CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 249: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU CURSING ME FOR?

And UZI with Dog Concubine Xiaoming’s combination on the bottom line is simply unbeatable in the LPL; anyone who goes against them has to handle the pressure. Although UZI has taken a lot of flak, denying his skills would just be ridiculous. He might not have the skills to be the world’s top ADC, but he is certainly world-class.

MLXG’s style remains wild and fierce, even at WE.

Top lane player 369 may not have much fame right now, nor can he create much advantage, but he wins in stability, especially when MLXG is always focusing on mid and bottom, skulking and resisting pressure, never collapsing.

This lifetime’s equal footing top laner might very well be him.

In this way, after a short period of adjustment, the team turned into the darkest dark horse of the spring tournament, galloping through the entire LPL Division, unstoppable! (ps: I’m just a silver rank Yasuo player who loves to play, I don’t understand matches, just watching a bit for fun, don’t bring real data...)

Seeing the three with an expression of enlightenment, Ruo Feng then laughed, "So am I making sense or what?"

Zhou Shuyi looked at him suspiciously and said, "But didn’t you retire? And you’re not with WE anymore, I still think you’re just trying to ride the boss’s coattails."

Ruo Feng: "..."

As the media reporters and invited industry peers chatted, two figures walked out from the door to the left of the podium. Their heights were not much different, Gu Bai was 182cm and Principal Wang was 183cm, making them appear on the same level walking together.

But in terms of looks and aura, there was a huge difference between the two.

Principal Wang, usually seen in lazy attire like slippers and a tank top, cleaned up with a neat black suit, and his hair styled back with hair gel, looking quite like his father Wang Shoufu.

Conversely, Gu Bai’s appearance could crush him all the way.

A cream-colored casual suit, though the brand wasn’t apparent, its high value was evident. His hair wasn’t slicked back like Principal Wang’s, rather it was slightly fluffy, appearing younger and more fashionable, with a tall and slender build, hand in pocket, walking casually, yet exuding a noble aura.

After Gu Bai and Principal Wang appeared, media reporters shifted their focus from PDD and others, aiming their cameras at the two.

PDD and the others exchanged looks upon seeing this.

"This must be the influence of these two big shots, right? Just now, when the media was filming and interviewing us, their attitude was charity-like, but now seeing Chairman Gu and Principal Wang, it’s like bees seeing flowers, swarming over. The attitude towards us is worlds apart."

Zhou Shuyi frowned and asked Zou Erke, who spoke just now, curiously, "Why is it like bees seeing flowers, rather than flies seeing shit?"

Zou Erke rolled his eyes helplessly, "If you have the guts to repeat that in front of Chairman Gu and Principal Wang, I’d salute you, Sister Zhou, as a real man!"

Zhou Shuyi immediately gave a playful smile.

Meanwhile, Gu Bai and Principal Wang were unaware of the antics of these streamers at the podium.

Principal Wang teased Gu Bai with a smile, "Chairman Gu, please sit."

Upon hearing Principal Wang’s words and seeing his expression, Gu Bai gave him a subtle sideways glance and sat down directly at the right middle of the podium.

Although the two were close, certain formalities were necessary in such a formal occasion.

As the investor, Gu Bai clearly held a dominant position and being arranged on the right side carried deep meaning.

In Hua Country, etiquette has always been important, and in formal occasions, positions and sequences cannot be messed up. According to international conventions, most social and business negotiations follow a principle of right-handed precedence, for instance, many TV broadcasts and large business affairs arrange seating order based on company strength. You may not know the leaders of two companies, but their seating can indicate which company is stronger.

It was only natural for Principal Wang to be seated on the left.

Then, under the watchful eyes of all the media reporters, both parties exchanged signed documents, officially completing Panda TV’s B+ round financing.

The two stood up and extended their right hands for a firm handshake.

The flashlights from the audience instantly lit up, with various media capturing this moment.

