Chapter 119: Is Street Fighter That Hard?
Clearlove was leaning back in his chair, rubbing his belly with his eyes closed to rest. That meal he just had was pretty satisfying.
His mobile phone vibrated in his pocket. He lazily pulled it out and squinted at the screen.
Wei Shen.
Clearlove raised an eyebrow, a bit of doubt rising in his mind.
Although he knew Wei Shen, they weren’t that close. The last WeChat chat record was still from last year when they wished each other a happy new year. Why was he suddenly contacting him now? Was there something up?
Looking at the simple and direct message from Wei Shen saying he was online.
Clearlove tapped on the screen: “Online, just finished the victory banquet. What’s up, Wei Shen? Did you specially come to congratulate us on advancing to the finals?”
He replied half-jokingly, guessing at the other’s intentions.
From what he knew of Wei Shen, this guy wasn’t the type to specially celebrate someone else’s advancement to the finals.
Could it be that he wanted to switch teams?
LGD’s current situation really wasn’t producing results.
But they at EDG didn’t take just anyone…
They didn’t lack a mid laner now either. Starter had Fan Ge, substitute had Xiao Xue Di. Which one wasn’t better than you, Wei Shen?
Calling him Wei Shen was still giving him face; otherwise, it’d be Little Wei.
In LGD base, Wei Shen scratched his head seeing Clearlove’s reply.
His personality was pretty direct; he wasn’t good at beating around the bush, so he just got straight to the point.
“Congrats, you guys were really fierce today. But yeah, I actually have something else.” Wei Shen typed, “Want to ask about someone from your team, that rookie mid laner Unreal.”
Seeing Li Fan’s ID, Clearlove was stunned for a moment and subconsciously sat up straight.
Wei Shen asking about Li Fan? What was this about? Trying to scout tactics? No, LGD’s season was already over; no need.
Or maybe preparing for next season, trying to poach? That was even more impossible!
EDG absolutely wouldn’t let anyone go during their contract period.
Li Fan’s performance right now was too eye-catching; they even wanted to renew his contract. A one-year contract was a bit too short!
Clearlove became even more vigilant while replying, wanting to know what medicine this Wei Shen guy was selling in his gourd.
“Unreal? What’s with him? You kid wouldn’t be trying to poach, right? Let me tell you, no way. This is EDG’s non-sale item, absolute future core.”
Wei Shen saw it and knew Clearlove had misunderstood, so he quickly explained: “What are you thinking! Poach what? Besides, would I be dumb enough to tell you? And with his current performance, EDG letting him go would be weird.”
“Look, I’m already LGD’s mid laner. Would I be sick enough to poach someone to steal my spot?”
“That’s hard to say. Looking at your state, you might retire this year. Helping the club screw over a mid laner is totally possible. Better not have that idea; if you do, drop it early.”
“…… / Speechless.”
Wei Shen paused, reorganized his words, then continued typing: “I want to ask, is he very interested in matches for other games? Like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds?”
“PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds?” Clearlove was even more puzzled, his brows furrowing tighter.
Li Fan did play PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds a lot, and he played a couple rounds himself when free, but he really hadn’t heard of any matches and hadn’t paid attention…
And Wei Shen, an LPL pro mid laner, coming to ask if their team’s rookie was interested in PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds matches? What was this even about? It left him totally confused.
But luckily, Wei Shen sent a long message next, explaining the reason.
He was planning to switch careers, no longer be a League of Legends player. Huya happened to have a bounty match coming up, which sparked his interest to participate.
But to participate, he hadn’t found four teammates yet, so he couldn’t form a team and was stuck in this dilemma.
And Li Fan had top-tier marksmanship in the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds circle, so Wei Shen set his sights on him.
The info dump was a bit much; Clearlove took half a day to process it, then burst out laughing.
Sure enough, people laugh when they’re speechless.
Wei Shen… switching to win the game, and wanting to drag Li Fan along to compete.
Wasn’t this treating him like he was dead?
