Going home for the Chinese New Year with a year-end bonus of 100 million

In the following days, some discussions about Yang Fan began to circulate in the university town.

"Have you heard? Yang Fan ignored the best project at the entrepreneurship competition, and Chen Zhiyuan snatched it away."

"If you ask me, Yang Fan is just lucky. All the projects he invested in before were successful. He really thinks he has a great eye for talent."

"I heard Chen Zhiyuan invested a million in Chen Yi's 'Intelligent Learning AI' project! If Yang Fan had invested, wouldn't he be making a profit now?"

"Maybe he's out of money. I heard he invested in a lot of projects, and his cash flow might have dried up."

These discussions initially circulated only among the students, but somehow they eventually reached Zhou Yao's ears.

The day before the billiard hall opened, Zhou Yao angrily confronted Yang Fan.

"Big brother! Have you heard?"

"Everyone outside is talking bad about you!" she said indignantly.

"It must be Chen Yi's doing! He's holding a grudge against you because his project didn't get investment!"

Yang Fan was checking the final preparations at the billiard hall when he heard this. Without even looking up, he said, "Let them talk."

"But what they said was awful!" Zhou Yao exclaimed anxiously.

"They say you have no foresight, no ability, and that you're just a nouveau riche who doesn't understand investing at all!"

"What do you think?" Yang Fan put down the flyer in his hand and looked at her.

"Of course I think they're talking nonsense!" Zhou Yao exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Big brother, you invested in me and my brother, you invested in Chen Mo, you invested in so many projects, which one failed? What do they know!"

Yang Fan laughed: "Since you know, why are you still angry?"

"I'm just so angry!" Zhou Yao clenched her fists. "Should I get someone to teach that Chen Yi a lesson?"

"Nonsense." Yang Fan frowned. "You'll be the boss soon. You need to use your brain when you do things. Don't just shout for violence all the time."

"But……"

"No buts," Yang Fan interrupted her.

"Focus on your own business, that's more important than anything else. Your billiards hall opens tomorrow, that's what you should be concerned about right now."

Zhou Yao pouted reluctantly, but still nodded: "I understand."

"Oh, right," Yang Fan remembered something, "Chen Zhiyuan might come to the opening tomorrow."

"What's he doing here?" Zhou Yao immediately became alert.

"He came to show his support, or rather... to join the fun," Yang Fan said.

"No matter what he's doing here, you must treat him politely. He's a guest, understand?"

Although reluctant, Zhou Yao agreed: "Okay. As long as he doesn't cause trouble, I won't provoke him."

Yang Fan patted her on the shoulder: "Remember, true strength isn't about talking, it's about doing."

Whether Chen Yi's project is good or not, and whether Chen Zhiyuan's investment was right or not, time will tell.

"And we..." he looked around the soon-to-open billiards hall, "just need to do our own thing well."

Looking at Yang Fan's calm face, Zhou Yao's anger gradually subsided.

Yes, brother is right.

Instead of arguing with those people, it's better to run your own business well.

Once the billiard hall becomes popular, and once the projects my brother invests in succeed one by one, those gossips will naturally disappear.

"Big brother, I understand." She took a deep breath.

"We're opening tomorrow, and I promise you'll see the most amazing opening ceremony ever!"

"That's more like it." Yang Fan smiled. "Go ahead and get busy. I'll go check the lights again."

Zhou Yao nodded vigorously and turned to get busy.

Yang Fan watched her energetic back as she looked out the window.

The university town is brightly lit at night.

A few happy and a few sad.

Chen Yi has secured investment and is working tirelessly to promote his project; Chen Zhiyuan is investing heavily to please Lin Qingyue and prove himself superior to Yang Fan; and the discussions and doubts are surging like an undercurrent on campus.

But Yang Fan felt very calm.

Because he knew that Chen Zhiyuan was a sure thing.

"..."

July 8th, Saturday, 9:00 AM.

The venue for the opening ceremony of "Star Glory Billiards Club" has been set up at the entrance.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the street, with flower baskets lining both sides—some from Zhou Jin Esports Hotel, some from Zhou's parents in their personal capacity, some from all members of the Industrial University Esports Club, and two particularly exquisite flower baskets from Lin Qingyue in the name of the principal.

The most eye-catching feature is a two-meter-high sign-in board at the entrance, printed with the billiards club's logo and the four large characters "Grand Opening". Next to it is a row of colored markers for guests to sign and leave a souvenir.

Today, Zhou Yao wore a custom-made black suit jacket over a white shirt, paired with black wide-leg pants and high heels. Her hair was styled in a neat low ponytail, and her makeup was exquisite and sophisticated.

She stood at the door greeting guests with a confident smile on her face, making it impossible to tell that she was a college student starting a business for the first time.

Xiaoya and Lin Xiaoyu arrived early to help. Both were wearing matching T-shirts with the "Xingyao" logo. One was responsible for guiding guests to sign in, and the other was responsible for distributing opening gifts—custom-made keychains and 10% discount coupons.

"Xiaoyu, look how energetic Zhou Yao is today," Xiaoya whispered.

Lin Xiaoyu watched Zhou Yao's busy figure and said softly:

"Yaoyao is really suited for this. Look at how she talks and acts; she already has the air of a boss."

"Of course!" Xiaoya exclaimed with a smile, "She's President Zhou now!"

At 10:00 AM sharp, the opening ceremony officially began.

Zhou Yao stood on the makeshift stage, holding a microphone, her voice clear and strong:

"Friends and classmates, hello everyone! Welcome to the opening ceremony of 'Starry Billiards Club'!"

"I am Zhou Yao, an ordinary student at the University of Technology, and also the founder of this billiard hall."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd below the stage:

"The initial intention of opening this billiards hall was very simple—to provide students who love billiards with a professional, comfortable, and clean place."

"We have the best facilities, the most comfortable environment, and the most attentive service here."

"I hope this place can become a place for everyone to relax, exchange techniques, and make friends after studying!"

"Now, I hereby declare—'Starry Night Billiards Club' officially open for business!"

As soon as he finished speaking, cannons roared and colorful ribbons flew everywhere.

Zhou Jin, as a family representative, went on stage to cut the ribbon, and Xiao Ya and Lin Xiaoyu, as representatives of their friends, also went on stage together.

After the ceremony concluded, Zhou Yao announced:

"To thank everyone for their support, all table types are 20% off for the first three days of opening! Students also get a free drink with their student ID!"

"good!"

"Zhou Yao is so generous!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

The crowd began to surge towards the entrance of the billiard hall.

Just then, a black Mercedes-Benz slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

The car door opened, and Chen Zhiyuan stepped out. He was wearing a dark gray suit today, his hair was slicked back, and he was holding a bouquet of flowers.

Upon seeing Chen Zhiyuan, Zhou Yao's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered.

"Mr. Chen, what brings you here?" she greeted him, her tone polite but distant.

Chen Zhiyuan handed over the flowers: "Zhou Yao is opening her business, of course I have to come and support her."

He looked around, feigning surprise: "Wow, quite the spectacle. Yang Fan must have invested a lot of money, right?"

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft; several people around could hear it.

Zhou Yao accepted the flowers and smiled, "It was Brother Yang Fan who invested, but it was mostly due to my own hard work."