Off to _________!

After successfully completing the recording of "Happy Camp," Zhang Xu and Nicole decided to avoid the harassment of reporters and didn't return home. Instead, they enjoyed traveling around Hunan Province.

With her beloved man by her side and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Hunan, Nicole was delighted with Zhang Xu's arrangement. These days were the happiest and most blissful times of her life.

However, the good times didn't last long. A week later, Yang Zi finally finished her busy schedule and arranged to meet Zhang Xu at the Swan Hotel in Xiangzhong City.

Zhang Xu naturally had no objections to Yang Zi's request. Despite Nicole's reluctance, the two left the beautiful Fenghuang Ancient City and returned to Xiangzhong City.

At the Swan Hotel, Zhang Xu met Yang Zi alone in the hotel's café. Contrary to their lively chats over the phone and messages, they exchanged only a few simple greetings in person.

This cooled the passion in Zhang Xu's heart.

"Zhang Xu, I'm really sorry that it took so long to meet you since you've returned. I've been quite busy. I hope you can understand!" Yang Zi sat opposite Zhang Xu, holding a coffee cup and speaking somewhat unnaturally.

"Hehe, it's fine. I understand!" Zhang Xu smiled.

Before meeting Yang Zi, he always looked forward to it. But after the meeting, he always felt a bit awkward. Never having dated before, he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason and ended up making small talk with Yang Zi.

Yang Xu also seemed distracted, occasionally checking her phone and then smiling at something on the screen.

After a few attempts at conversation with little response from Yang Zi, Zhang Xu stopped talking and just watched Yang Zi fiddle with her phone.

It had only been two months since they last met, but Zhang Xu felt like Yang Zi had changed completely, giving him a sense of unfamiliarity. Although she was the same person, her dress and demeanor had undergone changes that Zhang Xu found hard to understand.

These changes made him uncomfortable.

After a while, Yang Zi seemed to realize and reluctantly looked up from her phone, took a sip of her coffee, and said, "Zhang Xu, I'm about to start shooting a new TV series soon. I'll be even busier, and I have to go to the Beijing crew tomorrow. If..."

Before she could finish, Zhang Xu cut in, "I know. If you don't have time, I won't bother you!"

"Thank you!" Yang Zi smiled.

To Zhang Xu, Yang Zi's smile felt formulaic, and at that moment, he suddenly missed Nicole's genuine, warm, and loving smile.

"Damn it!" Thinking of Nicole while with Yang Zi panicked him. He shook his head vigorously, trying to shake off the image of Nicole from his mind, but it was in vain.

"What's wrong?" Yang Zi asked, hearing Zhang Xu's curse.

"Nothing, just feeling a bit unwell!" Zhang Xu made an excuse.

"Oh, then you should go back to your room and rest. It's getting late anyway. I have to rush to the airport early tomorrow, so you don't need to see me off. Just rest well!"

"Alright!" As Zhang Xu watched Yang Zi leave the café with a smile, facing the crowd of reporters, he felt no sense of loss, only a feeling of relief.

Is this what love feels like? Zhang Xu was somewhat bewildered.

The next day, Zhang Xu still woke up early to send Yang Zi to the airport. Due to the presence of reporters at the entrance, Zhang Xu didn't get out of the car. After a brief farewell, he returned to the hotel.

Watching Yang Zi greet the reporters with a smile from the car window, Zhang Xu felt her smile was no different from the one she showed him—both formulaic and... fake!

Feeling upset and melancholic, Zhang Xu returned to his room and threw himself on the bed. He didn't want to do anything, just lie there, staring at the empty ceiling.

"What's wrong? Zhang? What happened?" At lunch, Nicole noticed something was off with Zhang Xu and asked with concern.

"Nothing! Just a bit tired!" Zhang Xu forced a smile for Nicole.

"Then take care of yourself!" Nicole, though suspecting there was more to it, expressed her concern.

"Oh, by the way, tomorrow is Christmas! Let's go home today and have a nice Christmas with my family!" Zhang Xu changed the subject.

"Great! That's wonderful!" Nicole clapped her hands excitedly, her face beaming with a charming smile.

Looking at Nicole's warm smile, Zhang Xu felt a sense of warmth in his heart. He watched her, almost entranced, not even noticing the blush spreading on Nicole's delicate cheeks...

