"It’d be great to have some pro players. The more, the merrier. That way, we can all get a good look at the skills of the pros."

"How about we invite the ’Golf Goddess,’ the ’Violent Loli,’ Zhang Zishu? She’s from Peng City, you know."

"Huh? Who’s Zhang Zishu? Isn’t the ’Golf Goddess’... Guan Zhilin? (Wicked grin) (Wicked grin)"

"Whoa... Da Liu’s private hole."

"Isn’t that joke going a little too far?"

"Come on, you guys, that’s enough! That joke is ancient, and there are women in this group chat!"

The banter in the group chat was flying, but Lin Chu was completely unfazed.

Zhang Zishu?

’Who’s that?’

He did, however, feel a flicker of curiosity.

’Violent Loli. Sounds kind of amusing.’

...

As he was reading, a private message from Huang Yuan popped up. "Save an ad slot for me. I want a prime spot. I’ll have my company’s VP connect with you about the details. I can’t make it back to the city anytime soon."

Lin Chu smiled faintly upon seeing the message.

"You got it. Thanks, Brother Huang. Much appreciated."

Lin Chu casually typed a polite reply.

Huang Yuan: "Don’t mention it. Gotta run."

’This Huang Yuan guy was an interesting character. An old fox, a man of wealth and leisure.’

The last time they were out drinking, Lin Chu had asked him about Lan Yuzheng, but he’d refused to take the bait. That was to be expected; he didn’t want to get tangled up in any trouble.

Still, it wasn’t as if they had no relationship whatsoever.

Take this, for example. He was paying for an ad—a normal, mutually beneficial business transaction. But it also carried a hint of "sponsoring" Lin Chu, which counted as a show of support.

That was a kind of friendship, too.

Even if they weren’t particularly close.

Lin Chu casually forwarded the request to Xin Fu.

And just like that, he had his first advertising sponsor.

An auspicious start.

...

"The young miss of the Zhou Family is outside. She says she’s looking for you."

Liang Jieyu pushed the door open from the outer office and came in. Seeing Lin Chu’s ashtray was full, she casually emptied it. Then she leaned in to whisper in his ear, playfully licking it as she did.

Lin Chu had been spending more time at the club lately, and she felt quite "favored." Every now and then, she’d pull one of her sultry little tricks.

"Let her in."

Lin Chu gave her a pat on the butt, speaking nonchalantly.

Liang Jieyu swayed her hips as she went out to get her.

Zhou Luan pushed the door open and strode in.

She was dressed in a simple, fresh outfit—a t-shirt and jeans, her hair in a ponytail. She marched in with her head held high, glanced at Liang Jieyu, and said, "You can leave us."

Liang Jieyu: ?

’This young miss seems a little hostile toward me,’ she thought, ’and even seems to be looking down on me.’ But she didn’t say anything, just gave a small smile and left.

’What can you do? She has a rich dad.’

’But... so what?’

’So do I.’

Lin Chu watched her order his secretary around and frowned slightly. "You can get out too."

Zhou Luan pouted and shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed, but walked toward his desk anyway.

"Feeling protective of your little pet?"

"Though if I had a cute little secretary like that, I’d be protective too,"

she teased with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Lin Chu leaned back, sinking lazily into his chair. "If you have something to say, spit it out. And show some respect."

’Sometimes I really just want to play her for a fool.’

’But the price would be too high.’

’I’ll just have to hold back for now.’

The last time she and her best friend—who was supposedly a true "fair-skinned, rich, and beautiful" heiress type—played a round on the first course.

Lin Chu hadn’t gone to see them, but he did check the surveillance footage later.

To be honest, her friend was even more beautiful.

Especially her aura; every move she made exuded the grace of a young lady from a prominent family.

Her background was also said to be unfathomably deep.

The thrill he felt was no less than when he had first laid eyes on Liao Meili in her white swimsuit at the Wanhao Hotel pool.

’But he’d sampled the finer things in life now and wasn’t in such a hurry. There would definitely be a chance to meet her again in the future.’

"Of course I have something to say! I’ve come to report to the great President Lin. Please, accept my humblest respects!"

"That move to host a professional golf open? Absolutely brilliant!"

she said with a grin, making a cupped-fist salute.

Lin Chu: ?

