Amid a chorus of doomsaying, the match between Yun City Team and Yecheng Team finally kicked off with a long whistle from the referee.

Right now Lin Fan was mixed into the stands, surrounded by Yun City Team fans. Dressed plainly and low‑key, he was the last person these Yun City fans would have guessed was the new owner of Yun City Team sitting among them.

Lin Fan glanced around. There weren't many Yun City Team fans here; compared with the Yecheng Team supporters on the opposite side, their numbers were a bit embarrassing.

Of course, it's not that Yun City only has this few Yun City Team fans in total. It's just that the number of people who came to support them on site tonight really isn't large. Probably because everyone thinks Yun City Team is doomed to lose and doesn't want to lose face, so they just can't be bothered to come.

This situation really isn't great for Yun City Team. You have to know, Lin Fan is looking at this from a businessman's angle. Businessmen chase profit. With a fanbase this size, Yun City Team's prospects of turning a profit are frankly worrying.

Numbers aside, Lin Fan also noticed that the Yun City Team fans' overall mood was very low. Nobody had any energy. You couldn't really blame them though. Pretty much no one had any expectations for tonight's match, everyone was convinced they were going to lose. The fact that these people even showed up to support them was already something.

The fans didn't recognize Lin Fan, but Jin Jiufu did. At this moment Jin Jiufu was sitting a few rows down in front.

"Lin Fan, you little brat, I'm all ready to enjoy your face after you lose." Jin Jiufu turned his head to glance at Lin Fan, a cold sneer on his face.

To be honest, Jin Jiufu actually hadn't wanted to come tonight. Watching a match when you already know the ending is boring.

The main reason he came was because Wei Jiansheng called him over, so he had no choice. His mission here was to put pressure on Wu Da—in plain terms, he was here to pick a fight.

He felt he had already fulfilled his mission.

Looking again at Wu Da on the sideline, it was obvious he looked very nervous. After all, this match would decide whether Wu Da stayed or got sacked.

Jin Jiufu couldn't wait for the final whistle so he could go over and mock Wu Da. That lame bastard had fallen out with him back then and then hit rock bottom—rumor had it he even sold his house and ended up a homeless bum.

"I want you back sleeping on the streets! You're only fit to rot in the mud!" Venom flashed in Jin Jiufu's eyes.

By now the match had started, and both sides were battling it out on the pitch. The ball was under the control of Yecheng Team's players.

Hang City, Wangu Mansion.

It was already after office hours, but the light in the chairman's office was still on. Wei Tiansheng and his son Wei Jiansheng, in a rare occurrence, were sitting together in the office watching the game.

Seeing Yecheng Team controlling the ball, Wei Tiansheng showed a satisfied expression. This was pretty much what he had expected. That trash Yun City Team simply wasn't a match at all.

"An amateur village team—haha, that commentator put it well. His comments on Yun City Team are very on point." Wei Tiansheng laughed.

Wei Jiansheng said with a smile, "Father, that guy's name is Lu Dong, a famous football big‑V. I had to pay him…"

Wei Tiansheng froze for a second, then burst into loud laughter.

No wonder Lu Dong was laying into Yun City Team with such a toxic tongue—turns out he'd taken Wei Jiansheng's money. Of course he'd stomp Yun City Team into the ground.

"Well done. I'd love to see Lin Fan that brat's face right now." Wei Tiansheng grinned.

Wei Jiansheng said, "Father will definitely get to see it. Besides buying off this Lu Dong, I've also got smear pieces ready. Once the match ends, we'll push him onto the trending list. When the wall‑to‑wall mockery hits, Lin Fan that brat will have plenty to cry about."

Wei Tiansheng said, "Is that so? I want to see Mortal Group's stock price drop tomorrow!"

Wei Jiansheng replied, "Rest easy, Father. I've made arrangements in the business world too. We'll blacken Lin Fan to death. Lin Fan that brat doesn't mind his proper business and actually goes off to play football. Football burns money like crazy, and Yun City Team is such trash there's no way they can make money… When the time comes, Lin Fan that brat will be trashed not only by fans but by shareholders too. How could Mortal's stock not fall?"

"Hahahahahahaha…"

Wei Tiansheng laughed loudly. "Lin Fan that brat running off to play football is just digging his own grave. We're merely helping cover him up!"

The father and son both laughed heartily.

Just then, the commentator's voice came from the TV: "Alright, Yecheng Team has the ball, a cross in. Yun City Team tries to intercept, but they're a step too late. Yecheng Team continues to press forward, dribbling past two men—beautiful! We can see Yun City Team's defense looks very immature, probably because it's the first time these players are on the pitch…"

Lu Dong cut in, "Amateurs, they don't understand the game at all!"

"Mm, let's look at this play. Yecheng Team has already pushed up to Yun City Team's penalty area—turn, shoot!"

"It's in!"

"1–0!"

"Barely five minutes into the game and Yecheng Team has already scored, getting off to a flying start!"

The host said excitedly.

On TV, the Yecheng Team players were celebrating the goal, and their fans were already cheering and shouting.

In contrast, Yun City Team's players looked a bit dejected. That goal came a bit too fast. They failed to stop it in time. After all, most of them were playing for the first time. After a few minutes they still hadn't found their rhythm.

The Yun City Team fans all let out sighs.

Standing among them, Lin Fan felt like he was about to be drowned in negative energy.

"Not even five minutes in and we're already down, heh."

"Relax, wasn't this expected?"

"Fuck it, I'm done watching!"

"Rather than say I don't have the courage to watch, I'd say it's just unwatchable!"

Some fans angrily got up and left just like that. There weren't many Yun City Team fans to begin with, and now the stands looked even more deserted.

"Hahaha…"

Jin Jiufu let out a triumphant laugh. He turned to look at Lin Fan, then at Wu Da. "You lame bastard, you'd better pack up and go back to your overpass, hahaha…"

Live broadcast room.

"Let's replay this goal. Yecheng Team with a cross, then dribbling straight into Yun City Team's box, turn and shoot—this was a one‑fluid‑motion play, beautiful!" the host said. "Teacher Lu Dong, how would you rate this goal?"

Lu Dong said, "Exactly what I expected. Yun City Team's defense is like paper. Hard to look at."

"Hahaha…"

In front of the TV, Wei Tiansheng burst into laughter again. "'Like paper'—well said. Jiansheng, this guy you found, his mouth is something else. I like him. Make sure we give him a big bonus later. He's brought me joy, after all!"

Wei Jiansheng was quite pleased with himself. "Okay, Father. Take it easy, this is just the beginning. The fun's just getting started. At this rate Yecheng Team is going to utterly thrash Yun City Team tonight."

Wei Tiansheng said, "Mm, the more the better. Double the joy! I really want to see Lin Fan that brat's expression right now."

But Lin Fan's expression right now might disappoint Wei Tiansheng, because his face was completely calm.

Yes, Yun City Team had just conceded a goal, but in Lin Fan's view this goal was within the normal range. After all, most of Yun City Team's players were still trying to find their feel for the game. It was their first time playing in an official match; they needed some time to adapt.

Fortunately, Wu Da had trained them very well. Their adaptation period wouldn't be long. After this, it would be their time to put on a show.

At that moment, Wu Da turned his head and looked toward Lin Fan from a distance.

Lin Fan smiled and nodded, signaling to Wu Da that it was time to start showing their real skills.