“As FV team easily wins the championship with three 3:0 victories, this year’s IOI global finals comes to a perfect conclusion. For domestic players, FV team’s stunning performance in Los Angeles undoubtedly left a colorful mark in our nation’s esports history, creating beautiful memories we can cherish forever.”
“If this scene hadn’t happened in reality, who could imagine that just months ago, this absolutely dominant team was practically unknown? The team’s five main players were wandering without homes.”
“When the right five people come together, they unleash energy that amazes the world. But what I want to emphasize is—who brought these right five people together? Who assembled FV’s ultimate coaching staff?”
“Actually, looking back at FV team’s departure photo to Los Angeles, you’ll be surprised to find that many seemingly ordinary people actually have significant backgrounds!”
“Let me now reveal the identities of everyone in this dream team!”
“When I first saw this photo, like most people, I thought it was making a mountain out of a molehill. Combined, the other two clubs don’t have as many people as FV alone. Is such a grand entourage necessary for a competition?”
“But after investigating their identities, I realized what a powerful dream team this was!”
“First, FV team’s five starting players and Coach Zhou—no need to explain, everyone knows them. Then beside them is FV’s owner Wu Yue and Manager Lu, next to them is FV’s second team strengthened from the original three players, then SUG’s main team members and owner Ding Gaan…”
“Many previously claimed FV team couldn’t get practice matches, other teams wouldn’t schedule with them, but actually the second team and SUG were continuously sparring partners!”
“Of course, that’s not the main point. The key lies in these unfamiliar faces—they’re the core of FV’s dream coaching team!”
“This is Min Jingchao, GOG’s current lead designer responsible for all numerical and balance design. This is Ye Zhizhou, Shangyang Games’ lead designer. Remember when IOI was once operated domestically by Shangyang Games? He was in charge then.”
“And this skinny, rebellious-looking guy has an even bigger background—he’s Tenda’s legendary ‘Traveler Bao Xu,’ multiple-time runner-up for excellent employee, a Tenda veteran member! Reportedly involved in several of Tenda’s successful games. He’s not just great at designing games but playing them too—a hardcore player in many games!”
“In other words, FV team’s strategy team includes not only their original coaches and analysts but also GOG’s designers and former GOG tactical masters! No wonder they could naturally adapt GOG tactics to IOI matches!”
This post immediately sparked heated discussion.
Actually, this group photo had been on FV team’s official Weibo for a while, but back then people focused on the numbers, not investigating specific identities.
Only now did people realize—GOG’s lead designer personally went to Los Angeles to analyze data for FV team?
This was incredible!
GOG’s lead designer plus DGE’s former core member Coach Zhou—these two had the top understanding of GOG. One providing in-game data support, the other creating tactics based on team conditions. Together, they were unstoppable.
Most importantly, they weren’t fighting alone. GPL teams’ coaches and analysts constantly developed tactics, giving Coach Zhou a vast resource library to draw from; Min Jingchao could also have other GOG designers help analyze game data.
Now it seemed FV’s support team had essentially brought over GOG’s entire development team and GPL’s tactical reserves. This wasn’t an expedition—it was base camping!
Who orchestrated this? Need we ask?
Though Wu Yue owned FV club, what power did he have to recruit GOG designers and DGE coaches for tactical analysis?
Obviously it required Mr. Pei’s involvement to make this possible!
“Turns out this championship still goes back to Mr. Pei!”
“Mr. Pei’s tireless efforts for our nation’s esports—first organizing GPL, bringing in capital, creating favorable conditions for domestic esports development; then personally sending top designers for tactical analysis to help domestic teams win IOI championship!”
“Thinking about it, without Mr. Pei’s support, FV probably couldn’t have won. These matches essentially showcased tactical dominance; individual player skills weren’t significantly different. Without Mr. Pei… the outcome of this IOI championship would have been unthinkable!”
“Thank you, Mr. Pei!”
“Mr. Pei, our domestic esports savior!”
…
Meanwhile, Pei Qian, having just watched the match, was browsing forums and saw this post, freezing in his shock.
FV team’s 3:0 crushing victory was already a heavy blow.
This post added insult to injury!
“What do you mean, FV winning the championship is all my fault?”
“Outrageous!”
“Min Jingchao, Ye Zhizhou, Bao Xu… I sent you on vacation! Wu Yue can’t command you guys, why were you so proactive, working so hard on tactical analysis for FV!”
“Damn it!”
Pei Qian set down his phone, too angry to speak coherently.
FV team winning the IOI championship was a disaster!
This championship’s prize money and skin royalties were substantial. From a $3 million pool plus 25% skin sales revenue, the champion gets 50%, clubs get 20% after tax—not much money but infuriating!
That wasn’t even the main problem. The critical issue was FV club’s brand value!
As IOI world champions, how many fans would they gain after this? How many sponsors would come knocking? How high would club shares rise?
Players also gained fans. If streaming platforms signed them at high prices, per regulations clubs would take a cut—more money…
Pei Qian felt desperate.
If FV had just won second place, there wouldn’t be so many issues. First and second place are worlds apart.
