Chapter 793: Take Off!

December 22nd, Thursday…

Shanghai Airport.

Zhao Xuming and theplayers of the other two clubs were waiting for their flight.

This time, IOI’s global finals had been finalized. It would be held on December 31st, which would officially start on next week’s Saturday. It would last a month, until the end of January.

The competition format was similar to GOG’s international invitational tournament. There were also sixteen teams and four teams. They were divided into two stages: group competition and elimination competition.

In terms of competition schedule, the focus of the group stages and elimination rounds were basically arranged on weekends and legal holidays, while less important competitions and rest days were arranged as much as possible on working days.

The arrangement was not perfect but it was reasonable.

However, due to the time difference, the domestic audience’s viewing experience would be relatively poor. For example, the domestic viewing time would be from three in the morning to twelve in the afternoon on the second day for group battles. The timing was relatively bad.

It was held in Los Angeles after all. There was no other way to arrange the schedule.

Finger Games would only provide hotels and accommodation the day before the competition, until the team was eliminated.

Thus, most of the poorer clubs would only arrive at the hotel near the competition venue one or two days before the start of the competition.

On the other hand, Zhao Xuming decided to head over a week earlier to allow the local clubs to compete with the European and American teams in advance and adapt to the local environment. They would stay in the hotel arranged by Finger Games.

Long Yu Corporation had reimbursed all the flight tickets and accommodation expenses for the week.

There were a total of 20 people in the team. The two clubs had five members, a team leader, a coach each, which made up 14 people. In addition, Long Yu Corporation also had six staff members, including Zhao Xuming.

Zhao Xuming went to Los Angeles purely to take the opportunity to go out and play and watch IOI’s competition. After all, Long Yu Corporation’s IOI Operations Cooperation Department would mainly use IOI World Competition for promotion. It was only right for him to go to Los Angeles.

When he arrived in Los Angeles, Zhao Xuming would visit Finger Games’ headquarters with his colleagues from IOI’s operations and cooperation department in addition to settling down the members of these two clubs.

A group of 20 people were waiting at the airport.

At the moment, only a few cities like Beijing and Shanghai could fly directly to Los Angeles, and the ticket prices were relatively more expensive. Most other cities would need to transfer flights. The ticket prices were relatively cheaper but the entire journey would take much longer.

Zhao Xuming did not choose a cheaper route. Instead, he chose the lesser expensive direct flights. The entire journey would only take about 13 hours.

Zhao Xuming was still a little proud. The tickets would be reimbursed by Long Yu Corporation after all. Choosing a direct flight was considered quite generous for these clubs.

Most of the players in these clubs were internet addicts. They had not been overseas and had not seen much of the world. Zhao Xuming felt that he had shown ample sincerity.

As for the seats, Zhao Xuming was a high-level executive of Long Yu Corporation. Of course, he could choose business class for business trips. However, after much consideration, he still chose economy class.

It was not that he was saving money for the company, but it did not look good on the surface.

That was because there were more people this time. It would be too expensive if all twenty of them took business class. After all, business class tickets were three times more expensive than economy class tickets. If all of them were reimbursed, it would cost three to four hundred thousand yuan more. That would not be appropriate.

On the other hand, Zhao Xuming was too embarrassed to take the business class and let the club members take the economy class. Thus, he had no choice but to suffer.

Of course, the leaders and team members of these two clubs did not care about this. It was already very good that Long Yu Corporation was reimbursing the plane tickets. It would be too much to ask them to spend three times the money for business class.

What’s more, wasn’t Boss Zhao taking economy class?

There was still some time before boarding. Zhao Xuming chatted with the leaders of the two clubs and briefly introduced the arrangements after Los Angeles.

“The hotel that Finger Games arranged for us this time is Courtyard by Marriott. It’s about 200 meters away from the competition venue which is within walking distance. It’s very convenient.”

“There’s nothing to say about the hotel’s environment. It’s very good. In any case, we have everything we need.”

“Once we get there, we’ll check into the hotel. You can ask me for reimbursement for the hotel expenses before the competition. The day before the competition, everyone can check out and move in again. We’ll move into the rooms arranged by Finger Games.”

“Our company has assigned a translator. When the time comes, we’ll have to trouble the two team leaders to search for nearby internet cafes and restaurants with our translator. We’ll see where we can train and eat.”

“Finger Games might have also arranged for training rooms and accommodation but they will only be ready one day before the competition. We will have to rely on ourselves this week.”

The two team leaders nodded repeatedly as Zhao Xuming explained some details.

The other members were also a little excited. Some of them were nervous as it was their first time on a plane.

Zhao Xuming was chatting with the two team leaders when he suddenly heard footsteps in the distance.

“Come, let’s do it here. Everyone, stand according to your height. Yes, stand in three rows. The main players stand in front and raise the team flag of the club. Alright, I am going to take the photo now.”

“One, two, three! Not bad, one more.”

Zhao Xuming could not help but to turn around. He was stunned.

Wasn’t this FV Club?

Why were there so many people?!

At that moment, about thirty people were standing together for a photo. The front row was even holding FV Club’s team flag. The five main players were standing at the front. Zhao Xuming recognized them with one glance.

Two photographers were holding their cameras and shooting wildly at the crowd. There was also a cameraman who was recording the entire process.

Zhao Xuming quickly saw more familiar faces in the crowd, including Ding Gan, Wu Yue, Manager Lu, and the members of SUG Club.

