Chapter 94: Six Grand Theaters
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Congratulations, Host, on receiving the Theater Gift Package!”
“Theater Gift Package? What is that?” Zhou Chao was momentarily puzzled.
“Open the gift package!”
“Congratulations, Host, for gaining access to Tianqiao Theater, Sanlitun Theater, Guangde Building Theater, Sanqingyuan Theater, Xincheng Theater, and Lake Guang Theater.”
“Oh, so this covers all of Deshe’s theaters!” In no time, Zhou Chao’s phone began to vibrate in his pocket. Retrieving it, he noticed an unfamiliar number. He understood that it was a call from the owners of several theaters.
Without delay, Zhou Chao quickly left the Lake Guang Theater, with Lin Wu following closely behind.
Watching Zhou Chao leave, Zhang Helun considered engaging in a conversation, but eventually decided against it.
“Hello, Mr. Zhou, I’m Wang Lan from Lake Guang Theater, and I’m the current manager. Do you have any plans for the future?”
“No special plans. Things will remain as they were. 1 won’t make any changes to the personnel. Everyone’s salary will be increased by 15%, including yours. If there are important matters, call me; you’re in charge of everything else.”
“Understood, Mr. Zhou.” Zhou Chao could hear Wang Lan’s excitement, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.
Soon, Zhou Chao spoke to the managers of the other theaters via phone, explaining that the company would continue as usual, with the current managers in charge and no changes to the personnel.
Deshe also received the news. The fact that several theaters had been transferred puzzled Lao Guo and his associates. They couldn’t figure out what was happening. It was only after making several phone calls to Lao Guo and Yu Qian that they learned that these theaters were now under the control of someone named Zhou Chao.
“Lao Yu, who is this Zhou Chao? He managed to secure the theaters without any warning. Could he be targeting us?” However, Yu Qian was relaxed, enjoying a cigarette with a smug smile.
“Lao Yu, the situation is pressing, yet you’re so relaxed!” Lao Guo’s tone turned more solemn.
“Don’t worry. Even if he takes over Deshe, its value wouldn’t compare to Lake Guang Theater alone, let alone all six of them.”
Yu Qian’s words caused Lao Guo to fall into contemplation. He thought, yes, even if the other side wanted to deal with Deshe, why would they go about it in this manner? They could just use money to crush them completely.
Lao Guo’s face lightened, and he picked up the now-cold tea, taking a sip. “Refreshing.”
“Ding ding ding!” Yu Qian’s phone suddenly rang. He pulled it out from his pocket and looked at the screen: “Helun.”
“Hey, man, aren’t you performing? How come you have time to call Master Yu.”
“Master Yu, someone came to Lake Guang Theater looking for you. He mentioned a chance encounter at a charity event, where something happened accidentally.”
Accidentally? Yu Qian’s mind started to recollect that charity event.
“Oh, that handsome young man.” Yu Qian slapped his forehead.
“Helun, is he quite handsome?”
“Yes, Master Yu, I’ve never seen someone so charming before.” Zhang Helun realized that they had both encountered him.
“Oh, did this young man leave any contact details?”
“Yes, Master Yu, that handsome gentleman left a business card.” Zhang Helun retrieved the business card Zhou Chao had given him from his pocket and examined it.
“Oh, and what’s his name?” Master Yu exhaled a puff of smoke softly.
“Zhou Chao!”
“What! What did you say his name is?” The previously nonchalant Yu Qian suddenly raised his voice, stood up from his chair.
“Master Yu, that young man is named Zhou Chao.” Zhang Helun was also startled by Yu Qian’s excitement. Why was he suddenly so worked up?
“Alright, 1 got it. After your performance, visit your master’s place, and we’ll be waiting here.” Yu Qian hung up the phone. Based on Master Yu’s tone, Zhang Helun realized that this Zhou Chao was no ordinary person. He carefully put the business card that Zhou Chao had given him back into his wallet.
“Lao Guo, let me tell you some good news.” Lao Guo had been anxiously pacing around. Seeing Yu Qian’s excited expression, he was sure something significant had happened.
“What good news?” Lao Guo leaned in closer to Yu Qian.
“It’s about Zhou Chao, the one who acquired the six theaters. 1 had a chance encounter with him before, and just now, Zhang Helun told me he came to Lake Guang Theater looking for me. I’ve asked Helun to come here, so you can rest assured now.”
“That’s great, that’s great. 1’11 go make some hot tea. My teeth are rattling from this cold.”
Seeing Lao Guo’s smile return, Yu Qian chuckled and leaned back with his legs crossed, enjoying his cigarette.
Meanwhile, Zhou Chao and his companions had returned to the courtyard by the canal. They found Wang Feng and the others putting away the groceries they had purchased in different refrigerators. The assortment looked complete.
“Good job. If you want to drink alcohol, you can buy some, but not too much. Just get a moderate amount.”
“Thank you, Boss.” Lin Wu and the others smiled in response.
That evening, Da Wu cooked a table full of dishes. Perhaps due to his military background, he was used to large portions. Everything was served in large bowls, and when Zhou Chao saw it, he couldn’t help but pat his own head.
“Burp. Da Wu, you’re quite the chef, but maybe go a bit lighter next time. Otherwise, we’ll be sitting here all night and still won’t finish all this.” Zhou Chao leaned back on the sofa, surveying the remaining dishes.
“Understood, Boss.”
The scene shifted to Lao Guo’s house, where the lights were on. Several key figures from Deshe were present: Lao Guo, Yu Qian, Hui Yi, Hou Zhen, and tonight’s main character, Zhang Helun.
“Helun, tell us, what happened today?” Hui Yi, responsible for Deshe’s operations, spoke up.
“During lunch, a few of us from the company went to eat. We coincidentally ran into Zhou Chao, who had come to see Master Yu. He seemed friendly and amicable. He was accompanied by a bodyguard, a sturdy one. Before leaving, he gave me his business card to pass on to Master Yu. Once Master Yu saw it, he would know who he was.” Zhang Helun recounted the events of the day in one breath, picked up the tea on the table, and drank it all in one go.
“Well, during a charity event I attended before, he was seated in the second row. When he stood up and was moving around, he accidentally bumped into my stomach. After the event ended, I had an urgent matter to attend to, so I had to leave in a hurry. I didn’t have the opportunity to have a proper conversation with him.” Upon hearing that Yu Qian had an unexpected encounter involving his stomach, Lao Guo and the others burst into laughter.
“Alright, then, tomorrow, Lao Yu, you should get in touch with him and find out what his intentions are or if he has any plans. Make sure to clarify things.” Yu Qian agreed with a nod. To be honest, he was also intrigued. The first time they crossed paths, he found that young man quite interesting. However, he had been preoccupied with something else back then.
“Okay, everyone should rest early.”
With that, Master Yu and Zhang Helun left Lao Guo’s house. Unable to contain his curiosity, Zhang Helun glanced at Yu Qian beside him and finally spoke up.
“Master Yu, who exactly is this Zhou Chao? He’s making Master and Mistress so nervous.”
“Hey, buddy, it’s not a big deal. By the way, where’s the business card?” Only now did Yu Qian remember that he didn’t have Zhou Chao’s proper contact information. The means to contact Zhou Chao was still with Zhang Helun.
“Here it is, Master Yu.” Zhang Helun quickly took out the business card from his inner pocket and handed it to Yu Qian.
“Alright, you should go back and rest. I’ll be on my way.” With that, Master Yu got into his car and drove off, leaving behind a bewildered Zhang Helun..