196: The Queen's Invitation and the Founding of the Empire

In the office at Phoenix Training Center, Lin Feng stared at the text message from Keira Knightley on his phone screen.

That provocative tone, that undeniable presence, made him feel a pressure he had never experienced before.

It wasn't fear, but something more complex.

He lightly touched the screen, deleting the message, as if he had never received it.

“Boss, the Wolves tactical analysis report is complete,” Richard Arnold said as he pushed open the door, holding a thick stack of documents.

Lin Feng put away his phone and refocused his attention on football.

Wolves, a team equally eager for promotion to the Premier League, would be the touchstone to test the true quality of Hartlepool United.

“Mick McCarthy’s team has always been known for its discipline,” Lin Feng said, flipping through the report, “They won’t give us many chances to make mistakes.”

Richard nodded: “Ebanks-Blake’s counter-attack speed is very fast, our defense needs to be extra careful.”

Outside the window, the steel framework of the Northern Dragon Arena gleamed in the sunset.

This stadium, nearing completion, had already become the most eye-catching building in the entire Northeast of England.

Lin Feng’s phone rang again; this time, it was a report from Northern Capital.

“Sir, Lehman Brothers’ stock price continues to plummet, and our short position has already yielded a 300% return,” the voice on the other end of the phone was excited.

“Continue to hold,” Lin Feng’s voice was as calm as a lake, “At the same time, start acquiring shares in Apple and Google.

The current prices are like stealing money.”

“Understood, Sir.

Also, those mining companies you asked us to monitor, their stock prices have all fallen to historical lows.”

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Feng’s eyes.

The [Market Prediction] function showed that after the global economic recovery, demand for basic resources would experience explosive growth.

Oil, iron ore, rare metals—these seemingly inconspicuous commodities would become the cornerstone of his business empire.

“Start acquiring,” Lin Feng issued the order, “Don’t worry about short-term fluctuations; what we want is a layout for the next ten years.”

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng walked to the window.

The distant coastline was faintly visible in the night, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty smell, blew into the office.

This world was about to undergo earth-shattering changes, and he would be the biggest beneficiary of this transformation.

Early the next morning, Sophie Green appeared at the entrance of the Phoenix Training Center.

She was wearing a beige trench coat and holding an exquisite envelope.

“Mr. Lin, someone asked me to deliver this to you,” Sophie’s voice was a little unnatural.

Lin Feng took the envelope and saw the logo of a top London hotel printed on it.

Without opening it, he knew what was inside.

“Miss Keira Knightley’s agent asked me to deliver it,” Sophie bit her lower lip, “She said if you could attend the charity gala, she would be willing to donate a large sum of money in your name.”

A subtle tension permeated the air.

Sophie’s eyes flickered with complex emotions, a mix of professional journalistic objectivity and a woman’s unique sensitivity.

Lin Feng did not immediately open the invitation but looked at Sophie: “Do you think I should go?”

Sophie was momentarily stunned, then quickly resumed her professional demeanor: “From a club public relations perspective, interaction with international stars is indeed beneficial for enhancing brand image.”

But her eyes betrayed her true thoughts.

That reluctance, that worry, was all written on her face.

Lin Feng placed the invitation on the table, unopened: “I understand.

Thank you for coming all this way.”

Sophie turned to leave but then stopped: “Mr. Lin, are you really not going to open it?”

“There’s no need,” Lin Feng’s voice was light but firm, “I already know what’s written inside.”

At the same time, in another building of the club, Richard Arnold was handling matters related to share buybacks.

“Gentlemen, our offer is already very fair,” Richard faced a small shareholder alliance composed of several local businessmen.

“Fair?” one of the businessmen sneered, “Does Mr. Lin think we’re fools?

The team’s value has increased tenfold compared to a year ago, yet he wants to buy back our shares at the original price?”

“Market value and actual value are two different things,” Richard maintained his politeness, “The club’s success largely depends on Mr. Lin’s personal ability and resources.”

“Then we’ll wait and see,” another businessman stood up, “When the team gets promoted to the Premier League, our shares will double in value.”

Richard watched them leave, then picked up the phone and dialed Lin Feng: “Boss, they didn’t accept our terms.”

“As expected,” Lin Feng’s voice was calm, “Suspend all contact.

Let them wait a bit longer; soon they will understand what reality means.”

On the training ground in the afternoon, the players were making their final preparations for the upcoming match against Wolves.

Vardy repeatedly practiced shooting in the penalty area, each shot precise.

De Bruyne and Coutinho coordinated passes in midfield, their understanding reaching a telepathic level.

“Kevin, your passing is getting more and more accurate,” Coutinho praised in English.

De Bruyne smiled: “Philippe, your positioning is also getting smarter.

We will become the best partners.”

Old John observed every detail from the sidelines.

