Chapter 226 Sentimental Farewell

Another song finished, Chen Lei didn't continue with the next one. Instead, he cleared his throat into the microphone and said something slightly sentimental.

"I have something to tell you all today. Starting tomorrow, I won't be singing here anymore."

The audience instantly stirred.

"It's not what you think. I really like it here, and I really like singing for you. Boss Ma of Lazy Fish Internet Cafe really wanted me to stay, and you all have been very generous with gifts, which I appreciate very much."

"The reason I'm leaving is that the big boss behind Lazy Fish Internet Cafe said he really likes my singing and wants to send me to Shanghai to continue pursuing my musical dreams. He'll be taking care of my room and board during that time."

"I really love singing for you all, but I also cherish this opportunity and want to leave Jingzhou and see Shanghai..."

"After all, this is my dream..."

As Chen Lei spoke, his eyes welled up with tears.

"So that's how it is, that's great!"

"Although it's hard to see you go, I still support you in pursuing your dreams!"

"If things don't work out in Shanghai, you have to come back. This is always your home!"

"Boo hoo, sad... Let's send ten more glasses of Northern Lights, wishing you a good journey..."

A sentimental atmosphere instantly filled the air.

Many people at the bar sent Chen Lei drinks as a farewell gift, and many girls were crying, wiping their tears with tissues.

Pei Qian stood quietly in the corner, feeling sentimental.

I'm such a terrible person...

In a secluded corner on the second floor, Ma Yang was heartbroken and wanted to cry.

"My cash cow..."

Zhang Yuan stood beside him, handing him tissues and comforting him, "Boss Ma, this is Chen Lei's dream, we should support him... It's okay, we can always hire a new resident singer..."

But Ma Yang didn't seem comforted at all, his face full of grievance.

"I... I certainly support Chen Lei in fulfilling his dreams..."

"But I'd rather the internet cafe could turn a profit..."

"Never mind, I should respect Chen Lei's decision..."

Although Ma Yang couldn't tell good singing from bad, he had roughly figured out through these past few days that Chen Lei's singing was truly at a level that ordinary resident singers couldn't reach. Hiring someone else wouldn't bring in the same popularity as Chen Lei.

In fact, the fact that Lazy Fish Internet Cafe could see the beginning of profitability now was all thanks to Chen Lei. His singing was good, his audience was loyal, and they came every night to buy drinks, generating a lot of extra income for the internet cafe.

If Chen Lei really left, other singers would at most be at Zhang Yuan's level, and it was easy to imagine what that would be like.

Pei Qian silently went upstairs and handed over a pack of tissues. "Old Ma, it's okay. Chen Lei is a talented person, it's a waste of his talent to stay at Lazy Fish Internet Cafe. If you really think you're his talent scout, you should bless him."

Ma Yang blew his nose. "Brother Qian, that's not why I'm sad. I'm mainly sad because Lazy Fish Internet Cafe finally had a chance to make money for you, but now that's gone. I feel bad for you..."

Pei Qian was touched. See, it's still my brother who cares about me!

But Ma Yang's strong sense of responsibility didn't seem like a good thing.

Fortunately, this should just be an accident. It was just that Ma Yang was lucky enough to stumble upon Chen Lei, otherwise there wouldn't be so much trouble.

So, ultimately, this brother is still trustworthy!

Pei Qian patted Ma Yang on the shoulder. "Old Ma, how many times have I told you, you're in charge of Lazy Fish Internet Cafe, don't always think about making money! The important thing is to maintain this window for me to showcase Tengda's image, understand?"

"Let's go, let's give Chen Lei a proper send-off."

On the first floor of Lazy Fish Internet Cafe, Chen Lei's performance was coming to an end, but most of the audience was unwilling to leave, and Chen Lei had already sung two or three extra songs.

Finally, everyone surrounded Chen Lei and came to the entrance of the internet cafe. Many female audience members had cried so much that their makeup was ruined, and each of them looked like they were facing a life-or-death parting.

Pei Qian muttered to himself, when will I ever get this kind of treatment...

Ma Yang also cried his eyes out, went up to say goodbye to Chen Lei, and told him to take care on his journey.

Chen Lei's eyes were only a little red at first, but when he saw Ma Yang's posture, he instantly couldn't hold back and was extremely moved.

Pei Qian felt a little awkward, because he knew that Ma Yang was crying mainly because he had lost a cash cow, and not because he had such a deep relationship with Chen Lei...

But Chen Lei didn't know this and felt that Boss Ma had been extremely kind to him and he couldn't repay him enough.

Finally, after messing around until 11 o'clock in the evening, most of the people finally dispersed.

Pei Qian called Chen Lei aside and gave him a phone number.

"When you get to Shanghai, contact this person directly. His name is Huang Sibao, and he's the head of Flying Huang Studio. You don't have to worry about anything, he'll arrange everything."

Pei Qian had already spoken to Huang Sibao. In short, Huang Sibao would be responsible for all of Chen Lei's food and accommodation there. Chen Lei could do whatever he wanted. Pei Qian thought that at most he would sing a theme song for the documentary, and he wouldn't cause too much trouble.

Besides, even if Huang Sibao's documentary made money because of this, it was still within Pei Qian's calculations. Compared to keeping Chen Lei at Lazy Fish Internet Cafe, the loss would be much smaller.

"Thank you for your cultivation, Boss Pei."

"I will never forget the kindness of Boss Ma and Boss Pei. I will definitely repay you if I have the opportunity in the future!" Chen Lei held Pei Qian's hand, extremely moved.

"Really, there's no need." Pei Qian's eyes were extremely sincere, and you could tell that these words came from the bottom of his heart.

...

Back at Lazy Fish Internet Cafe, Ma Yang was still feeling down.

Pei Qian came to Old Ma and said, "Old Ma, you should be happy that Chen Lei can fulfill his dream, don't be sad."

"Besides, this time, you didn't work in vain!"

The sadness on Ma Yang's long face faded slightly. "I... didn't work in vain?"

Pei Qian nodded vigorously. "Of course, you didn't work in vain! You gave me very important inspiration!"

Ma Yang looked at Pei Qian, and seeing that his expression wasn't lying, he temporarily forgot his sadness and listened carefully.

"Old Ma, you don't know how much energy this idea of yours contains!"

"Unfortunately, it was born at the wrong time."

"The model of singers singing and customers rewarding them can be fully developed, but the stage of Lazy Fish Internet Cafe is too small to fully develop it!"

"Limiting this idea to Lazy Fish Internet Cafe would be a waste of your talent and would limit your performance, understand?"

Ma Yang looked confused. "So what?"

Pei Qian patted him on the shoulder. "Your idea can be completely put on the live streaming platform! As soon as three months, as late as half a year, you'll be the CEO of Lazy Fish Live Streaming!"

"So, you must believe that your work is very valuable and a great help to Tengda! Please be sure to accumulate strength and continue to use your talents in a more suitable place!"

Ma Yang instantly turned his sorrow into joy, his hands shaking with emotion. "Brother Qian, I..."

Pei Qian grabbed his hand. "Old Ma, there's no need to say anything, I understand! Please accumulate strength, and you will naturally continue to shine on a bigger stage in the future!"