Chapter 87 1/2

Sheng Quan called after confirming from the official website that Bai Xiangyuan had already left the team.

In the original text of “Starlight,” there was too little information about Tan Chen. She didn’t even know the details of Tan Chen’s life and death, let alone his character.

But Sheng Quan couldn’t replace someone just because they weren’t mentioned in the text.

When she first entered the book, her life was in imminent danger, yet she still personally inspected Yan Hui.

This mission was very different.

Firstly, the amount involved was really large.

Despite Sheng Quan having estates worth tens of billions and properties worth tens of billions, including a building in the magical city, what she drew from the lottery was different from the mission.

The amount for this mission was definitely the largest Sheng Quan had ever received, and it was the first time she could invest in multiple talents. Sheng Quan needed not only technically skilled individuals but also a “leader” she could trust.

If Tan Chen were as described in the book, Sheng Quan would invest in him, but she wouldn’t use the only “main quota” on him.

However, the reality proved that Tan Chen was indeed different from the portrayal in the book.

The book described Tan Chen in a few words as if he disregarded everything for victory and his passion for esports, including his life.

Actual Tan Chen: Planned, calculated, every move since the formation of the Water Breaking team was carefully calculated.

He loved the game, but he also cherished life.

Like his playing style in the game, each step seemed to be pulling between extremes, ready to crumble at any moment. Others thought he was seeking death, but in reality, each of his steps landed steadily.

Just like in the arena match, after Sheng Quan increased the bet, it confirmed her thoughts: Tan Chen had been consciously suppressing his strength to control injuries.

Even if he didn’t like it, even if he loved victory,

But only by doing this could he make money, control professional injuries within a manageable range, and ultimately achieve victory.

Strictly speaking, he was still a veteran.

Clearly, he could have gained fame early, but to avoid being targeted by other major clubs, Tan Chen forcibly led the entire team to the global competition before revealing their true strength.

Now, those major clubs were probably cursing at the sudden emergence of the dark horse, Water Breaking.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

When he was in service, even a basic attack could be calculated within his moves. After a series of moves, he used a final basic attack to take away the opponent’s last bit of health—a strategist with a flawless plan.

As Sheng Quan gradually understood everything, she couldn’t help but sigh to 006:

[It seems that those who are good at playing games are cunning.]

Even though Tan Chen was cunning, it was all to protect the Water Breaking team. Who would have thought that the person he protected would stab him in the back?

After Sheng Quan mentioned her club, she shifted the topic to Bai Xiangyuan:

“Why did he leave the team?”

Tan Chen’s reaction was somewhat delayed, and he didn’t even understand what Sheng Quan meant by saying she had a club. More accurately, he couldn’t even distinguish that the person in front of him was Sheng Quan.

Sitting on the steps, the young man blinked slowly before answering:

“He said his current achievements… deserve a bigger and better club.”

His tone was indifferent, as if he wasn’t very saddened.

Everything connected.

Why, when everything was developing according to Tan Chen’s plan, would Tan Chen’s fate end in death due to an outbreak of injuries?

A team member chose to leave at a critical moment.

What was supposed to be a few comforting words turned into a slight sigh for Sheng Quan.

She knew this feeling.

When she focused on external matters, the person she trusted stabbed her in the back.

Before evolving into a veteran, she had encountered such a situation when she was new. She devotedly nurtured a newcomer, only for them to try to surpass her at the first opportunity.

In the workplace, mutual undermining was common. Sheng Quan had long since become accustomed to it. She could accept anyone doing this, except for the newcomer who had said, “Thank you, Quan Jie; you’re really kind.”

At that time, Sheng Quan was very distressed. She even dared not train new people for a long time, taking a considerable amount of time to readjust her mindset.

Of course, she wasn’t idle during the painful and confused times.

She returned the pit the newcomer threw at her tenfold and watched with a smile as the other person was dismissed.

It must have been sad, but she would definitely be sad. After all, even raising a goldfish would develop some attachment.

Clearly, Tan Chen was still in the sorrowful stage.

Sheng Quan: “Then he missed out. In the future, Water Breaking will become the biggest and best club.”

Tan Chen’s voice was low: “I also… said that.”

His voice sounded like he might collapse the next second.

Sensing something wrong, Sheng Quan asked, “Where are you now? Have you been drinking? Have you eaten?”

“I haven’t drunk, and I haven’t eaten. I’m outside, taking in the air.”

Experienced Sheng Quan: Either he’s staying up late or he’s sick.

She asked again, “It looks like it’s going to rain. Do you have an umbrella?”

Tan Chen lowered his head and looked at the umbrella next to him, still imprinted with the Water Breaking Team logo.

“Take back this broken umbrella! Let Chen Mo and the others not act as if I owe you. From now on, you are you, and I am me!”

“Always saying that not borrowing us or not letting us play frequently is for our own good! I think you just don’t want us to shine!”

“Yes, I was taught by you, but I am the new king of this generation. I can’t just stay in a place like Water Breaking, where the entire team has only one set of the latest gaming equipment, right?”

“Tianzhan Club has a total of seven devices, and one of them is an e3. They came to recruit me. Do I need to think about it? Tan Ge, I appreciate your help before, but the world is realistically like this. If I go to Tianzhan, I can still play in the global competition. Without me, Water Breaking can’t even gather enough players.”

The umbrella, forcefully broken, fell heavily to the ground. After a while, it was slowly picked up by its original owner.

Tan Chen closed his eyes, no longer thinking about Bai Xiangyuan. “The umbrella is broken.”

Sheng Quan: It sounds familiar.

She seemed to have also broken an umbrella in such weather.

Tan Chen’s tone still sounded calm, but the content of his words was quite confusing. It was unclear whether he mistook Sheng Quan for the business partner who had called him earlier.

“You don’t need to worry. Water Breaking will continue to participate in the next match.”

“Relevant cooperation will proceed as scheduled. If you want to terminate the contract, let’s communicate tomorrow. Thank you, goodbye.”