Hou Chengjin mulled over the matter until midnight, but he still couldn’t figure it out.

Three hundred thousand in a single day was a huge amount of revenue. Ah Liang’s performance had shot into the company’s top three, and his popularity had also seen a massive boost.

This was, of course, a good thing.

But he still didn’t understand President Lin’s motive.

As a boss, the thing you feared most was this sort of unpredictable event.

Even if it was a good thing, it triggered an instinctual sense of crisis, a feeling that things were beyond his control.

Of course, besides that, there was also curiosity.

’This guy... what on earth is he trying to do?’

Lin Chu, on the other hand, slept very soundly.

When he woke up, he saw the message on his phone, smiled, and casually replied, "I admire everyone who works hard to live their life. It’s positive energy."

The other man was probably still sleeping and didn’t reply.

’After all, we’ve only just met. I have to be measured with my tips. The persona I’m crafting is—a mysterious, wealthy, and willful big brother whose logic is inscrutable.’

’As for the rest, I’ll let him fill in the blanks himself.’

’I should probably build up my image a bit, too.’

He hadn’t gotten out of bed yet.

Lin Chu considered his schedule for the day and started sending messages.

To Zhang Peng: "We need to recruit streamers for our own company, and fast. Speed up the process. Don’t worry about their skill level for now; just get them in the door."

To Gu Jiayan: "2 PM, Mission Hills Golf Course. I’m playing golf. Get there half an hour early."

To Li Kai: "Can the private jet be booked today? I’ll transfer the money as soon as it’s confirmed."

To Gao Haitao: "The design plan is fine. Tell them to start construction. The deposit will be paid today."

To Wang Lei: "Wait for me at the gym at 10 AM."

And so, the simple, unadorned day of a president began, just as plainly as that.

Lin Chu was now grasping some of the core skills of being a boss: making quick decisions, finding the right people for the right jobs, and not having to do things himself. The ability to judge character was crucial.

It was all about using your brain.

’After getting rid of that lovesick brain of mine, my mental acuity has skyrocketed.’

...

「2 PM.」

「Mission Hills Golf Course.」

Lin Chu finally met Hou Chengjin in person. He wasn’t very tall, just a little over 1.7 meters, and he was wearing white sneakers with lifts. He had a scrawny build, but his face was quite handsome. He was dressed fashionably in trendy brands, wearing sunglasses and a white Richard Mille on his wrist.

He had also brought two girls with him who looked somewhat similar, both with the typical "internet celebrity" face—exquisite features, full makeup, and dazzlingly glamorous.

’The bosses of MCN agencies are so damn flamboyant,’ Lin Chu thought.

’To put it bluntly, it really looks like he’s running a harem.’

"President Lin, a pleasure to meet you. Are you from the north? You’re so tall!"

He patted the outside of Lin Chu’s arm and joked, seeming very enthusiastic, relaxed, and at ease.

Lin Chu shook his head. "No, I’m from Guangdong Province. Where are you from, President Hou?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

And so the mutual probing began.

In this kind of social setting, especially for a first meeting, Lin Chu was prepared. He was polite and friendly, toning down his usual personality.

He had mostly met people like Liu Junfeng and Li Kai for the first time in nightclubs, which were definitely much wilder settings than this.

’But you adapt your behavior to the setting.’

’I haven’t yet reached a status where I can afford to be flippant anytime, anywhere.’

"Me? I’m from Hu Jian. Ooh, scary. President Lin won’t try to eat me, will he?"

He said with a laugh, livening up the atmosphere.

Lin Chu couldn’t help but laugh as well, but inwardly, he tensed up.

Back when he was just an employee, Lin Chu had always thought that bosses from two particular places were incredible: one was Chaoshan, the other Fujian. Of course, he couldn’t generalize, but according to the "personal database" in his own mind, most of them were formidable. They were daring, unconventional in their methods, and very shrewd.

After a bit of small talk and mutual introductions, they headed toward the course.

Both were exclusive diamond members, so the course had been booked long in advance.

