Chapter 158: Chapter 157: To Do as One Pleases Without Crossing the Line

The car continued toward Zhao Rong’s company.

However, after Lin Chu mentioned buying a luxury mansion worth nearly a hundred million, a brief silence fell over the car. For a moment, no one knew what to say.

It was only then that Hou Chengjin truly felt the gap in their net worth. ’Damn it all,’ he thought. ’I originally figured Lin Chu’s net worth was in the nine-figure range, but now it looks like that’s not even close.’

Clearly, Lin Chu wasn’t familiar with Yang City, yet he could casually buy a mansion on a single trip like it was nothing.

What level of wealth was that?

Seeing the silent atmosphere, Zhao Rong broke the ice with a smile, probing gently, "President Lin, are you in investment? Or perhaps one of those who buys up real estate when the market is low?"

Asking directly what line of work someone was in would be a bit blunt, so this approach was much more tactful.

"I’m just an ordinary consumer. A nouveau riche,"

Lin Chu said nonchalantly.

’The best actors aren’t in show business; they’re in politics and commerce. And I’m really starting to get the hang of this role.’

Zhao Rong quickly offered a polite denial. "Not at all, not at all. When your time comes, you naturally skyrocket to success."

As he exchanged pleasantries with them, Lin Chu gazed at the streetscape outside.

The sidewalks were filled with long, pale legs. ’Is the density of beautiful women in Yang City much higher than in Peng City?’

Probably. Maybe so.

After all, the history and cultural depth were on a different level. One was an old, established luxury city, while the other had only risen in the last thirty years.

A huge advertising screen on the side of the road displayed a slogan like, "Yang City International Auto Show. Over 60 brands, 400+ models. Pazhou, Yang City International Procurement Center. We await your esteemed presence." A glance at it stirred something in Lin Chu.

An auto show... he’d never actually been to one before. Of course, that didn’t stop him from admiring the sleek curves and huge "headlights" in all the news reports. Every auto show reporter knew what the important parts to film were. The cameraman deserved a bonus, definitely a bonus.

"Hey, let’s go to the auto show. We’re just in time for it,"

Lin Chu added with a casual smile.

Show off my wealth!

I have to show it off!

’If you want to fish, you need bait.’

Besides, he was idle anyway.

Lin Chu wouldn’t mind if the media ran a headline tomorrow like, "Mysterious Tycoon Goes on a Wild Shopping Spree at Yang City Auto Show." It wasn’t a big deal. Hot topics came and went quickly these days. In a week, at most, no one would remember who you were.

Unless they were there to witness it themselves.

"Then... should we go take a look? Sister Rong, it’s still early. How about we check it out first?"

Hou Chengjin was actually tempted. It was mainly because Lin Chu had suggested it, and he was quite interested in cars himself.

Since their guest had spoken, Zhao Rong naturally wouldn’t refuse. She nodded with a smile, "Alright. I’ll have my assistant buy the tickets."

Lin Chu, in the front seat, was slightly surprised. ’An auto show? A place where they sell cars, and you still have to fucking buy tickets?’

He silently did a quick search.

It was true.

Tickets were 100 for the professional media day and 50 for the general public day.

He shook his head and smiled, finding it amusing.

These little interactions with the world, these experiences of the unknown, were one of his pleasures. It was even more exciting than going to a nightclub.

...

Once they arrived and had their tickets checked, the three of them entered. Rows of luxury cars immediately appeared before them.

"Hey, I remember Yang City has license plate restrictions, right? Is that something you can handle for me, Sister Rong?"

Lin Chu asked casually.

Zhao Rong smiled and nodded. "That’s simple. It’s nothing a little money can’t solve."

She guessed that this President Lin was planning to buy a car on the spot. ’First a house, now a car. What is he up to?’

’This really is the behavior of a nouveau riche.’

’Even if he wants to buy them, does he have to be in such a rush?’

But she didn’t let any of it show on her face, which remained wreathed in a smile.

"Alright, I’ll have to trouble you then."

Lin Chu said his thanks and walked among the new cars, browsing casually.

Lin Chu stopped in front of a fluorescent green sports car and said to Hou Chengjin with a smile, "This car is pretty nice."

