At the entrance of Tiangong Bar, there was a sign-in display board.
Zhao Shaoyang even emulated a film festival by setting up a red carpet ceremony, looking very authentic.
"Don't worry, I invited a few minor celebrities from other cities to liven things up, and I also found an out-of-date singer from Hong Kong to perform. The place will definitely be bustling tonight."
Dai Sheng evidently didn't quite believe him, a bit nervous:
"Damn it, weren't you bragging about knowing a lot of people in Dongjiang? Why hasn't a single influential local shown up? When Boss Chen comes later and sees how deserted it is, where will he put his face?"
Zhao Shaoyang was a bit embarrassed:
"A Xiao voluntarily stepped up and took on this job. He said he's been in the bar business for so many years and knows many prominent figures in Dongjiang, so I believed him."
A Xiao was the manager they poached from another bar.
He brought a whole team with him, from sales supervisors down to resident singers and waitstaff.
Zhou Guanghan and the other two had no bar resources locally, and it was thanks to A Xiao that they were able to get the place up and running so quickly.
On the other side, the thirty-five or thirty-six-year-old A Xiao was breaking out in a cold sweat:
"Bosses, I did invite many big clients to come tonight, but at most, they're worth one or two hundred million. You never told me that our big boss is Mr. Chen Pingjiang! Oh, if I had known it was him, I wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess."
Zhao Shaoyang pursed his lips:
"Didn't I say before that the major shareholder is Mr. Chen's company?"
"Yes, but there's a huge difference between Mr. Chen's company and Mr. Chen himself. There are many executives in Mr. Chen's company."
A Xiao was completely stunned.
He and Zhao Shaoyang's group of three knew each other purely because Zhao Shaoyang's group often went to the bar where A Xiao used to work and became familiar with one of his sales supervisors.
One day before the New Year, the sales supervisor brought the three of them to his office and proposed the idea of opening a bar.
At the time, A Xiao still thought the three were unknown rich second-generation heirs, and just as he was about to talk, he saw their drink consumption records.
It wasn't much money at all!
He almost kicked them out, thinking they were scammers.
The three pleaded and cajoled until they brought A Xiao to Zhizhen Catering's headquarters, which is Building B of the Gemini Building.
Only after meeting Ge Mengshi in person did A Xiao finally believe them.
After returning and giving it some thought, A Xiao felt this venture was viable.
The bar he was currently at was family-managed, so he definitely couldn't move up.
Since the big boss behind Zhizhen Catering was the richest man, Chen Pingjiang, the investment in the bar certainly wouldn't be small.
It was also a brand new stage, and besides, they were offering a good amount of money.
Only after considering all the pros and cons did A Xiao agree to the trio's invitation.
The bar management company established by Chen Pingjiang and the others was affiliated with Zhizhen Catering, mainly for ease of management and to save effort.
In reality, it was just a nominal affiliation, and the day-to-day management was still entrusted to Zhou Guanghan and the other two.
To prepare for the opening ceremony, A Xiao indeed exhausted all the connections he had built up over his years in the bar business, shamelessly inviting many bosses to come and support, aiming for an exaggerated sales figure on the opening day.
A resounding success!
Even several other second and third-tier celebrities, an out-of-date singer from Guangdong, and a DJ team from the southeast were all invited by him.
He had truly spared no effort, and paid a considerable sum for commercial performance fees.
It wasn't until the afternoon, during the rehearsal for the evening's program, that Zhao Shaoyang found him and said that Mr. Chen would be coming that night.
A Xiao was stunned.
A regular bar opening might not even achieve the grandeur of tonight's event; it was unique among bars in Dongjiang.
However, it depended on who the guest was.
When the guest was Chen Pingjiang, all the current arrangements seemed inadequate.
But time was already so tight; how could they still have time to invite more people?
Zhou Guanghan smiled:
"It's our fault for not making it clear, A Xiao. Don't feel pressured, just stick to the original arrangements. Maternal granduncle won't care about these minor things."
Dai Sheng said:
"That's easy to say, but Boss Chen invested so much in the bar, and if he finds out we made it so 'LOW', I'm afraid he'll think the three of us are too incompetent."
