The guy who suggested getting some models was a buddy named Zhang Peng. A former colleague and a Gen Z kid, he'd had a huge fight with the boss, slammed his desk, and stormed out.
But he and I got along great.
After leaving that company, he seemed to have joined a short-form video company as an editor. His social media feed was a daily stream of videos featuring all sorts of beautiful women.
"Let's have them come for the second half. Dealing with women right now just sounds like a headache."
Lin Chu thought for a moment, then replied in the group chat.
'I wonder how the system's rebate defines this kind of gathering.'
'First, I'll secure a wave of rebates with an Arhat Array.'
'Once we're hyped up enough, we can switch to a mixed-gender party.'
In the group chat.
Zhang Peng: "That works too. (Wry Smile) (Wry Smile)"
After chatting in the group for a bit, six o'clock arrived. Lin Chu gathered his things, ready to head home.
Just then.
A figure suddenly emerged from an office, timed perfectly to the second.
Tie, dress shirt, black slacks, leather shoes, watch—the full nine yards. His hair was gelled stiff. It was none other than the department head, Xu Xiaolei.
"Everyone, don't be in a rush to leave. We're having a meeting."
"See you in the main conference room in half an hour."
Hearing this, Lin Chu's brow furrowed slightly.
'Half the time, the way these managers' brains worked, it was like they'd been left to soak in a clogged toilet for three days and nights. They won't call a meeting all day, but they insist on springing one on you right at quitting time.'
"Sir, I have to meet a client. I need to take leave."
Lin Chu said immediately, his tone calm.
Xu Xiaolei glanced at him. "What time are you meeting the client? Which one?"
Lin Chu reeled it off without a second thought. "Dinner with the client at seven. After dinner, we're going to a bar at nine. It's all booked."
When the other colleagues in the office heard this, some couldn't help but snicker.
'Badass.'
'Lin Chu.'
'He's openly challenging Dog Xu.'
This, however, made a few people who knew Lin Chu better even more certain he must have struck it rich.
'How else would he dare?'
'Is he just going to give up his humiliation pay?'
"Not approved."
Xu Xiaolei's expression darkened as he stared straight at Lin Chu.
"I don't give a fuck if you approve it or not. I'm leaving!"
Lin Chu threw the words out, stood up, and headed for the door.
"Lin Chu! Get back here! I see you don't want this job anymore!"
Xu Xiaolei roared in a thunderous rage.
Lin Chu actually stopped. He looked at his boss, sneered coldly, and walked right up to him. Leaning in close to his ear, he whispered, "Go on, fire me. Oh? You think I don't know about all the bullshit you pull? Want me to list it all out for you? Should I tell the director? Or the big boss? Or how about the bank?"
PAT.
PAT.
He reached out and gently patted the man's face.
Lin Chu turned and walked out.
Xu Xiaolei was frozen in place, his face alternating between pale and flushed, his pupils dilated.
He never imagined that Lin Chu, who was usually so unassuming, would suddenly be so prickly today.
'All this over a meeting!'
Lin Chu had whispered to him, so the other colleagues probably hadn't heard.
But a chill still ran down his spine.
He wanted to chase after him, to have a word with Lin Chu and get their stories straight, but a glance at everyone in the open office made him freeze. He couldn't bear the loss of face and forced himself to stay put.
"Meeting in half an hour!"
He spat out the words angrily and stalked back into his office.
...
"Are you crazy? Why did you pick a fight with him?"
As Lin Chu stepped into the elevator, he received a message from Liu Yang.
Lin Chu: "I'm not putting up with that idiot's crap."
Liu Yang: "Fine, fine, you go on ahead. I'm a coward. I'll go to the meeting and head over right after."
"OK."
After replying, Lin Chu ambled towards the exit, already contemplating resignation.
'I've wanted to quit for a long time.'
'This company has a few core businesses with ridiculously high profits and commissions, but they operate in a legal gray area—like arranging "home equity business loans." They package them nicely, but they'd never hold up under scrutiny.'
'I'm a chicken, so I never touched that stuff, but it's still frustrating just being here.'
'Tonight, I'm going to spend big!'
With enough money, he could just pack his bags and leave. He felt bursting with confidence.
"Lin Chu, calm down. You can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want. I heard you broke up recently? It's understandable to be in a bad mood. I've approved your leave for today's meeting. Get yourself back on track soon."
