Chapter 3: The IOU

"Spain's counterattack, Navas's speed is impressive, drawing four defenders."

"The Netherlands quickly counter-defends, but Spain still controls the ball."

"Iniesta passes to David Silva, and Torres moves to the left flank."

On the TV screen, the World Cup final was nearing its end. The time showed 115 minutes and 45 seconds, and the commentator from CCTV remained calm as he described the match.

In the private box, Yang Huan watched the TV screen with a blank expression. He was still holding Zhang Ning's hand, which was clearly trembling intensely. Her emotions were clearly tied to his, and she was undoubtedly very nervous.

Liu Mingwei, hands clasped under his chin, stared unblinkingly at the TV screen, unwilling to miss a second.

He had never been this nervous before, nor had he ever wagered such a large amount.

Initially, when Yang Huan set such demanding conditions, Liu Mingwei thought the wealthy second-generation was just giving away money, as the conditions seemed almost impossible to fulfill—unless Yang Huan's luck was extraordinarily high.

But with Heitinga's red card, he began to feel the pressure.

Watching the time on the TV screen, Liu Mingwei silently prayed for a mistake from Spain, hoping that the Netherlands would gain possession. If the game lasted just over a minute more, Yang Huan would lose, and the money would be his.

However, the match was not going as he hoped.

David Silva received the ball and made a forward pass to Navas, but it hit a Dutch midfielder's leg.

"Good…" Liu Mingwei muttered.

But Navas ran back a few steps, regained control of the ball, and passed it to the left side for Torres.

"Torres on the left flank, right footed cross into the penalty area…"

A Dutch defender intercepted the ball, and the Spanish players at the front of the penalty area chased back to regain control.

"Fabregas… diagonal pass…"

"It's in, back post!"

With the commentator's excited shout, Yang Huan stood up, pulling Zhang Ning's hand with him. He was ecstatic.

Liu Mingwei was so distracted that he didn't realize when he stood up, his eyes glazed and focused on the TV screen.

"Iniesta, a great chance, shoot!"

"Goal!!!!!!!!!!"

When the commentator on TV exclaimed, "Goal!" Yang Huan roared in excitement and turned to tightly hug Zhang Ning. He embraced her firmly, overwhelmed with joy.

Zhang Ning was thrilled; she couldn't believe Yang Huan had won the bet!

It was indeed Fabregas's assist, at that specific moment, and Iniesta's right-footed goal!

At that moment, she felt as if she were dreaming. Even though she was being tightly hugged by a man she had only met a few hours ago, she had no desire to resist.

When she finally reacted, Yang Huan held her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.

With a soft moan, Zhang Ning was caught off guard and, in Liu Mingwei's stunned and desperate gaze, Yang Huan took her precious first kiss.

When she finally came to her senses, tears began to fall from her eyes, but she dared not resist.

Having come to such a place, she had already prepared for the worst.

Yang Huan was ecstatic and thrilled, kissing her forcefully, his tongue invading her mouth aggressively until he was almost out of breath. Only then did he stop.

"115th to 116th minute, Fabregas assists, Iniesta scores with his right foot, 1:0!"

Yang Huan grinned at Liu Mingwei, who looked like he had just seen a ghost. He had never felt so crazy or excited in his life. Now, he would even be willing to run naked outside if asked.

It was exhilarating! It was insane!

"How could this happen? This is impossible!"

Liu Mingwei slumped onto the leather sofa, staring vacantly at the TV screen. He watched the replay over and over, confirming that it was indeed a right-footed goal.

This meant Yang Huan was right!

"No, it's not over yet, it's not over!" Liu Mingwei, almost mad with desperation, stood up again.

"As long as either the Netherlands or Spain scores again, you'll still lose!"

This was his only hope—if another goal was scored, Yang Huan would lose.

At this moment, Dutch players were arguing with referee Webb, claiming that Iniesta's goal was offside. Liu Mingwei momentarily regained hope, thinking that if the goal was disallowed, Yang Huan would lose.

However, Webb ignored the protests and confirmed the goal.

Yang Huan had already relaxed, smiling at Liu Mingwei, "Don't worry, Mr. Liu. Even the heavens are on my side this time. You've definitely lost. Think about how you're going to get the money to me!"

After that, he sat down casually and noticed Zhang Ning's shoulders trembling slightly, realizing that his excitement had led him to kiss her forcefully.

"It's alright, I'll take responsibility!" With the win, Yang Huan was in high spirits and his thoughts turned more kindly.

He had to admit that Zhang Ning was an exceptional beauty, and Yang Huan was just an ordinary man.

"I don't need you to take responsibility!"

Zhang Ning looked up with determination.

Liu Mingwei, now focusing entirely on the match, had no interest in Zhang Ning's beauty. He was glued to the TV screen, and until referee Webb blew the final whistle, he didn't see another goal.

1:0, Spain had defeated the Netherlands with Iniesta's last-minute goal.

At that moment, Liu Mingwei considered many things, even contemplating harming Yang Huan.

But he didn't dare because he knew Yang Huan's background and connections. He feared that any violent action would lead to his own demise or at least severe consequences for him and his family.

Losing two or three hundred million was painful, but it wasn't a dead end. Plus, Yang Huan's win had helped establish his credibility, which could benefit him in the future.

