Chapter 5

"Absolutely not, I disagree!" Yang Wenfeng's stance was very firm.

As the son of a high-ranking official, even after entering the business world, he had always been very low-key, carefully and cautiously handling every matter.

It was precisely because of his caution that he had accumulated the vast Yang family business empire we see today.

Football, especially European football, has never been a profitable business; it's a money-losing venture.

Many famous British investment banks had previously contacted him, inviting him to participate in professional football investment forums they organized in the UK, but he had always refused, as he had seen through the game.

Another very important reason is that Chinese investment in European football is a losing proposition due to exchange rates.

According to current valuations, a Premier League team would cost at least 100 million pounds, which is equivalent to 1 billion RMB. If additional investments are included, at least 4 to 5 billion RMB would be needed within three years, and it would be difficult to see results.

If he were to follow the approach of large Middle Eastern conglomerates, he would need to invest over 10 billion RMB.

Just for a name, is it worth it?

Yang Huan didn't have as many concerns as his father Yang Wenfeng. He smiled faintly, "I didn't plan to get your approval; I just wanted to inform you."

"What do you mean?" Yang Wenfeng's frown deepened; he didn't like his son's attitude.

"I won 300 million last night, and I plan to use this money to invest in a European football team."

Upon hearing this, Yang Wenfeng suddenly burst out laughing, "300 million, in RMB, to invest in European football? Do you know the exchange rate? Do you know how much 1 RMB is worth in euros?"

He wasn't angry anymore; he just thought his son was being ridiculous.

"Who told you that 300 million RMB can't buy a European football team?" Yang Huan was puzzled. Could this world be different from his previous life?

Yang Wenfeng himself wasn't very familiar with football, but he couldn't lose face in front of his son, "Let me put it this way: in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga, any team is worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of euros, and many have tens of millions of euros in debt. Your 300 million RMB would just create a few ripples."

"Dad, I'm not saying you're a fake fan, but you really are!" Yang Huan finally understood.

"What?" Yang Wenfeng felt a bit uneasy.

Yang Huan had to patiently explain to his father, "The Premier League you mentioned is actually the top English league. Below it are the Championship, League One, and League Two. La Liga has the Segunda División, Serie A has the Serie B, and the Bundesliga has the 2. Bundesliga. I said I want to buy a team to play with, not necessarily a top-tier team."

"But it's no wonder. You're a big boss, dealing with millions and billions of RMB every day. How could you understand the hardships of us poor people starting from scratch?" Yang Huan's complaint made the grandparents and parents present burst into laughter.

If this Yang family's young master were a poor person, how many people would be unable to survive?

However, from the mention of starting a business, it wasn't hard to see Yang Huan's intentions.

He didn't want to grow up under the protection of his parents; he wanted to leave this big tree and go out to create his own career!

"You little rascal, are you mocking me?" Yang Wenfeng couldn't help but be amused by his son.

"No, absolutely no mocking at all."

Yang Baoping watched his son and grandson with interest. He had met countless people in his life and felt that today's Yang Huan was completely different from the past. He even wondered if this was still his grandson.

Of course, he wouldn't doubt that Yang Huan had been switched, as someone had been secretly following him the whole time.

The only explanation was that winning money from gambling last night had built his confidence.

For a person, especially a successful one, the most important thing is to have confidence.

"Ah Huan, tell us your thoughts," Yang Baoping asked with a smile, showing some support.

Yang Huan was excited to speak. In his previous life, he was a die-hard football fan and had many ideas about football.

"Grandpa, what do you think is the most lacking in the 21st century?"

"Brat, are you testing me?" Yang Baoping chuckled, "Didn't Feng Xiaogang's movie say it? Talent!"

"Exactly!" Yang Huan nodded in agreement, his expression suggesting that his grandfather wasn't out of touch.

"A football team is the same. Talent, which includes players and the head coach, is the most important foundation of a team. Whether the team is in the top league or an amateur league, is it important?"

Yang Wenfeng, listening from the side, laughed, "So, according to you, those who play in the top leagues and the UEFA Champions League are no different from amateur teams, and the Chinese team is the same as Spain?"

"Yes, but not entirely!" Yang Huan wasn't angry, "Yes, because fundamentally, there is no difference. It's just that their head coaches and players are better, so they are World Cup champions, while we can't even make it to the finals."

When it came to football, Yang Wenfeng really couldn't argue with Yang Huan.

"Then what?" Yang Baoping, seeing Yang Huan's well-reasoned argument, became genuinely interested.

Yang Huan looked at his father and smiled, "This is the era of attention economy, or eyeball economy. The media and the internet are extremely developed and active. So, as a modern investor, profit is no longer important; attracting attention is the key!"

