"President Lin, how’s your golf game?"

The drive back to the city was a bit congested, especially at the perpetually jammed Chicken Mountain Tunnel. Stuck in traffic, Jin Jiaying decided to strike up a conversation.

Lin Chu smiled and replied breezily, "Never played. It’ll be my first time."

"I see. Well, it’s always good to pick up a new hobby. Playing golf is a great way to relieve stress from work, and it’s good for your health."

Jin Jiaying chimed in with a smile. ’She’d guessed as much. This President Lin was probably a new client, most likely newly rich.’

’He was... quite polite, after all.’

’A little different from the other rich men she’d met.’

She had learned to spot these things during her company’s onboarding training.

"Would you like me to go over the rules of golf with you?"

she asked, testing the waters with a smile.

Lin Chu glanced at her. "Go ahead."

So she began explaining the details. It was a good way to kill time and relieve the boredom of the traffic jam.

Lin Chu listened quietly, finding his interest gradually piqued.

He was always eager to explore new things; otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to go diving in the Philippines.

The world is a big place; you have to go see it.

...

「At this moment.」

Inside a private room at Four Seas Restaurant, a high-end Cantonese establishment, Lu Ming and Fang Weidong had already arrived. They had come separately.

After making their investments earlier today, Lin Chu had invited them to dinner—just the two of them. Lu Ming wasn’t too fussed about it. For Brother Chu, a meal like this was nothing. It would probably cost a few hundred thousand yuan, but that was chump change for him.

Fang Weidong, however, was now casually probing for information.

"Brother Ming, do you think this deal is legit? Just between us, of course. After all, you’re closer to Brother Chu than I am."

He had approached it with a "give it a shot" attitude. ’What if it’s a real opportunity?’

’It was only a million yuan, after all.’

’Better than losing three properties in a divorce, right?’

’If he lost the money, he’d just write it off as tuition. If he made a profit, he’d double down. This was the down-to-earth investment philosophy of the demolition-nouveau-riche: don’t put all your eggs in one basket.’

Lu Ming looked at him with a knowing grin. "I bet you won’t be asking me that question after dinner. Heh, you just showed up a little too late."

Lu Ming had absolute faith in Lin Chu.

’Brother Chu has big ambitions. Would he really scam you over such a small amount of money?’

’These guys are thinking way too small.’

’Brother Chu even signed up for an MBA. In a little over a month, after he gets back from diving, the program starts. The tuition alone is over four hundred thousand! Why would he pay that if he wasn’t in it for the long haul?’

Fang Weidong nodded with a laugh. "That’s true. It’s pretty badass. I heard from Brother Kai he even chartered a whole plane? That’s just next-level extravagant. I’ve never dared to pull a stunt like that, even though it’s not like we’re short on cash."

He added that last part, feigning nonchalance.

He did know, however, that Lu Ming’s family owned several apartment buildings—they just hadn’t been marked for demolition and compensation yet.

"It’s not about the money, it’s about being willing to spend it," Lu Ming said. "Didn’t you hear at dinner yesterday? That one guy said Brother Chu bought him an apartment. Maybe you guys missed it, but I caught it."

"I know that dude, too. He’s just a regular programmer."

"As for money... I don’t think Brother Chu gives a damn about it. You all have no idea, and I can’t be bothered to explain."

"I’ll just say this: there’s no harm in tagging along with him. Hell, what other skills do we rent-collecting landlords have anyway?"

Lu Ming said, sighing with emotion.

After all, they were in a similar boat.

Landlords, heirs to a fortune.

They didn’t have any real skills, but they had a bit of ambition. They wanted to climb at least one more rung up the social ladder.

Listening to him, Fang Weidong looked at Lu Ming and suddenly had a thought: ’This guy is a total bootlicker.’

’How can someone suck up this hard?’

’You’re a local, a second-generation heir, for crying out loud!’

...

They hadn’t been chatting for long when Lin Chu walked in, followed by Jin Jiaying. Her tall stature and delicate features instantly made both men’s eyes light up.

Lu Ming was genuinely envious. ’A woman of her caliber is a rare find. Yesterday, he was drinking alone, and today he shows up with a beauty like this on his arm.’

’Is Swan Castle really that amazing?’

"Sorry to keep you waiting. The traffic was a nightmare. I just got back from Mission Hills," Lin Chu said as he entered. "A friend gave me a few of these cards. Here, one for each of you. Everyone gets a share."

He took out two cards and slid them across the table toward them.

Talk about making an entrance.

Jin Jiaying suppressed a smile. ’A friend gave them to him?’

’Alright, so it was the classic "a friend gave it to me" line for gifting things. Still, he was incredibly generous. Over five million yuan, given away just like that.’

She had initially assumed that President Lin was in the weaker position with these two guests—that he was the one asking for a favor, hence the expensive gift.

’But judging by the way he just walked in, that didn’t seem to be the case at all.’

’On the contrary, he seemed to be the one completely in charge.’

"Holy shit! A card for Mission Hills? Isn’t this thing worth, like, over two million yuan? I think so, anyway. I had an uncle who was a member there."

Lu Ming cried out, shocked. He was very familiar with the prices of these ultra-luxury items. Back when he was living it up after college graduation, he had considered getting one, but he could never bring himself to spend the money.

Hearing Lu Ming’s exclamation, Fang Weidong froze for a second, then felt a surge of joy. He began examining the card from every angle.

Lin Chu just smiled and waved his hand. "Eh, let’s not talk about money. I’m starving. Let’s order some food and drinks."

The two men accepted the cards.

Just then, a virtual panel appeared in Lin Chu’s vision. Two cards: Rebate 10.4 million.

His "costs" were almost completely covered.

And he still had two more cards he hadn’t given out.

He could still get another 10.4 million.

For him, a deal like this was impossible to lose money on.

Lin Chu smiled, then ordered food and wine.

However...

At this moment, both Fang Weidong and Lu Ming’s minds were racing.

Fang Weidong glanced at Lin Chu, then back at the card in his hand. ’Over two million yuan... I only invested one million, and I’m getting a perk like this?’

’Wait a minute...’

’Sure, scam companies on the market also give out gifts with investments. Invest a million, get something worth a few hundred thousand, for example.’

’You’re lured in by the promise of their interest, but they’re really after your principal.’

’That’s the standard playbook.’

’But this...’

’What the hell is this?’

’Of course, Brother Chu was most likely not a scammer, but his methods were truly baffling. The gift he gave away so casually was worth more than the investment itself!’

’Could it be... that the investment amount was just a test from Brother Chu?’

’And this is the reward?’

After thinking it over, he concluded it was the only possible explanation.

Lu Ming, on the other hand, had latched onto a detail from what Lin Chu had said. ’A friend gave it to him?’

’What kind of friend gives a gift like that?’

’So incredibly generous?’

’He didn’t think Lin Chu would have bought the cards himself—there was no need. So it must... really have been a gift from a friend, right?’

’Now that’s the kind of friend to have.’

’Someone gives a gift to Lin Chu, and Lin Chu gives it to him and Fang Weidong.’

Lu Ming mulled it over for a moment, then decided not to overthink it. If Brother Chu was giving it, he’d happily accept. Focusing back on the dinner, he said with a smile, "Thanks, Brother Chu! When should we go play?"

Lin Chu replied, "Whenever you want. Just go get your membership verified and book a tee time."

Lu Ming: "We should all go together! What’s the point if you’re not there?"

Lin Chu: "Fine, we’ll go together. Jeez, why are you so damn clingy?"

Lu Ming was speechless.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

...

...