Spring had arrived and flowers were beginning to bloom, yet Manchester still felt cold in the early morning.
It was an industrial city, lacking the gentle elegance of Paris, the restless energy of London, or the fashionable individuality of Milan. What it possessed instead was a fierce passion concealed beneath a cold exterior.
Who said Manchester had no emotion?
Although some time had passed, supporters in Manchester still spoke enthusiastically about the day the Red Rebels won the League Cup at the Millennium Stadium.
Thousands had driven all the way from Cardiff, following the team bus back to Manchester in a scene that attracted live coverage from several television stations.
A seemingly endless convoy of cars travelled along the motorway, with the supporters singing New Manchester United's anthem as they followed the team bus home.
As the convoy approached Manchester, more and more fans joined it. The numbers eventually alerted the traffic police, who were forced to send officers to maintain order along the route.
However, the New Manchester United supporters behaved impeccably.
They had gathered only to travel, celebrate, and sing together. No one intended to cause trouble. At that moment, they were united entirely by their love for the club.
After entering Manchester, the convoy followed Chester Road into the city centre and passed Old Trafford.
Many supporters deliberately set off fireworks as they drove past, as though announcing the Red Rebels' triumph to their neighbours.
The enormous convoy then continued towards Newton Heath, where supporters who had heard the news had already prepared another celebration.
It was the first major domestic trophy in the club's history. How could they not be excited?
Since New Manchester United still had league matches to play, Ethan allowed the players only a brief celebration with the supporters before sending everyone home.
However, he promised that if the club secured promotion that season, he would let them celebrate to their hearts' content.
...
Remembering the supporters' enthusiasm that day filled Ethan with warmth.
His movement as he sat up in bed seemed to wake Eva, who had been curled tightly against him.
She stirred several times before opening her eyes.
"Why are you awake so early?" she asked sleepily.
"I don't know. I suppose I'd simply had enough sleep," Ethan replied with a smile.
"I think you've been far too excited lately."
Eva smiled seductively as her hand moved beneath the covers.
She then rolled over and straddled Ethan, leaning close to him.
"How would you feel about us having a child?"
"Why are you suddenly thinking about children?" Ethan asked in surprise.
Had Eva not always placed her career first?
"I've seen how happy Victoria looks during her pregnancy, and I'm jealous," Eva whispered breathlessly into his ear.
"I want to have your child too. Would that be all right?"
Even Ethan's remarkable self-control was no match for her.
As he imagined Eva pregnant with his child, pride swelled in his chest.
She was the dream woman of countless men around the world, yet she had chosen him.
"Then we should start trying," Ethan said with a smile before rolling her beneath him.
After spending the entire morning in bed with Eva, Ethan slept for a while longer before finally getting up to eat a meal that could no longer properly be called either breakfast or lunch.
As the owner, he was entitled to indulge himself occasionally.
However, his peace was soon interrupted by a telephone call.
...
"Hello, Marcello."
Ethan welcomed the famous car designer into his office.
The man accompanying Marcello Gandini was not Giugiaro, but a broad-shouldered man in his thirties whose serious expression made him appear unmistakably German.
"This is Ander, the president of Audi UK," Gandini introduced with a smile.
"Hello, Mr Ander," Ethan said politely.
He knew that Lamborghini was now part of Audi.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Yu."
Ethan invited both guests to sit before offering them tea, as was his habit.
"Ethan, we have mainly come here for two reasons today," Gandini said with a smile.
"First, I wanted to inform you that your Red Rebel sports car has arrived in Manchester.
"It is the first Red Rebel sports car in the world, and we have modified it according to your specifications, making it completely unique."
As a devoted car enthusiast, Gandini had taken a particular interest in Ethan's customised model.
"Red, with green and gold stripes?" Ethan asked with a smile.
Gandini laughed.
"Of course. Even the fuel cap bears your club crest, and every future Red Rebel sports car will carry the same detail."
"That's excellent, Marcello. It might create even more devoted supporters."
"Why?" Gandini asked, looking puzzled.
"When they stop at a petrol station, they'll be able to say, 'Fill up the Red Rebel. We need to keep the rebellion going,'" Ethan replied with a laugh.
Neither Gandini nor Ander seemed to understand the joke.
