Chapter 142 - Joyous New Year

translator: Oyen editor: Ciel

By noon, several great gods arrived at the scene of the annual meeting.

Xu Ce and Jiang Shaoqing, the two shareholders of Dragon Song club, had also arrived. Xu Ce wore a pair of cool sunglasses, while Jing Shaoqing had a friendly smile. Qin Mo had met him when he signed a contract with Dragon Song before, but this time, they also brought a fat majestic Alaskan dog, which trailed behind Xu Ce, wagging its tail.

Seeing this, Liu Chuan ridiculed. “A-Ce, with your son’s round figure, can’t he just roll here?”

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Xu Ce raised his eyebrows. “I can’t help it, he is too gluttonous.”

Liu Chuan. “You don’t know how to control it?”

“I am trying to make it lose weight.” Xu Ce explained.

Barking twice, the dog seemed unhappy at Liu Chuan’s ridicule.

Walking over, Liu Chuan rubbed the big dog’s head, tied it outside the cafeteria door, and brought the group into the cafeteria.

Being left out, the dog kept barking and seemed to be unhappy. Smiled, Jiang Shaoqing went into the cafeteria, took a few pieces of his favorite food and went back to feed him. Only then did he feel satisfied, laying down on the ground and sleeping lazily.

Qin Mo was chatting with his uncle. Seeing them coming, he took the initiative to stand up.

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Liu Chuan introduced. “You’ve met A-Ce and Shaoqing before, and the other first generation Dragon Song players are Li Xiang, Yu Xiangyang and Lin Tong.” Then he introduced Qin Mo and several members of the Mojue team to everyone. This was the first time they met, so they greeted each other politely.

Lin Tong was a female player, and her character was also very straightforward. After greeting Qin Mo and Qin Ye, she went to play with Liu Xiang and Liu Hong. The three girls hit it off and had a pleasant chat.

“I personally drove to the airport to pick them. Yeye, why don’t you praise me?” The handsome and sunny Li Xiang pleasantly asked Qin Ye for praise.

“You even demand praise after picking up people, how old are you?” Although he had a foul mouth, Qin Ye’s gaze became gentle, standing up to hug Xu Ce and Jing Shaoqing. “Long time no see.”

“Since you’re willing to hug them, why didn’t you hug me?” Liu Chuan was unconvinced.

“I’m afraid of being infected by your shameless behavior,” was Qin Ye’s irrefutable reason.

“…” Liu Chuan, who was rejected, had nothing to say.

“Four blue didn’t come?” Looking around, Xu Ce found a man with elegant temperament seated not too far away eating pastries. Meeting Xu Ce’s gaze, he smiled and waved at everyone. As his legs were too lazy to move, Lan Weiran stayed in his seat and ate by himself.

Xu Ce was speechless. “His laziness is really off the charts. He doesn’t even want to walk a few meters to get over here.”

“He doesn’t want to move his feet, so we can only walk there.” Jiang Shaoqing laughed.

After greeting Lan Weiran, Yu Xiangyang came to Qin Mo and shook hands with him excitedly. “Hehe, Qin Mo, you really came to Dragon Song! This is really good!” He was the owner of Little Fish Internet cafe. When Qin Mo was in Nanjing, he went online there for three days in a row, so Yu Xiangyang was familiar with him.

Qin Mo replied. “How is Xiao Qi?”

“Shen Qi has already started school, but her school is in Nanjing, and she still comes to the Internet cafe to help me on weekends.” Yu Xiangyang replied.

Seeing Yu Xiangyang, Shen He ran over and shouted. “Brother!”

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Yu Xiangyang patted Shen He’s shoulder. “You must follow Qin Mo and Xiao Han and learn properly! Do you understand?”

Shen He promised. “Of course!” After a pause, he grabbed his cousin’s arm and added. “Brother, please take me to meet the great gods. I want to collect all the signatures of the great gods of the Dragon Song in this annual meeting!”

“No problem, let’s go, let me introduce you.” Yu Xiangyang replied straightforwardly.

Excited, Shen He immediately waved, calling Li Muran, Pei Yu and He Beiguang over. Yu Xiangyang enthusiastically took four teenagers to meet the Dragon Song’s seniors.

***

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“Xiao Mo is my nephew,” Qin Ye explained. “His father is my eldest cousin. I am the youngest in my generation of the Qin family. Although Xiao Mo and I are one generation apart, I am only a few years older than him.”

