Chapter 45: Chapter 45: I Love Myself Too Much
The dishes arrived quickly.
At the dining table, Tian Shu first raised a glass to everyone, then turned to Principal Wang and said, "Principal, what car are you planning to reveal at this SSCC racing festival? I’ve spent several million just to connect with the media, so don’t you slack off on me!"
"You know, I drive for comfort, unlike Qin Fen, who has a garage full of supercars. But I do have a 918 in Shanghai, so driving that wouldn’t be too disappointing for you, right?"
"Not at all."
One of the "Three Great Cars" isn’t a joke.
"Why don’t you ask Qin Fen? Are you just that confident in him?"
Principal Wang said teasingly while picking up a piece of food.
"He can drive whatever he likes. Any car under his name is enough to steal the show."
That’s the truth. Under Qin Fen’s name are cars like the Porsche 918, Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Koenigsegg Agera R, none of which are below 15 million.
At this point, Gu Bai had no say in the matter.
After all, he currently only had a Night Shadow, which wasn’t considered a top-tier supercar.
Just then, Qin Fen seemed to remember something and asked Gu Bai, "Gu Bai, didn’t you say you were interested in those supercars last time? Here’s a chance for you."
"?"
Gu Bai looked at him.
"Principal’s 918 has been up for grabs for a while. If you’re really interested, you two can talk."
Hmm?
Upon hearing that, Gu Bai immediately turned his gaze to Principal Wang.
Principal Wang nodded.
"I do have that in mind, but you know, it’s not easy to get these kinds of cars, and selling them is hard too. It’s just been sitting there; I bought it from someone else, and it’s only been driven a few hundred kilometers over the years."
That’s normal. Supercars are for showing off, not for regular commutes which require comfort.
Gu Bai understood that for limited edition supercars like the 918 and LaFerrari, trying to buy a brand-new one is nearly impossible.
After all, there are so many wealthy people, and only a few cars are released. The supply never meets the demand.
But if you’re a super VIP with those companies, you can easily get them to custom-make one for you. They’re the ones who decided what’s limited, just like the 1982 Lafite; it’s been drunk for decades, yet the stock never seems to run out.
"If Principal is really willing to sell, then I’m definitely interested. My current goal is to collect the ’Three Great Cars.’ But usually, those who can afford them don’t need money and aren’t willing to sell unless it’s a special situation. Like last time when I asked Brother Qin if he was willing to sell one, he looked at me like he’d eat me alive."
Everyone chuckled upon hearing Gu Bai’s words.
Principal Wang: "Isn’t that obvious? Those cars are like his lifeline. You want his life; would he give it to you?
But if you’re really interested in my 918, we can chat after Tian Shu’s racing festival. But for now, it’s all I’ve got to show for."
"No problem. Let’s talk after the festival."
Li Zhun chimed in from the side, "Old Gu, give me the scoop. You want to dabble in the live-streaming industry and buy cars; how much money do you actually have left?"
Upon hearing Li Zhun, Gu Bai chuckled and seriously thought about it.
To be honest, ever since the system transferred the funds to his account, he hadn’t meticulously tracked his balance. His current Confidence Value was 45%, equivalent to 4.5 minor goals. Starting the company consumed 1 minor goal; buying cars, watches, and other expenses added up to roughly 40 million.
"About a little over 300 million left."
Gu Bai answered honestly.
"Forget I asked!"
Li Zhun rolled his eyes and continued eating.
With Gu Bai’s short response, everyone at the dinner had different thoughts. Qin Fen and Principal Wang were okay, even if they might not have 300 million in liquid cash; the figure didn’t scare them. But for Qi Man and Dou De’Er, it was different. Before meeting Gu Bai and Principal Wang, they were just slightly prettier girls. Three hundred million was a figure they could never imagine in a lifetime.
"Hmm? Gu Bai, you want to do live streaming?"
Gu Bai nodded, without holding back.
"Since we’re friends having drinks together, let me give you a word of advice. The live-streaming industry, although it seems profitable, is really full of hidden dangers. Not just considering Douyu and Huya, those companies block your path like a mountain, and you could get called for talks any minute. The fines consume any money you manage to earn."
Principal Wang spoke with a deeply troubled tone.
As one who has been reborn, Gu Bai knew Principal Wang’s words were the truth. If things developed normally, his Panda TV would likely declare bankruptcy by March the year after next. Judging by his tone now, signs of trouble were probably already emerging.
"I don’t plan to play it big like you, Principal. I’m planning to start a live-streaming guild. Maybe in the future, we might have the chance to collaborate."
Gu Bai didn’t say that lightly.
Just a moment ago, the thought occurred to him: did he have the ability to take over Panda TV?
In his previous life, Gu Bai somewhat understood the reasons for Panda’s bankruptcy—mainly too rapid money burn, difficulties in financing, and unclear profit directions. To sum it up, "not enough money."
If people say the live-streaming industry is hard, then why do Douyu and Huya remain unshakable?
Isn’t it because they have a giant like Tencent backing them?
