novelnext Chapter 149 Extremely Fierce and Powerful
Chapter 149 Extremely Fierce and Powerful
Chapter 149 Extremely Fierce and Powerful
For the next few days in London, Jiang Yu's schedule was as precise as a Swiss watch.
After efficiently handling the integration meetings for "Screen Light" and "Pixel Factory" and initially finalizing the directions for several promising co-production projects, he embarked on another significant part of his trip to London: conducting on-site inspections of potential English football club acquisition targets.
The matchmaker was Elliott Blinken, a senior partner at the UK-based brokerage firm CAABase.
This man was in his early forties, a typical British elite, impeccably dressed in a Savile Row bespoke suit, speaking with a perfectly accented Oxford accent, and possessing an extremely keen sense for numbers and trends.
The meeting was arranged in the library of a private club in the Mayfair district, creating a conservative and reliable atmosphere.
"Mr. Jiang, based on your initial requirements of a solid community foundation, a good historical background, clear room for improvement, and a reasonable price, we have focused on two clubs currently in the Championship whose controlling shareholders intend to sell."
Blinken gracefully pushed two beautifully bound folders toward Jiang Yu. "Wolves, and Leicester City. Both teams have their own strengths and weaknesses."
He gestured to his assistant to turn on the projector, and the Wolves' iconic orange and black logo appeared on the wall.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, founded in 1877, is a founding member of the English Football League with a glorious history, having won the FA Cup three times. They are a long-established powerhouse in Midlands, England. However, their fortunes have fluctuated greatly over the past thirty years. Previously, they were controlled by a local business consortium. Their management has been somewhat conservative and lacking in ambition, leading to a long period of stagnation in the mid-table of the Championship, and fans are eager for change.
The home ground, Molineux Stadium, has a capacity of approximately 32,000 and while its facilities are adequate, it urgently needs modernization. The club boasts a comprehensive youth academy system, and its fan loyalty is exemplary in English football: even during periods of poor performance, home attendance consistently remains above 90%. The current asking price is around £43 million, and the debt structure is relatively clean.
Blinken switched the screen to show the Leicester City fox logo.
"Leicester City, while not as historically illustrious as Wolves, has still achieved promotion to the Premier League. The biggest variable right now is that a well-connected Thai consortium has expressed clear interest in acquiring them, with an initial offer of around £3700 million. Their King Power Stadium is relatively new, with a capacity similar to Molineux. Their youth academy is under construction. Leicester's economic vitality and internationalization are slightly better than Wolves' home ground, Wolverhampton. The potential involvement of Thai capital could have a ripple effect on the Asian market, which could be a reference point or a source of competition for your future business ventures."
He paused, his tone becoming serious: "Mr. Jiang, it must be emphasized that the core objective of investing in a Championship club is singular: promotion to the Premier League. There are only three direct promotion spots each year, making the competition far more intense than imagined. Successful promotion means entering one of the world's most commercially valuable and high-profile football leagues, with television broadcasting revenue, commercial sponsorships, and brand value increasing exponentially. But failure to achieve promotion could mean the entire massive investment is lost. This is a high-risk, high-potential-return gamble."
Jiang Yu quickly browsed through the financial summary, fan survey report, and stadium and training base assessment.
He closed the folder and looked at Blinken: "Mr. Blinken, setting aside the interference from the Thai consortium, purely from the perspective of investment feasibility, the club's health, and future potential for improvement, what is your professional advice?"
Blinken adjusted his glasses, pondered for a moment, and said, "In terms of cleanliness and malleability, Wolves might be better. Their willingness to sell is clear, their shareholding structure is simple, and they have no complicated historical baggage or legal disputes. More importantly, Wolves' almost religious fan culture, rooted in the blue-collar communities of industrial cities, is the club's most valuable intangible asset and the cornerstone for any future commercial development. Of course, Wolverhampton's urban appeal is a weakness. Leicester City has the Thai variable, which is highly uncertain, but if the Thais withdraw, there might be room to lower the price, but that itself is also a risk."