Listening to Yang Huan's words, not only his father Yang Wenfeng but even his grandfather Yang Baoping were stunned.

Did this sound like something Yang Huan would say?

Did it?

If a few minutes ago, they would never have thought Yang Huan would say such things, but now, he had.

The attention economy had been proven by the outside world time and time again.

"I only have a rough idea of how to do it, but I can guarantee it will be different from what you imagine. If you are interested, invest in me!"

Yang Huan's expression didn't look like that of their son and grandson; it looked more like someone trying to secure an investment.

"Alright, I'll give you a chance. Go ahead and do it. The family will fully invest in you and give you three years to prove yourself. If you succeed in three years, your father and I won't interfere with your affairs anymore. But if you fail, you'll have to come home and accept the family's arrangements. How about that?"

Hearing his grandfather Yang Baoping's words, Yang Huan nodded without hesitation, "Alright, it's a deal!"

Yang Huan left contentedly, taking with him the family's unconditional support, but leaving behind a puzzled Yang Wenfeng.

"Father, I don't understand why you agreed to let Ah Huan invest in football?"

Money wasn't the most important thing to him; what was more important was that he hoped his son would return to the company and take over his position.

Yang Baoping chuckled, not answering directly but asking, "Do you feel that Ah Huan is different today?"

"Yes, he seems more confident, but I still don't understand."

"You're worried because you care!" Yang Baoping stood up from the soft sofa, "Do you remember when you decided to enter the business world, what you said? Did you ever think you would be where you are today?"

Yang Wenfeng fell silent after hearing this.

Although he was the son of a high-ranking official and had some background, entering the business world wasn't something that could be handled with just background. Every year, countless people with background and connections died in the business world, not even making a ripple.

Sometimes, success requires not just background and connections but also courage and determination.

When he decided to enter the business world, he didn't sleep well for over ten days, worrying about the uncertain future.

But in the end, he made it through!

"Ah Huan is right. The world today is more open and advanced, a world belonging to the young. In the coming years, China will see a wave of going abroad to develop. Football is the world's most popular sport. Since he wants to try, let him."

Saying this, Yang Baoping patted his son's shoulder heavily.

"Your child has grown up. Let him adapt to the world on his own. Don't always try to protect him under your wings. Only through the harsh training of society can he survive better."

With that, he didn't say more and called his wife to go for a walk in the park with their dog.

...

...

Yang Huan didn't know what happened after he left. As soon as he returned to his room, he realized he had missed something.

That was, he had no one around him!

As the saying goes, a good man needs three helpers. He had ideas, but he didn't know how to implement them.

"Well, I'll have to owe my dad another favor!"

So, Yang Huan called his father, saying he wanted to poach some people from his company.

Fortunately, they were father and son; otherwise, Yang Wenfeng on the other end of the phone might have been furious.

In the end, he promised to support him as long as it didn't affect the company's operations.

"Hey, Zhang Ning, where are you?" Yang Huan called Zhang Ning.

He hadn't seen her for a short while and already missed her. He wouldn't let her take a day off.

"I'm at the bank. What's up?" Zhang Ning's voice on the other end of the phone was a bit shaky.

"Nothing much, I'm going out and need you to drive me back."

"I... didn't I say I was taking a day off?" Zhang Ning felt wronged; it had been less than two hours.

This guy who doesn't keep his word really knows how to find excuses.

"Right, I was planning to give you a day off, but something came up. Just consider it as coming back to work overtime!" Yang Huan chuckled, feeling a bit guilty.

"I..."

He could imagine that Zhang Ning on the other end of the phone must be pouting, which would be quite charming.

"Stop stammering. Do you still want to work with me? Get back here quickly. I want to see you in half an hour, or I'll dock your pay and fire you!" After saying this, Yang Huan hung up the phone.

These days, as a boss, you can't be too nice, or your subordinates will think you're easy to bully and lose respect!

About twenty minutes later, Zhang Ning appeared at the entrance of the Yang family villa. Her delicate face was flushed, whether from rushing or anger, but it was particularly charming.

"Here's the key. Come with me to the company!" Yang Huan threw the key to her without waiting for her to speak and got into the car.

Zhang Ning had a lot of complaints, but seeing that Yang Huan didn't give her a chance to vent, she stomped her foot in anger, breaking the heel of her high heels and almost falling over.

Yang Huan, sitting in the passenger seat, laughed heartily. It wasn't often that he saw a beautiful woman in such an embarrassing situation.

Meanwhile, the Yang Group headquarters was in chaos due to Yang Huan's impending arrival.