Captain, I Beg You to Give Me an Official Status [E-sports] - Chapter 19

Soon, only two days remained in the transfer window.

After that afternoon’s training match ended, Qiqi immediately grabbed the arm of Xu Ziqi and said to him, “The owner is here. He is in the meeting room; you should come along.”

Xu Ziqi stood up, noticing a gaze beside him that was impossible to ignore. “Wait here. I will talk to you after it is over.”

Sheng Huanian looked up, and for the first time, the strength in his eyes seemed to falter slightly. He asked in a low voice, “Can I not go with you?”

Qiqi, standing beside Xu Ziqi, spoke up immediately. “Do not go. Just wait here. If we need you, we will call for you.”

Sheng Huanian shifted his gaze to the face of Xu Ziqi, staring at him with those unique eyes.

Xu Ziqi found the look of Sheng Huanian unfamiliar, yet it carried an indescribable sense of familiarity. Perhaps it was because those eyes looked too much like the small puppy plushie in his own room; therefore, he looked back a few moments longer.

As he was pulled away by Qiqi, Xu Ziqi spoke again. “Just wait.”

Sheng Huanian could only sit on the sofa and wait obediently. He was in no mood to go back to his room to rest. He wanted to be there the moment their meeting ended to know the situation.

An hour later, the voices of several people drifted over from the stairs. The atmosphere sounded good, and someone was laughing.

Sheng Huanian only knew that it was not Xu Ziqi laughing. As for the others, he was not sure. Hearing the voices draw closer, he stood up from the sofa and saw the three familiar figures as soon as he turned around.

The eyes of everyone fell upon Sheng Huanian.

Sheng Huanian slowly turned his head to look at the man standing to the left of Xu Ziqi.

This stranger was dressed in low-key luxury, wearing designer brands from head to toe, though they were not common labels. Only those who knew the industry could see his status through these details.

Sheng Huanian stood straight and did not speak, carrying a sense of obedience he did not usually have. At the same time, he noticed the gaze from the man wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

The gaze only swept over him for a second, as if he had discovered a treasure.

The corners of the mouth of Qi Hui curled up instantly, and he spoke with a smile. “Him?”

Qiqi nodded and responded immediately. “Yes, it is him.”

Qi Hui looked at Sheng Huanian again, his eyes quickly scanning him from top to bottom. When he looked back up, he said, “You should have told me sooner that he looks like this. If you had said so, why would I have bothered making this trip?”

Qiqi looked on with a puzzled expression. Qi Hui lowered his head, the smile on his face not yet fading. “You guys are the professionals; you know who to buy. I do not understand that part; I only decide whether to provide the funds. But I am a businessman.” He looked sideways at Sheng Huanian, his eyes full of appreciation. “With a face like his, it will not take long for me to make my investment back, will it?”

Qiqi did not know whether he should laugh. Along with Qi Hui, he stared at the person opposite them, whose looks were truly striking and lacked even a single flaw.

At this moment, the eyes of Sheng Huanian were no longer filled with the overwhelming pressure that usually seemed to come from all directions. His slightly lowered gaze and the black hair on his head made him look much softer.

Xu Ziqi observed the change in Sheng Huanian and naturally knew how much he wanted to join the TK Team. Xu Ziqi turned to look at Qi Hui. His tone when speaking to him was no different from how he spoke to others, carrying a lazy and relaxed feeling. “Brother Qi, then it is settled.”

“Settled? How could it not be settled?” Qi Hui stepped forward until the tips of his leather shoes nearly touched the sneakers of Sheng Huanian. He stopped there and asked with a smile, “I heard you really want to join our team. You would even pay out of your own pocket to come here?”

Sheng Huanian forced himself to endure it. He did not step back as he usually would, but only avoided the close-range eye contact as he nodded and replied, “Yes.”

Qi Hui looked at the appearance of the young man, and the smile at the corners of his mouth grew more prominent. He took a proactive step back. “Alright. Once you arrive, you have to play well.” He turned around to look at the others. “For this Spring Split, making it into the Grand Finals should be no problem, right?”

Xu Ziqi looked at Qi Hui. Even though the words of the other man were not particularly solemn, he gave a very firm reply. “We will definitely make it into the Spring Split finals. We will play our best.”

Qi Hui said decisively, “Good. I will hold you to that word.” He walked back to the side of Xu Ziqi and joked, “I originally thought there was no second person in the scene with a face like yours. I did not expect this. There is always someone better.”

