He began to apologize for what he had done to Tang Long at Manchester City.
He explained to Tang Long that, as the leader of the French Language Gang, he managed a group of underlings. With Tang Long's arrival, an important mber of the French Language Gang, Nasri, who was known as one of the "Four Little Swans of France," lost his position. And since Tang Long was a versatile player at Manchester City, playing as both defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and forward, Toure, who was eager to renew his contract in his last year with the team, also felt his position was threatened.
Because of various reasons, they had to unite with other brothers to resist Tang Long.
Tang Long waved his hand dismissively, saying, "It's all old history. Why bring it up now? The only thing I want to ask is, did your Côte d'Ivoire's aerospace base ever get built?"
Toure burst into laughter upon hearing this, though his feelings were a mix of anger and amusent.
"Haha, it seems our country's embarrassing secrets are all known to you. Alas, the mayor of my city is truly insatiable and really treats a footballer like as an ATM machine. I've donated so much money to my hotown over the years. Today, they asked for a million to build a road, and tomorrow, they wanted half a million for a factory. The most ridiculous thing was directly asking for three million to build an aerospace base—ridiculous! With Côte d'Ivoire's industry level, they can't even make bicycles, let alone spaceships. Dream on!"
Tang Long was also amused, and they continued chatting.
Suddenly, Toure paused, as if recalling sothing, and gazed at Tang Long.
"There's sothing else, actually, I've kept it to myself for a long ti. eting you here, I have to tell you."
"Go on."
"Do you rember when you were playing for Manchester City, The Sun ssed with you twice? Do you rember that?"
Tang Long nodded and said, "Of course I rember."
Back then, Nasri from the French Language Gang had issues with Tang Long over losing his position and intentionally took a video of Dilata and Gracie entering Tang Long's house together, which he then sent to The Sun. This sparked a massive scandal, forcing Tang Long to be internally suspended by then-coach Pellegrini.
Toure chuckled and continued:
"Yes, the first ti was indeed The Sun causing trouble. But the second ti was when we had a gathering at Captain Kompany's house, discussing how to handle harming you, regarding Nasri. What happened that night."
Tang Long nodded and said, "Yes. I also discussed it with Ranocchia many tis, but we never figured out who among those present at Captain Kompany's house leaked the matter to The Sun, adding fuel to the fire."
Toure slapped his thigh and gave a wry smile.
Tang Long asked, "Was it you who leaked it?"
Toure waved his hand and laughed, "It wasn't , but I know who it was—I only found out after that season ended. Besides, even though I didn't like you back then, I'm not the kind of person who sells news to the dia."
Nas flashed through Tang Long's mind like a tidal wave of mories.
He rembered that at the eting at Captain Kompany's house, present were Toure, Sagna, and Bony from the French Language Gang; Joe Hart and Sterling from the English Language Gang; Fernando from the Portuguese Language Gang; Agüero, Silva, and Navas from the Spanish Language Gang; and Ranocchia and himself from the Italian Language Gang.
"Was it Nasri himself?" Tang Long asked.
Toure shook his head, "No, Nasri had signed a confidentiality agreent with Manchester City's comrcial director Belada. If he leaked any details, he'd have to pay a hefty fine of millions of Euros, which he couldn't afford. Besides, he wasn't there that night, so he didn't know what we discussed."
Tang Long said he didn't want to keep guessing and asked Toure to just say it.
Toure turned his head and, covering his mouth, whispered a na with a smile.
Tang Long was stunned, thinking he misheard;
He gazed into Toure's eyes. Toure nodded solemnly, showing he was not joking.
Then they both burst into a fit of intense laughter.
Their laughter was so loud that the phoenix trees above them rustled like canopies, and the sparrows were startled into flying away.
"Well, I really didn't expect it to be that guy, he's really sothing!"
"It's not just you, when I first found out, even I couldn't believe it. That guy turned out to be that kind of person, I was totally wrong about him."
Tang Long and Toure strolled beside the lake, chatting as they walked.
Golden morning light spread, the lake's surface sparkled with golden hues.
In the outskirts of Milan, the rising sun stretched their shadows long, very long.
(The full text ends, farewell thoughts will be written tomorrow)
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