After finishing another song, Chen Lei did not continue singing the next song. He cleared his throat on the microphone and said a slightly emotional speech, “I want to announce something today. From tomorrow onwards, I will no longer be singing here anymore.”


  There was instantly a commotion below the stage.

  “It was not because of what you all are thinking. I like this place a lot, and I really enjoyed singing for you guys. Boss Ma, who is the manager of this Fish-Catching Internet Cafe, wants me to stay here as well. Moreover, you guys have been so loving by showering me with lots of gifts. I am very touched by that.

  “The reason why I’m leaving is because of the big boss of the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe. He said that he enjoys my songs a lot and wants to send me to Shanghai to pursue my music dreams. He will also provide for my food and accommodation in the course of that.

  “I enjoy singing for all of you, but at the same time, I cherish this opportunity a lot. I hope that I will be able to leave Jingzhou City and explore Shanghai…


  “After all, this is my dream…”


  As Chen Lei spoke, tears welled up in his eyes unwittingly.

  “So that was the case. That’s great news!”


  “Although I can’t bear for you to leave, I will still fully support your decision to chase after your dreams!”


  “If things didn’t go your way over in Shanghai, you must come back! This will always be your home!”


  “Boohoo! I’m so sad… I’ll gift you another ten glasses of Northern Lights whiskey. Hope you have a smooth sailing life ahead…”


  Sorrow seemed to fill the atmosphere below the stage. Many people were sending Chen Lei off with wine at the bar counter. Some ladies were sobbing while drying their tears with a tissue.

  Pei Qian stood at the corner silently and was feeling a little sentimental.

  I am such a ‘huge villain’. He thought sarcastically…


  At a secluded corner on the second floor, Ma Yang was so heartbroken that he was about to cry.

  Read more chapter on

  My money tree…


  Zhang Yuan was beside him. He handed Ma Yang some tissue while consoling him, “Boss Ma, this is Chen Lei’s dream. We should be supportive; it’s not a big deal. We can always hire another permanent singer…”


  However, Ma Yang was totally not consoled by what he said. His entire face was scrunched up in misery.

  “I… of course, I will definitely support Chen Lei in pursuing his dreams…


  “However, I just hoped that the internet cafe could stop suffering losses and profit instead…


  “Forget it. I should respect Chen Lei’s decision…”


  Although Ma Yang could not tell if a song was good or bad, he understood that Chen Lei’s singing skills were far above that of other permanent singers from these few days of observation. It was impossible for the new permanent singer to be as popular as Chen Lei.

  Actually, the signs of profit for the Fish-Catching Internet Cafe were all because of Chen Lei. His songs were good, and he attracted a lot of regulars to the internet cafe. There were people buying drinks for him every night. That generated a lot of additional revenue for the internet cafe.

  If Chen Lei really left, the abilities of the other singers would at most reach Zhang Yuan’s standard. It was evident how the situation then would turn out to be.

  Pei Qian went upstairs quietly. He handed a pack of tissue to Ma Yang and said, “Old Ma, it’s fine. Chen Lei is really talented. It would be a waste of his talent if he stayed at the fish-catching internet cafe. If you really think that you are the person who discovered his talents, you should wish him luck.”


  Ma Yang blew his nose and replied, “Brother Qian, I’m not sad because of this. The main reason why I’m so sad is that the fish-catching internet cafe finally had a chance to earn money for you. However, the opportunity has now flown away. I am upset for you…”


  Pei Qian was very touched. Look! Only my brothers would be so concerned for me!

  However, it was not always good news that Ma Yang had such a strong sense of responsibility.

  The good thing was that this should merely be a coincidence. Ma Yang was lucky to have unexpectedly met Chen Lei. Otherwise, there would not be so many issues cropping up.

  Therefore, ultimately, this brother of his was still very trustworthy!

  Pei Qian patted Ma Yang’s shoulders and said, “Old Ma, I’ve told you countless times that you should not always be fixated on making money as the head of the fish-catching internet cafe! The most important thing for you is to help me maintain this window to showcase Tengda’s corporate image. Do you understand?