The awkward silence forced Ethan to explain that he had been attempting a play on the club's name and the idea of keeping a rebellion fuelled.
"Mr Yu, we intend to organise an official handover ceremony for the car, and we hope you will cooperate with us," Ander added.
Ethan considered the proposal briefly before nodding.
"That will not be a problem."
"There is something else," Gandini continued.
"I have spoken with the head office. Advance orders for the car have been far stronger than we expected.
"We therefore intend to continue investing in the design and develop a second-generation Red Rebel sports car.
"We would like you to lead the design again. What do you think?"
Gandini was clearly fascinated by Ethan's ideas.
The sports car had already won Lamborghini several prestigious awards.
Its bold and distinctive design had received widespread praise from motoring enthusiasts.
"Would there be a deadline?" Ethan asked.
Restrictions were what he disliked most.
Gandini had spoken with Ethan frequently enough to understand his personality.
He smiled and shook his head.
"No. Whenever inspiration comes to you, complete the design and send it to me."
"In that case, I have no objection."
Ethan thought it might make an enjoyable side project.
"Audi would also like to invite you to Germany for the official launch of the Red Rebel sports car," Gandini added.
"They would also like to know whether you might be interested in designing road cars for them."
Ethan had already gained a certain amount of international recognition, while the sports car he designed had won several awards.
Gandini believed Audi naturally wished to establish a relationship with such a young, talented, and wealthy individual.
Moreover, Audi was optimistic about the future of the Red Rebels, and other considerations were also involved.
According to Audi's information, Manchester United, whom the company had previously hoped to work with, had already reached an agreement with General Motors in the United States.
One of Audi's major competitors was set to become Manchester United's first automotive sponsor.
Audi viewed the development as a threat.
The company did not want another rival strengthening its position in the fiercely competitive European market, particularly at a time when manufacturers such as Toyota and Renault were investing increasingly heavily in football.
Audi had already established partnerships with clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Ajax.
However, it had yet to find a suitable partner in English football.
Manchester United had originally appeared ideal, but the club was now leaning towards General Motors.
Arsenal were sponsored by Renault, while many other Premier League clubs already had automotive partners.
Some were even backed by local Audi dealerships in different English cities.
As for Manchester City, they were playing in League One that season, and promotion remained uncertain.
The Red Rebels, meanwhile, had become one of the most talked-about clubs in English football.
The following season, they would represent England in the UEFA Cup.
After conducting a professional market assessment, Audi concluded that New Manchester United possessed enormous potential.
The club's history was unique, highly marketable, and deeply appealing.
With numerous sponsors already showing interest, Audi clearly wanted to act before its competitors.
"Perhaps you could bring representatives from your club's commercial department with you," Ander suggested.
"Our head office is very interested in discussing a broader partnership with the Red Rebels.
"That could include leasing land outside the City of Manchester Stadium and becoming your club's official automotive sponsor."
Ethan was initially puzzled, but he quickly understood and smiled.
Opel was preparing to erect a large billboard on the roof of the Walmart supermarket across the road.
Audi clearly had no intention of allowing a rival to dominate the area, so the company wanted to lease one of New Manchester United's plots and open an Audi dealership there.
Ethan was not surprised by the proposed club sponsorship either.
It might involve providing only a few vehicles each year, but in return Audi would gain greater brand exposure, recognition among the supporters, and long-term loyalty from the club's fanbase.
It was undoubtedly a shrewd marketing strategy.
Car manufacturers around the world were increasingly following the same path, so Ethan considered the proposal entirely reasonable.
What surprised him was that Audi had approached the Red Rebels despite the club still competing in League Two.
What Ethan did not yet realise was that the club's distinctive identity and remarkable history had already made it far more attractive to sponsors than he imagined.
As Mark had said before, the Red Rebels themselves were the perfect marketing story.
New Manchester United's continued charitable work over the previous few years had also given the club an excellent public image, particularly among supporters.
Charity would never cease to be valuable to major brands.
Combined with the Red Rebels' identity, it was more than enough to attract the attention of countless wealthy sponsors.
Football clubs were also limited assets from a commercial perspective.
A club with the Red Rebels' unique character was genuinely one of a kind.
Whatever their objectives, sponsors would be reluctant to overlook such an opportunity, particularly while New Manchester United continued to develop at such remarkable speed.
(To be continued.)