In the car.

A designated driver was at the wheel, with Lu Ming in the passenger seat. Lin Chu and Zhang Peng sat in the back.

"Brother, you angry?"

Zhang Peng asked with a cautious smile.

Lin Chu felt a bit helpless. He yawned and looked at him.

’I just fucking left a little early, why does everyone think I’m mad?’

’I’m just tired.’

’Nothing more to it.’

Just then,

his phone chimed with a DING.

Li Kai had sent him a video of Liu Junfeng smashing a bottle in the private room.

Lin Chu glanced at it, growing even more speechless.

Well now.

He never thought the usually sleazy and dissolute Fengzi had a side like this.

’Tsk, it’s actually pretty damn domineering.’

But at that moment, Lin Chu had an epiphany—his status really was different now.

It was like a company dinner. A group of employees are all happily chatting and laughing, but then the boss suddenly gets up to leave early. Someone is bound to get anxious, wondering if something happened, or... if someone had pissed the boss off.

It was inevitable.

Once his circle grew large enough, this was the natural result.

Those who knew him first would feel their relationship was closer, and that they had more right and a greater obligation to defend their "big brother."

Hierarchy, order—it all formed just like that.

In that instant, Lin Chu was overcome with emotion, so much so that he felt wide awake, no longer tired.

Lin Chu had originally intended to call Liu Junfeng and tell him to calm down.

But after a moment’s hesitation, he didn’t make the call.

It wasn’t a bad thing.

Lin Chu could still tell who was close to him and who was distant.

Besides, the modern "jianghu" wasn’t about fighting and killing anymore; it was all about navigating social intricacies.

"You guys keep having fun, just don’t cause a huge scene. And tell Brother Feng he’s a good brother. Nothing more needs to be said."

Lin Chu texted back to Li Kai, ended the chat, rolled down the window, and lit a cigarette, smoking in silence.

After a moment, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curve up slightly.

’The new company is up and running.’

’I should get used to my new identity too.’

’This is good.’

...

Sleep is the best rest.

The next morning, Lin Chu woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

His legs were just a bit sore from yesterday’s leg workout.

It might also have something to do with his... exertions.

He secretly made a new rule for himself: rest two days a week, sleep alone. Being the groom every single night wasn’t sustainable for any man; he couldn’t afford to drain the pond to catch the fish.

After a quick shower and a hot breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Lin Chu went straight to the gym.

His body was the capital for his revolution. Time to work out.

Wang Lei was already there.

With him was another huge, muscular guy. If Lin Chu wasn’t mistaken, this must be his friend, the stretching coach.

"President Lin, hello. This is the stretching coach I told you about yesterday, Zhou Hao."

Zhou Hao had the typical look of a fitness coach: a buzz cut, a large tank top, shorts, and athletic shoes. He looked clean and sharp, probably around thirty years old.

With his hands clasped in front of him, he grinned, revealing a mouth full of pearly white teeth. "President Lin, hello. I’ve been in the fitness industry for eleven years. I have extensive experience and am proficient in all kinds of fat reduction, body sculpting, and my core strengths are stretching techniques, sports rehabilitation, and comprehensive body conditioning. I’ve also recently started studying acupuncture."

"I would be honored if I could become a member of the company."

He had heard from Wang Lei yesterday that the boss made 300,000 in revenue in a single day from one social media post.

And he had given all the commission to his employees.

A gym of this caliber definitely had a bright future, mainly because the boss was willing to share the profits.

"Alright, then let’s give it a try."

"Perfect timing. My legs are a bit sore. I think I went a little too hard yesterday."

Lin Chu nodded with a smile.

Soon, he was on a yoga mat.

Immediately after, hissing sounds from Lin Chu echoed through the gym.

He had to admit, this kind of stretching and massage technique was completely different from what the girls at the clubhouses did. This was about deep muscle relaxation, with absolutely nothing suggestive about it.

Why would there be anything suggestive between two men?

After nearly half an hour of stretching, Lin Chu was covered in a layer of sweat, but he felt invigorated. His whole body felt like it had been reforged, comfortable from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.

This Zhou Hao was indeed very skilled.

"Very good. Let’s sign the contract. You two will have the same base salary and the same commission rate. Consider today your official first day."

Lin Chu said decisively. Talent like this was worth keeping close.

Not for how much business he could bring in, but simply for his own enjoyment.

"Okay, thank you, President Lin. I’ll work hard."

Zhou Hao smiled sincerely.

At noon, Lin Chu took the three of them to eat at Ensue restaurant, ostensibly to welcome the new employee. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

They didn’t order any alcohol, though.

But the meal still cost over twenty thousand.

This moved Zhou Hao a little, making him feel even more strongly that this company had a great future and that the boss was a genuinely good person.

These days, it wasn’t easy to find a reliable boss.

Especially in the gym industry.

...

After working out in the morning, Lin Chu went to the new company office in the afternoon.

He saw that Zhang Peng had already ordered the furniture and was busy arranging it.

Lin Chu’s office was already set up. The desk, tea table, luxurious sofa, tea set, and bookshelf were all in place. Even the ashtray was ready.

"All the furniture will be delivered today. I’ve arranged for cleaners to come tomorrow morning and do a full sweep. I’ve also submitted the company registration paperwork to an agent; it should be approved in two days at the latest. As for the Mercedes S-Class, I’ve already spoken with the dealership. You can go pick it up anytime."

"President Lin, are there any other tasks?"

The two of them were smoking as Zhang Peng spoke with a grin.

Lin Chu said deliberately, "Good work, President Zhang. Such impressive efficiency. You truly live up to the ’Peng’ in your name and in Peng City. The speed of Peng City, indeed."

"Brother, don’t make fun of me."

They looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Brother Chu, take a look. What else does your office need?"

"Works of art, tea, fine wine, other decorations... make a list, and I’ll go get it all. An office should be a comfortable place for you, after all."

"Oh, and a safe. You’ll definitely need one of those."

Zhang Peng asked, after his laughter subsided.

Lin Chu nodded. "Yes, I need all of that. But I’ll buy it myself. Don’t worry about it. It’s been a while since I’ve experienced the joy of shopping."

He stood up. "Alright, I’m going to check on the workers. You carry on."

Watching his retreating back, Lin Chu smiled to himself. Moving into a new place really sparked a person’s desire to shop. Everything was new; it was time to arrange his new territory. This was clearly an innate, territorial instinct.

Lin Chu opened a shopping app and browsed for a while, but suddenly felt...

’Tsk.’

’This stuff seems a bit low-grade, and I’d have to wait for delivery anyway.’

After thinking for a moment, he called Du Xiaoman. "What are you up to? Come shopping with me... at Wanxiang City."

When she picked up, she sounded faintly surprised. Her voice was quiet, but happy. "Okay! I’m in class right now, but I’ll head over."

"Then you should stay in class. Your studies are more important. Don’t come."

Lin Chu said, half-joking.

Her: "..."

"I want to go... It’s an elective... It’s not important."

Lin Chu: "Alright, then take a cab over. Be here within half an hour."

Her: "Mhm, mhm, mhm, I’m leaving right now."

He hung up the phone.

Lin Chu shook his head and smiled.

This was what the daily life of a "boss" should be: eating, drinking, playing, taking care of his health, and doing whatever he pleased.

...

...