Still in Brescia, Chen Ran also bought Luca Toni, who had been plagued by knee injuries the previous season.
As a striker, he had only scored 2 goals last season, which made Brescia lose faith in him as well, allowing Chen Ran to pick up another bargain for 1 million euros.
After signing the contract, Chen Ran dragged Luis to Livorno, the third-largest port city on the west coast of Italy.
This city is very special; it is Italy’s unique “red city,” where over 80% of the residents believe in communism, and even the mayor is a Communist Party member, which made Chen Ran, a visitor from China, feel a sense of familiarity.
19-year-old Giorgio Chiellini was already the starting left-back for the Serie B team Livorno, and the club didn’t really want to let him go.
However, when Chen Ran increased the price to 3 million euros, Livorno’s owner finally agreed to the deal.
For a team perennially struggling in the lower leagues, 3 million euros was already a massive sum.
After signing Chiellini, Chen Ran had to cut his European continental trip short and rush back to London.
The loan collateralized by the club needed to be finalized as soon as possible.
When he signed those contracts previously, he deliberately delayed the payment dates, and he hadn’t paid any money yet.
If the deadline passed without payment, those contracts would become void.
London, Crystal Palace Chairman’s Office.
“Let’s choose Barclays Bank.
Arrange the signing as soon as possible, we’re just waiting for this money.” After careful consideration, Chen Ran ultimately chose the plan with the highest loan amount.
“Okay.
These banks have already conducted comprehensive reviews of the club; our financial status is fine.
As long as we sign, I believe the loan will come down very soon.” Stephen was already mentally prepared for Chen Ran’s choice, so he wasn’t surprised.
“Has Dowie made any unusual moves lately?” “Haven’t noticed any, he just came a few times to urge about the transfers.” “Mhm, that’s good.
Try to stall him for now, wait until I’ve finished setting up my layout.
When the time comes, if he’s honest and obedient, fine; otherwise, just tell him to get lost.” “Understood.”
Three days later, Chen Ran formally signed the mortgage loan contract with Barclays Bank and got 30 million euros.
Finally securing his startup capital, Chen Ran decided to celebrate with his friends that night.
“Chen, this is one of the most famous nightclubs in London.
Many celebrities come here to party, and there are a lot of hot girls.” When it came to familiarity with London nightclubs, even Stephen, a native Brit, couldn’t match Luis.
The chubby guy led the two into the nightclub, looking more familiar with it than his own home—clearly a veteran.
Music, alcohol, and hot girls everywhere made it a great place to relax.
The dim lighting, combined with the numbing effect of alcohol, made the female charm in the club skyrocket; even a seven-out-of-ten beauty could feel like a peerless stunner.
The chubby guy had already dived onto the dance floor to have fun, while Stephen sat stiffly in his seat, looking slightly constrained.
It was hard to imagine that this guy’s father was a playboy with 74 mistresses.
Did Stephen go to the opposite extreme, experiencing legendary genetic mutation?
If he wasn’t moving, Chen Ran had to stay and drink and chat with him, otherwise it would be too inhumane.
At that moment, a strange yell came from the adjacent booth.
“Look, this beauty’s lips are red and sexy, and her curves are great too.” “Hey, beauty, how about grabbing a drink together?”
As they spoke, a dark, short guy jumped out from the booth and blocked a passing hot girl.
“F***k, get out of my way!” The hot girl wasn’t a pushover either; she shook off the short guy and tried to leave.
The short guy grabbed her and wouldn’t let go, clearly not intending to give up.
The two of them kept pulling and tangling, instantly attracting the attention of many people around them.
Chen Ran didn’t pay much attention at first; after all, these things happened all the time in nightclubs, it wasn’t surprising.
“Hey, this beauty looks a bit familiar.” Stephen, who hadn’t been to nightclubs much, was full of curiosity and kept staring at the drama.
“What’s wrong?
Do you know her?” Chen Ran also turned his head to look.
“Don’t you think that beauty looks like Cheryl, the lead singer of the currently popular girl group ‘Girls Aloud’?”
“Cheryl?” Chen Ran’s heart skipped a beat; that name was very familiar.
Looking closer, it really seemed to be her.
After all, this was a famous WAG (Wives and Girlfriends) from his previous life, and her marriage with Ashley Cole had once caused a massive uproar.
Could that dark kid be Ashley Cole?
Chen Ran remembered that in his previous life, Ashley Cole had said in an interview that he met Cheryl in a nightclub.
Chen Ran looked closely again, and good lord, it really was Ashley Cole.
No way, he couldn’t let Ashley Cole, that scumbag, succeed again.
In his past life, it was because Ashley Cole repeatedly cheated that Cheryl finally divorced him.
Chen Ran’s sense of justice instantly exploded; he felt obligated to save Cheryl.
So, under Stephen’s dumbfounded gaze, the tall and handsome Chen Ran emerged out of nowhere, forcefully stepping between Cheryl and Ashley Cole, shielding Cheryl behind him.
“Hey, kid, stay away from my girlfriend.
You need to know the rules when you come out to play.”
Looking at Chen Ran, who was a head taller than him, Ashley Cole felt a bit intimidated.
“Is this your boyfriend?” he stared at Cheryl and asked.
“Of course, I came here looking for my boyfriend.” Cheryl wasn’t stupid either; she smoothly wrapped her arms around Chen Ran’s arm, acting like a little bird resting on a person.
“Honey, what took you so long?”
The coquettish voice, combined with the sensation on his arm, instantly made Chen Ran go soft for a second.
At this time, Cheryl’s friends finally rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
Seeing the other side’s superior numbers, Ashley Cole had no choice but to rub his nose and go back to his booth to drink sulkily.
“Thank you,” Cheryl stood on her tiptoes and whispered softly in Chen Ran’s ear.
A warm breeze blew into his ear, combined with the pleasant scent of perfume.
Chen Ran secretly made a decision in his heart: This person is destined for me.
“Just a ‘thank you’?
Aren’t you going to buy me a drink?” Since he had made his decision, Chen Ran wasn’t going to be polite.
“Scoundrel…” Cheryl rolled her eyes at Chen Ran playfully; this guy really pushed his luck.
Oh well, at least he was handsome, so they might as well have a drink together.
Thus, poor Stephen was completely forgotten in the corner of the nightclub.
The nightclub was very hot, but he felt very cold.
(END CHAPTER)