Kapitel 28: Nicole (2)
"Oh, by the way, Das," after introducing each other, Zhang Xu turned to Das and asked, "Why did you guys come to Belgium? Don't tell me you came all the way here just to see me, that's nonsense."
"Haha, of course not!" Das laughed heartily. "We heard that the Ghent International Film Festival is about to start, so we came to take a look. And, of course, to see if our super genius from Paris VI University is still mixing it up in U21."
"But we didn't expect that, Zhang, you've already made it to the first team, and you've participated in four consecutive matches!" Both Das and Rokay nodded in admiration. "We watched the game today too, and I have to say, Zhang, you did really well! You've got our attention!"
"Haha, of course, I'm a genius!" Zhang Xu laughed without any modesty.
Nicole observed Zhang Xu, someone she found both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar.
In her memory, the previous Zhang Xu, although full of determination, always seemed to carry a hint of melancholy. But now, he was a completely sunny young man, exuding confidence and vitality in his every move.
Nicole gazed at the handsome face before her, and her heart gradually quickened.
In fact, suggesting the trip to the Ghent Film Festival in Belgium was her idea. On one hand, as a former Hollywood actress, attending the festival would broaden her horizons and enrich her experiences. On the other hand, she had a little secret agenda in mind.
"Hey, Zhang, are you going to leave us out here in the cold?" Das raised both hands and pointed to his mouth, winking at Zhang Xu.
Zhang Xu teasingly scolded him, "You're such a glutton, I should stuff a big stone in your mouth! Alright, in the Walloon region where we are, there's a unique Belgian restaurant nearby. It's not far from here, we can walk there. I'll take you there now, how about that?"
So, under Zhang Xu's lead, the six of them strolled towards the Belgian restaurant.
Along the way, Rokay and Lefin walked together, Das and his girlfriend Susan walked together, and Zhang Xu naturally walked alongside Nicole.
Nicole was in a very good mood, constantly asking Zhang Xu about his life in Belgium, the matches, and so on. She seemed exceptionally curious and lively.
Out of politeness, Zhang Xu couldn't avoid answering her questions. He responded to Nicole's questions somewhat passively.
"Well, actually, there's still a significant gap between me and Pogba. He's the core of the team, while I'm just a regular defensive midfielder, at best, a competent one." When Nicole asked about his confrontations with Pogba, Zhang Xu thought for a moment before giving an honest answer, "Although I mostly win our duels, that's..."
Just as he was about to explain further, Zhang Xu's cellphone suddenly rang with a pleasant ringtone.
Zhang Xu's face lit up as he saw a message from Yang Zi. At this time, it should be around 10 PM back in China, so receiving a message from Yang Zi was a pleasant surprise for him.
He quickly took out his phone, organized his words, and replied.
"Is this a message from your friend?" Nicole saw the joy on Zhang Xu's face and asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Uh, yeah," Zhang Xu smiled awkwardly. "It's from a friend in China. She couldn't sleep, so she sent me a message to chat."
"Sending messages at this late hour? It must be a girl, right? Haha! I'm sure it is!" Das, attracted by the conversation, joined in and even attempted to snatch Zhang Xu's phone.
Zhang Xu, being physically stronger, didn't let Das take his phone, but his face turned red, and he stammered without giving a clear response.
Seeing Zhang Xu's embarrassed expression, Das was surprised, "Could it be true? Did I guess right? Is a girl really texting you? Is it finally the season of love for our little genius?"
Nicole observed Zhang Xu's blushing face but couldn't figure out why. Her own face turned somewhat pale.
Nicole's best friend, Lefin, noticed her change in demeanor. She quickly stepped forward and gently patted Nicole's fragrant shoulder, asking, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Nicole forced a smile. "Let's go!"
Lefin comforted her and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's go."
"Zhang, how do you know this girl? Tell us the story!" Das urged, "I remember you as a pure-hearted guy. It's surprising to see you with a girlfriend!"
"We met by chance in Antwerp," Zhang Xu reluctantly explained.
"By chance? How romantic!" Susan, Das's girlfriend, sighed. "So what's the status of your relationship now? Have you kissed? Or..."