Mid lane finally had a big daddy; they had to hug that thigh to win the World Championship.
Letting you trick him into this match… what if his state suffers afterward?
Clearlove instantly wanted to refuse.
But then he thought, Li Fan had a history of mischief, and his own training methods. He played Speed, even secretly went to SSC and won champion… If he knew about this match, he might really go.
Maybe guessing Clearlove would refuse, Wei Shen immediately sent more messages.
Huya is about to hold a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds bounty match; I want to form a team to join.
Li Fan… has quite a reputation in the win the game circle, top-tier marksmanship and awareness. I want to ask if he’s interested in temporarily joining our team for this match.
It’s just an online match, and in July during regular season, definitely won’t affect your matches.
Time can be coordinated, and I see your club is pretty… lenient about him playing other games?
Just ask; if not, no big deal.
Help me sound him out, see if he’s interested himself?
Clearlove helplessly shook his head, typing on the screen: “Alright, I’ll ask the club’s opinion first. If the club agrees, I’ll ask him for you.”
Wei Shen was still excited seeing it and replied thanks.
Given EDG club’s current situation, they should agree for the Summer Split.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t do activities with Speed…
The bus steadily drove back to base; the cabin was much quieter than on the way there, with many teammates leaning on chairs with eyes closed resting.
Clearlove also closed his eyes, but he had no sleepiness.
“PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds bounty match… dragging Li Fan to team up…” Clearlove muttered in his mind, “This Wei Shen, brain really flexible, and really dares to think.”
He slightly opened his eyes and glanced at Li Fan in the diagonal front seat, wearing headphones and already asleep.
He couldn’t help but sigh that this kid’s talent was visibly exaggerated, but his neglecting one’s duties hobbies were also very real.
Went to a Speed match and actually brought back a champion.
Back then the club didn’t want him to go, but he still did.
If he knew there was a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds match to play… he’d definitely be tempted, right?
Regular season phase, time-wise maybe no conflict.
But a July match meant at least two months prep in advance, plus daily training matches; the impact on later matches would be huge.
If they won Spring Split champion, the following Mid-Season Invitational would definitely be affected.
Back at base, teammates dispersed to wash up and rest.
But Clearlove didn’t go straight to his room; he knocked on Manager Abu’s office door.
“Ming Kai? Not resting yet? Something up?” Abu was in a good mood today, preparing to organize some data.
“Ji Xing, there’s something… I need to tell you.” Clearlove pulled over a chair and sat, his expression a bit odd.
“What’s up? Looking all serious.” Abu put down what he was holding and looked at him curiously.
Clearlove had to repeat what Wei Shen told him to Abu.
The office went quiet for a few seconds.
Abu’s expression went from puzzled to surprised, then to a kind of indescribable wry amusement.
“Ming Kai, what do you think?”
Clearlove thought, then said: “From feelings and team interests, I definitely don’t want Li Fan distracted.”
“But…, you know Li Fan. Playing other games doesn’t seem to affect his LPL state; there’s even a saying he needs them to relax and maintain hand feel? And that Speed time, we didn’t stop him, he came back still fierce as ever?”
Abu nodded; he wouldn’t believe Li Fan had no special training methods.
This made the absurd idea seem reasonable.
“Also,” Clearlove added, “if we hard block it, with Li Fan’s personality, he might not say anything outwardly but itch inside and secretly join. Better put it out in the open; we can make some rules, better control it.”
“PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds… popularity is really high now. If Li Fan joins as an individual without affecting training and matches, it could boost his and the club’s topic degree and cross-circle influence, maybe even benefits.” Abu stood up from his seat.
Last time with Speed, it brought four sponsorships.
Originally always in loss, those four sponsorships turned it profitable…
Ai De Zhu hadn’t expected one Speed participation to yield such big returns.
“But premise is, absolutely cannot affect LPL results; that’s the bottom line.”
Clearlove nodded hearing Abu say that.
“Alright, don’t tell Li Fan yet.”