It was an Aston Martin, the newest DB12 model released in July. The color was described as Fluorescent Emerald Green.

To be honest, the car model was quite stunning in person, wearing a white high-slit long dress and striking poses against the car.

Camera flashes flickered nonstop. Today was media day, so there were many reporters and livestreaming hosts at the scene.

"Hiss... The one color I don’t like is green."

Hou Chengjin made a joke. He wasn’t a big fan of the Aston Martin brand, and this color scheme made it even less appealing.

"Heh, what’s wrong with green? I’m the one who likes to give out the green hats."

Lin Chu continued in his brazen manner. Glancing at the staff counter, he walked straight toward it. "Come on, let’s go buy one."

Hou Chengjin: ???

He glanced at Zhao Rong. The smile on her face remained completely unchanged.

Lin Chu was already sitting in the staff area, asking for the price directly. The base price was 2.688 million.

A saleswoman explained with a beaming smile.

After flipping through two pages of the brochure, Lin Chu couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time. "I’ll take one. Can I drive it off the lot today?"

After getting an affirmative answer, he placed the order and paid.

Someone would handle the paperwork and contact him once it was done.

Once the purchase was complete, Lin Chu dusted off his hands and left. The whole process didn’t even take ten minutes.

This calm and collected demeanor, as if he were buying cabbages at a supermarket, made Hou Chengjin truly envious. He was filled with jealousy.

’I both want and don’t want a friend like this.’

’Who could stand being provoked like this every day?’

However...

Hou Chengjin had thought that was the end of it. The car was bought; they would just look around for the rest of the time.

He never expected that this was only the beginning.

...

"Huh? This one looks pretty good too. A Ferrari 12Cilindri. I don’t have this one in my garage."

Lin Chu’s eyes were drawn to a bright red, brand-new Ferrari sports car. It was beautiful, truly beautiful. So he paid for it, purchasing his second car of the day.

It wasn’t expensive either.

Base price: 5.98 million.

Hou Chengjin: ...He was speechless.

He really had nothing left to say.

...

For the third car, Lin Chu chose a comfortable vehicle for daily use: a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the latest 2024 four-seater model in pure black, a business color.

’When my net worth was in the tens of millions, I drove a Mercedes.’

’It’s time for an upgrade now.’

The base price was 6.91 million. No waiting, available for pickup on the spot. The dealer even threw in the full set of registration documents, plus the license plate.

Now that was some excellent service.

Bought it.

...

After a tour, that was pretty much it. This was enough.

Lin Chu then turned back and went to the Wuling booth. He bought a Hongguang Mini EV—the new 2024 Macaron model, a two-seater electric car—and he specifically chose pink.

Price: 41,800.

Then he chuckled. "This little car is cute. I’ll use it for grocery runs."

Hou Chengjin: ...He was tired. ’Just let the world end.’ 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

’I really can’t fucking keep up with your train of thought anymore.’

’Unbelievable.’

He now looked as if he had completely given up and was just going with the flow.

Zhao Rong had followed along the whole time, the smile on her face barely wavering, but now she too found it somewhat amusing.

’Confirmed. This is a real big shot.’

As the old saying goes, "At seventy, one can follow the heart’s desires without overstepping the boundaries."

But if your net worth was seven billion—hell, not even seven billion, just seven hundred million—you could also follow your heart’s desires without overstepping any boundaries.

"Why don’t you pick one? Don’t just stand there watching."

"I’m paying."

"You’re making me feel a little awkward."

"You didn’t want the Richard Mille, so I’m buying you a car today. If you refuse this too, then I won’t invest in your company either."

Lin Chu looked at Hou Chengjin with a mischievous grin as he spoke.

Hou Chengjin’s heart skipped a beat. ’Hey, there’s something in it for me?’

He was about to politely decline, but after hearing what Lin Chu said, he couldn’t very well refuse anymore.

A strange association formed in his mind—it was like going to the supermarket to buy water. It would be rude to just drink it yourself without buying a bottle for the person with you, right?

But... was this really the same thing?

Zhao Rong glanced at Lin Chu, still smiling. ’President Lin said that only to President Hou, which means there’s nothing for me.’

’That’s... normal, I suppose.’

’After all, how long have they known each other?’

...

...