0012 The Magical Greece Team

Huang Kaiwen, who wouldn't give up easily, made a point to consult the lawyer Sang Baoli who had given him his number.

Sang Baoli reminded him that although there might be a suspension penalty after placing the bet, if the profit was too large, the gaming company would find excuses to sue and avoid paying.

Upon hearing this, his heart sank, knowing that he and his 10 billion were not meant to be.

Not to mention a transmigrator, even if he transmigrated 10 times, facing the 10 billion of 2004, he couldn't possibly remain indifferent.

Fortunately, he was still fairly rational. If it were someone else, they might have chosen to forcibly buy in, damn the retirement. But Huang Kaiwen's rationality told him that doing so would only make him lose 12 million Euros.

Seeing Huang Kaiwen's disappointed face, Barbara couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy.

But even in Europe, many times the finances of a husband and wife are separate even if they are married.

Thinking of Huang Kaiwen's tenderness and brusqueness in the past few days, she couldn't help but grit her teeth and said, "Do you really have that much faith in Greece?"

"Mm!"

Huang Kaiwen nodded firmly.

"Alright then, you wait for me."

Barbara got out of the car and headed for the betting shop, which soon turned into a scene of chaos.

Huang Kaiwen, who was humming a song in the car, didn't know how long it had been before Barbara finally opened the car door and showed the betting slip in her hand.

"All the pocket money I've saved over the years, 2.2 million Euros, now I'm penniless and can only spend your money," Barbara leaned her head against the steering wheel, crying out hysterically, "I must be mad, to do such a thing!"

Huang Kaiwen thought Barbara would only buy a small amount; he had no idea she would go all-in.

He immediately hugged Miss Milan around the neck and gave her a big kiss, only stopping when she patted him with her hand.

"Don't worry, before you become a millionaire, it's all on my dime."

Barbara, her cheeks flushed, felt much better when she saw the bank card Huang Kaiwen handed her.

Huang Kaiwen was also in a very cheerful mood.

Although it was Barbara who made the purchase, what was hers was also his. His role as a kept man was likely to become even more enjoyable; it seemed he'd have to walk this path to the end.

To think that after knowing her for only a few days, Miss Milan would spend over two million because of something he said; her trust really wasn't ordinary.

After returning home, Barbara returned the bank card to him, because Miss Milan still had credit cards. Furthermore, she had joined Bei's company immediately upon becoming an adult, and as a director of the company, she not only had a salary but also received bonuses.

As the first heiress, she also set up a charity organization, although it had been turned into a place for gathering and entertainment by their generation. Still, among Milan's second generation, her influence was substantial.

One could say that she was born at the endpoint many people aspire to reach; being born in Milan was, in effect, being born in "Rome."

But even so, Huang Kaiwen was deeply moved by her trust.

And then, he repaid her properly.

Over the following days, apart from going out with Barbara to meet friends, the two of them would stay cozied up at home.

Eventually, it was Barbara who pleaded with Huang Kaiwen to buy a game console, so they wouldn't have to spend all day in the bedroom.

On June 12, 2004, six days after Huang Kaiwen's debut at San Siro, the European Cup in Portugal finally began.

Greece won 2:1 against the host Portugal at the Lisbon Dragon Stadium, which made Barbara very happy.

4 days later, Greece managed to force a surprising 1:1 draw against the formidable Spain at Besas Stadium, which delighted the Greek fans, but Barbara was fraught with anxiety.

Her little treasury was riding on Greece.

A win and a draw weren't even enough to guarantee advancement from the group stage.

To forget her worries, it was another night of drinking milk to aid her sleep.

What was worse, the Milan Sports Newspaper somehow got wind of this and mocked Barbara relentlessly in their articles.

"The daughter of Milan's boss, our Barbara, has decided to support Greece for the championship. Unfortunately, this team has no chance. With Be's net worth, having such a daughter is really something he can't handle—he should start considering succession issues sooner rather than later."

Soon enough, Barbara was called home by Be.

6 days later, Greece's 1:2 defeat to Russia made it even harder for Barbara to accept.

2.2 million Euros wasn't a big deal for her, but she couldn't stand being labeled a "fool."

Fortunately, with both Russia and Spain underperforming, Greece advanced as the second-place team in their group.

Greek national coach Rehagel was shocked when he heard that Miss Milan had bet 2.2 million on Greece winning: "We really want to create good results, and we deeply appreciate Miss Berlusconi's support. She is forever a friend of Greece."

Even "Emperor Otto" himself couldn't believe Greece could win the championship now.

He meant that since you've already spent so much money, the Greeks will surely show some gratitude.

The Greek officials also expressed their thanks to Barbara.

After all, she supported them with real money.

Bear in mind, Greece's opponent in the quarterfinals was the powerful French team.

This team boasted stars like Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet, Bart, Pires, Lizarazu, Makélélé, Thuram, and Vieira, forming a squad without any apparent weaknesses and radiant with star power—the most luxurious lineup of this European Cup.

The world kept underestimating Greece.

After the match kicked off, the French team firmly controlled the game. However, Greece's counterattacks were sharp, and France didn't manage a single shot on goal in the first 20 minutes.

From the 21st minute, France began their counter-attack, but they just couldn't break through the Greek defense.

After the half-time break, France intensified their offense, but Henry's two shots were fruitless. And just 1 minute after Henry's second shot was caught by the goalkeeper, Greece scored. In the 65th minute, Zagorakis lifted the ball over Lizarazu on the right flank and delivered a cross. There was no one from France in front of the goal, and Charisteas easily headed in the ball with no one marking him!

Trailing behind, France brought on Saha and Vertonghen to boost their attack, but subsequent shots from Henry, Saha, and Zidane posed no threat. In the end, France lost 0:1 to their opponents and got eliminated, marking the third biggest upset of the tournament after Portugal's loss to Greece and Germany's draw with Latvia!

Upon seeing the result of the match, an ecstatic Barbara ran away from home and returned to the villa rented by Huang Kaiwen, ready for another day of fiery conflict.

Who could have imagined Greece would eliminate the French team, which had advanced as the top of their group?

The next morning, the narrative in the Milan Sports Newspaper had completely changed.

"Greece eliminates France, showing a fierce will to win, and they deserved the result. However, the French team certainly lacked luck this time; otherwise, the Greeks wouldn't have had the last laugh. Reaching the semifinals is a commendable achievement, and the Greeks should be content. They should also thank Barbara for her support."

In the semifinals, Greece's upcoming opponent would be the Czech team.

Not too strong, but still quite a bit better than Greece.

The Czech team had been performing well since the opening of the European Cup; the whole world believed they would be the ones to send Greece home.