The Tragic Character of Zhang Jiale

At 7:30 PM, the host, dressed in a pure black tuxedo with a gold lapel pin, walked to the centre of the stage, adding a touch of grandeur to the evening's competition.

"Let's welcome the players!"

The player entrances opened on both sides, and amid the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, the team captains led their members onto the stage. All the cameramen focused on the professional players on stage, and the large screens above displayed the heroic images of the two captains.

"Indeed, the captain is always the most eye-catching figure in a team, standing under the spotlight, enjoying the adoration of the crowd," Liu Hao said with a meaningful smile, glancing at Ye Qiu sitting in the front row.

Making Ye Qiu the captain seemed like a waste; the cameraman couldn't find him, wasting the captain's title and exposure. Liu Hao felt it was a pity, but he also understood that such remarks couldn't be voiced. It was like saying an emperor didn't deserve the throne in ancient times—saying it would bring condemnation.

On the big screen, Han Wenqing looked much the same as in memory—tall, powerful, with thick eyebrows and big eyes exuding a heroic spirit, like a bold and straightforward general commanding respect.

Liu Hao wasn't particularly interested in Han Wenqing; he was more curious about the legendary "Zhang Jiale".

On the other side of the screen, Zhang Jiale had a small flax-coloured ponytail tied at the back of his head. His eyebrows exuded a wild charm, and his attractive features made the girls in the audience go crazy. He looked like a gentlemanly playboy. Zhang Jiale's appearance was among the best in the Glory professional circle, though not as handsome as Zhou Zekai, his looks still rated a solid 92.

"Speaking of which, Zhang Jiale is quite a tragic character," Liu Hao said softly.

"A tragic character? How could Zhang Jiale be a tragic character?" Chen Guo didn't understand. "In the fifth season, Zhang Jiale was the regular season MVP. He was the only non-champion MVP, almost reaching legendary status!"

Whenever talking about Glory, Chen Guo would become very enthusiastic and couldn't stop talking: "Do you know, over the years, the regular season MVP has always come from the champion team, but in the fifth season, Zhang Jiale's team, Hundred Blossoms, was the runner-up. Yet, the Glory committee awarded the regular season MVP trophy to Zhang Jiale to honour his supreme glory!"

"Indeed, Zhang Jiale's regular season MVP trophy is unique in the Glory circle," Liu Hao agreed.

"Then why do you still say Zhang Jiale is a tragic character? His achievements are envied by most professional players," Chen Guo wondered.

Liu Hao started to elaborate:

"Zhang Jiale is incredibly talented. In the third season, his team, Hundred Blossoms, developed the Blooming Blossom strategy, which was unbeatable. Unfortunately, in the finals, One Autumn Leaf pierced through it, costing them the championship."

"In the fifth season, Hundred Blossoms was at its peak, and the Blooming Blossom strategy was unstoppable. That year was their best chance to win the championship. But mid-season, their captain Sun Zheping had to retire due to a hand injury, breaking the strategy's power. In the end, Misty Rain took the opportunity to disqualify them, and Zhang Jiale missed the championship again," Liu Hao lamented. "Having the strength to be a champion but not the luck is like a high school student missing out on Tsinghua or Peking University by just one point, or a tragic male character in a romance novel who almost wins the heroine, almost."

Chen Guo nodded blankly, "That makes sense. Zhang Jiale does seem quite tragic. He's so strong, but he just can't get the championship. I feel a bit sorry for him… What about this time? Do you think Hundred Blossoms can beat Tyranny and win the championship?"

"This time, Hundred Blossoms will definitely beat Tyranny, I guarantee," Liu Hao smiled. "But as for the championship, that's unlikely."

Zhang Jiale's reputation wasn't just talk...

"Hehe, I don't care if Hundred Blossoms wins the championship as long as they eliminate Tyranny," Chen Guo said happily, like a child. She didn't know why, but she trusted Liu Hao. Maybe it was because Liu Hao had saved her, or maybe it was because they had good conversations. Since Liu Hao said Hundred Blossoms could beat Tyranny, she believed it.

Chen Guo suddenly remembered a phrase—"a raven is like a writing desk."

Liu Hao noticed the admiration and affection in Chen Guo's eyes and felt a bit guilty. He thought he might be narcissistic, thinking Chen Guo might have a crush on him.

He felt a bit awkward, not knowing how to respond. He had no ulterior motives towards Chen Guo; he enjoyed talking with her because she was an important supporting character in the book and he genuinely liked her. But now, the situation seemed to be getting out of hand.

Just then, Liu Hao noticed the surrounding hostile and disdainful gazes. The audience around them was filled with hostility.

What's going on? Is there something on our faces? Why are they all staring at us? Liu Hao felt puzzled, then suddenly realised, this was Tyranny's home ground, and most of the audience were Tyranny fans. Their blatant talk about Hundred Blossoms beating Tyranny was like thanking Satan in a church, a taboo against God.

"Buddy, keep an eye on your friend, don't let her talk nonsense," someone frowned and reminded him.

"Sorry, sorry," Chen Guo and Liu Hao quickly apologised.

The audience, being reasonable people, saw their sincere apologies and didn't pursue the matter further.

Liu Hao breathed a sigh of relief. The incident alleviated his awkwardness, reminding him to maintain some distance from Chen Guo to avoid things getting out of hand.

After a while, the referee took the stage to announce the match rules:

"... The playoff format is no different from the regular season, with three solo matches, a relay match, and a team match... For the solo matches, each team sends out one player to compete, with the winner's team earning one point; for the relay match, each team sends out three players who haven't participated in the solo matches, arranging their order independently for one-on-one duels. The winner stays on while the loser steps down, until all members of one team are defeated, the relay match ends, and the winning team earns two points; for the team match, each team sends out six players, five starters and one substitute, to engage in team combat until all members of one team are defeated, ending the match, with the winner earning five points... Since the playoffs are knockout rounds, there will be home and away games. Two days later, the second round of the quarterfinals will be held at Hundred Blossoms' home ground. After the final match, the team with the higher points advances to the semifinals, while the team with the lower points is eliminated..."

Then the referee explained the match rules. Most of the audience were die-hard Glory fans and naturally knew the playoff rules, so there was no need to listen to the lengthy explanation.

After the referee finished explaining the rules, it was finally 8 PM, and the match officially began. The familiar commentary voice echoed in their ears, from Glory Professional League's most popular commentator duo, Li Yibo and Pan Lin.

"Mr. Li Yibo, this is the seventh consecutive year that Tyranny has entered the playoffs, and they are up against the old powerhouse Hundred Blossoms. What are your thoughts on this match?" Pan Lin asked.

Li Yibo was very composed, "As you know, I am a former Tyranny player, so in my heart, I naturally hope Tyranny will win. But both Hundred Blossoms and Tyranny are strong teams, and the outcome is uncertain. I don't know which team will win this match, but I believe tonight's match will be especially exciting."

...

(End of this chapter)