Chapter 105: Chapter 104: He’s Such a Show-off

After his first probe was mercilessly shot down by Lin Chu, Hou Chengjin’s attitude, ironically, grew even more amicable.

The reasoning was simple.

The probe was to determine if they were on the same level. Now that it was confirmed, he just had to show respect, look for opportunities for potential collaboration, and pursue mutual interests.

That’s just how the business world worked.

Make as many friends as you can.

"President Lin, how’s your company doing this year? Man, things are just awful on my end. My revenue isn’t even half of what it used to be."

"Damn livestreaming sales festivals. I poured tens of millions into burning cash for traffic, and in the end, I only made back half of my investment."

Hou Chengjin began to show some vulnerability as he steered the conversation toward business.

This was the objective reality of the livestreaming industry. The number of streamers was about to surpass the number of viewers. There were too many wolves and not enough meat to go around. Even the little meat that was left was mostly devoured by the top streamers.

He also wanted to see if he could draw some parallels and find a few new ideas.

Lin Chu glanced at him, waved a dismissive hand, and chuckled. "I don’t really know much about this industry. It’s not what I’m into."

Hmm?

Hou Chengjin was a little curious. "Isn’t it the cultural industry? What part of it, specifically?"

Lin Chu gave him a look and smiled back. "Top-tier Chinese luxury. The four arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting. Incense, swords, rare herbs, treasures... It doesn’t matter if it makes money or not. It’s just a personal hobby."

He was speechless.

It was a bit strange, but Hou Chengjin just assumed Lin Chu was being overly protective of his business and didn’t want to leak any trade secrets.

"I’m so envious, really. I’d love to just play around like that, but I’ve got a whole crew of people under me waiting to get paid... That niche seems to have a livestreaming component too, and it’s supposedly quite profitable."

He probed, feigning nonchalance.

Lin Chu just smiled. "I wouldn’t know about that. I buy a lot and I give a lot away. I’m even thinking of creating some myself. But as for selling... that’s not my strong suit, and there’s really no need."

He was speechless.

Again.

Even the wind blowing across the green seemed to reek of Lin Chu’s flexing.

’Damn it. It’s so annoying when rich people with too much time on their hands say things like that.’

Still, he wasn’t sure if Lin Chu was just putting on an act or if he was for real. ’Might as well play a few more holes and see,’ he thought. ’Take a swing and see what happens.’

As the round was nearing its end, Hou Chengjin smiled. "President Lin, how about we have dinner together tonight? My treat. I feel bad for making you spend so much last night."

Lin Chu: ’Danger!’

’He’s trying to steal my title as the King of Picking Up the Tab!’

He had to suppress a laugh. "Sure, why not? But I’m quite picky about my food. Where are we going?"

Hou Chengjin glanced at him and chuckled. "A dinner at my place, of course. I had my personal chef start on a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall last night. A famous dish like that should naturally be reserved for a distinguished guest."

Lin Chu didn’t know if he was telling the truth, but there was no point in questioning it. ’It’s not like I could taste the difference between a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that’s been stewed for a day versus a few hours anyway.’ But since the gesture was made, Lin Chu smiled and nodded. "Great. I’d love to try it."

Tsk.

’A personal chef.’

’What a fucking show-off.’

’Even I don’t have a personal chef.’

Lin Chu also found him pretentious.

He began to wonder what kind of host gift he should bring.

’For a first meeting like this, even an expensive gift wouldn’t be out of place. Besides, I’ll get a double rebate on it anyway.’

...

Lu Ming and Fang Weidong were on another course. They were both beginners, so their game was moving at a snail’s pace, practically a live tutorial.

However, after experiencing the perks that came with having a personal caddy, both of them felt that this was the life.

’Stick with the big boss, and you’ll never go hungry.’

Just then, Lu Ming’s phone buzzed with a message from Lin Chu. "Help me buy a watch. A Richard Mille. At least two million, the more expensive the better. It’s urgent, I need it for tonight. Find a source, and once you’ve confirmed it, message me. I’ll transfer you the money."

After reading the message from Lin Chu, he dropped his golf club and immediately headed for the exit.

"Dongzi, let’s go! Brother Chu needs something. Chop-chop!"

He paid the caddy no mind.

He took two steps, saw the cart nearby, and turned back to the caddy. "Get the shuttle cart. Take me to the parking lot."

Richard Mille?

He seemed to recall a store over at the Earth King Building. It was just after four in the afternoon; if they hurried, they should be able to make it.

The two of them got in a car and sped toward the city center. Lu Ming drove while Fang Weidong made calls.

After getting through to the store, he learned that it was only a service center. The brand had only two flagship stores in the entire country: one in the Imperial Capital and one in Shanghai.

Not even in Peng City.

Xiangjiang had a flagship store, but buying it, getting it through customs, and having it delivered would take too long.

"Why is Brother Chu in such a hurry to buy this watch?" Fang Weidong asked curiously.

Lu Ming glanced at him. "It’s a gift, obviously. What else would it be for? When have you ever seen him wear a watch? He’s not into luxury goods."

Fang Weidong was speechless. ’Badass.’

Then again, he thought, for a man who would casually gift a golf membership worth over two million, giving away a watch worth several million to seal a deal was probably normal.

He no longer had any doubt about Lin Chu’s resources. He even started to wonder, ’Should I invest a little more with him?’

"Let’s try the second-hand market, Brother Dong," Lu Ming said. "Why don’t you ask your family elders? This is super urgent. Brother Chu should be fine with a bit of a premium; the money isn’t the most important part. But we have to make sure it’s authentic, or we’re both screwed. I’ll call my dad too."

As locals, their families were bound to have some connections here and there.

Lu Ming understood Lin Chu’s mindset perfectly. As long as the watch was genuine, it would be fine. He vaguely recalled that for this brand, certain pre-owned models were actually worth more than new ones.

「About an hour later.」

Lu Ming messaged Lin Chu. "Brother Chu, I used my family’s connections to find a pre-owned luxury watch dealer. The source is rock-solid, and I’m at the shop now. They have two models available. One is an RM 11-03, list price 1.7 million, selling for 2.2 million. The other is much more expensive, an RM 50-03. List price 9.1 million, selling for an even 10 million. I don’t know the specific specs, that’s just the price they quoted. I guarantee it’s authentic. If there’s any problem, I’ll take full responsibility."

Lin Chu replied quickly. "Let’s go with the ten-million one. And don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if it’s fake. Once it’s on my wrist, it’s real."

Lu Ming: "Okay."

...

Hou Chengjin lived in Kowloon Platform, one of the top luxury villa districts. Lin Chu sent his location and met up with Lu Ming there. As soon as he saw the watch, he casually tore open the packaging and put it on his own wrist.

Huh? 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Lu Ming froze for a second at the sight.

’Wait... isn’t this supposed to be a gift?’

’Why is he putting it on himself?’

"Let’s go. Time to eat. They’ve painstakingly prepared a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for us. Let’s go have a taste."

Lin Chu said with a smile, casually rolling up the sleeve of his casual shirt to reveal the watch. With its black and red color scheme, the timepiece was impossible to miss.

Suddenly, Lu Ming couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

’Damn, I really thought he was buying it as a gift. I was even wondering what kind of business deal could possibly be worth a ten-million-yuan present.’

’But seeing him now... could it be that Brother Chu just wanted to flex on someone himself?’

Haha.

’Well, if you’re gonna flex, flex.’

’Flex all over them!’

...

...