Chapter 62: Find Zhou Wan!

Xiaoyang’s KTV was, without a doubt, ablaze with excitement. Soon, every private room was occupied, and guests continued to pour in. Tonight’s visitors included those hoping to catch the mysterious “Postman,” others who had come with friends specifically to sing songs by Postman, and some who had brought their own companions.

With all rooms fully booked and the parking lot packed, more than a hundred people had gathered outside the entrance. Xiaoyang was forced to take up a loudspeaker and announce, “Ladies and gentlemen, the private rooms at our Langxi Road location are full tonight, but we also have branches at Ningwu Road, Ningchuan Road, Guogou Plaza, Kunpeng Fuhai Garden, Biyu Garden, Langchuan Avenue, Wuyuan Road, and Jinghu Park. The song selection systems are identical, and all Postman’s songs are now available!”

Quickly, many people dispersed, pulling out their phones to locate the nearest branch. “Hurry up, if we don’t go now, we’ll be late,” shouted one man, grabbing his friend’s arm. “Don’t you want to duet ‘My Good Brother’ with me?”

“Honey, I’m waiting for you at the Ningwu Road KTV!”

“Call the front desk—reserve a room for us!”

Chen Dabao and Zhang Doudou had just finished dinner outside and walked into their own establishment. Normally, this hour marked the busiest peak, but now the place was eerily quiet, with guests heading for the exit. Several hostesses clung to their customers, pleading with them not to leave. Some hostesses, who didn’t switch venues thanks to a base salary at Chen Dabao’s, could only watch as their patrons departed.

Chen Dabao, frowning, approached a supervisor. “What’s going on?”

“Xiaoyang’s KTV has launched all of Postman’s songs in their song selection system—including those written for Wang Tianqi. The guests are heading there to sing,” the supervisor replied, having seen Shen Xian’s viral video, resignation in his voice.

Chen Dabao’s expression sharpened. Zhang Doudou, equally serious, glanced outside. “I think I saw quite a few women entering the neighboring KTV.”

Chen Dabao pulled out his phone. “Let’s report them and see what happens!”

At the Langxi Road KTV, every room was filled, echoing with wails and howls.

“You are my eyes—”

“Brother, give me a hug—”

“Lovely girl, so beautiful—”

“I’m waiting one more minute—”

In Room 308, two men stood side by side, microphones in hand, singing a song for men: “Stand tall, man, don’t lie down, tears aren’t wiped away easily…”

On the sofa, two women sat idly, cracking sunflower seeds. Suddenly, the door swung open, and the singing stopped abruptly. A group of uniformed officers strode in. “Put your phones down and don’t move. Show your IDs!”

One of the men, reeking of alcohol, put down his microphone, unfazed. “What’s the matter?”

An officer replied, “We’re checking for paid companionship.”

The man’s eyes widened. “Snake, you can’t be serious. Can’t I bring my girlfriend to sing?”

“How do you prove she’s your girlfriend?” the officer asked.

With a dismissive flick, the man tossed out his phone and opened his chat history. “Look at the messages.”

The officer examined his messaging app, then opened another screen. “Your contacts list has ‘wife’ as a note, but now you say the woman on the sofa is your girlfriend?”

The man shrugged, unconcerned. “Snake, that’s not really within your jurisdiction. Even if I have ten girlfriends, it’s not illegal.”

The officers found no evidence of financial transactions in his phone, nor anything in the front desk billing records. Snake knew the man was bluffing, and the man knew Snake was aware, but there was no evidence.

Charge him with bigamy? That wasn’t under Snake’s authority.

So they had to let it go.

This scene played out simultaneously at Xiaoyang’s various branches. Xiaoyang, a savvy businessman, had devised—with Shen Xian’s guidance—a thorough set of evasion measures. Simply put, it was all about skirting the edge.

