【60】 Wind: I’ll Pay the Twenty-Seven Million part 1
Wen Ran’s statement was too bold; the live broadcast was cut off immediately.
It went to commercials.
As Ling Xiao developed to its current state as a massive hit game with a broad audience, the phenomenon of betting on matches naturally existed.
Esports is a cruel industry. It’s a “youth meal” (short career). Very few can maintain their form forever. The thing that is least lacking is talented rookies with strength. Some might peak upon debut, chased by fans, earning a lot even from streaming. Others might sit on the bench until retirement without ever playing a match, mediocre and without a single chance to shine.
As long as one isn’t discovered, manipulating a game slightly can earn more money than one makes in a year. With so many teams, there are always some who can’t resist the temptation to earn this “quick money.” Just the number of players penalized for match-fixing every year amounts to dozens.
With things blowing up like this, the host couldn’t salvage the situation at all.
Qiu Shan was extremely embarrassed. He never thought that Wen Ran, his own teammate, would be the first to stand up and say he was match-fixing.
Backstage, he actively blocked Wen Ran, his face dark. “Dawn, what did you mean just now?”
“Did I not express my meaning clearly enough?” Wen Ran said. “Or do you need me to present you with an Oscar?”
“You!”
Qiu Shan’s face turned green. Although he always knew Wen Ran had a toxic mouth, he never expected Wen Ran to use it on him.
Although the broadcast was cut quickly, #QiuShan MatchFixing still rushed onto the hot search, followed closely by hashtags #DS Team Relations and #Dawn Backstabs Teammate.
[To be honest, although Qiu Shan performed a bit poorly today, it’s not to the extent of calling it match-fixing, right?]
[Yeah, calling it match-fixing is such a huge insult to a player.]
[Although I’m not a fan, Qiu Shan has been with DS for so long, fighting with the team. Even if there’s no merit, there’s hard work.]
[Besides, Qiu Shan is about to retire. There’s no need! Ruining his reputation for one match.]
[This Dawn is truly ridiculous. Stepping on Night Heart to climb up wasn’t enough; now he actually backstabs his teammate. Truly a toxic tumor, whoever touches him gets bad luck. Bad omen!]
[Taking ten thousand steps back, even if Qiu Shan really match-fixed, it has to be judged by the League. There have been plenty of match-fixing players before, but no matter what, a teammate shouldn’t jump out and say it before it’s confirmed!]
[Why not? Dawn has already written “I want to be famous” on his face. Knowing regular matches have high viewership, wouldn’t he take this chance to break out of the circle?]
[They are teammates who fought side by side after all. Dawn’s backstabbing is truly disgusting, just as disgusting as he is!]
[Anyway, since his debut, his flashy/questionable operations haven’t stopped. A player who got famous by having a foul mouth probably wants to go the celebrity player route.]
[Dying of laughter. Does anyone really think calling out a teammate for match-fixing is ‘true temperament’? If the League doesn’t rule it so, let’s see if he has the face to stay in DS!]
[Come on. It’s true our Dawn curses, but which time wasn’t it because the other party acted like a bitch first?]
[Dawn wouldn’t wrongly accuse Qiu Shan. Those supporting him probably aren’t even Platinum rank; their game understanding is shattered, never reaching Diamond in this life.]
[No way, no way, what kind of double-standard monsters are these? You curse when you meet teammates throwing in games, but when Dawn gets acted upon (sabotaged) in such an important match, you won’t let him speak?]
[I’m truly speechless. Put yourself in Dawn’s perspective. Working hard to carry every game, desperately showing off skills to gain an advantage, only to have it sent back by an actor’s “accidental” mistake. Would you really not get a heart attack?]
[Stop f*cking spouting nonsense about our Little Sprayer here. If Notre Dame doesn’t have you pitying match-fixers, I won’t watch it.]
Because the controversy over this matter was too great, with over ten million viewers watching, the trending topics couldn’t be covered up by fans trying to “wash the square” (spam positive posts) or lower the heat.
A large wave of people also charged directly under Wen Ran’s Weibo.
