15: Stock market profits

The League winning streak showed no signs of stopping.

In an away match against Swindon Town, Hartlepool United once again secured all three points with a clean 2-0 victory.

Jamie Vardy, living up to expectations, once again contributed a crucial goal with his speed and composure.

The wildness Vardy displayed on the field made every defender marking him fearful.

Every step he ran was like a relentless assault on the opponent's will.

The team's morale was high.

Fans on the stands sang the team song loudly, and waves of joy swept through the entire away section.

The deafening cheers, even from a long distance, seemed to convey their fervor.

However, in the club chairman's office, Lin Feng's attention had already shifted from the recently concluded match.

His battlefield was not limited to the green pitch.

The office was unusually quiet, with only the faint hum of the computer host.

Occasionally, a few seagulls cried outside the window, forming a stark contrast with the indoor silence.

Lin Feng's gaze calmly watched the flickering K-line charts and flashing numbers on the screen.

NTDOY (Nintendo) stock price was quietly climbing.

NVDA (NVIDIA) curve showed signs of being ready to surge.

AAPL (Apple) figures were steadily rising.

These three stocks were the first 'gold mines' he had filtered from the future information torrent using the [Market Analysis] module, which would bring him immense wealth.

He knew that Nintendo's Wii game console would ignite a global motion-sensing game revolution by the end of the year.

That would be an entertainment storm sweeping across the globe, drawing countless families into its embrace.

NVIDIA's new architecture graphics card, codenamed G80, with its leaked snippets of technical details, had already given the capital market a whiff of disruptive potential.

It was a harbinger of technological innovation, signaling a leap in graphics processing capabilities.

And Apple, although the iPhone that would redefine mobile phones was still in Steve Jobs' top-secret lab, the strong sales of its iPod products and rumors of a mysterious new device had already caused its stock price to surge.

Every rise was like a silent horn, heralding the prelude to wealth growth.

On the screen, the total market value of the £200,000 start-up capital he invested had now jumped to £301,450.

In just a few days, a floating profit of over £100,000.

Although this amount was not large, it could alleviate the immediate urgent needs and give the team more flexibility in the transfer market.

But Lin Feng's face showed no ripple of emotion.

He knew this was just the beginning, just an appetizer before the main course.

The real feast of wealth was still far from coming.

He needed to wait, wait for market sentiment to be completely ignited, wait for those critical time nodes, and then strike with precision.

He enjoyed this feeling of controlling everything, as if holding the reins of time and destiny.

The office door was softly knocked, and Old John Stone, the accountant, walked in, a hint of excitement and confusion on his face.

Mr. Stone's eyes held an indescribable admiration, as if he was looking at an unfathomable mystery.

"Boss."

His voice was tinged with an uncontrollable excitement.

"Following your instructions, I have made initial contact with the clubs of the four players on your list."

Mr. Stone handed a document to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took it, his gaze quickly scanning it.

The paper detailed every communication and the initial reactions of the opposing clubs.

"Manchester City and Manchester United were very surprised that a League Two club like us made an offer for their academy players, and they thought our valuation was too high."

Mr. Stone's tone carried a hint of helplessness, the arrogance of the big clubs clearly evident.

"However, they are open to loan deals, as the players also need match experience."

He paused, waiting for Lin Feng's instructions.

"The best situation is with Livingston in Scotland; due to their relegation and financial problems, they are eager to sell players for funds and have shown great interest in our offer for Robert Snodgrass."

After listening to the report, Lin Feng tapped his fingers lightly on the desk; everything was within his expectations.

The arrogance of the giants, the reality of the small clubs, the game of human nature—this was the true face of the transfer market.

He knew that transfer negotiations were never a simple numbers game.

It was about timing, psychology, and, more importantly, an accurate prediction of the other party's bottom line.

"Mr. Stone, continue to follow up."

Lin Feng's voice was calm and firm, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Tell Manchester City and Manchester United that we are willing to bear the full salary of the players during the loan period and include incentive clauses tied to appearances."

He paused, his gaze deep, as if he could see into the other party's mind.

"We need to make them feel our sincerity, while also hinting that if the players increase their value with us, it will also be beneficial for their future sales."

Mr. Stone nodded slightly, seemingly grasping the deeper meaning; this was indeed the key to enticing the big clubs to release players.

"As for Reading, don't rush to raise the price."

Lin Feng continued, his tone exuding a confident air of strategic planning.

"Let our scout (Old John moonlighting) continue to 'observe', and at the same time try to contact the player's agent, letting him know that we can offer him first-team appearances, which Reading currently cannot provide."

Mr. Stone suddenly realized; this was indeed Reading's pain point and a lever to sway the player's willingness.

"As for Snodgrass of Livingston, this is our first breakthrough."

Lin Feng's tone became even more resolute.

"Press the price down, use their eagerness to cash in, strive to sign him for the lowest transfer fee, and do not include a sell-on clause."

John Stone was dumbfounded.

He felt that his boss was not conducting player transfer negotiations but playing a sophisticated game of chess.

Every step, every contact, was full of calculation and insight into human nature.

How many unknown abilities did this young boss of his still hide?

"Okay, boss, I'll get right on it."

Mr. Stone respectfully withdrew, his awe for Lin Feng deepening.

Lin Feng's gaze moved from the transfer list to a roll of blueprints on the other side of the desk.

Those were the initial planning and design drawings for the "Phoenix Training Center."

The flat turf, like a green carpet, awaited the players' sweat.

The modern changing rooms exuded a professional aura, promising comfort and efficiency.

Professional rehabilitation facilities ensured player health, safeguarding their future.

All of this required money.

And the flickering numbers on the screen were the cornerstone for achieving all of this.

He knew that before long, this abandoned industrial land would become a football sanctuary that would make all of England take notice.

The Phoenix would eventually rise from the ashes, radiating dazzling light in the northeast of England.

The next opponent was Bradford City in the EFL Trophy.

This match was equally important, not just for the prize money, but also for gelling the squad and providing a stage for the upcoming 'prodigies' to shine brightly.

A storm was brewing.