CHAPTER 788: CHAPTER 331: AT THE BUSINESS KTV WITH THEM...

Zhang Jingdong, now an experienced hunter amidst a jungle of beauties, has an exceptionally sharp eye and keen sense of smell.

Just a glance and a couple of conversations with a woman, and he can generally figure her out. Sometimes, he even estimates how long it would take to conquer her.

Thus, his invitation to Bai Shan seemed a bit hasty, but it was actually a decision he made after a basic assessment of her.

After meeting her and having a drink, he immediately concluded two things.

First, she probably studies the arts, which matches her talent that scored over 90 points.

Second, even before approaching to toast him, she definitely already knew who he was.

Yet Zhang Jingdong was certain he hadn’t met her before. Otherwise, with her looks, he would surely remember her.

Then it quickly occurred to him: she must have seen the recent scandal involving him and Xiao Fei and might even know he is Xiao Fei’s boss.

Connecting these clues, Zhang Jingdong immediately came to a conclusion: she’s likely trying to get into the entertainment industry by associating with him, the head of an entertainment company.

Upon realizing this, he was instantly sure he could make some bold requests, which led to him inviting her to sing.

Bai Shan was clearly unprepared for Zhang Jingdong’s ability to see right through her with just one encounter, despite his young age.

She had actually been studying opera since childhood and became an actress with the Xiangnan Province Opera Troupe at 19.

As is well known, places like opera troupes are hierarchical; a year as a cleaner, two pulling curtains—becoming a lead on stage takes at least seven or eight years, and most likely some luck.

Bai Shan’s luck was initially decent; she got a role after just six months of pulling curtains, but then she spent the next three years playing various minor roles.

The most critical issue was that the pay was ridiculously low!

Her monthly salary was just three to four hundred yuan, and though the troupe covered room and board, saving money was impossible.

Previously, she wouldn’t have cared much about earning money, but last October, her mother fell seriously ill, and her father borrowed heavily for her treatment.

With her sister in college, the family’s 1,000+ yuan monthly income from her and her father wasn’t nearly enough.

So since last year, she’s been taking on various part-time jobs to make money.

At first, she sought out opera performances for companies or wealthy individuals, but while these gigs paid well, opportunities were too rare.

During a club performance, she met a resident singer and learned through casual conversation that the singer earned at least 1,000 yuan per night; she was instantly tempted!

Since she could also sing, having studied opera since childhood—her breath control, tone, and pitch were impeccable.

Moreover, she loved singing besides opera.

Especially after hearing the resident singer, she realized she was not much worse and went to a bar for an audition the next day, which she surprisingly passed.

Her initial residency brought great joy, as her income multiplied, allowing her to send substantial money home.

But she soon encountered a problem: the bar environment was too complex, facing customer harassment beyond singing.

Moreover, offstage, shady "big shots" wanted her as a girlfriend, which she refused, leading to their relentless pestering.

Frequent occurrences of this convinced Bai Shan that bar singing was not sustainable.

In March, a fellow resident singer mentioned a "Super Girl" contest hosted by Xiangnan TV, which could lead to stardom.

Bai Shan wasn’t dreaming of stardom, but her colleague remarked, "We tirelessly sing all night for just a few hundred. Become a star, do commercial shows, one song can earn tens of thousands," which struck a chord, prompting her to apply.

Yet at the 20 to 10 stage, she and other contestants were invited to a dinner.

After the dinner, someone told her if she wanted to advance, she should go to room 2106 at Ruihai Hotel that night.

Young but not foolish, she instantly grasped the implication.

Wrestling with the decision, she ultimately chose not to go, which led to her elimination.

Honestly, she had a moment of regret.

If advancing meant a good ranking in the finals, debuting successfully, she’d earn plenty and free her family from hardship.

Though her advancement ended, she continued following the contest, admiring Xiao Fei along the way.

Firstly, she envied Xiao Fei’s talent—young, yet crafting such deep, beautiful original songs.

Secondly, she envied Xiao Fei’s life.

Bai Shan initially thought Xiao Fei must have accepted certain unspoken rules to win the Jiangdu District and reach the national finals.