Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Chu glanced back at her. He could tell from her expression that she didn't believe him.
'But I really am just the owner of a small gym.'
However, that question, "What do you do for a living?", really did probe his very soul at that moment.
Back when he was by the sea in his hometown, Lin Chu had pondered what he should do with his life, what his ambitions were, things like that.
It was still early days, and he hadn't figured it all out yet.
The "big boss" persona he was projecting now always managed to impress people.
'But a man can't get by just by putting on an act, can he?'
'This isn't *GQ*, after all.'
Even his buddies, Liu Junfeng and Lu Ming, would eventually start to wonder, 'You're just the owner of a small business, so where did you get all this money?'
'I still need some real substance.'
"Brother Chu, any good projects lately? Bring your brother along, man. We can barely afford to eat at home."
Liu Junfeng said with a laugh.
This was the first time he'd brought up the topic since getting to know Lin Chu, and he did it with a joking tone.
He had a great sense of tact.
Besides, the conversation had naturally led them there.
"Can't afford to eat, but you're driving a Bentley, huh?"
Lin Chu teased, then thought for a moment. "The overall economy is bad this year. It's better to stay put than to make a rash move. We just have to wait it out. Endure it a little longer. When the economic situation deteriorates further, quality assets will naturally drop in price. That's the time to strike."
'Just half a month ago, he was still working at a financial firm. This was the consensus among the company's management, including the CEO.'
Lin Chu thought it made sense, too.
'It's a law of economics.'
In the back seat, Du Xiaoman fell silent when she heard them discussing serious matters, not daring to interrupt.
Liu Junfeng: "That's true. During the downswing of a Kondratiev wave, the debt deleveraging process... it's painful for everyone. Sigh... it'll take a few more years. I reckon at least five."
Lin Chu pursed his lips. "Hm? In five years, I'll be twenty-nine. The prime time to build a career."
Liu Junfeng cursed with a laugh, "Fuck! I'll be old by then!"
Of course he knew Lin Chu was just messing with him.
In the back seat, Du Xiaoman couldn't help but let a pretty smile curve her lips as she listened to Lin Chu's sly words. She'd picked up on a key piece of information: Lin Chu was twenty-four.
'That's so young!'
'He only just graduated from college a year or two ago!'
After a pause, Liu Junfeng continued, "Whatever, we'll see. If things don't pick up, I'm just going to make the most of my time and have some fun. I'm planning a group activity for the club."
Lin Chu looked at him. "What's the plan?"
"A road trip..."
"We'd start from Peng City and follow the G219 highway along the country's border. On the way, we can soak in the local culture, do some sightseeing, and maybe check out the local economy, visit the local social circles... We could also livestream it to build up a following. The ultimate goal is to create a resource integration platform, something like a private executive council."
Liu Junfeng explained, his tone a mix of serious and casual. It was just an initial idea he hadn't fully fleshed out yet.
Lin Chu rolled down the window and lit a cigarette. "Not a bad idea."
"Travel is a great way to network. You get the whole eating, drinking, and having-a-good-time thing going, bring together people like us from all over the country... and once we all hang out for a while and build some trust, business opportunities are bound to pop up."
Liu Junfeng nodded, smiling. "That's exactly what I mean!"
He then turned back to tease Du Xiaoman. "Xiaoman, you'd better cover your ears. You're not allowed to listen; these are trade secrets."
She was left speechless.
'Still, it did sound very high-end, and a lot of fun, too.'
Lin Chu said, "I'm in. I've got nothing but time. If you're game, I'm game. But just to be clear, if I get bored on the road, I'm out."
Liu Junfeng roared with laughter. "Of course! We're all about being able to fly anywhere in the country—no, anywhere in the *world*. You're a high-end male model."
Lin Chu was speechless.
"Just focus on driving!"
Liu Junfeng: "What do you mean? I *am* focusing on driving..."
...
They chatted all the way to the dealership.
Lin Chu's car-buying process was simple. He walked in and asked if they had anything in stock. The salesperson said yes.
So he moved on to picking the specs and color.