A game of golf has a maximum of four players. Lu Ming and Fang Weidong went ahead to play on another course, leaving the main one to the two of them.

A golf course really is a suitable place for socializing. There’s no intense confrontation, but there is competition. The outdoor environment is pleasant, and you can chat while swinging, with conversations that can be paused at any time. It’s all very relaxed.

Lin Chu was an absolute beginner.

He was only just now starting to understand the meaning of stroke count.

Hou Chengjin was a little better than him, but not by much.

It was a case of two newbies pecking at each other.

But they had a great time playing, and the conversation was decent enough.

Both felt a subtle sense of superiority due to having a net worth far exceeding their peers, but at the same time, they maintained the affability and emotional intelligence of businessmen, joking with each other while probing the other’s depths.

They were like two hedgehogs, cautiously approaching each other, yet careful not to get pricked by the other’s spines.

"President Lin, I’m going to criticize Moon right in front of you. Do you know what she said? She said you have a thing for cripples. I’d never even heard that term before; they had to explain it to me."

"I think she’s just jealous that you didn’t visit her stream, President Lin."

Feeling they had grown much more familiar, Hou Chengjin used the pretense of criticizing his streamer to laughingly tease Lin Chu, taking a small jab at him.

Lin Chu didn’t smile. He glanced over nonchalantly and said calmly, "She certainly does need to be criticized. Why don’t you just fire her?"

The female streamer named Moon was instantly stunned. Her face flushed bright red, and she lowered her head, embarrassed and nervous.

’I did say that,’ she thought, ’but it was in a joking tone, just suggesting a possibility.’

’But I never expected my boss to bring it up to President Lin at a time like this. He’s put me in an impossible position.’

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, President Lin! I didn’t mean it, I’m truly sorry."

She pressed her palms together, apologizing profusely, tears faintly glistening in her eyes.

’In this situation, I can’t contradict my boss, but I also have to give President Lin an explanation. All I can do is swallow this injustice.’

By now, Lin Chu had already walked up to his ball. He took a high, powerful swing, sending the ball flying. It landed, and the placement wasn’t bad. A slight smirk crept onto the corner of Lin Chu’s mouth.

He suddenly turned back.

"Hey?"

"What was that line again?"

"If apologies were useful, what would we need the police for?"

"President Hou, do you remember? What movie was that from?"

Hou Chengjin gave a noncommittal smile. "I’ve forgotten, actually. I don’t watch many movies. That was a good shot, very domineering."

Lin Chu said, "Domineering? Come on, your turn. You know, I think your company is missing a Chief Culture Officer. Why don’t I recommend one for you? My secretary here is pretty good. She studied languages and graduated from a 985 university."

The atmosphere did not ease up.

Lin Chu turned to look at Gu Jiayan.

Gu Jiayan, who was following behind Lin Chu, felt her heart pound with fear.

When Lin Chu went on the attack, he showed no mercy at all. He was like a defiant wolf defending its territory; if anyone dared to provoke him, he would bite back without hesitation, all while maintaining a calm and detached expression.

She never expected the topic to shift to her.

For a moment, she was completely bewildered.

"Ah? Me..."

’I wanted to say, "I’m not cut out for it," but I had an instinctual feeling that saying so would be embarrassing for my boss.’

’What should I do?’

’This is so hard. How am I supposed to respond to this?’

The young woman had truly never been in a situation like this before.

After finishing his swing, Hou Chengjin responded with a smile, "How could I do that? I wouldn’t dare take President Lin’s beloved."

"Moon, besides apologizing, you should also thank President Lin for his magnanimity."

She immediately thanked him profusely.

Lin Chu glanced at her, gave a casual wave of his hand, and then shot a look at Hou Chengjin.

’This guy,’ he thought. ’So young and able to build such a big business. He really has a few tricks up his sleeve.’

’If this were a month ago, I might not have been able to handle him.’

’But I’ve improved a lot recently. We’re about evenly matched now.’

...

...