Chapter 043: Moving to a New Home

At present, tickets to Li Lekang’s performances are nearly impossible to come by. The psychology of scarcity marketing had already taken root, and as those who had seen his shows boasted endlessly online—turning him into something of a legend—those yet to witness his act, unable to secure tickets, found themselves in agony.

The venue’s management had begun to exert pressure on LAA, urging the company to persuade Li Lekang to add an evening performance or to extend the daytime schedule. Yet, Li Lekang’s attitude was noncommittal; such arrangements required negotiation. He could not simply perform at their behest—additional compensation would be necessary.

Besides, he was currently relishing the spectacle of fans scrambling for tickets. Even though his own income hadn’t changed much—and it was the ticket scalpers who truly profited—his approach had a powerful effect on the most devoted followers. After just two shows, he noticed that the conversion rate among these faith-driven fans had risen from ten percent to twenty percent or higher.

Money was the foundation of his livelihood, but his true measure of success lay in the number of devoted believers he inspired. Of course, this was not something he could share with others—nor would they understand. Unwittingly, this gave rise to an aura of the “artist pursuing art,” and those around him increasingly saw Li Lekang as a young man chasing his dreams, rather than someone motivated purely by profit.

He wanted to tell them they were mistaken—he wished for both fame and fortune! What he needed was a point of balance: not so many shows that demand would become diluted, nor so few that he’d miss out on earnings. Such matters, touching on economics and mathematics, he left to Judy.

“I trust you’ll come up with a solution that lets me enjoy both leisure and wealth,” he told her.

Judy, full of confidence, replied, “Don’t worry. I’ll negotiate with the organizers to enforce a stricter real-name ticketing system and shift more of the ticket premium into your share of the profits. That way, your loyal fans can enjoy VIP treatment, and you’ll see greater financial benefit as well.”

He instantly grasped her meaning. “That’s exactly why I need you!” he said with a smile, grateful to have someone so capable of managing the bigger picture. All he needed to focus on was delivering performances that would dazzle and astonish.

The next few shows continued amid thunderous applause. The stage, after all, was the truest measure of a magician’s abilities, and Li Lekang could feel his command of the audience and his sense of timing growing ever more refined. Performing became ever more effortless for him, while the audience’s satisfaction and affection remained undiminished.

He had finally taken a significant step on the road to fame.

Meanwhile, his behind-the-scenes team worked with quiet efficiency. LAA swiftly arranged for him to have a driver, bodyguard, and luxury van—amenities befitting a rising star. At his request, they also secured a villa for him.

Situated on the northern hills of Hollywood, the property boasted a large swimming pool, a spacious terrace with sweeping views of downtown Los Angeles, and neighbors who were mostly celebrities or tycoons. The exterior was understated, its whitewashed concrete walls lending it a modern flair. From the road, it appeared to be a single story, but that was only because it was built into the hillside; it was actually the second floor.

Inside, the décor was contemporary, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing the city, bathing the space in sunlight and offering uninterrupted views of LA’s endless sprawl, punctuated by the occasional skyscraper—a panorama that was exactly what he’d been seeking.

Looking down from the balcony, he could see a fashionable infinity pool. To the right was a terrace perfect for barbecues, surrounded by lush greenery. It would be ideal for keeping pets—Mac the dog could run wild here, and there’d be no fear of him rampaging through the house.

After taking a tour, Li Lekang’s delight was unmistakable. He turned to Mac and said, “I love it! This is my ideal home!”

Mac took off his sunglasses and replied matter-of-factly, “Well, for over thirty thousand dollars a month in rent, there’s nothing to complain about. The company is really investing in you!”

“Don’t put it that way,” Li Lekang grinned. “Aren’t you, a billionaire, enjoying this success with me?”

He was shamelessly pleased with himself, since the agency was footing the bill. Nothing brought quite as much joy as something you got for free.

Mac gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder and laughed, “I’m not about to hang around with you all day. Otherwise, your little girlfriends would probably tear me apart!”

Li Lekang shrugged. The house was enormous, with four bedrooms. To be honest, living there alone would be a little lonely, especially late at night—if you misplaced your phone, you might never find it again.

More housemates would bring life to the place. The occasional party, friends coming and going, even a swim on a weekday could turn into a playful water fight.

As a young, energetic star, what was the point of a big house if it didn’t have a few bikini-clad beauties to keep you company—brightening the scenery, offering a lap for a lazy afternoon nap? Life would be dull otherwise.

He already had a list of candidates in mind. When he returned to pack his things, the two girls happened to be there, and under the pretense of needing help, he invited them to come see the new place.

Li Lekang didn’t state his intentions outright, but he was confident that seeing the villa for themselves would make them impossible to resist.

The hillside villa was not far from the apartment—just a ten-minute drive. Navigating the winding mountain road, they soon arrived. He used his phone to open the garage, which could hold three cars, with space for more outside if needed.

Now that he had money, he knew he’d eventually own more than one car—a supercar, a sedan, an SUV, an MPV—each for a different occasion. Daytime, nighttime, off-road… those mountain roads called for it!

But back to the present: as the girls got out of the car and stepped inside, passing through the living room—

“You call this just renting a place?”

“I could look out at this view all day!”

“Look at that pool! I have to do a photo shoot there!”

“And the view from the terrace—my friends will be so jealous!”

The two girls were shouting and exclaiming all the way through the house, full of the exuberance of youth.

Li Lekang followed behind with a smile—life with these two lively roommates would never be dull. And when they realized he lived there alone—

“Hey, Lekang!”

Daisy and Sandra both beamed at him, a hint of coquettishness in their eyes.

“I noticed you have so many spare rooms,” Daisy said, practical as ever. “Leaving them empty is a waste—why not share? Of course, I’d pay rent—just a small portion.”

Sandra nodded in agreement. Although they’d shared a bed, they hadn’t become a couple—just fulfilling mutual needs. Americans, after all, prized both independence and a taste of glamour.

Li Lekang didn’t keep them in suspense. “Have you forgotten? We’re a team. Having a roommate who cooks and one who’s into fitness—what could be better for me?”

“Yay! I love you!”

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