Chapter 041: Baigu’s Irresistible Charm—Zhou Mei’s Disastrous Trip to Hong Kong

Listening to these two unfamiliar guests, whose accents hinted at being from out of town, discuss entertainment agencies so openly in front of him, Gu could barely suppress a laugh.

After talking for a while, Zhang Tianfeng thought the matter required more careful planning, so he glanced at Gu. In Gu’s eyes, he saw amusement and disbelief.

“So you’re underestimating me? Just wait and see how I deal with you later,” Zhang Tianfeng thought to himself before asking, “I want the latest Lenovo 586, but I need extra memory and a larger hard drive. And I want you to guarantee flawless operation.”

“No problem, boss. Gu Electronics has an excellent reputation. As long as you buy the computer from me, I’ll handle any issues for you within three years.”

“Can you arrange shipping to the mainland?”

“Of course. As long as you pay enough, I can even help you get it connected to the internet.”

“Good, I’ll remember your words.”

For some reason, when Gu saw Zhang Tianfeng’s smile, he suddenly felt uneasy, as if a predator had set its sights on him.

Payment and transfer were handled without even signing a contract—tens of thousands just handed over without hesitation. Zhang Tianfeng was so decisive that it made Gu doubt himself a little.

“Boss, aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with your money?” he asked cautiously.

“Run? Why don’t you try it?” Zhang Tianfeng replied, removing his mask and fake mustache.

“My goodness, you’re the Patriot Stock God! If you’d shown me your face earlier, I’d have given you a discount,” Gu exclaimed, excitement lighting up his face again.

“No need. It’s not easy for you to make money these days. Keep your price, and I hope we’ll have more opportunities to work together in the future.”

“Absolutely, boss. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

“Could you take a photo for me? I think you have a great aura. I happen to have a friend who runs an agency, and I’d like you to meet him. His company is no smaller than TVB.”

“Really? Thank you so much, I’d love to.”

It was clear that Gu was already considering a career change—he’d even been auditing performer training classes, but lacked connections.

All right, the more eager you are, the easier this will be.

That very night, they found a studio to take photos—specifically, those styled after domineering CEOs. Afterward, Gu was sent home to rest and prepare for his audition the next day.

With a generous tip, the three of them waited until one in the morning to finally receive Gu’s portrait.

In the hotel room, looking at the one-meter-wide photo, Gao Ran said, “Suddenly I understand why you wanted to start an agency—this guy is really handsome.”

At the moment, Gu was still fresh-faced and boyish, but dressed as a powerful CEO, he appeared both mature and youthful. The contradictions in his style were perfectly offset by the jade bracelet and watch on his wrist, as well as the gold ring on his finger.

Anyone with a discerning eye would nod at the photo: this guy is not only handsome but also wealthy—surely from a prominent family.

“But isn’t it a bit late for us to start an artist management company now?”

“It’s not too late. We’re betting on the future, not the present.”

The golden age of Hong Kong entertainment was mostly over, and with the dawn of the 21st century, decline seemed inevitable. But there were always a few stalwarts—evergreens in the entertainment industry, standing strong through the years.

If we can sign him, our company will keep thriving.

Zhang Tianfeng said, “Get some rest. As soon as dawn breaks, we’ll have our hands full.”

Since they’d decided to go into the entertainment agency business, the company needed to be in their own hands. Gao Ran didn’t have much cash on hand, so Zhang Tianfeng suggested joint ownership.

Zhang Tianfeng invested 600,000, taking 60% of the shares; Gao Ran put in 400,000, holding 40%.

No money? For the Stock God, that was impossible.

Early the next morning, Zhang Tianfeng, in disguise, left the hotel with the two women.

He arranged to meet Alice. Gao Ran was busy founding the company and raising funds. As for Qin Yuelan, she felt she had little use in Hong Kong and planned to return to oversee the shop’s renovation.

Zhang Tianfeng asked her to take Gu’s portrait back to Hongmao and the others, and also sent plenty of local specialties—CDs!—to Fourth Uncle and the rest.

At nine-thirty in the morning, in a coffee shop, a man in a suit shook hands cordially with Zhang Tianfeng before leaving.

Alice sat nearby, eyes shining with admiration. “Boss, I really admire you. The economics you just discussed were so enlightening!”

“Miss Alice, if you’re inspired, then internalize it. And stop twisting around, would you?”

