Starting With Real Madrid

When Gao Shen woke up, it was already noon the next day.

Lying on the soft bed, staring at the familiar ceiling, his mind began to drift.

After lifting the Champions League trophy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome last night, the entire Napoli squad had returned to Naples overnight.

Countless Napoli fans who had driven to Rome followed the team bus back, singing We Are the Champions and the club's anthem along the way.

The entire southbound highway was practically taken over by Napoli supporters.

No one knew how long the line of cars stretched.

Upon reaching Castel Volturno, the team switched to an open-top bus that the club had prepared in advance. The Serie A, Coppa Italia, and newly won Champions League trophies were prominently displayed at the front.

It was well past midnight, yet when the bus entered Naples, the city was still in full celebration mode. Fans packed every street, celebrating in every way imaginable.

It was even said that the Mafia had come out in force.

Not to fight—but to celebrate.

The bus carrying the Napoli squad paraded through the city, greeted by waves of cheering fans wherever it passed.

This was Napoli's first-ever Champions League title.

It was also the first treble in Italian football history.

From now on, if there was ever a miracle in Italian football, Naples would forever be known as the City of Miracles!

From Maradona to Gao Shen, this city had created too many legends.

The celebrations culminated at the San Paolo Stadium.

The square in front of the stadium wasn't large, but it was packed with fans who had gathered in anticipation.

By the time the bus arrived, it was impossible to estimate just how many people were in the area.

All Gao Shen knew was that everywhere he looked, all he could see was people.

…

Sitting up in bed, Gao Shen leaned back against the headboard, lost in thought.

His greatest strength had always been his rationality.

And now, the situation in Naples was crystal clear.

After winning the Champions League and securing the treble, this was the peak.

Like fireworks bursting in the night sky, no matter how brilliant, it would eventually fade.

With Napoli's financial limitations, sustaining a team of this caliber was simply impossible.

Many would ask, how did Napoli achieve this miracle?

The answer was simple.

Gao Shen himself was the miracle.

His transmigration was the greatest miracle of all.

He had built an elite squad at minimal cost, transforming Napoli into a powerhouse capable of competing with Europe's best.

Something like this had never happened before and it would never happen again.

Even if Gao Shen were given a brand-new club today, he couldn't replicate what he had done at Napoli.

It was impossible.

The amount of investment he had put into Napoli over the past three years, his scouting, his player development, his tactical innovations, if any of Napoli's players were sold now, their market value would be worth more than all the money spent to build this team.

More importantly, Napoli's players had arrived at the club as nobodies.

Even after contract renewals and salary increases, their wages remained relatively low, keeping the club's financial burden manageable.

Where else could such a perfect situation be found?

Besides, did he really want to do this again?

Because what would be the point?

Gao Shen no longer needed to prove himself the way he did three years ago.

It was time for him to take the next step forward.

That meant coaching a top club.

And he had to seriously consider something.

If he intended to stay in European football long-term, what would happen when he eventually lost the advantage of being a transmigrator?

The approach he used at Napoli, uncovering hidden gems at low cost and developing them into world-class players was not sustainable.

In European football, the reality was simple:

If you want the best players, you have to spend money.

Top clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester United splashed cash relentlessly to build elite squads.

This was a completely different model from what Napoli had done.

And if Gao Shen wanted to succeed at a superclub, he needed to master this aspect of the game.

In short, he needed to learn how to spend money and how to manage a wealthy club.

And that wasn't an easy thing to do.

Look at Manchester United.

Before Gao Shen's time travel, they were one of the most successful clubs in history.

Yet after Ferguson retired, they spent a full decade struggling to escape his shadow.

Money was poured into transfers like water, yet the results were disastrous.

This was a deep subject.

Even Gao Shen himself wasn't certain about his next move.

But one thing was clear.

He knew that everything he had achieved so far was because of the advantage of being a transmigrator.

And he still had to keep improving.

Sacchi, Ferguson, Wenger—legendary coaches had all told him the same thing.

Never lose the hunger.

The hunger for titles.

The hunger for victory.

Last night's Champions League final was over.

The treble was complete.

Now, it was time for Gao Shen to carefully plan his future.

He was only 28 years old.

And his next goal was crystal clear.

A third Champions League title.

If he won it, he would become only the second manager in history to claim three European Cups, joining Liverpool legend Bob Paisley.

