Lin Chu considered himself a fairly reasonable person.

If you make me feel good, I’ll make you feel good.

And vice versa.

If you make me miserable, I’ll make you even more miserable.

Regarding Lin Xiwan’s request, Lin Chu had completely figured out her core demand—’Help me out, big bro.’

’She’s asking for money.’

However, fundamentally speaking, this behavior was subtly different from simply farming someone for cash.

Farming someone for cash was a battle for "existing assets."

Her request was more about seeking "new growth."

Of course, if there was no new growth to be had, she would probably turn to the existing assets.

Lin Chu was well aware of all this.

But, what could he do? He had a thing for peaches.

...

Later that evening, Lin Chu received a call from Zhang Peng.

"Brother Chu, I think He Meng is pretty good. Why don’t we give her a chance?"

Zhang Peng said straightforwardly.

Lin Chu thought for a moment. "What did you two talk about?"

"She wants to make videos in the mountains—a place with mountains, water, and raw materials. Then she’d do everything by hand, making things like pine-soot ink, donkey-hide gelatin, that kind of stuff, all completely handmade."

"She’d shoot videos around eight minutes long, going for an angle that combines nostalgia, a beautiful host, and craftsmanship. She’d release about one video a week, but do daily livestreams to build fan loyalty."

"The resources she needs are a cameraperson, plus whatever funding and traffic-boosting support the company can provide."

"As for other things, she has some more detailed ideas, like using her Peking University background for hype and setting up interviews with some social media platforms."

"Overall, her idea is quite mature, but I’d say it’s just standard. She’s probably considering that the company won’t give her too many resources, so this is a ’start from scratch’ approach."

Lin Chu: ...

’And here I thought she had some real talent.’

’Her perspective is still too narrow.’

’Then again, as a recent graduate, it’s impossible for her to think too big.’

"That’s too low-end. How long would that take to get anywhere? I don’t approve. Tell her to rethink it, and this time, tell her to think without a budget. The key words are ’top-tier luxury.’"

Videos like that, while low-cost and featuring fine traditional items, are not top-tier luxury.

Zhang Peng: "Okay, should I start a group chat then?"

Lin Chu: "You can."

So, Zhang Peng started a three-person group chat and explained Lin Chu’s feedback in detail.

After reading it, He Meng sent a classic Li Yunlong sticker with the caption: ’I’ve never fought such a well-funded war in my life.’

She replied, "Okay, I’ll work on a new proposal. Thank you, President Zhang and President Lin, for your trust."

Lin Chu: "If the proposal can’t convince me, you’ll just have to keep revising it until I think it’s feasible, or until you have a mental breakdown and give up. If the proposal is approved, you’re hired. You’ll apply for a budget, build your team, and you’ll be the boss."

She wanted full control of a project.

Lin Chu was giving her that chance.

Naturally, he also had to set his own requirements.

’It feels a bit like being a venture capitalist.’

’If you have a good business plan, I’ll invest. Money is not an issue.’

Lin Chu also wanted to see what a student from Peking University was really capable of.

He Meng: "Understood."

...

While that was going on, Lin Chu saw that Zhang Peng had started another group chat.

The General Office group.

"@Gu Jiayan, @He Meng, you two are currently the prospective candidates for the General Office. Gu Jiayan will lean more toward the company’s internal affairs, while He Meng will focus on specific business operations. Other work divisions will be arranged by President Lin depending on the situation." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Both of them quickly replied with their acknowledgments.

Lin Chu glanced at it and smiled, holding back a chuckle, but didn’t say anything in the group.

’Let’s just leave it like this for now.’

’The framework is set up, anyway.’

’As for the rest, we’ll see later.’

Lin Chu had a very clear understanding of his own core advantage. ’Am I making money from the company?’

’Definitely not.’

’I make money from people.’

...

「The next morning.」

Wang Zhefei and that Mr. Liu went to handle the property transfer.

Since Lin Chu was footing the bill, he was naturally there as well.

The total price of the property was 8.8 million. Wang Zhefei had haggled with him all day yesterday, and the other party had made a token reduction of 50,000. He was truly desperate to sell.

Lin Chu had considered it. He had over 20 million on hand right now. Why not go all out, max out his cash-back, and just buy him a mansion worth over 20 million? But on second thought, balance was more important.

A starter home and an upgraded home gave off very different impressions.

Lin Chu was trying to toe that line of what was "fair and reasonable."

Lin Chu had even considered that a favor too great could breed resentment, and might even affect their brotherly bond.

But at the end of the day, he still needed to "develop."

’I’ll just play dumb for now.’

’In any case, the top priority is to just be myself.’

And generously foot the bill for all his desires, emotions, happiness, friendships, and even his negative feelings.

"Foster Father, I didn’t sleep a wink last night..."