Next came the media Q&A session, which Principal Wang had invited the media to for the signing ceremony, to announce Panda TV’s high-profile financing through media channels.

A reporter pointed to the podium with a microphone and asked, "Principal Wang, hello, I’m a reporter from the Beijing Finance and Economics Daily. I would like to ask, as far as we know, Panda TV is currently at the B+ round of financing, specifically the third round. Why did you decide to release 20% of the shares for financing at this particular point?"

All the media had their mouths sealed with red envelopes. This question wasn’t very sharp, and Principal Wang quickly organized his thoughts and replied, "The competition in the live streaming market has intensified. Both Douyu and Huya have received significant investments, and although I also wish to develop steadily, the market doesn’t allow me that chance. I’m reluctantly putting up 20% of the shares for Chairman Gu’s 1.6 billion yuan investment fund."

"Principal Wang, as you mentioned earlier, the competition in the live streaming market has intensified, and Douyu and Huya dominate most of the market. Does this financing affirm that Panda Entertainment will also join in the money-burning war?"

Principal Wang: "The term money-burning war is inaccurate. I prefer to call it market competition. Regardless of how our three companies compete, our core mission remains the same, which is to serve the entire streaming industry."

All the questions seemed premeditated, and if things went on like this, there wouldn’t be many hot topics.

Suddenly, a bespectacled journalist raised his microphone and asked Gu Bai, who was sitting nearby, "Many peers have already interviewed Principal Wang earlier, can Chairman Gu accept an interview?"

Gu Bai lifted his head to glance at that journalist, then slightly nodded, agreeing.

That journalist quickly smiled, stepped closer to the podium, and began to ask, "From what industry insiders have revealed, Panda TV has suffered from internal management chaos in the past year, lacking sensitivity to market changes, causing its valuation to not increase much over the past two years of fast growth in the live streaming industry.

In particular, in 2017, Panda TV was even rumored to undergo restructuring and delayed salaries, causing a series of scandals. I believe most investors or investment institutions would not consider financing Panda TV.

Moreover, everyone knows you and Principal Wang have a close friendship, so I’d like to ask, is this B+ round of Panda TV financing driven by personal favors? Or is it straightforwardly a friendship investment?"

Listening to the reporter’s words, Principal Wang’s face turned darker and darker.

In his mind, he cursed the head of Panda TV’s PR department a hundred times over, having given him a huge sum for the reporter arrangements, yet this troublemaker emerged.

The PR head of Panda TV, who was observing from afar, was sweating profusely.

Principal Wang’s bad temper was well-known, and with this blunder, he had already drafted his resignation letter in his mind.

However, hearing the question, Gu Bai didn’t react much but instead looked directly at the journalist and chuckled, "Are you calling me a fool?"

That journalist was taken aback, then hurriedly explained, "I think Chairman Gu misunderstood my meaning after all..."

"Did I misunderstand?

You’re right, I am good friends with Principal Wang, and everyone here knows the financing amount was 1.6 billion. You may not know what 1.6 billion means, so let me explain a little. Suppose you count ten thousand yuan every thirty seconds, then 1.6 billion would take not just 55 days, nonstop, even going beyond, to count, without even eating or drinking. Forget your hands cramping from counting money—it could even wreck your hands.

Just now, you suggested that I’d put out 1.6 billion for friendship investment? If the son of the richest man weren’t standing next to me, I’d think you were the richest man’s son, otherwise why else would you say something so above the charts?

So, if you weren’t implying I’m a fool, then it only means you’re the fool here."

Gu Bai’s tone was warm and smooth, without any sign of anger, yet it left the journalist red-faced and at a loss for words.

After saying this, Gu Bai addressed all the reporters in front of him, "I’ve always considered journalism a very rigorous profession, but if your questioning level is only this high, let’s just end the Q&A session right here."

Having said that, Gu Bai directly stood up and left, with the Black Swan Group’s investment department executives following closely behind.