Kang Peng's Shock

Although he understood why Hu Wei had been acting strangely, Song Dao still felt that Yan Yu's real purpose was not to comfort Hu Wei.

So what if his ex-girlfriend was getting married?

Was he planning to go as a "guest" or something?

How messed up did someone have to be in the head to do that?

So this was why Yan Yu wanted to get him drunk!

He had bailed halfway through the last few times. She was probably saving it up for him.

Honestly, if they really started drinking, he wasn't afraid of anyone.

Besides, this body's alcohol tolerance was decent. It was young, after all.

The main concern was that these people might lose control if they drank too much.

And as a professional singer, drinking occasionally was no big deal, but drinking often was definitely not okay.

Especially baijiu.

He had already decided that today, he would only drink red wine.

The glamorous older woman loved baijiu. She could drink it herself.

Without realizing it, he had grown increasingly accustomed to being a singer. Even his way of thinking had begun to change.

If this had been when he had first transmigrated, he definitely wouldn't have had thoughts like these.

The others' gifts were pretty interesting too.

Hu Wei was straightforward and gave him a triple-fold phone.

Right in front of everyone, he didn't even change the way he addressed him.

"Without Boss, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm a few years older, but professionally, Boss is my master. Strictly speaking, even Xixi should call me Senior Brother."

Kong Xi was startled and hurriedly declined. "No, no, you should be Senior Brother. I can't accept being your Senior Sister."

Kong Xi's gift was a premium-brand speaker. It wasn't too big, the kind that could be carried away at any time.

It probably cost a little over twenty thousand, but less than thirty thousand.

Song Dao liked this one too.

As for Lin Fei, this Heavenly Queen boss had actually driven over in a brand-new electric car.

It was a domestic full-size electric SUV, the top trim. The total cost after purchase was probably over 1.2 million.

"The company bought it, so it can be used as a tax deduction. I'll have the driver get the plates in the next couple of days. It's inconvenient for you not to have a car, so drive this for now."

Song Dao had actually felt like he was being kept.

It was great.

He didn't refuse, only expressed his thanks.

Some things didn't need to be spelled out too clearly.

If he were only Song Dao, perhaps he could still become good friends with these people, but he definitely wouldn't receive treatment like this.

Song Dao believed in friendship.

But being well-matched in status was never a joke either.

Whether in marriage or friendship, if the gap was too wide, it was genuinely hard to fit in together.

Just then, the video doorbell rang.

Kong Xi rushed over to look, then turned back to Song Dao. "Master, is this person your classmate?"

Song Dao, who had followed her over, nodded.

A moment later, Kang Peng came up in the elevator.

He carried a large gift box, and the logo on it nearly made Song Dao's vision go dark.

This guy had actually brought the same liquor as Yan Yu!

Damn it!

Did he think he was visiting some leader's home?

Why not bring two cartons of cigarettes while he was at it?

Just as he was grumbling inwardly, Kang Peng set down what he was carrying, revealing the plastic bag behind the huge gift box.

Xia Yan Jin Zhong Zhi cigarettes.

And it wasn't even two cartons. It was four!

They were casually stuffed into a transparent bag, the red boxes glaringly obvious.

"Hehe, sorry, I'm a little late." Kang Peng greeted them with a grin. "Hello, Kong Xi. I really like your songs!"

"Thank you, Senior!" Kong Xi smiled.

They already knew each other, so neither found it surprising.

But the next moment, after Kang Peng changed into slippers and casually glanced toward the kitchen, where noises were coming from—

He froze as if someone had cast a paralysis spell on him.

"Holy shit!"

He could hardly believe his eyes.

Instinctively, he looked at Song Dao.

"Come in and sit. We can eat once Sister Qing gets here."

Kang Peng was dazed as Song Dao pushed him into the living room.

He remained utterly blank.

You had a Heavenly Queen wearing an apron and cooking for you?

Were you even human?

And who was that stunning beauty?

Uh, and Hu Wei was here too?

This was insane, wasn't it?

He knew Song Dao had signed with Feiyang Music Movement.

He had also seen the online jokes claiming Lin Fei was dating Song Dao.

But he had only laughed. He'd have to be crazy to believe that kind of nonsense.

He could understand Song Dao moving house and inviting a few coworkers from the company over to liven things up.

