Captain, I Beg You to Give Me an Official Status [E-sports] - Chapter 18

Sheng Huanian naturally saw that completely unexpected listing price. As he walked toward the group, the expression on his face was exceptionally solemn. With his lips pressed firmly together, he looked first at Xu Ziqi, who was sitting slightly below him.

Xu Ziqi looked up at him but did not speak.

Qi Qi stood to one side, looking at the information on his phone with a sense of loss, still somewhat unwilling to believe the reality.

Everyone there was looking at Sheng Huanian, but his gaze alone remained downward, quietly watching Xu Ziqi on the sofa.

Being stared at made Xu Ziqi feel slightly uneasy. He avoided the eye contact and asked, “Did they not discuss it with you before listing that price?”

Sheng Huanian’s natural aura made him seem difficult to approach, perhaps even cold and aloof. He lowered his head slightly, his eyes downcast as if indifferent, making others subconsciously hold their breath. His thin lips parted, and his voice sounded as if it were muffled under a blanket. “I am going back for a bit.”

Seeing Sheng Huanian like this, Xu Ziqi understood immediately that the younger man had also just found out about this ridiculous listing price.

After standing up, Xu Ziqi looked up at him and asked, “Do you plan to go back and discuss the listing price with them?”

Sheng Huanian nodded. “Yes.”

Xu Ziqi originally wanted to advise him not to waste his effort, but looking at that face, he took the thought back. He only said in a low voice, “Then go ahead.”

Sheng Huanian immediately went upstairs to pack. Ten minutes later, he left the Team TK base.

In the meeting room, Qi Qi said to Xu Ziqi, “Do you think his going back will be useful? Since Team ING dared to list that price, they probably did not intend for there to be any room for negotiation.”

Xu Ziqi sat casually. “When they listed Core for twelve million last time, I knew how that team operated. Core talked to them so many times back then, and in the end, they did not lower the price by even a cent. His going back, of course, will be useless.”

Lot sat in the middle seat, his expression also quite poor. He cursed in a low voice, “Unbelievable. The person who dared to list this price is truly a genius.”

Xu Ziqi looked up. “ING wants to make money. It might be because we are the only team he trialed for.” He saw the situation clearly and spoke slowly. “If it were not for our team, they probably would not dare to list this price. They saw that Duoming’s trial results were good and that our team is wealthy. Feeling there is a high chance, they listed this price.”

Qi Qi added angrily, “Exactly! They have more schemes than a honeycomb, and it is so obvious. I am truly fed up.”

The three of them sat there. Originally, the training department had already intended to finalize Sheng Huanian. However, now that this price had come out, Lot was indeed hesitating even as he felt angry.

Ten million.

That was enough for them to buy three or four very good players.

Yan’s listing price was only three million. He had more experience than Sheng Huanian, and his trial performance was not bad. He had always been under consideration by the Team TK training department.

Lot spoke, “If there is no room to negotiate this price, to be honest, it is not particularly worth it. No matter how you look at it, he is just a rookie who has played for one season. It is a fact that his aim is sharp, but he does have weaknesses. The key is that this price is truly,”

Xu Ziqi looked at Lot and asked in a low voice, “If it is not him, who else do you think would work?”

Faced with this question, Lot did not answer immediately.

Xu Ziqi sat up straight, his hands folded on the table, and said seriously, “He won the FMVP in his first season. During the trial, I felt that he did not have any major problems. Although he is a bit stubborn at times, his aim is sharp, and he has the right to be stubborn. To be honest, I am not that surprised by this price. It is definitely high, but I do not feel it is not worth it.”

Qi Qi turned to him and asked, “Does this mean you think he is quite good and you want him for the striker position?”

Xu Ziqi asked in return, “Before the price came out, was that not what you all thought too? He has strength and awareness, and I feel quite comfortable playing with him.”

Lot sat in thought. A few seconds later, he said in a low voice, “Yan is also good and only costs three million. Although his close-combat strength is slightly lower, there is nothing to complain about, and he has more experience. Originally, they were our first and second choices. Now that this price has come out, I feel,”

Xu Ziqi stared at him and spoke just as Lot hesitated. “If we are going to choose, let us choose the best and most suitable. Have we not decided to restructure?”

The room fell silent once again. Qi Qi looked left and right, hesitated for a moment, and then took out his phone to scroll through his contact list. “It is useless for us to say so much. We have to contact the boss. If he is willing to provide more budget, we will not have to struggle here, will we?” He was about to make the call but then put his phone down. “Let us wait a bit longer for Duoming to return. Although I do not think there is much chance, we should wait until he finishes talking and comes back. Do not worry, I will talk to the boss to see how much budget he can give. You two should discuss it further as well.”

Xu Ziqi nodded quietly and said softly, “Yes, let us wait a bit and see what happens on his end.”

Their training match in the afternoon proceeded as usual. Xu Ziqi did not know when Sheng Huanian returned, but in the evening, as he left his room, he happened to encounter the younger man coming up the stairs.

“You are back?”

Sheng Huanian looked at him and nodded slightly. “Yes.”

Xu Ziqi could tell from his expression, which was as ashen as dead embers, that he had likely gone out and had a fight that ended badly.

Sheng Huanian stopped in front of him. “The coach called for me. I am going to the meeting room.”

Xu Ziqi did not ask further and walked past him. “Fine.”

After watching that figure disappear at the top of the stairs, Sheng Huanian went up. His footsteps were light, and every step was steady.

