Chapter 166: Chapter 165: You Are All Small Fries

Lin Chu had originally planned to reward her with top-tier luxury items, like Louis Vuitton or Hermes, in return for that one thousand yuan. But since she was just that beautiful, she could even make a dress from a domestic boutique worth around a thousand yuan look stylish.

Of course, Fang Yichun had no idea what she’d missed out on. She was still over the moon. ’Wow, a one-thousand-two-hundred-yuan dress! It’s so beautiful.’

’I’m feeling the love from my domineering CEO.’

Buy, buy, buy!

What girl doesn’t love shopping for pretty little clothes?

Watching her jump for joy, Lin Chu played the part of the one footing the bill, offering some fashion advice. He helped her pick out a gothic-style black dress that was both cute and chic, with a touch of sexiness and a cool edge. To complete the look, her single ponytail was redone into pigtails, and then they swiftly got in the car and left.

From a school uniform to a dress...

’Little girl, are you ready to become a woman?’

...

「Sky Bar in Pearl River New City.」

It was located on the 99th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, offering a panoramic view of the entire city at night. Yang City’s landmark, the Small Waist, was strikingly close, so close you could capture it in its entirety with a casual photo.

Zhao Rong had reserved a table by the window. When Lin Chu arrived holding Fang Yichun’s hand, the others had already ordered cocktails and were clustered by the window, taking pictures.

The bar’s atmosphere was quite pleasant. There was no deafening music, only the mellow sound of jazz drifting through the air.

Zhao Rong’s young boyfriend was there again, along with two other girls. They were probably other streamers from her agency, brought along to fill out the table. After all, Young Master Zhou and Ono Ryoko were major internet celebrities; they had the status to be there just for the meal, with no obligation to entertain anyone.

Zhao Rong had arranged everything perfectly.

This kind of place mostly served cocktails, and since Zhao Rong was paying, Lin Chu didn’t bother putting it on his tab. He casually ordered a Hazelnut Baileys, then uncompromisingly ordered the same for Fang Yichun.

They had already covered most of the necessary conversation. The main goal now was to relax, deepen their connection, and add the final bit of fuel to the fire for the night’s main event.

The night view, the lights, the music, the alcohol.

From the Qinhuai Riverfront thousands of years ago to the high-rise bars of today, some things never changed.

As Lin Chu mused on this, he casually pulled out his backup phone and opened the stream of one of his company’s hosts. SWOOSH. With a light upward swipe, he sent a hundred "Carnivals," like effortlessly setting off a massive firework.

The classic moves never get old.

When Fang Yichun saw this, she covered her mouth in shock, nearly choking on the sip of sweet cocktail she had just taken. She let out a couple of delicate coughs.

"One of my company’s streamers," Lin Chu said with a casual laugh, "Just boosting the numbers." He continued swiping to send more Carnivals. Lately, his company’s "top streamers" had seen their popularity skyrocket. Zhang Peng had even hired promoters to push a lot of content about "intangible cultural heritage livestreams." The goal was to build momentum, grow their audience, and attract artisans with bigger names and more refined skills. He was striving to position the company as a flagship for the revival of traditional Chinese luxury culture.

After researching this market sector in-depth, he’d discovered that consumer trends were indeed heading in this direction.

On a micro level, you had the Hanfu craze, the "China-chic" trend, and the new wellness fads popular among young people. On a macro level, an increase in cultural confidence inevitably meant a powerful resurgence of traditional culture.

Zhang Peng was already starting to research their first product. As for what it would be, he was still assessing the market.

Lin Chu’s attitude was to just let him do his thing.

Besides, his funds were practically unlimited. As long as he funneled one hundred million yuan into the company each month, he would get an extra hundred million back as a personal rebate. It was basically a fixed salary—a steady, long-term stream of income.

If they really managed to create a top-tier luxury brand, it would be well worth the effort. You could even consider it a contribution to the nation’s cultural history.

’Big picture!’

...