But Lin Fei had actually come!

Didn't she realize how popular she was now?

Yet she had not only come to Song Dao's gathering, she was even wearing an apron and cooking?

Surreal. It was way too surreal!

Kang Peng felt like his brain wasn't enough to process it.

That shock continued until the famous industry manager Li Qingqing arrived and gave Song Dao an oil painting she had painted herself.

It wasn't very large, about two feet square.

It depicted a field of blooming sunflowers.

It gave off a festive, vibrant feeling.

"I rushed to finish it, but I finally got it done for you!"

Kang Peng's mind went numb.

As the child of a celebrity, how could he possibly not know Li Qingqing's name?

She was not only a highly renowned manager in the industry, but also a formidable person who had made her side career no less successful than her main profession.

Li Qingqing, who had studied painting, had held her own exhibition ten years ago.

Her most expensive painting had sold for over a hundred thousand.

Then she had turned around and entered the entertainment industry, becoming Lin Fei's manager.

Many major figures in the art world had begged her bitterly to return to painting, but she had ignored them.

She painted only when she felt like it.

The rest of the time, she hung around the entertainment industry.

A classic case of someone talented and willful.

Li Qingqing's paintings sold for at least fifty or sixty thousand on the market. There were very few of them, and they were hard to come by.

Song Dao had moved house, and she had actually painted one for him?

She had even personally had it framed and delivered it herself?

No, could someone tell me what other mysterious identity Brother Dao had? He had only released two decent songs lately, yet he was far less accomplished than Kong Xi or Hu Wei!

That confusion grew even stronger after Song Dao introduced everyone, and they gathered around the coffee table to eat.

First, Song Dao wouldn't let Lin Fei drink baijiu!

"Drink red wine."

"Don't drink too much."

And then... Lin Fei actually nodded and agreed!

Second, Sister Qing, with her short hair and delicate, pretty face, didn't mind sitting on a little stool at all.

She had no airs whatsoever.

Still smiling, she was the first to raise her glass.

"Sorry for arriving late today."

"I should be the oldest person here, so for this first drink, I'll steal some of Boss Fei'er's thunder and toast Teacher Song first. Thank you!"

With Kang Peng present, Li Qingqing didn't put it too bluntly.

She truly wanted to thank Song Dao not only for "bringing up" disciples like Kong Xi and Hu Wei, but even for being able to guide Lin Fei!

Outsiders might not understand, but how could she fail to recognize this man's value?

What was one painting worth?

Kang Peng: Teacher Song?

Did she mean that kind of teacher?

He stared with wide eyes.

Song Dao smiled and raised his glass. "Thank you, Sister Qing. I really love this painting. I just looked it up—it's so expensive, you can't even buy one!"

Lin Fei and Yan Yu rolled their eyes almost simultaneously.

Money grubber!

"As long as Teacher Song likes it. When you move into a bigger house, I'll make one tailored specifically for you—a large one!"

"Then thank you so much!" Song Dao wasn't polite at all.

Li Qingqing smiled readily. Instead of using a small glass, she picked up a hundred-milliliter decanter and drained it in one gulp.

Then she said, "Today, I—and this friend here—will keep Yan Yan company drinking baijiu. I told Fei'er before, but she wouldn't listen to me. At least now someone can keep her in line."

Lin Fei blinked and smiled. "No, I don't drink baijiu all the time."

Song Dao was a little dumbfounded.

What was this about?

What was going on?

Were women in the entertainment industry all this scary?

Other than Kang Peng, who foolishly raised his decanter, and Kong Xi, who raised her glass, no one else moved.

"Aren't you drinking with me?" he asked.

Yan Yu said, "Everyone came today to celebrate your housewarming. Of course we should toast you, the host, first. Drinking together wouldn't be sincere enough. Naturally, we have to toast you one at a time."

Kang Peng and Kong Xi hurriedly set their glasses down.

Song Dao's mind went numb.

Damn it, then don't blame me for cheating!

He raised his glass and, under everyone's watchful eyes, took a tiny sip.

"Sister Qing, I have a terrible alcohol tolerance! Please go easy on me."

Everyone: "..."

Li Qingqing didn't mind at all. "Singers should drink less to protect their voices."

As she spoke, she glanced at Lin Fei.

