Chapter 236: A Thunderous Debut! The Perfect Gift! Pillars of a Top-Tier Giant!
Bayswater Chinese ended their Champions League group stage with a 2–0 home win over Leverkusen.
Napoli, for their part, also secured a 2–0 away victory over Villarreal.
With these results, Bayswater Chinese and Napoli advanced as group winners and runners-up, respectively.
Leverkusen dropped into the Europa League, and Villarreal—after losing all six matches—were brutally eliminated.
Of all the teams, Villarreal's collapse was perhaps the most sobering.
The Yellow Submarine was also struggling domestically in La Liga.
A 0–6 record in the group stage was a bitter embarrassment—one that exposed the ceiling of their development.
Their stadium is small, their surrounding area far from any major city, and their growth limited by geography.
And with La Liga dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona, Villarreal's potential has pretty much been capped.
Side note: after the group stage, all four Premier League teams topped their groups—including Manchester City and Liverpool, who had been absent from the Champions League for years.
It was a clear sign: the English teams were back in force.
...
Back in the Premier League, Round 15 kicked off.
Arsenal beat Everton 1–0 at home thanks to a goal from van Persie.Liverpool edged QPR 1–0 at Anfield, with a winner from Suárez.Chelsea lost 1–2 at home to Manchester City.
Villas-Boas's side had now lost every major clash this season.
Bayswater Chinese were away to Manchester United, and the match was scheduled last in the round.
Despite being on the road, Bayswater Chinese nearly stunned everyone within 20 seconds of kickoff.
A brilliant through ball from Modrić sent Walcott flying down the right wing.
He beat Evra and fired a low cross across the box.
The United defense was torn apart.
Lewandowski drew the attention at the near post and dummied the ball.
Bale came flying in at the back and hit it with his left foot—aiming for the bottom-left corner.
Off the post!
The ball rebounded—Bale pounced again.
But Ferdinand threw himself in front and blocked it out for a corner.
A golden chance missed.
It set the tone for the rest of the match.
Bayswater Chinese pressed hard, especially down the flanks, constantly putting United's backline under pressure.
But in adversity, Rio Ferdinand stepped up.
That early heroic block was just the start.
In the 30th minute, Bale and Marcelo linked up beautifully down the left. Bale whipped in a cross toward Lewandowski.
Ferdinand, out of position, dove across the box and headed the ball away. A risky but perfect intervention.
In the 41st minute, Bale sent in another low cross.
Lewandowski pounced on the delivery—but Ferdinand, once again, slid in to make a block, forcing another corner.
0–0 at halftime.
Bayswater Chinese had created more chances—more threatening shots—but still hadn't broken through.
In the second half, it was more of the same.
Yang Cheng's side kept probing and attacking.
United sat deep and defended resolutely.
Ferdinand not only played with calm and precision—
he lifted the entire backline.
David Luiz followed suit with an excellent display, and the entire defense held firm.
Then came the 62nd minute.
Bayswater Chinese had just made a substitution.
United struck with a lightning counter.
De Rossi found Robben in space, who sprinted in behind Marcelo.
The Dutchman drew defenders and laid it off for Rooney inside the box.
Rooney buried it. 1–0!
But just five minutes later, Bayswater Chinese struck back.
A flowing move down the left between Bale, Marcelo, and Kroos ended with a low cross into the box.
Lewandowski controlled, turned, and fired a left-footed shot past De Gea.
1–1!
Bayswater Chinese pushed hard for a winner, but United's defense held their line.
The match ended 1–1.
Rio Ferdinand was named Man of the Match.
Sky Sports declared:
"A dominant defensive display.
Multiple vital clearances in the box.
He extinguished Bayswater Chinese's most dangerous attacks."
As the final whistle blew, over 70,000 fans at Old Trafford rose to their feet, chanting Ferdinand's name.
For a 33-year-old veteran, it was a deeply emotional moment.
And he deserved it.
He finished the match with an astonishing 21 clearances.
Twenty-one.
