Chapter 326

Liang Yan picked three people in one go.

One top laner, two AD carries.

The reason for two ADs is that Liang Yan remembers that next year's Xia Lu environment will change greatly; although Liang Yan doesn't remember all the details, a few heroes left a deep impression on him, such as the spring split's female cop and the suddenly popular bomb man, the summer split was mobility shoes and big mouth, and near the end of summer split the newly released Xayah suddenly became popular.

These marksman heroes have functions spanning multiple types; unless one is a genius among geniuses, it's absolutely not something a single player can fully master; two is the safest.

And after Liang Yan thought it over, the AD players suitable for LPL, who could possibly be poached, and that VG's finances could afford, were only two people.

One is Sima Laozei; this is the core-type player Liang Yan wants most.

The other is Ke Li Si Tuo.

As for top laner, no need to think much; Liang Yan's condition for joining VG is: must poach Flandre.

Here there is Liang Yan's personal sentiment leaning toward Flandre; as a friend, he wants to pull the talented Flandre out of Snake's mire as soon as possible; also there is an objective judgment: Flandre's personal ability is beyond doubt.

Since VG wants to recruit him, not showing some sincerity is impossible.

However, although Liang Yan set such a hard condition for VG, he actually isn't optimistic that VG can really achieve all of it.

For example, poaching Flandre, VG probably can't do it no matter how much money they offer; given Liang Yan's understanding of Flandre, this guy values loyalty too much, likely having been fed lots of mind‑soup by the management, treating Snake Team as home.

But this person Liang Yan is determined to poach; if it really can't be done, he'll have to do it himself.

Of course, we still need to first see whether VG shows enough sincerity in action.

Only then will it be time to talk about money.

Liang Yan doesn't care how much VG offers, but G2 has priority renewal rights, and Liang Yan, in order to make up for Ka Lao Si, also doesn't intend to save VG money; this means VG must offer a higher price than G2 to snag the person.

Lu Wenjun keeps his word; after discussing the details, he pulls out his phone in front of Liang Yan and calls a certain industry contact:

"Older brother."

"Hey, it's me, Xiao Lu."

"What president, I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."

"Haha, that's right, today I want to ask older brother for a favor, help me contact the Snake Team's top laner and AD…… hey yes, Li Xuanjun and Yang Fan."

"This…… to be frank, this year I want to go big."

"Then it's trouble for you."

"Alright, wait for your news, another day we'll meet at Xiao Xi Lou."

"Okay, that's it."

After hanging up, Lu Wenjun said to Liang Yan:

"I can definitely contact the person, but whether it succeeds still needs discussion. However, the Sima Laozei you mentioned, I think the problem shouldn't be big; he debuted in our VG, I've chatted with him a few times and can see that Xiao Jin actually really wants to achieve results; as long as you agree, I'll say you're in VG and he'll probably be willing to come even if he has to pay."

Liang Yan nodded:

"Can be said, but if the roster isn't complete I won't sign the contract."

He felt somewhat surprised.

Sima Laozei actually used to be with VG, and even debuted there?

All we can say is that this circle is indeed small.

Lu Wenjun saw Liang Yan's doubt and thus told him some of Sima Laozei's past.

"Little Liang, you didn't know, did you? Little Jin initially teamed up with the old godfather Wei Shen; the two originally formed a team called Electric Six Mighty Aura, participating in some online and offline small tournaments, gaining considerable fame.

"It just so happened that at the time we were setting up the League of Legends division, so we bought this team, put in money and effort, provided the venue, and let them compete in the city championship.

"Everyone did us proud; although we didn't beat the old godfather in the finals, we helped us secure a spot in the LPL secondary league, and I'm still grateful to them."

"Ah, yes!"

Gao Jun, at the side, cooperated to supplement the details:

"That day I remember clearly, Director Ding and I invited a bunch of guys for a meal; halfway through, Little Jin's parents showed up... hehe, the situation was a bit awkward at the time."

The Director Ding that Gao Jun referred to is another boss of VG, also a founder of VG, with more seniority than Lu Wenjun.

However, this Director Ding is more concerned with the Dota division and rarely inquires about the League division's affairs.

Lu Wenjun let out a sigh, then continued Gao Jun's words:

"Little Jin's parents back then did not agree with him going pro, so VG later didn't renew his contract—perhaps we weren't decisive enough—never expecting Little Jin to actually convince his parents, being picked up by WE in the S5 season, what a twist of fate..."

Liang Yan was rather speechless, thinking to himself whether this team really had some feng shui issue?

Forget Sima Laozei; even such a promising seedling as Wei Shen could be let go?

Either it's truly as the rumors say, that VG's relationship with LGD is very close, or there must be some sort of mystical thing involved...

Liang Yan hesitated a bit.

Even if it's myself, can I really lead this team?

Wouldn't we incur heavenly retribution then? For example, a bolt of lightning striking down at the moment of lifting the cup... Liang Yan started to scheme in his heart.

Then he thought further: but since I am the chosen one, I should be fine?

While Liang Yan was indulging in these random thoughts, Gao Jun beside him was also secretly observing his reaction.

Gao Jun realized that Liang Yan seemed not to know Sima Laozei very well, and in any case they couldn't be friends, so Gao Jun also developed some doubts: if they aren't friends and he doesn't know him well, why insist on Sima Laozei? Objectively speaking, there are not a few AD players in the LPL who are better than Sima Laozei.

Gao Jun didn't know Liang Yan was an experienced person, so he naturally couldn't guess why Liang Yan favored Sima Laozei—one reason is ability, another is the old rascal's professional attitude.

After the three finished chatting, Liang Yan got up to say goodbye, returned to his room, took out his notebook from the luggage, connected to VG's base Wi-Fi, and continued to study the recent updates.

Occasionally, his peripheral vision glanced at the WeChat icon in the lower-right corner, but there was no movement.

Obviously Tang Anna was still angry.

Actually, while Liang Yan was just discussing details with Lu Wenjun, Lu Wenjun mentioned in passing that VG still lacked a coach, and Liang Yan suddenly thought: if I really were to join VG, could I try to bring Tang Anna in?

But now Liang Yan has already nipped that idea in the bud.

— His departure already dealt a huge blow to G2; if he were to also poach Tang Anna, Ka Lao Si would probably immediately hop on a plane to come hunt him down.

At noon he ate a meal in the VG cafeteria, then returned and sat at his desk to continue studying the version.

Unknowingly, the sky outside the window gradually darkened.