Free Web NovelChapter 236: Chapter 198: Offering a Cigarette to the Big Shot
She: ...
’You’re so cheap it’s disgusting!’
...
5:30 PM.
In a private dining room at the club.
Lan Yuzheng arrived first. Once again, he had come alone—characteristically bold.
After receiving his call, Lin Chu came down early as well.
Zhou Ming and his guest were still on their way and would arrive in about ten minutes or so.
’Time to go meet this scoundrel.’
When they met, Lan Yuzheng appeared quite enthusiastic. He took the initiative to step forward and grasp Lin Chu’s hand with both of his, shaking it firmly twice.
Lan Yuzheng had already heard about LC Club’s "Golden Golf Club" and the Golden Friends’ Tournament, but he didn’t think it had anything to do with him. He guessed it was likely a move Lin Chu had planned long ago.
This naturally served to further highlight the strength of both LC Club and its owner, Lin Chu.
Moreover, the price hike for the Golf Club Annual Card demonstrated a resolve to build a more high-end image for the club.
This made him feel even more strongly that Lin Chu was a powerful figure and that he needed to be more careful with his methods when dealing with him.
Of course, no matter what, he wouldn’t give up on his own goal so easily.
"Have a smoke. There’s another guest coming, so let’s chat for a bit first."
Lin Chu handed him a cigarette, also smiling, and led him into the adjacent tea room to brew some tea.
’Another guest?’
Lan Yuzheng’s mind stirred, but he naturally couldn’t guess who it was.
Still, he decided to go with the flow and have some tea first.
He caught sight of the Jade Necklace hanging around Lin Chu’s neck and once again praised him silently in his heart. ’Damn, he’s rich!’
Full-color Imperial Green. That piece had to be worth at least fifty million, no question.
Having been a junket operator for many years, he certainly had the ability to size up a person’s wealth at a glance.
"Things have been busy lately. President Li mentioned you to me. Why don’t you start? What is it you want to do?"
Lin Chu poured him a cup of tea and asked nonchalantly.
’Getting straight to business?’
Lan Yuzheng was no stranger to this style. It reaffirmed his impression of Lin Chu as one of those bossy young masters. He laughed and said, "Haha, I just wanted to pay a visit first. You know how it is, drumming up business. Since President Lin wants to build a high-end club, the hardware will definitely need an upgrade. In this field, our company is absolutely the most professional..."
"I heard you drove a golf course owner to his death. What’s that about?"
Lin Chu cut him off and continued asking.
Erk.
This...
Lan Yuzheng showed no trace of embarrassment, still smiling brightly. "How could that be? I’m a law-abiding businessman. I wouldn’t do something like that. That incident was an accident. His golf course was already in violation of regulations, and a certain high-ranking leader had specifically taken an interest in it. No one could have saved him. I..."
Again, Lin Chu didn’t wait for him to finish, interjecting with another question, "Who do you answer to?"
Lan Yuzheng: ...
For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
This kind of blunt, reckless questioning was a serious breach of business etiquette, but considering the other party’s status, it also seemed perfectly reasonable.
’Say I don’t have one?’
’Without a backer, what the hell am I even doing in this business!’
’But if I say I do?’
’That’s not easy to talk about either.’
’What if this guy makes one phone call to trace my connections, and my mountain isn’t as high as his? I’d be in deep shit.’
These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Lan Yuzheng’s smile didn’t waver as he offered a vague, metaphorical response, "Me? I’m just the one who sets the table. There’s no issue of who I’m ’eating with.’ I just prepare a table of fine wine and good food for everyone to enjoy together."
Lin Chu looked at him with a half-smile. "Oh? So I’m the fucking fine wine and good food, am I?"
Lan Yuzheng was instantly choked up. His sharp Adam’s apple bobbed up and down twice.
"Of course not, President Lin, how could you say that? You’re the client, the major client. I’m just a small contractor. I take your money, get your work done, and earn a small fee for my trouble."
Lan Yuzheng continued to be evasive. It was nothing to eat a little humble pie verbally.
The red bills were what was real.
"Are you familiar with Australia Island?"
Lin Chu suddenly asked another question.
It was a completely different topic. A muscle in Lan Yuzheng’s face twitched twice—an almost reflexive, instinctual reaction.
"I’m not too familiar with it. Why the sudden question?"
He replied with a smile.
"You were a junket operator for so many years and you’re not familiar with it? Tch. You got any dirt on hand? If there’s a suitable target, we could set something up. I run a legitimate business here; I don’t want to get tangled up with people like you. Aren’t you just after money? I’m pointing you toward a path to riches, since you came knocking on my door."
Lin Chu’s words were sharp and to the point. He spoke from a condescending position, even seeming arrogant.
Lan Yuzheng... felt a little numb.
He suddenly felt as if his entire background had been seen through completely.
"President Lin, you must have the wrong person."
He continued to deny it.
’This part of my identity can absolutely not be brought out into the open. Whether in political or business circles, if a dark history like this were to be exposed, it would be a huge problem.’
’What official would want to be associated with a junket operator?’
’What legitimate business owner would want to be associated with a junket operator?’
’Besides a true gambling addict.’
’Otherwise, they would all have to consider their own reputation.’
"You’re a real fucking bore. I don’t even mind, so what the hell are you hiding? Who do you think you can fool?"
"You really think the Economic Crimes department doesn’t have a file on you?"
Lin Chu had found his weak spot, and his heart suddenly settled.
’That five hundred thousand was truly money well spent.’
’Later, I’ll have to ask Yang Huixian properly what kind of company it is. How are their information channels so extensive?’
It seemed that Lan Yuzheng himself thought his former identity was a well-kept secret and had likely never been "exposed" before.
Having talked to this point, Lin Chu even faintly felt that it was no longer necessary to bring in Zhou Ming.
’This scoundrel is just a paper tiger!’
By now, Lan Yuzheng had fallen completely silent.
’Economic Crimes?’
’Which Economic Crimes department?’
’It would be a lie to say he wasn’t panicking.’