Li Xiang was stunned for a moment, but came to his senses soon enough. “So, Qin Mo is your nephew? Hello, Xiao Mo.”

Qin Mo nodded politely at him. “Hello.”

“What do you want to eat? Let me help you get it.” Li Xiang asked enthusiastically.

Qin Mo was somewhat embarrassed: “Don’t bother, I’ll take it myself.”

“Don’t be polite! You two uncle and nephew just continue to chat, I’ll get the food.” Li Xiang replied enthusiastically.

Qin Ye explained. “Xiao Mo doesn’t like spicy food, please bring him some desserts. You know my taste, just take whatever.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Li Xiang grinned. “I hear and obey!”

He turned to get the food. Xiao Han saw that Qin Mo and Qin Ye’s had stopped their chat, so he brazenly took a plate of fruit and placed it on the table, smiling. “God Ye, eat some fruits.”

“Thank you.” Qin Ye replied.

Then Xiao Han sat down and refused to leave.

***

The scene was getting more lively. Everyone gathered in twos and threes to eat and chat. As Qin Mo was attending Dragon Song’s annual meeting for the first time, Liu Chuan made sure to look out for him, and so came to sit at the same table.

Qin Mo was looking around, so Liu Chuan asked him. “Who are you looking for?”

“… Is Cat God not attending?” Qin Mo asked doubtfully. “None of the Canglan seniors have arrived.”

“Cat God comes late every time.” Liu Chuan replied helplessly. “He doesn’t like to eat the dishes at the noon buffet, and he won’t come until the fish is served. The others will arrive soon, Old Zhang drove to the airport to pick them.”

Qin Mo nodded to show his understanding.

“By the way,” Qin Ye interjected, “I heard from Xiao Mo that Mojue’s team is separated from the club? Liu Chuan, do you only hold 49% of the shares?”

“En, this was put forward by Xiao Han. I don’t have the energy to manage so many teams right now, so it’s easier to just be a shareholder.” Liu Chuan paused. “Why? Are you interested in buying shares?”

“Nothing of that sort,” Qin Ye denied. “I just want to warn you not to bully our family’s Xiao Mo.”

“How could I dare?!” Liu Chuan immediately waved his hand. “Your Qin family is so fierce. Even if I wanted to bully myself, I wouldn’t bully your nephew.”

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Qin Ye laughed, satisfied by Liu Chuan’s reply. “Xiao Mo, you can rest assured and stay in Dragon Song to train. Although I don’t know much about the situation, I have heard that there are many innovations in this new game. Several clubs have sent teams there, and you will definitely have a bright future in this project.”

Qin Mo nodded. “En, Xiao Han and I plan to stay permanently on this new project. This game has a special competition system, and the requirement for the players’ hand speed is also not high, so players can continue competing for much longer.”

“That’s good.” Qin Ye felt relieved.

“By the way, Yeye, I want to discuss something with you, but I don’t know if you will agree.” Liu Chuan suddenly mentioned.

Qin Ye raised his eyebrows. “Get to the point, beating around the bush is not like you.”

Liu Chuan shrugged, and stopped being courteous. “You have been Dragon Song team’s coach for a long time. In recent years, after the new generation of players have grown up, you felt at ease and left Dragon Song. Of course, I didn’t stop you. However, something bad happened to the club after you left. Did you see Shen He of the Mojue team? That is the little guy, he’s Xiao Yu’s cousin.” Liu Chuan pointed to the teenager trailing after Yu Xiangyang, looking for the various great gods to sign his notebook.

Qin Ye nodded. “I see him, why?”

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“He once came to Dragon Song for an interview, but he was rejected by the interviewer,” Liu Chuan explained. “Qin Mo accidentally met him when he was online in Nanjing, and discovered his strong talent. This player is not the same as other players we met before. Qin Mo, you know more about him. Would you like to talk about it?”

Qin Mo nodded. “Shen He is a summoner, and has very good imitation skills. Not only can he imitate a player’s operation, it is also difficult to distinguish between his copy and the original play. I first noticed him because he was imitating the way I played during the Miracle league. Later, I found out that he could imitate the first-class summoners of the Miracle league, Cat God and god Ling. This shows that his imitation ability can be transformed, and that he can learn the essence of the great god’s playstyle in a short time. His flexibility is very strong.”

Hearing this, Qin Ye understood Shen He’s situation. “If such potential players are well trained, they will certainly have great achievements. Didn’t Mojue sign him? Liu Chuan, what do you mean by mentioning him?”

