Jiang Cheng asked, "I heard you've gone into esports?"
When Jiang Cheng said that, a flicker of surprise crossed He Youjun's face again.
He said happily, "Brother Cheng, I didn't expect you to actually keep tabs on me. Yeah, but it's just small-scale stuff for now. Mainly, I wanted to see if I could accomplish something on my own. You know how it is—when people mention me, it's always just 'the youngest son of the casino king.' So I want to change that."
Jiang Cheng offered no comment on He Youjun's words. They were meeting for the first time, and he understood the rule of not diving into deep topics with shallow acquaintance. He simply smiled and said, "I've only heard a little. The esports industry has grown fast these past few years; I check in on it occasionally."
Wang Congcong, who'd been listening, suddenly cut in: "I heard you're planning to set up an esports association over in Casino City?"
He Youjun nodded, replying excitedly, "Yeah, it's not up and running yet, but I think the prospects look good, so I'm giving it a shot. I'm still promoting it in the scene, and the response has been great—quite a few people already want to join."
Zheng Zhigang followed up: "So you'll be the chairman, right?"
A proud smile tugged at He Youjun's lips. "There aren't many people doing this over there, and I'm the first to take the plunge. Barring surprises, yeah. Once everything's ready, I'll hold a press conference."
Zheng Zhigang clapped He Youjun on the shoulder. "I heard from Old Huo that he's already spoken to you—his family will be there."
He Youjun nodded. "Right. You've got to come and show your support too. Brother Cheng, Brother Wang, you guys come as well—help me drum up some buzz."
Jiang Cheng shrugged. "I don't even own a team. Won't showing up be kind of pointless?"
Seeing that, Wang Congcong asked, "Didn't you say you're interested too? Why not start one? We could all join the fun at S8."
Jiang Cheng looked at Wang Congcong, thoughtful. "I do have the idea—but the team I have my eye on is yours."
Wang Congcong's expression shifted. "You're joking, right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Jiang Cheng spread his hands.
Seeing Jiang Cheng stare at him so seriously, Wang Congcong looked helpless.
"You're not really planning to buy my team, are you? That's my baby!" Wang Congcong said, a bit frantic.
He'd already been forced to hand Fierce Cat TV over to Jiang Cheng.
If Jiang Cheng now set his sights on his esports squad, what would he have left?—though he could refuse to sell.
But reality was more complicated.
When someone powerful wants what you have and intends to buy, even an unwilling seller faces countless ways for the buyer to get it—
poaching players, paying huge buyouts, or simply raising prices.
Just that alone could mean wrangling for ages.
Thinking of this, Wang Congcong gave a wry smile. "Brother Cheng, please let me off. If you're really interested, I can recommend some top players—Brother Gou, for instance. He's a great choice. I tried to poach him before and never managed it."
Seeing Wang Congcong so anxious, Jiang Cheng couldn't help laughing.
"Relax, I was kidding."
Still, Wang Congcong's words suddenly made Jiang Cheng feel the idea had some spark.
But only as a passion project.
Making money from esports? He didn't hold out hope.
Just as netizens joked, those years Wang Congcong luckily failed in esports.
He'd burned through the entire five hundred million Wang Richest man had given him, even forcing the family to throw in more.
That failure made him settle down, stop striving, and focus on chasing girls and living idly.
Otherwise, if he'd kept wasting money, Richest Man Wang's later years would've been crushed not only by Dawen's debts but also by Wang Congcong's ventures.
Even the son of the richest man had stumbled in esports.
So striking it rich there was impossible.
But if you've got cash to spare and treat it as a hobby, it's not bad.
Relieved, Wang Congcong felt the stone in his heart drop; his whole body relaxed.
Not that his nerves were unwarranted.
Over the past six months of contact,
he'd learned Jiang Cheng was unfathomable; what Jiang Cheng wanted, he got.
If Jiang Cheng truly decided to acquire his team, he probably couldn't stop it.
More importantly, he didn't want to make an enemy of Jiang Cheng.
Seeing Wang Congcong so tense, He Youjun and Zheng Zhigang exchanged another glance, surprise and doubt in their eyes.
"Is Brother Gou really that hard to poach?" Jiang Cheng asked curiously.
While the four men sat discussing their businesses,
Shen Shuang took the chance to drag Jiang Churan into a selfie spree.
Though they'd joked about crashing the table, they behaved—only nibbling melon seeds and snapping photos.
They didn't even touch the pricey ace of spades champagne on the table.
Their restraint surprised Jiang Cheng a little.
He glanced sideways: Jiang Churan sat quietly,
like a blooming flower giving off a faint fragrance.
Her eyes were clear and bright as she cooperated obediently with Shen Shuang's selfies.
When Shen Shuang started photographing the ace of spades bottle, Jiang Cheng picked up a glass and poured each of them half a cup.
He asked softly, "Did you two drive tonight?"
Shen Shuang shook her head lightly; she'd come by cab.
Jiang Cheng nodded, then said especially to Jiang Churan, "This champagne tastes so-so; just try a sip. When you leave later, I'll have someone bring you some to take home and enjoy slowly."
Sure enough, such thoughtful words were a universal formula—every woman loved hearing them.
Hearing that, Jiang Churan's expression mirrored Zhou Ying's the first time she'd gone drinking with Jiang Cheng—
eyes showing surprise and admiration as she looked at him.
Though she said nothing, her heart instantly softened.
Unconsciously, her favorability value toward Jiang Cheng rose by five points.
Jiang Churan: favorability value +5!