Jiang Yu nodded: "I need the most detailed due diligence, including financial models for both successful and unsuccessful promotion scenarios over the next five years, potential management team and player recruitment strategies and budgets, and in-depth research on the local community and fans' acceptance of foreign acquisition. In addition, could you arrange an informal meeting between me and the current controlling shareholders of the two clubs? I want to get a feel for their true thoughts and the club atmosphere."
"Of course, we will do our best to coordinate." A hint of appreciation flashed in Blinken's eyes.
This young Chinese tycoon demonstrated a calm, pragmatic, and clear decision-making process that far surpasses that of many impulsive wealthy buyers.
Over the next two days, accompanied by Wang Wei and Blinken's team, Jiang Yu conducted intensive field investigations.
In Wolverhampton, they visited the somewhat old but vibrant Molineux Stadium and toured the youth academy, which had decent facilities but was in dire need of upgrading.
Jiang Yu even discreetly watched an internal training match of Wolves' U23 team.
To his amusement and exasperation, the club's enormous wolf-shaped mascot stepped on its own tail during the entrance interaction, rolling comically on the grass and causing the young fans present to burst into laughter.
The accompanying club staff member awkwardly explained, "Uh—it might be a little 'overly excited' today."
During a video call with Liu Yifei in Paris that evening, Jiang Yu couldn't help but complain to her, "Today I truly witnessed what it means for club culture to collapse starting with the mascot. The wolf fell flat on its back, and everyone burst out laughing."
On the screen, Liu Yifei had just removed her makeup; her hair was still wet and wrapped in a towel, and her bare face looked smooth and delicate under the light.
Upon hearing this, her eyes widened immediately, and she burst into laughter, slapping the pillow without any regard for her image: "Hahaha, really? Is there a video? Send it to me quickly! It's so cute! So, are you really going to buy this silly wolf club?"
"I'm carefully considering it." Jiang Yu was in a good mood because of her smile. "The main thing is that if I buy it, I'm worried that when you come to the game, you'll have to join tens of thousands of people in chanting those supposedly centuries-old cheering songs that I can't understand at all, like something like 'Hi'."
Something like "HoWolverhampton".
Liu Yifei immediately sat up straight, striking a professional pose, cleared her throat, tried humming a couple of off-key lines, and then burst out laughing.
"It seems... a bit difficult. But I can learn! For the dignity of the landlady!" When she said the words "landlady," her voice unconsciously became softer, two red clouds rose on her face, but her eyes stole glances at Jiang Yu's reaction.
Jiang Yu felt a ticklish, soft sensation, as if a feather had brushed against her heart.
He chuckled softly, "The landlady doesn't need to learn this. All she needs to do is be pretty and happy. But the nickname 'Silly Wolf' is quite fitting."
"You're the silly one!" Liu Yifei said playfully, then asked curiously, "What about the other one? Leicester City? How about it?"
"The atmosphere is more delicate in Leicester City because of their Thai rivals. The stadium is new, and the city feels more modern. There's a lot of uncertainty," Jiang Yu explained briefly.
"Oh—that sounds complicated." Liu Yifei wrinkled her small nose. She wasn't very good at business negotiations, but she was good at grasping the key points. "Anyway, no matter which company you buy from, you have to prepare the best seats for me when I go to the games! And, you can't let my favorite players get sold!"
"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever the boss lady says." Jiang Yu readily agreed, which made her blush and pout again.
Tuesday, October 6th.
London enjoyed a rare sunny morning, and even the perennial smog had thinned considerably.
Jiang Yu checked out of the hotel early and moved with Wang Wei and bodyguards to the hotel where the "Lucy" crew was staying in London's West End.
The main crew arrived in the morning, and the hotel lobby was filled with boxes of camera equipment, with staff members rushing around.
Jiang Yu had just settled into the suite when the doorbell rang twice urgently. Before he could answer, the door was swiped open.
A figure wearing a black hoodie, white slim-fit pencil pants, and a black baseball cap swept in like a gust of wind.
Following behind was assistant Xiao Yang, who was carrying a small duffel bag. Xiao Yang put down the bag, winked at Jiang Yu, and quickly closed the door.
"Jiang Yu!" Liu Yifei kicked off her flat shoes, took off her hat and tossed it aside, her long hair falling loosely.
She cheered and jumped onto Jiang Yu with the precision of a koala, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, hanging on him. The impact made Jiang Yu take a step back before he could regain his balance.