In less than ten minutes, he had made his choice.
The latest "Off-Road Adventurer" model. A gas-electric hybrid, 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 272 maximum horsepower, black exterior, white interior, equipped with a roof-mounted cargo box, a built-in drone... fully loaded.
Lin Chu paid directly and had the dealership handle all the paperwork. The total cost was 1.25 million.
It wasn't a painful expense.
'Money is just a number in a bank account. It only becomes yours when you spend it.'
After the test drive, while waiting for the dealership to process the paperwork, the five of them chatted in the lounge area.
Lu Ming rubbed his forehead. "I'm jealous. Buying domestic is so much easier. When I bought my Porsche, it felt like I was getting raped. They force you to add a bunch of options."
Lin Chu glanced at him. "Alright, alright, tone it down. Such a humble-brag."
Lu Ming explained, "It's not entirely that. I just think this big SUV looks really badass."
Liu Junfeng: "You're telling me. The back seat is massive. Getting it on back there must be awesome. Forget two people, you could fit three..."
Lin Chu and Lu Ming looked at each other, both speechless.
Lin Chu laughed and scolded, "You tone it down too!"
The two girls blushed slightly. Xiaolu, being more familiar with Liu Junfeng, wrinkled her nose and said, "Brother Feng, you really need to rein it in. You're being a bad influence on us."
Liu Junfeng replied with a laugh, "Alright, alright, you four can have your wholesome chat. So you're all pairing off and leaving me, the lone single guy, in the dust, is that it? Fine. I'm gonna go hit on that saleswoman over there. She's got a nice body. Definitely my type."
With that, he got up and went over to make his move.
The four of them were speechless.
Xiaolu played wingman for Lin Chu, grinning as she said, "Brother Chu, Manman here is my best friend. She's so innocent and pretty. The line of guys trying to date her stretches all the way from Shennan Avenue to Binhai Avenue..."
Du Xiaoman shot her a playful glare. "That's not true! Stop making things up."
But she looked a little smug nonetheless.
Lin Chu leaned back. "I hate waiting in line... And that's nothing to be proud of. If a lot of guys are chasing you, it just means they all think you're an easy target. The ones no one dares to approach—those are the real goddesses."
Lu Ming was speechless.
'Bro, you need to tone it down too!'
'Such a typical straight-guy comment.'
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Du Xiaoman glanced at Lin Chu. Though annoyed, she just pouted and said, "There aren't that many guys chasing me. Xiaolu was just kidding."
Xiaolu sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll take the blame. So that's how we're playing this, huh? You two are ganging up on me already?"
Lin Chu let out a laugh but didn't respond.
He pulled out his phone and called Zhang Peng. "Brother Peng, what's up for tonight? Drinks, or the usual? Let's meet at nine."
Zhang Peng laughed on the other end. "Sounds good, no problem. I'm at the office right now; I'll text you the rest."
He sent a message right after hanging up.
"Bro, how many girls should I call?"
Lin Chu typed back, "Don't call anyone yet. Same as always."
Zhang Peng: "Okay! (spinning in place)"
...
After calling Zhang Peng, Lin Chu then called Wang Zhefei.
This call was much shorter.
Lin Chu: "Bar? Tonight? The usual place."
Wang Zhefei: "Not going."
Lin Chu: "All girls."
Wang Zhefei: "Be there."
Lin Chu: "Dumbass! I liked your rebellious act better."
Wang Zhefei: DIAL TONE.
He'd hung up.
Lin Chu hung up the phone and couldn't help but shake his head and smile.
'These friends of his, really... each one is a real character.'
After a moment's thought, Lin Chu couldn't resist being a smartass and sent Wang Zhefei a text: "Just picked up my new car. A Yangwang U8. [Image] [Image] [Image]"
He replied: "You asshole! Did you sell your ass or something?! You were borrowing ten thousand from me just half a month ago, and now you're buying a car worth over a million?"
Lin Chu: "Call me daddy, and I'll let you drive it for two days."
Wang Zhefei: "Daddy! (muah) (muah) Love you."
...
...