Chinese Electronic Athletics Magazine spoke briefly with xiao8 recently, where the TI4 champion confirmed that he’d back and revealed some of his plans for his temporary retirement.

CEA: Previously you expressed that you’d be temporarily retiring, so does this mean that you still have plans to make a come back?
xiao8: This is for sure, I really enjoy the life of a professional player, retiring for now is only because I need some time to sort out my own familial things.

CEA: As the Newbee captain, your leave of absence will certainly affect the team. Has the team already confirmed a replacement for you? And will you be returning to Newbee after your retirement?
xiao8: For my replacement I will help them brainstorm, and as for specific targets I’m not able to reveal for now. And when I’ll be back, I still haven’t planned this out yet.

CEA: You mentioned needing to sort out family things, do you mean your marriage with Zhao Jie?
xiao8: Yes, mainly I want to spend more time with my wife, and then there’s the whole marriage arrangements, plus I want to rest a bit, and consider having a kid.

CEA: If you return after becoming a father, won’t the pressure on your back be even greater?
xiao8: Whenever I feel that I am able to handle this well, is when I will make my return.

CEA: Regarding your marriage, any news? When is the reception?
xiao8: We’ve tentatively set it for around October.

CEA: Earlier you’d mentioned that during your retirement, you might consider forming an online team to play in some small tournaments, what were your thoughts in this?
xiao8: One aspect is to find something for me to do, because for me to completely not compete, once I watch a competition, I will feel the itch. And another aspect is this can help bring up some newcomers for Dota 2.

CEA: Speaking of newcomers, following TI4, many veteran players have chosen to retire, yet outstanding new players seem to have been rare to emerge. Do you think this will ultimately cause the Chinese Dota 2 scene to see a break in talent?
xiao8: I think not, because right now every team’s talent level and roster is pretty good, so I think there won’t be such a situation.

CEA: If we say that up to this point, this has been one phase of your career, then would it be fair to say that you now have no regrets in this phase of your career?
xiao8: Indeed, to be able to raise the TI4 Aegis with my teammates, nothing else is missing.

CEA: Lastly, say something to all the fans who support you.
xiao8: Thank you to the friends who have supported me all along, I will definitely not let you down.

Source: http://user.qzone.qq.com/1095789385/blog/1407551706
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