“The key point is Shen He came to our club for an interview when he was 15 years old, but he was rejected by the interviewer. The reasons for his rejection were that he was too young, and that he could only imitate others… If Qin Mo had not met him in Nanjing this time and found that his talent was different from that of ordinary people, this player might have been completely buried.” Liu Chuan replied.

Qin Ye frowned. “Didn’t the interviewer see his potential?”

Liu Chuan sighed. “This is also what saddened me the most. If the interviewer had allowed Shen He to join Dragon Song, then Shen He would have been a front-line player in the professional league, and would not have been delayed for three years.”

Qin Mo also thought it a pity. If it wasn’t for Shen He’s determination to become an esports player -if he had been anyone else- after getting rejected repeatedly after many interviews, he might have given up a long time ago.

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Pausing for a moment, Liu Chuan continued. “The interviews are very important to the club. The newcomers selected from the Dragon Song training camp in the past two years have been a mixed bunch of both good and bad, and there have been some unscrupulous players… There was a guy named Xu Sizhe who lost in the arena, but blamed it on Qin Mo, and even complained to me about Qin Mo. I don’t know how he was admitted. The interviewer should not only look at the winning or losing rate of the players in the two rounds of the arena, but also look at the psychological quality and potential of the players, and comprehensively judge a person’s room for improvement. On this point, the interviewer has obviously not done a good enough job.”

Hearing this, Qin Ye already guessed what Liu Chuan wanted to say next. Sure enough, Liu Chuan grinned at Qin Ye. “So, I want to invite an expert who knows about esports to sit in the interview process. I’ve thought about it, and I think that the most suitable person is you.”

Qin Mo also thought that his uncle would be very suitable to be an interviewer. His requirements were very strict, and he could see the potential of the newcomers with just a glance.

If a club didn’t strictly control the interview process, it would lead to a series of follow-up problems. The interviewer of the club was equivalent to HR of many companies, controlling the entry of new blood with his hands. If the quality of the newcomers admitted to the club kept getting worse, the club would gradually decline, and the consequences would be unimaginable in the long run.

Shen He was rejected by Dragon Song, which made Liu Chuan very concerned. Coupled with Xu Sizhe causing trouble, he immediately inferred that there was a serious problem with the interviewer.

Dragon Song’s interviewer was a retired esports player. Although his strength was good, his ideas were obviously old, and his vision was not so long-term. Liu Chuan wanted to replace him, and transfer him to logistics. This time, he took the opportunity offered by the annual meeting and asked Qin Ye to discuss the matter. “I want you to be the interview and assessment director of Dragon Song club. How about it?”

Qin Ye frowned. Walking over with a plate, Li Xiang listened to their discussion and offered his agreement. “I think it’s a good idea. If Yeye becomes an interviewer, you can find more talented newcomers. Besides, the interviewer doesn’t need to go to work every day and the interviews only take place once a month. I will accompany you by plane to come over then.”

“That’s right, that’s right,” Liu Chuan immediately followed up with more prepared arguments to try and convince Qin Ye. “Although your home is in Xi’an, transportation is so developed nowadays. It’s enough for you to fly here once a month. You should exercise your muscles and bones, and can even earn some extra money along the way.”

Qin Ye remained silent for a few more moments, but eventually nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

He obviously had a deep affection for Dragon Song club. Besides, his nephew Qin Mo also came to Dragon Song, and Liu Chuan took great care of Qin Mo and Xiao Han’s team. Agreeing to Liu Chuan’s request was also to give him some face.

Happy, Liu Chuan immediately told Wu Zewen of this good news.

“It’s good that Yeye is willing to come here,” Wu Zewen replied seriously. “I’ll ask the lawyer to draft the contract when I get back.”

Wu Zewen was very reliable when it came to work-related matters. Still, Qin Ye was quite confused. “Liu Chuan, why did you look for me instead of other great gods?”

“I can’t find anyone else.” Liu Chuan replied helplessly. “There aren’t many experts who have vision and know how to select players. Four Blue is a good teacher and will definitely not resign to help me. Cat God travels around the world freely and wants to eat all kinds of fish. He is more interested in fish than the interviews…”

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As he spoke, a clear voice sounded from behind. “You really do understand me! Is the grilled fish ready yet?”

“Speak of the devil, and he shall come.” Standing up, Liu Chuan smiled. “Have you already caught the scent of the grilled fish?”