Wang Zhefei said with a grin after getting into the car. He even had dark circles under his eyes.

Lin Chu glanced at him. "Look at you. Getting all worked up over this? What were you thinking about?"

"Thinking about setting three ground rules with you."

Hm?

"Let’s hear them."

Wang Zhefei lit a cigarette. "First, the property deed is yours; I’m just living in it. Second, you’re not allowed to covet me. Third, you’re not allowed to covet my sister."

Lin Chu: ...

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He knew Wang Zhefei had a sister, but wasn’t she still in school?

In his memory, she was still a cute, doll-like little girl.

"What’s our little sister up to these days?"

Lin Chu asked with a smile.

Wang Zhefei shot him a look. "She just graduated from college. I want her to take the civil service exam. She’s not working right now, so I’m supporting her and she’s living with me. If she’s going to live in the new place, she’ll obviously have to move in."

Lin Chu waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead and move her in. It’s not like I’m living with you guys. Brother-in-law."

Wang Zhefei: "Die! I can barely control my thirty-meter-long blade!"

Lin Chu let out a triumphant laugh, like a villain enjoying his victory.

"What kind of person do you take me for? How rude!"

Wang Zhefei: "I know exactly what kind of person you are! The kind who can’t walk straight when he sees a pretty woman."

Lin Chu: ...

"So what about you? Now that you have a house, how about getting married? Pop out a kid, I’ll be the godfather, and spoil them rotten."

Wang Zhefei glanced at him. "We’ll see. If a woman will only marry you because you have a house, she’ll definitely leave you if you lose it."

TSK TSK TSK.

’So clear-headed about the world.’

Lin Chu found that very admirable.

But he still said, "But you can’t test love so extremely. Just be reasonable about it."

Wang Zhefei: "Love is extreme by nature. I don’t have money, and I don’t have love. You have money, but you don’t have it either... dumbass."

Lin Chu: "Try another name."

He immediately broke into a bootlicker’s smile. "Oh, oh, oh, Foster Father!"

...

The whole morning was a blur of visiting the bank and then the housing authority. The money was transferred, and the property deed was renamed.

Before he had even walked out of the housing authority, the rebate notification appeared on the virtual panel in front of Lin Chu’s eyes.

[A property worth 8.75 million was gifted to Friend No. 1, Wang Zhefei. A 10x rebate opportunity was triggered. Rebate received: 87.5 million.]

The seller had covered the taxes and all the other miscellaneous fees, so the number was clean and simple.

Lin Chu glanced at his balance: 100,364,587.

His net savings had officially passed a small milestone!

At that moment, the very air felt sweet, the sun didn’t seem harsh at all, and he felt as happy as a bird, unable to resist the urge to burst into song.

"Alright, you should hurry back to work. I’m off, bye."

Lin Chu decisively dusted off his hands, ready to leave.

Wang Zhefei handed the property deed to Lin Chu. "Where are you going? Not staying for a meal together?"

"You hold onto it."

"Why the hell would I hold it? I’ll forget where I put it."

"I’m going to look at buying a house myself. I think Peng City Bay No.1 seems pretty nice."

Lin Chu said with a smile.

Before, he couldn’t afford it. Now, he could.

Wang Zhefei: ?

He stared at him with wide eyes.

"Does showing off like this make you happy? Does it?! Why the sudden talk about Peng City Bay No.1?"

He said in an exaggerated tone, slinging an arm around Lin Chu’s neck with an indescribable feeling.

’He really is a bizarre guy.’

Lin Chu just smiled, waved his hand, and said, "I’m off. See you."

He got in his car and sped away.

Wang Zhefei watched him leave, speechless for a moment, before shaking his head and smiling.

’Truly, an enigmatic man.’

’But why think so much?’

While Lin Chu was "self-balancing," he was doing the same.

He had truly agonized for two nights over whether he should accept it.

Wang Zhefei always felt that human nature couldn’t withstand being tested, whether by time or by money.

He didn’t have many friends, and even fewer good ones. Lin Chu was about the only one. In the words of a crosstalk show, their friendship was the kind where you could entrust your wife and children to the other.

He was also worried that this kind of financial exchange, far beyond what was normal for friends, would cause ripples in their relationship.

Last night, he had even written a formal IOU, preparing to give it to Lin Chu today.

But after hesitating again and again, he didn’t give it to him.

Even if he had, Lin Chu definitely wouldn’t have accepted it.

If he treated this house as a debt, he would definitely lose that relaxed and easygoing attitude in their future interactions. ’Damn it, how are you supposed to smile in front of your creditor?’

Now, Wang Zhefei was done with the internal conflict.

’Damn it, I’ll just focus on being a good friend myself.’

’My brother is good to me, so I’ll be good to my brother.’

’It’s that simple.’

After all, the world was already complicated and fucked up enough.

...

...