Yang Cheng couldn't believe it when he saw the number.
And not only that—
David Luiz had 13, Phil Jones 9, Evra 6.
United's defense produced 49 clearances in one match.
One every two minutes.
"It's not that Bayswater Chinese underperformed," said Sky Sports,
"It's that United's backline was out of this world today."
"They reminded us of their glory days."
The broadcaster emphasized that Ferdinand's resurgence was the key.
At 33, he couldn't be expected to play every week, but Ferguson had been clever—
rotating him and Vidic, pairing them with David Luiz.
In this match, Phil Jones played at right back, with Carrick and De Rossi in midfield.
The result?
A disciplined, unbreakable United defense.
In his post-match presser, Ferguson singled out Ferdinand for praise, calling him still one of the team's most important players.
And despite the draw, the expression on Ferguson's face said it all—
He wasn't disappointed.
In fact, he seemed pretty satisfied.
Which only highlighted how strong Bayswater Chinese truly were.
Because this was Old Trafford.
And United always aim to win at home.
...
Despite the 1–1 draw, Yang Cheng wasn't frustrated.
There was a full week-long break between Rounds 15 and 16.
For a team that had been playing twice a week since the season began,
it was a much-needed rest.
Yang Cheng gave his players two days off.
The reason?
The next two league matches—Stoke City and Norwich—were both at home.
He was confident in getting results.
Midweek, the club had a commercial event scheduled.
In the afternoon, the squad assembled at Brent Training Center,
then boarded the team bus to visit the site of Bayswater's new stadium.
The new home would be ready in just over six months.
The stadium had already topped out.
The facade was complete, and most of the interior was finished.
The most eye-catching feature of the new stadium—the circular, double-sided LED screen—had already been completed and was currently being shipped to London by sea. All that remained was hoisting it into place and final calibration.
Meanwhile, the retractable turf system had successfully passed all testing and received full approval from both Bayswater Chinese and a panel of industry experts.
What remained now were final touches: interior finishes, commercial area installations, and the furnishing of VIP suites and the sky bar—work that would still take considerable time.
When the Bayswater Chinese squad arrived at the Prudential Stadium in matching custom-tailored Burberry suits, they instantly caught the attention of the gathered media who had long been tipped off.
And as soon as the players walked inside, Yang Cheng clearly heard a collective gasp.
Everyone was awestruck.
"It's huge—oh my God!"
"This is really going to be our home?"
"I thought it would be similar to Wembley, but this… this feels even bigger!"
Yang Cheng, hearing their reactions, chuckled and explained:
"The capacity is actually about the same as Wembley—just over 90,000.
But our seats are slightly wider, which means a more comfortable viewing experience for fans."
"And look at the stands—they're spacious, with wide aisles. Even the top tier under the roof has amazing views.
This is not just a stadium. This is a super five-star venue—one of a kind in Europe, maybe the world."
Clearly excited and proud of what he had built, Yang Cheng began giving an impromptu stadium tour, playing the role of guide as he walked the players through each section.
At the moment, the turf hadn't been laid, and three cranes were still working inside the stadium.
The area was littered with cables and construction equipment.
But what impressed everyone the most was the fully integrated Wi-Fi, and the fact that during winter, once the roof was closed, heating would be activated—a global first for a sports venue.
Once the stadium opened, fans would be able to handle everything through a single app on their smartphones—from buying tickets to scanning in, to ordering food, merchandise, and more.
There were even plans to test an in-seat food delivery system, where fans could order from their seats and either pick up or have it brought to them by a "delivery runner."
This would massively reduce congestion in commercial areas during halftime.
Naturally, delivery fees would apply.
In terms of commercial space, the new stadium would boast the largest footprint in history.
And because Bayswater Chinese had been involved from the planning stage, the entire commercial area had been designed with unprecedented efficiency and cohesion.
Other stadiums simply couldn't compare.
As for the players' facilities—the part the squad cared most about—both home and away locker rooms were massive, fully equipped, and equally high-end.
Bayswater Chinese wasn't stingy.