However, this thought only flashed by. With just a Level 1 System, Gu Bai couldn’t even think of acquiring Panda, let alone entering the field.
Mind you, Panda TV’s B-round financing in May this year alone was 1 billion, and maxing out his Level 1 System only amounted to that much.
"Hmm, a live-streaming guild is feasible, requiring not much investment. Plus, if you can make a few streamers popular, the money rolls in quickly too."
As for Gu Bai’s mention of collaboration, Principal Wang took it just as providing streamers for his platform.
After finishing the meal, Gu Bai exchanged contact information with Principal Wang.
"You guys better not forget, it’s this coming Monday."
Before leaving, Tian Shu did not forget to remind everyone.
He specifically emphasized to Gu Bai, "Old Gu, don’t forget, don’t give me the excuse that you have class then!"
Gu Bai gave him an OK sign, packed up, and got in the car with Qi Man.
Just got in the car, hadn’t even started it, when a notification sound that had been silent for several days resounded in his mind.
"Detected that the host has a certain level of recognition, Confidence Value increased by 25%, current Confidence Value 70%.
The 250 million Dream Fund has been issued."
This time the Confidence Value increase was introduced differently from last time, last time was reaching a new milestone, this time it was having a certain level of recognition.
Gu Bai couldn’t figure out how this recognition was calculated.
Was it because he knew Xiaowang?
Then Xiaowang’s status must be too high, right?
Carefully thinking about it, maybe that’s part of the reason, but it’s estimated that more so it’s because Xingnai Media has started to get on track, could it be that the internet celebrities under him couldn’t bring him recognition?
After thinking for a long time and still not getting it, Gu Bai didn’t want to dwell on it, anyway, the final interpretation was in the system’s hands, whatever the system wanted.
Qi Man, sitting next to him, watched Gu Bai in a daze and asked, "What’s up?"
He shook his head to indicate it was nothing, pressed the accelerator, and drove off.
After a day out, Gu Bai didn’t feel like wandering around anymore and planned to head straight back to the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
After a moment of silence between the two, Qi Man slowly opened up to Gu Bai, asking, "Gu Bai, what kind of person do you think I am?"
He turned his head, gave her a glance, and replied indifferently.
"Pretty."
Qi Man smiled faintly.
"You know that’s not what I meant."
"Then you understand what my answer is."
"I just want to hear you say it."
Gu Bai laughed out loud, "What’s up with you? Do you think I can say anything nice?"
"Do you think girls like me are particularly shameless?"
"Yes."
"..."
Qi Man was instantly rendered speechless.
Seeing her expression, Gu Bai smiled too: "There’s a saying about foxes of a thousand years, let’s not play Liaozhai. I understand what’s on your mind, and you understand what’s on mine.
As for asking if girls like you are shameless, of course you are. You don’t want a good life; instead, you aim to climb high branches. You say if you can really meet a mutual love interest who’s tall, rich, and handsome, then fine, but you completely abandon love and just chase material things. Isn’t that shameless?"
Qi Man was about to say something when Gu Bai continued, "But I’m shameless too, we’re basically the same, you seek money, I seek beauty, neither is nobler, though I have one advantage over you, I have the opportunity to choose, you don’t.
If I were a person who revered love, I have the right to wait. I can wait for a pretty girl who has mutual affection with me. You’re different, you can’t wait, when you’re no longer pretty, you won’t have the power to choose."
This sentence directly struck a chord with Qi Man.
"Can I be your girlfriend then?"
Without thinking Gu Bai replied, "No."
"Why?"
Gu Bai shrugged.
"If it’s about being pretty, you’re prettier than Principal Wang’s girlfriend earlier, of course you’re qualified to be my girlfriend, but I’m different. I have the right to wait, I think the title of girlfriend should be left for the future person worthy of it."
After a pause, Gu Bai continued, "Of course, if you wish, you can try interacting with me under another identity, as for what identity, you should know."
"I’m not the only one with this identity, am I?"
"There’s one already."
Qi Man sarcastically smiled, "Didn’t you just say you can wait? Wait for a girl with mutual affection with you?"
Facing Qi Man’s sarcastic tone, Gu Bai didn’t get angry.
"That’s why I’m saving the girlfriend title, there’s no conflict in negotiating a few deals on the way to meet the leading lady of my future life, is there?"
Qi Man paused, she originally thought a woman like her should be quite detestable, but unexpectedly Gu Bai was even more so.
"Aren’t you afraid of karma being this bad?"
Gu Bai chuckled playfully, as Night Shadow drove into the campus gate under the guidance of security.
"You’re the first woman to ask me this, but I believe you definitely won’t be the last.
As for the karma you mentioned, I can tell you, I believe that perhaps I suffered it in a past life, this life is for enjoyment."
"I hope you can still calmly say that when you meet the one you like."
"I certainly will, I can righteously say that in front of anyone."
Night Shadow stopped under the female dormitory, Qi Man didn’t get off, just quietly watched Gu Bai.
After a while, Gu Bai slowly spoke, "I love myself too much, more than I love anyone, so no one can control me."