Chu Hao was also moved, his voice hoarse as he said, "I’ve had neither a father nor a mother since I was young; I was taken in by an old lady in the countryside. After she passed away when I was eight, I was adopted by an orphanage. Heh... I was on my own, facing this city, so hungry I couldn’t stand it, so I went to the bridge to tell fortunes. Sometimes I had a meal, sometimes I didn’t. It was Old Brother Mo who helped me out."
"Old Brother Mo, I toast to you."
With that, Chu Hao downed a large cup of liquor in one go—he was truly grateful.
Ankang Mo let out a chuckle and downed his drink as well.
Yu Sicheng and Wang Meng exchanged glances—neither had realized Chu Hao was in such a predicament.
Wang Meng burst into laughter and said, "Ah-Hao, if you don’t look down on us brothers, how about we swear brotherhood? From now on, we’ll be family."
Chu Hao’s eyes shone; he could see that these three had good hearts and that he got along well with them.
Besides, despite Yu Sicheng and Wang Meng’s current state, penniless as they were, Chu Hao could tell from their faces that they only needed an opportunity to soar to the skies.
It wasn’t that he was after their potential success; he genuinely thought these three guys were great.
"Alright, let’s swear brotherhood."
Saying this, the four of them each took a full bowl of wine and stepped outside the main door.
Yu Sicheng knelt and was the first to speak, "May Heaven and Earth bear witness, I, Yu Sicheng, am the Boss."
"I, Ankang Mo, am the Second Elder."
"I, Wang Meng, am the Third Elder."
"I, Chu Hao, am Old Fourth."
Together, the four men declared, "Today, the four of us become brothers, sharing blessings and facing hardships together."
On the pitch-dark street, the four drank their full bowls of wine in one gulp and burst into laughter.
Wang Meng let out a burp from the liquor and said, "I, Wang Meng, have no parents, but having you three brothers makes this life worthwhile."
Seized by a sudden whim, Old Mo poured four more bowls of wine and started singing aloud, "Tonight’s songs are intoxicating, tonight the moon is beautiful, set free the dreams that seldom get to revel drunkenly."
Wang Meng: "Smiles and tears, face them all with ease. Life’s like a song—raise your glass and laugh at the mortal world."
Yu Sicheng: "It’s been a long time without the feeling of a hug; tonight I want to drink merrily with my brothers."
Chu Hao: "Come on, brothers, let’s all raise our glasses high."
"Good brothers, let’s drink up! I won’t return until I’m drunk."
In the street, windows opened, and several men and women shouted angrily, "Damn it! Won’t you let people sleep? What the hell are you singing?"
Chu Hao pointed at the people upstairs and yelled, "My singing is none of your damn business! Get lost and go back to sleep."
The guy upstairs got heated and dumped down a large basin of water.
Luckily, they reacted quickly and dodged the splash. Fuming, the four picked up stones ready to throw, but the man upstairs, clearly scared, slammed his window shut.
The next day, Ankang Mo got busy with the renovation. With more than two million left, of course, they had to do a good job.
Chu Hao didn’t dare to go to the shop and instead ran off with Yu Sicheng to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce to apply for a business license.
The staff at the bureau asked, "Exactly what is it that you do?"
Chu Hao had already thought this through and said, "Paranormal Agency."
The staff member was taken aback and asked again, "What do you do?"
"Paranormal Agency, you know, like catching ghosts."
As a result, the staff member directly called security and had them both kicked out.
The pair were quite dejected. The officials must have thought they were crazy. Without the license, they couldn’t open for business.
Yu Sicheng was getting anxious too. "What do we do now?" he asked.
After pondering, Chu Hao suggested, "How about we change it to selling joss paper?"
"That’s settled then," Yu Sicheng replied.
They went back in, and the staff member asked, "What will your store’s name be?"
A business license always requires a name—it would be their shop’s name.
Chu Hao said, "Sanqing Pavilion."
The staff member looked at their shop’s listed location and curiously asked, "You’re selling joss paper at the busiest commercial spot in Anli City?"
"Yeah, is there a problem?" Chu Hao said.
The staff member was speechless. If he remembered correctly, the rent there was the highest in the entire city, a prime real estate location. He said, "Uh... no problem, as long as you’re happy."
What the hell!!What’s with this ’as long as you’re happy’ crap? Do they think we’re just playing around?
A while later, everything was finally sorted out.
Originally, Chu Hao hadn’t wanted to go to the shop anymore. But then again, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, right? Am I really going to be scared off by a bunch of women? As if they could tear me apart!
Upon arriving at the store, renovation had already begun. The space was over three hundred square meters and spanned three floors, which was quite large.
According to Chu Hao’s plan, the renovation should cost at least two million. His three brothers were shell-shocked. Such luxurious decorations?
Chu Hao explained, "Don’t worry, we’re all capable people. Once the store is renovated, why would we be afraid of not having customers?"
His words held truth, so they indeed invested two million in the renovation.
Late in the evening, Chu Hao received a message on WeChat.
Qing World Lotus: "What are you up to?"
It’s been two days! The superstar finally messaged me. I’m so thrilled!
King Chubi: "I opened a store; it’s currently being renovated."
Qing World Lotus: "What kind of store?"
King Chubi: "A Paranormal Agency."
Qing World Lotus sent a tongue-sticking-out emoji: "I want to come see."
King Chubi: "The place is just getting renovated. It’s all dusty here. Should I come find you instead?"
Qing World Lotus: "No way."
Damn... Is the superstar still mad?
Then, Qing World Lotus added: "A friend of mine is here too."
King Chubi (serious face): "A guy or a girl?"
Damn!! This is not okay! That superstar is my future girlfriend, damn it! Another man in her house? How can I let this happen?!
King Chubi: "I’ll come over and throw him out."
Qing World Lotus sent a smirking emoji: "Come on, that person is my dad."
King Chubi: "AHEM... I was just kidding."
Qing World Lotus: "Actually, my dad wants to meet you. I’ve told him all about you."
Meet my future father-in-law?
Chu Hao felt a bit nervous. "Um... isn’t this a bit too soon?"
Qing World Lotus sent a blushing emoji: "What are you thinking? He just wants to ask if there’s any way you could save me."
King Chubi (disappointed): "Oh."
Qing World Lotus: "So, are you coming or not?!"
King Chubi: "Coming! I’ll be there right away."
After giving Yu Sicheng a heads-up, Chu Hao hailed a cab. Several Mercedes luxury cars were parked at the villa. He felt a bit nervous as he rang the doorbell.
The one who opened the door was none other than Guihu, the tall, dark fellow. This guy had been quite arrogant before, but after Chu Hao landed one punch, he had been foaming at the mouth.
When Guihu saw Chu Hao, his expression changed. "You... How did you get here?"
Chu Hao smiled and said, "Why couldn’t I come? Big Guy, are you all healed up?"
Guihu’s face darkened. "If I hadn’t let you land that punch, you’d definitely be dead by now..."
He took a beating and still wants to act tough? Isn’t he just asking for it?
Chu Hao cracked his knuckles and said, "How about we step outside and exchange a few moves? I’ll spot you three."
Guihu fell silent. He had been injured and bedridden for a day, and he was still in pain—how could he dare to fight?
"DING... Host has successfully shown off. You’ve gained 30 Pretentiousness Points."
Chu Hao snorted coldly and walked into the villa, where he saw Yi Qinglian and Li Tangguo.