Chapter 97: I’m Suddenly a Little Angry!

The TCA venue.

A symphony orchestra performed a solo in the center of the stage.

The middle-aged man leading them waved his baton, passionately immersed in a sea of symphonic music.

This was “HS AD,” a symphony orchestra from Finland.

They were one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world.

Outside the venue.

Countless players were cheering.

“Go for it!”

“Universe Technology, keep it up!”

“Crush them! Give them hell!”

“…”

Zhao Hang heard the voices of many Huaxia players.

Many of them had heard the news of today’s awards and had traveled from Huaxia to Japan of their own accord, wanting to witness the moment Road Rash won an award!

Even if they couldn’t get into the TCA venue, they were still outside cheering for Universe Technology!

After all…

To them, this was another expedition.

Huaxia games were once again marching upon the TCA!

Moreover, this year was the most promising year yet!

Hearing the voices of his compatriots in a foreign land was undoubtedly an exhilarating experience.

This was Zhao Hang’s first time abroad, his first time sitting in a foreign venue, and his first time facing such a dazzling scene and the cheers of so many players…

Sitting in his seat and looking at the big screen, he touched the team jersey in his hands!

His heart was racing!

He couldn’t help but imagine their game frozen on the big screen amidst waves of applause and cheers. Then, they would drape themselves in their jerseys, raise the fluttering national flag, and play the national anthem!

What could be more exciting than playing the national anthem on Japanese soil¹?

Ge Yumiao and Zhong Chongwen, however, were somewhat nervous.

Before arriving at the scene…

Like Zhao Hang, they had fantasized about wearing their jerseys and becoming heroes in the eyes of all players under the spotlight…

But after arriving and facing people of all kinds, surrounded by a cacophony of different languages, they were suddenly struck by a sense of helplessness…

They kept glancing toward Zhang Yang’s seat.

They were looking for their pillar of support!

Where did President Zhang go?

The awards were about to start; where was President Zhang?

Zhang Yang’s seat was empty.

He wasn’t in his place…

They instinctively looked toward the aisle on the other side…

They found it crowded with people and countless reporters.

And Zhang Yang…

Seemed to be in the center of the crowd.

……………………

“Haha, young and promising indeed! A true hero emerges from the youth! When we were as young as President Zhang, we didn’t even know what games were!”

“Haha, the new generation surpasses the old. The future of Huaxia games will definitely belong to you, President Zhang. Your company hasn’t even been open that long!”

“We’re getting old and don’t have the heart for the struggle anymore. Opportunities must be left for you young people…”

“President Zhang, this time, I’m most optimistic about your game. It’s much stronger than the others. You are the pride of the Huaxia gaming circle!”

“Haha, President Zhang, you’ve got this!”

“President Zhang, don’t worry. I’ve already had someone cast a vote for you this time. Besides, look at the other games. In terms of downloads and popularity, which one can compare to your Road Rash?”

“That’s right. It’s been so many years since such a good game appeared in Huaxia… We old-timers should learn from you!”

“…”

Liu Lei of Dadi Technology, Xu Hailong of Shengteng, Liu Zhongshan of Mumaen Technology, and several other gaming company CEOs whom Zhang Yang didn’t recognize surrounded him…

They were either praising him, expressing amazement, or giving him thumbs-up.

Zhang Yang seemed to be enveloped in an ocean of congratulations.

In their words, Zhang Yang had already become their equal, or even the “Future King of Huaxia Games” who could surpass them.

Zhang Yang wore a smile as he responded to everyone’s flattery, but his eyes gradually narrowed.

He wasn’t entranced by these voices of praise and admiration.

While responding to these people, he noticed many people taking photos and recording videos. There were even many reporters who seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally asking what Zhang Yang’s next steps would be after winning the TCA award.

It was as if, in their eyes, this TCA award was already in Zhang Yang’s pocket!

It even gave Zhang Yang the impression that this wasn’t a pre-awards gathering, but a victory interview after a grand win…

In fact…

Whether it was Dadi Technology, Shengteng Technology, or Mumaen Technology…

They were all influential guest companies at this TCA awards ceremony.

Although they couldn’t vote directly, every company had judges with whom they had relatively good relationships. If all their judges voted for him, then based on Road Rash’s popularity in Huaxia and its influential data across all aspects since its launch, he did indeed have a high probability of winning.

However!

Was that really the case?

Zhang Yang keenly realized that the way everyone was flattering him felt like they were coaxing a child.

……………………

The people flattering Zhang Yang dispersed one by one and returned to their respective seats.

Zhang Yang also sat back in his seat to enjoy the symphony in the center of the stage, but his gaze grew increasingly calm.

At this moment…

He felt like a passerby; all the surrounding clamor had nothing to do with him.

The award ceremony began soon.

The Japanese translator girl sitting next to him was diligently translating the content on stage for him.

It was basically the usual opening routine for many programs. The host talked nonsense, telling jokes that were barely funny to adjust the atmosphere, and introduced the guest presenters.

Liu Zhongshan was, surprisingly, one of the presenters.