"I missed you so much! How's the weather in London? Have you been waiting a long time? Things in Paris are finally settled!" She buried her face in his shoulder, her voice muffled, and a barrage of questions came crashing down on him.
Jiang Yu smiled and supported her, holding her firmly in his arms, feeling the warmth of her body and her familiar weight, the refreshing scent of her hair lingering around his nose.
"Slow down, so energetic right after getting off the plane? Is jet lag okay?" He turned his head and kissed her ear.
"Seeing you makes me feel so much better!" Liu Yifei nuzzled against his neck before sliding down, her arms still wrapped around his waist. She tilted her head up to look at him closely. "You seem to have lost some weight? Did you not eat properly in London?"
"I've clearly gained two pounds, and Wang Wei keeps watching me eat English breakfast every day." Jiang Yu pinched her cheek, which felt smooth and delicate. "But you, you've got dark circles under your eyes. Was your little kitten staying up all night studying scripts in Paris again?"
"No, no! We were just rushing to finish filming in the last two days—" Liu Yifei blinked guiltily, then her attention was immediately diverted, "Wow, your room is so big! The view is amazing! Our crew's rooms are on the other side; we can only see the wall of the building next door!"
She wandered around the suite like a curious child, and when she saw his neatly arranged laptop and documents on the desk, she stuck out her tongue. "You're already in work mode? How dedicated, Mr. Jiang."
"Otherwise, how could we afford to feed that little cat with such a big appetite?" Jiang Yu pulled her to sit on the sofa, poured her a glass of warm water, and said, "Have some water. Are the scenes in London tight?"
"It was alright. Four days. Mostly outdoor scenes and scenes inside the museum. Not many lines, but the emotional demands were quite high." Liu Yifei sipped her water, her eyes darting around with a hint of calculation. "Um—we agreed on this before, right? To see a movie!"
Jiang Yu deliberately put on a stern face: "Huh? What did we agree on? I don't remember."
Liu Yifei immediately panicked, put down her water glass, rushed over, grabbed his arm, and shook it: "You promised me! Up! I told you last week! You said you'd go to London with me! You can't go back on your word!"
Her eyes widened, her cheeks puffed out slightly, giving her an expression that said, "If you dare to go back on your word, I'll cry."
Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh, and ruffled her hair: "Just kidding, I didn't forget. I checked, there's a screening at the nearby Odeon Cinema this afternoon."
He glanced at her tired face. "But are you sure you don't want to take a nap first? I don't want to hear someone snoring next to me while watching a movie."
"I don't snore!" Liu Yifei blushed, angrily punched him, and then straightened her back to prove that she was in good spirits.
"I'm in high spirits! I want popcorn! The biggest bucket! With double the butter sauce! I haven't had any in ages because Xiao Yang has been keeping a close eye on me in Paris!" When she talked about popcorn, the longing in her eyes was almost tangible, as if it were some kind of heavenly delicacy.
Jiang Yu was completely defeated by her greedy look and raised his hands in surrender: "Okay, okay, a big tub, double the butter. But let's eat lunch first, then you have to take a nap, otherwise you won't have any energy in the afternoon. Otherwise—"
He lowered his voice, threateningly, "You're confiscating the popcorn, but you're only allowed to watch me eat it."
"Tyrant!" Liu Yifei protested softly, but clearly accepted this "unequal treaty," though a smirk secretly crept onto her lips.
We had a simple lunch at the hotel restaurant.
Liu Yifei had a good appetite, enjoying a grilled chicken breast salad and pumpkin soup, but her eyes kept drifting to the chocolate lava cake on the dessert menu.
Jiang Yu coughed lightly, and she immediately looked away, pretending to focus on dealing with the salad. Her little appearance made Jiang Yu feel both sorry for her and amused.
After finishing her meal and returning to her room, Liu Yifei said "I'm not sleepy," but her body language betrayed her.
Jiang Yu pressed her down onto the soft bed in the bedroom. Less than five minutes after her head hit the pillow, her breathing became even and deep, and she really fell asleep.
She lay on her side, completely unguarded, her mouth even slightly open, looking adorably innocent.