Even though they were walking ahead, Nicole was secretly listening to their conversation. But every sentence she heard seemed to pierce her heart with pain. She turned pale but couldn't resist stealing a glance at Zhang Xu.
"Hey, hey, we're not what you're imagining!" Zhang Xu waved his hands to clarify. "We haven't even held hands yet!"
Hearing this, Nicole seemed to glimpse hope.
"Haven't even held hands? Great! That means there's still a chance for me!"
She and Zhang Xu were physically quite distant, and she couldn't visit him often. She needed to be closer, so she could see him whenever she wanted.
Moreover, she was confident in her looks, demeanor, and personality. She couldn't imagine how she could be inferior.
Thinking this way, Nicole's mood improved significantly. She began chatting and laughing with Lefin, but she still listened carefully to the conversation behind her.
.....
"Hey, Zhang, you see, we've eaten so much; we should do some exercise to burn those calories, right?" After they had eaten their fill, Das began to think about the next activity.
"Exercise? With your physique?" Zhang Xu misunderstood Das's intention to go practice and was surprised. "You really want to exercise?"
"Uh, well, you're quite clueless, huh!" Das muttered, "I meant we should go exercise at a nightclub, dance and stuff."
"Nightclub?" Zhang Xu furrowed his brows. "I can't go, my coach strictly forbids me from going to nightclubs. How about I drop you guys off, and you can go have fun? I won't join you; how does that sound?"
"Forbidden to go to nightclubs? That's a bit too much! We're all adults!" Now, even Rokay and Lefin couldn't understand. They exclaimed in unison, "Let's go, it's just a nightclub!"
"It's true! Going to a nightclub once results in a three-match suspension!"
"Alright, then," Das reluctantly agreed, as Zhang Xu had made the situation sound so serious. He had no choice but to comply.
They arrived at the nightclub, and Das and the others waved to Zhang Xu, ready to enter. At this moment, Nicole suddenly said, "I'm not really comfortable with the atmosphere inside. You guys go ahead! Zhang, why don't you take me back to the hotel?"
"What?" The others were surprised. "You guys, going to the hotel? Booking a room? Isn't that too fast and casual? But, heh, it also sounds pretty good!"
"You're thinking too much!" Nicole realized that her words had too many implications and quickly clarified, her face blushing. "You guys, what are you thinking? I meant for Zhang to drop me off at our hotel!"
"In fact, if you're together, hehe, we don't mind!" Das teased, "What's it called? Talent matched with beauty! Haha..."
"If you're together," before Das could finish his sentence, he saw that Zhang Xu was actually getting angry. He quickly stopped joking, pulled Susan and Roy and Lefin into the nightclub through the entrance.
"Let's go!" Zhang Xu awkwardly smiled at Nicole, then walked toward the hotel.
The moon on this night was beautiful, casting long shadows of the two of them, one in front and one behind, creating a harmonious picture.
"Do you really like that girl a lot?" After walking for a while, and after a period of silence, Nicole suddenly asked softly.
"Who? Oh, you mean Yang Zi?" Zhang Xu asked curiously.
"Yes."
"I don't know if it's love, but I really enjoy the time chatting with her."
"In that case, it's love! Just like me, I don't know why I like my guy. I don't know what I like about him, or whether it's right or wrong, but I just like him, and it was love at first sight!" Nicole said with determination, though she blushed.
"Oh? You're so beautiful, that guy must be lucky! Is he also a student at our school?" Zhang Xu asked curiously.
"Yes!" Nicole looked at Zhang Xu intently, her eyes filled with ripples of love.
Zhang Xu felt a bit uncomfortable and cleared his throat. He turned his head and asked, "What's his name?"
"Zhang Xu!"
"Oh, Zhang Xu? Zhang Xu like me?!" Zhang Xu was stunned, turning to see Nicole's affectionate gaze.
"But, he's already... I have a girl..." Zhang Xu stammered.
"Have you confirmed your relationship with her?"
"Well, not really."
"Then it's not a problem. Zhang, I will pursue you with all my heart until you accept me! I promise!"
"Uh, are you sure you want to think it over again? Really, you should reconsider. I'm really not that outstanding..."
Before Zhang Xu could finish, Nicole, with a determined look, started walking ahead, leaving Zhang Xu behind, shouting and chasing after her...
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein