Chapter 126: I’m Pleasing Myself!
Over 18,000 on-site audience members heard Li Fan say this, and a single word popped into their minds: Mad!
Too mad!
Really mad!
“I really have something worth showing off.”
This sentence could be said to have no humility at all, even carrying a sense of being completely natural, but saying it at this moment conveyed unimaginable confidence and dominance.
After a brief silence, like a volcanic eruption, the entire Nanjing Olympic Sports Center exploded with frenzied cheers and screams powerful enough to flip the dome!
“Aaaahhhh—Unreal! Unreal!”
“Worth showing off! That’s right, you’re the most worth showing off mid laner, so you can take double awards, this is what you deserve.”
“I just like such a mad player, humility my ass! Unreal I love you to death!”
The on-site fans, especially those girls holding Unreal light signs, shouted until their voices were hoarse, yet they didn’t care at all and continued to use all their strength.
Of course, some people still disliked this lack of humility, isn’t it just saying a couple of polite words? Not being humble a bit won’t kill you, no need to be so mad.
But at this stage, no one cared about their thoughts.
Because Li Fan was already standing on the podium, and the official had given him the awards.
Especially with the finals about to start right after, yet he still believed in himself and wasn’t afraid of being slapped in the face later.
At this moment, it instead became an extremely charming personal trait!
In the extremely humble LPL professional matches, it stood out as extremely special.
Clearly strong beyond reason, very confident in his own strength.
As for the live stream room, the bullet comments exploded at this time, scrolling crazily.
【Holy shit, you can show off like this? Although it was just one sentence, I feel it’s way more dominant than ten thousand sentences.】
【Worth showing off! Hahahaha, honestly, only Unreal dares to say this, any other player wouldn’t dare, at most thank this and thank that.】
【This rookie is really to my taste, LPL needs this kind of personality player, if they were all like this, it wouldn’t be that we still don’t have a World Championship title even now.】
【What about WE? Did WE fans hear that? He says he’s very worth showing off, what about you guys?】
【Pressure is all on Xi Ye now, if he doesn’t crush Unreal, he’ll be taunted right in the face, feels like he’ll be rushed by fans.】
【Don’t know why, maybe because of Unreal, I feel this year is the most promising one.】
【But… is it really fair to give both awards to Unreal, feels a bit ridiculous, is the official playing favorites? Thinks Unreal has high popularity so makes such controversial decisions?】
【Then name one non-controversial player? Doinb has the most regular season MVPs, but got kicked out in the group stage like roadside trash, why does he deserve regular season MVP?】
【Anyway, being able to say this, even if we lose today’s match, I still support Unreal!】
【Other pro players are all so fake, clearly thinking the opponent is a noob deep down, but don’t dare say it and pretend falsely.】
【Young people are still the best, young people don’t have all these twists and turns.】
In the backstage lounge, Xi Ye saw this scene and kept applauding nonstop.
“This guy is really awesome, saying this shit so slick! I really want to learn, but still can’t.”
“Indeed… pretty mad.” Kang Di thought of the trash talk he recorded yesterday and couldn’t help but agree with Xi Ye.
Back then he thought it was super explosive, but turns out only after getting that, this guy’s casual sentence is explosive.
“Perfect, he says he’s very worth showing off right? Let’s see later how worth showing off he is.” 957 fanned the flames for Xi Ye on the side.
“Get lost!”
“Hahaha…”
At this moment, the WE backstage lounge became extremely joyful.
After all, talk is cheap, better to prove it in the match.
On the other side, EDG lounge.
Abu coach covered his forehead: “This kid… dares to say this, win and he’s a god, lose and he’ll be flamed to death.”
Clearlove looked at the screen: “Pre-match trash talk was already so explosive, saying this is no big deal, he’s pretty chuunibyou, as expected of a young guy.”
On stage, Ren Dong was also stunned for a moment by Li Fan’s unexpected answer, but with his experience, he immediately smiled and followed up: “Good! Very confident answer! And just as you said, you and the EDG team reaching here today means you’re worth showing off this season! Now let’s see if you can become the most worth showing off today!”
Interview ended, Li Fan deeply bowed to the audience below the stage.
This bow once again triggered tsunami-like cheers.
Popularity already high to a ridiculous degree.
If he could win the championship in today’s match… then this popularity would reach an unimaginable level.
Similarly, many companies watching the match spotted Li Fan at a glance… such a confident pro player looks sunny and outgoing, endorsing clothes or whatever should have great effect.
Ren Dong timely guided the process, asked Li Fan to return backstage to prepare, and announced the upcoming opening performance segment.
Members of the well-known domestic girl group SNH48’s subunit took the stage in eye-catching outfits, music started and the energetic dance began.
They danced really well, and the girls were very cute.
However, at this moment, the on-site audience’s minds had already flown to the peak showdown about to begin.
Compared to the real blades clashing Silver Dragon Cup battle carrying honor and dreams, all this seemed dull.
“EDG! Go for it!”
“WE! Victory!”
Scattered chants started rising from the stands, soon connecting into a wave, even overpowering the music on stage for a while.
Yet they didn’t consider the official’s good intentions.
After all, tickets over 400 bucks, just watching one match would feel like a loss, adding a performance makes it like a concert, worth it with both match and concert.
The girls dancing and singing on stage now felt pretty awkward.
Are we really that unattractive?
In the past, fans below would scream and shout during dances.
But this time unexpectedly no one cheered…
Ridiculous!
As expected of stinky gamers, full of thoughts about game matches.
【Fast forward to BP! Fast forward to the match!】
【Performance good, next time don’t perform before finals.】
【Served, does the official really not know what we want to see? What’s with this long performance segment.】
【No interest in girls, just want to see how Unreal shows off what he’s worth.】
【Please, let the match start! I can’t wait to see how Unreal proves what he said in the pre-match interview.】
【As expected, pre-match show effect is what makes it fun.】
And at this time, both teams’ players were actually already prepared backstage.
Just waiting for the finals opener to end, then enter under the host’s introduction.
With SNH48 members’ performance ending, stage lights refocused on host Ren Dong.
The on-site somewhat scattered attention instantly pulled back, everyone knew the long-awaited moment was finally coming, everyone came from afar for this right.
Ren Dong held the microphone, walked steadily to the stage center, smiling but his voice full of power.
“Dear on-site and screen-before summoners welcome back! 2017 LPL Spring Split finals, EDG vs WE peak battle, about to begin!”
“Waaah—!!!”
Responding was tsunami-like cheers and applause, the previous performance segment’s dullness swept away, the entire Nanjing Olympic Sports Center’s atmosphere instantly pushed to climax.
Clearly, the previous performance really made the on-site audience depressed.
Compared to the match, indeed nothing to see.
“First, please welcome EDG team coach—Kuaisu Xing!”
Spotlight on the entry tunnel, Kuaisu Xing quickly walked out waving to the audience.
“Top laner—A Guang!” A Guang’s figure followed Kuaisu Xing, cheerful and very distinctive.
“Jungler—Clearlove!” When Clearlove’s ID was called, the entire site’s atmosphere instantly heated up.
As LPL’s banner figure, his popularity was beyond doubt.
Clearlove steadily walked out, corners of mouth slightly raised.
Immediately after, Ren Dong’s voice suddenly rose:
“Mid laner—Unreal!!!”
“Unreal! Unreal! Unreal!”
Countless fans, especially female fans, shouted his ID hoarsely.
The entire venue completely boiled!
The enthusiasm accumulated from the previous interview segment fully released at this moment.
Li Fan walked out from the tunnel, under the spotlight, still that calm yet confident look.
【Here he comes! The most worth showing off player is here.】
【No more on others, appearance really hits, even handsomer under these lights.】
【Pressure on Xi Ye’s side now, haha!】
【Just see if in the match he’s really worth showing off as he said.】
【Whatever, Unreal is Hand-bro from now on!】
After Unreal, Ren Dong continued introducing: “ADC—Zet! Support—Meiko!”
EDG full team lined up on one side of the stage.
“Next, let’s welcome their opponents WE team!”
“Coach Hong Mi, top 957, jungler Kang Di, mid Xi Ye, ADC Mystic, support Ben!”
Every name called, the WE fans’ area on site also exploded with cheers not inferior to before.
Both teams’ players entered, standing opposite on stage sides, at this time director pulled a far shot.
Stage center, Silver Dragon Cup shone brilliantly under lights, emitting tempting glow.
For young WE, this trophy’s shine was still very attractive.
Li Fan, this player without a championship, felt the same.
Staring intently at the Silver Dragon Cup.
Originally three jin heavy, became thirty jin because of one mistake.
Li Fan really wanted to carry the thirty jin weight, experience carrying this trophy.
Ren Dong said in his rich voice: “Heroes, chase legends! 2017 LPL Spring Split finals, now officially begins! Both teams’ players please enter the battle seats!”
Amid deafening cheers, ten players walked to their battle seats, starting final equipment checks.
And at this time, screen switched to commentator desk.
Official naturally sent their strongest commentator lineup.
Golden duo Wa Wa Miller and Su Xiao Yan.
Originally wanted Rita, but Jin Yibo thought most perfect is better, plenty of chances to train newbies later, if problem in today’s match it’d be big trouble.
“Welcome summoners back to 2017 LPL Spring Split finals site! Hello everyone, I’m Wa Wa!”
“Hello everyone, I’m Miller.”
“Hello everyone, I’m Su Xiao Yan.”
Wa Wa full of smiles continued: “Wow! That entry ceremony, this site’s atmosphere, really exaggerated, I sitting at commentator desk could feel the entire stage shaking, on-site audience really enthusiastic.”
Miller smiled and followed: “Right, and pre-match interview segment, Unreal’s one sentence ‘I really have something worth showing off’, directly maxed out today’s match gunpowder and anticipation! Honestly now pressure is on him, just see if he can deliver in actual combat.”
“From objective data, Unreal player’s entire Spring Split performance is indeed phenomenal, whether average output, laning dominance or participation rate, all top in mid lane position.”
Su Xiao Yan still believed in letting data speak, good data doesn’t mean strong, but strong players definitely have good data.
“This is also important reason he got regular season MVP and Best Mid Laner double awards, those with strength naturally have such confidence.”
Wa Wa nodded in agreement: “Having confidence is one thing, daring to say it before finals is another, this personality is unique in LPL.”
Miller smiled: “But I think it’s good for the league, have topics, have conflict, matches more fun! Right?”
On-site audience immediately screamed in response.
Clearly very agreeing with Miller’s statement.
“I think WE coach Hong Mi will definitely target Unreal’s champion pool, like his LeBlanc, Syndra signatures, likely to be banned.”
“And EDG side, also be careful of Kang Di and Xi Ye’s mid-jungle synergy, WE’s early rhythm is very strong.”
“Actually bot lane is also a key point.”
“Mystic and Ben’s duo hot this season, Zet and Meiko need to hold lane, create space for Clearlove’s jungle plans and Unreal’s roams.”
Said very tactfully, meaning hold until teammates support, don’t collapse too early.
“Top lane, both top laners see who supports faster…”
Current patch top lane back to more frontline tanks, in this case top lane participation is just that teamfight wave.
If can tank damage, performance very eye-catching.
As for top Fizz, top Ekko…
You confident to crush opponent’s Galio? Or Nautilus, Cho’Gath.
Which one doesn’t have higher stats, which damage not more ridiculous than you?
“Feels like today’s BO5 won’t end easily, both teams strength evenly matched, likely full five games!”
At this time big screen switched to BP interface.
“Okay, both teams ready, 2017 LPL Spring Split finals, blue side EDG vs red side WE, game 1, BP officially starts!”
EDG as usual handled Kled first… mainly this hero mid-late support strong, backline dive ability very good.
Also 957 plays this hero particularly well, one of few warrior tops he can pull out.
“As expected! Red side WE first ban to Unreal’s very skilled Syndra, full respect!” Miller immediately said.
EDG responded quickly, second ban to Kang Di’s signature Lee Sin, limiting this dragon’s heir early gank ability.
“Oh? Galio! This current patch very strong support mid also sent to ban by WE.”
“Mainly this hero flex very strong, top or mid both great…”
Subsequent coaches’ targets very obvious.
EDG banned Elise, WE took out Ashe.
Knowing your bot only has one Ashe, not banning it would be dumb?
Regular season let it go, finals definitely not.
First round bans end:
EDG banned Kled, Lee Sin, Elise.
WE banned Syndra, Galio, Ashe.
EDG first pick still grabbed Jarvan IV first…
WE wanted bot breakthrough, took Varus and Karma strong poke duo.
Honestly these two picks, Kuaisu Xing’s expression was bad.
He knew bot level well…
Previously not targeted, now targeted would be troublesome.
Kog’Maw, Lulu also pretty comfortable resilience duo.
WE third pick locked Jayce, mid-bot poke system out.
Second round bans WE took Lucian and Taliyah.
Strongly limiting Li Fan’s personal laning ability.
As for other heroes, overall pressure big against Jayce.
In this case EDG could only counter, banned Leopard and Cho’Gath, with mid Lissandra ap damage needs jungle to supplement.
These two pretty suitable heroes.
But like this BP already in disadvantage.
