When Tony Twain fell asleep for the first time, several things occurred in this world.

The doctors knew this head coach had been in a coma for 24 hours before he woke up abruptly. He had also drunk a cup of paste-like food and chatted with Shania for a while. Then, he went back to sleep. This news made the doctors really happy. This indicated that treatment was successful, and Tony Twain’s life should be out of danger now.

Dunn, who had been constantly helping out in the hospital, knew about this news immediately as well. He was relieved and went home to rest so he could prepare to start work again. He then entrusted everything in the hospital to Shania.

The reporters surrounding the hospital also received this news. The hospital called a press conference to report on the latest situation, informing the general public through this. Those who had still been worried about Tony Twain’s safety could finally catch their breaths. The Nottingham Forest fan club website also immediately announced the news of Twain’s condition stabilising.

“After being unconscious for 24 hours, Tony Twain finally woke up for a short while. We are extremely happy about this occurrence.” The BBC newscaster announced this with a wide smile.

After the Nottingham Forest players found out that Twain would live, they were extremely relieved and could finally focus on their training and the competition.

There were also people who cared about more than just Twain’s health condition. Tony Twain’s sudden collapse brought back to attention an issue he had once denied, and had now become an irrefutable reality.

When the news of Twain’s collapse first broke out, Judy Shania Jordana, who was originally supposed to promote Cruise’s new film in Shanghai, China, suddenly disappeared from the namelist. After 14 hours, she quietly appeared at London Heathrow Airport and, after another hour, she was sitting by Tony Twain’s bed. This was spread by the doctors and nurses from the Royal College of Physicians, and some fans even took the time to use their phones to take a picture.

If both of them were simply friends, why would Shania be so affected by this incident? Others would, at most, make a call to ask about it. Only she would fly from such a faraway land and go to great lengths to take care of him, and the worry on her face was undeniable — she did not even try to hide it. On the road, she had still been trying to keep it low profile to avoid the pestering paparazzi, but once she was beside Tony Twain, she could not hide anything. She opened up to those busybodies to see clearly.

So finally, the answer was out and clear — Tony Twain and Shania were no ordinary friends. They were indeed a couple! It was unthinkable that Tony Twain’s collapse could reveal such a shocking truth…

After finding out that Twain was not in life-threatening danger for the time being, the media became active again. They immediately caused a clamour about the news regarding the loving relationship between Shania and Twain.

While the public was remorseful about the troubled fate Twain had these days, they were also commending how he could win the heart of a pretty 18-year-old supermodel. The Chinese media claimed that this was the modern soccer version of “blessing in disguise” .

Even BBC news, after they confirmed the truth behind Twain and Shania’s relationship, jokingly said, “Losing on the field, but gaining in the relationship field. No matter what happens, Tony Twain never loses.”

Shania did not make an appearance to clear things up either. She could not be bothered with what outsiders thought about the relationship between Twain and her. In this period of time, there was only Uncle Tony in her heart and nothing else.

What about work? She had already thrown it far away. Other than the promotional activities for her film with Tom Cruise coming to an end, she had already turned down all of the fashion shows during the Christmas season up till January of the following year. Through her agent, Mr Fascal, Shania had declared that she would not leave until Tony Twain got better. She did not care if she was throwing away her partnership with famous international brands. This was as good as publicly announcing her relationship with the 40-year-old man.

“Love makes people do crazy things, but a love as crazy as Jordana’s…this is my first time seeing something like this,” Some fashion magazine commented on this matter.

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When Twain woke up again, he had already slept for 12 hours. He turned his head and laughed when he saw Shania, who was sitting by his side looking a little sallow. “See? Like I said, I didn’t sleep for too long this time.”

Although his body was still weak, his mental state was a lot better compared to the last time. Twain shifted his eyes, discovering he had a bed beside him. Obviously, it was for Shania to sleep on. Hence, he asked. “How much did you sleep in the past few days?”

“I don’t remember.” Shania’s hair was a little messy and her bare face seemed extremely haggard and devastated. If she walked out like this, even the most loyal and hardcore of her fans would not recognise her.

“Go sleep. I’m fine already.”

Shania stubbornly shook her head to decline Twain’s suggestion. “I’m not tired.”

Just as both of them were still talking, the door to the room was pushed open. Some doctors and young female nurses walked in. They all seemed surprised but happy upon seeing Twain lie sideways with his eyes opened.

“This is great! Thank God, Mr Twain, you’re awake!”

Twain smiled and thanked the doctors who saved his life, “I haven’t even thanked you all, my saviours.”

