Chapter 191: Buying One Building Isn't Enough

Even if there were countless complaints in their hearts, no one dared to voice them at this moment; each wore a kindly smile, looking at one another, with no one willing to be the first to accuse them of double standards.

Having barely climbed from underground to the surface and gained a certain status at the official level, having tasted the sweetness, no one wanted to return to that past timeline of having no money but pride.

Backbone?

Rock spirit?

The prerequisite is to have a full belly, brother.

When Lin Yilun, another outstanding representative of the mainland pop music scene, arrived at the rehearsal hall, he could clearly feel that his status and appeal had obviously declined compared to before—

Truly, a new generation replaces the old.

Seeing Zhou Yi, who had obviously become the center of attention, Lin Yilun felt a certain degree of emotion in his heart.

He, who had once finished singing "Love Birds," had received this same treatment.

"Hello, I am Lin Yilun."

Although there was some psychological gap, since he started playing with investments, Lin Yilun, who had little sense of gain or loss in the entertainment circle, felt no disappointment; instead, he actively went up and greeted him.

Rumors had vaguely circulated in the industry that Zhou Yi himself was also playing with investments. Although there were no related reports on this matter yet, it did not stop Lin Yilun from wanting to build a good relationship with him.

In these years, most mainland stars playing with investments were crossing the river by feeling the stones; having a reference point to refer to was always good.

"Hello, Brother Lin, when I was at home before, I listened to my dad sing your songs countless times."

Zhou Yi smiled and shook hands with him.

That statement was truly not flattery; he had listened to the song "Love Birds" at home until his ears were calloused.

If he hadn't been distracted by subsequent investments, it was hard to say whether he could continue competing with Sun Nan; the fact that he could appear on the current, highly valued list for the China-Korea Song Festival was enough to demonstrate his status.

And Lin Yilun, hearing Zhou Yi's words, smiled very happily.

It takes a crowd to lift a flower sedan chair; this child has a very good personality.

Although he failed in his competition with Sun Nan, Zhou Yi succeeded; he even suppressed Sun Nan, directly turning him into an award presenter at the Global Chinese Music Awards at the "advanced age" of thirty-one, which could be called killing with a dagger to the heart.

He, for his part, looked quite cheerful.

"Your songs are very popular in Korea; it is said that for this China-Korea Song Festival, the Korean side, knowing you would participate, specially arranged for a singer to perform a Korean version of your songs to express tribute to you."

Zhou Yi, who had not yet heard this rumor, raised his eyebrows slightly: "Tribute to me?"

"You sold the cover rights to your songs to SM Entertainment in Korea, right? They have a group called H. O. T. under their label; they are very popular in singing and dancing and have a certain popularity across Asia. They covered the Korean version of your songs. Although that group has disbanded, your songs were given to a member named Kangta, causing his popularity to skyrocket."

Relying on connections built over years of struggle, Lin Yilun shared the inside information he had heard: "Precisely because of this, he will appear at this year's China-Korea Song Festival, and under SM Entertainment's arrangement, he will sing one of your songs to express tribute."

"..."

Good heavens, those few songs of his were actually sung by Kangta?

Zhou Yi, who had never cared about who sang those few songs in Korea before, felt somewhat surprised in his heart.

H. O. T., the first-generation top male group under South Korea's SM Entertainment, and Kangta himself became one of the founding fathers of the Korean Wave entering the Chinese market.

When the era of internet archaeology arrives in the future, the gold content of Zhou Yi's name will probably continue to rise—the founding fathers of the Korean Wave all sang his songs!

This is what is called "Chinese flow is the most awesome."

Just don't know who Warner Japan will assign to sing his few songs after buying them.

Watching Han Hong and others go to rehearse one after another, Zhou Yi fell into wild speculation, but before he could think wildly for long, a phone call from Chen Hao woke him up—

"Hello?"

"Zhou Yi, you said before that you asked Qian Jiang to help you buy several houses, right? And you are also very optimistic about the real estate industry?"

