When the lunch was over, Lin Chu went to pay the bill. The meal, including the wine, came to 780,000.

Double cash back: 1,560,000.

A good time was had by all.

Li Kai and his friends all thought Brother Chu was a real one, a fucking boss.

Lin Chu also thought, ’You guys should come rip me off more often. The more people, the more times, the better. This isn’t just having a meal; it’s like running a project.’

Of the four bottles of red wine, he had drunk less than half a bottle himself. He wasn’t drunk, not even buzzed. It was just a slight, comfortable warmth.

"I’m heading out. I have to check on the new company this afternoon. If you guys are going to the gym, go ahead. See you later."

In the underground parking garage, Lin Chu said his goodbyes. He didn’t mention his plans for the evening, but simply gave Li Kai a subtle wink.

Li Kai understood instantly. He smiled and waved. "Alright, alright, you go handle your business."

And with that, they parted ways.

Lin Chu casually tossed the car keys to Tangtang. She drove while he took the passenger seat, and they sped off.

After they had driven for a bit, Tangtang suddenly said with a laugh, "Those friends of yours just eat and drink with you. They seem like a bad influence... Even if you’re rich, you can’t just let them spend your money like that."

Her lighthearted tone was tinged with a hint of caution and tenderness, as if she were completely looking out for Lin Chu’s best interests.

Lin Chu glanced at her and smiled.

"Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the... bad influence?"

Her: ?

She was instantly and completely baffled.

She had no idea what Lin Chu’s thought process or logic was.

But Lin Chu didn’t need her to know.

"I... I was just concerned about you..."

she explained, feigning grievance.

Lin Chu: "I don’t need your concern. I just need you to make me happy."

A smile bloomed on her face, her eyes shimmering.

"Of course, of course, Master. I’ll make you happy in just a little while..."

...

Lin Chu hadn’t expected Tangtang to book a room for their "afternoon nap" at the Wanhao of all places.

It wasn’t far; everything was in the same area.

He hadn’t looked at her phone when she was booking the room earlier.

The front desk staff even recognized him.

—Mr. Lin, the distinguished client with the monthly presidential suite booking.

However, just as the receptionist was about to greet him, Lin Chu turned his head to look elsewhere. She seemed to get the hint and didn’t say anything.

’Peng City is so small, and Futian is even smaller.’

’The wide world outside is much freer.’

It wasn’t that Lin Chu was afraid of people finding out about things—about the suite, or about his two women finding out about each other—but... it was unnecessary. A hassle.

It was like the old saying—if you want to taste a different kind of fish, you naturally have to travel a bit farther.

While he was mulling this over, the room was ready.

’Who in their right mind gets this worked up in the middle of the day?’

’I worked out all morning, I’m pretty tired. I don’t want to move.’

’You can ride it yourself.’

...

It wasn’t until after three in the afternoon that Lin Chu left the hotel and called Zhang Peng to come pick him up.

When he arrived, Zhang Peng was a little surprised.

"Bro, why are you still at a hotel?"

Lin Chu laughed. "Don’t ask. Just took a little afternoon nap, slept great. Let’s go, to the Zhuoyue Center first."

This was one of the three places he had looked at, and the one Lin Chu was most satisfied with.

In terms of business district and size, it was perfect, aside from the slightly expensive rent.

Zhang Peng had a vague idea of what had happened, but he didn’t ask any more questions and drove toward the Zhuoyue Center.

"Let’s buy another car, a Mercedes S-Class. Register it under the company’s name."

Lin Chu suddenly remembered something on the way and said it casually. Driving a sports car everywhere wasn’t always appropriate.

Zhang Peng: "Done."

He didn’t even ask questions anymore.

He was numb to it.

’Buy whatever you want. I won’t be a wet blanket.’

When they arrived, they found the leasing manager, who gave Lin Chu a tour.

The economic situation this year was so bad that even the Zhuoyue Center had vacant floors. The 34th floor, an entire level of 2,100 square meters, was available for 180 yuan per square meter per month.

The leasing manager was very enthusiastic, saying that paying for a year upfront would get him a 15% discount and the property management fee would be waived. Only the air conditioning usage would be billed separately.

Lin Chu did a quick calculation. It seemed like nothing—he’d make it all back from the cash back on a week’s worth of lunches.

So he signed the contract on the spot and paid the full year’s rent.

To be honest, having a company here was much more impressive than being the owner of a small gym.

After all the paperwork was completed, standing in the empty office, Lin Chu felt a surge of high spirits.

"Bro, should we get a master to check the Feng Shui and see how to lay things out?"

Zhang Peng handed him a cigarette and asked with a smile.

People in Guangdong Province are particular about this stuff.

"No need. One desk, one tea table, and a sofa area will be enough. You figure it out."

"That’s not the important part. The important part is hiring a couple of female secretaries."

Lin Chu said with a wicked grin.

’Isn’t this what being a boss is all about...’

’Am I supposed to actually start a business?’

’Bullshit.’

’The profit model isn’t something I need to worry about. It all depends on eating and drinking.’ 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

’What I need to consider is social status, and having lots of brothers and employees.’

Zhang Peng: ...

He scratched his head, speechless for a moment.

After a pause, he finally said, "You’ll have to hire them yourself. I’ll go register the company and then post the job listings. What about the company name?"

Lin Chu: "Two words will be fine. Something grand. The main thing is to check if it’s already taken, so it’s hard to decide right now. You figure it out. I’m not that picky."

Zhang Peng: "Alrighty."

They discussed a few more specific details, and then Lin Chu checked his phone. Chen Jinyu had sent him a message.

Only then did he remember that he had told her this morning he would go to her place for dinner tonight.

Tsk.

’Damn, my bandwidth is about to run out.’

But he had already promised, so there was no need to back out.

’Might as well go.’

Lin Chu replied, "I’m busy at the new company. You can start cooking, I’ll be there in a bit. But I might have to get back to work after dinner."

He also sent her a few pictures of the new office.

Chen Jinyu was already very satisfied that he could come for dinner.

Seeing Lin Chu’s business expanding made her even happier. "Okay. Then come over around six-thirty. I’m heading back to cook now."

...

「Six-thirty.」

Lin Chu arrived at her door right on time.

The main door was open. He walked in, and as he entered the living room, he was greeted by the complex aroma of a home-cooked meal. Chen Jinyu, dressed in loungewear with an apron tied around her waist, came out of the kitchen. Several dishes were already on the table, along with a bottle of red wine.

This feeling, to be fair, was rather heartwarming.

"Smells wonderful."

Lin Chu praised her with a smile, walking to the kitchen doorway and grinning at her.

Chen Jinyu smiled back. "Then you should eat more later."

Lin Chu: "I meant you smell wonderful. Hmm, but of course, I can eat more of that too. Where do you like to be eaten? Or should I find out for myself?"

Chen Jinyu: ...

Lin Chu loved seeing her blush. The way her graceful and elegant facade was torn away by his crude and savage teasing was a forbidden thrill for her, and for him, a personal kink.

The skills of a Michelin-level chef were indeed praiseworthy.

Combined with the special ingredient of love, it made for a truly satisfying meal for Lin Chu. In any case, it was definitely much more enjoyable than eating at a restaurant.

This was a real, proper meal.

However...

...Lin Chu couldn’t help but instinctively wonder: when the novelty faded, when they were confined by the daily grind, when faced with all the temptations of the outside world, how long could he last? How long could *she* last?

It was really hard to say.

He had thoroughly learned not to hold any expectations for any woman.

The seas won’t dry up.

The stones won’t turn to dust.

But as the river of time flows on day by day, people’s hearts change.

...

...