“Ha.” A middle-aged male doctor who seemed to be the leader, gleamed. “You can save those words of thanks; it’s our job to save lives. As for the person by your side, however…” He looked at Shania. “Ms Shania stayed beside you this whole time. You should thank her properly.”

Twain looked over at Shania but did not say anything. Despite that, they both knew what the other was thinking about. Of course he should thank her. He was prepared to spend the next half of his life to thank her…

Witnessing such a warm scene, even fools would know what was going on. The doctors and nurses were not surprised at this, but the middle-aged man still coughed to interrupt the two who were still looking at each other. “Sorry to disturb the both of you, but we actually have something for Ms Shania. However, since you are awake, Mr Twain, then it’s better that we tell you directly.”

“Is this regarding my body?” Twain asked.

The man nodded, then he stretched his hand towards Twain. “Hi, Mr Twain. I’m your head physician Stanley Meley, but you can call me Stanley.”

Twain also held out his hand. They exchanged a simple handshake.

“Have you had a flu recently?” Stanley Meley immediately went straight to the main topic after the self-introduction.

Twain nodded.

“Did you cough?”

“Initially I didn’t, then I did. I didn’t get any better, but I didn’t take any medicine either,” Twain recalled.

Stanley exchanged a look with his colleagues. Shania stood by the side, uninterrupting, looking at them in silence.

“Mr Twain,” Stanley looked at Twain and said, “You have pulmonary heart disease.”

Twain was not shocked to hear this. Instead, he chuckled. “Which head coach doesn’t have some sort of heart problem?”

Stanley also nodded to agree with his point. “You’re right. Being a head coach comes with tremendous psychological stress, so working in this stressful environment in a long time would easily induce various heart diseases. However, you’re barely 40 and you’ve already contracted this disease. It’s simply too premature. This is related to your incorrect living habits.”

After saying this, he looked at Shania for a brief moment.

“Alcoholism, smoking, unhealthy snacking, irregular work-rest cycles, plus the job which already comes with enormous amounts of stress… Truthfully speaking, Mr Twain, when I saw you collapse suddenly on television, I had already guessed it was a heart attack. That flu was a symptom, which induced minor bronchial asthma. The smoking caused great damage to your lungs. Nicotine causes accelerated heartbeat and increased blood pressure, but excessive smoking would cause your blood pressure to decline, an increased oxygen consumption of your heart, vasospasm, irregular blood flow and an increased platelet adhesion. Alcohol, which contains ethanol, also directly impacts the health of your heart. Alcoholism not only increases the pressure on your heart, but it might cause arrhythmia, which impacts fat metabolism and promotes the formation of arteriosclerosis. Lastly, it’s regarding your work.”

Stanley Meley pushed up his glasses. “You know, there are rules in life. Being in a good mood will prevent you from being over-emotional and over-exhausted, which are efficient means in preventing heart disease. But the unique requirements which your job entails clash with all these requirements. This is also why I agree with your point on head coaches being at high risk of contracting heart diseases.”

“Honestly speaking, Mr Twain, although you are conscious now, I don’t think you’re out of danger yet. Right now, your body is weak, your heart condition is still unstable and there might be danger any time. I am not here to scare people off, but I have a duty to tell you that you have to be extra careful this month. You cannot go anywhere else as we need to put you under 24-hour surveillance.”

After listening to all that, Twain laughed bitterly. “Is my body in such a poor state?”

“Heart disease is only one of the many issues. Your lungs and liver are in different degrees of danger. I seriously suggest you quit smoking and drinking, improve on your diet and having a regular work-rest cycle. This is if you want to live a few extra years.”

Initially he was still somewhat friendly, but once he started talking about Twain’s condition, his expression and tone immediately turned cold. As if he were reading off a script, hee was emotionless.

Twain looked at Shania who seemed a little nervous by the side, and then waved his hands. “What more can I say? You’re my god now, Stanley. I’ll listen to you and quit smoking and drinking immediately, but as for work…”

“Don’t tell me you still want to go back to lead the team for training and competition?” Stanley Meley frowned. “In this state of yours, even leaving the hospital will be too dangerous, let alone going back to the head coach seat! I suggest, for the sake of your health, that you disregard all types of soccer and sports news and don’t think about the condition of your team. That isn’t what you should think about. None of my colleagues and I are unable to guarantee that you wouldn’t faint by the side of the field again, and if you faint again…” He gave Shania a look. “You might not be as lucky.”

“Uncle Tony,” Shania chimed in, shaking her head furiously at Twain.

Twain sighed. “Ok, I’ll give in. I will cooperate with you, Dr. Stanley, just let me leave this place earlier.”

