Taking the bouquet of roses Li Kai had brought, Lin Chu threw away the card, hailed a cab, and headed for Peng City University.

When you’re meeting a girl, a bouquet of flowers can keep her happy for a long time.

It didn’t matter that they were a gift from someone else; all flowers wither in the end anyway.

How could you call this being cheap?

It’s just being thrifty.

Lin Chu chuckled to himself, sitting in the back of the rideshare.

Even though he’d had a lot to drink tonight, he didn’t feel the least bit sleepy. Thanks to eating well and working out recently, his energy levels were sky-high.

About twenty minutes later, Lin Chu met Du Xiaoman in the urban village behind Peng City University. She was wearing beautifully done makeup and a JK uniform, with her long hair flowing down her back. She looked incredibly sweet.

This urban village was bustling, full of students enjoying the nightlife. Back when he was a student, he and Wang Zhefei would often come out here at night to wander around and look at girls.

Oh, crap...

Lin Chu suddenly realized: ’I forgot to invite Li Jian and Guo Haodong to the party today. They were my classmates in university, and I even brought them to our first get-together at 404 Bar.’

But by now, it felt like they were slowly drifting apart, their friendship reduced to the occasional social media ’like’.

That’s just how it is with people, I guess. As you walk through life, you eventually go your separate ways.

Those two guys had a lot of pride. Even though they knew he had money now, they were too proud to try and get closer.

Lin Chu understood, though.

As long as they weren’t like Liu Yang. He’d also brought that former colleague to 404 Bar the first time. The reason he stopped hanging out with him was that not long after, the guy got desperate and asked to borrow money.

Asking me, his ’former colleague,’ for twenty thousand right out of the gate. You don’t even harvest leeks that aggressively. Does he take me for a fucking idiot?

"Wow, you brought me flowers! I love them, I love them!"

Seeing the flowers in Lin Chu’s hand, Du Xiaoman smiled sweetly, linked her arm through his, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

She was the type to be moved by these little details.

Lin Chu patted her head, took her hand, and they walked confidently down the street. It activated a pleasant memory deep inside him, and he suddenly licked his lips.

"Are you hungry? Let’s go get a bowl of soup."

There was a stewed soup place over there he used to go to all the time, even after he started working. A hearty bowl of their lotus seed and pork stomach soup after drinking was simply divine—it really hit the spot.

"Okay, let’s go!"

She pulled Lin Chu by the hand, her steps cheerful. She even looked a little proud.

Once they got to the shop, he ordered a tureen of soup. He took a small sip, and the warmth spread comfortably through his stomach.

Across the table, Du Xiaoman rested her chin in her hands, watching him with a beaming smile.

In her eyes, Lin Chu saw a kind of adoration.

A look like that made Lin Chu’s heart stir.

’That’s right. This is the kind of look a man likes to see, not all sorts of disdain and nitpicking. Younger girls are just better.’

DING! His phone chimed. Lin Chu had received a message from Gu Jiayan.

"President Lin, I’ve spoken with the director there and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow. I’ve also made a list of supplies for you to look over."

Sipping his soup, Lin Chu glanced at the list. It was mostly books, along with some daily necessities.

"Are you trying to do something good for these kids? Why not just bring them a truckload of SAT prep books?"

Lin Chu replied, a little exasperated.

’Is she kidding me?’

’Going to an orphanage to spread some cheer, and you bring books? What kid actually likes to read?’

’Sure, it’s all very wholesome and politically correct, but it’s not fun.’

’You can read books anytime. But if you miss out on your chance to play as a child, you never get that time back.’

’If I ever have kids, I’ll raise them the same way.’

At that moment, Gu Jiayan, who was already back in her rented apartment, saw Lin Chu’s reply and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She couldn’t help but retort, "They do like to read! Reading is the cheapest, yet most valuable, form of happiness. Books are a portable sanctuary. They were all so happy when I read to them before."

Tsk.

’As expected of a literature major. She has a whole collection of these witty little sayings.’

"This ’finding joy in simplicity’ stuff is too romantic. We mere mortals can’t quite appreciate it."

"The books can stay, keep them on the list. But I’m adding a few things: toys, paintbrushes, guitars, electronic keyboards, basketballs, soccer balls, and badminton sets. Get a batch of each. And new clothes. Don’t try to save my money. I prefer a more realistic kind of happiness."

Lin Chu replied.

Hmm.

Seeing his message, Gu Jiayan quickly replied, "Okay. Thank you, President Lin."

’He wasn’t wrong, though.’

She felt a warmth spread through her heart and subconsciously began to reflect on herself. A phrase came to mind: when poor, one focuses on self-improvement; when prosperous, one benefits all under heaven.

...

「Half an hour later.」

On the athletic fields of Peng City University, Lin Chu experienced a more "realistic" kind of happiness.

It was a little nerve-wracking, but exceptionally thrilling.

And he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed it; Du Xiaoman found it thrilling and exhilarating, too.

Many women need a man who can guide them, command them, and lead them to break through their own inhibitions and shackles. This is precisely the charm of a so-called "bad boy."

...

Since his house was completely unfurnished, Lin Chu stayed at a hotel nearby for the night.

When he woke up in the morning, he went downstairs to the urban village for breakfast before calling Gao Haitao to come pick him up.

Someone had finally spoken up in the group chat.

"Brother Chu, when are we going to finalize the investment? I’m confirmed on my end."

The message was from Dongzi, sent a little after 2 a.m. Others had replied below him, and two more had expressed interest in investing.

Lin Chu thought for a moment, then typed: "@Li Haohong, get a standard contract drawn up. @Zhang Peng, coordinate with President Zhang for the funds. Go to my company’s office. I have other business today and am too busy to handle it."

’This kind of screening mechanism, if established, could be quite beneficial.’

’I don’t lack cash on paper. What I’m missing is on the social level—circles and connections.’

’Among adults, money is, of course, the most immediate and binding tie.’

’Building relationships on a foundation of mutual benefit is the most natural way for things to develop.’

’Besides, in the future, whether I’m just spending money or there’s a genuine project, I’ll definitely prioritize my ’own people’ first.’

After he sorted that out, Gao Haitao arrived.

Du Xiaoman watched, reluctant to see him go, as Lin Chu got into the back of the Mercedes and waved goodbye.

A luxury car, a chauffeur... The whole experience felt so extravagant, and it made her feel amazing about herself. She was the mate of a lion.

...

"President Lin, where to now?"

Lin Chu thought for a moment, then smiled. "Take me home first. I’ll give you my key. I need you to contact an interior design company and get my place furnished as soon as possible. The structural renovation is done, so it’s mainly furniture. Right now, I don’t even have a bed."

Gao Haitao said, "Understood. I’ll contact a design company first and have them communicate with you directly about the specific style."

Lin Chu replied, "Fine. The number one priority is speed. There’s no need to waste time on this."

’It’s just a house, after all.’

Gao Haitao thought for a moment. "How about we furnish the master bedroom first, and then add the rest gradually? Would that work?"

"That would be best."

...

...