Lot was the only one in the meeting room. Sheng Huanian did not even sit down. He stood and went straight to the point. “You do not need to consider my transfer price. If you want me to come, provide your original budget, and I will cover the excess amount myself. The team does not need to pay.”

Lot looked up, slowly stood from his chair, and faced him directly. “You did not reach an agreement?”

Sheng Huanian nodded, not wanting to say more, and simply repeated, “I want to come to TK, and I feel you are interested in me as well. If that is the case, do not worry about the transfer fee. You pay the expected portion, and I will pay the rest.”

Lot could not tell for a moment whether the tone or the gaze was more forceful. He felt as if he were being led entirely, able only to listen quietly to these powerful words. He sat back down and turned his chair. “We do want you to come, but this price is indeed not within our expectations.”

“I,” Sheng Huanian said urgently.

Lot looked up and interrupted him. “We will communicate with the boss on our end and give you news tomorrow. Regardless, we will try our best. Both the training department and ZD think you are the best choice for the striker position, so we will fight for it with the higher-ups and communicate with your team.” He said seriously, “No matter what, there is no need for you to pay out of your own pocket.”

Sheng Huanian seemed stunned. A second later, he asked, “The Shot-caller, does he also think I am quite good?”

Lot stared into those eyes but did not answer him. Instead, he asked, “If I remember correctly, you went to Wing during the last transfer period? But I recall Team UI mentioned that they had also talked to you, yet you chose Wing in the end.”

Sheng Huanian nodded. “Yes.”

Lot took a quiet breath. When he looked up, his gaze seemed to be sizing the man up with deep meaning. “UI could have given you a starting position. Wing’s roster was full at the time, and you could only be a substitute if you went there. So, why did you still go to Wing? And now, why have you only trialed for our team?”

Sheng Huanian only heard this question from Lot.

At this moment, with a high probability of his thoughts being seen through, Sheng Huanian was not nervous and did not want to make excuses. His gaze lowered slightly, and he spoke in a low voice. “It is for the very reason you are thinking.”

Lot’s lips tightened. When he turned back to face the table, his tone became more serious. “If you have this kind of intention, I advise you,”

Sheng Huanian interrupted immediately. Although his tone had no fluctuations, it was exceptionally certain. “I will not let it affect the matches. I am capable of controlling myself. Wanting to come to TK, wanting to be teammates with him, wanting to play well, and wanting to follow my heart do not conflict with each other.”

Lot had his back to him, somewhat at a loss for words. He gave a muffled warning, “As long as you are clear about it. We do not care about private lives, but if it affects the matches, you will bear the consequences yourself.”

Sheng Huanian promised, “It will not.”

Lot waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Sheng Huanian stood at the door, his right hand on the handle. “I have money and do not need any specific treatment. If the team budget is insufficient, tell me directly, and I can solve it.” He pushed the door open and spoke again. “Also, please do not tell him about this.”

Lot said immediately, “Of course I will not say anything.”

The other person had a boyfriend. What would be the point of saying it?

Sheng Huanian was relieved. “Thank you.”

After leaving the meeting room, he stood in front of the training room door. Looking through the glass door, he found a somewhat thin figure from behind.

Xu Ziqi’s neck was slender, and his skin was fair, as if it had been carefully carved. That tiny black mole below his ear was a stroke of genius.

Skin that looked so delicate should leave marks easily, right? Perhaps a few exclusive red accents would make one even more unable to stop.

Sheng Huanian could not stand there for too long. After indulging himself for a minute, he walked past the door, sat in the living room, and communicated with his family using his phone.

Sister: What do you mean by this?

2355: Help me out. I will pay you back later, double.

Sister: Where do you get the confidence to say double?

2355: It is only a matter of time. Help me, please.

Sister: Heh. This is the first time I have seen someone so desperate to throw themselves at someone. Whatever you do, do not tell anyone you have a sister. I cannot afford to lose face like that.

Sheng Huanian typed persistently. “Fine, I definitely will not say anything. So, can you give it to me?”

Sister: I will put it on your card. Stop bothering me. Also, have some dignity, will you?

Sheng Huanian only saw the first five words, and his typing speed increased. “Got it. When you go home and Mom pressures you to get married, I will definitely speak up for you.”

Sister: Heh.

Sheng Huanian closed his phone directly, and his mood instantly improved. As he stood up, his gaze ran right into Xu Ziqi’s eyes.

Xu Ziqi had come out to get some water to prepare for the upcoming training match. He glanced at Sheng Huanian, did not speak, and turned to the water dispenser nearby.

After he got the water, Sheng Huanian was still standing in the same spot. Xu Ziqi saw him the moment he looked up.

At first glance, Xu Ziqi thought he was worrying about his future. While tightening the cap of his water bottle, he walked closer to him. “The manager will discuss it with the boss. You just have to wait.”

Seeing that he was about to leave, Sheng Huanian spoke immediately. “What do you think of me?”

Xu Ziqi stopped, slowly turned his head, and looked into Sheng Huanian’s eyes from a step away.

“Compared to Yan and the other strikers, do you think I am better, or are they better?”

After looking in silence for two seconds, Xu Ziqi spoke softly. “You are better. Both the training department and I think so. That is why I said the manager will discuss it with the boss to see how to solve this.”

After saying what needed to be said, Xu Ziqi turned again and left the area.

As the footsteps gradually faded, there remained only a violent heartbeat that only one person could hear and clearly feel.

This heartbeat belonged to Sheng Huanian himself.