The speed of this team’s progress shocked him.

In just a few months, these young men had transformed from League One rookies into Championship powerhouses.

“Coach, do we have confidence in tomorrow’s game?” Henderson walked up to Old John.

“Jordan, there’s never 100% certainty in a football match,” Old John patted the young captain’s shoulder, “But I believe that as long as we perform at the level we show in training, no one can stop us.”

After training, Lin Feng appeared on the side of the pitch.

The players gathered around, waiting for their boss’s speech.

“Gentlemen, tomorrow’s match is very important,” Lin Feng’s voice was exceptionally clear in the night wind, “Wolves are an experienced team; they won’t give us any easy chances.”

“But,” Lin Feng’s tone suddenly sharpened, “we have something they don’t.

We have speed, skill, and limitless possibilities.”

The players’ eyes burned with fighting spirit.

This man always managed to ignite the fire in their hearts with the simplest words.

“Remember, we are not here to make up the numbers,” Lin Feng scanned each young face, “We are here to conquer.”

It was late, and Lin Feng sat alone in his office.

The invitation on the table remained unopened, like a silent challenge.

He picked up his phone and sent a text message to Keira’s agent: “Thank Miss Knightley for her kindness; the club will make a donation in its own name.

Mr. Lin is unable to attend due to preparations for a crucial match, but wishes the gala every success.”

After sending it, Lin Feng looked out the window.

The Northern Dragon Arena stood majestically in the night, like a sleeping giant.

“Sophie, this is my answer,” he whispered to the air.

Early the next morning, Sophie received Lin Feng’s reply message.

Seeing the news of his refusal to attend the gala, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

This man always made the right choices at critical moments.

Meanwhile, in a top hotel in London, Keira Knightley was trying on an evening gown.

Her agent walked into the room, looking a bit awkward.

“Keira, Mr. Lin replied,” the agent handed over the phone.

After reading the message, Keira was not angry; instead, she smiled: “Interesting.

Very interesting indeed.”

She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the London nightscape: “A man who can refuse me—this is the first time I’ve encountered that.”

“What about the gala?” the agent asked cautiously.

“It will proceed as planned,” Keira’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, “The game has just begun.”

Back in Hartlepool, Victoria Park was making its final preparations for tomorrow’s match.

The turf was neatly trimmed, and the seats in the stands were spotless.

Lin Feng’s “Eternal Glory Stand” project had achieved tremendous success.

Fans who needed to purchase season tickets for ten consecutive years to obtain a permanent seat were lining up to snap them up.

“Boss, season ticket sales have exceeded our expectations,” the club’s commercial manager reported excitedly, “Many fans are coming out as entire families, afraid to miss this opportunity.”

Lin Feng nodded: “A sense of belonging is more important than anything else.

When fans consider this place their home, they will become our staunchest supporters.”

As night fell, Wolves’ team bus slowly drove into the town of Hartlepool.

Inside the bus, Mick McCarthy was studying footage of their opponents.

“This team is young, but they can’t be underestimated,” McCarthy told his assistant, “Their number 9 is very fast, and those two lads in midfield are also quite skilled.”

“Coach, is there anything we need to pay special attention to?”

“Attention?” McCarthy sneered, “What we need to do is overwhelm them with experience and discipline.

Young people are always prone to making mistakes; we need to seize every opportunity.”

At the same time, Hartlepool United’s players were getting their final rest in the hotel.

Tomorrow’s match would determine whether they could maintain their lead in the league standings.

Vardy lay on the bed, closing his eyes and imagining tomorrow’s match.

He could taste the goals, that thrill of making the entire stadium erupt.

De Bruyne and Coutinho were discussing tactics in the next room.

The two young talents had become the best of friends, and their chemistry would be the team’s biggest weapon.

Henderson, as captain, checked on his teammates’ conditions room by room.

This sense of responsibility made him appear more mature than his actual age.

At midnight, Lin Feng stood alone in his office, looking at the distant coastline through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Tomorrow’s match was important, but he was confident.

This team was no longer the struggling side that once fought for Championship survival.

They had talent, tactics, and limitless possibilities.

More importantly, they had a boss who could see the future.

His phone rang again; this time, it was an urgent report from Northern Capital: “Sir, Lehman Brothers has officially declared bankruptcy.”

A slight smile appeared on Lin Feng’s lips: “Begin the second phase of the plan.

Acquire those high-quality assets that have been wrongly sold off; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The financial crisis, a disaster for others, was an opportunity for him.

While everyone else was panic-selling, he was calmly harvesting the wealth of the entire world.

This was the advantage of having the ability to foresee the future.

Outside the window, the Northern Dragon Arena glowed with a silvery light under the moonlight.

This soon-to-be-completed stadium would become a symbol of his business empire.

And tomorrow’s match would be an important step in the continued expansion of this empire.