"We're beyond playing those petty games," Yang Cheng said.
"We don't do that 'treat home like a palace, make the visitors suffer' crap."
Not only were the players stunned—the media, too, were in disbelief.
They'd seen plenty of stadiums. But this? This was next-level.
It almost felt sci-fi.
Especially when compared to East London's Olympic Stadium...
Better not even go there.
Not in the same league.
Even though the seats hadn't been installed yet, it didn't stop players, journalists, and media staff from snapping pictures like crazy.
At the end, Yang Cheng led the entire team into a group photo with the construction workers on site.
Every player was buzzing with excitement for the new home.
Especially Luka Modrić.
"Boss," he said, voice slightly choked, blinking rapidly,
"We're finally going to have a stadium of our own!"
His words struck a chord with the rest of the team.
Modrić was actually one of the lucky ones—he had at least played a season in the old stadium.
After that, Bayswater Chinese had gone nomadic.
They played at QPR's Loftus Road, then moved to Wembley.
Many players on the current roster had never even seen the original Bayswater stadium—
Only photos. Only stories.
The club had been wandering for 8 years.
Now, their home was nearly complete.
Yang Cheng laughed heartily, threw an arm around Modrić's shoulder, and grabbed Brian Kidd with the other—his most loyal right-hand men.
They had been there from the very beginning.
They had built this club together.
"Yeah, we're finally going to have our own stadium," Yang Cheng said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Remember when we mortgaged everything to build this place?
I said back then—we're going to be the best club in the world.
The most elite. The most feared."
"Now, our stadium is almost ready. Next season, we move in.
I did my part.
Now it's your turn."
The simple statement ignited the room.
The players were on fire.
Especially Modrić and Gareth Bale—they had waited so long for this moment.
Now, they were ready to give everything to make sure the stadium's debut was unforgettable.
...
After the stadium tour, the team didn't return directly to training.
Instead, they went next door to the Bvlgari Hotel.
As night fell, the Bvlgari's lights came on.
The hotel was decorated in classic Italian luxury—elegant and minimal, but exuding prestige.
Bright, but never gaudy.
The hotel's exterior had been designed by Norman Foster, blending seamlessly with the Prudential Stadium and Queen's Road.
Inside, it was crafted by Italian design legend Antonio Citterio, Bvlgari's go-to architect who had created their previous hotels in Milan and Bali.
Two masters. One building.
The result?
A boutique hotel in the heart of London, fusing artistry and opulence.
It hadn't even opened yet.
Only the lobby and second floor were finished.
Yet even now, the charm was unmistakable.
Everything screamed Bvlgari—from the custom octagonal star tiles in the lobby to the iconic handcrafted bronze oval bar, a favorite of patrons for its day-to-night transformation from lounge to bar.
Behind that bar, mixologists flown in from Milan and Bali worked tirelessly to serve invited guests.
Every piece of furniture in the building was from Italy's top luxury brands.
As Yang Cheng and his players walked in, they were stunned by the uniquely Italian flair.
"See that chandelier?" someone whispered.
When Adam Crozier saw Yang Cheng approaching, he immediately stepped forward to greet him. After exchanging a few words with the players, he pulled Yang Cheng aside and pointed to the massive crystal chandelier hanging above the spiral staircase.
"Hand-blown crystal from Italy, pure craftsmanship. The brand's history goes back over 700 years."
"Up on the rooftop, they've created a private sky garden and a rooftop pool. All the restaurants are Michelin three-star. I heard from their manager that the bartenders here are world-renowned mixology masters."
"Later, go check out the guest rooms upstairs. Every slab of marble, every piece of wood, every piece of furniture—nothing but top-tier luxury brands. And the craftsmanship is unbelievable."
Yang Cheng chuckled.
Crozier was turning into a full-blown Bvlgari loyalist.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just saying—compared to this, our so-called VIP boxes are like some village shack!"
Yang Cheng couldn't help but agree.
"There's definitely a lot we can learn here."