Jiang Yu secretly took this "ugly sleeping face photo" and saved it to an encrypted album called "My Silly Boy".
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Jiang Yu woke her up.
Liu Yifei sat up groggily, her hair a mess like a bird's nest, her eyes blank, and there was a noticeable sleep mark on her left cheek. She sat there for a full ten seconds before coming to her senses, looking incredibly cute.
Seeing Jiang Yu's suppressed laughter, she let out a wail and rushed to the mirror, then began frantically washing up and putting on makeup.
To keep a low profile, she wore only light makeup, a gray hoodie, dark blue jeans, and white sneakers, along with a baseball cap and a mask, instantly transforming from a glamorous actress into a pretty college student.
She linked arms with Jiang Yu, and the two slipped out of the hotel like any ordinary couple on campus.
The afternoon sun in London's West End was warm and pleasant, and the streets were bustling with activity.
They held hands, mingling in the crowd, enjoying their undisturbed leisure time.
Liu Yifei is curious about everything. She stops to comment on the strangely shaped dolls in the shop window, and when she passes a cake shop with a sweet aroma, she tugs on Jiang Yu's sleeve and whispers, "That looks so delicious." She also sways gently to the rhythm of street performers. She is a very lively little girl.
"After we finish watching the movie, shall we buy some ice cream from that shop?" She pointed to an Italian handmade ice cream shop they were passing by, the colorful scoops of ice cream in the window looking incredibly tempting.
"It depends on your performance." Jiang Yu continued to play the role of the "strict father."
"I'll definitely do a super good job!" Liu Yifei immediately promised, her eyes filled with sincerity.
When they arrived at the movie theater, Jiang Yu bought tickets, a huge bucket of popcorn, and two iced Cokes.
Liu Yifei hugged a popcorn bucket that almost covered half of her face, her eyes above the mask curving into happy crescents, and her steps became much lighter.
There weren't many viewers in the screening room, so they chose couple seats at the back.
As the lights dimmed and Pixar's table lamp, Little Jump, appeared, Liu Yifei immediately switched into movie-watching mode, sitting upright, clutching her giant popcorn, her eyes glued to the screen.
When the opening montage of the film, which encapsulates Carl and Ellie's lives in a deeply moving way, began to play, Jiang Yu felt the people around him gradually quiet down.
He turned his head and, by the light and shadow of the screen, saw Liu Yifei with her mouth slightly open, her eyes wide open, staring at the screen without blinking, her eyes quickly reddening and gathering into glistening tears.
A tear rolled down her delicate cheek without warning, but she seemed oblivious, still immersed in the movie.
She even forgot about the popcorn in her arms, and just instinctively hugged the bucket tighter.
Jiang Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He quietly reached out and, in the dim light, accurately grasped her hand that was resting on the armrest.
Liu Yifei seemed to be startled awake, turning her head to look at him, her eyes still misty with lingering tears, which shimmered beautifully in the light of the screen.
She didn't speak, but squeezed his hand tightly, then gently rested her head on his shoulder, seeking warmth and support.
Throughout the movie, she remained unusually quiet, barely speaking, perfectly keeping her promise.
As the story unfolds, sometimes she buries her face in his shoulder and chuckles quietly because of the chubby boy's amusing interactions with the dog, her body trembling; sometimes she subconsciously grabs his arm in tense moments; and sometimes she is touched by those scenes about love and dreams, quietly wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with his shoulder.
Most of the popcorn from that bucket ended up in Jiang Yu's stomach; she was too engrossed in watching.
At the end of the film, the aged Carl finally brought his and Ellie's cabin to "Paradise Falls," fulfilling his lifelong dream. When the back of the book "My Adventure" was filled with snippets of their ordinary yet loving life, Liu Yifei's eyes welled up with tears again.
The lights came on, and people began to leave.
Liu Yifei was still sitting there, hugging the empty popcorn bucket, her eyes and nose red, like a wronged little rabbit.
"It's so beautiful—" she murmured, her voice slightly nasal and muffled, "Karl and Ellie—they're so ordinary, yet so extraordinary."
She turned her head and looked at Jiang Yu, her eyes clear and earnest. "Jiang Yu."
"Um?"
