Chapter 596 - Garbage Sorting (1/2)

Obviously, H4 could only come in second place because of the lessons they had learned from DGE.

Put in another way, GOG’s competition displayed high standards across the board, mainly because of the DGE Club’s lessons!

If DGE had not repeatedly trained all the other clubs, they would not have developed their battle tactics so quickly, much less put up such an exciting performance.

Team Leader Su knew full well that, if the DGE Club had been allowed to take part in the competition, the championship trophy would have gone to them. The only question would have been which of DGE’s teams would have won.

It was a pity that DGE was Boss Pei’s own team and that it was directly connected to the organizers. As a result, they regrettably could not take part in the competition.

Feeling emotional, Team Leader Su said, “Boss Zhang, I heard that several clubs that had been observing all this time had just decided to set up GOG teams after watching yesterday’s competition.”

Before this, Team Leader Su had thought that Zhang Yuan was a team leader, just like him. However, after visiting DGE, he realized that a more accurate title for Zhang Yuan would have been ‘Team Manager’. Thus, he started addressing Zhang Yuan differently as well.

“The situation is clear now. IOI is finished in the local industry. GOG has an unshakable stronghold.

“IOI’s three attacks in the arms race stood no chance against GOG’s. More importantly, IOI had not done anything wrong. It had made use of all the right marketing channels, and yet it still could not win GOG. That’s enough to prove how impressive and powerful GOG is.

“That’s why all the clubs are responding in this manner. If they had to choose one team to set up, they would choose GOG.

“After all, it would be far more worth it to focus on reaping all the benefits available within the country before trying to take part in an illusory international competition.”

Zhang Yuan casually asked, “How sure are they that there are so many benefits to reap?”

Team Leader Su smiled. “Boss Zhang, you’re asking the obvious.

“Before this, GOG came up with a rewards system based on the ranking charts and partnered Fish-Catching Internet Cafe to create a Great Esports Ecosystem. Now, it has even organized a competition… aren’t the intentions clear as day?

“Boss Pei has big plans for the game!

“For all we know, Boss Pei would continue to organize large-scale competitions or even establish a complete professional league. Then, our clubs would benefit from Tengda’s success, and our days would get better.

“We’re not blind. Of course, we can still see these things for ourselves.

“Alright, Boss Zhang. We’ll meet again in the future. You’re welcome in Shanghai—Nevermind, we will come to Jingzhou more often.”

Team Leader Su had intended to extend a warm invitation to Zhang Yuan at first. However, he quickly recalled the state of their training ground at home and then decided to drop it.

Zhang Yuan laughed and said, “Alright, you’re always welcome!”

Team members from both teams shook hands.

“We’ve already agreed—we’ll play a ranked game together when we get back!”

“We’ll organize another mock competition in the near future!”

As he saw the two rented cars driving away, Huang Wang sighed.

“Too bad we couldn’t take part. We would have been the champions for sure.”

Old Zhou: “D*mn right, we would.”

Obviously, both teams were very disappointed.

Although DGE’s environment and treatment far surpassed the other clubs’, the team members still wanted to compete on stage, win a trophy, and enjoy being applauded and cheered for.

That was every professional athlete’s ultimate dream. Material conditions alone could not replace that.

Coach Yaling smiled. “Don’t think too much, everyone. Boss Pei definitely has other plans for you.”

They all looked at her suspiciously. “Is that so?”

Coach Yaling nodded. “Of course.

“Boss Pei personally set your training schedule, hired me to train you, planned additional meals and adequate nutrition for you, and hired a professional masseuse. He even provided a lot of funds for all of you to travel to various cities for mock competitions…

“Just think about it. If the DGE Club remained hidden under wraps without participating in any competitions, who would stand to lose the most?

“Boss Pei, obviously!

“If Boss Pei didn’t have other plans for you, would it make sense for him to cultivate two strong esports teams and keep them under wraps? Of course not.

“That means Boss Pei probably does have other plans. Don’t think about it, everyone. Just train hard. I believe that you will get a chance to stand on that stage one day!”

Everyone nodded one by one, thinking that what Coach Yaling had said made sense.

That’s right. Boss Pei had invested so much money into the club. He can’t possibly intend for us not to be seen or heard, right?

He must have other plans!

Don’t overthink—just train hard to maintain our standard. Our chance will come!

…

“Achoo!”

Back in his office, Pei Qian sneezed out of nowhere. He quickly wrapped the blanket tighter around himself.

Zhang Wang had just paid him a visit earlier to deliver a piece of good news. Manufacturing of the Fully-Automated Bicker Machines was complete! All of them were stacked up in the warehouses!

The warehouses couldn’t fit anything else now, but Upwind Logistics and Fish-Catching Internet Cafe both needed a lot more storage space. That was why Zhang Wang’s head hurt and also why he had come to ask Boss Pei for advice.

Pei Qian had waved his hand and said, “Isn’t that easy?

“If the warehouses are full, just rent a few more! How big of a problem is that?”

Zhang Wang had originally intended to ask Boss Pei for tips on how to sell all the Fully-Automated Bickering Machines off.

The last thing that he had expected was for Boss Pei not to take the bait. Instead, he skipped the problem with the Fully-Automated Bickering Machines entirely and told them to rent a few more warehouses.

Helpless, Zhang Wang could only follow his instructions.

Once Zhang Wang left, Pei Qian checked how all of his businesses were doing and then decided that he had to make a trip to Shang Yang Games.

GOG’s competition had completely overshadowed IOI’s over the weekend. That must have been a big blow for everyone at Shang Yang Games, who had probably lost their fighting spirit and enthusiasm.

Still, that couldn’t be helped. Boss Pei had tried his best.

In fact, Pei Qian concluded that continuing to struggle would be pointless. He wanted to shorten their pain and turn IOI’s local server into a loss-incurring machine.

At that thought, he stood up to leave his office for Shang Yang Games, where he could check in on his employees.

…

In Shang Yang Games’ conference room…

Pei Qian and everyone at the office had nothing to say to one another. The atmosphere took a slight downturn.

That’s right… What should I say?

Ever since they started managing IOI’s local server, they had made three attacks. Yet, each time, GOG managed to completely deflect it. They had spent a considerable amount of money, but all of it had only served to aid GOG.

Now, GOG’s place in the market was as stable and unshakable as a mountain.

They already lost three times; could they still avoid admitting defeat? Did they really have to be defeated seven times before they gave up?