"I've already spoken with them. We'll partner up—not just for staff training, but in the future, our VIP clients can directly order food from them." Crozier grinned.
Another solid revenue channel.
Yang Cheng recalled how One Hyde Park, that world-famous luxury residence, had a similar setup—residents could order room service from the Mandarin Oriental across the street.
To earn money from the wealthy, you had to kill a few brain cells.
But for Bayswater Chinese, having Bvlgari as a luxury neighbor was too good an opportunity to pass up.
It was exactly why Yang Cheng and Crozier had fought so hard to bring them in.
...
For ultra-luxury brands like Bvlgari, the promotional campaigns before opening are nothing like traditional marketing.
They work directly with partner banks, airline VIP programs, and attract high-net-worth clients.
They host pop-up events at yacht marinas in London's Canary Wharf, in Nice, Monaco, and beyond.
They organize private gatherings with Rolls-Royce, Bentley owners' clubs, and elite golf and tennis clubs across the UK and Europe.
In short, they target exactly the clientele they want.
Meanwhile, in public? Not a single whisper.
Then comes a night like this: an exclusive preview night that no one saw coming—
And it turns out every attendee is a business tycoon, European aristocrat, government official, or consul general.
And it's not just them—there are also:
World-famous celebritiesTop media execsFashion and travel influencersRenowned artists and designers
The second floor of the hotel had been converted into a temporary gallery space.
Just before Christmas, Bvlgari would host a two-month-long retrospective—
"125 Years of Italian Design", celebrating the house's artistic and cultural heritage.
Over 600 curated pieces would be displayed—each representing a defining era of Bvlgari's evolution since its founding in 1884.
It was a tribute to Italian craftsmanship and jewelry artistry.
Tonight's event was a private preview for hand-picked VIPs.
The guest list was short—but packed with influential elites.
Even Bayswater Chinese's first-team squad had received invites.
At first glance, it might seem like football had little to do with fine art or luxury design.
But in Europe, football holds enormous social influence and cultural capital.
Bvlgari had been working hard to expand in Asia.
Bayswater Chinese, with its huge footprint in Asia, made them a natural partner.
In simple terms:
Bayswater Chinese wanted to leverage Bvlgari's brand,
Bvlgari wanted to tap into Bayswater's market.
A win-win.
Yang Cheng and Xia Qing strolled through the exhibition together, admiring the breathtaking designs.
Each piece was a work of art.
The politicians, executives, and creatives around them were equally mesmerized—
Especially the ladies.
Xia Qing was no exception.
After a full circuit, they returned to the café area on the ground floor.
Many people recognized Yang Cheng and came over to say hello.
By now, he wasn't just a football celebrity.
He was known in entertainment, fashion, art, and even finance.
In public, he kept a refined image.
Privately, he couldn't help but admire the crafty brilliance of luxury marketing.
"These kinds of preview nights don't invite many people—but the impact? Huge."
"Come tomorrow, everyone will be talking about it."
But that wasn't the real masterstroke.
The true brilliance lay in the upcoming art exhibition.
Two months. Open to the public.
Ticketed.
Some might say, "Isn't charging for an art show a little… cheap?"
Doesn't that cheapen the brand?
Exactly.
Which is why Bvlgari partnered with an international children's charity.
All ticket proceeds would be donated to fund education programs for underprivileged children worldwide.
And just like that—the brand's image skyrocketed.
They charged a premium for entry, setting a high barrier and narrowing in on ideal future customers.
Meanwhile, they got philanthropic credit, and the customers got to feel good about attending.
"When it comes to emotional value creation," Yang Cheng muttered, "no one beats these luxury brands."
"Earlier, Adam Crozier said we're just country bumpkins compared to them."
Xia Qing laughed, then nodded.
"Well… he's not wrong."
"Our business model is different. But yeah, there's a lot we can learn."
Yang Cheng pointed across the room to Crozier, flitting through the crowd like a butterfly among flowers.
"Look at him. When he first suggested setting VIP box pricing at £100,000 minimum, everyone thought he was crazy.
