’Second: Just as I thought, he has a good reason for it. I knew it!’

"I guess you could say I’ve... sold myself for wealth and glory, haven’t I? Do you remember what I told you last time we were at home?"

"This is dangerous. It’s a war, and we... we’re comrades-in-arms."

"You have to help me."

"I’ll get money from other people to support you."

Lin Chu gripped her shoulders with both hands, his eyes locked on hers.

Yang Huixian looked into his "pained and complicated" eyes and clenched her jaw. Lin Chu hadn’t explained in detail, but she understood instantly.

’So—did the money to buy the golf course come from them?’

A bitter feeling welled up inside her.

’As I thought... is it because I’m not rich enough?’

"I want those two jadeite rough stones."

The thought of money sparked an idea. She stared at Lin Chu for a long moment before suddenly blurting out the words.

’There’s nothing I can do about the current situation.’

’But I deserve some compensation, right?’

’Besides, there’s nothing wrong with preparing a little extra for the future, is there?’

Her words stunned Lin Chu for a moment, but a smile quickly returned to his face. He gently stroked her hair. "Of course, no problem. I told you I’d support you."

In that instant, any shred of guilt Lin Chu felt vanished.

He even felt "guilty" for having felt guilty in the first place.

Yang Huixian heaved a long sigh, still looking aggrieved. "So what’s your plan now? Are you really going to keep hiding like this?"

Lin Chu glanced at her and gave a small, tight-lipped smile.

"For now, this is the only way. At least, until I’m strong enough to stand against them. Your identity right now is a supplier for the club, and only a supplier."

Yang Huixian nodded lightly.

"I know. Don’t worry."

She reached out, wrapped her arms around Lin Chu’s neck, and kissed him.

Lin Chu responded with a flirtatious kiss, then scooped her up and carried her into the office’s inner room.

...

At noon, Lin Chu had a sumptuous lunch prepared in a private room at the club’s restaurant.

He had, of course, invited Liao Meili and her mother.

Liao Meili noticed that Lin Chu’s shirt was buttoned all the way up. He was even wearing a tie and a jacket, looking as if he was taking this meeting very seriously. A sweet feeling bloomed in her heart.

’It must be so uncomfortable to wear so many layers in this heat.’

Tiny beads of sweat were already forming on Lin Chu’s forehead.

He was the owner of the golf course; he could dress however he wanted here.

’The only reason he’d dress like this is to make a good impression on my mom.’

"Thank you for your patronage, Auntie. I’d like to propose a toast. Since it’s lunchtime, we won’t drink alcohol. I’ll use tea instead."

Beaming, Lin Chu raised his teacup with both hands and clinked it against hers.

As a woman who had reached her position and held it for so many years, Liao Haixiang had a high degree of emotional intelligence. She also raised her cup with both hands, an amiable smile on her face. "You’re a valued client of Wanhao, and now I’m a client of yours. I’d say we’re truly helping each other’s businesses thrive."

Wanhao was a global corporation, naturally far more powerful than a single golf club.

However, the hotel industry was fragmented and relied on economies of scale. Within Peng City alone, Lin Chu’s golf club was undoubtedly the stronger entity.

Furthermore, one had to consider Lin Chu’s age—he was only twenty-four.

For these reasons, her attitude toward him was exceptionally polite.

Lin Chu smiled and clinked his cup against hers again, then sipped from it with a composed air. "Excellent, excellent. Let’s all relax, then. Come, try our chef’s cooking."

Lin Chu first served her a large prawn with his chopsticks, then smoothly served one to Liao Meili.

His manners were impeccable.

After they had been eating for a while, Liao Haixiang asked casually, "President Lin, what line of business is your family in? You’re so outstanding, and so young..."

"I come from an ordinary family, but I’ve been fortunate to have many benefactors along the way. You could say I’m semi-self-made."

Lin Chu put down his chopsticks and replied with a somewhat serious expression.

"Being self-made is a great thing. It’s further proof of your excellence."

Liao Haixiang continued to praise him with a smile.

Lin Chu nodded. A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he said, "Oh, right. Before I bought the club, I was running around trying to raise funds. Meili even acted as a go-between and had me contact her father. I was a bit desperate at the time, and thinking back, it was very impolite and presumptuous of me. Now that I’ve met you today, I’d like to ask you to please convey my apologies to him on my behalf."

Liao Haixiang gave him a long, searching look. She knew this young man wasn’t just expressing an apology; he was subtly trying to bring something out into the open.

’—Your family doesn’t play fair. I was in a tough spot, and you didn’t lift a finger to help.’

’That’s quite an assertive attitude.’

’But it’s nothing to be concerned about.’

’What young man—especially a young and successful one—isn’t a bit full of himself?’

Just then, Liao Meili said with a smile, "I already explained it to Dad and even scolded him for it. It’s okay, you don’t need to apologize to him."

Liao Haixiang glanced at her daughter, feeling exasperated. ’Silly girl,’ she thought, ’he’s sold you and you’re still helping him count the money.’

’Then again, a man without this kind of drive couldn’t build a career or support a family.’

’And the Liao Family certainly has no need for an incompetent son-in-law.’

"Xiaolin," she said, "it’s not that I wouldn’t help you. This is a bit of a family skeleton, but your uncle and I actually signed divorce papers many years ago. We just maintain the image of a family for outsiders. So, as for these matters, it’s best you wait until you see him to discuss them."

Liao Haixiang was actually smiling as she tactfully deflected, essentially saying—’I’m not taking the blame for this. Her dad is stingy, and that has nothing to do with me.’

Hearing this, Liao Meili couldn’t help but shoot her mother a reproachful glance and even tugged lightly on her arm. Was it really necessary to tell Lin Chu something like that, right here and now?