Chapter 125: Singing at the Bar

Teacher Wang remained very responsible. Charlot’s mouth was nearly dry from trying to find any aspect where the school’s class honor scores were similar, yet Teacher Wang still shook his head in disagreement.

In the end, it was Gao Ning who couldn’t bear it any longer and voluntarily offered a television set. Only then did Teacher Wang brighten up and relax.

Charlot breathed a sigh of relief but turned his head, grumbling under his breath.

“I’m such a fool. How could I forget this old man’s nature? If I had known, I would’ve just given a gift directly. What a waste of my words—damn it, my mouth is dry!”

Gao Ning and Charlot walked out side by side, with Charlot still muttering complaints.

“Enough complaining! Did you make things clear with your mom?”

Charlot patted his chest confidently. “Don’t worry. A couple of days ago, I called around to my mom’s friends and arranged for them to play mahjong out tonight. I even spent money to hire a dealer to make sure they’re served comfortably—with tea, snacks, and all. Knowing my mom, there’s no way she won’t have a great time tonight and forget all about me.”

Gao Ning shook his head. “Why not just be straightforward with your mom? Is all this scheming really necessary?”

Charlot held his head, looking pained. “You don’t know my mom. She’s so stubborn and set in her ways. She thinks I’ve had a brain injury and am a bit unhinged. The other day, that chubby lady next door tricked her into buying a funhouse mirror, pasting two yellow talismans on it, thinking it’s some kind of evil charm.

For such a worthless thing, she spent 800 yuan. My mood at the time was…” Charlot made a conflicted, angry face.

Gao Ning rolled his eyes. “Anyway, it’s your call. If tonight goes smoothly, there’ll be many more events like this.

The Beer Music Festival is still over a week away. Before that, let’s find a bar to rehearse. I’ve already made arrangements. How’s the song list coming along?”

Charlot beat his chest confidently. “Don’t worry, I picked songs that fit our age and style—mostly from Xu Wei, Pu Shu, and the like.”

He handed over a notebook.

Gao Ning flipped through it briefly. Surprisingly, Charlot had written quite a few—an entire notebook filled, with about thirty-five or thirty-six songs.

Towards the end, there were many entries with just a name written, without complete sheet music or lyrics.

He was probably still deciding whether to use those now.

It was clear Charlot had some hidden agenda; he hadn’t included some classic songs, evidently saving them for himself.

Once he leveraged Gao Ning’s platform to boost his own fame, he’d naturally gain bargaining power.

Although Charlot still felt a bit uneasy facing Gao Ning’s status and influence, he wasn’t afraid now. Perhaps one day, by harnessing public opinion, he could even make Gao Ning step back temporarily—nothing was impossible.

After all, one must always have dreams!

Gao Ning didn’t say much and simply returned the notebook.

“Then tonight, we’ll sing these two songs. I’ll register them now, and it’ll be done within two days.”

***

Gao Ning had prepared well. Two weeks ago, he had already sent some of his suited enforcers to Beijing and Shanghai.

On one hand, to establish an entertainment company; on the other, to secure music copyrights—because holding the rights was the best form of control.

In the story, Charlot’s reckless behavior after getting rich was clearly due to a lack of restraint.

Having the copyright in hand was the best way to keep things in check.

Meanwhile, Gao Ning’s suited enforcers had almost spread across all of West Red District.

Though few in number, each was a master, controlling several streets, effectively dominating the entire city.

The moment there was the slightest movement, Gao Ning would be the first to know.

With everything ready, tonight’s performance would surely spread this song far and wide.

The bait was set, the net was cast; now it was just a matter of whether the fish would bite.

Around 9 PM, Gao Ning and Charlot changed their outfits and arrived at a bar in the city center.

Earlier, Gao Ning had met with the bar owner.

Running a bar these days often involved connections, and Gao Ning wasn’t there to compete.

After a brief show of strength, both sides engaged in friendly negotiations over the performance and quickly reached an agreement.

Gao Ning could use the venue twice a week, no more than eight hours total.

Gao Ning had initially planned to pay, but the bar owner, evidently a shrewd man, smiled and waived the fee when he saw Gao Ning’s entourage of bodyguards.

“In my words, more friends means more paths,” he said. “Especially for someone like Gao Ning, with strength and money—I’m happy to make friends.”

By this time, the bar was gradually filling up. Though not fully set up, the soft music and atmosphere were quite pleasant.

Gao Ning and Charlot stepped onto the stage, the band behind them already having the sheet music.

Their appearance drew considerable attention.

Charlot, usually brimming with confidence, suddenly felt his legs tremble under so many eyes.

Gao Ning smirked. “What’s wrong? The famously thick-skinned Charlot getting nervous?”

Charlot quickly replied, “No way! I just feel a little chilly... I forgot to wear my thermal underwear!”

Gao Ning didn’t bother calling his bluff.

“Then let’s go!”

He raised his hand, signaling the band, and the prelude of the song began to flow.

***

Holding the microphone, Gao Ning calmly gazed down at the audience, inwardly amused.

He never expected to become a singer himself.

Lost in thought, Gao Ning barely noticed Charlot had already started singing.

Charlot strummed an exaggeratedly styled guitar, eyes half-closed as he sang:

“I once dreamed of roaming with my sword,
To see the world’s splendor,
Youth’s heart always a bit reckless,
Now you call the world your home...”

The moment the song began, the crowd instantly quieted.

It was clearly a new song, unheard before, but with clear enunciation and straightforward lyrics. Everyone could sense the deep melancholy and wildness beneath the melody.

After Charlot finished the first verse, Gao Ning immediately took over the second:

“Waking from last night’s drunkenness,
Every painful moment,
I’d look out at the sea alone,
Always thinking of friends walking beside me,
How many are just waking...”

Compared to Charlot’s slightly hoarse voice, Gao Ning’s tone was purer, even carrying a faint ethereal quality reminiscent of Faye Wong.

If Charlot’s voice represented a weathered uncle who had seen and understood it all, reminiscing the past,

Then Gao Ning’s singing evoked a profound enlightenment, as if transcending to a higher state.

Together, their harmony created an unexpected and strange effect, leaving the audience spellbound.

The bar’s usual noise faded away, leaving only the music to ripple through the air.