Chapter 123: Chapter 122: The Standard for Giving Gifts to Women

"Where’s your next business trip? Am I allowed to ask?"

During dinner that evening, Yang Huixian asked softly, her voice a little hoarse and her tone slightly teasing.

Lin Chu replied with a smile, "You’re allowed, but it’s better if you don’t."

She shot him a glare, her lips twitching. She wanted to fire back a sarcastic remark or press him for an answer, but she held back.

"I want to tell you something about that plot of land."

"That land has two flaws. First, the original owner who ran a factory there has a lot of shady connections. Even though he skipped town, he still has some lackeys causing trouble. What’s more, he’s a wanted fugitive. When he fled, he ran over a female accountant from his company, and now she’s in a vegetative state. I’m worried he might sneak back one day."

"My dad didn’t tell you this. Maybe he was hoping to close the deal, or maybe he thought it wasn’t the right time yet. It’s hard to say. Of course, legally speaking, everything is above board."

Lin Chu: ?

’I didn’t expect the land to have a backstory like that.’

’And I never thought she’d be the one to tell me.’

’Is she already siding with an outsider against her own family?’

’So it’s true... the way to a woman’s heart is through her... you-know-what?’

"Go on. I understand."

"This is what *you* consider a flaw. Perhaps your father doesn’t see it that way."

Lin Chu picked up a piece of steak, replying in a calm tone.

Yang Huixian nodded. "Second, I don’t know what you think, but all the local villagers say the land has bad feng shui. It used to be a mass grave. After it was developed into a factory, it changed hands several times, and none of the owners met a good end. They either went bankrupt or had to flee."

Lin Chu nodded again.

"Got it."

’It suddenly occurred to him that both his elementary and high school had been built on similar types of land. The belief was that the sound of students reading aloud could purify the bad feng shui, making it a surprisingly good fit.’

’He wasn’t that superstitious about these things anyway.’

"Alright. Those are two bargaining chips. I’ll give you a commission on whatever discount I can get, you can use it to buy a pretty necklace."

Lin Chu said with a lighthearted laugh.

Huh?

Yang Huixian was taken aback again.

She once again felt that powerful aura of a man with an unshakeable will, one who would take on the world’s greatest challenges with a heart of steel.

Once he decided on a project, it was set in stone. No flaw could stop him. In fact, to him, flaws were just opportunities to drive the price down.

"Alright then. In that case, I want the Precious Treasures of Tianlu."

Taking him up on his offer, she stated her demand forthrightly, without a trace of coyness in her voice.

A typical trait of a wealthy heiress is the audacity to ask for what she wants, partly because she feels she deserves it, but mostly because she could afford to buy it herself.

Lin Chu almost laughed. He gave the matter some serious thought. ’The necklace has already served its purpose. The 620 million I swiped for it has been credited to my account. Although it technically belongs to Wang Zhefei, he obviously won’t be asking for it back. It wouldn’t really matter if I gave it to her.’

’Currently, Lin Chu’s personal standard for giving a woman a gift was this: it only counted as a true gift if it was something she could afford to buy with her own income.’

’Otherwise, it was just him dropping loot.’

’Clearly, Yang Huixian could afford this necklace.’

’However...’

"You will have usage rights, and only usage rights."

Lin Chu stated, loud and clear.

She nodded. "Deal. I’m already very satisfied with that. Come, let me toast you."

Lin Chu teased, "You should be saying, ’Thank you, boss.’"

She rolled her eyes at him. "I will not! If you’ve got the guts, then go all the way! Keep me as your mistress, a canary in a gilded cage! Lock me up at home all day! My demands aren’t even that high. A hundred million a year for living expenses would be enough."

Lin Chu burst out laughing. "In your dreams! If a deal that good existed, I’d fucking take it myself! Why would it ever be your turn?"

The dinner ended in a lighthearted and pleasant atmosphere, filled with playful banter and a hint of calculated self-interest.

Yang Huixian called for her assistant to come pick her up.

’I have to go home tonight. If I don’t get some rest, I’m going to die.’

Lin Chu didn’t ask her to stay. He was exhausted too. ’Damn, this stuff is way more tiring for the man than the woman.’

’I’ve been working out more and drinking less lately. I’m starting to feel like a real beast. My abs are even starting to show.’

...

As she was about to leave, she took the initiative to hug Lin Chu. Looking him in the eye, she said in a slightly more formal tone, "Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chinese New Year—you have to come home with me for those. That’s my bottom line. For any other time, we can work around your schedule. I’m flexible. But on those three days, I’m the boss."

"If my dad asks, I’m just going to tell him we’re together. This was originally my burden to bear, but since you slept with me, you can carry it now. I really can’t handle the pressure anymore. Besides, he’s so happy with you, it’s sure to be fine."

"Of course, if you need me to do anything, I’m available anytime."

This was another one of the main reasons she had come.

These practical matters were unavoidable.

She’d saved it for last mainly because she hadn’t fully thought it through. She was a little worried that Lin Chu might just turn on her right then and there.

’Making such a dominant man compromise?’

’But if Lin Chu really did fly off the handle, then she’d just have to accept the loss. She had made her bet.’

’She’d made her choice, after all!’

Lin Chu couldn’t help but smile. "What I need is for you to keep your family in line and out of my business. If you can’t, then anyone who runs their mouth will get a slap, and anyone who overreaches will get their hands broken. When that happens, don’t blame me for being ruthless. It’s not like we’re really family anyway."

She drew in a sharp breath.

’Badass!’

His words made her eyes sparkle. She could even picture the scene, and the thought was exhilarating—as refreshing as eating a popsicle on a hot summer day.

"You’re really one of a kind, boss. Carry me!"

’I’m in awe.’

’Truly in awe.’

She wanted to bottle up that domineering aura of his and take it home to show off.

However, Lin Chu’s next words made her pout unconsciously. "Of course, Old Yang is a pretty good guy. I’ll take him out to a nightclub sometime."

Yang Huixian took a deep breath, maintained her elegance, and even managed a smile. "Great. Then take me with you."

Lin Chu: "I’ll break your legs!"

She: "I’ll bite you to death!"

The assistant’s car arrived and parked outside. Their playful sparring ceased. She touched the bite mark on Lin Chu’s shoulder, which was now covered with a bandage. "I’m off. I’ll call you next time I’m in need. You’re in good shape, young man. I was very satisfied."

Then, forcing herself to ignore the discomfort, she walked with practiced elegance to the door, got in the car, and drove off.

Lin Chu watched her go.

He let out a long sigh.

Then he chuckled to himself.

’For him, this was a truly unique experience. It takes all kinds to make a world, and there were all sorts of women in it.’

’Especially after his own social status had leveled up.’

’And of course, the higher he climbed, the more interesting "sugar mamas" he was likely to meet—far more entertaining than a purely physical exchange.’

...

Later that evening, Lin Chu suddenly noticed a deposit of one million into his account.

A glance at the sender’s information revealed it was none other than Yang Guangrong.

Lin Chu...

’Holy shit!’

A WeChat message from Yang Guangrong arrived as well: "Xiaochu, congratulations! Just sending you a little red envelope, a small token of my appreciation. You’re always welcome to come have dinner with me!"

Lin Chu: ...

’Incredible. Just incredible. I’ve got to hand it to him.’

...

...