Xu Ziqi laughed, a contrast to the cold feeling Sheng Huanian usually gave off. He was like a breath of fresh air; those lucky enough to experience it would likely remember it for a long time. He spoke, glancing at Sheng Huanian standing over there as if offering praise. “People like me are easy to find, but someone like him, there is definitely not a second one.”

The speaker meant nothing by it, treating it like a joke to be forgotten in an instant.

The listener took it to heart, his earlobes turning red as he tossed and turned that night.

On the last day of the transfer window, at eight in the evening, the auction period officially began, set to end four hours later.

The TK Team was never one to procrastinate. They fired the first shot of the transfer window at five minutes past eight.

The table updated.

Following ING. Duo Ming was not just the ten million that made fans tremble and worry, but also the black and white logo of the TK Team.

【Incredible! It is good to have money!】

【They got him! TK is wealthy and powerful; they truly never let the fans down!】

【TK! I knew I was right about you. Bidding right at the start really protects the hearts of the fans. Love you guys.】

【This transfer window is too exciting! To spend ten million like that, it could only be TK. Last season they spent fifteen million for ZD, and now ten million for Duo Ming. They really are rich. They must produce results in the Spring Split; otherwise, they will truly let down the team and the owner.】

【TK is a great person! I have not slept well for days. Finally, the dust has settled, and my baby got his wish! ING, you better sleep with one eye open from now on! From now on, I will always despise that black-hearted team ING.】

【I truly do not know how I got through these few days. I originally thought the fifteen million for ZD was ridiculous, but I did not expect ING to list a rookie for ten million. Truly a heartless club; I have nothing to say.】

【The conduct of ING is too ugly.】

Only after seeing the logo of the TK Team in the training room did Sheng Huanian truly feel at ease. He put down his phone and took a deep breath. His body felt as if it had been drained of all its strength, and he suddenly slumped into his gaming chair.

Thank goodness.

Truly, thank goodness.

While Sheng Huanian was quietly isolating himself from the outside world and rejoicing in silence, Xu Ziqi walked up to him with light steps. His expression was relaxed, looking as if he were watching a good show. “You actually get nervous?”

The left hand of Sheng Huanian tightened subconsciously, his fingers trembling slightly. He looked up abruptly and saw the person looking down at him.

From this angle, he could see the clearly defined jawline of the person. Details that were usually not so easy to see were all visible to him now. And, without any dignity, he fell for him instantly.

Xu Ziqi looked at the somewhat dazed appearance of Sheng Huanian and wanted to laugh even more. “Anyone who did not know better would think you encountered some major disaster and were sitting here reflecting on life.” He walked away and sat in his chair. “I told you a long time ago, so why are you still staring at it?”

Sheng Huanian slowly sat up straight, his voice low and raspy as he did not dare to turn his head again. “I had to see it to be sure.”

Xu Ziqi was opening his computer. He shook his head to relieve his aching neck. “Are you at ease now?”

“Yes,” Sheng Huanian replied. “I am at ease.”

Xu Ziqi turned his head. He did not know what he looked like at this moment, but he saw that person, who always seemed to be in a superior position, with his head lowered, looking as if he had not yet fully relaxed. He asked, “Why did you want to come to TK so much?”

It was merely a casual question.

Sheng Huanian handled it easily. “I feel that it is good here.”

“What is good about it?”

He said in a low voice, “Everything is good. It is better than all the other teams.”

The answer was not specific, but Xu Ziqi did not press further. He turned his head to prepare for a ranked match.

Before he could put on his headset, Sheng Huanian asked him, “What about that free agent?”

“Jax has already been settled. He is not going through the transfer; we are just leasing him privately.”

“No substitutes?”

The corners of the mouth of Xu Ziqi curled up as he turned his head. “Who are you trying to find a substitute for?”

“No.” Sheng Huanian struggled to pull himself away from that alluring light laugh and spoke calmly once more. “Usually, there are one or two substitutes, right?”

Xu Ziqi was in a good mood today, and there was a sense that he was teasing him when he spoke. Seeing this rare nervous look from him today made Xu Ziqi feel it was fun, and he could not help but laugh a few more times. “There are substitutes. The second team is of age, and all four of them can play. So, there is pressure; do not get replaced.”

Sheng Huanian turned his head. He saw Xu Ziqi raise his arms to give a long, lazy stretch. A muddled sound escaped his closed lips, barely audible, yet every bit of it found its way into the ears of Sheng Huanian.

Thinking it was quiet, Xu Ziqi was about to put on his headset when he heard the person beside him say in a very solemn tone, “I will not be replaced.”

