Just as Zhou Wang was thinking this, under the guidance of the security personnel on the road, the vehicle circumvented the internal road and arrived at the front of the manor’s buildings.
The view suddenly brightened. Behind the fountain illuminated by blue lights from within was the main entrance of this European-style building, where twinkling lights flashed on the flowing warm-colored crystal barriers, and two artistic characters were written on it.
"Heavenly Palace."
Only then did Zhou Wang realize that the entrance they drove into was either a side or back gate, and the direction extended by the fountain was actually the manor’s main entrance. However, at the end of the lush garden, the main entrance was completely closed off, and if one were passing by from outside, their sight would be blocked by the vegetation, making it difficult to glimpse the scene inside.
Zhou Wang roughly recalled that this place should be somewhere between the Third and Fourth Ring, a location neither too remote nor particularly bustling.
The doorman came over to help Zhou Wang open the car door. After Zhou Wang got out, Qiu Zeyu, who walked over, saw Zhou Wang still facing the direction of the manor’s gate and couldn’t help but chuckle:
"What, wondering why the main entrance isn’t open?"
"Well, I know it’s probably for secrecy, but this place should be legal and compliant, right?"
"Of course, all the documents are complete. Surely I wouldn’t dupe you guys, right?"
Qiu Zeyu rolled his eyes and said, "As for the main entrance here, it’s been closed for about ten years."
"Ten years?"
"I almost forgot, given your age, Brother Dog, you probably wouldn’t have been reading the news back then..."
"I don’t watch the news, but at least I go online. No need to explain, I understand."
Zhou Wang rolled his eyes, reminded by Qiu Zeyu, immediately recalled what Qiu Zeyu was referring to, a major scandal that year involving entertainment venues in Beidou, which caused an uproar online.
That year, people were still generally naive; young boys first heard about such places, on one hand cursing the filthy rich for knowing how to enjoy life, while on the other hand yearning for it.
Times change, and looking back in today’s era, it’s realized that such occurrences are no longer surprising, as they are seen everywhere.
Similarly, there was the Edison Chen incident, which was truly deemed outrageous back then, as if it were something monumental. Zhou Wang particularly remembered that the internet was filled with curses, saying how those girls were deceived so badly, and how bad Edison was...
Only now is it revealed, this is not a big deal at all, they were consensually closing the door at home to take some photos and videos, so what is the big fuss? Edison was merely a victim.
"President Qiu!"
Just as the few were casually chatting at the entrance, a woman, still charming and wearing a qipao, walked out from the main entrance, greeted Qiu Zeyu with a smile, and approached quickly.
"President Lan, thank you. Let me introduce you: this is Zhou Wang, Mr. Zhou, my good buddy, and these are..."
Qiu Zeyu introduced both sides to each other, then introduced the woman to Zhou Wang and the others.
The woman with the surname Lan was the general manager of Heavenly Palace KTV. Zhou Wang sensed a familiar aura from her, upon recollection realized that her demeanor was quite a bit like the lady boss of Ming City Cloud Residence, Chen Shu.
But that’s not surprising, as such high-end venues only open for specific circles, usually have an "owner" who can’t be exposed easily, President Lan is probably just the visible manager.
President Lan noticed the order in which Qiu Zeyu introduced, outwardly very enthusiastic to everyone, but particularly remembered Zhou Wang’s face.
After a round of pleasantries, after Zhou Wang briefly spoke with Miao Ying, President Lan led the group inside, simultaneously introducing "Heavenly Palace" to the first-time visitors like Zhou Wang.
"This entire manor, covering 24,000 square meters, is private property purchased..."
President Lan’s first words stunned Zhou Wang and the others.
Even if this is outside the Third Ring, a manor occupying such a large area is worth at least several billion, making the cost very extravagant.
"Previously, this was a very famous old-fashioned business club in Beidou, later the business went bankrupt, and after our boss took over, he converted it into a specialized KTV, all the renovation plus equipment purchase cost nearly another two billion..."
While listening, Zhou Wang looked around, passing through arched pillars, he didn’t see the typical luxury lobby, instead there was an open courtyard, with a goddess statue fountain on one side, and corridors leading to different directions spread out.
"Our entire KTV has only nineteen rooms of different sizes, located in various locations, each with its own private elevator, this design is for comfort in space on one hand, and to ensure guests’ privacy on the other..."
President Lan pointed at the corridors, explaining with a smile.
Regarding "privacy", everyone instantly understood, as spending to this extent, no matter whom the clientele might be, they generally don’t wish outsiders to know, thus making privacy particularly important.
"Such a large place, only nineteen rooms?"
Young Master Zhang couldn’t help but exclaim, then suddenly realized, "No wonder your minimum spending is so high, without this arrangement, it wouldn’t be possible to maintain operational costs, right?"
Apart from those motley KTVs in county towns, urban large TKVs generally start with hundreds of rooms, even for business clubs, larger ones would conservatively have a hundred and eighty rooms.
Having only a dozen rooms in a KTV, while not extremely rare, is quite uncommon nonetheless.