But now? He pulled it off."
Just a few days ago, Crozier had shown Yang Cheng the latest numbers:
Out of 250 VIP boxes, 200 had already been sold.
And most were locked in for contracts of 3 years or more.
At a minimum of £100,000 per box.
But don't be fooled into thinking Bayswater Chinese were rolling in cash.
Revenue was definitely up—but profit?
Not so easy.
According to Crozier's estimate, the box fees barely covered construction and operations costs.
Real profits would come from value-added services.
And when you charge £100,000 per box?
You'd better deliver premium service.
Everything—from hardware to personnel to customer experience—had to be top tier.
Which meant high costs.
But this was a long game.
"Once we build a strong reputation, we won't need to worry about future sales."
Plus, over time, once operations stabilized, many overheads could be reduced.
And the real moneymaker?
The value-added services.
At Wembley, revenue from box fees and add-ons was usually 50/50.
So the profit potential was significant.
Same logic as Bvlgari's hotel business.
There was no way hotel room bookings alone could cover £10 million in rent per year, plus the enormous staffing costs.
Let's be honest—that's basically impossible.
In truth, many of these ultra-luxury hotels aren't even profitable.
Or, at least, not easily.
But once the brand is established, once the name is out there—
making money becomes easy.
Yang Cheng had heard a story once—he wasn't sure if it was true—
but it claimed that even Michelin three-star restaurants don't make much money.
Instead, the owners often run a second, more casual restaurant next door, and that's where the real profit comes from.
The logic was the same.
"Xiaoqing, make sure to remind my parents, and Xiaoxi and her husband too. They need to ask for time off in advance—we'll all be in London for the Olympics in August. I'm sure my folks are coming too."
The opening of the new stadium would be a major milestone!
Yang Jianguo and his department store would open simultaneously, so he would definitely be there.
Between the stadium, the department store, the Apple Store, the Peninsula Hotel, and the Bvlgari Hotel all launching together—
and during the Olympics, no less—
it was guaranteed to be a media frenzy.
Bayswater Chinese and the other four associated partners had already started planning and coordination—
their goal was simple:
make a global impact during the Olympic window.
Yang Cheng was going all-in this season.
He was determined to bring home another Premier League title—
at the very least!
...
Just as Yang Cheng predicted, the Bvlgari preview event blew up overnight.
Fashion magazines, mainstream media, even TV stations—
they all covered the spectacular gathering.
And they also reported on the upcoming two-month art exhibition.
According to Bvlgari, after this exhibit they'd host more temporary installations,
each in collaboration with world-famous artists.
All part of the hotel's pre-opening warm-up.
While the public buzzed, Bayswater Chinese's locker room was also abuzz.
Let's be honest—this was the first time most of the players had ever stepped into a place so posh and upscale.
Many felt dazzled; some even a little out of place.
Take Marcelo, for example—usually the most flamboyant personality on the team.
He grumbled:
"If I'd known we were coming to a place like this, I would've cut my damn afro!"
"Me—rocking an afro—visiting an art exhibit? I must be insane!"
Poor guy—his heart was probably in pieces.
In contrast, Toni Kroos was as calm and precise as ever. He offered a surgical remark:
"No need to overthink it. Our art is on the pitch, not behind glass."
It hit the locker room like a balm.
Everyone laughed.
Even Marcelo.
Though he did resolve to finally cut his afro—
especially since the Peninsula Hotel would soon host its own cultural events,
and Bayswater Chinese had received an invitation.
"From now on," Marcelo declared, "I'm going to be a man of taste!"
No one believed him.
They all burst out laughing.
The Peninsula's events wouldn't be as artsy as Bvlgari's, but they'd still be top-tier affairs.
Yang Cheng actually hoped his players would attend more of these things—
to absorb the atmosphere, refine their sense of style, and combine it with their natural athletic build.
Who knows?
Maybe one of them could break through into the mainstream.
Wasn't that what Beckham did?