It was the first time he’d seen her act like this. Although she was being goofy and clearly teasing him, he could tell there was some sincerity behind it.

"Whoa, did you take the wrong medicine or something? Speaking of which, I know a pretty good doctor..."

Lin Chu chuckled.

"You’re impossible!"

"Here I am, admiring you for once, and this is how you talk to me? Fine, I’ll take it back."

Zhou Luan genuinely seemed to be in a good mood. For someone with her personality and temper, speaking this way was already a sign of considerable familiarity.

But Lin Chu certainly didn’t see it as anything to be happy about. He waved his hand dismissively. "Suit yourself. It’s not like I need your admiration; it’s worthless. Now, if you were to *worship* me, I might grace you with a smile."

Zhou Luan: ...

Once again, she was reminded of how cocky Lin Chu was. So incredibly cocky.

’This kind of man is good for nothing except being rich!’

’He has no idea how to provide a woman with any emotional value whatsoever!’

"Okay, okay, fine. You’re the boss, you’re in charge. Um... I wanted to discuss something with you."

She picked up the tea pitcher, poured a cup for Lin Chu, then one for herself. She followed it up with a smile, her version of "sucking up."

Lin Chu couldn’t help but chuckle.

’She’s pretty damn interesting.’

’What a character.’

"Let’s hear it."

"Okay, so, about the open tournament... I’m really interested in that project. Especially the part about inviting and liaising with the celebrity players. I’d like to volunteer to take charge of it. Give it to me, please? Trust me, I have the ability. I’ll be sure to satisfy you, boss, and all the esteemed guests!"

Zhou Luan raised her hand in a mock-serious gesture as she spoke.

Lin Chu snorted.

"Get lost."

"I’m afraid you’d beat them to death."

"You’re a real piece of work, like a damn animal."

Zhou Luan: ...

That was just too vicious. She knew she had a bad temper, but hearing it thrown in her face like that was humiliating. She shot to her feet, glaring furiously at Lin Chu.

A moment later, however, she deflated.

"I’m not like that with everyone. I... I have a gentle side, you know. Didn’t you say you’d give me a chance to prove myself? I can do it. I’ll just treat them all like uncles and aunts,"

she said, her tone turning plaintive and wheedling.

She was using the same tactics on Lin Chu that she used to get her way with her father.

But Lin Chu was resolute. "No. Don’t even think about it. However, seeing as you’ve actually behaved yourself for once, go ahead. Tell me who you want to meet. The most I can do is arrange a dinner, and only on the condition that I’m there."

Lin Chu had already guessed her motive. It was nothing more than a young girl wanting to meet her idol, hoping to use her position to do it.

As he said this, a thought suddenly struck Lin Chu.

’Wait a second...’

’If I help you invite a celebrity and set up a dinner, it would be perfectly reasonable for you to bring your best friend along, right?’

"Really?"

"Okay! That works too!"

"Of course, it’s my favorite, Ah Shu! The ’Violent Loli,’ Zhang Zishu! She’s from Peng City, you know, and she’s an amazing golfer. I was even thinking back then that if I took over the club, I’d ask her to be our brand ambassador."

Seeing that Lin Chu had agreed to her request, Zhou Luan spoke with a touch of excitement, even bringing up her old plans.

"Fine."

"You can send her the invitation email. But you’re not to harass any of the other celebrity players."

"And that... whatever-loli... having a fan like you really cheapens her image."

Lin Chu glanced at her and gave his assent.

It was no big deal.

’Besides, it seems this female golfer is actually quite famous, huh?’

’Even a girl like Zhou Luan worships her.’

Zhou Luan was already used to Lin Chu’s insults. She had a venomous tongue herself, but she was fair about it; since she could dish it out, she could take it. Her objective achieved, she rose nimbly to her feet.

"Alright, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you! I’m out. You can get back to canoodling with your little secretary."

Watching her leave, Lin Chu said calmly, "If I ever hear that kind of crap from you again, you’ll pay the price. And so will your father."

Zhou Luan’s steps faltered.

She glanced back, gritted her teeth, and gave a frustrated flick of her hand, but still called out, "Got it!"

Inside, of course, she was cursing him up and down.

’He can do it, but I can’t talk about it!’

’But for now, she was at his mercy and could only endure it. Dad, oh Dad, you’re so useless! You’ve dragged me down with you!’

...

...