Chapter 2252 - 4: Good Friends

Chapter 2252: Chapter 4: Good Friends

No matter what kind of stage he’s on, Michael does his utmost to maintain perfection.

Though he knows full well that his body, his health, his voice, everything about him, is nearing the brink of shattering.

Back in 1984, when Michael Jackson was filming a commercial for Pepsi, he suffered an accidental burn, and it was his scalp that was injured. From then on, he gradually got entangled in the terrifying nightmares of drug dependency and addiction to plastic surgery.

Beyond the dazzling superstar facade lay constant pain, addiction to painkillers, sleep disorders, failed marriages, and child molestation accusations, among a host of other issues.

Despite overcoming one hardship after another with the help of friends, as he aged, health, financial, legal, and reputational problems began to erode his brilliance.

In 2009, under the pressure of enormous debt, Michael Jackson decided to make a comeback with the concert "That is it". At the demand of the investors, the number of concerts increased from 10 to 50. Jackson was already 50 years old then. Whether he could even endure five shows, let alone 50, was in question.

However, because of his immense popularity, tickets quickly sold out. For the sake of making money, the agency forced him to add more dates and required him to strictly abide by the contract with intensive rehearsals, giving him only three months to prepare before hitting the stage.

A frail Jackson fell ill and chose to seek help from his long-time friend Ah Gan. Gan Guoyang stepped in to bring Jackson to Las Vegas to recuperate, allowing him to stay there for a month to restore his physical and mental health and recover his strength, while also negotiating with AEG Company to postpone the concert schedule.

By the second half of 2009, a much-recovered Jackson commenced the first phase of his concert performances. The shows were hugely successful, causing a great sensation worldwide. In six months, he performed 15 shows at the O2 Stadium, with tickets selling out at every performance. Fans from all over the world flocked to London as if on a pilgrimage to witness the "Final Curtain Call of MJ".

Each concert could sell 15,000 tickets (a large number of complimentary and VIP tickets were also available). All 50 shows of the 750,000 tickets sold out in four hours, setting an unprecedented record in concert history.

But after completing 15 shows of the first phase tour, Michael Jackson’s physical and mental endurance hit their limit, and the energy stored up from Las Vegas was completely exhausted.

With the second phase of the concert looming in August 2010, Jackson found himself in a state of breakdown once again.

Beyond the health issues, disagreements over the remaining concert schedule, financial share, and commercial endorsements arose between Jackson and AEG.

Jackson’s team did the math: according to the plan provided by AEG, finishing the remaining 35 shows would barely be enough to fill his financial hole.

The problem was, he initially planned only for 10 shows. The income from those 10 shows, endorsements, and associated activities was already covering the debts. How did it come to 50 shows, with losses increasing the more he performed?

Jackson knew something was amiss. He was recently embroiled in a copyright lawsuit and infringement lawsuit with Sony, leaving him overwhelmed by exorbitant compensation fees.

Although he was undeniably a superstar, Jackson often felt like a sacrificial lamb with pack of ferocious wolves eager to take a bite and make their fortunes. Such things happened repeatedly over the past 20 years, leaving him helpless and tired.

Whenever this happened, he would think of Ah Gan, the man as sturdy as steel, whom neither the FBI nor the CIA could topple.

This time, he had to return to Las Vegas again, seeking Ah Gan’s help, and staying in Vegas for a while longer. Ah Gan surely had a way out.

The performance ended with thunderous applause from the audience. Coming off the stage, Jackson forced himself to smile, stepping briskly to leave the square and enter the hotel.

The ground of the square was covered with soft carpets, and Jackson felt like he could fall at any moment walking on them. Upon entering the hotel, he leaned on the front desk to catch his breath. In this state, he simply couldn’t support the concerts — let alone 35 shows.

Gan Wenjiang came down to greet Michael Jackson, shielding him from the young people eager to shake hands or ask for autographs.