Zhao Xuming was confused.

What the hell was happening?

Since these people were already here, it meant that they were here to take a plane. Since they were taking a plane, they must be flying to Los Angeles.

However, even the people from FV Club had to fly to Los Angeles. There would only be seven or eight people at most, right?

Why were there so many people?

Why were the people from SUG Club here as well?

Zhao Xuming had originally thought that the team he had brought along with him from the two clubs was already huge. However, one FV club had crushed him in terms of numbers!

Zhao Xuming had no idea what was going on. This encounter was completely out of his expectations.

Wu Yue, who had just finished taking his photos, saw Zhao Xuming waiting for his flight.

Wu Yue was a little surprised as well. While he did not have a good expression on his face when facing Zhao Xuming, it would be too much to pretend not to see him when they were looking at each other.

Thus, Wu Yue immediately stepped forward and greeted Zhao Xuming.

“Boss Zhao! I didn’t expect to meet you here. What a coincidence.”

Zhao Xuming forced a smile and stood up. “Boss Wu, are you taking this flight to Los Angeles?”

Wu Yue nodded. “Yes, Boss Zhao too? Hey, isn’t this a coincidence?”

“However, that’s normal. This flight is more suitable in terms of time. Great minds think alike.”

Min Jingchao, Ye Zhizhou, and the others lived in Jingzhou while Wu Yue, FV and SUG clubs were both in Shanghai. What’s more, there were no direct flights to Los Angeles in Jingzhou, so everyone chose to leave from Shanghai.

Wu Yue and Zhao Xuming happened to bump into each other because of the takeoff time, landing time, scheduling, flight seats, and the price of plane tickets were the most appropriate.

The meeting was slightly awkward.

That was because Zhao Xuming deliberately did not bring FV Club to Los Angeles. Both parties knew this very well.

Given the current situation, Zhao Xuming had no choice but to keep mum about it. He pretended to be polite and said, “Boss Wu, there’s still some time before boarding. Let’s find a place to sit first.”

Wu Yue smiled. “Alright, you don’t have to worry about that, Boss Zhao.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Wu Yue called out to the others, “Come, everyone, follow me to find a place to rest.”

However, to Zhao Xuming’s surprise, Wu Yue and the others did not sit in the resting area next to them. Instead, they walked straight into the VIP lounge slightly further away.

Zhao Xuming was confused.

What was going on?

The VIP lounge was meant for business class passengers or high-end members to wait for their flight. There were television, newspapers, magazines, snacks, drinks, and other supporting services in the lounge. It provides service such as changing flights, changing their seats, and other services. What’s more, there were individual leather sofas which were much more comfortable than the hard row seats in the resting area!

Zhao Xuming was even more shocked when he saw that all thirty people had entered, including the cameraman who was following behind.

What was the meaning of this?

Could all thirty of them have booked business class?

Zhao Xuming was very clear about the price of the plane tickets. The economy class was about 10,000 yuan while the business class was about 30,000 yuan. If all 30 of them booked business class tickets, that would be spending 600,000 yuan more than the economy class!

It was utterly ridiculous!

Zhao Xuming quickly denied this idea.

Why would FV Club be willing to spend 600,000 yuan extra on plane tickets? That did not make sense!

Yes, he must have paid to rest in the VIP lounge in order to show off in front of us!

Zhao Xuming knew very well that even though these business class lounge were meant for business class ticket holders or high-networth individuals, they could still pay to enter. The price was 100 yuan per person.

If that was the case, 30 people would only be 3,000 yuan which was still alright.

Zhao Xuming felt that he could also spend 2,000 yuan to show off. However, on second thought, the plane was not delayed and would take off soon. There was no need to spend money on it.

It was better to pretend that nothing had happened.

After being interrupted by Wu Yue and the others, Zhao Xuming was no longer in the mood to chat with the club leaders. Everyone was surfing their cell phones while waiting for their flight.

For some reason, Zhao Xuming could not help but to think about the scene in the VIP lounge.

The environment was quiet, and no one was making a fuss. They sat on comfortable leather sofas, read magazines, and watched movies. There was an unlimited supply of free snacks and drinks…

The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he was being mocked.

Zhao Xuming looked at his watch frequently. Fortunately, they were about to board the plane.

Everyone arrived at the boarding gate and waited in line.

The direct flight to Los Angeles this time was a large passenger plane that could seat close to 500 people. It was divided into two floors, so there were more people queuing.

Zhao Xuming and the others stood up in advance and waited patiently in the front row.

As the queue grew longer and longer, Wu Yue and the others did not come out of the VIP lounge. Zhao Xuming became more and more suspicious.

What was going on?

Were they not in a hurry to queue or…

Finally, Wu Yue and Ding Gan led the group of 30 out of the VIP lounge. However, they did not line up at the end of the line. Instead, they walked straight to another boarding gate.

Wu Yue and the others were unimpeded under the attentive reception of the flight attendants.

The long line on the other side formed a stark contrast.

Zhao Xuming and the team leaders of the two clubs watched helplessly as Wu Yue and the others boarded the plane, while their own team moved as slowly as a tortoise.

This large passenger plane was divided into two levels. There were two independent boarding entrances. Boarding and disembarking did not interfere with each other. Business class was on the upper level while economy class was on the lower level. There was no need to queue for business class.

Zhao Xuming :”…”

He quietly shut himself up looking at the backs of Wu Yue, Ding Gan, and the others.