Accused of illegal activities? Sorry, this was standard cultural entertainment. If you tried to arrest without evidence, they’d report you to the Office of Civil Affairs.

Chen Dabao quickly heard the news that the officers had returned empty-handed and stood dumbfounded.

“With Xiaoyang’s mind, he could never have come up with this. Shen Xian must be behind it!” Zhang Doudou declared.

Shen Xian’s approach had leveled everyone’s competitive advantage. Now, with equal footing, Xiaoyang’s KTV—thanks to Postman’s new songs—had an edge.

What others lacked, he possessed; what others had, he excelled. It was now eleven o’clock, the height of nightlife. Chen Dabao stared at his deserted shop, his heart trembling. He finally understood how Xiaoyang had felt before.

There was nothing left to do!

This was dimensional reduction in action!

Zhang Doudou grabbed her bag and left, Chen Dabao hurrying after. “Where are you going?”

“To find Xiaoyang and Shen Xian. We’ll pay them licensing fees, and get the new songs onto our KTV system,” Zhang Doudou replied.

She was clear-headed, feeling no shame in seeking Xiaoyang and Shen Xian. In her view, all relationships could be negotiated through mutual benefit.

Outside the Langxi Road KTV, hundreds had gathered, and traffic on the road was triple the usual volume.

“Where’s the boss? We want to see Postman—which room is he in?” asked a man in a suit, who wasn’t here to sing but was an agent from a media company.

“Boss, tell me which room Postman is in, and this is yours,” said a short-haired woman, stepping from an Alphard and placing a solid gold Buddha, over ten centimeters tall, on the counter with a heavy clunk.

Pure gold, weighing more than a pound!

“Get your boss out here—we have big business to discuss!” said a fully armed woman to the supervisor; none other than Liu Ruyun.

Fans and industry figures alike were frantically searching for Postman’s whereabouts. This was his first time revealing his location publicly. Everyone knew he must have a close relationship with this KTV’s owner—otherwise, why not license his songs to other KTVs? And why only perform here?

Xiaoyang hurriedly stepped out of his Range Rover. “I’m the owner—if there’s anything, you can talk to me.”

Liu Ruyun didn’t recognize Xiaoyang, but Xiaoyang had seen her before.

Liu Ruyun looked at Xiaoyang. “Which room is Postman in?”

Xiaoyang had already guessed that Postman was Shen Xian. Though careless in manner, he was no fool. But he wouldn’t say—a secret he’d take to the grave.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen Postman’s videos, but never met the man himself. So if you ask me who he is, I can’t answer,” Xiaoyang replied earnestly.

Everyone considered it and realized he was right.

“Postman might have already left, or perhaps just filmed a video outside and gone. Even if he didn’t, I wouldn’t recognize him,” Xiaoyang repeated, helplessly spreading his hands.

Liu Ruyun pressed, “Then why did Postman license the rights to you?”

“It wasn’t Postman directly—it was Xianyun Studio. You’ll have to ask Shen Xian,” Xiaoyang answered.

Shen Xian again!

Liu Ruyun ground her teeth.

“How much did you pay Shen Xian for the rights?” she asked.

“Auntie, that’s a business secret. If you have a connection, ask Shen Xian yourself—why ask me?” Xiaoyang replied.

While others searched for Postman, Qi Zhengqing was seeking Zhou Wan.

He stood in a hotel room atop the tallest building in Nanzhou, overlooking the city. His assistant knocked and entered. “Young Master Qi, we’ve got news about Zhou Wan.”

Qi Zhengqing, clad in a gold-threaded robe, said, “Oh? Where?”

“She’s at Nanzhou Garden, currently residing in a house belonging to someone named Shen Xian,” the assistant replied.

Qi Zhengqing looked slightly puzzled. “That name sounds familiar.”

The assistant promptly placed Shen Xian’s full dossier before him. “An orphan, musician—interesting.”

“Should we go and invite Zhou Wan now?” the assistant asked.