"Team uniform!" everyone was startled. They had never imagined that someone would prepare team uniforms for themselves.
Moreover, this team uniform looked quite good, and it was a down jacket. It was already December, and it was truly the coldest time in Korea. Some players hadn't prepared suitable clothes and had only come wearing a single layer, now freezing like dogs.
So, when they saw these warm down jacket team uniforms, their hearts were almost melting from warmth.
This was simply sending charcoal in the snow!
"I want one!" Deep jumped out immediately and eagerly snatched the clothes from Huang He's hand, hugging them to his chest, not even caring if the clothes fit him.
However, with down jackets, unless one is too short or too fat, there are generally no size issues.
"Mr. Huang, did you only bring this one?" The others looked at Deep enviously. This guy was quick!
"I brought thirty pieces. They are all at my hotel. Follow me later, and I'll take you to get them!" Huang He said with a smile. Everyone immediately cheered in unison.
However, among these people, there were some discordant voices. For example, Pei Le looked at the team uniform with some doubt. After hesitating, he said, "Mr. Huang, you intend to sponsor the Chinese national esports team, right?"
"Oh!" Huang He looked at Pei Le with some surprise. This guy actually had the nerve to call themselves the Chinese national esports team. Although, judging by the scale and format of WCG, representing China was not wrong.
However, once this label was attached to them, this hastily assembled team of a dozen people would have a different flavor, and it certainly wouldn't be settled with just a team uniform.
"What do you mean by sponsor?" a player asked, scratching his head. He didn't understand the meaning of the word "sponsor." Of course, some understood and showed thoughtful expressions, becoming somewhat cautious about this set of team uniforms.
"Yes, I am sponsoring you!" Huang He nodded. "Seeing you bring glory to the country on the field, I am very moved. Plus, Zhi Meng really likes esports, so I have indeed decided to sponsor you!"
"So, not only the team uniforms, but your accommodation and meals will also be covered by our Jiangnan Group. I will arrange rooms for you in pairs at the hotel where I'm staying. From today until the end of the competition, you will all stay in the hotel. I will also rent a bus for you. From now on, you will take the bus directly to the venue for matches. Don't waste time and energy walking. In short, even traditional sports delegations wouldn't have such treatment!"
"Really!" These players became even more excited. They never expected to receive such treatment for everything from clothes to food, lodging, and transportation.
"Then the sponsorship money..." Pei Le wanted to negotiate further, but he heard Huang He say lightly, "Young people, you know your current situation. Now, I am the only company willing to sponsor you. If you don't want it, then forget it. Entrepreneurs also don't have spare resources!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Le immediately shut his mouth. It was already a blessing for these pitiable esports players to have normal player treatment. Moreover, he was not a player but just came along for the fun. He couldn't fight for any benefits for them, so it was better not to be the bad guy.
Although the others vaguely understood Huang He's intentions, the man had spent real money. They only needed to wear his clothes to compete, which didn't seem like a loss, so they happily agreed.
After a satisfying meal, Huang He, as promised, called for a bus. The group rushed back to their rented house to collect their belongings, boarded the bus, and arrived at the hotel where Huang He was staying.
This was a four-star hotel. The interior decoration opened the eyes of these esports players. They never imagined that as gamers, they would one day receive such treatment.
"If only playing games could be this glorious in the future!" This thought involuntarily crossed their minds. But then they thought that it would be very difficult to encounter such a supportive entrepreneur for esports like Huang He in the future, and it was probably only WCG-level competitions that would impress Huang He. Unless they participated in WCG again next year, they would likely never enjoy such treatment again.
Thinking of this, they couldn't help but feel a bit dejected, looking at Boss Huang with more anticipation, and even a hint of flattery.
***
"Brother-in-law, is it good for you to corrupt them with money like this?" Leng Zhi Meng said a little displeased as she watched the players go to their rooms. "They were such pure people before. Their eyes were only on the competition. But now, they are no longer pure!"
"What purity, purity? Are pure people destined to suffer? Can pure people win matches?" Huang He tapped Leng Zhi Meng's head. "Believe it or not, they are now even more eager for victory than before. They will have more opportunities to win championships for our China!"