But as Yang Cheng looked across his squad, he had to admit—
none of them quite matched Beckham's looks.
In the worst case...
He, the head coach, might have to step up and do it himself!
...
December 17, afternoon – Wembley Stadium, London.
After a full week's rest—and two days off, courtesy of Yang Cheng—
the team was rejuvenated.
Matchday 16: Home vs. Stoke City.
Just two minutes in, Modrić fed Lewandowski,
who slotted it home to open the scoring.
Stoke City was stunned.
Tony Pulis's side hung on for 20 more minutes,
but in the 23rd minute, Gareth Bale drifted into the center,
received a return pass from Lewandowski,
and fired a rocket into the net from the top-right edge of the box.
2–0 at halftime.
In the second half, it was more of the same.
In the 61st minute, Modrić struck again—
meeting a Di María cross and finishing from inside the box.
In the 73rd, Modrić turned provider, sending Bale through into the left side of the penalty area.
Bale curled a low shot into the far corner.
4–0.
And in the 82nd minute, Marcelo played a diagonal pass into the channel,
Di María stopped, cut inside, and blasted a left-footed shot into the net.
5–0 – full-time.
A thumping home victory for Bayswater Chinese!
Elsewhere that round:
Chelsea drew 1–1 at Wigan AthleticManchester United beat QPR 2–0 awayLiverpool beat Aston Villa 2–0 awayManchester City had already drawn 1–1 with Arsenal due to fixture rescheduling for the Club World Cup
Yang Cheng was especially pleased City dropped points.
...
Three days later: Matchday 17.
Bayswater Chinese hosted Norwich, a newly promoted side.
Norwich played a 4-2-3-1, defending deep, pressing relentlessly,
hoping to stifle the hosts through sheer work rate.
It only lasted 30 minutes.
In the 32nd, Kyle Walker surged down the right and set up Walcott for the opener.
1–0.
After the break, in the 51st, Hazard broke down the left and squared it.
Aaron Ramsey arrived late and scored.
2–0.
Then in the 68th, Hazard once again tore through Norwich's defense.
Javi Martínez followed up with a thunderous long-range shot.
3–0.
Norwich pulled one back in the 81st minute, capitalizing on a triple substitution.
But in the 88th, Harry Kane pounced in the box to extend the lead.
And in stoppage time, Kompany launched a long ball,
Pogba rose at the far post and headed it in off the upright.
5–1.
Another emphatic win.
Kane and Pogba—both second-half substitutes—each scored.
After two seasons of development, it was clear:
these young stars were finally blossoming.
Also worth noting:
Raheem Sterling was starting to shine as well.
Bayswater Chinese's bench was beginning to show its full power.
Elsewhere:
Manchester City thrashed Stoke 3–0, with Aguero scoring a braceLiverpool edged Wigan 1–0 with a goal from Rakitić
Funny thing—
Before the season, many had questioned whether Liverpool overpaid for Rakitić.
Now?
No one was asking.
But in league play, everyone quickly realized that Rakitić had rapidly become the core of Liverpool's midfield, often stepping up at crucial moments to score game-saving goals.
Many initially thought Rakitić was brought in as Gerrard's successor.
But now, Rakitić's performances had arguably surpassed Gerrard's.
How many times had he already scored the winner and secured three points for Liverpool?
That was once Gerrard's role.
The media were unanimous in their praise for Rakitić's outstanding performances—and also took the chance to reaffirm an old saying in European football:
"If a player comes from Bayswater Chinese, odds are, he's the real deal."
What's that?
Andy Carroll?
Well, that one's on the player himself. Self-inflicted.
Besides, just look at the mess Chelsea's been in the past few years—how many of their young talents have broken through?
In this round, Manchester United destroyed Fulham 5–0 away.
Chelsea could only draw 1–1 at Tottenham.
The Blues still hadn't climbed out of the mire.
Rumors were swirling—Villas-Boas was on the verge of being sacked.
After 17 rounds, Bayswater Chinese led the table with 15 wins, 2 draws, and 47 points, still undefeated.
