This is the charm of the professional stage? [Seeking monthly tickets]

Xu Cheng looked at the Factory Director in surprise. "Huh? Me... tomorrow?"

"Yes, that's right, it's you. Don't be surprised."

The Factory Director patted Xu Cheng's shoulder with a smile. "Don't worry, big brother, you can do it! Take the opportunity to get more familiar with the professional arena."

"...Okay."

Xu Cheng didn't ask any further questions.

He had seen the practice matches during this period, including the club's coaching staff's evaluation of him: "He's a monster, but it seems we're not worthy of being his monster teammates."

He knew that the Factory Director must have played a role, even putting in a lot of effort, to allow him to quickly ascend to the top professional stage in the country.

"Get ready. Tomorrow's opponent is not weak, especially the top laner. He's very experienced, an old player, so you need to be mentally prepared."

"But don't worry, big brother, I'll protect you."

The Factory Director's gaze was sincere as he cheered Xu Cheng on.

That evening, the EDG club officially announced the starting lineup for the next day.

Among them, the other positions remained unchanged, only the change in the top lane position attracted the attention of some EDG fans.

[Is Data Monster starting?]

[No, this is too fast. The summer split just started not long ago, how many practice matches has he played?]

[yep, we can still look forward to the Grandmaster, after all, he's a genius boy.]

[Turtle Turtle, are they preparing to throw in the towel? Z Emperor wasn't enough, so they're adding another rookie, right?]

[This year we might really be screwed. The club really isn't treating us like humans...]

A few scattered discussions, with fans deeply resentful about EDG's starting lineup for the summer split this year--

Due to the departure of Deft and Pwan, and iBoy's age issues, EDG's AD had to pick the best of the worst, choosing a former T1 mid-laner substitute.

This mid-laner substitute turned AD was already incredibly weak, and now with a professional rookie, it was no wonder EDG fans were losing their minds.

Besides the die-hard EDG fans, a small portion of people also noticed this list.

Although the hype for Data Monster had long passed, and the professional arena has always been about strength, with results being the best proof, before achieving results, they would never bother to pay attention to those who were just hyping things up.

But Xu Cheng was not an ordinary rookie.

After seeing this list, the major teams that had previously intended to recruit Xu Cheng, as well as friends like Xiao Yu, Yu Shuang, and Rita, all paid attention.

[Cheng Cheng is starting tomorrow!]

[I saw it too, I didn't expect him to start so soon, he's truly our good sis!]

[He's a guy, big sisters, can you stop calling him sis...]

Xiao Yu typed speechlessly.

[Indeed, he can't be called sis.]

Rita felt it made sense and added, [Did you see his official promotional photo... it's better to call him husband.]

???

[Don't have a fever, you've been too hyped up lately.]

[Hey, speaking of which, Rita, aren't you casting for EDG tomorrow? Then won't you be able to hype up Cheng Cheng directly on the commentary desk?]

[Mhm! Don't worry, babies, I'll definitely hype him up properly!]

[...]

The next day.

In the morning, Xu Cheng was brought to the lounge, and club staff gave him a brief explanation of the preparations and requirements for participating.

Including what drinks were not allowed, the necessity of drinking beverages provided by the venue, not being late, basic reactions when facing the camera, etc...

Coupled with the fact that he had previously gone to take official promotional photos and an opening ceremony promotional video not long ago.

Xu Cheng had experienced the treatment of an LPL professional player.

Before noon, Factory Director and the others were ready, and they all boarded the business bus with the EDG logo engraved on it.

They drove towards the competition venue.

"Don't be too nervous, just play normally, like in practice matches."

On the way, Mouse Ah Guang sat with Xu Cheng. Seeing Xu Cheng spacing out, Ah Guang actually comforted him.

This touched Xu Cheng a little.

After all, he had taken Ah Guang's starting spot this time, and he didn't expect the other party to show such kindness.

"Hey, I know what you're thinking."

Ah Guang saw Xu Cheng's expression and chuckled, "I know my strengths, so I'm not worried about anything."

"And... to be honest, your talent is much greater than mine. You just haven't meshed well with everyone yet, but you'll definitely be a starter in the future..."

Ah Guang spoke very frankly, and Xu Cheng could tell he meant it sincerely.

"Thanks."

After thanking him, Xu Cheng felt much calmer.

There was no further conversation, and they went directly to the Hongqiao Tiandi Performing Arts Center.

As soon as the bus arrived, before Xu Cheng and the others could even get off, they saw many audience members and fans outside the venue. They were holding fan support items resembling cartoon characters of Factory Director, Meiko, and others, waving them at the bus and screaming.

Except for Xu Cheng, everyone else was used to this. They got off the bus discreetly and entered the venue through the VIP channel. After clocking in and signing in, they went to the backstage lounge.

As they passed through the audience seats, Xu Cheng glanced again at the dense crowd. When they saw the EDG members pass by, the fans raised their support items and shouted the IDs of the players they supported.

Among them, Factory Director had the most fans, followed by Meiko and Scout. Even Z Emperor and Ah Guang had some fans.

Only Xu Cheng, after scanning for a long time, couldn't find a single fan supporting him at the venue.

"Look, there, there are some!"

Factory Director, standing beside him, patted Xu Cheng and gestured in a certain direction.

Xu Cheng looked over and saw indeed more than a dozen young men and women holding support items. One young lady was even wearing a cute headdress, and her raised phone displayed a line of text—

"Go Murder on your debut!"

"Grandmaster's debut will win!"

"Are... are these my fans? I haven't even played a match yet, and I have fans supporting me here?"

Xu Cheng was pleasantly surprised.

The internet and reality were indeed different.

"They aren't your fans."

Unexpectedly, Factory Director gave a sly smile. "They're mine."

"Huh?"

Factory Director chuckled, "Actually, to be precise, they're EDG fans. You're starting today, and we can't have you looking too bad, so they're just pretending to be your fans here for now..."

"Are these the legendary 'hired audience'?"

Xu Cheng was stunned.

"What do you mean 'hired audience'? We're not getting paid!"

Factory Director was very displeased with Xu Cheng's bluntness. "This is called giving warmth to a newcomer, don't you understand?"

Xu Cheng: "..."

"Don't worry, one day, you'll have your own fans."

Factory Director saw Xu Cheng looking a bit down and knew he must have been affected by the contrast between the internet and reality. He patted his shoulder and said with conviction:

"Maybe after you play today and carry the whole game, all these people will become your fans."

Xu Cheng smiled but said nothing.

But for some reason.

Looking at the spotlight-shining stage before him, with the dense crowd below.

Amidst the nervousness, a sense of desire to perform and a will to win that he had never felt before inexplicably surged within him.

Is this the charm of the professional stage?

An hour later, at exactly four in the afternoon, as the director in front notified them.

Xu Cheng tidied up the peripheral equipment Factory Director had specially prepared for him, stood up, and followed his teammates, striding towards the stage ahead.

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