interested in dancing. He enjoyed his steak, ate dessert, and took a sip of milk. It was almost too perfect.
Leo Lin was still used to drinking milk. As a professional footballer, he had to keep his physical condition at a high level.
Maria was dancing with her friends on the dance floor. Although she was dancing with close friends, her gaze stayed on Leo Lin the whole time.
There was another gaze fixed on Leo Lin as well. It came from Guardiola.
At that moment, Leo Lin felt love and hatred intertwined around him.
Madly intertwined.
As Maria cut into the expensive birthday cake, applause rang out through the venue. As the star of the birthday party, Maria began thanking the guests under the doting gaze of her father, Pep Guardiola.
"Thank you all so much for accepting the invitation and coming to my birthday party. Ever since I was little, my dad, Pep Guardiola, has always told me to work hard as I grow up, and to make sure I can survive in this world through my own ability."
"But at the same time, he has spoiled me so much and let me live like a wealthy young lady."
"So I'm very grateful for everything my dad has done for me. He will always be the family member I love most in this world."
"And my beautiful mom. I'm very happy I inherited her beautiful genes."
Maria's parents were filled with pride, and Pep Guardiola's eyes turned red. He had been moved by his daughter.
But in the very next moment, Guardiola forced the tears that were about to fall back down, because Maria's speech was not finished yet.
"Finally, I would especially like to thank one guest here today. Lin."
Leo Lin had been chewing steak, happily listening to Maria's speech and looking at the warm family in front of him with delight.
Only after Maria called his name did he realize that every gaze had turned toward him.
Barnett quietly stretched out a handkerchief and wiped the corner of his mouth clean. Delores thoughtfully handed him a glass of red wine, then adjusted the position of his left hand so he could appear before everyone in an elegant posture.
"Lin and I have been friends for a very long time. I know what kind of person he is."
"Kind, honest. Every positive word in this world can be used to describe him. And because of that, I believe I'll begin a wonderful new chapter of life with him."
The guests immediately burst into applause and whistles.
Since Maria had already said this much, Leo Lin knew he had to stand up and say a few words too.
He was completely unprepared. The dark soy sauce colored puppy beside him was frantically nudging his right foot, urging him to hurry up and stand.
"First of all, happy birthday to Maria."
"Second, Pep Guardiola, please don't cry for me."
"I promise I'm not the kind of playboy you're imagining. Maybe we should spend more time together. I think we can become good friends."
Maria's mother clearly liked Leo Lin very much. She kept applauding and smiled at him. She had taken a liking to this handsome young man at first sight.
His humorous speech once again won applause from the guests. With beautiful music playing, the dancing continued.
Maria came over and sat down in front of Leo Lin.
"Where's the gift you prepared for me?"
Maria had been looking forward to it for a long time.
Leo Lin took out a camera. It was a small, easy to carry camera.
"I didn't know what kind of gift I should give you. You don't lack expensive gifts, so I wanted to give you something meaningful."
"This camera is small, but it has a lot of storage. I want to fill every bit of its space with photos of the two of us."
"We can eat together and travel together. You can come to my stadium to watch me play."
"Of course, except when I'm playing against Manchester City."
"I'll also go with you to all kinds of annoying events. And if you don't want to attend them, then I'll be the reason you can throw away all those worries and embrace life again."
Delores, who was beside them, listened in a daze. Maria was even more deeply moved. She carefully accepted the camera. This would be the beginning of a beautiful life for her and Leo Lin.
Barnett thought about it from the side. In the past, he had never noticed it.
Leo Lin really did know how to charm a girl.
...
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