Specifically, for the Best Competitive Game in the single-player category.

The award ceremony officially commenced…

The lights in the venue dimmed from brilliant to low. On the big screen, promotional animation videos for various games began to appear.

War of Warcraft, Legend, Paradise OL²…

Even though the actual graphics of Legend were only mediocre, its promotional animation was crafted with extreme sophistication…

In truth, for an international event like this, the promotional animation was of paramount importance.

This was especially true when it came to War of Warcraft. Its grand, epic score vibrated through more than half the venue. Even Zhang Yang couldn’t help but stare for a while, feeling a tingling sensation crawl across his scalp.

He stared at the giant screen.

He wasn’t sure if it was just an illusion, but he felt that the version of War of Warcraft in this world had a promotional cinematic even more exquisite than the 2005 Warcraft trailer from his original world.

Soon…

The player voting index and the judges’ voting index appeared on the screen.

With a staggering number of votes, War of Warcraft deservingly won the award for Online Game of the Year!

A bearded American man stood up and ran excitedly to the podium, rattling off a stream of English.

Through the young woman’s translation, Zhang Yang learned that the man before him was Peter Parker, the general manager of War of Warcraft under the American Tyrannosaurus Company³.

Yes, that was right. This young man shared the exact same name as the protagonist of Spider-Man.

After finishing his acceptance speech, he hoisted the trophy high in excitement, looking like a victorious gladiator from a movie, and even began to let out a series of wild roars.

“Next, welcome to the era of Warcraft!”

Before leaving the stage, Peter Parker practically roared this sentence into the microphone. Then, amidst a burst of applause and cheers, he walked off the stage into the spotlight.

He certainly had the confidence to say such a thing.

Because War of Warcraft was flourishing all over the globe. Just a few days ago, it had officially overtaken Legend to claim the top spot in player traffic!

This was the era of War of Warcraft!

“To be able to stand on a stage like that and say something so bold to game companies from so many countries… just thinking about it is a rush!”

Zhao Hang clenched his fists.

He was nearly ready to jump out of his seat.

Beside him, Zhong Chongwen, Ge Yumiao, and the others wore similar expressions.

They stared at the stage!

Their eyes were filled with anticipation…

…

War of Warcraft was indeed sweeping the awards.

The subsequent award for Best Game Music was also given to “War” from War of Warcraft. A bearded composer similarly raised the trophy in excitement, cheering wildly for the cameras.

After Best Game Music, it was time for the Best Shooter category in the single-player game section.

Lone Island Gun God⁴ appeared on the screen.

Everyone from Dadi Technology stared excitedly at the promotional trailer, their hearts filled with the same hope for victory.

However…

The moment the trailer for Finland’s Battlefield appeared, they knew they had lost.

Battlefield was designed with incredible precision. It offered a powerful sense of visual immersion, and the gunfire in the trailer sounded remarkably realistic!

Zhang Yang stared at the screen.

Looking at the visuals…

He realized this was a game similar to a lower-end version of Counter-Strike. It seemed to have just been released, but it hadn’t officially entered the Huaxia market yet.

But…

Zhang Yang could already foresee that this single-player game was about to explode in popularity!

What a pity!

His company’s scale was limited, and its current strength was insufficient.

Otherwise…

He could have made it himself!

On the other side, Xu Hailong from Shengteng Technology’s game department saw his eyes light up upon seeing the game. He immediately sent a text message to his superiors back in Huaxia.

Not long after, having received his leader’s approval, he immediately began considering how to “plagiarize⁵” Battlefield.

Next!

Shengteng Technology’s Human Killing Machine also entered the selection process for Best Fighting Game…

Xu Hailong’s gaze held no real expectation.

Just as he had anticipated…

Shengteng Technology’s Human Killing Machine also failed to win.

…

As the competitive games category approached…

Zhao Hang grew increasingly nervous!

He had looked into their opponent this time!

Their rival was Racing 2.

Whether in terms of graphics or current audience size, that game couldn’t compare to Road Rash!

Yes!

Even if Road Rash was only available in the Huaxia region, it still crushed Racing 2!

Zhao Hang gripped the national flag, so nervous he felt like vomiting!

He stared fervently at the promotional footage that followed!

While the gameplay visuals of Racing 2 were quite simple, its promotional animation was very well-crafted…

However!

The promotional animation for Road Rash was even better!

Thrilling, narrow tracks, and ruins rendered with extreme realism…

A weather system featuring dark, rainy skies, and racers driving madly down the road wielding stones and bombs. One could even catch glimpses of sparks flying from beneath the motorcycles. On the giant screen, it truly felt like being right there in the scene…

Many bosses from foreign companies couldn’t help but marvel at the sight!

Some even began to applaud!

The promotional animation ended!

The online popularity vote for Racing 2 stood at 2.8 million!

Meanwhile…

Road Rash had reached a staggering three million votes!

Zhao Hang’s throat was trembling!

They were going to win!

It was a sure thing!

They were about to get the award!

He was practically standing up. He had even pulled out his team jacket, his mind racing with countless victory speeches.

