Chapter 18: Want to win the championship?

Regarding the Chinese streamer recommended by Liang Yan, Ka Lao Si was quite hesitant.

Because Ka Lao Si knew there were indeed many expert streamers among the public, and the Europe-America streaming scene also had plenty of such people; he occasionally watched their streams, and at first glance they really were strong—in high-ranked Korean server matches they would just massacre everything.

But the problem is, these people are one-trick ponies; if you ban their signature hero, they become easy prey for others to slaughter.

That is what is colloquially called a one-trick specialist.

In the professional circle, that's not a nice nickname to have.

If the person Liang Yan recommended truly is a one-trick specialist, then Ka Lao Si would never consider him.

However, Liang Yan then guaranteed……

Want to give it a try?

Ka Lao Si hesitated for a moment, then returned the phone to Liang Yan:

"Like this, Liang—you can contact him and say there's a tryout opportunity here; if he's willing to come, regardless of whether he makes it, I'll cover his airfare."

"Sure."

Liang Yan immediately stood up, took his phone, and walked outside.

Everyone watched his back disappear into the darkness outside the door; AP and Yudie exchanged glances, then both turned to look at Ka Lao Si:

"Boss... is this reliable?"

Ka Lao Si shrugged:

"Do you have any better candidates to recommend to me?"

The two shook their heads.

Ka Lao Si spread his hands like a little bear:

"That's quite a coincidence—I don't have any either."

So what can we do.

Might as well treat a dead horse as if it were alive!

There aren't many days left before the summer season opens, and G2 truly has no choice!

Ka Lao Si made up his mind: no matter what, he'll sign that bottom lane duo tomorrow first, to avoid complications later.

Oh right, Liang Yan is just a substitute; we still need a jungler.

Among the jungle candidates Ka Lao Si has already contacted, two are actually willing to join; right now, he has already decided whom to pick.

Why not call all three in to sign together?

Thinking of that, Ka Lao Si immediately logged into his Twitter account on his phone and began drafting a team announcement:

【G2Esports player departure statement, and the handling result of this club's jungler Trick for insulting players in-game……】

As soon as the announcement was posted, it caused a strong shock across the global internet.

……

The night breeze blew, and the city's glittering lights spread across the dim night.

Berlin has a temperate oceanic climate; it's early summer, so the evening wind isn't cold, just a bit damp, with a faint salty fishy smell, which doesn't feel refreshing on the skin.

Liang Yan stood on the second-floor balcony and finally managed to get through to Lao Zhang on the phone.

As soon as the signal connected, a voice came from the other side:

"Holy shit, bro, why did you hit someone?! I sent you a WeChat earlier—didn't you see it?"

"Huh?"

Liang Yan hadn't reacted yet—how did Lao Zhang know about this? Then he checked his WeChat and saw the message Lao Zhang had sent him.

Lao Zhang exclaimed in shock on the other end:

"You don't know? This place has gone crazy! My livestream chat is spamming this, the bullet screen keeps asking if it's my brother, if it's my brother—I damn well dare not say it! Can you access the domestic net now? Go look it up yourself!"

Normally, one can't directly connect to the domestic network from Europe, but Liang Yan has global roaming; data and call fees are extremely high, fortunately the boss covers them—though not unlimited, it's enough for Liang Yan's normal use.

Liang Yan didn't go online to look at gossip.

He hit him—so what?

In Liang Yan's mind, it's no different from kicking a stray dog on the roadside; even if there were consequences, he wouldn't regret it.

As for how it's spreading domestically, what does it matter to him?

Even with the "Death Announcement" and smacking a coach with a bench, one could still keep playing professionally—until later, when he beat his girlfriend on a livestream, viewers reported it to the police, the situation blew up, and he was finally banned.

And the ban lasted only two years.

Liang Yan just kicked a dog—it doesn't affect his ability to play professionally.

So Liang Yan couldn't care less about how the internet views this; moreover, he's in Europe right now, so what domestic netizens say is even less relevant.

Hearing Liang Yan's two light, carefree chuckles, Lao Zhang also laughed in exasperation:

"Holy shit, you can still laugh? You just joined the team and knocked out their starter—can the boss let you get away with it? Forget it, come back—do you have money for a ticket? I'll transfer it to you."

"No need."

"What do you mean, no need?"

"Thanks, Lao Zhang, but I really don't need it."

"You…… what do you mean? Could it be that the boss still wants you?"

"Do you know who my boss is?"

"How the hell would I know."

Liang Yan then sent Ka Lao Si's Twitter ID to Lao Zhang via WeChat:

"Go check this on Twitter."

"What's up?"

"You'll see once you look."

Lao Zhang naturally had his own scientific methods; he was probably checking Twitter, and after a while he spoke, his tone quite shocked:

"I saw an announcement from your team boss, holy shit, he actually fired that damn guy?"

"Yeah?"

"So you're becoming the... substitute?"

"Yes."

"..., bro, awesome, I can only say, you're fucking awesome!"

Lao Zhang cheered up, laughing loudly on Liang Yan's phone.

After Lao Zhang finished laughing, Liang Yan then continued speaking:

"By the way, Lao Zhang, I actually have something I want to ask you, see if you're willing."

"What is it?"

"Want to go pro?"

Liang Yan asked casually on purpose.

Lao Zhang fell silent instantly.

After a moment, Lao Zhang's voice came through the earpiece, a bit bitter:

"Don't joke with me, bro, you know I can't."

"I think you can."

Liang Yan said firmly.

"I can't..."

"You can."

"I really..."

"Believe me, you really can. Trust your bro once, I won't harm you."

Liang Yan's tone was very firm, as if as long as he said it was possible, nothing would be impossible.

Lao Zhang hesitated.

"I... really can play?"

As Liang Yan expected, any truly skilled player would want to go pro. Although streamers can make money, in the eyes of true experts, so-called big streamers are nothing; no matter how high their ranked score, a single chat line saying 'If you're so good, why don't you go pro? Don't you want to?' can leave a streamer speechless or even break their composure.

Only by earning honor on the professional stage can one truly enter the hall of fame.

Even if they are brainless fans of streamers, they cannot deny this fact.

Liang Yan's firmness rekindled the long-dormant heart of Lao Zhang.

Immediately after, Liang Yan gave Lao Zhang another dose of encouragement:

Even if you don't believe in yourself, do you not believe me?

You mean on your team?!

Lao Zhang asked eagerly.

Liang Yan said yes.

Really? Your boss...

I'll send you his contact info.

I...

Forget everything else, bro, just tell me one thing: do you want to win the championship?

"... fuck, of course I want it!!"

Then come.