Marketing (2)

“A team in mind?” Huo Ran raised his brow. “It must not be true that you’re going to LGW because of Wind, right? LGW is not lacking an assaulter.”

“That’s not it.” Xue Lan awkwardly waved his hand. “Please don’t misunderstand. Toward Wind, I…”

“Young lady, you should ponder over your future carefully.” Huo Ran didn’t listen to his explanation and advised, “The teams that need an assaulter can be counted on one finger. There is only us, the Thunder Team, and that is the best option. What does Wind even amount to… As long as you join us, I assure you that you can settle all past accounts with him on the competition field…”

Xue Lan never thought of settling any account with Wen Yan. Besides… the Thunder Team was too materialistic and had always viewed Wen Yan as their first target. In the original work, after Deng Ruiqiu joined Thunder Team, he was immediately trained to especially restrain Wen Yan, causing his original traits to be completely worn down… In the end, he was abandoned by the Thunder Team.

Actually, after battling against Deng Ruiqiu many times, Xue Lan noticed that Deng Ruiqiu was a natural and an extremely ambitious, hardworking player. Thinking about the prospect of being worn down and losing his pride and sharp edges in the future, Xue Lan who similarly considered professional gaming a dream, found it hard not to empathize with this.

But before Xue Lan could reply, someone intercepted. “Manager Huo, what is the meaning of this?”

Xue Lan never knew someone could really be this “swift.” He was just thinking of Deng Ruiqiu and he showed up behind him. Deng Ruiqiu looked as if he did not see Xue Lan. His eyes were cold as he said to Huo Ran, “Manager Huo, a few days ago didn’t you say that I would be the only newcomer to sign with you in this period? Why did you go behind my back when I’m not looking?”

“I’ve always valued talent. If you are willing to join, we will naturally welcome you… After all, with competition, talents can make breakthroughs.”

Huo Ran’s words were pretentious, yet even Xue Lan, who often struggled to read people’s inner thoughts, could easily discern the insincerity behind them. His words lacked genuine emotions, and the look he gave Deng Ruiqiu carried a subtle hint of irreverence.

Deng Ruiqiu’s expression became even uglier.

“All right, then why don’t we wait and see?”

He clenched his teeth tightly and reluctantly glanced over at Xue Lan. With a dark expression on his face, he entered the training room.

Xue Lan awkwardly watched his back as he left. For a moment, he was also unsure of what to say next.

A burst of bustling noise came from the competition venue and Manager Ke was seen leading Wen Yan, Zhou Kanqing, and two unfamiliar faces closer.

As if feeling nonchalant about this, Huo Ran smiled and said to Xue Lan in a lively tone, “There is no rush in giving me an answer. You can take your time thinking about it. I’m sure you will understand that the Thunder Team is your only best option.”

He straightened his necktie, and with a confident look on his face, walked into the training room.

Wen Yan reached the corner of the training room outside. He looked past the glass wall, seeming lost in thought as he shot a glance at Xue Lan’s location.

Xue Lan returned to his senses and rushed into the training room.

After the first points match, everyone had a clearer understanding of the rules. Manager Ke walked to the front of the stage, his face brimming with a smile. “Let me introduce to you, this is Manager Xie Zhinian of LGW and Manager Huo Ran of the Thunder Team. Everyone, be sure to make a good impression by performing well in this points match!”

One of the people that came with Wen Yan was Xie Zhinian, whom Manager Ke was introducing at the moment. He was a little over thirty and seemed gentle… Completely unlike the chatterer figure as described in the original book.

Xue Lan’s gaze quickly skipped past him and stayed on the person standing behind Xie Zhinian and Wen Yan — that person was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He looked easygoing and calm — the kind of appearance that would be hard to identify among the crowd.

Xue Lan’s heartbeat then picked up.

If his guess was not wrong, this person was LGW’s assaulter — Meng Qi.

“The rules of this points match are the same as last time, so let’s first welcome the team placed last to draw lots or challenge another team!” Manager Ke said. Everyone simultaneously looked at Deng Ruiqiu.

Under everyone’s eyes, Deng Ruiqiu raised his head. His line of sight, unfortunately, fell on Xue Lan.

Xue Lan’s breath stalled right at that moment.

Wait, Deng Ruiqiu couldn’t possibly be…

Indeed, Deng Ruiqiu lifted his chin. “Do you… accept my challenge?”

Xue Lan and his teammates looked over to the yawning Duan Wenzheng sitting on one side, only to see Duan Wenzheng slightly raising his eyes as if he only just realized that Deng Ruiqiu was asking his team.

His gaze unobtrusively landed on Xue Lan. Those smiling eyes lifted at the corners, but his words to Deng Ruiqiu were, “You see, I’m not the one who is fond of playing against a defeated opponent.”

“Isn’t it rather that you don’t have the guts?!” Deng Ruiqiu shouted with a red face.

Even if everyone expected Duan Wenzheng to refuse Deng Ruiqiu’s challenge, they never expected Duan Wenzheng to be haughty and speak these words in front of everybody.

Including Xue Lan.

But despite facing the raging Deng Ruiqiu and his teammates, Duan Wenzheng didn’t spare them even one glance.

His gaze had always stayed on Xue Lan.

A hint of a smile still lingered in his eyes, causing Xue Lan’s bewildered face to flush with heat.

Xue Lan lowered his head. His mind went blank as he thought about Duan Wenzheng’s refusal. Why was he even looking at him? While Xue Lan was feeling confused, an image flashed in his mind of Deng Ruiqiu’s annoyance at the entrance and the provocative gaze he had cast in Xue Lan’s direction…

Xue Lan’s heart stirred in his chest.

“No guts?” Duan Wenzheng retracted his gaze. When he finally looked at Deng Ruiqiu, the smile in his eyes had completely dispersed, leaving only a slight raise at the corners of his lips.

“That’s right, I’m afraid you’ll lose and cry.”

“…”

“All right, provocation is useless.” Duan Wenzheng smoothly said, “Our team will not accept your challenge.”

Faced with Duan Wenzheng’s unbendable resistance, even if it angered Deng Ruiqiu again, he could only walk to the drawing lots on one side.

As everyone’s attention diverted, Xue Lan cautiously tugged at the edge of the hem of Duan Wenzheng’s shirt. “Were you… bearing a grudge?”

Duan Wenzheng glanced at his hand that was secretly tugging at his shirt and the person who did not dare to look at him yet feigned composure

“No.” Duan Wenzheng’s tone was relaxed. “As long as it’s not us, for them, drawing any other team would be a good draw.”

“…”

Duan Wenzheng’s words were frivolous, but after Xue Lan turned it over in his mind and couldn’t refute it, he felt that… it was reasonable.

After all, Deng Ruiqiu and his team were actually outstanding in the training camp. If not for Deng Ruiqiu’s determination to compete with them, as long as he doesn’t draw them… it was basically a sure victory for them.

But just as Xue Lan entertained this thought, he caught sight of Deng Ruiqiu, transfixed by the drawn paper. Then an enigmatic smile curled his lips. He spread the paper open in the direction of them both.

It listed the team with Xue Lan’s and Duan Wenzheng’s IDs.

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