198: Praise of "Professor" and Global Layout

In the office at Phoenix Training Center, Lin Feng was flipping through the day's newspaper.

The headline of The Guardian was particularly striking: 'This is not just a revenge, but a declaration of power transfer between old and new forces.'

The photo in the newspaper captured Shawcross's last-minute winning goal, with the young center-back leaping high against the backdrop of 40,000 fans celebrating at Victoria Park.

"Boss, these are the interview requests we received this morning," Ben Carter, the press officer, walked in with a thick stack of documents, his face a mix of excitement and distress.

Lin Feng didn't look up, his voice calm: "Reject all of them."

"But, these include BBC, Sky Sports, and even CNN International," Ben Carter's voice trembled slightly, "The price they offered..."

"I told you to reject them," Lin Feng's tone left no room for negotiation.

Mystery was more valuable than any interview. While everyone was guessing, he was already standing at the vantage point.

The phone on the desk rang, and Richard Arnold's voice came through the receiver, filled with barely concealed excitement.

"Boss, the Microsoft representatives just left. They agreed to our terms."

Lin Feng put down the newspaper: "Specific numbers."

"A five-year, seventy-million-pound shirt sponsorship, which set a historical record for the Championship," Richard's voice was trembling, "This figure even surpasses some Premier League teams."

The victory over Arsenal brought not only prestige but also tangible commercial value.

The whole world was watching this miracle-making team, and attention meant money.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng dialed another number.

"Secretary Wang, it's me."

The voice on the other end of the line was a bit excited: "Mr. Lin, we all watched last night's game. It was brilliant!"

"Thank you. I think we can now enter the substantive negotiation phase," Lin Feng opened a folder on his desk, which contained a detailed report on Hartlepool United's youth training achievements.

"I have prepared a complete proposal. The club's youth training system, training facilities, and our vision for the development of Chinese football."

Secretary Wang's tone became formal: "We are very interested. When can we see the detailed plan?"

"I can send it to you tomorrow," Lin Feng looked out the window at the Northern Dragon Arena under construction, "Also, I suggest both parties sign a strategic cooperation agreement as soon as possible."

There was a few seconds of silence on the phone, then Secretary Wang's cautious voice came through: "What are the specific contents?"

"Hartlepool United will visit China after the season to play two friendly matches. At the same time, the club will provide youth training consulting services to the Chinese Football Association and establish a pathway for talented Chinese players to study abroad."

Every word of Lin Feng's was carefully considered. This was not just cooperation, but an important step in his globalization strategy.

"This proposal is very attractive," Secretary Wang's voice was filled with excitement, "I need to discuss it with the leadership, but I believe there will be a positive response."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng opened the system interface.

The [Potential Dynamic Prediction] function showed that the potential ratings of several substitute players in the team had slightly declined.

Long-term lack of playing opportunities was affecting their growth trajectory.

Lin Feng immediately called Old John: "John, we need to increase rotation in the upcoming League matches."

"Is it because of physical fitness issues?" Old John's voice was a bit confused.

"No," Lin Feng looked at the red warning signal on the screen, "Some players need games to maintain their form. Talent, if not used, will slowly fade away."

Old John was silent for a moment: "I understand. I'll arrange it."

This was the advantage of having the system. It could not only see the players' current status but also predict their future development.

Every decision was based on data, not feeling.

At three in the afternoon, Sophie Green appeared at the entrance of the training center. She was wearing a light blue trench coat and holding today's The Guardian.

"Congratulations, Mr. Lin," Sophie's face held a sincere smile, "The report 'Northern Storm Sweeps London' has caused a huge stir."

Lin Feng stood up from behind his desk, looking closely at the young female reporter for the first time. Her golden hair sparkled in the sunlight, and her green eyes were clear and focused.

"You gave this victory a deeper meaning," Lin Feng walked to the window, "Sophie, if you have time, I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Sophie was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "Of course, I'd be honored."

"Then at seven tonight, I'll send a car to pick you up," Lin Feng turned to face her, "The location is a bit special, I hope you don't mind."

At exactly seven in the evening, Sophie sat in the back seat of a black Mercedes-Benz, watching the scenery outside the window gradually move away from the city.

The car finally stopped on a small hill.

Lin Feng was already waiting for her there. A simple table, two chairs, and a few warm yellow lights.

Most importantly, from here, the Northern Dragon Arena, which was under construction, could be clearly seen in the distance.

"This is the restaurant you chose?" Sophie smiled as she walked towards Lin Feng.

"The most expensive restaurant in the world," Lin Feng pulled out a chair for her, "Because the view here is unique."

As night fell, the lights from the construction site illuminated the huge steel framework. The future stadium looked both mysterious and spectacular in the night.

"It's truly beautiful," Sophie gazed at the distant building, "Like a castle."

"Not a castle," Lin Feng poured two glasses of red wine, "It's a throne."

Sophie turned her head to look at him, a puzzled look in her eyes: "A throne?"

"The throne of the football world," Lin Feng raised his glass, "One day, the best players in the world will all yearn to play in that stadium. One day, it will become a holy place for football pilgrimage."

Lin Feng's voice was soft, but every word carried an undeniable conviction. For the first time, Sophie felt a transcendent quality about him.

"Do you really believe you can do it?" Sophie asked softly.

"I don't believe it," Lin Feng looked into her eyes, "I know it."

