Chapter 6: Chapter Six: Three Wave Maxims

Watching her rise and leave, Lao Zhao stared intently at her back, puzzled: "Your figure isn't bad, that's… Master Ci, I recall you didn't like melon‑seed faces, did you? After a few days apart you've changed your taste?"

Pang Zi chimed in: "I think Master Ci has moved past judging looks; he's purely enjoying the process of flirting."

Shi San also had something to say, but after being swept by Chen Ci's icy gaze, he swallowed it back.

Then, Chen Ci's mouth twitched without warning, a hint of a smile appearing: "Superficial, my happiness — you won't understand."

"Exactly! How could we mortals possibly compare with Master Ci?"

"Exactly, drink drink — not drunk, not going home."

"But don't, Master Ci, he's quit this thing!"

"What?!"

"Ha ha…"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Yang Tongxue received a call from her agent.

"Hey, Mi Mi?"

"Sister Jia, you speak."

"Why is it so noisy over there? Where are you now?"

"I……" She paused slightly, then said: "I'm at a bar on Workers' Stadium West Road, hanging out with friends. Sister Jia, do you need me for something?"

"There's something, Workers' Stadium West Road, right? I happen to be nearby; let's meet and talk — what's the bar's name?"

"Is Sister Jia coming over?"

A sudden, unexplained panic flashed in her eyes as she glanced toward Chen Ci and the others.

"Inconvenient?"

"Hmm…… No, it's not."

After giving the address and hanging up, her mood grew somewhat heavy.

Soon Sister Jia arrived — how should I explain?

Although her agency contract doesn't forbid artists from dating.

But for young actresses, this is still somewhat of a taboo.

Moreover, everything happened too fast; even she herself hasn't quite reacted yet, let alone others…

……

It turns out today the bar had a somewhat famous resident singer, which explains the liveliness.

Seeing this, Pang Zi felt quite moved.

After two bottles of beer went down, he couldn't help sighing: "Look at these young people — they remind me of our younger selves, full of vigor and talent, charging ahead for rock 'n' roll…"

Nonsense, you're just after Master Ci's two‑thousand‑yuan monthly stipend.

Exposed by Lao Zhao, Pang Zi didn't retort: "Nonsense, you're acting high and mighty, aren't you? That's a full two thousand yuan — now I know how hard money is to earn. Master Ci, be righteous!"

These people, no matter what topic they discuss, always find an angle to flatter Chen Ci.

In a sense, this money wasn't wasted.

But Chen Ci currently has no mind to deal with them; his attention is wholly on Yang Tongxue.

After hanging up the phone, she became sullen.

"What's wrong?"

Faced with Chen Ci's concern, she forced a smile: "Nothing……"

At this point Lao Zhao half‑mocked, half‑wondered: "Come on, Pang Zi, Zhongxi is a prestigious school — you can't even earn two thousand?"

Pang Zi, unusually, didn't talk back, self‑mockingly chuckled: "This is the heart of the imperial city, right under the emperor's feet — a prestigious school? Heh…"

Yang Tongxue's curiosity was aroused.

Pang Zi looked at her, then at Chen Ci, and nodded in reply: "Ah? Yeah, I studied acting for a few years."

So you're a senior from Zhongxi, and I'm from the 05 class of Beiying.

Sister‑in‑law, you're so beautiful — far superior to me.

Nowhere……

Yang Tongxue revealed her identity, but it hardly caused a ripple — evidently she's used to it, after all who wouldn't envy having a 'great uncle‑in‑law'…

Blooming forever, the blue lotus!

In the central hall, a clamor of applause suddenly erupted, accompanied by shouts and cheers, inevitably drawing the attention of Chen Ci and his companions.

Lao Zhao spoke first, his tone undisguisedly contemptuous: "Singing's so‑so, still a cover of Xu Wei — what's the fuss?"

You still don't get it — you've wasted all these years. Look at that kid on stage: his singing's average, his looks are decent.

Sure enough, after Lao Zhao took a close look, most of those cheering loudest in the crowd were young ladies.

For a moment, his heart was a medley of feelings — reluctance, and a hint of jealousy…

I spit! How come there are so many pretty boys these days — our music scene's vibe's been ruined by this lot… cough, I'm not talking about Master Ci you, but in looks and talent, how could those pretty boys compare with Master Ci?

Chen Ci couldn't be bothered with them, staring thoughtfully at the center of the stage.

At that moment, Pang Zi beside him suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Master Ci, should we teach that kid a lesson, so he knows who the true Buddha is?"

Shi San, hearing that, froze for a moment: "Ah? Hitting people isn't good…"

You idiot, who said we were going to beat him? Think about it — how long has it been since we heard Master Ci's golden voice?

"Huh?"

Only then did Shi San suddenly realize, thinking to himself that Chen Ci was itching to show off because of that pretty boy.

After all, earlier they were the ones surrounded by young ladies, the main attraction.

Yet Chen Ci shook his head and smiled: "Golden voice, and throat lozenges too."

Obviously, they'd gotten it wrong — Chen Ci had no such thought.

Suddenly, a voice sounded beside my ear: "I also want to hear you sing."

Huh?

Chen Ci paused in realization, looked toward the voice's owner, and almost simultaneously showed a gentle smile: "Okay."

Next, Chen Ci rose without hesitation, took Yang Tongxue's hand, and walked toward the center of the crowd.

Lao Zhao and his two companions saw this, exchanged glances, shared a knowing smile, and followed up……

Parting the crowd, Yang Tongxue stayed below while Chen Ci went up on stage by himself, bypassed the singer—the pretty‑boy—and went straight to the musician handling the accompaniment.

"Buddy, lend me your guitar for a moment."

"All right, Brother Ci."

The guitarist nodded immediately, so obedient it was unreal.

"Who's that?" a young drummer in the back asked softly.

Looks like a newcomer; someone next to him jabbed him with an elbow and said, "This is the God of Wealth. You kid are really lucky—on your first day on the job you run into this deity; get ready to collect tips."

"God of Wealth?"

"Last time he celebrated his girlfriend's birthday, even the cleaning lady who swept the toilets got a big red envelope……"

"Brother Ci, Brother Ci is on stage!"

In the crowd, nobody knew who first shouted that, and then the whole hall immediately bustled with noise.

Those who knew him had already started cheering and screaming, while those who didn't were gradually swept up by the lively atmosphere.

Yang Tongxue, however, grew ever more curious: how could Chen Ci's popularity here be so high?

Of course, all these bewildering appearances usually have a simple truth behind them.

As for those cheering people, they know, without saying anything else, today's bill is definitely settled.

In short — a shill.

The essence of the Chen Family Annals lies in these "Three Maxims of Extravagance": first, romance; second, waste; third, howling.

This move, once unleashed, is invariably victorious.

Chen Ci mainly handles romance and waste, while these people at the bar naturally take care of the howling……