Chapter 320: I Will Keep Raising the Stakes

Tomorrow is the first day of the global winter transfer period.

Liang Yan's contract also expires tomorrow.

More precisely, starting at 8 a. m. tomorrow, Liang Yan and Lao Zhang will no longer be employees of G2 Company in a legal sense.

Today's IEM finals were played by Perkz and Expect, and Liang Yan didn't go out for drinks with the group, which let Perkz and the others sense something.

As for Ka Lao Si, needless to say, over the past period Liang Yan has repeatedly hinted through words and actions that he won't renew with G2 next year, and Ka Lao Si, far from being stupid, noticed this early on.

But the reason he only came to talk to Liang Yan about this today is twofold: first, he trusts Liang Yan's character, believing Liang Yan won't contact any rival clubs before his contract expires; second, Ka Lao Si wants to gain more leverage.

Until today, Ka Lao Si had waited a long time, and finally received a call from a major sponsor, who directly said they wanted to purchase the display rights for the two key advertising spots on G2's jerseys—chest and shoulders—for the next two years, opening with a high price.

With the team's coffers about to fill up, Ka Lao Si now had the leverage to make Liang Yan an offer.

But Ka Lao Si didn't know that Liang Yan never cared about salary at all.

Liang Yan invited Ka Lao Si into the room, placed a check on the table, and then poured him a cup of water. This gesture carried a hint of detachment, but it was also the attitude of discussing serious matters.

Ka Lao Si's drunkenness wore off halfway, and he began to fidget.

"Liang, we all know your contributions to the team, so you don't need to feel embarrassed—just fill in whatever amount you want; as long as I can afford it, I'm willing to smash pots and sell iron!"

Liang Yan sat down on the bed and shook his head.

Ka Lao Si grew anxious:

"Is it because you didn't get the FMVP? If that's the case, I can talk to Riot! I'll protest and make them change their mind!"

"Besides, besides, I can even help you get a German ID!"

Liang Yan burst out laughing helplessly, then said:

"It has nothing to do with any of that."

Ka Lao Si froze.

"No problem?"

"How could it not matter?"

"Going pro is either for fame or for profit—that's very realistic and negotiable—if it's neither, then unless you're a born warmonger, you play professionally just to clash with strong opponents……"

"Players of this type usually split into two extremes:"

"Either they have extraordinary talent and grow braver with each battle, ultimately becoming top-tier players—for example, Perkz is of this kind;"

"Or they are crushed to the point of doubting life, losing the courage to keep fighting, and can't even pass the youth training stage."

But Ka Lao Si knows Liang Yan is not a warmonger.

"Not for fame or profit, and not a warmonger—then what is it for?"

Ka Lao Si felt there was only one reason.

"It's because…… you still want to live in China, because there you have everything familiar, that's where your home is…… right?"

Liang Yan thought for a moment, then said:

"I want to do the right thing at the right time."

"What do you mean?"

"You've probably heard some rumors that the global finals next year might be held in China."

"……"

Ka Lao Si opened his mouth, showing an expression of sudden realization.

As a club owner, Ka Lao Si has his own information channels, so he naturally could receive certain undisclosed news ahead of others.

For example, the rumor Liang Yan just mentioned—that next year's S tournament will be held in China—Ka Lao Si only received it a few days ago as well.

More accurately, this matter has actually been decided internally at Riot.

Ka Lao Si didn't dare mention it to Liang Yan, for fear Liang Yan would think even more.

But he didn't expect that this piece of news, which was only circulating among top club executives, would somehow reach Liang Yan from somewhere unknown.

Ka Lao Si had nothing to say.

Put yourself in his shoes—if next year's S tournament were held in Spain, Ka Lao Si would surely also want to recruit more "hometown" players during the transfer period.

But obviously Liang Yan's motive is far purer than what he imagined.

Ka Lao Si remained silent for a long time.

"Once people have food and clothing secured, they indeed want to do more meaningful things, and for you, this is indeed very meaningful……"

Ka Lao Si's face showed deep disappointment, but also relief, and he forced a smile:

"So you've already decided, right?"

"Yes."

"What if I refuse to let you go? You know I have the ability to do that."

"Of course."

Liang Yan sighed,

"According to transfer rules, you have priority renewal rights, so all you need to do is keep raising the price—other clubs would have to offer even more to sign me—aside from those teams born with silver spoons, probably no squad can match the financial power of freshly crowned G2, but those owners aren't fools either; they definitely won't keep bidding without limit."

"But I will."

Ka Lao Si stared at Liang Yan, his eyes turning a bit cold,

"They don't know your ability, but I do, so I really will keep raising the bid—just as I said, even if I have to smash pots and sell iron, or even sell off the other players, I'll keep you."

"Then aren't you afraid that if you force me to stay, I'll just slack off?"

"You won't."

Upon hearing that answer, Liang Yan looked at Ka Lao Si and smiled.

"Just as you understand me, I understand you."

"I won't."

You won't either.

Ka Lao Si understood the meaning in Liang Yan's smile, instantly feeling a surge of anger, waving his hands and shouting excitedly:

"Don't think you understand Ka Lao Si, Liang! I will do this, I will definitely do this! I will surely offer a price that no one else dares to match!"

Liang Yan remained unmoved, smiling, he said:

"Unless you also sell Perkz."

Ka Lao Si immediately froze in place.

Sell...... Perkz as well?

Just thinking about this possibility makes him feel heartache.

To him, Perkz is like a son—who would sell their own son?

Of course, selling Liang Yan would also make him feel heartache.

Because Liang Yan is also a treasure he personally dug out.

But now the treasure has grown legs and is leaving on its own.

Ka Lao Si sat silently for a few minutes, then silently stood up, walked into the washroom, washed his face, came out, pulled out a few tissues, and while wiping his face asked:

"Are they able to afford it? If not, I can offer a lower price; if that still doesn't work, I can simply give up renewing the contract, though the public reaction might be more explosive."

This is a compromise.

Liang Yan secretly let out a breath of relief.

To be honest, although he spoke with full confidence, he actually had no real certainty—Ka Lao Si might truly keep raising the offer to keep him.

Because just as Liang Yan has confidence in his own abilities, Ka Lao Si, who has fought alongside him for half a year, also knows exactly how terrifying his carry ability is.

But Ka Lao Si ultimately did not disappoint him.

At this point, Ka Lao Si even began to consider the opponent, fearing they were a penniless poor team that couldn't afford too high a price.