...
The red carpet ceremony continued.
Several minor celebrities, dressed dazzlingly, slowly walked the red carpet in high heels, signed their names on the signature board, and finally returned to the main entrance for group photos.
The entire process was uneventful; there were no reporters among the onlookers, just some curious bystanders.
Zhou Guanghan slapped his forehead, realizing the arrangements seemed a bit 'LOW'.
It was completely unworthy of the 150 million yuan Tiangong Bar, and even more unworthy of Chen Pingjiang's status.
After all, when did his maternal granduncle ever attend a public event without a throng of reporters, microphones, and flashing lights?
The red carpet ceremony was over, and everyone who was supposed to come had arrived.
A boss invited by Manager A Xiao asked curiously:
"Mr. Zhang, it's almost time for the opening, isn't it? Why aren't we going in yet? Who are we waiting for?"
"Mr. Zhang, I apologize, but a VIP hasn't arrived yet. Why don't you go in and take a seat? I'll join you for a few drinks later."
As he spoke, A Xiao imitated Zhou Guanghan and the other two, craning his neck to look in the direction of the street corner.
"Why isn't Brother Chen here yet? Erzi, why don't you give him a call?"
Zhou Guanghan said in a muffled voice:
"I called half an hour ago. Maternal granduncle said he just left Zhongshan Villa."
"Then it should be soon. Let's wait a bit longer. We won't start until Boss Chen arrives."
Mr. Zhang, standing nearby, suddenly asked:
"The Brother Chen you're talking about, and Zhongshan Villa, you're not referring to Mr. Chen Pingjiang, are you?"
Zhou Guanghan blinked,
"You know my maternal granduncle? Who are you?"
Zhang Fu smiled:
"I'm Zhang Fu, what a coincidence. I've been following Mr. Chen's lead in business; without him, I wouldn't be where I am today. Liuyishou Hotpot is mine. Oh, this is truly 'a great flood washes away the Dragon King's temple' – we're practically family but didn't recognize each other."
After speaking, Zhang Fu turned and glared at A Xiao:
"What are you doing, kid? You didn't even make it clear that this bar belongs to Mr. Chen? Luckily, I had nothing else planned tonight. If I had, I might not have come, and you would have really messed things up for me!"
Manager A Xiao was on the verge of tears.
Damn it, am I your punching bag?
Is it all my fault?
Zhang Fu quickly pulled out his phone and made a call:
"Old Li, hurry up and come! What mahjong? Flip the table over! I'm telling you, Mr. Chen's bar is opening tonight! Which Mr. Chen, you ask? How many Mr. Chens are there in Dongjiang? Hurry up, if you're late, don't even bother coming. Mr. Chen probably won't stay long. I'll text you the address later."
"Old He, have you arrived at 1912 yet tonight? What? Mr. Chen's bar opening didn't notify you? And you guys are supposed to be closest to him! Hurry up and come."
"..."
Zhang Fu, showing great loyalty, made a round of calls to gather people, leaving A Xiao gaping in astonishment.
After finishing his calls, Zhang Fu chuckled:
"Since I know about it, I can't not tell my buddies. Otherwise, if they find out I deliberately kept this important news from them, they'll definitely have a problem with me."
They waited another five minutes, and the surrounding onlookers waiting to enter were becoming impatient.
"Which big shot hasn't arrived yet? I see these bosses are practically craning their necks."
"They have no sense of time; they're already acting like big shots right at the opening."
"If they don't come in another five minutes, I'm leaving."
"..."
Just as complaints began to rise, a Maybach 57S turned the corner, leading the way, followed by a McLaren P1.
The roar of the engines grew from distant to near.
Zhao Shaoyang excitedly pumped his fist:
"They're here, they're here!"
Zhang Fu also nodded:
"Let's go greet them."
The security guards, who were blocking the crowd, were quick-witted.
They immediately straightened up and pushed the people in front forward, signaling them not to get too close, as they were almost stepping on the red carpet.