Weighing his options, Liu Mingwei, a resolute man, stood up and applauded Yang Huan.

"Mr. Huan, you really lived up to your reputation. Your luck is enviable. I lost!"

Yang Huan smiled and accepted the praise with calm, "I don't claim to be a prophet, but thank you, Mr. Liu."

"Do you know how much money is left in Mr. Huan's bank account?" Liu Mingwei asked.

Yang Huan checked his phone and saw the balance—14,630,000, with a few thousand more. "14,630,000. I don't need the small change; just use it to buy drinks for everyone outside."

It was also thrilling to be generous with someone else's money.

"One to twenty, so that's…" Liu Mingwei started calculating on his phone.

Zhang Ning interjected, "292,600,000."

Liu Mingwei didn't believe it and recalculated, confirming the amount. His hands trembled.

Almost 300 million—that would take years to earn back.

"Give me some time, I'll have the money for you by tomorrow morning at the latest."

Yang Huan smiled and stood up. "No problem. But, Mr. Liu, please write me an IOU."

Didn't you just ask me to write an IOU? Now I'm asking you to write one!

Liu Mingwei knew Yang Huan was making him lose face on purpose, but an IOU was necessary to prevent any default.

He quickly grabbed a pen and wrote an IOU, handing it to Yang Huan.

Yang Huan barely glanced at it, handing it over to Zhang Ning. "Please check it, and if everything is in order, keep it safe."

Zhang Ning looked at the nearly 300 million IOU with a complicated expression. She wondered if Yang Huan really trusted her this much.

Though she had these thoughts, she carefully reviewed it and confirmed, "No problem."

"Great!" Yang Huan took Zhang Ning's hand again and walked towards the private box door. Before leaving, he added, "Mr. Liu, if you plan to place another bet next time, feel free to call me!"

As he closed the door and left the private box, faint sounds of tables being overturned and beer bottles being smashed could be heard from behind. Liu Mingwei was definitely venting his frustration, but Yang Huan paid him no mind.

He led Zhang Ning to the center of the bar's dance floor, took the microphone, and began to speak.

Even though the game was over, the bar's atmosphere was even more vibrant.

The losers were disappointed, even desperate, while the winners were in a frenzy.

Everyone had heard about Yang Huan's recent high-profile bet involving Zhang Ning, and now, seeing him lead Zhang Ning onto the dance floor, they assumed they had just finished something, especially with Yang Huan's elated demeanor. Their gaze towards Zhang Ning grew even more ambiguous, as if they wanted to extract something from her stunning figure.

"Tonight, I'm in a great mood, so from now on, everything you eat and drink here is on me!"

Yang Huan enjoyed being the center of attention and relished the feeling. It was exhilarating!

As soon as Yang Huan made this announcement, the crowd erupted in astonished chatter, with many people who knew him cheering loudly.

"This is the legendary Young Master Yang Huan?"

"Yes, he's the only child of the Yang family, the most famous young playboy in Longhai City."

"Is the Yang family really that wealthy? I've never seen them on the Forbes list."

"Please, that's a foreign list. They don't know anything. The Yang family is a low-key hidden rich family. Even if you add up everyone on the Forbes list, they might not be as wealthy as the Yang family."

"Really?" A young gold-digger's eyes sparkled, "I think Young Master Yang Huan is so handsome, absolutely stunning!"

"Me too!"

With his generous offer, Yang Huan took Zhang Ning's hand and walked out of the dance floor.

"Mr. Huan, about what you said earlier…"

The bar's manager, not daring to take any chances, quickly approached him.

"Yes, from now on, everything they eat and drink is on me. However, go get the money from Mr. Liu!"

Following Yang Huan's gesture, the manager saw Liu Mingwei walking out of the VIP room looking dejected. Uncertain if Yang Huan was joking, the manager hurried over to Liu Mingwei.

Yang Huan led Zhang Ning out of the noisy bar.

"Can you drive?"

"I have a license but haven't driven before."

"That's fine, you have a license. Just drive. We're going to the yacht dock, and we're heading out to sea." Yang Huan casually tossed her a set of car keys.

The keys had the Lamborghini logo.

The bar's staff drove Yang Huan's conspicuously modified gold Lamborghini to the front door.

"I've never driven before, and I…"

"There's always a first time for everything. Just drive it. If you crash, there's insurance. What's there to worry about?"

Yang Huan was confidently assertive as he settled into the passenger seat.

Zhang Ning didn't expect him to be this way and was a bit frustrated. Her lips curved into a graceful pout as she muttered, "Fine, I'll drive. It's your car, so if it gets damaged, it's not my problem."

But thinking about Yang Huan's plan to go out to sea made her face flush. Was he planning to go to a secluded place…?

The thought made her very anxious.

However, she knew that after paying five million, Yang Huan wouldn't just let her off easily.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up!" Yang Huan urged from inside the car.

"I'm coming!" Zhang Ning thought, "If I'm going to die, then let it be. Yang Huan is much more pleasant to look at than those old men in their forties or fifties."

Besides, setting aside his identity as a wealthy second-generation and a big spender, he was actually quite handsome.

It's just… her first time…