Not just him, but Ge Yumiao and the others had already stood up, tearing open the packaging of their team jackets and preparing to raise the national flag!

However…

The subsequent judges’ voting data made everyone’s eyes widen!

Road Rash received twenty-eight votes!

But…

Racing 2 received thirty-three votes!

Out of seventy judge votes!

Nine had abstained.

Seeing these figures, Zhao Hang stared at the screen in disbelief.

It was as if he could no longer hear any sound.

Zhong Chongwen and Ge Yumiao were also stunned…

It wasn’t until the representative for Racing 2, a young German man, ran excitedly onto the stage and delivered a tearful, snot-filled acceptance speech that they realized they had lost!

How was this possible!

Why were they five votes short from the judges?

Why!

How could this be…

Zhao Hang looked over and saw several foreign game companies he didn’t know nearby. They seemed to be grumbling and swearing, as if they were protesting, as if they were speaking out against an injustice…

Did they actually vote against their own game, Road Rash?

Several young men lowered their heads.

Zhong Chongwen broke down in tears right then and there.

All the hard work of the past few days had come to nothing in the end.

His mental state completely shattered!

Ge Yumiao slammed his water bottle onto the ground, pointing at the stage and shouting about a rigged system.

Many people in the audience stood up as well.

Despite their different nationalities, everyone there was a gaming enthusiast.

Many of them hoped to build a truly fair and just TCA.

Unless they were blind, they all knew that Road Rash was objectively higher quality than Racing 2.

The young German man on stage seemed to realize how awkward the situation was.

He clutched his trophy and hurried off the stage, no longer lingering to say another word.

The organizer also felt the awkwardness. In fact, even he was surprised by this result.

However, he still stepped forward immediately to explain the authenticity of the data, claiming that these were choices made after repeated voting by the judges and that no corruption existed.

As Ge Yumiao continued to voice his suspicions, several staff members stepped in to explain.

When they heard Ge Yumiao demand to see the ballots, the staff members shook their heads, stating that the awards were authoritative and confidential. Unless one was an internal staff member, the votes could not be viewed.

Ge Yumiao was so angry he looked ready to hit someone.

But…

Zhang Yang remained very calm.

Amidst the noisy world, he had not said a single word from beginning to end. He remained silent, his gaze merely drifting toward the distant representatives of Dadi Technology, Mumaen Technology, and Shengteng Technology.

Then, he gave an uncharacteristic smile.

He stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“President Zhang, this is clearly rigged! Even a fool knows it. I can’t accept this… they stole our trophy! They stole our trophy! They’re just a bunch of thieves!” Ge Yumiao roared hysterically in front of the cameras, tears streaming down his face.

Zhang Yang shook his head, yet he looked at the stage with a face full of smiles. He glanced at the crowd, then at the staff members. “Excuse me, can we have a recount?”

“I am very sorry about this result, but the outcome is already finalized,” the staff member explained awkwardly.

“Oh, then let’s go.” Zhang Yang’s smile remained bright. He left his seat and walked into the aisle. He cast one last glance at the TCA stage, shrugged, and finally turned to leave.

Just as he passed by Liu Zhongshan, he suddenly stopped.

“President Liu?”

“President Zhang, perhaps it’s because Road Rash has only been online for a little over a month, while Racing 2 has been out for nearly a year. Some of the judges might not have recognized it yet… Don’t take a single failure to heart.” Seeing Zhang Yang speak to him, Liu Zhongshan turned his head. His eyes were filled with sympathy and regret, and he even reached out as if to pat Zhang Yang’s shoulder in comfort.

“President Liu, you voted against us, didn’t you?”

“How could that be…” Liu Zhongshan looked into Zhang Yang’s eyes and suddenly realized they were incredibly sharp. His own expression didn’t change, but he frowned and shook his head. “We are in the same camp. How could we possibly vote against you?”

“I’ve suddenly become a bit angry. Those who need to be prepared should get ready.” After Zhang Yang said this, he suddenly laughed.

He spoke as if he were mentioning something trivial, leaving behind a cryptic remark.

As he left the venue…

For some reason…

Even Liu Zhongshan, who had spent many years navigating the cutthroat business world, felt a chill deep in his heart.

“Dad… did you really vote against them?” Liu Ruohan’s eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief.

“…” Liu Zhongshan remained silent.

…

TCA Backstage.

The organizer, Thomson, turned pale the moment he saw the video and stood up instantly.

“Why was it awarded to Racing 2!”

“We have always upheld the principles of fairness and justice! How could this happen? If the awards are like this, does our event have any authority left!”

“You’ve ruined everything, do you realize that!”

“…”

His assistant’s face was also pale.

“The company behind Racing 2 spoke to many of the judges, saying they hoped they wouldn’t lose too badly…”

“We originally thought that with the votes from the Huaxia companies, Road Rash would definitely win. But we didn’t expect that several judges close to the Huaxia companies would abstain. Some even voted for Racing 2! Only one company voted for Road Rash!”

“…”

“…” The assistant murmured to himself, appearing equally shocked.

(End of Chapter)

Translator’s Notes