"How about we write our own adventure book?" she whispered, with a cautious anticipation. "It doesn't have to be a balloon house and a waterfall. It's just about doing lots and lots of things together, going to lots and lots of places, taking lots and lots of photos, and making every day warm and fulfilling, just like the back of their books."
Her tone was so earnest, her eyes so pure, as if she were making the most important vow.
Jiang Yu felt his heart was filled with a surging emotion, almost overflowing.
He raised his hand, cupped her face, and placed a solemn and tender kiss on her alluring lips.
"Okay." He looked into her eyes and said, word by word, "From now on, we'll write together on every page, filling it with photos and stories."
Liu Yifei smiled, a smile as pure and radiant as a rainbow after the rain, instantly illuminating the still somewhat dim screening room.
She nodded vigorously, then belatedly remembered something, rubbing her stomach: "Ah! I'm hungry! Ice cream! You promised!"
Jiang Yu chuckled. Sure enough, his感动 (feeling of being moved) only lasted three seconds before his foodie nature returned.
"I haven't forgotten, let's go, you glutton."
They found the Italian handmade gelato shop.
Zheyifei chose a three-ball cup, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, and ate it with a beaming smile. The melancholy mood she had just felt was completely dispelled by the sweet coolness.
She would even scoop a spoonful and hold it to Jiang Yu's lips, saying, "Try this, it's delicious!"
As the sun set, they walked hand in hand along the riverbank back to their hotel.
Shi Yifei excitedly planned, "Next time we come to London, we're going to see the London Eye! And the British Museum! We might go there for filming, but that's work; we want to have fun on our own!"
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," Jiang Yu replied indulgently.
"Then—what about the football club? Are you really going to buy it?" she asked, shaking his hand.
"It's not decided yet, we'll observe it further," Jiang Yu said.
"Oh————" Shi Yifei nodded as if she understood.
The four-day shoot in London was a hectic schedule for the crew, but for Jiang Yu and Shi Yifei, it felt like a stolen honeymoon in the midst of a busy world.
Zhe Yifei's scenes were arranged in a fairly humane way. When there were no night scenes, Jiang Yu would always make time to pick her up from the set.
Sometimes it's a cup of hot chocolate and scones at a corner café, while she chatters on about the fun things that happened on set that day.
"Director Luc said today that I'm like a cat trying to understand calculus," he said, his eyes filled with innocent silliness. "!" Shi Yifei imitated Luc's French-accented English, laughing so hard she almost fell over. "No way! I was clearly trying very hard to understand that quanta physics term, okay!"
Looking at her vivid expression, Jiang Yu couldn't help but reach out and pinch her puffed-up cheeks: "Hmm, it's quite similar, that kind of cute mix of seriousness and bewilderment."
"Hey! Who are you?!" Shi Yifei pretended to hit him, and the two of them burst into laughter.
Sometimes they simply have a meal at the hotel restaurant, or even just order room service, snuggle up on the soft carpet in the suite's living room, covered with the same blanket, and watch an old movie on demand.
Zheyifei would lean on him without any regard for her image, her feet unconsciously rubbing against his calves. She would laugh out loud when she saw something funny, and quietly snuggle into his arms when she saw something touching.
Jiang Yu would watch the movie while casually playing with her long hair, or gently patting her back when she held her breath because of the tension in the plot.
Shi Yifei would show her "virtuous" side. She would secretly take Jiang Yu's dirty clothes and socks to the hotel laundry service while he was taking a shower; she would quietly make him a cup of tea while he was on a conference call; and she would rearrange the financial magazines and documents that he casually threw on the sofa according to her aesthetic, calling it "organizing," although Jiang Yu often had to spend time looking for them again.
These little clumsy acts and thoughtful gestures, imbued with a strong sense of everyday life and her unique mark, made Jiang Yu feel that true happiness in Daling is made up of these seemingly meaningless yet warm fragments.
The two of them would have little separations like ordinary couples; Jiang Yu noticed that she only ate two bites of vegetable salad for dinner in order to look good on camera, so he would sternly "educate" her until she promised to eat more protein the next day.
When Zheyifei discovered that he was still replying to emails at 2 a.m., she would angrily close his laptop, drag him to bed, and mutter, "Work is never-ending, but you only have one life."
