Chapter 1744 - 713: Grand Theater (Part 2)

Chapter 1744: Chapter 713: Grand Theater (Part 2)

"What’s the maximum limit?"

"Uh... The club has strict rules in this regard; no excessive behavior or actions are allowed. Well, by default, it generally can’t exceed..."

Saying this, Lin Qianqian felt a bit embarrassed and gestured near her mouth.

Seeing Zhou Wang looking a bit speechless, Lin Qianqian quickly added, "Mr. Zhou, have you heard of Aphrodite?"

"You mean the Love God in Ancient Greek mythology?"

"That’s one interpretation. On the other hand, it’s currently the world’s largest chain of gentlemen’s clubs. Apart from Huaxia, their clubs are located globally. I borrowed some of their management models. They don’t allow that direct behavior either, but facts prove Aphrodite is indeed the most successful gentlemen’s club."

After hearing this, Zhou Wang remained silent for a while and finally asked, amidst Lin Qianqian’s anxious expression, "How long has your contract been signed for?"

"...It’s currently for one year."

Lin Qianqian’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she answered nonetheless.

"Since Old Zhang brought you aboard, I won’t interfere with your management philosophy—this is out of my trust in him. But within this year, I don’t want to see any issues arise, do you understand?"

Zhou Wang lit another cigarette and spoke lightly. ℯℯ𝘭.

"Of course, Mr. Zhou, rest assured..."

"No need to express determination; I only look at results. Off you go, I want to rest now."

Zhou Wang waved his hand.

Lin Qianqian didn’t say more. After bowing deeply to Zhou Wang, she carefully retreated.

The room returned to silence, and Zhou Wang’s expression relaxed, somewhat amused.

Providing the greatest pressure to Lin Qianqian was something he had to do, because no matter what, Lin Qianqian’s system did violate his initial instructions to some extent. Regardless of her intentions, Zhou Wang couldn’t just act like nothing happened. It’s not fitting for someone in his position.

But Zhou Wang had to admit that deep down, he quite appreciated Lin Qianqian’s flexible handling of the situation.

The phrase "redirecting rather than blocking" successfully convinced him.

Putting aside the almost negligible risk, this seemed to be a win-win situation for both the clients and the girls.

If Zhou Wang were the client, he imagined he too would pay for this so-called "gentlemen’s time," after all, the girls were indeed quite attractive.

"Maybe I could call President Mu later and ask her to send some professionals over to train these girls... Or perhaps not, this slightly amateurish feeling has its own charm."

Zhou Wang daydreamed for a while. Busy as he was admiring the moon last night, he hadn’t rested well and soon closed his eyes.

...

It’s the last day of 2024, and Beidou hasn’t yet seen its first snowfall.

As dusk approached, the evening rush hour in Beidou unsurprisingly started causing traffic jams in main areas. Coming out of the subway station near the National Grand Theater, Zhou Wang couldn’t help but think sourly:

"Dammit, luckily I had the foresight not to drive..."

His car was still usable, and he had a limited edition supercar in Beidou, but Zhou Wang couldn’t remember if it still had any gas. If refueling was needed, it would be another heavy blow to his already strained wallet.

The Lamborghini’s tank generally holds 90 liters, and given the price of 98-octane gas, a full tank costs around 900 yuan, which is damn expensive.

By comparison, the 4 yuan subway ticket offered much better value.

"Peining, is this your first time taking the subway?"

Zhou Wang glanced at Qu Peining, who was following him out.

As for Gao Xing, he was probably nearby but out of sight.

Wrapped in a black coat that couldn’t hide her slim figure, Qu Peining responded with "Hmm," "I don’t usually go out unless necessary."

"By the way, you really don’t need to go home for a visit?"

Zhou Wang kindly suggested, "We might leave tomorrow; my senior’s performance is not just this one. If you’re interested in seeing more, I could grant you leave in the future. But if you don’t go home tonight, it might be a long time before you see your family again."

"...No need."

Qu Peining briefly remained silent, but ultimately shook her head, refusing Zhou Wang’s suggestion.

Seeing this, Zhou Wang felt it was not right to say more. He knew that Qu Peining had almost no communication with her family, but some things have a time limit, and he didn’t want her to regret it when she loses this opportunity... He heard that Qu Peining’s mother had always been in poor health.

Oh, why are my thoughts becoming more mature?

Zhou Wang shook his head, dispelled his thoughts, and, alongside Qu Peining, crossed the road towards the underwater northern entrance of the National Grand Theater.

The National Grand Theater, these five words bring a sense of solemnity and seriousness. But in reality, the National Grand Theater appears in a very modern technological style, even with a hint of cyberpunk.

The main building is a large elliptical dome, seamlessly combining titanium metal plates and ultra-transparent glass on its surface, floating above an artificial lake exceeding 30,000 square meters, connected to the outside world by an 80-meter underwater corridor, creating a dreamlike water paradise.

"Fun fact, the National Grand Theater isn’t a theater."

Zhou Wang joked with Qu Peining beside him, then realized she was from a Cultural Troupe and knew much more about this place than he did. He felt he was showing off knowledge, so he awkwardly shut his mouth again.

"Oh, then what is it?"

But at this moment, Qu Peining softly asked.

"It’s... a stage that represents Huaxia’s highest level of art. It also has its own orchestra, choir, opera production team, and, in a certain sense, it also assumes the national role of public art education. You know, it never hosts any commercial concerts, right?"

Zhou Wang suddenly became interested again, and enthusiastically talked all the way until they stopped at the hall that divided the crowd.

"Peining, you might not understand my feelings, but I... am really proud."

Zhou Wang paused, looking up to the most prominent location in the hall where a huge promotional poster was hanging.

In the interplay of light and shadow, a woman seemingly not from reality was sitting quietly at the piano, her delicate fingers brushing over the keys, the image beautiful and enduring.

Apart from promotional words like "First public performance" and "Auditory feast under the moonlight," there wasn’t much introduction about the person, only a very brief line:

"Listener, Jiang Mo."

Zhou Wang suddenly found these three words quite interesting.

Theoretically, the audience of this performance should be the "listeners," but in promotion, Jiang Mo, who was supposed to be the performer, was defined as the listener.

Standing here, Zhou Wang suddenly remembered the first time he met his senior.

Back then, Zhou Wang never thought she would one day achieve her dream here.

The now monotonous Zhou Wang found it hard to derive much accomplishment from himself, but now, seeing this large poster in the most prominent position, he felt an accomplishment once more.

She was the best senior, and also... belonged exclusively to him.

"Let’s go."

Zhou Wang watched for a while, then collected his emotions and led Qu Peining further inside.

Qu Peining bit her lip, her gaze unobtrusively sweeping toward their joined hands... She didn’t even know when she had been led.

But perhaps that was why she didn’t want to go home at this moment.

Though here for the senior’s performance, this feeling of being alone with him... felt much like a date.

However, catching a glimpse of Jiang Mo’s agent waiting at the concert hall entrance, Qu Peining ultimately unobtrusively let go of Zhou Wang’s hand and quietly stepped back a few paces.

"Ah, Mr. Zhou, finally you’re here!"

Agent Linda saw Zhou Wang appear, and her face instantly burst into a warm smile, quickly walking over to him.