Chapter 319: Just that

The number Lao Zhang said out loud startled Liang Yan.

Four million, in this era, absolutely qualifies as a top-tier salary; it's already the treatment of a top-tier laner, only slightly lower than that of top-tier players like looper.

To poach me, VG is truly generous and shows full sincerity.

Put another way, that's a foolish rich sucker.

Liang Yan was speechless for a long time, then said to Lao Zhang:

I think the price is fine. But what do you think?

Liang Yan looked at Lao Zhang.

Lao Zhang lowered his head and stayed silent for a few seconds.

I... I think I've already achieved my dream; if I kept going, honestly I lack confidence to make further progress, so... I... I refused.

Liang Yan could understand Lao Zhang's thought.

Put simply, after winning the championship, Lao Zhang had no regrets in life; he wanted to leave the best impression on viewers and his fans, so he chose to retire while ahead, playing it safe.

Furthermore, Lao Zhang knows his own limits and knows how he won this championship; with his brother helping him achieve his dream, how could he not know his place and continue to cling on, dragging his brother down?

Liang Yan certainly didn't think that way; he very much wanted to keep teaming with Lao Zhang, but he also knew Lao Zhang's character. Being able to make this decision amid great temptation shows it was well considered, so Liang Yan saw no need to persuade further.

Fine, whatever you've decided is fine.

Then... what about you? Lao Zhang asked, looking at Liang Yan expectantly.

I am definitely going back.

Liang Yan said calmly and composedly, also for the first time stating his answer bluntly.

Lao Zhang then said:

Then I'll give you their WeChat, and you can contact them?

Liang Yan shook his head:

My contract hasn't expired yet; doing so would be inappropriate.

Lao Zhang let out an oh, got up to pack his luggage, but after a moment he turned back and said to Liang Yan:

Then I'll give it to you in a couple days?

That night, the KeSPA Cup semifinals in Korea ended, with SKT losing two games in a row and being defeated by ROX, whose mid lane substitute Cry was playing.

At the post-match press conference of SKT, a Korean esports reporter stood up and asked Faker:

After today's match, SKT's entire season is over; may I ask Faker, how do you evaluate SKT's performance this year as well as your own?

Faker thought for a long time; at one moment he looked somewhat dazed, then he regained his composure and said expressionlessly:

I think it's okay; although we didn't reach the ultimate goal, everyone gave their all, and since we've already exerted our full effort, there will be no regrets either way.

Do you mean you're satisfied with your performance in the S-series top four? And this is the first time since your debut that you've lost to a European team in a best-of-five at the World Championships.

Life itself is a journey made of countless failed roads; there can be no eternal winner. After being knocked down, as long as you get up and keep striving forward, that's enough. For me, this is a precious experience, because it lets me recognize my shortcomings and points out the direction I should strive.

A commotion arose among the audience.

That reporter slowly sat down.

Then another reporter stood up:

Faker, among the opponents you've faced this entire season, is there any player who left a particularly deep impression on you?

Faker decisively shook his head: 'No.'

The commotion among the audience began to grow.

The reporter pressed further:

So I'll ask directly: are you saying that even this year's S-series champion G2 didn't leave a deep impression on you? After all, they eliminated your team in the semifinals. For example, the recently much-discussed player Firrrrrre, whom many say is the most talented newcomer ever, with rumors even of someone offering him a three-million-dollar annual salary—how do you view this?

Faker seemed to have already rehearsed answers to such questions, even drafting a response in his mind; after the reporter finished asking, he immediately replied:

Firrrrrre is a commendable player, but that's all.

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Taking advantage of the chaos, the reporter continued to press:

What do you mean?

In recent years, other regions have produced many players called geniuses, but they're like fireworks—bright when they rise, yet quickly fade into ordinariness.

For example, who?

Faker kept his mouth shut and refused to answer.

At this time, Faker had not yet hidden his arrogance, unlike his later steady and restrained self, but his emotional intelligence is extremely high.

After the press conference ended, Faker's interview remarks were reposted across the global internet.

Public opinion quickly heated up.

Netizens worldwide launched a major discussion on this.

SKT fans said:

【【As expected of our demon king, losing isn't scary; next year we'll crush him!】】

SKT anti-fans said:

【【Still so arrogant after losing, truly deserving of the name Li Xiang He, hahaha】】

European netizens were relatively angry:

【【King of tough talk!】】

LPL netizens were mostly centrists:

【【Two S-series championships, one MSI title, five league championships; objectively speaking, Faker remains the number one honor in LoL worldwide, and before being surpassed, he indeed has the right to be arrogant.】】

The next day, the KeSPA Cup ended, with ROXTigers ultimately winning the championship; however, this was also the final dance of the star-studded ROX team, and as soon as the KeSPA Cup concluded, rumors spread online that all members of the ROX roster had not renewed their contracts with the club.

On the same day, all members of G2 flew to Ao Ke Lan to participate in IEM.

The schedule lasted only two days, with opponents coming from all over the world, including wildcard teams, North America teams, and the Lightning Wolves from the LMS region.

Among them, G2 was like a fierce tiger entering a flock of sheep, able to handle them however it pleased.

On November 21, G2 secured the IEM championship with an undefeated record, without any doubt.

Even Liang Yan and Lao Zhang only played two minor games.

That night, after everyone returned to the hotel drunk from drinking outside, urged on by Biman they went to the small bar on the hotel's first floor to get wild with alcohol, pulled the performing guests invited by the hotel off the stage, each grabbing the microphone to sing loudly, not only failing to scare anyone away but instead earning the enthusiastic response of all the bar's patrons.

Liang Yan returned to his room alone.

Just as he had taken his clothes and was about to take a shower, someone knocked on the door.

Liang Yan went to open the door, and a strong smell of wine hit him in the face.

Ka Lao Si stood outside, leaning on the doorframe and swaying, with his other hand he pulled something out of his pocket, slapped it against Liang Yan's chest, and said in a harsh tone:

"How much do you want? Fill it in yourself!"

Liang Yan picked it up and glanced at it; it was a check bearing Ka Lao Si's signature.