After lunch, the two packed their luggage and left the hotel hand in hand, heading to the bus station to catch the bus home.

Throughout the journey, Zhang Xu and Nicole either held hands or Nicole hooked her arm through Zhang Xu's, creating a very tender scene.

Zhang Xu didn't find anything wrong with it; on the contrary, he enjoyed this relaxed and warm feeling.

On Christmas Eve, Zhang Xu's parents prepared a special dinner for Nicole, allowing her to feast heartily. In the end, Nicole was so full she reluctantly returned to her room, patting her round belly.

During the meal, Nicole received a call from her father, Mr. Nelson, who inquired about her well-being in China and briefly spoke with Zhang Xu.

Zhang Xu didn't know much about Mr. Nelson. He politely wished Mr. Nelson well over the phone. Mr. Nelson seemed quite informed about Zhang Xu's situation and directly asked him which club he planned to go to next.

Zhang Xu was surprised by Mr. Nelson's well-informed nature, but since Philip hadn't called yet, meaning nothing was finalized, Zhang Xu could only give an honest reply.

In the end, the Nelsons wished Zhang Xu's parents a Merry Christmas in Chinese, which surprised and pleased Zhang Xu, showing their friendliness towards his family.

Then, Nicole's phone rang with a chorus of voices from her four older brothers, two younger brothers, and her adorable younger sister.

"I'm so envious of you having so many siblings!" Zhang Xu remarked.

"Hehe, they are the most precious people in my life. I love them! And of course, you too!" Nicole looked at Zhang Xu with eyes full of deep love, touching his heart.

After Christmas, the day to return to the team was approaching.

That day, Zhang Xu finally received a call from Philip.

"Hey, Zhang, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" Philip joked light-heartedly.

"The bad news, I guess!"

"The bad news is that I've been in touch with Crystal Palace, Eintracht Frankfurt, 1860 Munich, and others, negotiating several times. They are interested in you, but none are willing to give you a stable chance to play. Frankfurt and 1860 Munich are only willing to offer up to 400,000 euros. As for Crystal Palace, they are willing to raise the offer to 500,000 euros, but they are not willing to use the special talent clause nor guarantee a stable chance to play!"

"Uh-huh, as expected! So, what's the good news?" Zhang Xu wasn't surprised by the outcome. His skills were sufficient, but European clubs prefer to use players from Europe and the Americas unless you're exceptionally outstanding.

This situation is an unspoken rule among European clubs.

"The good news is still Sheffield United. Their terms are the same as last time, and they've even added a handsome bonus for assists and goals!"

"And your opinion, Mr. Philip?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xu already had a preliminary idea, but he wasn't in a hurry to express his stance. He wanted to hear Philip's opinion.

"My opinion is still Sheffield United. For you, the special talent slot is too important. It not only shows Sheffield United's attitude but also removes any obstacles for you in European leagues!"

Actually, Zhang Xu had an unavoidable issue he hadn't mentioned to Philip: the system's main task was to transfer to Sheffield United during the winter break.

It was a predetermined path, and whether he wanted to or not, he had to follow it. He refrained from expressing his stance to Philip earlier because he wanted to see his worth in the eyes of those clubs.

The result was somewhat disappointing. It seemed his abilities weren't yet recognized, or the situation wouldn't be like this.

Well, he might as well follow the system's main task. Maybe this is what they mean by "trust the system, gain eternal life!" Zhang Xu thought sarcastically.

Sheffield United, then? Alright, let's go to Sheffield United!

"Mr. Philip, in that case, let's go to Sheffield United!" Zhang Xu calmly agreed.

"Don't you want to discuss it with your parents or your beautiful girlfriend?"

"No need, I'm the one who decides my affairs, and I believe my decisions are always right! Because I trust your judgment and opinion!" Zhang Xu timely flattered Philip.

"Ha ha, alright then! I'll contact Sheffield United immediately to negotiate the specific terms. When you return to Belgium, I'll give you a draft of the contract!"

"Thank you, Mr. Philip!"

"Ha ha, Zhang, I think you should find an agent. You can't always rely on this old man to negotiate for you, can you?"

"You're right, I'll consider it!" Zhang Xu smiled and agreed.

After ending the call with Philip, Zhang Xu informed his parents and Nicole of his decision.

His parents had no objections, but Nicole was somewhat reluctant because it meant she would have to take a plane to see Zhang Xu from France!