Abu paused, “I’ll communicate with Boss later; tomorrow I’ll tell you.”
Clearlove got Abu’s meaning, “Okay, got it. Wait for your decision.”
After Clearlove left, Abu paced a few steps in the office and called Boss Ai De Zhu.
On the other end, after Ai De Zhu heard Abu recount Wei Shen’s request and their concerns, he didn’t reply immediately but was silent for a moment.
“Abu… I get your concerns. Everything prioritizes LPL results; that’s fundamental, cannot waver.”
“Yes, Boss, that’s what I think too.” Abu quickly agreed.
“However,” Ai De Zhu changed tone, “have you thought we could also establish a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Division.”
Abu was stunned: “Boss, you mean?”
“I mean, since Li Fan has the interest and talent, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has such high popularity and good market prospects, we can naturally set up a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Division.”
“Let Li Fan participate in this bounty match, and future ones, as an EDG PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Division member, without affecting League of Legends training and matches.”
“This solves several issues: Li Fan’s participation is legitimate, fighting for honors in EDG’s other project. Club can openly manage and support; match times and training plans unified by club coordination.”
“Boss, this idea is brilliant!” After all, Abu was just an employee; he hadn’t thought of establishing a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Division.
“This satisfies Li Fan’s personal interest, turns his influence into club assets in new fields, and ensures management rights.”
“Mainly PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds really has prospects…” Ai De Zhu didn’t say more; having floated the idea, Abu would handle it.
Meanwhile, Li Fan wore a troubled look in his live stream room.
His Chun Li operation had just been KO’d!
“How do you even play this?”
【Hahahaha, aren’t you all-powerful? How’d you get schooled?】
【See if you’re still arrogant?】
【Interesting, lots of fun!】
【Laughing to death, turns out there’s a game Unreal can’t play!】
【Beaten black and blue!】
Li Fan opened a live stream right after returning to base.
After all, as a workaholic… he couldn’t sleep tonight without earning some learning points.
Started off for show effect, saying let everyone pick a game casually; he’d be invincible no matter what.
Never expected the selected fan to counter him directly, saying play Street Fighter V.
Ended up toyed with and defeated…
Li Fan looked at the bullet comments and another “KO” on screen, couldn’t help laughing: “A bit interesting, but this game is too unfriendly to newbies, right?”
“Give me some more practice, check the move list, guarantee invincible!”
Full screen of “hahaha” and “bragging” bullet comments; Li Fan wasn’t mad, instead got competitive.
He hehe smiled, not rushing the next round, directly switched out of game screen and opened browser.
“Don’t rush, give me thirty seconds—no, one minute! Let me research this game’s fundamentals!” While saying, he quickly searched Street Fighter 5 Chun Li move list and newbie combos.
【??? On-site learning?】
【Cramming last minute, huh!】
【Will it work? I bet fifty cents next round still gets abused.】
【Stop struggling, admit it—you’re not omnipotent!】
“Mm, feel like I got it.”
While saying, he started rematch.
“See, light kick into Hyakuretsukyaku, cancel into super…” He operated and commentated; Chun Li’s figure nimbly leaped on screen, a smooth combo taking out nearly a third of opponent’s health.
【??? He actually learned it?】
【This learning speed is ridiculous】
【Was he faking it earlier?】
【The more I watch, the more it feels like he was pretending not to know. Who hasn’t played Street Fighter 5? Everyone has, right?】
【Indeed! I think something’s off.】
“Pretend? Do I need to pretend?” Li Fan hehe smiled, “Earlier that was me going easy, giving you false hope. Now… time to show real skills.”
In following matches, Li Fan’s Chun Li was like a different person.
Though not pro level yet, basic combos and repositioning were already decent.
Harass opponent at safe distance, grab openings for a combo.
“KO!”
When victory screen appeared, Li Fan smugly leaned back in chair, picked up cup for a sip.
“Is Street Fighter hard? Not bragging, give me another hour, I could go pro.”
