August 17th, Wednesday.

DGE Esports Club.

Yesterday, after hearing that Mr. Pei had agreed to sell players, Team Leader Su immediately decided to come to Jingzhou today, hoping to finalize the contract that very day.

It was rushed, but necessary.

Because such good players might be gone if they waited even one more day!

Team Leader Su came this time with thorough preparation. The club owner had given a strict order – no matter what, they must acquire Huang Wang!

If negotiations failed, they would add more money; if adding money didn’t work, they would appeal to emotions; if all else failed, they would grab Mr. Pei’s legs and cry desperately. In short, H4 Club was determined and sparing no expense, setting quite a high ceiling for the transfer fee.

Because H4 Club had already vaguely sensed the changing winds.

GOG was aggressively expanding into overseas markets, with Tenda Group throwing money around; they were hosting GOG international invitational tournaments with huge prize pools; streaming platforms had begun promoting GOG players with skyrocketing signing fees…

All signs indicated that GOG would become the next focal point in esports.

Because Tenda had ambition, streaming platforms were paying attention, and the player base was massive enough.

Therefore, after careful analysis, H4 Club’s management unanimously decided to address the current team’s weakness by bringing in a powerful mid-laner!

They had already achieved second place in the previous GOG competition. Considering that foreign clubs were just beginning to form their GOG divisions, being second in China meant being second in the world.

H4 Club had fought a grueling five-game battle in the finals before losing, which proved their overall strength was sufficient – it was just the mid lane player who had dragged them down.

If they could bring in a strong mid-laner, wouldn’t they have a great chance at competing for the one-million-dollar prize in the World Invitational?

Of course, for the club, they would only get a portion of that million-dollar prize, but what the club cared about most wasn’t the prize money, but rather reputation, exposure, and honor.

Winning the world championship would bring sponsors and streaming platforms flocking to their door – how could they not make money then?

So this time, to acquire Huang Wang, H4 Club had given Team Leader Su strict orders.

“Team Leader Su, please wait a moment. Mr. Pei said he’ll be here soon. Have some tea first,” Zhang Yuan served tea to Team Leader Su, who quickly accepted it with a nod. “No problem, I’m not in a hurry.”

After hearing that Mr. Pei was open to selling, Team Leader Su had immediately booked tickets and arrived in Jingzhou early at 7 AM.

He didn’t know that Mr. Pei was still sleeping soundly at this hour; he thought Mr. Pei was handling other company matters.

While drinking tea, Team Leader Su recalled his mission for today.

Regarding whether DGE Club players were non-transferable, people had different opinions.

Some believed that Mr. Pei wasn’t short of money, maintaining this club was expensive, and Mr. Pei didn’t seem to be using it for profit or even participating in official competitions – it was likely just for his own gaming enjoyment, he had good relationships with the players, and probably wouldn’t sell them.

Others believed that nothing in this world is unsellable if the price is right.

Team Leader Su thought both views had merit.

To buy a player from Mr. Pei would certainly require paying a higher price, especially at this critical juncture when all clubs were eyeing the influence and prize money of the first International Invitational. If H4 Club hesitated even slightly, the player might be bought by another club.

Mr. Pei might not care about the specific figure of the transfer fee, but he would certainly care about the sincerity behind that number.

Team Leader Su couldn’t help feeling anxious, wondering if the figure he had prepared would satisfy Mr. Pei.

After waiting for over half an hour, Mr. Pei arrived.

“Mr. Pei! Hello!” Team Leader Su quickly stood up to shake hands with Mr. Pei.

“Team Leader Su, hello!” Pei Qian likewise had an enthusiastic smile on his face.

Team Leader Su felt warmth in his heart – Mr. Pei was truly approachable!

He clearly understood that he was the one asking for a favor, wanting to buy a player from Mr. Pei, so his attitude needed to be humble.

What he didn’t expect was that Mr. Pei showed no superior attitude whatsoever, but instead was so warm toward him.

However, what he didn’t know was that in Mr. Pei’s eyes, he was practically a savior!

Yesterday, upon first hearing that H4 Club was interested in buying Huang Wang, Pei Qian was overjoyed.

Great! Thank you, H4 Club, for saving me from disaster!

Currently, in the entire DGE Club, Huang Wang was the biggest headache for Pei Qian.

Huang Wang’s greatest threat to Pei Qian was that he was a streaming genius. After streaming for some time, with strong promotion from Yayi Streaming, his popularity had become incredibly high.

During the Meme Competition, Huang Wang’s popularity had risen even higher with each victory of DGE’s two teams.

If nothing was done, Huang Wang would at best bring more sponsorships to the club, and at worst turn other teammates into popular streamers too, causing the entire club’s popularity to explode instantaneously.

This wasn’t impossible.