In fact, they were the only undefeated team left in all of Europe's top leagues.
Manchester City followed with 45 points.
Manchester United had 44.
Due to Arsenal's Club World Cup match, Liverpool climbed to 42, while Arsenal, with a game in hand, sat fifth with 41.
Chelsea? Still stuck at 27 points, down in seventh place, overtaken by Tottenham (30 points).
And at the bottom—QPR had gone five matches without a win (1 draw, 4 losses), stuck in the relegation zone with 14 points in 18th place.
Below them: Bolton (12 points) and Blackburn (10 points), both struggling badly this season.
...
With Matchday 17 wrapped up, the Premier League entered its Christmas break.
Yang Cheng and the players were soon busy with their own activities.
The club carried out its annual schedule of Christmas events, including visits to orphanages, children's hospitals, and senior care homes for charitable activities.
These were holiday traditions, along with appearances at local fan clubs—not just in Brent but also in nearby areas like Notting Hill.
These communities were considered Bayswater Chinese's core fan base, and the club had never skipped a year.
Then came the annual Christmas banquet.
The biggest—and most explosive—news that night came when Adam Crozier proudly announced that Bayswater Chinese's revenue would surpass Real Madrid's this season.
"We're going to become the highest-earning football club in the world!"
The players and their families erupted with excitement.
But what really fired them up was what came next—
Yang Cheng stepped onstage and, on behalf of the club, officially announced that contract renewals would begin next season.
And the biggest criteria?
Player performance over the next six months.
Of course, current wages would be considered. But contribution to the team would weigh heavily.
Yang Cheng didn't reveal exact figures publicly, but rumors were already swirling.
As expected, top earners would receive £150,000 per week.
In the Premier League, wages are calculated weekly, but paid across 52 weeks, meaning an annual salary of £7.8 million.
At an exchange rate of 1.25, that's nearly €10 million per year.
That's just behind the likes of Messi (€11 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (€12 million)—the highest earners in La Liga.
Now Bayswater Chinese was offering nearly the same, showing clear intent to keep their stars happy.
They had once been frugal, holding down wages with the excuse of financing the stadium.
But now?
The club had overtaken Real Madrid in revenue.
The stadium was nearly complete.
It was time to reward the players.
Emotion and loyalty could only take you so far.
And not everyone would be given £150,000.
According to Yang Cheng and Xia Qing's meticulously designed salary structure:
Tier 1: £120,000–£150,000/week
Reserved for top contributors; tightly controlled in number. Young players wouldn't reach it immediately.Tier 2: £60,000–£120,000/week
This was the core salary range for the squad—the club's backbone.Tier 3: Below £60,000/week
Reserved for backups and developing young players.
Xia Qing estimated that with these tiered renewals, wage costs could remain at around 45% of total revenue—
a very healthy level by European football standards.
Even considering additional hires for the new stadium (VIP box staff, etc.), total salary expenditure might hit 50%—still sustainable.
In truth, while Yang Cheng's football strategy was aggressive and attack-minded,
Xia Qing's financial management was conservative and meticulous.
That's why, among the Premier League's top six, Bayswater Chinese had the lowest average wage bill.
This new round of contract renewals?
A huge motivator for the team.
Combined with a revamped bonus system for title wins, the locker room was buzzing.
Even Modrić—usually quiet and reserved—took the stage and rallied his teammates.
"By August, we'll finally have a stadium that belongs solely to Bayswater Chinese!"
His voice trembled with emotion.
Many players were visibly moved.
Yang Cheng was, too.
He realized—Modrić had been with the club for nearly 9 years.
He had joined as a bright-eyed teenager and grown into one of Europe's best midfielders.
Now, at 26, he stood as club captain and spiritual leader.
He had seen it all—
From the third division, through debt and doubt, to the cusp of Europe's elite.
No one understood the club's journey better than him.
Now, the suffering was ending.
The stadium was nearly ready.
This wasn't just a symbol of their arrival as a European powerhouse.
It was the foundation of their dynasty.
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