But no way, bot disadvantage even strong coach can’t change.
WE really felt steady win over EDG, top locked Fizz, counter left for jungler.
Kuaisu Xing’s expression bad at this moment.
But could only pin hopes on Li Fan.
“Opponent Jayce, farm or lane?”
Laning… actually Jayce hard to beat, best counter Lucian banned.
Other heroes no big advantage.
Talon bad against Jayce, Fizz robbed by opponent.
“Farm… take Vladimir to farm.”
Opponent lineup, after twenty-five minutes Vladimir can play freely.
Kuaisu Xing nodded.
EDG four-five locked Vladimir and Shen.
WE fifth jungler hesitated long… clearly didn’t expect mid to give up laning.
Still helped Kang Di take fairly neutral jungler Gragas.
Both sides’ lineups determined.
Blue side EDG: Top Shen, jungle Jarvan IV, mid Vladimir, bot duo Kog’Maw with Lulu.
Red side WE: Top Fizz, jungle Gragas, mid Jayce, bot duo Varus with Karma.
Both coaches to stage center handshake.
Wa Wa got director prompt at this time, didn’t talk match, changed topic: “Both teams pre-recorded words to opponents, let’s see what they said.”
Big screen first showed Clearlove’s crooked-mouth smile.
“WE played really well this season, but… experience wise we’re richer. This finals, I’ll let them know old ginger spicier.”
Camera switched to WE jungler Kang Di.
Kang Di clearly amused by Clearlove’s words.
“Clearlove, your F6 and your jungle, I want them all, heard you want to prove yourself this finals? Sorry, this stage is mine now, you keep skills to escape.”
Clearlove hearing this clearly unconvinced.
“Me escaping is just illusion, actually I did lots of damage!”
Site cheered and laughed at this time.
As for top, A Guang clearly lacking confidence.
“957 very strong, but I practiced lots lately hope to hold.”
957 calm face, mild tone: “A Guang wanting to hold definitely not enough. Today I’ll let you know why everyone calls me Leg Bro.”
Mystic（Korean）: “Zet player is very stable mid… but go bot meaningless, I still suggest you go back to mid.”
Zet shyly smiled in front of camera, no words.
But lip shape could see, fuck!
Xi Ye scratched head: “Actually Unreal good at other games already, I still suggest he switch to other games, League of Legends not suitable for him, I’ll win this match first, you go take championship in games without me.”
“Wow!”
On-site WE fans already screaming.
Offense strong but not too strong.
Camera finally on Li Fan.
He didn’t look at camera like others, slightly turned head.
“Win the match?”
He lightly laughed, “That stuff, piece of cake!”
“As for controlling the match… from sitting here, match result already in my script.”
“Xi Ye, WE… they’re just hard-working supporting roles in my script.”
“I play matches to please myself.”
“As for you… just watch.”
After brief dead silence, explosive cheers almost flipping venue roof!
“Unreal! Unreal! Unreal!”
Frenzied fans’ screams almost piercing eardrums.
And more audience, whether EDG, WE supporters or neutral, faces mixed shock and awkward yet oddly excited complex expressions.
As for live stream bullet comments also scrolling crazily.
【??????】
【Script? Supporting roles? Please himself???】
【My god! This isn’t mad anymore, this is late-stage chuunibyou?!】
【Awkward till my toes dug out three-bedroom apartment! But… why am I kinda pumped?!】
【This is the taste! Esports male lead doesn’t need humility! Be mad! Be arrogant!】
【Done for, getting old I eat this up, when he said just watch I got goosebumps, but oddly hype.】
Commentator desk, Wa Wa almost couldn’t hold.
Wa Wa covered mouth, tried not laugh too loud: “Cough… this… Unreal player’s pre-match trash talk, really… unique! Very imaginative!”
And in EDG player seats.
Game now paused…
Because everyone knew trash talk segment playing.
Clearlove at this time teased Li Fan: “What were you thinking when recording this trash talk?”
“Uh… didn’t think much, young and reckless, full of youthful vigor, we’re awesome opponent noobs.”
“You know I don’t usually say this.”
“Very right, very spirited!”
“Fuck them up!”
WE battle seats.
They now recalled yesterday’s recording.
“Treated us as supporting roles, today tell everyone supporting roles can flip protagonists and become protagonists!”
“Hahaha, time to let the scriptwriter know, without supporting roles unwilling your script can’t go on…”
And at this time big screen starting countdown.
Pause about to end.
Both sides immediately got into state…