Lin Fei looked innocent.

Li Qingqing said, "None of you are allowed to force Teacher Song to drink. His brain is for creating, not for getting drunk and chatting nonsense with you!"

Yan Yu said speechlessly, "No, Sister Qing, aren't you being way too biased? You're protecting him this much?"

Lin Fei thought for a moment, then said, "That's true. Don't drink his brain into damage."

Yan Yu said, "You all just spoil him!"

As she spoke, she raised her decanter. "Teacher Song, I'll finish mine. Drink as you please!"

The glamorous older woman did exactly what she said.

Without the slightest hesitation.

This time, Song Dao drank a little more. After setting down his glass, he said, "My alcohol tolerance may be poor, but my feelings are absolutely sincere. Thank you, Sister Yu, for taking care of me since we met."

"That's more like it." Yan Yu looked at Song Dao. "Next time I invite you to a movie, you're not allowed to keep making excuses!"

Lin Fei, Li Qingqing, and Kong Xi were a little surprised, then wore expressions of eager gossip.

Kang Peng: "..."

They had even gone to the movies?

Though he didn't know who this beautiful young woman was, her aura clearly showed that she was no ordinary person.

This was truly a strange and surreal meal.

He had come to a drinking gathering at a classmate's place, and it had somehow become this high-end...

Especially when Lin Fei followed right after and took a big gulp of red wine, while Song Dao still only took a tiny sip.

They had nearly gone around the table once, yet half the wine remained in his already not-so-full glass!

As his classmate, Kang Peng knew exactly how much Song Dao could drink.

In other words, in front of this group, Song Dao could drink whenever he wanted and as much as he wanted?

That was seriously badass.

When it was his turn, this little prince of the drinking table, usually so quick with witty remarks, appeared exceptionally low-key.

"Brother Dao, thanks for inviting me over for your move today. We're brothers for life. I'll finish mine—you drink as you please."

In the past, if Song Dao had dared leave even a single drop in his glass, he would have shouted, "What, are you raising fish in there?"

Yet Song Dao did not hesitate to drain the little more than half a glass remaining.

Smiling, he said to everyone, "He's my good brother, so I have to drink this one."

Kang Peng froze for a moment, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.

With emotional intelligence like this, why the hell would you be some girl's simp?

He gave no face to dazzling beauties, ace managers, or Heavenly Queens making a comeback, but when it came to me, he drained the whole glass...

He had truly given him all the face he could.

What was more, after finishing that glass, Song Dao smiled and said to everyone, "Oh, right. I only introduced him as my classmate earlier, but Kang Peng is also in the industry. His mother is Teacher Jin Jing, and his father is Kang Xu, the director of the Beijing Theatre Troupe."

At those words, everyone showed looks of sudden realization.

"Teacher Jin and Teacher Kang's son? No wonder he looked extraordinary at first glance!" Li Qingqing said.

Lin Fei nodded as well. "I was on a show with Teacher Jin before. She's a really wonderful older sister."

Kang Peng did not feel that he was being treated as a junior either. He proactively stood up and went around pouring drinks for everyone, humbly offering words of thanks.

After that, the drinking became "gentler."

Kang Peng spent almost the entire night observing in secret.

He discovered that this group all seemed to have something wrong with them. No, the one with a problem was probably himself.

There had to be some secret about Song Dao that he did not know.

These people were very relaxed around Song Dao, the sort of relaxed where they could really let loose.

Though it was not all that obvious, he could still tell that everyone valued Song Dao highly.

Song Dao did not have any prominent family background, so that regard could only have come from Song Dao himself.

Then he thought of Hu Wei, who had suddenly exploded in popularity recently, successfully shedding the label of an internet-famous singer with Always Been Quiet, and Kong Xi, who had been tearing through the Penguin Music charts with Dark Sky.

And Lin Fei's Lovesickness...

Was Water Strike Three Thousand Brother Dao's pen name?

Though the guess felt absurd to him.

After all, the two songs Song Dao had sung were indeed quite different from the recent hit songs of these people.

But aside from that, he could not think of any other possibility.

Thinking of the things his parents had taught him since childhood, Kang Peng silently thought to himself.

I have to become good friends with Brother Dao.

Fuck, I didn't bring enough gifts today!