Stanley then started smiling again. “We also hope that day will come fast. After all, I am a Nottingham Forest fan as well.”

He smiled and left with the other doctors and nurses.

After they left, Twain then turned to look at Shania. Ever since the people came in, Shania had had his hand in a vice-like grip and his palms were now sweaty.

“Well, your Uncle Tony has become a pitiful being who can only lie on the bed and rely on others for help with everything he does…”

Shania bent over to use her lips to stop Twain from continuing talking. Twain could feel the lips, which used to be soft, were now dry and cracked. The past few days must have been really hard on her. He used his other hand to wrap around and pat her back.

While they were still focused on each other, someone coughed from where they stood at the door. Even then, neither of them backed off. It was only after a while that Shania, embarrassed, moved away from Twain and sat by his side to pour water for him. Twain turned to see Dunn and Fasal at the door.

“It’s really lively. A huge group just left and now another two have come. Hello guys.” He was not at all embarrassed that he and Shania were interrupted by them.

Fascal looked at Twain with a huge smile on his face, then at Shania who was busy, and said, “Seems like you’re recovering well, Mr Twain.”

“The doctor said I’m not completely out of danger yet,” Twain beamed while answering.

Dunn’s face became a little more stern. “I heard you woke up again, so I came over to see you.”

“Thanks.” To this “brother” he had known back in China, Twain need not say so much.

“Everything is fine with the team, you don’t have to worry about anything. The Chairman has already asked me to be the temporary head coach for the team. While you’re receiving treatment, I’ll be in charge of leading the team during the competition.” Twain trusted Dunn the most. Though Dunn was Chinese, he was naturally the best candidate to succeed Twain when the latter was not around. Evan Doughty did not care what country Dunn came from, or the soccer standards of that particular country, he only trusted Twain’s opinion.

“It’s been hard on you.” Twain nodded.

※※※

Twain thoroughly followed Stanley Meley’s suggestion and did not actively ask about the team’s state. Dunn obviously knew that Twain should not be stressed any further, so he did not mention it either. The trio then chit-chatted for a little longer before Dunn and Fasal both bade him farewell.

Before he left, Fasal asked Shania outside to talk for a few minutes. Shania came in afterwards to see Twain’s concerned look. She smiled and said, “It’s nothing much, just that I’ll lose a few contracts and earn a bit less. Anyway, I’ve already finished spending the money I’ve earned before.”

Twain did not say anything. After years of interaction, he understood Shania’s temper. If there were things she acknowledged as important, she would deal with those immediately with little care for the consequences. Even if there were any dire outcomes, she would only bother with those after she had dealt with the matter. As such, there was no point convincing her. Although, there was something he had to nag about.

“You should go rest. Even if it’s just for an hour, it’s still better than staying up like this.” Seeing how Shania was going to refute, he straightened his face. “If you don’t rest, how can you take care of me? I’m relying entirely on you and only you now, Shania. If you’re over-exhausted, what will I do?”

At this, Shania immediately lay on the bed with her clothes on. Before she fell asleep, she did not forget to tell Twain “good night”. Almost immediately after, he could hear soft snoring. A beauty snoring and being able to fall asleep so quickly… She must have really over-exerted herself. No matter how tired she was physically, her mind could not be at peace and she could not relax at all, which was what was really draining. Twain could relate to that feeling, because he was like this as well before his heart attack. The stress piled and piled until he could not take it any longer and collapsed.

Models might look like they are in good shape but that did not necessarily mean that they were in good physical condition. In fact, a lot of them are actually in worse states than the average person. Twain really hoped that nothing bad would happen to Shania.

The doctor did not allow him to think about the team, and he really was not planning to think as well. However, in this period of time, he was still wide awake and did not want to sleep. What should he do? He turned his head to look at Shania who was sound asleep and continued to watch her quietly.

Once he was sure about his intentions, his inner self calmed down and it was as if nothing else could shock him anymore. As long as Shania was by his side, he would be warm and there was nothing for him to think or worry about. He also did not care if Dunn would be able to take on the burden of leading a soccer team, or the rumours on the news, or the injury reports, the underperforming results, criticism from the media, the immense pressure and the expectations of the fans. He could disregard all of those. Let those who had to be busy go and be busy, he just wanted to enjoy this peace by himself.

The special treatment ward was completely silent, other than the low-pitched noises from the instruments. The sound of cruel battles from the fields and the days where he would be locked in constant strife with the media were slowly becoming further and further from him. This small ward was like a long-lasting village of oblivion which allowed people to forget all their troubles and go into slumber peacefully.

Twain settled his gaze, full of love and joy, on Shania’s face, staring until he felt drowsy as well.

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