Just then, another message popped up on his WeChat. It was from Xu Xiaolei.
Lin Chu saw the message, smirked, and didn't reply.
'Dumbass. Caving already?'
'He's definitely still plotting some dirty trick against me. But right now, I'm just thinking of that classic line from Jiang Bao—I! AM! NOT! AFRAID!'
...
"Brother Chu, off work yet? Let me treat you to dinner."
Lin Chu received a message from Zhang Peng.
'This guy's pretty decent in my book. Other qualities aside, he at least understands one thing: gratitude and reciprocity.'
Since Lin Chu was treating them at the bar later, Zhang Peng took the initiative to cover dinner.
"Where are you? Come pick me up."
"Okay, I'm not far from Che Kung Temple. Send me your location."
Less than ten minutes later, a taxi pulled up beside Lin Chu. From the back seat, Zhang Peng grinned. "Brother Chu, get in!"
Lin Chu hopped in the car and spoke directly to the driver. "Sir, to the Shangri-La Hotel on Yitian Road."
The driver hit the gas and they sped off.
Zhang Peng stared at Lin Chu, his eyes wide with astonishment, as if to say: 'What the fuck, why are we going to a hotel?'
Lin Chu just smiled.
"Don't overthink it. Big bro's taking you out for something nice."
There was no need to ask about Wang Zhefei; he was definitely still working overtime. Since he'd snagged Zhang Peng, he might as well treat him.
"Brother Chu, you really struck it rich! If you've got a way in, give me a hand, Foster Father!"
Zhang Peng was a smooth operator, a real sweet-talker.
"Isn't that what I'm doing now? First, let's enjoy life."
...
The Shangri-La Hotel, 40th floor. A restaurant called [ensue].
Lin Chu had never been here before, though he'd seen people check in on his social media feed.
It was supposedly the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Peng City, with a per-person cost of over 5,000 yuan.
Lin Chu had called on the way to make a reservation. When they arrived, a beautiful waitress led them directly into a private room.
One look at the menu sent Zhang Peng's breathing into overdrive. He looked visibly embarrassed.
The private room had a minimum charge of ten thousand, plus a ten-percent service fee.
'This is just burning money!'
"Whoa, Brother Chu, we don't have to do this. Really. Why don't we just leave? This is way too rich for my blood..."
He was genuinely floored. Leaning close to Lin Chu's ear, he whispered.
'A ten-thousand-yuan meal? Is he insane?'
Lin Chu shot him a look and snatched the menu.
"No set menu. I'll order a la carte."
The set menu was 2,888 per person. It was all pre-selected, but Lin Chu felt the price was too low, so he opted to order individual dishes instead.
"The caviar, this one for 1,888. Two orders. The lobster with spring peaches looks good; two of those as well. Leopard coral grouper... Abalone with black truffle... Charcoal-grilled wagyu... Sichuan pepper geoduck... Zhongshan Shiqi squab..."
Lin Chu rattled off a dozen dishes in one breath, then pushed the menu forward. "And a bottle of Screaming Eagle. This one, the 48,000 one... If you could be quick about it, I'm in a hurry."
'Red wine really is a great way to burn through cash.'
'It's a shame I can't afford the Romanée-Conti priced at 180,000 yet. I've only got 150,000 in my account, tops.'
'But after this meal, I will.'
'This place is perfect!'
'A gold mine for spending money!'
By now, Zhang Peng was completely and utterly dumbfounded.
'This isn't a ten-thousand-yuan meal!'
'This is a hundred-thousand-yuan meal!'
The beautiful waitress smiled and nodded. "Of course, sir."
'This man looks rather ordinary, but when he spends, he's truly extravagant.'
After the waitress left the room, Zhang Peng looked at Lin Chu, practically trembling. "Bro?"
All sorts of wild thoughts raced through his mind.
'Is he going to "kill" me? Or "sleep with" me?'
Lin Chu noticed his expression and waved his hand with a smile.
"Relax and enjoy the meal."
"I just came into some money, so let's be extravagant for once. Hell, I've never had a meal this expensive before, either."
"But if you have money and don't spend it, what's the point?"
"Just think of it this way: I'm the one who wanted this meal. You're just along for the ride, to see the world a bit."
...
...