Chapter 11

"Why you opened the bar, I... don't know either."

If it were Teacher Qi Hao opening a bar, it would definitely be to make money.

But how much money can opening a bar make? Gao Yang, with a net worth of billions, surely wouldn't care for it.

He looks like a child who has returned home, back to the hometown he once stayed in, opening a venue exactly the same as before.

"Even if I do nothing now, three or five generations would struggle to spend all the money I have in my hands, but a person always needs something to do so as not to be too empty."

Gao Yang looked melancholy; being invincible is truly too lonely.

When he started out in the eighties, his life dream was just to become a ten-thousand-yuan earner.

Twenty years later, ten thousand yuan is only enough for him to dismiss a lackey.

"I understand what you mean, Brother Yang. You want to cross industries and do more business. Your breadth of vision is admirable."

Teacher Qi Hao spoke the truth. Over the years, he had also earned some money, but besides buying a house and daily expenses, he basically kept it all in the bank.

"It's not that exaggerated; I just want to improve my class. You don't know how others view us coal bosses. They say we spit while wearing Pierre Cardin and run red lights while driving Rolls-Royces. That's really not wrong at all, haha~"

Gao Yang said with a bitter smile.

Coal bosses in recent years, with their little fur coats and big gold watches, driving Hummers and Land Rovers with two bodyguards, are always the representatives of being hated and misinterpreted.

"Then making movies does have a high level of prestige." Teacher Qi Hao nodded.

Coal bosses investing in movies has become more frequent in recent years, mainly because they have too much money to spend and want to support their mistresses along the way.

Their logic for investing in movies isn't for art, nor for any sentiment, but just to "shed vulgarity," a true and unpretentious "shedding of vulgarity."

However, Gao Yang's concerns were not wrong.

Coal bosses who come to make movies are often scammed, as everyone bullies them for not knowing the industry.

"We'll see if there's an opportunity for cooperation later. I trust you, and I ask you to trust me. I, Gao Yang, will not treat a friend poorly."

Gao Yang looked at the wine in his glass, clinked it with Teacher Qi Hao's, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you, Brother Yang, for treating me as a friend. From now on, we are friends."

Teacher Qi Hao also drank the wine in his glass.

This backer offered himself; it would be a waste not to embrace him.

He knows Gao Yang belongs to the type that deals with both the underworld and the legitimate world; at the very least, the process of his wealth accumulation was sometimes not so glorious.

However, although Teacher Qi Hao is only twenty-six, he has been in society for ten years and long ago lost his childlike simplicity, so he won't foolishly think that working hard will definitely lead to a good life.

Looking at these billionaires, there are almost none who are completely clean and have a net worth of over a hundred million.

Moreover, without some means, it's really hard to gain a foothold in the entertainment industry.

"I heard recently that someone named Zi Wen is causing trouble for you, brother. Do you want me to lend a hand?"

Now that the relationship has progressed further, Gao Yang is clearly much more enthusiastic.

"Ah, no need, no need. Why would we need to use your methods, Brother Yang? I have already ended my contract with Zi Wen and am preparing to establish a personal studio."

Teacher Qi Hao hurriedly stopped him.

For one, he doesn't want Gao Yang to use so-called methods for him in the entertainment industry.

For another, Zi Wen is already miserable enough.

It's a turned page; Zi Wen is already a turned page.

"Hehe, little brother, you're worried I'll use special methods," Gao Yang seemed to see what Teacher Qi Hao was worried about and laughed, "Then you've really thought too much. Whether it's running a venue or mining, I have never used any special methods. To stand firm and go far, one must be clear-headed."

"Brother Yang is right!"

Regardless of whether what the other party said is true, Teacher Qi Hao approves of this attitude.

Getting involved with the underworld is a dead end!

"Thank you for coming to help stand on stage this time. The one-yuan thing was a joke. It just so happens I ordered a new car that I haven't picked up yet; I'll have someone send it to you later."

Gao Yang won't take advantage of his little brother; that would make him feel very unfulfilled.

"Then I won't be polite."

Clearly, Teacher Qi Hao's lack of hesitation made Gao Yang like him very much.

After chatting for a while, night fell, and the bar's opening event officially began.

Most of the guests were friends who came to show support.

In the years since Gao Yang left the capital for Shanxi, he hadn't completely abandoned the circle here.

Moreover, once a person has money, their popularity becomes particularly good.

Whether they were people who had dealings with him before or those who want to have dealings with him now, they all took this opportunity to send a flower basket or bring a bottle of good wine to show support.

After the ribbon-cutting was completed, Teacher Qi Hao finally realized his performance on stage.

When he walked onto the stage holding his guitar, he was immediately recognized by the guests.

At the main table where Gao Yang sat, a man with a large tattooed arm saw Teacher Qi Hao, the big star, and immediately began to flatter him.

"It has to be Brother Yang, even inviting an actor of this level so casually."

Gao Yang's originally smiling face immediately turned cold, and he said lightly, "Teacher Qi Hao is my brother."

"Ah... ah..." The tattooed man looked as if something was stuck in his throat, completely losing his voice.

He didn't expect that Gao Yang, this big shot, would speak up to defend Teacher Qi Hao, and even less did he expect that Gao Yang wouldn't leave him any face at all.

"Haha, come, come, drink. Friendship lasts forever; I like this song!"

Fortunately, others helped to smooth things over.

