Compared to the girl's deliberate avoidance of the topic, Park Canlie, the chief supervisor of SSK Club, was much more direct and honest when faced with Han Shihao's questioning.
"I think —"
"I probably saw an 'old friend' in the training room just now."
However, there was no further detailed explanation for this sentence. Since he couldn't get a satisfactory answer from Han Shihao, he immediately took out his mobile phone and dialed a series of phone numbers.
"Hello, Brother Zhixuan?"
"Brother, it's me, Canlie. Long time no see."
"Are you still in Seoul? Yes, yes, yes, I'm in the UK with the club. Let's go for a barbecue when we get back. Hahaha, we can invite your wife too."
"Oh right, there's something I need to trouble you with, brother."
"Yes, during the S1 season, the China team that won second place should still have the information of the other members, except for the five players who participated in the match."
"Maybe there's not much in the official information, so if it's possible, some of the videos from the scene would be fine. It would be great if you could send them all to me."
"Yes, it's nothing. I'm just suddenly interested in the past. Please."
"Okay, thank you, brother. We'll meet again when we get back."
Park Canlie kept a bright and enthusiastic smile on his face as he talked to the person on the other end of the phone. It wasn't until the call ended that the smile on the young chief supervisor's face slowly disappeared.
Han Shihao, who was listening from the side, frowned even more. He looked at Park Canlie with more questions in his eyes.
"Che Zhixuan?"
If he guessed correctly, the person on the other end of the phone should be the person in charge of Riot's official Korean division. His status was almost half a level higher than the vice president of the Korean eSports Association.
Listening to the conversation just now, he didn't expect his chief supervisor to have such a personal relationship with such a high-ranking person. It was as if he had easily succeeded in getting the other party's help.
Park Canlie looked up at Han Shihao and shrugged nonchalantly.
"Yes."
"Brother Zhixuan and I have been friends for six or seven years. We often go out for drinks and barbecue. Back then, he was just a small worker in our Korea Telecommunications Association."
Han Shihao sneered when he heard that.
"So you've been plotting against me since a long time ago?"
"You're not the only one with such connections, right?"
Pu Canlie laughed.
"Of course."
"It's always good to get to know more friends. Take this person for example. If you cultivate your relationship with him, who knows when he'll come in handy."
Han Shihao evaluated coldly, "Then you really have great foresight."
Although it seemed to be a compliment, it sounded full of undisguised mockery.
Park Canlie didn't seem to be angry at all. He shook his head as if he didn't care. "Of course you can look down on me. As a professional esports player, you just need to focus on your own training and competitions. However, the club also needs people like me to stand behind you. Both of us are indispensable."
It was indeed the truth.
Han Shihao was not a fool. He knew this, so he had nothing to refute. However, he frowned again.
"Is the person you mentioned that important?"
"Does he need to use this important connection that you've cultivated and managed?"
It was extremely rare for him to see the chief supervisor of the club in front of him, who had always been at odds with him, so concerned about a certain matter and a certain person. Although the conversation on the phone seemed extremely relaxed and smooth, and the laughter from the other end of the phone was warm and hearty, it was obvious that there was a price to pay for the help of such a high-ranking person.
Pu Canlie didn't give a direct answer to Han Shihao's question. Instead, he asked a question abruptly.
"The finals of the S1 season."
"What do you think your chances of winning against the China team would have been without me?"
Han Shihao was stunned by the question.
After a long silence, the world's number one mid laner, the winner of the S1 season, slowly opened his mouth.
"Without you, our chances of winning would have been reduced by 10%."
Even though Han Shihao had never liked the chief supervisor in front of him, he would still be realistic when it came to this kind of issue. As the team leader and coach of the S1 season, the importance and contribution of the man in front of him to the team couldn't be ignored.
And you know …
At that time, the set of best-of-five matches had been played for a full five matches. The final winner couldn't be determined until the last moment. The strength of the two teams was about 50-50.
So, if he reduced his chances of winning by 10% in that way ….
It almost meant that the world championship trophy would have changed hands.
Everything that happened after that might have been completely different.
Hearing this, Pu Canlie laughed again.
"10%?"
"It's rare to hear such a compliment from you. Thank you. In my opinion, it's indeed about 10%."
Han Shihao looked at the young director in front of him.
"What are you trying to say?"
Pu Canlie's smile didn't fade, but the light in his eyes was slightly dim.
"I think … as a coach, I helped you increase your chances of winning by 10%."
"Then what about your opponents?"
"Do you really think that the team from the Chinese region can rely on Maple and his other teammates to fight to a standstill with you guys, who have my help in planning and executing the moves?"
At this point, there was no longer any euphemism or concealment.
He directly pointed out a certain truth.
Han Shihao finally reacted. His expression suddenly shook.
"You mean —"
Pu Canlie's narrow and feminine eyes narrowed slightly.
"The one behind them."
"The one who helped increase their team's chances of winning by at least … 15%."
…
Manchester City, the city center.
A black SUV slowly stopped in front of a towering office building.
The car door opened and Number One and the others got out of the car.
Number One looked up at the office building in front of him.
"Yes, we're here."
Number Three, who was walking over, put his hand on his palm and looked at the office building from top to bottom. He clicked his tongue and said, "I didn't expect the World Telecommunications Association to have such a branch in Manchester. How impressive."
Number Four smiled. "Professional esports has been getting better and better in recent years. The status of the World Telecommunications Association has also risen. Compared to back then, it's naturally much stronger."
Number Two commented coldly, "Greedy for extravagance. The stench of money is getting stronger and stronger."
Number Three tilted his head and mocked.
"You can only say this to us now. You have to be careful when you go up later. Otherwise, you'll be finished if you provoke those stubborn old fogeys of the World Telecommunications Association."
Number Four nodded and warned his companion, "Yes, later … you really have to be careful with your words."
Number Two frowned and answered impatiently, "Got it, got it. I know what I'm doing."
Number Five couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh. "It's hard on Number Two. But it's just a little hard work. It'll be fine when we're done."
Number One looked at his companions and waved his hand casually.
"Alright."
"Let's go up."
"We've waited for so long. It's time for the show."
*****
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