Chapter 23: The Factory Director Emerges, Chen Yan Stirs Things Up

The interview concluded.

Chen Yan disappeared from everyone's sight, but the audience remained dazed, unable to snap out of it for a long time. Today’s interview had been absolutely explosive.

No one noticed that iCOn had also vanished the moment the interview ended.

In the restroom, Chen Yan looked at the cocky-looking iCOn and couldn't help but feel a sense of exasperation. Young people these days—such hot tempers.

"Want to compare sizes?"

"I'll compare your—!"

iCOn charged aggressively toward Chen Yan. However, the next moment, Chen Yan placed a single hand on iCOn’s shoulder, and no matter how much iCOn struggled, he couldn't break free.

"Holy—!"

iCOn was shocked. He immediately realized he was outmatched. Being a mid-laner, he was quick-witted; seeing he couldn't win the physical confrontation, his attitude did a complete 180.

"Actually, I just came here to use the restroom."

"Is that so?" Chen Yan said with a smirk. "I thought you were thirsty, and I was about to help you out."

iCOn didn't catch on at first, but following Chen Yan's gaze toward the urinal where water was gurgling, he suddenly realized what he meant. A cold sweat broke out over him. He thought to himself that he was lucky to be sensible; if his head had been shoved into that urinal, his dignity would have been finished.

When iCOn returned to his team, he found his coach and teammates staring at him with grave expressions.

"Where did you go?" the coach barked.

The moment he noticed iCOn was missing, he had realized something was wrong. Given iCOn’s temper, he had likely gone to settle the score with Chen Yan. If something were to happen, OMG would be completely ruined, forever bearing the stigma of being sore losers.

"You didn't do anything to him, did you?"

iCOn blinked. "Do anything to whom?"

"That Chen Yan fellow. You were just calling him 'Dog Yan' a moment ago."

"?" iCOn frowned. "What 'Dog Yan'? That was just the chat spamming; it has nothing to do with me. Chen Yan is my Brother Yan now!"

Hearing this, everyone from OMG was left completely bewildered. Just a moment ago he was 'Dog Yan,' and in the time it took to use the restroom, he had become 'Brother Yan'? No one could make sense of it.

...

Meanwhile, Chen Yan returned to the backstage lounge. Abu was already so angry he had fainted.

The rest of the teammates nodded slightly toward him. After this match, their recognition of him had clearly improved. Only Scout looked at him with a hidden sharpness in his eyes.

Chen Yan didn't care about anyone’s opinion. He told Clearlove he was heading back to stream and prepared to leave alone.

"Take care on your way," Clearlove said, not stopping him, but instead patting him on the shoulder with a smile. "If there's a chance in the future, let us come over to your villa to experience it too."

Chen Yan smiled and turned to leave. Watching his retreating back, Mouse felt a wave of emotion. "Suddenly, I feel like he’s quite free-spirited."

"He says what he wants, plays how he wants..."

"If the worst comes to the worst, he just goes back to streaming."

Mouse’s voice grew quieter as he spoke, ending with a sigh. Chen Yan had a backup plan if his professional career didn't work out, but what about him? If he failed, he’d really have to go home and farm pigs.

At the celebration banquet, Abu’s face twitched when he saw Chen Yan’s empty seat.

"This guy..."

However, he didn't say anything, simply telling everyone to start eating. Afterward, he gave everyone some time off.

"Manager, I feel like I've regained my form."

Looking at Scout, who was taking the initiative to humble himself, it felt like a cold soda on a sweltering summer day for Abu—refreshing from start to finish. He didn't make things difficult for Scout, choosing to let the matter drop. After all, being petty benefited no one.

After Scout left, only Abu and Clearlove remained. Abu dropped his professional mask and rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"Mingkai, these two mid-laners of ours are truly more troublesome than the last."

Clearlove laughed. "You're just showing off. If you were asked to let them go, would you actually be willing?"

"Of course not. Scout definitely has the potential to be a top-tier mid-laner, and as for Chen Yan..." Abu paused, then shook his head. "I can't quite see through him."

The current Chen Yan was no longer the Chen Yan in his memories.

"He acts like a madman now, but perhaps it's only by becoming a madman that he could become this version of Chen Yan."

If you aren't obsessed, you can't succeed. After his 'darkening,' Chen Yan's strength had increased far beyond what it once was. Even Abu was stunned by his performance.

"Xiao Yan has indeed become stronger," Clearlove agreed, then added, "But I always feel like he holds us in disdain..."

"I feel it too. I don't know what he's thinking now. Perhaps he still holds a grudge because I chose Scout over him back then."

Clearlove opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept it to himself. What he wanted to say was that Chen Yan wasn't targeting a specific person; it felt more like he was targeting the entire LPL circle without discrimination. However, that thought was too shocking, so he forced it down.

The two then discussed the future of EDG. Though the team had stabilized after defeating OMG, there were still many dangers ahead. One misstep, and EDG could fall from their pedestal.

"Let me start the next match."

"You've adjusted?!"

Hearing that Clearlove wanted to play, Abu was visibly excited. Since the failure at the S6 World Championship, Clearlove had been in seclusion to adjust his mindset and improve his skills, leaving EDG to rely on Fireloli as the starter. But Fireloli was simply too weak; even a slumping Clearlove was levels above him. Clearlove's return would undoubtedly elevate EDG’s strength.

"Why the sudden desire to play?" Abu asked, curious.

"Because of Xiao Yan."

A smile appeared on Clearlove’s face. "Many people today are saying Xiao Yan is too crazy, too arrogant, but I envy him. He can do what he wants without hesitation, without worrying about the eyes of the world."

"I think I should do something too."

"If I don't go crazy now, maybe there won't be another chance."

Clearlove spoke with a touch of melancholy. His dream had always been that world championship trophy. But to this day, that dream remained a distant prospect.

Abu sighed inwardly. Championships weren't easy to win, but looking at Clearlove, he couldn't bring himself to say anything discouraging.

"This year is our home turf; we can definitely do it."

"I hope so."

...

Back at his villa, Chen Yan contacted iCOn.

"We're streaming together tomorrow."

"That's a notification, not a request."

He didn't give iCOn a chance to refuse. After sending the message, Chen Yan posted a livestream announcement on Weibo: "Reviewing the EDG vs. OMG match with a mysterious guest."