Chapter 107: Chapter 106: "Bought Over" Just Like That?

The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall made by his private chef was truly delicious—tender, smooth, rich, and savory.

Lin Chu finished the entire serving before he knew it, and he still looked like he hadn’t had enough.

The serving size really wasn’t very large.

Although there were other dishes on the table, they were all just average. How could they possibly compare to this?

Lin Chu mulled it over for a moment. ’Should I ask for another serving?’

’Wouldn’t that be a bit much?’

’But, fuck it!’

’I really haven’t had my fill.’

’Inviting someone to a meal and not even letting them eat their fill. How outrageous.’

Soon, Lin Chu had already prioritized his values. ’Even if people think I’m a glutton today, even if it lowers my cool factor and isn’t very dignified, I have to get another serving. I’ll eat first and deal with the consequences later.’

’Good food is the one thing that should never be forsaken.’

’You can let down love and money, but not this.’

"This private chef of yours is pretty good, huh? Where did you hire him? You should lend him to me sometime. It’s delicious, just the portions are a little small."

Lin Chu said with a casual smile, dropping some heavy hints.

Hearing this, Hou Chengjin was stunned for a moment and could barely keep a straight face. He never imagined Lin Chu would place so much importance on food; it almost made him want to laugh.

This kind of gathering, while a private dinner, was essentially a business meeting. No guest would ever make such a request.

But... on second thought, it also felt refreshingly real.

’After all, President Lin is from Guangdong Province.’

"Butler, another serving for President Lin, please! Hahaha..."

"I can’t lend you this chef, though. He’s an uncle from back home, has a bit of a temper. He cooks based on his mood, and he’ll chew me out without a second thought."

He called for the butler, then explained with a smile.

Lin Chu glanced at him, sighed softly, and continued to ask, "So where is this uncle now? What line of work is he in?"

Hou Chengjin laughed. "He retired long ago. Now he spends his days doing plaza dances with various old ladies. He lives right here in my residential complex, but he’s an elder, after all. I have to humor him."

Lin Chu shook his head with a smile and lit a cigarette.

Soon, the butler had already brought another serving out from the kitchen. Seeing his distinguished guest smoking, he pulled open a drawer, took out a silver ashtray, and placed it beside him with both hands.

Hou Chengjin glanced at Lin Chu again. The whole thing was just getting funnier and funnier.

’This is really quite interesting.’

’President Lin is so spontaneous and carefree.’

’Then again, maybe this is its own form of power. Putting your own satisfaction first, who cares what others think?’

After a couple more bites, Lin Chu wiped his mouth in satisfaction. "Tell you what. You teach me the secret recipe for this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Weren’t you looking to film some short web series? Go ahead. I’ll put some money in. You just name a number."

Hou Chengjin: ?

’Weren’t you completely uninterested just a moment ago?’

’Seriously? Did a mouthful of food really bribe you just like that?’

His feelings were too complicated for words. This was no way to do business! A major decision like an investment was being treated like a joke, while having a meal was apparently more important than anything.

Everyone else at the table was also stunned.

’President Lin’s actions are truly unpredictable. He’s so arbitrary!’

"Well? What’s the projected investment?"

Lin Chu urged, taking another spoonful.

Hou Chengjin took a deep breath, at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. After a moment’s hesitation, he said to the male streamer beside him, "Go get the project proposal and show it to President Lin."

But Lin Chu waved him off, saying bluntly, "I’m not looking at it. I’m eating. Just tell me: how much to invest, what’s the projected return, and what’s the worst-case loss. That’s all."

The male streamer: ...

Hou Chengjin felt like his head was about to split open.

He pursed his lips, then licked them. "Right now, the plan is to invest thirty million. It’s hard to say what the return will be. It could be a huge hit, or it could completely flop. Uh, my cash flow is a bit tight this year since my capital is tied up in other projects, so I’m looking to bring someone in. Ten million for 33% of the shares. We’ll form a separate company, I’ll run the operations, and the shareholders can provide financial oversight."

"This is a project-based deal. We’re calculating a cost of five million per series, with a plan to invest in a total of six. We’ll film and promote them simultaneously to get some initial data. Once one of them proves successful with good metrics, we’ll replicate it quickly. Unless all six of them completely bomb, it’s highly probable we won’t lose much."

"Once the model is proven, we can replicate it quickly and it’s sure to be profitable."

"Of course, to be perfectly clear upfront, when that time comes, we’ll have to renegotiate the profit-sharing agreement. Otherwise, I’ll be the one losing out."

Lin Chu glanced at him.

’He’s pretty sharp,’ Lin Chu thought. ’Find someone to share the risk, then take a bigger cut of the profits once it’s successful. That’s normal, though, for the one running the show. And it does show he has some integrity, getting the ugly stuff out of the way first.’

"Fine. It’s just ten million. Give me the secret recipe, and the investment will be in your account instantly. We have a deal. How fast I transfer the money depends on how fast you move."

"A secret recipe like this is easily worth that price. You’re basically doing me a favor."

Lin Chu said this, half-sincerely, half-playacting.

He felt as if he were completely immersed in the "persona" he had built for himself, finding it hard to break character.

Hou Chengjin: ...

He was completely at a loss for words.

...

With that matter settled and his core objective achieved, they ate for a while longer, drinking and making small talk. Then, Lin Chu took his leave.

After Lin Chu left, Hou Chengjin stood in his living room, looking at his four subordinates, his mind still occupied with Lin Chu.

He had actually planned other activities for tonight, thinking he might use a honey trap. After all, this was a "big brother" who had spent three hundred thousand on a livestream. The female streamer was more than willing—in fact, she couldn’t have been more eager. It was a case of both parties being perfectly content with the arrangement.

But Lin Chu’s behavior was something he truly couldn’t fathom.

’Investing ten million for a serving of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?’

He could believe the amount, but the reason for it was just too absurd.

It was a real fucking pain in the ass.

’Can’t you just negotiate a business deal like a normal person?’

He considered two possibilities:

First, Lin Chu had some other objective.

Second, money—even a sum like ten million—was simply a non-issue for a man like him.

"Sir, I found a watch in the restroom. I believe Mr. Lin may have accidentally left it behind. Shall I give him a call and ask?"

Just then, the butler approached, holding the Richard Mille in his hand.

Hou Chengjin was momentarily stunned when he saw it. He took the watch and looked it over. It was indeed an RM 50-03, and definitely authentic. There were no signs of wear; it looked brand new.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

He didn’t even have this model in his own watch collection. He could take it out and sell it right now for eight or nine million, maybe even ten, no problem at all. Secondhand watch dealers would be begging to buy it.

Thoughts flickered through his mind. ’Did Lin Chu really forget it? Or is he using this to test me?’

"Hooo..."

He scratched his head.

After some deliberation, he decided to dial Lin Chu’s number. "President Lin, you left your watch in the restroom. I can have someone send it over to you."

"A hassle? No, it’s no hassle at all..."

"What? You... don’t want it? You’re giving it to me?"

Hanging up, Hou Chengjin was completely dumbfounded. He wondered if Lin Chu was drunk.

’Or is this some kind of ploy?’

’No, this guy is on a whole other level. Every move he makes is unexpected. I really can’t figure him out!’

...

...