–[River Beaver: He clearly tried so hard. Would a pro player not want to win? You don’t even have as many kills as him, why don’t you say you were match-fixing?]
–[DS.Dawn: With that little game understanding of yours, don’t come out and embarrass yourself. Go reach Grandmaster first.]
–[Trash Crawl Away: Match-fixing, are you kidding me? Crazy for fame, right? Backstabbing teammates!]
–[DS.Dawn: Are you a dog that I would kid (tease) you?]
With something like this happening, the entire team immediately bought tickets to return to City D that night.
Jiang Yan had indeed come to the venue to watch Wen Ran’s match and knew what happened later. His original plan to intercept Wen Ran downstairs at the hotel was shelved again.
Moreover, with Ran Ran’s current mood, even if he intercepted him, he might not necessarily talk to him.
He just wanted to explain clearly to Ran Ran and coax his Obedient Baby back. Why was it so hard?
—
Inside the DS Manager’s office.
Wen Ran stood opposite the manager. This time, only he was called in.
“Even if you have dissatisfaction in your heart, is there anything that cannot be resolved harmoniously within the team?”
No team wanted such a scandal to appear with their players, especially being exposed by a teammate within the squad.
“The match is already lost,” Wen Ran said. “How else can it be resolved?”
Besides, I gave him chances for three games. He only needed to play seriously, and we could have totally taken the Seeding Match and charged into Group S.
But he still chose the other path.
“Dawn!” The manager slapped the table in anger. “Who spoiled you into this temper?”
“Do you know that you represent not only yourself but also the team?” The manager gritted his teeth. “Acting like this, how will others view our internal team relations?”
“It was one thing to insult Night Heart and fight with him before, but now you directly say your teammate match-fixed in front of tens of millions of viewers! Don’t you know the club will also be implicated by public opinion?”
“I don’t think I was wrong.” Since he was facing the manager, Wen Ran spoke relatively restrainedly. “Me, the other three teammates, and the coach—not a single one of us didn’t want to win. Just for the sake of so-called ‘face’, can we not even speak the truth?”
“Simply unreasonable!”
The manager spoke, “Tonight, you post a Weibo explaining that you spoke indiscriminately because you lost the match. As for Qiu Shan’s matter, we’ll talk about it later.”
“I won’t apologize,” Wen Ran didn’t listen to the manager at all. “If anyone should apologize, it should be him.”
“Who gave you the face to be so arrogant?” The manager had never encountered such a player. Just because of this incident, some of the club’s investors were urgently withdrawing.
“I’m telling you, Wen Ran, don’t think you’re amazing just because you have a bit of skill. You can play on stage entirely because the club gave you the opportunity. Otherwise, what do you think you are?”
The manager was furious. “I’m telling you, if you don’t post it, don’t expect to play in the upcoming matches!”
“Then I won’t play.” Wen Ran looked at the manager, his eyes devoid of fear. “If I can’t even uphold the most basic esports spirit, I might as well go play online games.”
Wen Ran walked straight out, ignoring the manager roaring behind him.
That same night, a penalty announcement was issued:
[DS.Dawn failed to restrain his words and deeds, publishing inappropriate remarks. As a public figure speaking indiscriminately, the club has decided to deduct two months of his full salary, and he will not participate in the playoff campaign. The club will strengthen ideological education for players in the future. Thank you for your supervision and support.]
[??? Speaking the truth is called inappropriate remarks?]
[If you have the ability, control your player not to match-fix. On what basis are you punishing Dawn?]
[Beautifully done. Found this stupid sprayer an eyesore long ago. Deserves the punishment.]
[Why only two months’ salary? He chases netizens to scold and badmouths teammates; he should be fined more!]
[Official internet bullies. Casual labeling teammates. Deserved!]
[DS really has no conscience at all. Just this one ‘thigh’ (carry), and they bench him.]
[I’m dying of laughter, okay? Without Dawn, what playoffs are you campaigning for? Isn’t it a one-round trip?]
[Waiting for the League’s announcement tomorrow.]
……
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