"Oh!" Leng Zhi Meng drawled.
"But it's about you. Do you still want a champion as your boyfriend? I saw that Mty and Deep just now. They are very skilled. The StarCraft team finals start tomorrow, and they might be the first to win the championship!" Huang He laughed.
"Those two..." Leng Zhi Meng thought of Deep's excessive body fat, and although Mty was still somewhat refined, the air of poverty emanating from him made Leng Zhi Meng hesitate. To be honest, Leng Zhi Meng regretted it. Why had she been so foolish to come up with such a plan?
Of course, Leng Zhi Meng would never admit her mistake verbally. She mumbled, "Mind your own business!" and went to her room to sleep. Boss Huang smiled faintly, feeling an inexplicable sense of comfort in his heart.
That night, everyone slept soundly. The next day, they all woke up refreshed, changed into the down jackets given by Huang He, collectively went to an internet cafe near the hotel to train for about three hours to ensure their hands were warm, and then took the bus to the venue to participate in the official competition.
However, when the competition began, there was another unexpected incident. They were stopped by the venue staff and not allowed to participate in the match. The reason was that they were not wearing the official T-shirts provided by the organizers, which had a large Samsung Group logo printed on them.
It turned out that WCG had also provided them with clothes, but it was just a thin T-shirt with the Samsung logo printed on it. This was very important because Samsung was the sole sponsor of WCG. Without Samsung's support, the WCG organizing committee would have to disband directly.
So, when they saw the Chinese players wearing matching down jackets, they immediately stopped them.
In this regard, Huang He had no objection. This was a very normal business logic. After all, he paid to organize the competition and provided prize money, so they should listen to him.
However, Huang He found Pei Le, who was watching from the side, and said with a smile, "Little Pei, how about it? Can you solve this problem? My requirement is simple: our company's logo must be visible in the match footage, but without falling out with the organizing committee!"
"I'm supposed to solve the problem?" Pei Le was stunned. He had just come to join the fun, waiting to enjoy Huang Boss's food, lodging, and transportation. Now he was being asked to solve problems for Huang Boss?
However, Pei Le was a smart person. He quickly understood Huang He's underlying meaning and nodded excitedly, "Boss, don't worry, I have a way to solve the problem for you!"
After saying that, Pei Le excitedly went backstage. Huang He showed a smile. The future Shanghai Emperor was indeed extraordinary. It seemed he had discovered another talent!
Indeed, within ten minutes, news came from Pei Le that the problem had been solved very easily.
Later, Huang He learned from Leng Zhi Meng that Pei Le had gone to the organizing committee staff upon arrival and stated that the T-shirts they distributed were too thin, and the heating in the competition venue was insufficient. Combined with the near-zero temperature outside, several players had caught severe colds, which even led to their poor performance and defeat yesterday. That's why they were wearing down jackets today to avoid getting sick again.
The other players also cooperated. Upon hearing Pei Le's words, they immediately pinched their noses to make them red and coughed continuously, pretending to be very uncomfortable.
Of course, the organizing committee wouldn't agree to Pei Le's request because of this. It wasn't until Pei Le stated that if the organizing committee didn't solve the problem, they would complain to the American reporters outside the venue that they were scared.
The Korean organizing committee feared nothing, but they were afraid of their "Papa Samsung" and "Grandpa American Reporters." If this matter were reported by American reporters, their reputation as obedient sons would be ruined.
So, the organizing committee immediately retreated. Pei Le seized this opportunity to propose a new solution: when participating in preliminary matches outside that were not being filmed, they could wear down jackets for warmth.
If they had the chance to enter the finals, they would take off their clothes when playing inside the glass room. After all, as long as they were exposed to the camera lenses, they could cooperate with the organizing committee and show the T-shirts with the Samsung logo.
The organizing committee found this plan excellent and agreed. After entering the player lounge, Pei Le immediately instructed all the players that although they had to take off the down jacket team uniforms given by Boss Huang when competing, they could hang these down jackets on the backs of their chairs.
When hanging them, they could also naturally display the large "oo" logo on the back. This way, no one could find fault, and it wouldn't violate the organizing committee's rules.
The players all expressed that Pei Le was truly an esports genius.