  “Let’s go and send Chen Lei off.”


  On the first floor of the fish-catching internet cafe, Chen Lei’s performance was about to end. However, most of the audience was still unwilling to leave. Chen Lei had already sung a few songs for the encore.

  In the end, the crowd accompanied Chen Lei to the entrance of the internet cafe. Many female audiences had their make-up smudged from their tears. They made it seem as though they were about to be parted by death.

  Pei Qian mumbled in his mind, “When will I get such a treatment…”


  Ma Yang was also sobbing. He walked towards Chen Lei, bade him goodbye, and wished him a smooth journey ahead.

  Chen Lei’s eyes were red originally. When he saw Ma Yang’s actions, he could not hold it in anymore. He was beyond thankful to Ma Yang.

  Pei Qian was a little troubled. He knew that the reason behind why Ma Yang cried was that he had lost his money tree and not because of how deep his feelings for Chen Lei were.

  However, Chen Lei did not know that. He felt that Boss Ma’s was his benefactor and that there was no way he could ever repay the kindness that Boss Ma showed him.

  Most of the crowd finally scattered at around 11 pm.

  Pei Qian called Chen Lei over to one side and gave him a phone number.

  “When you reach Shanghai, find this person directly. He is Huang Sibo, the manager of Fei Huang Workspace. You do not need to worry about anything else there. He will arrange everything for you.”


  Pei Qian had already informed Huang Sibo about this. Anyways, Huang Sibo would be in charge of Chen Lei’s food and accommodation when he reached Shanghai. Chen Lei could do anything that he wanted to. Pei Qian thought through it and felt that the most Chen Lei would be able to achieve was to sing the theme song for documentaries. There was no way he could stir up any more trouble.

  Furthermore, even if Huang Sibo’s documentary was able to profit because of the theme song, the amount earned would be within Pei Qian’s calculations. Sending Chen Lei over would reduce Pei Qian’s loss as compared to if he had stayed at the fish-catching internet cafe.

  “Thank you, Boss Pei, for your nurturing.

  “I will forever be grateful to you and Boss Ma for recognizing my talents and supporting me. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely repay your kindness!” Chen Lei said while holding Pei Qian’s hands. His gratitude towards them was indescribable.

  “There is really no need for that.” Pei Qian’s sincerity was piercing through his eyes. It was obvious that he said those words from the bottom of his heart.

  …


  Back at the fish-catching internet cafe, Ma Yang was still in low-spirits. Pei Qian walked to Old Ma and said to him, “Old Ma, you should be happy for Chen Lei that he can pursue his dreams. Stop being so sad.

  “Moreover, your efforts this time did not come to waste!”


  The sorrow on Ma Yang’s long face faded slightly. “My efforts… did not come to waste?”


  Pei Qian nodded violently. “Of course, it was not wasted! You gave me a very important inspiration!”


  Ma Yang looked at Pei Qian’s expression closely and thought that he did not seem to be lying about that. He forgot about his misery momentarily and listened closely.

  “Old Ma, you do not know how much potential there is in this idea of yours! It’s a pity that this is just not the right time for it.

  “The patrons giving the singer gifts as he sang… this mode could definitely be popularized. However, the stage at the fish-catching internet cafe is just way too small to bring this idea into play!

  “Limiting this idea to the fish-catching internet cafe would instead waste your talent and limit what you could do. Do you understand?”


  Ma Yang looked absolutely confused. “So?” he asked.

  Pei Qian patted his shoulders and continued, “This creative idea could be used in live-streaming platforms! In about three to six months, you would be the CEO of the fish-catching live-stream platform!

  “Therefore, you must believe that your work has value. It helps Tengda in ways more than you can imagine! Please continue to accumulate your power and display your talent in more appropriate places!”


  Ma Yang’s gloomy mood immediately turned for the better. His hands were shaking from the tumbling emotions inside him. “Brother Qian, I…”


  Pei Qian suddenly grabbed his hands and continued saying, “Old Ma, you don’t need to say anything else. I understand you! Please continue accumulating your power. In no time, you will naturally continue to shine on a much bigger stage!”