“Of course,” Li Cangyu replied, “My nose is very good.” He sat down at the table, offering Qin Mo a reassuring smile. “Your master has returned to Shanghai.”

Qin Mo nodded. “En, I know. He sent me a WeChat, saying that there was something to deal with over at Wind Colour.”

“He went to teach Yuan Xi and Qiu Zongping a lesson.” Li Cangyu replied bluntly.

Qin Mo. “…” A silent tribute for the both of them.

Xiao Han stood up consciously. “Master, let me bring you some grilled fish.”

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“En, en, take two more plates.” Li Cangyu replied.

After Xiao Han left, Li Cangyu asked. “I just heard Liu Chuan say that he wants to invite god Ye back to be an interviewer?”

“That’s right.” Liu Chuan smiled. “I’d like to invite you, too. However, your goal of eating fish from all over the world has not been achieved, and I don’t think you will agree.”

Li Cangyu laughed. “I’ve just been to Europe, and I plan to travel Africa next year. You can handle the club’s business.”

Everyone. “…”

Worthy of being the most powerful foodie great god in the whole league.

Xiao Han promptly returned with the two plates of fish, causing people to get hungry.

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Li Cangyu’s eyes brightened. Picking up his chopsticks, he began to eat fish, no longer bothering to chat.

“Master, brother Shu and Bai Xuan haven’t arrived yet?” Xiao Han asked.

Li Cangyu replied. “Old Zhang drove to the airport to pick them up early in the morning. They should be here soon!”

……

All the other great gods of Canglan team finally arrived at noon. The uncle who walked in front looked a little older, his beard was not shaved, and his face was full of laughter. Behind him were master swordsman Xie Shurong and world-class milk god Bai Xuan. These people were all players from the Miracle professional league, whom Qin Mo knew.

Seeing them arrive, Qin Mo and Xiao Han stood up immediately.

Bai Xuan smiled gently. “I have long heard Cat God say that Twin Stars has joined hands to build a team. I really didn’t expect Xiao Mo to come back.”

“This is very good,” Xie Shurong patted Qin Mo’s shoulder. “In the future, you can teach Xiao Han more Chinese. So, if Xiao Han posts a Weibo photo and tries matching it with a poem, it won’t be so strange!”

The current active team members of Canglan, Zhuo Hang, Li Xiaojiang and Gu Siming all ran over, greeting their seniors warmly.

Li Cangyu was too busy eating fish to greet everyone.

Bai Xuan looked at him helplessly. “Someone hasn’t greeted us. It seems as if we are not as important as fish?”

“That’s right, we are not as delicious as a fish.” Xie Shurong added.

Finally, Li Cangyu raised his head and replied. “I’ll come to you when I finish eating. Don’t you understand that grilled fish should be eaten while it’s hot? You go get your own food first.”

Laughing, everyone dispersed and went to grab their own plates.

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***

There were always people who couldn’t attend the annual meetings of Dragon Song club in recent years because of various issues. Only rarely was there a complete attendance by all the great gods.

This year, all the players from Dragon Song and Canglan teams were on the scene. Even Lan Weiran and Qin Ye, who had been hidden for a long time, made an appearance. Xie Shurong and Bai Xuan also flew back specially from abroad just to attend the meeting. The whole cafeteria was full of great gods. Although Qin Mo was the captain of Mojue, his qualifications were too low when compared with these senior great gods.

These senior players had left behind a brilliant legacy in the esports competition circle.

Liu Chuan, Qin Ye, and Lan Weiran, the three famous Dragon Song gods, Li Cangyu, the first generation captain of the national team, Xie Shurong, who had played abroad, the divine healer Bai Xuan that had attracted worldwide attention, and so on. Everyone’s experience was admired by the newcomers in the esports competition circle.

Times had changed, and although they had left the league, stories about them had been handed down to this day.

Esports league players had been replaced by generations of new and old players. Qin Mo was now only a captain of the new generation and a younger generation of players in the hearts of many great gods, but he believed that after the Peerless Jianghu league was started, in a few years, he and Xiao Han could also become veterans of the Peerless Jianghu league.

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Perhaps at the annual meeting in a few years, more inexperienced newcomers would come to them to ask for signatures.

The Dragon Song club was founded by Liu Chuan and had developed to this scale. The players had changed many times, but the only constant was the spirit of Dragon Song which had been passed down.

Calmly face victory or defeat, never be discouraged in the face of difficulties, advance even in the face of any major setbacks—— this was the spirit of esports that all the players of Dragon Song club would adhere to.