The four days flew by amidst their laughter, companionship, and occasional "battles of wits."
On Sunday evening, June 20, all the London scenes of "Lucy" were filmed in Shi Qing.
The crew will pack up their equipment overnight and fly to New York early the next morning for the final location shooting, before returning to Los Angeles for wrap-up work.
An atmosphere of farewell quietly filled the hotel room.
Zheyifei sat cross-legged on the carpet, watching Jiang Yu open his suitcase for a final check. Wang Wei had already taken care of everything at Jingji.
She was just a little lost and reluctant to let go of this leisurely time that had come to an abrupt end.
"Um—should we bring an extra coat? I heard it's been raining in Shanghai these past few days." She picked up a cashmere cardigan, trying to make conversation.
Jiang Yu put down his computer, walked over, pulled her up from the carpet, and held her in his arms.
"We've got Wang Wei; she knows how to prepare." He rubbed his chin against the top of her head. "Don't rush, just stay here for a while."
.
The two sat quietly, watching the dazzling lights of London gradually illuminate the city outside the window, like a galaxy on earth.
Zheyifei pressed her face against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and her nose tingled with emotion.
"We're going to be separated again—you'll be so busy when you go back this time," she said sullenly, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the buttons on his shirt.
"Yeah, there's a ton of stuff going on back home. The negotiations with SK Hynix have reached a crucial stage, and there are a few other acquisitions to consider." Jiang Yu didn't hide anything, tightening his grip on her arm. "But, by the time you get back from the US, it'll be around early August. No matter where I am then, I'll definitely pick you up. Then, we can put seeing the Northern Lights on our agenda, okay?"
"Really?" Shi Yifei looked up, her eyes brightening for a moment, but then worry replaced them. "But you're so busy—"
Will I be able to find the time? The aurora isn't something you can see anytime—"
"No matter how busy I am, I will definitely make time to watch the aurora with you." Jiang Yu said firmly, looking down at her. "This is what we agreed on. It's a very important chapter in the book of adventure, and we can't leave any pages out."
"Okay!" Shi Yifei nodded forcefully, burying herself back into his arms, her arms tightening around him. "Then I'll try my best to finish filming early and come back. You have to promise me you'll eat and sleep on time, don't drink too much coffee, and don't stay up late—I'll have Xiao Yang and Sister Wang Wei form a 'supervisory wife' relationship,' and they'll check on you every day!"
"Okay, I'll accept the leader's supervision." Jiang Yu agreed with a smile, a warm feeling washing over him.
"And one more thing—" Shi Yifei looked up again, her eyes filled with slyness and boundless anticipation, "Next time we meet, I'm going to check on the progress of the 'Adventure Book'! Let's see if you've been so focused on being the big boss that you've forgotten our agreement. If it's not well-written—humph!"
She wrinkled her nose and made what she thought was a fierce expression.
Jiang Yu lowered his head and kissed her pouting lips, swallowing her threat and all her reluctance in this gentle and lingering kiss.
As parting approaches, words seem pale; only touch and warmth truly convey the essence of life.
The next morning, Jiang Yu first took Shi Yifei to Heathrow Airport to meet up with the film crew.
At the security checkpoint, amidst the comings and goings of people, Shi Yifei, disregarding the possibility of cameras or stares, tightly hugged Jiang Yu, burying her face deeply in his chest. She only let go after a while, but managed to force a smile.
"Text me when you get to New York. Be careful while filming." Jiang Yu smoothed her wind-blown hair.
"You choose, have a safe journey." Shi Yifei tiptoed and quickly kissed him on the lips, then turned around, pulled her suitcase, and walked into the security checkpoint, looking back every few steps, until her figure disappeared.
After seeing Shi Yifei off, Jiang Yu immediately headed to another terminal to catch a direct flight to Beijing.
In first class, as he gazed at the city of London gradually shrinking outside the window, he felt little sorrow at parting.
A brief separation is for a better reunion, for each of us to shine on a broader stage, and then return to each other with richer stories.
He took out his phone and looked at the photo of the two of them under the London Eye on the screensaver; he had secretly gone there during a break from filming that day. She was smiling so broadly that her eyes were almost closed, and he proudly showed off his unreserved smile to the camera.