But everything had happened; it was too late for remedies!
As Pei Qian brooded, his phone rang.
Looking at it, surprisingly Wu Yue was calling from Los Angeles.
Pei Qian’s mouth twitched as he reluctantly answered.
Obviously reporting good news!
Soon Wu Yue’s excited voice came through: “Mr. Pei! Did you watch the match? We won!”
Pei Qian forced praise: “Mm, well played.”
Getting praise energized Wu Yue: “It’s because of your perfect logistical support! Whether lodging, hotels, all highest standards, plus security, guides, nutritionists—players had no worries, could focus entirely on preparation!”
“The coaching team was crucial too. Min, Ye, and Bao all dedicated themselves wholeheartedly, analyzing every hero’s data in detail!”
“Without your strategic planning, Mr. Pei, we definitely couldn’t have won this championship!”
Pei Qian felt melancholy, casually asking: “How much prize money will the club get?”
Wu Yue answered honestly: “Just asked Finger Company officials—currently about $1.8 million from skin revenue entered the prize pool. With the original $3 million, champions get half, after tax clubs get 20%…”
“Roughly $400,000, about 3 million RMB!”
“Foreign prize distribution takes time though, might take a while to actually receive it.”
“But don’t worry, Mr. Pei. Though this money doesn’t cover our Los Angeles expenses—we spent 4 million—sponsors are already approaching! Just taking a few advertisements as a club will earn this back!”
“Mr. Pei, thank you for trusting us. This 4 million wasn’t wasted—whether business class flights or hotel expenses, after winning the championship, it’s all earned back! Long-term, we made big profits!”
Pei Qian was speechless.
Like hell we made profits!
My money was all wasted!
He thought sending FV’s group to Los Angeles for fun would easily blow 4 million, but now discovered not only was 4 million not spent, they actually made cash back, plus gained a world-famous club!
What was this?
A huge loss!
The more Pei Qian thought about it, the angrier he got. This couldn’t end here.
“When’s your flight back?”
Wu Yue paused: “Uh, tomorrow afternoon LA time, Mr. Pei. Tomorrow morning players want to explore LA, buy some things to take home. After all, we rarely visit America, and training left no shopping time.”
Pei Qian said: “True, rare to travel abroad, should make the most of it! How about you stay another week? Extend the hotel, take players sightseeing properly. Besides, tourism needn’t be limited to LA—visit other cities too, club will reimburse!”
Wu Yue hesitated: “Ah? Mr. Pei, that’s not appropriate? New Year’s approaching, some players don’t mind, but others, being abroad so long, want to go home for the holiday…”
Pei Qian considered: “Well… good point.”
“Spring Festival is our traditional holiday; need to reunite with family.”
“Then return home first, after the holiday, reassemble everyone for another America trip, making up this week of vacation!”
…
On the other end, Wu Yue demurred slightly, seeing Mr. Pei’s firm attitude, finally agreed.
Hanging up, Wu Yue felt awed.
Mr. Pei’s generosity! No words could express his admiration!
What other boss was this reliable besides Mr. Pei?
Probably none.
After the match, players returned to the hotel, then gathered for a celebratory dinner.
Everyone was happy. During the past month in LA, everyone had devoted themselves to preparing for this competition.
Bao Xu and Min Jingchao were also eating and chatting, faces beaming with joy.
For Bao Xu, this month wasn’t bad.
Though traveling abroad, compared to previous trips this was most relaxing. No exhausting sightseeing schedules, just shuttling between hotel and internet cafes.
So Bao Xu had it comfortable.
But no matter how comfortable, nowhere compared to home. Bao Xu couldn’t wait to return home and relax.
Then Wu Yue stood up.
“Good news everyone! Mr. Pei was thrilled about our championship and approved a seven-day US tour after we return home!”
“I’ve scheduled it for next month. No need to worry about missing out—we’ll be back soon to play extensively, visiting all popular American cities and attractions!”
“Mr. Pei said everyone’s invited, no one’s exempt!”
As Wu Yue finished, everyone spontaneously applauded and cheered!
Players had been training seriously, doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and scrimmaging. A month in America without seeing anything.
Hearing about another seven-day paid vacation was wonderful!
But hearing this, Bao Xu froze, fork holding a steak piece, suspended mid-air.
Mr. Pei said… no one’s exempt?
So after just returning home he’d have to come out again!
This news hit like lightning, completely stunning Bao Xu.
Min Jingchao sitting beside him whispered: “Next month? Then it’s fine, Brother Bao, timing should work perfect.”
Bao Xu was confused: “What works perfect?”
Min Jingchao smiled: “The annual meeting vacation exactly fills the gap!”
“Oh right, Brother Bao doesn’t know yet.”
“This year’s annual meeting, you won another five-day trip to any city! We didn’t tell you immediately to avoid affecting your mindset. Now the match is over, can tell you.”
“Perfect timing—after New Year, Brother Bao uses this five-day trip, then seamlessly transitions to joining us in America.”
“Isn’t this scheduling perfect?”
Bao Xu’s jaw dropped, frozen in place, momentarily speechless.