The night wind was cool, but the atmosphere between the two was unusually warm. Lin Feng began to tell Sophie about his vision, a grand blueprint that transcended football itself.

"Football is just the beginning," Lin Feng pointed to the stadium in the distance, "What I want to build is an empire. A business empire spanning sports, entertainment, technology, and finance."

Sophie listened intently. The future depicted by this man was full of breathtaking ambition and charm.

"Hartlepool United will be the flagship of this empire. We will sign the best players in the world, have the most advanced training facilities, and establish the most comprehensive youth training system."

Lin Feng's voice drifted in the night wind, every word imbued with magic.

"We will go global. China, the United States, Brazil, Germany, every country that loves football will bear our footprint."

Sophie felt her breathing quicken. This unprecedented ambition and confidence completely captivated her.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Sophie's voice trembled slightly.

Lin Feng put down his wine glass and gazed into her eyes. Starlight sprinkled on his face, making his young face appear exceptionally profound.

"Sophie, I am building a kingdom that belongs to me, and I hope that you can be the brightest lamp in my kingdom."

Sophie's cheeks instantly flushed, and her heartbeat pounded like thunder in her ears. She knew what these words meant, and she knew that her answer would change everything.

"I..." Sophie's voice was almost inaudible.

Lin Feng reached out and gently caressed her cheek: "You don't have to answer now. But I want you to know that in my future, there is a place for you."

Meanwhile, in the club's office building, Richard Arnold was answering call after call.

"Yes, we are willing to reconsider," The voice on the other end of the line carried obvious anxiety, "Our previous decision might have been a bit hasty."

Richard looked at the list of minority shareholders on his desk, a smile playing on his lips. The victory over Arsenal and the signing of the sky-high sponsorship contract finally made these once arrogant businessmen feel fear.

"I'm sorry, sir," Richard's voice was polite, but the content was blunt, "Our offer has been adjusted. It's now 80% of the original price."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone: "Eighty percent? But the club is worth more now than before."

"Precisely because of that," Richard opened a document, "The increase in the club's value means the importance of external shareholders is decreasing. Mr. Lin's patience is also limited."

Another call ended. Richard picked up his phone and sent a message to Lin Feng: Seven shareholders have proactively contacted us within thirty minutes, all hoping to renegotiate.

A few minutes later, Lin Feng's reply arrived: Eighty percent of the original price, if they don't accept, their shares will be diluted to worthlessness.

Richard smiled. This was Lin Feng's style, always in control, always knowing when to strike.

On the hill, dinner was drawing to a close. Sophie stood on the cliff edge, the sea breeze blowing through her hair. The Northern Dragon Arena in the distance glittered under the lights.

"When will it be finished?" Sophie asked softly.

"Next summer," Lin Feng walked over to her side, "I already have a plan for the level of opponent for the first match."

"What level?" Sophie turned to look at him.

"Real Madrid," Lin Feng's voice was calm, but the content shocked Sophie.

"Are you crazy?" Sophie almost shouted, "How could Real Madrid possibly play at a Championship team's home ground?"

Lin Feng didn't answer, just looked at the stadium in the distance. In his plan, that match was not just an opening ceremony, but a trumpet call to announce Hartlepool United's official rise to the world.

"Believe me," Lin Feng turned to face Sophie, "You will see it in a year."

On the way back, Sophie leaned back in the car seat, closing her eyes and savoring everything from the evening. The shock, the emotion, and that confession that made her heart race.

She knew she couldn't turn back now. This man, this man with infinite ambition and charm, had completely captivated her heart.

The next morning, in the club's meeting room, Lin Feng was presiding over an important meeting.

Thick documents lay on the table, all detailing the cooperation plan with the Chinese Football Association.

"The youth training exchange program is the core," Lin Feng pointed to the presentation on the screen, "We need to export our training philosophy and methods to China."

"Boss, what's the commercial value of doing this?" The financial director was a bit confused.

Lin Feng smiled: "China has 1.4 billion people and is the largest football market in the world. The current investment is for the harvest twenty years from now."

The meeting lasted a full three hours, with every detail repeatedly discussed and refined. This was not just cooperation, but an important part of Lin Feng's globalization strategy.

Around noon, Sophie's report, 'Northern Storm Sweeps London,' caused a sensation online. Readership surpassed a million within a few hours, and the comment section was filled with praise for Hartlepool United.

"This article is excellently written," The editor-in-chief of The Guardian personally called Sophie, "We're going to give you a dedicated column to report on this team."

Sophie sat in her apartment, looking out at the London streetscape. Everything from last night still felt like a dream, but she knew it was all real.

She picked up her phone, hesitated for a long time, and finally sent a message to Lin Feng: Thank you for dinner last night. It was the most special evening I've ever experienced.

A few minutes later, Lin Feng's reply arrived: This is just the beginning.

Sophie looked at these four words, a happy smile spreading across her face. She knew her life was about to undergo a tremendous change.

Meanwhile, at the Phoenix Training Center, Lin Feng was checking the latest data on the system interface.

The team's overall rating had reached the top level of the Championship, and the potential values of several core players were still continuously rising.

More importantly, the club's commercial value and international influence were experiencing explosive growth. Every victory, every headline, was adding bricks to his empire.

This was just the beginning. The real challenges were yet to come, but Lin Feng was fully prepared.