"Huff, huff, huff... good thing I made it." By the time Cheng Tian pushed the door open and came in, panting, the match was about to begin.
This was a gymnasium. Just like the esports competitions shown on television, two hosts sat in front of a large screen bearing a Pokémon logo, providing commentary. The contestants sat in their respective partitioned areas to compete, while the audience below watched the large screens with rapt attention.
Cheng Tian looked around but found no sign of his mom. He did, however, spot a familiar figure at the commentary desk.
"Hey! Hello, everyone watching the livestream! You're now watching the quarterfinals! Our contestants are Amystery from the United States, Watanabe Kenji from Japan, Ghost-type Elite Four member Wen Xu from China, and, also from China, the middle-aged man from Bingzhou who burst onto the scene like a dark horse this season, Mr. Cheng Qiuyu!"
As the special guest commentator, Long Weixi was wearing an adorable Pikachu outfit as she provided commentary and interacted with the online audience. The two male commentators also smiled and greeted the camera.
"We're deeply honored to have the renowned Dragon-type Elite Four member, Miss Long Weixi, as our special guest commentator for this competition," one of the male hosts said with a smile. "Among those competing for a place in the semifinals, we have both familiar faces and unexpected newcomers."
"Though calling him a newcomer isn't quite right. After all, Mr. Cheng is older than any of us."
"Now, let's have a one-on-one interview with this battle-loving middle-aged man. Could the backstage crew connect his microphone, please?"
Once his headset was connected, Cheng Tian's father could speak to everyone.
"Hello, Mr. Cheng. May I ask why you enjoy this kind of esports game?"
"Well, when I was young,