Rebirth is fine, but I get eight hundred dollars right from the start?

Time flies like paper airplanes, torn off piece by piece and thrown into the wind; before you know it, it's late May.

Friday, July 24, 2013.

The weather in Shanghai has somehow taken on the temper of summer.

This coastal international metropolis was enveloped by warm, humid air currents. The air felt like a soaked cotton blanket, making people feel sticky and uncomfortable. After walking a few steps, a thin layer of sweat would appear on their foreheads.

The plane tree leaves along the street rustled and rippled in the wind, but the wind didn't cool you down much when it hit your face; instead, it filled the whole city with the moisture from the Huangpu River.

Despite the oppressive weather, the enthusiasm of the young people gathered in twos and threes on the street was not dampened at all.

Because today is the official opening day of the 2013 League of Legends All-Star event in Shanghai, which they have been eagerly anticipating.

The Luo family of three arrived at Hongqiao Railway Station at around 7 a.m.

Mr. Luo dragged a dark gray suitcase with a red rope tied to it. His wife had tied it on before he left, saying it would bring good luck when he was away from home.

Luo's mother was carrying a bulging backpack filled with bottled water, tissues, a sun hat, snacks for the three of them, and a light jacket—when mothers go on long trips, they always manage to pack their bags like Doraemon's pocket.

Luo Yu walked between his parents, his steps almost skipping.

Ever since he found out last week that his parents were really going to bring him to Shanghai to watch the All-Star game, he hasn't had a full night's sleep.

Every night, I toss and turn in bed, my mind filled with game images, and I've long since changed my phone's screensaver to an All-Star game promotional poster.

Last night, I was so excited that I didn't fall asleep until 2 a.m. This morning, I got up before dawn and sat on the edge of the bed, eagerly waiting for my parents to wash up. I couldn't wait to rush into the All-Star arena, just like a little dog waiting to be walked.

Even though he had to enjoy several meals of Seven Wool Restaurant to watch the game, Luo Yu subconsciously touched his lower back and his lips twitched, but the pain was overshadowed by his excitement.

As Luo's father stood at the exit of the train station, taking out his phone to check the map, he heard his son's loud and boisterous shouts.

"Wow!"

He looked up.

On the GG sign lightbox at the exit of the high-speed rail station, a poster nearly three meters wide was displayed.

Flames rose from the bottom, burning into a crimson arc, studded with silvery-white sparks, like exploding fireworks suspended in mid-air.

The background is a blue-white gradient dome, with the words "League of Legends All-Star · Shanghai" written in large gold lettering in the center, and a line of smaller text below:

[May 5.24-5.26, Shanghai Grand Stage]

Compared to Mr. Luo's silence, Mrs. Luo's emotional expression was much more direct, letting out a soft "whoosh":

"This is a really big one."

Before she could finish speaking, Luo Yu had already darted to the GG sign, craning his neck to look at the hero silhouettes on the poster, his lips moving as he silently recited each name. Then he turned and waved, saying, "Mom, take a picture! Hurry, hurry!"

Three or five young people with suitcases were already queuing up for photos. One of them held up his phone, making a peace sign, and muttered, "Damn, Shanghai's really putting on a show! Even the high-speed rail station is down!" "After all, it was officially praised, the buzz is different." "Come on, what's the use of high buzz? I almost broke my index finger trying to buy tickets!"

Although it was a complaining tone, his voice conveyed barely suppressed excitement.

As Mr. Luo watched from the side, a certain string in his heart quietly tugged at his heartstrings.

He was initially somewhat hesitant about the trip.

My son is addicted to online games, and his grades keep dropping. I've scolded him, I've hit him, and I've even broken two of the belts on his waist. But he just won't listen to reason. After I beat him, he wipes away his tears and turns back to playing the mouse.

He had discussed countless methods with his wife, consulted several experts and professors, and even considered sending him to an internet addiction rehabilitation school. However, a business partner in his early twenties said to him, "Uncle Luo, the more you try to stop him, the more excited he gets. Why don't you go and see for yourself what that thing is all about?"

He finally made up his mind to put aside his business and bring his son to Shanghai to broaden his horizons, and also to see for himself what e-sports was really like, beyond the promotional videos, and why it could fascinate his child like this.

The family of three bought subway tickets and followed the flow of people to the platform.

Upon reaching the lower waiting area, Mr. Luo paused again.

Looking at the rows of light boxes on both sides of the platform, they are all filled with the GG of the Shanghai League of Legends All-Stars, with red, blue and white colors alternating and interspersed with visual elements of burning flames. From a distance, the entire platform looks like it has been set on fire.

The majority of the people waiting for the bus were young people in their twenties. Some were carrying backpacks with team logos, some had fluorescent bracelets on their wrists, and others were taking pictures of the light boxes with their phones.

Although Mr. Luo couldn't remember all the names of the patterns and logos, he recognized them after looking at the promotional materials for so many days.

The moment the car door popped open with a "ding," Mr. Luo was practically pushed inside by the crowd behind him.

He glanced back at the remaining people on the platform, and a thought popped into his mind—

It seems that everyone waiting at this platform is going to the same place.

"Passengers, this is the League of Legends All-Star special train for Shanghai, our final destination is Xujiahui Station..."

The subway started moving, and the carriage swayed slightly.

Luo's father's gaze swept across the interior of the carriage. Above the handrails, next to the doors, and even on the back of the seats, were all images of League of Legends All-Stars getting their GG (game over).

"No wonder it's called the All-Star Train..."

"The 'GG' pattern is laid out way too densely," Mrs. Luo muttered to Mr. Luo.

Mr. Luo didn't respond. His gaze swept across two people and landed on his son, who was already chatting with a stranger.

The college students were talking loudly, creating a buzzing sound in the carriage, which Luo's father overheard about 70-80 percent of.

"Kid, are you here for the All-Star Game too?" A bespectacled boy tilted his head and asked Luo Yu, twirling a badge with a hero's image on it.

"Of course!" Luo Yu puffed out his chest, pulled out his ticket from his pocket, and waved it around. "I even have a front-row ticket!"

"Wow—hey, rich guy!" A girl with a ponytail next to her leaned over for a glance. "This seat isn't cheap. Aren't you in class today?"

"I took leave from work; my parents brought me."

Several college students exchanged glances and all gave each other a "great" look: "Your parents are so open-minded? My husband almost broke my legs when he heard I took leave to come to Shanghai to watch the game."

Are your parents open-minded?

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu subconsciously turned his head to glance at his father behind him, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

Mr. Luo noticed his son's gaze, but simply smiled and nodded at the young people before turning his head away, adopting a "I won't interrupt, you guys chat" attitude.

"You could say he's open-minded, I guess..."

Luo Yu scratched the back of his head and lowered his voice a little, "I told them I wanted to play professionally, and I begged them for a long time before they finally agreed to take me to the venue to take a look and get a feel for it."

"Oh, you're a professional player?"