But Gao Shen wouldn't just match Paisley.

He would surpass him.

Because Liverpool's three European Cups were won during the club's golden era.

Gao Shen had already won two Champions League titles with two different clubs.

He was only 28 years old, yet he was already aiming for a third, maybe even a fourth!

Because in his previous life, that fat guy Ancelotti had won his other Champions League title with Real Madrid.

So…

I have to win more than him, right? Just to make sure I can step on him a little!

…

When Gao Shen came downstairs, it was already lunchtime.

The whole family was gathered at the dining table.

Seeing him, they all greeted him warmly, even adjusting the seating arrangement so that he sat directly across from Su Qing.

As soon as he sat down, Gao Shen noticed the ring on Su Qing's left middle finger, the same one he had placed there the night before.

He smiled. "That ring looks great on you."

Su Qing hummed shyly, then quickly shot him a look, as if saying: The elders are here!

It was rare to see her acting so demure, it gave her a unique charm.

But Zhang Wenying, Gao Shen's mother, wasn't entirely satisfied.

The ring was indeed beautiful, but… wasn't the diamond a bit too small?

"When you bought it, why didn't you pick a bigger one?" she grumbled.

Before Gao Shen could respond, Su Qing quickly spoke up to defend him.

"I work in an office, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to wear something too flashy. Simple and elegant is just right."

Gao Shen immediately nodded. "Exactly what I was thinking."

"But it's still too simple," his mother insisted. "I don't care. When you two get married, you must double the size! No matter what, you can't let our Xiaoqing feel shortchanged."

Ah. So that's what she really wanted to say.

Su Qing was so embarrassed she nearly buried her face in her plate.

Gao Shen, on the other hand, had thick enough skin not to care.

Su Zhijun and his wife laughed, saying it wasn't necessary to worry about such formalities.

But Zhang Wenying remained firm.

Gao Shen understood why.

His mother was making it very clear to Su Qing's parents, Su Qing was deeply loved in their family.

She was treated like a daughter, and they would never let her suffer any grievances.

So, naturally, Gao Shen had to play the role of the scolded son-in-law.

Well, what can I do? I'm the one asking for a wife.

Ever since Su Qing and her parents arrived in Italy, Gao Shen had been busy preparing for the Champions League final and had barely spent time with them.

Now that the tournament was over, he finally had time.

But they were about to return.

Over lunch, Gao Jianguo and Su Zhijun updated Gao Shen on their wine business.

They planned to expand operations, with one of them based in Chile and the other in China to manage distribution.

Su Qing also had to return to work, so staying in Italy wasn't an option.

But Gao Shen still had things to handle before leaving.

Winning the Champions League didn't mean his work was done, far from it.

For one, UEFA had arranged an exclusive interview for him in Naples that afternoon, a tradition for winning coaches.

Additionally, Napoli's squad was set to disband today.

Some players were heading off for the Confederations Cup, while others had international duties.

Gao Shen had to personally say goodbye to them.

And on top of that, there were final meetings with De Laurentiis and Marino to wrap things up.

"To be honest, after spending three years here, it feels strange to leave so suddenly," Gao Shen admitted.

Strictly speaking, he had never fully integrated into the city.

But he had worked hard here for three years.

He had fought side by side with his team for three years.

It was impossible not to feel anything.

Su Qing looked at him for a moment.

Then she reached out and gently took his hand.

"Then I'll stay for a few more days and help you sort everything out," she said softly. "Then we'll leave together."

Gao Shen smiled and nodded.

Seeing this, both sets of parents exchanged pleased smiles.

Each family had only one child, and seeing their children so in sync made them truly happy.

By their age, they had come to understand what truly mattered in life.

Success and accomplishments were great.

But above all, they just wanted their children to be happy, healthy, and harmonious.

Of course, if the family could be both successful and harmonious, even better.

"By the way, Gao Shen, what's next for you?" Su Zhijun asked, his tone carrying the curiosity of a true football fan.

After all, this was what football fans worldwide were eager to know.

Gao Shen, however, simply shrugged helplessly.

"I have no idea."

He sighed dramatically.

"Maybe I just won the Champions League, but now I'm unemployed."

T/N: So, this is basically the end of the Azzurri odyssey. Hope you all enjoyed it.