Everyone's attention was shifted to the song Teacher Qi Hao was playing and singing.

But their hearts were definitely not that calm.

Gao Yang is humble and always leaves room for others; he is the big brother to many in the circle.

Clearly, Teacher Qi Hao's weight in his heart is very heavy, which is why he would be so blunt in making someone lose face.

"How can I forget old friends / Can I not cherish them in my heart / How can old friends be forgotten / Friendship lasts forever / We once wandered all day / On the green mountains of our hometown / We have also endured hardships / Wandering and drifting everywhere..."

I don't know who followed the rhythm of the singer on stage.

Slowly, a chorus formed in the bar.

Those who came today were basically people from Gao Yang's era, in their forties or fifties, who weren't used to "Ice Age" or "Rabbit Dance."

They prefer to reminisce about the old days.

When they were young, everyone had groups of friends; later... they drifted apart for the sake of life, and then... the friends around them became fewer and fewer.

Teacher Qi Hao's playing and singing level isn't superb.

Someone slightly more professional could crush him into dust.

But his voice is low, without technique, and full of emotion.

It made quite a few people start wiping away tears.

After the song ended, enthusiastic applause erupted at the scene.

"Next song, Ye Qianwen's 'Spring Breeze and Autumn Rain,' wishing Brother Gao Yang's bar a great opening."

Coal bosses singing KTV especially like to order Cantonese songs.

Because in the era of their youth, it was the era when Cantonese songs occupied the pop music scene.

Even if their Cantonese pronunciation was a mess, it didn't affect their self-indulgence at all.

After two songs, Teacher Qi Hao handed the stage over to the professionals.

"Teacher Qi Hao, come sit here."

Gao Yang called out and then patted the seat beside him—everyone then realized the seat Gao Yang specifically reserved was for Teacher Qi Hao.

It seems this Teacher Qi Hao is indeed not as simple as a star invited to perform.

"Everyone, I didn't sing well, I'll punish myself with three glasses!"

Teacher Qi Hao utilized his absolute advantage—his alcohol tolerance is boundless.

Others responded one after another, and even the tattooed man who just called him an actor stood up enthusiastically to clink glasses, calling him "Brother Hao" despite being over forty.

There really aren't many stubborn people who can make it to the top.

After finishing the commercial performance at the bar, Teacher Qi Hao didn't immediately confirm the task completion after returning home.

Because he hadn't had much contact with actors these past few days, and it would be hard to have any decent candidates, so he might as well wait until after attending the premiere of "The Warlords" the next day.

On such occasions, the main actors basically all attend.

Moreover, celebrities from the circle will be invited to show support.

Besides, Teacher Qi Hao doesn't want to be too tired; as soon as he confirms the task is complete, the system will immediately issue a new one.

For a newcomer who has just debuted, this fast pace is very beneficial to career development, but for a top artist like Teacher Qi Hao who has already achieved success, it's a bit unbearable.

Hmm, Zi Wen can't stand it either.

"The Warlords" held a grand premiere in the capital.

Teacher Qi Hao, as the third male lead, walked the red carpet with the first and second male leads.

Li Lianjie and Liu Dehua are both big shots in the entertainment industry, figures whose presence makes the whole circle shake.

But today, it was destined that they wouldn't overshadow Teacher Qi Hao's limelight.

The news these past few days has all been about Teacher Qi Hao being mistreated by Zi Wen.

The entire internet is feeling indignant for Teacher Qi Hao.

They thought Zi Wen would restrain themselves for the sake of everyone's face, but they didn't expect them to go from bad to worse.

They actually forced Teacher Qi Hao to sell his singing in a bar!

Can you imagine Huang Xiaoming selling his singing in a bar? Can you imagine Zhou Xun selling her singing in a bar?

Ah, Zhou Xun sold her singing in a bar?

That was in the past; she doesn't do it at all now.

In short, whether Teacher Qi Hao sells his singing in a bar isn't important, but you, Zi Wen, not giving face to us vast netizens is a serious matter!

"Teacher Qi Hao, Teacher Qi Hao, is it true that you were made difficult by Zi Wen?"

"False, false!"

In the freezing cold weather, Teacher Qi Hao was surrounded and couldn't move an inch, while Brother Li Lianjie and Brother Liu Dehua, who had promised "as brothers, we have this life, no next life, we'll go through fire and water," actually ran away without loyalty before anyone even drew a knife.

With so many reporters surrounding me, I'm walking on thin ice; I don't know when I'll be able to reach the other side of the red carpet.

"Teacher Qi Hao, why did you go to the bar to sell your singing?"

"I'm sorry, it was just to show support for a friend. Everyone misunderstood. I have already ended all contracts with Zi Wen. I am very grateful to Boss Ma for his care over these years. Everyone, please don't misunderstand."

"We didn't misunderstand, Zi Wen is too much!"

"Wuwuwu, such a good person, forced into this state by Zi Wen."

"Teacher Qi Hao, we will always support you!"

"Teacher Qi Hao, be brave!"

"Sunshine is always after the storm..."

"Please believe there is a rainbow..."

"Accept all the wind and rain..."

"We will always be by your side..."

I don't know how it evolved into a chorus; under the dual siege of fans and media, it almost turned into an accident.

The director hurried past with the female lead, avoiding it as if afraid of a plague god.

Teacher Qi Hao's plea for help could only be swallowed back into his stomach.

Second sister-in-law, how can you face me and the eldest brother like this?