"Yes, what's up?"

"Here's the thing: today someone came to the People's Art Theater to discuss an external performance. A person from a real estate company said they are jointly developing some land in the Chaoyang District, and the current price is very cheap.

"I calculated it; based on the funds currently on your account, if you exchange some for investment to gather around 2 million, it will be enough to buy an entire building. They can help handle the procedures."

People's Art Theater.

Chen Hao, who had already taken root in this theater, recalled the several big bosses who came looking for performers in the morning and analyzed: "I didn't think much of it at first, until I remembered you previously said you asked Qian Jiang to help you buy a few houses; suddenly I remembered you seem very optimistic about the real estate industry, so I wanted to ask you."

"An entire building is not a small sum; where in the Chaoyang District?" Zhou Yi frowned: "How would you, someone who just entered the People's Art Theater, know about such things?"

"Near Jianguo Road. As for why I know, you have to ask yourself."

Chen Hao, eating her meal, her eyes instantly curved into crescent moons, her mood visibly joyful: "Other big bosses came looking for Pu Cunxin, but I, a newcomer, was personally cultivated by Pu Cunxin as soon as I entered the People's Art Theater; tell me, whose doing is this?"

Near Jianguo Road?

The future Beijing China World Trade Center seems to be over there?

Core CBD?!

In an instant, Zhou Yi's eyes shone straight with light!

Indeed, good deeds are rewarded; it was not in vain that he led the charge against Chow Yun-fat!

If he hadn't helped the mainland entertainment industry vent its anger and carried the banner, how could Chen Hao have entered the circle of big shots like Pu Cunxin and heard news that ordinary people with no channels could never hear?

Thank you, God of Gamblers!

Zhou Yi, who never expected such a series of benefits to follow, grinned: "Buy it, buy it all; I love you to death, Chen Hao."

"..."

Chen Hao, who was eating, froze in her movements instantly; although she knew this was his usual catchphrase, a few shades of red inexplicably rose on her face; biting her chopsticks, she smiled silently, her smile exceptionally brilliant: "Also, your investment company is set up; it's called Guiyi Investment.

"Now that you want to buy a building, I won't take a salary; wait until next year when all the money from your album channel settlement arrives, then give it to me."

"I—"

"Don't argue with me; I know how much money you have. That's it, hanging up first."

After dropping the last sentence, Chen Hao, who waited a little while before actively hanging up the phone, tightly gripped the phone in one hand, looked at the eye-catching name in the contact list, and could no longer suppress the laughter and excitement in her heart—

With her eyebrows curved, the corners of her mouth almost stretched to the back of her head.

CCTV Broadcast Building, Rehearsal Hall No. 2.

Zhou Yi, whose phone had been hung up on, hadn't even had time to speak when another call came in: Qian Jiang.

"Ayi, *Harper's Bazaar* raised their offer—6.5 million for two issues, plus a one-year portrait rights license. Su Mang was the one who proactively came to me with the price bump. What did you say to her that night? How did her attitude change so fast?"

A clear note of astonishment ran through Qian Jiang's voice.

"... I don't really feel like speaking ill of Su Mang right now—she's my money god for the moment."

Qian Jiang:???

Not long after, in the Ren Yi cafeteria, Chen Hao, who had just finished eating and was humming a tune as she rose, received another call from Zhou Yi—

"One building? That's not enough. Let the foreigners see that and they'll think I can't afford it. Buy two. And ask how much the shops go for—buy two of those too."

Chen Hao:???

PS: Lin Yilun had bought two buildings in the core CBD area back in the day for around 6 million through a friend's channel, and instantly became the Building King.

Zhou Yi's era is a bit earlier, with a bit less money—adding two shops on top isn't too much, right? (dog head)

PS2: Throwing up and running to the bathroom, getting an IV drip feels awful.

Can't pull all-nighters—everyone, take me as a warning.

Took sick leave, resting at home tomorrow. Updates will come much earlier—three chapters tomorrow.

(End of chapter)