Although the other players didn’t have Huang Wang’s eloquence, they worked out daily and looked decent. As long as Huang Wang duo-queued with them, boosted their popularity, and they turned on their cameras, plus with the DGE Club tag, they would become popular too.

By that time, it would be too late for regrets!

So Pei Qian felt that Huang Wang was the root of all current problems at DGE Club, and H4 Club’s willingness to buy him was like sending charcoal in snowy weather – exactly what he needed!

As for Huang Wang continuing to gain popularity at H4 Club, that would be H4’s problem, not related to DGE Club, and at least he wouldn’t influence the other players.

Moreover, Huang Wang himself would certainly have no objections, as he couldn’t participate in official competitions while staying at DGE Club.

A transfer fee was inevitable – although Pei Qian wanted to waive it, giving away a player still under contract to another club for free would violate regulations, and the system wouldn’t allow it.

However, the transfer fee was a result of friendly negotiation and mutual agreement between both parties. Whether higher or lower, the system wouldn’t interfere.

Pei Qian decided to apply his traditional advantage: reverse bargaining!

Let the other side make an offer first, then he would mention some of Huang Wang’s shortcomings to make them lower the price, until they couldn’t go any lower, then he would gladly accept.

In short, earning less is still earning something!

Pei Qian, Zhang Yuan, and Team Leader Su came to the conference room and began their friendly meeting.

Seeing Mr. Pei’s enthusiasm, Team Leader Su was deeply moved and decided to directly state the transfer fee initially set by the club to show his sincerity.

If Mr. Pei had any doubts about this amount, they could increase it further.

Team Leader Su took a sip of tea and said, “Mr. Pei, I’ve already discussed many issues with Manager Zhang yesterday. So, let me get straight to the point today.”

“H4 Club is indeed in desperate need of a mid laner, so we’re eagerly seeking talent! Huang Wang is a player our club greatly admires. We’re willing to pay a 1.5 million transfer fee, plus an 800,000 signing bonus and 800,000 annual salary for Huang Wang personally. We hope Mr. Pei can part with him!”

Pei Qian’s teacup stopped just before reaching his lips.

So high?

This figure was truly beyond Pei Qian’s expectations.

Pei Qian did recall some players receiving eight-figure signing fees, but that was after six or seven years of professional league operation. Now, still in the early stages, how could they offer so much?

As he recalled, during LOL’s S2, domestic clubs just provided meals, with players’ monthly salaries at only a few thousand yuan, and even this was more generous than in other esports.

But H4 Club was starting with a 1.5 million transfer fee, an 800,000 signing bonus, and an 800,000 annual salary?

Surely they must be trying to mess with him?

Pei Qian calculated quickly – the 1.5 million transfer fee would go to the club. If one player sold for 1.5 million, wouldn’t ten players sell for 15 million?

This was outrageous!

The key was that since its establishment, the DGE Club hadn’t even spent that much money!

The villa was rented at a friendly price from Mr. Li, computers were provided by ROF custom builds, they ate at Slackin’ Takeout, worked out at Tuoguan Fitness, and even the utilities were discounted by Mingyun Mountain Villa.

As for player salaries and expenses for away training matches, there wasn’t much either!

Between accepting sponsorships and selling players, they were making crazy money. His club-running venture was an utter failure!

Pei Qian thought for a moment and felt this price was unacceptable.

He needed to mention more of Huang Wang’s shortcomings, giving Team Leader Su some hints.

After some consideration, Pei Qian said, “Team Leader Su, about Huang Wang, he’s quite a chatterbox. He talks a lot during matches, which might affect others. You need to consider this carefully.”

Team Leader Su was stunned.

What did Mr. Pei mean?

On the surface, it seemed like he was picking out Huang Wang’s flaws?

Huang Wang is talkative? Yes, everyone knows that.

Huang Wang talks a lot during matches and might affect others? Well, that’s predictable too.

Could it be that Mr. Pei was trying to lower his own player’s price?

That’s impossible!

These players were Mr. Pei’s treasures. How could he possibly devalue them himself?

Oh, I understand now!

Mr. Pei is speaking in reverse, he’s giving hints!

Team Leader Su thought briefly and immediately understood Mr. Pei’s true meaning.

Huang Wang being talkative, speaking a lot during matches, easily influencing others – translated, this meant:

Huang Wang isn’t just a mid laner; he’s also the team captain and shot-caller for the second team! As a shot-caller, his improvement to team tactics would be immediate and obvious. At the same time, he could influence teammates, serving as the team’s core leader.

Buying Huang Wang would improve the team much more than buying just a top-tier mid laner.

So, they needed to add more money!

As expected of Mr. Pei, even when raising the price, he did it so politely, fully considering their dignity.

Team Leader Su got the message and, after thinking for a moment, said, “Mr. Pei, we were inconsiderate.”

“How about this: 2 million transfer fee, 1.2 million signing bonus, and 900,000 annual salary. What do you think?”

Pei Qian was bewildered.

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