The Maybach 57S pulled up first, and then two people emerged from the car: bodyguards Li Fu and Zhou Yishi.
After the two got out of the car, one stayed put on alert, while the other ran to the driver's seat of the recently stopped McLaren P1, ready to open the door.
The onlookers suddenly became excited.
"Holy crap, did you see that? A big shot, with two bodyguards!"
"Yeah, I saw them. Black suits and headsets, pretty showy."
"Who is it? Such a grand entrance."
Li Fu was just about to open the car door.
Zhao Shaoyang and Zhang Fu squeezed through.
"Let me, let me! Brother, you've worked hard."
Zhang Fu grinned, warmly pulled open the car door, and simultaneously hip-checked Zhao Shaoyang aside.
Zhao Shaoyang, weighing only about 140 to 150 pounds, was no match for the wall-like stout Zhang Fu and was immediately pushed to the side.
Infuriated, he cursed under his breath:
"Damn it!"
Chen Pingjiang was visibly surprised to see Zhang Fu:
"Old Zhang, what are you doing here?"
When Zhang Fu smiled, the jowls on his chin jiggled:
"Mr. Chen, for such a big event, you didn't even let us know! If you had, all your brothers would have come to support you. If it wasn't for this coincidence today, I wouldn't have known about it."
Chen Pingjiang smiled:
"It's just a small bar opening, not a major event. It's nothing to call you all for. Since you're here, let's have a drink together later."
"Okay, okay."
Chen Pingjiang was dressed very casually today, wearing a baseball cap and a mask, along with a black hoodie.
Without a close look, one wouldn't recognize him as Chen Pingjiang at all.
"Damn, who is this guy? So arrogant. The organizers invited him, and he's wearing a mask and hat; you can't even see his face clearly."
"Chen Pingjiang, I love you, let me... let me in!"
Suddenly a girl screamed.
It completely shocked the people nearby.
"Where is Chen Pingjiang?"
"The one who just got out of the car! Are you blind?"
"Damn, he's so completely covered, how did you recognize him?"
"His McLaren P1 has long been no secret; someone photographed it on Huanling Road before. You fake fan!"
"Mr. Chen, do you still have any founder's edition S1s? I'll pay double for one!"
Chen Pingjiang, who was being surrounded and walking up the steps, chuckled at the comment and waved in their direction.
If it were any other business magnate, they certainly wouldn't have this kind of influence and public appeal.
But Chen Pingjiang was no ordinary person; he simply had too many attributes and labels.
Not to mention being the richest man, he was also handsome and young.
These three qualities alone instantly surpassed 99.9% of the global population.
Furthermore, he was known as the "National Heartthrob" and "Nation's Husband," with over sixty million followers across all platforms.
One could call him a business magnate, but he was more like an opinion leader, with a level of popularity far surpassing that of average A-list celebrities.
Even "Lei Bus" a few years from now wouldn't compare.
"Quick, post on Weibo, post on Weibo!"
Upon reaching the signing table, Chen Pingjiang left his signature with a flourish, then took off his baseball cap and mask to take photos with others.
After seeing Chen Pingjiang's appearance, the crowd of onlookers became even more boisterous.
Many shouted and pushed forward, unable to see Chen Pingjiang from the back.
The security guards were sweating profusely from the pushing, firmly holding them back:
"Don't push, don't push, watch your safety!"
It took Chen Pingjiang about ten minutes from getting out of the car to finishing photos.
It was at this moment that Wang Cong and his group walked over.
Seeing the wildly screaming crowd around him, Wang Cong clicked his tongue:
"The influence is terrifying."
"Damn, if I could achieve what he has in this lifetime, it would be worth living thirty years less."
The rich second-generation man named Xiao Qian looked at Chen Pingjiang, who was surrounded like a moon by stars, with envy in his eyes.
"Hehe, Brother Liu, you're still young, you'll definitely be able to do it in the future too,"
the girl next to him complimented.
"Oh, please. If you said something else, I might believe it. Besides, girl, your eyes are practically glistening when you look at him, are you about to get all wet down there?"
The girl froze, then her face turned beet red.
(End of chapter)