LPL didn't want me? I joined SKT instead!

It was 2 p.m. that day.

While domestic and international esports media and countless fans were still frantically speculating about Xiao Yan's whereabouts, and while the major wealthy owners of the LPL were still anxiously waiting for Xiao Yan's reply.

SKT T1 esports club's official Twitter, Facebook, and Weibo accounts simultaneously released a visually striking poster.

The poster's background features the dazzling lights of the Bird's Nest stadium. Xiao Yan, wearing an SKT jersey, holds the FMVP trophy aloft with one hand, his gaze sweeping over the world. Beside him stands Faker, his gaze equally unwavering.

In the center of the poster, a line of large text is written in Chinese, Korean, and English:

The King Stays. The dynasty continues.

The accompanying text was extremely brief, yet exuded confidence: "We are delighted to announce that Xiao Yan, the S7 World Championship Finals MVP, has officially reached a contract renewal agreement with SKT T1. In the future, he will continue to fight alongside Faker to defend SKT's glory! Our era has only just begun!"

This announcement sent shockwaves through the entire global esports community!

It instantly jumped to number one on Weibo's trending topics and topped the Twitter trending list.

"Holy crap! They renewed the contract?! So fast?!"

"Where are the big spenders in the LPL? Where's Wang Sicong? Where's EDG? Didn't you guys claim you'd throw money at the problem to win them back? How come SKT beat you to it!"

"It's over, it's all over. Faker and Xiao Yan, are they even letting other teams play? This game might as well just end here!"

"I heard that LPL offered a staggering 150 million but couldn't poach him. Just how much did SKT have to bleed to keep Xiao Yan?"

"Insider information! Absolutely reliable insider information! SKT offered Xiao Yan a top salary comparable to Faker's, gave up 70% of his commercial endorsement revenue, and even granted him the right to make personnel recommendations for the team! This isn't signing a player, it's signing a de facto emperor!"

"Hiss—that's terrifying! The Koreans have really gone all out this time!"

Leaving aside the online uproar.

The scene is quite different at the various LPL club bases.

At IG's base, Principal Wang was looking at the news on his phone when he got so angry that he smashed his expensive custom-made water cup on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"Damn it! Is this kid playing me?! He said he'd think about it this morning, and this afternoon he'd officially announced it!" Principal Wang cursed. "What kind of magic potion did SKT give him? I even offered him Tomson Riviera, and he didn't even glance at it?!"

Su Xiaoluo stood to the side trembling, not daring to even breathe.

At EDG's base, Abu looked at the announcement on the screen, sighed deeply, and slumped helplessly into his gaming chair.

"We lost, we lost completely." Abu shook his head with a bitter smile. "It's not that we didn't pay enough, it's that SKT gave us too much power. The power to make personnel recommendations... That old fox Kim Sun-joong, in order to keep players, he even abandoned the club's bottom line. No club in the LPL would offer such a condition. Xiao Yan, that kid, is too smart, and too ruthless."

Mingkai stood to the side, looking at the poster of Xiao Yan and Faker standing side by side, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, a mixture of envy and a deep sense of powerlessness.

He knew that next year at the World Championship, they would face an SKT that was even more terrifying and invincible than this year.

……

Meanwhile, at BJ's hotel.

SKT's internal group chat has completely exploded.

When Kim Sun-joong sent the news of his successful contract renewal to the group chat, the entire coaching staff and players immediately rushed to Xiao Yan's room.

"Bang bang bang!"

The door was violently pushed open, and Huni rushed in, grabbing Xiao Yan in a hug and shouting excitedly, "Oh my god! Xiao Yan! You stayed! That's awesome! Next year we'll continue our top lane tower dives! I'm going to crush all the top laners!"

Wolf strode over, grinning, and patted Xiao Yan on the back: "Good lad, I knew you'd miss us. With you in the bottom lane, being the support couldn't be more comfortable. We have to have another drink to celebrate tonight!"

Bang stood at the back of the crowd. Although he wasn't as exaggerated as Huni, he still showed a sincere smile and gave Xiao Yan a thumbs up.

He has played in matches and also has a set of championship skins.

Coach Kkoma's eyes welled up with tears again. He stepped forward and tightly grasped Xiao Yan's hand: "Xiao Yan, thank you. Thank you for believing in SKT. I can't wait to start drawing the tactics board for next year."

Just as everyone was cheering and jumping for joy, the crowd automatically parted to make way.

Faker, dressed in a clean white team uniform, walked over with a smile on his face.

He didn't use many fancy words; he simply extended his right hand and gave Xiao Yan a heavy palm strike in mid-air.

"Welcome." Faker's voice was calm, but his eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Brother Xianghe. We've already reserved next year's championship," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.

The room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, and everyone was cheering for SKT's bright future.

However, amidst this sea of ​​joy, Xiao Yan's keen eyes spotted an out-of-place figure.

Little peanut.

He stood at the very edge of the crowd, holding a can of celebratory beer in his hand, and sporting his signature, bright smile.

However, Xiao Yan could clearly sense that Peanut's smile did not reach his eyes.

His eyes concealed a deep sense of loneliness, confusion, and even a hint of barely perceptible fear.

While everyone was celebrating with Xiao Yan, Xiao Huasheng quietly took a sip of beer and then quietly left the room, his back view looking particularly lonely.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly as he watched Xiao Huasheng's departing figure.

Although Peanut had some highlight plays this season thanks to his presence, it's been difficult for him to stay with SKT. SKT has offered him and Faker a maximum salary, leaving them with limited salary cap space.

As night falls, the glittering lights of BJ shine through the windows.

The celebratory noise gradually subsided, and the team members returned to their rooms to rest, preparing for their flight back to Seoul the next day.

Xiao Yan took a shower and changed into casual clothes. Instead of going to sleep, he pushed open the door and walked to the open-air balcony at the end of the corridor.

Sure enough, in the dim light of the balcony, he saw that familiar figure.

Little Peanut was leaning on the railing, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, staring blankly at the distant traffic.

The cold autumn wind tousled his signature blond hair, making him look like a golden retriever abandoned on the street.

Hearing footsteps, Peanut trembled, hurriedly hid the cigarette behind his back, turned around, and forced a bright smile.