By Feng Qirong

lthough 14-year-old Alain and his two younger brothers are African people with dark skin and curly hair, they can speak fluent Mandarin and write beautiful Chinese characters. Since he was born, they have had an indissoluble bond with Nantong, their ‘second hometown’. They live, study, and grow here. Their parents both work in Nantong. For more than 10 years, they have long been integrated into Nantong and have become authentic ‘locals’.

On the morning of 6th September, in class 33 grade 2 in Yijiaqiao Middle School, an English class was in progress. An African boy sitting in the first row of the classroom was very focused. His name is Alain. His parents both come from Cameroon. In October 2010, he was born in Nantong. After that, their family settled in Nantong.

Whether in school or at home, Alain speaks Mandarin the most. ‘I am used to speaking Chinese. Sometimes my parents speak English, I will answer them in Chinese.’ With fluent Chinese, Alain made many good friends, especially some boys who like playing football.

‘He not only speaks Chinese well, but also can write beautiful characters. What's more rare is that his composition score is also good.’ Qian Yingxia, his Chinese teacher introduced. Opening Alain’s composition book, there is a paragraph of affectionate description, ‘in my opinion, football is the only gem which can open the future. Every time I see a football, I will be attracted.’

With his love for football and outstanding talent, in April 2023, Alain joined ‘Nantong Zhiyun Football Youth Team’. There, he received more professional and systematic training, and his football skills have also been rapidly improved.

Alain’s father Feddy is actually an ‘old Nantong citizen’. He came to Nantong to work in as early as 2003. He worked as an English teacher at a university, and did foreign trade business before. He also played for the amateur football team of Nantong. ‘I have long considered myself a local of Nantong. Although there are many foreigners in Nantong, I prefer making friends with local people. A lot of my friends who like football are Nantong citizens.’ 55-year-old Feddy has another symbolic character —— wearing wenwan bracelets. ‘I have many bracelets. They are gifts from my football friends!’ In the view of Feddy, apart from habitable and suitable for work, the biggest advantage of Nantong is safety. ‘Walking on the road in Nantong at 1 or 2am, I am not afraid at all.’

Alain’s mother Julie works as an English teacher in a kindergarten in Nantong Economic & Technological Development Area. She is good in 3 languages, which are English, French, and Chinese. She followed her husband to settle in Nantong in 2010, and gave birth to 3 lovely boys in Nantong after that. ‘Living in Nantong for 14 years, our family has long fallen in love with this city.’ Julie said.

Feddy said that during the holidays the family would go to climb Langshan Mountain and visit Hao River, or taste delicious Nantong cuisine in restaurants. This simple and plain life is the greatest happiness.