It was the first time Zhang Tianfeng had encountered such boldness from a foreign woman.

Alice’s personality seemed to be to worship anyone more capable than herself, so she now looked at Zhang Tianfeng very differently—her eyes seductive, her body twisting as if an itch compelled her.

“Of course, Mr. Zhang.” Instantly, Alice straightened up, adjusting her glasses, exuding a cool, authoritative air.

Zhang Tianfeng was taken aback by the quick switch.

“Boss, we just borrowed three million from Longxin Company. What should we invest in next?”

If you lack money, borrow it. For the Stock God, a guest of the Huo family, borrowing was all too easy—so easy it caught him off guard.

He’d only planned to borrow a million, but once Alice let it slip within the circle that the Stock God wanted a loan, people lined up to offer money, acting as if they’d be offended if he refused.

With Longxin stepping in, all the smaller lenders withdrew, and a partnership was quickly formed.

Longxin initially wanted to lend five million at interest even lower than the bank’s, but they had one condition: the year’s interest had to be used as equity in Yuanfeng Group.

Zhang Tianfeng refused flatly. He preferred his company’s shareholders to be people he knew well, which made control easier.

In the end, they set the loan at three million, signed at a rate just a hair above the bank’s, for a one-year term, to be repaid in full with interest at maturity.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Transfer eight hundred thousand to Yuanfeng’s account. Use the rest to buy Hong Kong stocks—choose flexible ones. We’ll need funds for bigger projects soon.”

“Understood.”

“Go ahead. We’ll keep in touch by email.”

“Boss, it’s my birthday tonight. Can you come?”

“I can’t. I have a big deal to discuss tonight, but happy birthday in advance.”

You couldn’t say foreign girls were open or materialistic—it was just that their upbringing and environment made them decisive, passionate, and unashamed to pursue what they wanted, regardless of gender.

Of course, if they stopped liking you, they’d let go just as decisively, parting amicably.

Such was the charm of foreign women—beautiful, each with her own unique allure.

After leaving the café, Zhang Tianfeng went to another, waiting for Gu.

As the first signee of “Idol Entertainment Agency,” Zhang Tianfeng was going above and beyond. He answered every question, holding nothing back, even when Gu asked if he’d been sent by the government—Zhang Tianfeng instantly said yes.

He had grown up under the Red Flag, the blood of the descendants of Yan and Huang running in his veins. Born a son of the motherland, and to the motherland his soul would return.

So there was nothing untrue about it.

At one in the afternoon, Gao Ran arrived with the new company’s documentation.

Seeing the registered capital and the obscure company name, Gu was a little disappointed.

But considering Zhang Tianfeng’s identity and the backing of the Huo family, he agreed.

Zhang Tianfeng was also very aboveboard, detailing everything in the contract: the kind of training artists would receive, resources, channels, and so on.

He even tailored a contract for Gu, guaranteeing that within three years he would star in a nationwide hit. If that goal wasn’t met, the company would pay compensation.

Gu was both flattered and alarmed. “Boss, this clause is too unfair to the company.”

This wasn’t business—it was a handout.

No other artist in Hong Kong enjoyed such terms, not even the Four Heavenly Kings.

“My confidence in you is as strong as my confidence in myself! Understand?”

Hearing this, Gu’s eyes reddened with emotion. “Don’t worry, boss. I’ll work hard and live up to your expectations.”

“Good. Let’s sign the contract.”

Seeing his name appear on the contract, Zhang Tianfeng finally felt at ease.

Today’s goal was achieved: the successful signing of a future patriotic superstar.

Just as the ink dried, Gao Ran’s phone buzzed.

She set down her brick-sized phone and said, “Boss, come here, there’s something important.”

The call had been from Hongmao. Zhou Mei had seen Gu’s portrait and gone wild, calling nonstop, insisting on coming to Hong Kong to meet him. No one could stop her.

“What do we do? If they meet, everything will be exposed,” Gao Ran said nervously.

Zhang Tianfeng shook his head and smiled. “No, this isn’t a problem—it’s an acceleration of the plan.”

It seemed even fate wanted him to get rid of Zhou Yuancong as soon as possible.

Looking at Gu, who sat nearby, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Go tell him—first audition in one hour. Have your driver pick up the others.”

“What about you? What will you do?”

“Me? I’ll go prepare your lines.”