In a private lounge, the two were sipping tea. Zhu Yizhen couldn’t help but smile and tease him.

Pouring him a cup of tea, Lin Chu smiled. "I guess we’re fated to get along. We’re the same age and have plenty to talk about. But business is business. For this event, we just need to settle the major details. LC needs to look good, and Mission Hills wants tangible benefits. I can put up more money, that’s not a problem. But when it comes to the execution, Mission Hills has the experience, so you’ll have to shoulder more of the work to make sure it’s done beautifully."

’It’s our first time working together, so it’s fine to let them have a small advantage. After all, I get a rebate.’

"Of course."

Zhu Yizhen took a sip of tea and nodded with a smile.

Now that they were partners, they were in the honeymoon phase. He had faith in Lin Chu’s financial resources, and Mission Hills was also reaping benefits, so everything was negotiable.

Based on the meeting they just had and their internal calculations, the revenue from the title sponsorship alone was enough to cover all of Mission Hills’ expenses. The resulting prestige, influence, and potential new members would all be pure profit.

’So what if we’re just the hired hands?’

’He’s the client, after all.’

"President Zhu, do you have any sisters?"

Lin Chu asked suddenly.

Hearing this, Zhu Yizhen froze for a second, his expression turning a little strange as he looked at Lin Chu. After a moment, he could only give a wry, speechless smile.

’I’ve heard the rumors.’

’President Lin is quite the womanizer.’

’Of course, at his age and with his net worth, it’s pretty normal.’

"I do, quite a few, in fact. But if you want an introduction, maybe wait a couple more years. A man shouldn’t get married too early, after all."

Zhu Yizhen said diplomatically.

The subtext was clear: If you’re looking for a marriage alliance, that’s fine. The Zhu Family is large and has many daughters, so as long as one is a suitable match, it’s possible. But if you’re just looking to play around, then forget it. Don’t you dare mess with the good daughters of my family.

Lin Chu naturally understood his meaning. He rubbed his nose and let out a laugh.

’It wasn’t that I’m that desperate, though. I’m just looking to balance the scales in my mind.’

’Damn it. This whole thing feels a little humiliating.’

’But on a serious matter like the tournament, there’s no room for being willful. I naturally have to weigh the pros and cons, which is why I want to make it up to myself in other areas.’

’Either way, I can’t be the one losing out.’

But after hearing what Zhu Yizhen said, Lin Chu didn’t press the matter.

’No big deal. There’ll be plenty of opportunities later.’

’If not through him, there’s still his brother.’

’Once we start working together, we’ll be interacting a lot more.’

...

The club’s first-floor lobby.

The showroom.

The space had been under renovation for some time, and its scale was now becoming apparent. It was a semi-open showroom, already filled with numerous display items.

Haute couture clothing and fabrics made of Xiangyun Sha.

Jadeite and gold jewelry.

That knife of Lin Chu’s.

As well as a selection of rare and valuable medicinal herbs from his collection.

A selection of fine wines.

And some artisanal crafts from LC Media.

At least it didn’t look empty.

The product range wasn’t comprehensive yet, but new items could only be added gradually. It took time, and the supply chain still needed to be refined.

For this division, Lin Chu had already registered a separate company and trademark: LC.

The two letters might look like they were trying to rip off Louis Vuitton, but LC was simply the initials of his name. Besides, the names LC Media and LC Club were already well-established. He couldn’t very well change his own name, could he?

’As for how big it could get in the future, that would be up to fate.’

’The high-end Chinese luxury goods industry is an art form shaped by cultural trends and time. You can only build momentum little by little.’

In the showroom.

At that moment, Yang Huixian was directing the club staff and her own employees as they stocked more new products, carefully placing them in the display cases and affixing price tags.

She had just returned from a business trip for a jade exhibition and was already working tirelessly to prepare for what came next.

Lin Chu had spent over two hundred million on two massive raw jadeite stones, so for the foreseeable future, product supply was not a concern at all—they had more than enough.

With the club hosting such a large-scale tournament, the resulting foot traffic was bound to be substantial.

Therefore, they needed to increase the supply in advance, give customers more options, and do everything possible to drive sales.

As she arranged the items, Yang Huixian’s mind was also racing, trying to think of better ways to boost sales. After all, this was a measure of her performance.

"Good day, ladies. Welcome to the LC Club’s luxury showroom."

The polite voice of a female caddie rang out from the showroom entrance.

She was wearing a custom-made company uniform of Xiangyun Sha. Her height, nearly five-foot-nine, combined with her graceful figure, perfectly showcased the charm of the Xiangyun Sha qipao.

Immediately, Liao Meili’s delighted voice rang out. "Wow, Mom, look! This Xiangyun Sha is gorgeous..."

She had her arm linked with a middle-aged woman’s. The woman was rather plain-looking and her figure had lost its shape, but she was decked out in jewels, the very picture of a wealthy matron. This was her mother, Liao Haixiang, the head of Wanhao Hotel Group’s South China Region.

Previously, when Lin Chu had hit on Liao Meili at the hotel, he had joked with Zhang Peng about the mother-daughter pair, making wisecracks about how their genetic similarity was basically zero and that her dad must have been very handsome.

"Yes, they are quite pretty."

"Hello. Excuse me, can we try on the Xiangyun Sha here?"

Liao Haixiang asked politely, smiling at the caddie beside them.

The caddie immediately smiled in response. "Of course, ladies. You can try on any of the Xiangyun Sha in our shop. We also offer custom tailoring to your measurements. The tailoring process takes about two weeks, and everything is handmade by master craftsmen."

Yang Huixian glanced at the mother and daughter but didn’t pay them much mind.