As they headed upstairs, Gan Wenjiang pulled an MJ record from his pocket, handing it to Jackson, "Could you sign this for me? I’ve always been a fan of yours, Michael."

Upon seeing Gan Guoyang again, Jackson almost collapsed into his broad, strong chest, sobbing, "Sonny, I’m so tired, I really can’t hold on, I’m so weak, so weak."

Gan Wenjiang, who was just thrilled to have gotten his idol’s autograph, could hardly believe Jackson’s fragile state now.

He often heard his father talk about how close Michael and his uncle were, having known each other since their youth. Now, seeing Jackson show his vulnerability in front of his uncle, he realized they must share an extraordinary friendship.

Gan Guoyang embraced Jackson tightly, patting him, allowing him to vent his emotions freely.

After two minutes, Jackson calmed down, and the two began discussing the concerts and Jackson’s recent troubles.

Gan Guoyang, like a good friend, directed his complaints and dissatisfaction at Jackson.

"I already told you not to sign so many shows with AEG; they will just keep squeezing you until you’re depleted. Those debts, there’s always a way to figure them out in the end. You shouldn’t sacrifice your health for them!"

"And your spending habits, when will you change them? When will you realize it’s sad to become a slave to consumerism? You have so many fans, so many people who love you; you need to connect with them and maintain a good relationship, not isolate yourself or become excessively intimate. You need to spend time with your family, distinguish between the loyal and the disloyal, and unite everyone to resist risks."

"Many people think wealth can bring freedom. Wrong! Enough wealth can bring freedom, but when you have immense wealth, it’s your destiny to guard it with your family and friends."

Jackson sat huddled in a chair, head down as he accepted his friend’s anger. He was always doing things his way and paid no heed to Gan Guoyang’s advice, only turning to Ah Gan to clean up after issues erupted.

After seeing Ah Gan’s anger subside, Jackson finally spoke with his still smooth and gentle voice: "I have connected. I’ve come to find you, Sonny. You know, we’re different. I can’t live like you, managing such a huge empire alone. To be honest, sometimes I really don’t understand why I have so much money and fame; it’s all so exhausting. No one but you truly understands me. I want to crawl into a hole and hide, but I can’t."

Seeing Jackson covering his face, Gan Guoyang was no longer angry with him. He poured a glass of Sherry wine for Jackson, asking him to take a sip to calm down, then proceeded to ask some key questions about the concerts and lawsuits.

"I’ve long told you to stay away from those rats around you. All they want is to tear some flesh off you and never consider the principle of shared fortune and woe. How are things with your kids?"

Gan Guoyang shifted the topic, inquiring about Jackson’s kids.

Jackson once told Gan Guoyang, "I don’t like kids," but that wasn’t the truth. He loved kids deeply but was afraid to show it. A dismal childhood instilled fear towards a normal family life and raising children.

However, once he had children, he showered them with all the gentleness and attention his own childhood had lacked, becoming quite a good father.

"I get along well with them. Whenever I have time, I’ll be with them. In the mornings, we go for walks by the seaside in Bahrain, and the sea in the morning is really beautiful..."

Gan Guoyang nodded, saying, "No matter how busy you are, you have to spend time with your kids... I spent too little time with my son. Leaving him in Portland during Gan Wenshan’s critical developmental years is one of my biggest regrets, leading to a slight awkwardness in our relationship now."

"For the time being, you should stay in Las Vegas, bring your kids over to live together. Rest well, sleep, exercise, watch games, and even gamble if you want. But stop singing, stop drinking, stop using sleeping pills and painkillers, and no more surgeries or makeup. Nobody cares about those white spots here; in fact, I find them quite beautiful. Once you feel fully recovered, you can choose to continue singing or not, depending on your condition."

Jackson stood up, wanting to hug Ah Gan but incredulously saying, "There’s only a month until the second phase of the concert starts. Is it really okay? What are you going to do? AEG is tough."

"AEG is powerful but they’re just businessmen," Gan Guoyang said, unfazed. "I’ll give them an offer they can’t refuse."