The moment Xu Ziqi turned his head, Sheng Huanian spoke again. “Neither will you.”

Those words were so solemn and serious it was as if he were making a vow.

What Xu Ziqi heard seemed to be: In the Spring Split, we will definitely play well and achieve results.

So, after a moment of daze, he laughed. “Alright, let us both work hard.”

Sheng Huanian did not look at him again, but he did not forget to nod.

The two of them did not disturb each other, playing one match after another with backs that looked so stubborn.

For their passion, they were willing to give everything.

Their attention was completely focused until a loud shout from Qiqi nearly made the entire body of Sheng Huanian tremble, even with his headset on.

Sheng Huanian was indeed startled. He immediately frowned and looked back at Qiqi, who had just run in.

Qiqi went straight for them. Upon reaching them, he snatched the headset off Xu Ziqi.

Xu Ziqi turned and said, “What are you doing?”

Qiqi looked as if he were at a loss for words. After his lips struggled for a moment, he reached out and shoved his phone screen in front of Xu Ziqi’s face, shouting again, “Look at this!”

Xu Ziqi leaned in. His reaction was not as exaggerated when he saw it, but he could not help but frown slightly. “What is going on?”

Qiqi turned his hand, this time placing the phone in front of Sheng Huanian, and asked very seriously, “Do you know about this?”

Sheng Huanian saw that the table had updated at ten minutes past nine. Five minutes ago, a new team logo had been added to the row for his listing information. His face instantly turned dark. “I do not know. I did not even trial for Seven. Why are they bidding on me?”

“Good question.” Qiqi gave a deep sigh. “We have to spend another five hundred thousand.”

Xu Ziqi spoke softly. “Seven has been trialing entry fraggers this transfer window. They want to restructure too. It seems they are truly determined; they do not even care about a blind bid.”

Lot walked in at that moment and looked at Qiqi. “Just follow the bid. It is useless to talk to them.”

“I know I have to follow!” Qiqi paced in a circle for some reason and then trotted over to the side of Lot. “Do you think they will follow with a second bid?”

Lot was confident. He turned his head and said, “What is there to fear? The owner said the budget is unlimited. We can follow no matter the amount.”

Xu Ziqi turned his gaming chair and looked at them. “The three players Seven is letting go will bring in a lot of money. I feel that since they have already bid, they will probably follow with a second one. At the base, it will be twelve million. Why do you not go and discuss it with the owner now?”

Lot looked at Xu Ziqi with some helplessness. “Did you forget? We were already at odds during the hot drops last season. Their coach even deleted me. How am I supposed to contact their team?”

Xu Ziqi pursed his lips and remembered. “Right, I forgot. Never mind then, just bid directly. Our owner is wealthy and powerful; we are not afraid of them.”

Qiqi felt there was no problem with that either and was about to go prepare. As he walked out the door, he did not forget to look back and shout, “Duo Ming, you are treating us to a meal! It is a team tradition for new players to treat everyone to a meal on the night the transfer window ends. With a price like yours, you have to treat us at least three times!”

Sheng Huanian nodded silently, having already made up his mind.

After Qiqi left, Lot and Xu Ziqi were still discussing whether Seven would continue to bid and if they might bid at the last moment to delay the transfer window.

While they were talking, Sheng Huanian took out his phone. His hand did not hesitate as he typed and posted a single sentence on Weibo.

A few minutes later, Paipai walked in excitedly, interrupting the conversation between Lot and Xu Ziqi. As he approached, he looked at Sheng Huanian with a face full of admiration. He gave a thumbs up like a child and praised, “Wow, incredible. Are you really that bold?”

Xu Ziqi and Lot both looked at Paipai in confusion. Xu Ziqi was the first to ask, “What are you saying?”

“What? You guys do not know?”

“Know what?”

Paipai pointed at Sheng Huanian, his mouth wide open. “The Weibo post he made. You did not see it?”

Xu Ziqi first looked at Sheng Huanian. When he met those eyes, he felt in an instant that something potentially shocking was about to happen.

In fact, when he saw the Weibo post made by Sheng Huanian, Xu Ziqi was indeed surprised by his actions once again.

When Sheng Huanian went on Weibo, he first wanted to change his name, but he did not know which netizens had taken his name. He changed it several times before finally getting the current name.

[TK. Duo Ming 2355: I have changed my name. Other teams, do not bid on me. Thank you.]

Xu Ziqi took a deep breath. When he looked up, he was certain of one thing.

Being nervous or obedient was not the normal state for the person before him.

A stubborn, direct, and suddenly fearless madman was the true him.