Since Lin Chu was sitting in the innermost seat of the booth, nobody but Fang Yichun could see what he was doing. The others only saw that the biggest shot in the room had been glued to his phone ever since he arrived, looking like he was just watching short videos or livestreams.

Zhao Rong nonchalantly sent a text to Fang Yichun: "What’s Young Master Lin up to?"

Seeing Lin Chu staring intently at the screen, Fang Yichun replied, nervous and timid: "He’s sending ’Carnivals,’ a hundred at a time. Boosting the numbers for his company’s streamers."

Zhao Rong: ...Uh.

"Do you like him?"

She sent another message, adding one more question.

Fang Yichun’s heart clenched. She remembered what Lin Chu had said earlier—’Sister Rong sold herself’—and a wave of unspeakable sadness washed over her. ’She’s so two-faced,’ she thought. ’How can she ask me a question like that at a time like this? If I say I don’t like him, can I leave?’ 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"I... I do like him."

Her fingertips trembled as she typed. After a moment’s thought, she added another message: "Sister Rong, tonight... can I go home tonight?"

’I’ll just ask one more thing.’

’Just this one question.’

’If it’s really like that... then there’s nothing left to say.’

Zhao Rong replied after a moment. "Of course. If you want to go, you can leave with me. If you don’t want anything to happen with him, I’ll definitely take you home. But you need to think this through. This is a chance to change your entire life. Your Sister Zhou and Sister Ono are ready to jump at this opportunity at a moment’s notice."

Reading the message, Fang Yichun bit her lip. Even though Sister Rong had sugarcoated it, she could see the real meaning. ’So, this is how you dote on your "dearest little sister"? By sending her to a rich man’s bed?’

Her heart began to race. She forced herself to remain calm and typed, "I like him. And he likes me."

After sending the message, she looked up toward Zhao Rong, who was also looking her way. Their gazes met in midair for a brief moment.

Zhao Rong suddenly realized that in that instant, her naive little sister’s expression had become much more mature and complex.

’But I suppose this is just one of life’s required lessons.’

"As long as you like him, that’s what matters. Seize your chance at happiness. Be good, and don’t throw a tantrum," Zhao Rong replied with a faint smile.

’The girl is already incredibly lucky,’ Zhao Rong thought. ’Lin Chu is only twenty-four, with a great body and handsome looks. The way they met might be a little weird, but is it really something to be proud of to shack up in a hundred-yuan-a-night motel room with some "true love" from college?’

Zhao Rong didn’t feel she had done anything wrong.

’The little girl just doesn’t get it. She might even hate me a little right now, but ten years from now, she’ll realize I was her greatest benefactor.’

...

Lin Chu suddenly felt Fang Yichun clutch his arm tightly. She was like a kitten begging to be petted, snuggling up to him—soft, cute, and proactive—pressing her head firmly against him.

"What’s wrong?" Lin Chu asked with a soft chuckle.

"I’m a little sleepy. I want to go back and sleep."

Fang Yichun leaned in close to Lin Chu’s ear and whispered, her voice tinged with a sob. A sense of resignation washed over her. ’Fine, so be it. What’s the big deal, anyway!’

Hearing the tone of her voice, Lin Chu understood. He reached out to pat her on the head, then stood up abruptly.

"We’re heading out. The little one’s tired, so I’m taking her home."

"You all keep drinking."

Seeing Lin Chu stand up so decisively, Fang Yichun herself was taken aback. She froze for a second before a wave of intense embarrassment washed over her. ’So many people, at a place like this... just leaving like that... They’ll all know... I...’

But a subtle warmth bloomed in her heart. ’He cares about me this much. He doesn’t want to stay here a second longer than he has to.’

This blunt, direct action sparked a tremendous sense of vanity within her. ’I don’t care about some "sister," or some big-shot streamer, or some boss. Right here, right now, my "domineering CEO" is the one in charge!’

’You’re all just small fry!’

Hmph!

...

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