You’re Beautiful When You Smile

From Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco to Chicago Theatre in Chicago to Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Since it all began on September 30, it had been a month-- --

Along the way, there was happiness and disappointment, laughter and tears…… There was a group of people who cheered and hugged each other under the spotlight before marching to the next battlefield with high spirits. There was also another group of people who stood in the corner watching the cheering people with envy before turning to walk away dejectedly while at the same time swearing to the world stage with tight fists: Next year, we’ll be back.

On October 30, the day a lot of people were looking forward to finally arrived-- --

The finals of the 2016 League of Legends world competition would be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on the west coast of the US on that day. All the players would gather there to witness the top team of this year lift up the championship cup of everyone’s dream!

On the day, the arena was filled with people. Four hours before the event was scheduled to start, there were already people lining up getting ready to go in-- --Everyone was smiling, discussing their favorite team and holding support placards with the logo of their favorite team on them. As they waited to get in, they spoke about the teams and the players they like to each other……

Fans from all over the world gathered here, just like they’ve been gathered at Summoner's Rift in the game-- --

They might come from different countries, speak different languages, and have different skin colors and hair colors……

But at this moment when they talked about the teams they supported, the pride shining in their eyes were exactly the same!

[(English) I never thought that G4 would advance to this point. I mean, we’ve been away from the finals for too long-- --In the beginning, no one even had any faith in the team but they bravely made it to today, even defeating two LPL teams back to back!]

One of the fans waiting outside was excited to be interviewed. He had a G4 tattoo sticker on his face-- --

He walked back towards his friends after the interview while many others gathered around the reporter who was interviewing the people waiting to get in……

[(German) No one should ever look down on European teams anymore! We’re very strong, hahahahahahahahahaha, really. How long has it been since we saw a finals without LCK? I hope today’s best of 5 can be played to its fullest, no matter the result. At least I can enjoy it for longer! G4! Yay!]

……

[(Chinese) I’m studying in Los Angeles-- --Now I’m super glad that I’ve made the decision to come to LA for college two years ago! LPL! LPL! LPL! After a few years, we’re back! ZGDX, go for it!]

……

[(English) To be honest, I’m supporting ZGDX. They’re the only team which has a girl playing. The first time I watched Smiling sit on the stage, I was mesmerized by her-- --How can there be such a cute girl who can play the game so well, the kind who could take you all the way to Challenger……]

……

[(Chinese) The regret Weixiao had at S2 can hopefully be made up at this world competition stage by the one who carries the id with the same meaning-- --Those of you who know about it would know what I’m talking about. ZGDX, go for it!]

At dusk, the audience was finally in their seats-- --The huge arena was densely packed and glow sticks and fluorescent boards flashed like fireflies glowing in the darkness……

Those who didn’t get the infield tickets were sitting quite far away from the stage. It was so far away that the players on stage probably couldn’t even clearly see the support items in their hands…… But when the players entered the arena one after another and waved at the audience, they still raised up their support boards, ipads and cell phones and excitedly waved and screamed!

Amidst the excitement, all three commentators were getting into their own seats-- --

Commentato D: [Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome back to our 2016 League of Legends professional leagues world competitions finals! I’m your host D!]

Commentator F: [I’m F.]

Commentator G: [I’m G…… Uh, uh, uh, we can see these two next to me, hahahahaha, looking quite happy. I have to say that it looks like they had quite a fun time in the past month travelling all around the US for free?]

The audience burst into laughter.