Endorsement

“‘Follow-sniper free agent,’ literally means a free agent who follows a sniper.

We call them observers, cooperating with the team’s main carry sniper.

This playstyle was popular during seasons S11-S14, which corresponds to seasons S1-S4 in the Chinese region, and was the first signature tactic of CHN China’s predecessor team, Pretty and teammate Ice.

However, with the subsequent nerf to AWM’s scope-in speed in season S15, this playstyle gradually faded out.

At the same time, among the general player base, very few people could master this playstyle.

In this setup, due to the two vacant positions, the demands on the team’s assaulters and free agents are correspondingly increased.

Therefore, this playstyle quickly became popular and quickly declined; it once dominated an era, but then quickly faded away.”

The electronic screen displayed “Esports Mini-科普” (Esports Mini-Knowledge), a small variety show hosted by a male and female pair, currently explaining the “free agent” role.

The league organizers, as in previous days, held a small buffet dinner, and everyone was inside.

“Next, we’ll introduce the classic free agent…”

The introductory voice faded away.

Xue Wei was searching for food at the table.

He held his plate, meticulously selecting, taking a stack of peony rolls, roujiamo, and black chicken and red date soup for himself.

After finishing one plate, he stood up to get more.

Wen Man followed beside him; he hadn’t eaten much, but whenever Xue Wei stood up to get more food, he would also follow to get more.

He was the only one in the entire room eating seriously; everyone else was chatting, discussing business.

Major sponsors and event organizers were present, as were foreign sponsors and production crews, a massive throng of people, mostly gathered in groups, discussing business.

“Over there, NOW is there.”

Someone nearby whispered, and a few sponsor representatives murmured amongst themselves: “Wouldn’t it be faster to talk to him directly? His parents and agent aren’t here, right?”

“How much are you planning to offer?”

“Hehe, just kidding, that’s a trade secret.”

“Buddy, we’ll tell you the truth. NOW is popular now, but after all, the new season hasn’t started yet, and no one can predict his regular season performance. If you’re interested and want to offer a high price, then we won’t compete, but when you’re done talking, can you help us scout around?!”

“Oh, come on. Everyone knows NOW is a national team member now; his value is set. We all have an idea of the price…”

A group of people engaged in commercial flattery and probing, but no definite results emerged.

Finally, a brand representative walked over.

A new star had gone viral at the All-Star Game; this was something none of them had expected.

There was one day left until the end of the matches.

After the All-Star Game concluded, trying to recruit someone from the national team wouldn’t be an easy negotiation.

This brand endorser was a regional manager for a famous national company of a sports brand, and had a long-term stable cooperative endorsement relationship with the league events.

As he approached, he first saw Wen Man selecting items, so he greeted him: “Captain Wen, hello.”

“Hello.” Wen Man picked up two small cakes for his plate, his peach blossom eyes slowly lifting to look at the regional manager: “Finished chatting over there?”

“Mm-hm, just came to find young Master NOW, haha.” The regional manager rubbed his hands jovially, first smiling cheerily at Xue Wei: “Congratulations, congratulations, you played beautifully today. I didn’t know you before, shall we get acquainted now?”

Xue Wei glanced at him: “Oh, hello, my name is Xue Wei.”

After introducing himself, he picked up a pile of sweet and sour pork, put it in his bowl.

Seeing that the manager didn’t speak, he then looked at him strangely, preparing to go back.

Regional manager:

‘He meant ‘get acquainted’ as more than just exchanging names!’

NOW, this lone wolf player, in a sense, could also be called a ‘social savant’.

The regional manager wiped some sweat: “Um, do you have time? I’d like to…”

“No time.” Xue Wei focused on the dishes, “I’m eating.”

Regional manager:

He wouldn’t give up: “Then your parents, or agent, or team captain…” No sooner had he finished speaking than he remembered EGT had no team captain.

“Or the national team representative? Who contacted you?” The regional manager didn’t give up; he continued asking.

“Uh, it might be…” Xue Wei thought, holding his tray, then looked at Wen Man, somewhat uncertain.

Wen Man slowly said: “It might be me.”

The regional manager looked at Wen Man, then at Xue Wei, a bit puzzled.

Wen Man lowered his head and chuckled, saying: “Talk to me. What is it?”

He also handed his plate to Xue Wei, then took the regional manager and sat down opposite him.

Their conversation did not avoid Xue Wei.

The regional manager roughly explained his idea.

Xue Wei listened for a long time, only hearing that the general meaning was for him to take an endorsement.

“The endorsement launch will definitely be in the next season. The endorsement fee will definitely be calculated based on the standard for national team members. Our plan is to base it on Pandora’s basic salary contract…”

Xue Wei didn’t hear the rest.

He had heard a lot of gossip and news these past few days and had a certain sensitivity to the name [Pandora]—he knew this person seemed to be Wen Man’s current substitute.

If Wen Man retired, the one to take his place would likely be Pandora.

He had always felt a little uneasy about this; he believed Wen Man could still play for at least five more years.

“Pandora?” Wen Man seemed to think for a moment, “I know his contract. You’ll have to wait a bit longer for this matter; come back to talk two months after the new season starts. I’ll also be renewing my contract then.”

“Oh, oh, oh, then you mean…?” The regional manager asked.

“It depends on his wishes then.” Wen Man slowly broke off a piece of pastry, then suddenly asked, “You have a plan for a duo merchandise, right? I remember you approached someone to talk to me about it.”

“Yes, yes. At the time, we wanted you and Pandora to release a duo merchandise similar to a mentor-student combination, paired with M82A1 models, but you rejected it then…”

“I’m interested in duo merchandise, but take a look.” Wen Man changed his posture, cupping his chin and leaning closer to look at the team manager, “But how about me and him?”

He lifted his chin in Xue Wei’s direction.

Xue Wei was eating fried tangyuan.

Hearing his words, he wasn’t careful and a tangyuan fell into his plate.