Free Web NovelChapter 248: Chapter 202: Pulled Off a Super Big Gig
Hu Ping’an said with a casual laugh.
Gao Haitao chuckled. "Right? Danxia Mountain is a blessed land of the Daoist School. President Lin must have something he wants to ask about."
This sort of thing wasn’t unusual.
Making money depends on good fortune, and business owners, big or small, were all at least a little superstitious.
Hu Ping’an thought of his own circumstances and sighed. "You have a point. When we see him later, I can chat with the Master, too. See what he has to say to me."
Gao Haitao knew a little about his situation.
"Sure thing. Besides, you’ve finally turned a corner after hitting rock bottom. President Lin treats the friends and brothers close to him very well. It won’t take more than a few years for you to get back on your feet. You’re still young, in the prime of your life."
The corners of Hu Ping’an’s mouth turned up slightly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Of course. I really hit a stroke of good luck. What’s that saying again? ’You don’t believe in gods until you’ve known true suffering.’ HAHAHAHA, President Lin is the savior heaven sent to rescue me. My benefactor."
They both couldn’t help but laugh.
They chatted for the rest of the drive.
After arriving at Danxia Mountain and confirming the address, they quickly picked him up.
Master Han appeared to be in his fifties, with a slightly tan complexion and a medium build. When he saw the car that had come to pick him up, he seemed completely unfazed.
After a few casual pleasantries, he got into the back seat. Once the car started moving, he didn’t say another word, simply closing his eyes to rest.
Gao Haitao and Hu Ping’an both found him a bit eccentric, but he had a good disposition, with a very unworldly air about him.
After they had been driving for a while.
"Master, I hope I’m not disturbing you. Mind if we chat for a few minutes?"
Hu Ping’an couldn’t resist. His smile grew wider as he asked in a gentle tone.
Master Han opened his eyes and smiled leisurely. "Of course. Go ahead."
"Haha, no offense intended, but I was wondering... could you give me a reading?"
Hu Ping’an had never interacted with someone like this before, so he asked with a cautious, deferential smile.
Hearing this, Master Han smiled faintly. "I can. After we’ve tended to the main business."
Uh...
Hu Ping’an smiled and nodded, but he still couldn’t get a read on the master.
’He’s probably just a charlatan,’ he secretly thought.
’But he’s someone President Lin specifically invited. We even drove all this way to pick him up, so he must be an honored guest. I’d better not screw this up.’
They stopped at a service area.
Hu Ping’an took over driving.
Gao Haitao, now resting in the passenger seat, looked to the back. "Master Han, do you have any specific requirements for your travel, food, or lodging? We’ll likely reach Peng City after dark, so I can call President Lin and have him make arrangements for you in advance."
He was a thoughtful person.
He had already messaged Lin Chu to let him know they had picked up the master.
From the back seat, Master Han opened his eyes again and smiled. "There’s no need for any special arrangements. I’m happy to go with the flow. I don’t eat beef, wild goose, snakehead fish, loach, or dog meat, but anything else is fine. Additionally, please have a plate of shredded ginger soaked in vinegar and two ounces of white liquor prepared for me."
Upon hearing this, Gao Haitao quickly sent a message to Lin Chu to pass on the report and the arrangements.
As he drove, Hu Ping’an overheard this and thought, ’Seems like he’s pretty particular after all.’
"Master, is there a particular reason for those restrictions?"
he asked with a smile, still trying to find a topic to start a conversation.
"No particular reason. It’s just a habit. Eating meat at night is hard on my digestion."
Hearing this, Hu Ping’an almost burst out laughing, and Gao Haitao was also at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.
And yet, the more he acted like this, the more the two of them felt that this master was... genuinely not putting on an act.
Of course, this lack of pretense could also be the greatest pretense of all.
After this brief exchange, Master Han once again closed his eyes to rest and fell silent.
Gao Haitao actually wanted to ask why a "Cultivator" still used the surname Han and didn’t have a Daoist title or something, but he felt the question would be rather offensive, so he held his tongue.
As night fell, at a little after 8:40 PM, the Rolls-Royce pulled into the club’s parking lot.
Lin Chu was already there to greet them.
A light drizzle was falling from the sky. Lin Chu hadn’t brought anyone with him; he was just holding an umbrella by himself.
He had only come out a few minutes beforehand after getting Gao Haitao’s message, but the gesture showed a distinct formality.
The moment the car came to a stop, Lin Chu immediately walked over, personally holding the umbrella for Master Han.
Seeing this, both Gao Haitao and Hu Ping’an realized how seriously Lin Chu was taking this. They took out spare umbrellas and followed suit.
"Haha, Master Han, it seems the old saying is true. ’When a great man travels, the winds and rains gather.’ You’ve only just arrived in Peng City, and it’s already started to rain."
Lin Chu said with a respectful, welcoming smile.
Master Han glanced at him and replied with an equally polite smile, "You’re the great man here. Your features reveal immense wealth and fortune."
Lin Chu... fought to hold back a laugh.
’Alright, alright.’
’Of course I don’t believe any of this.’
’But if you’re going to put on a show, you have to go all the way.’
’An actor must be dedicated to his craft.’
They walked a short distance to the restaurant where a meal had been arranged—just a few simple dishes, mostly on the lighter side.
Gao Haitao and Hu Ping’an joined them at the table.
Throughout the conversation, Lin Chu showed considerable reverence for the master, a fact that both men noted.
However, they didn’t discuss any serious business during the meal, just chatted idly about this and that.
After the meal was over.
Lin Chu finally revealed his "true purpose." He led Master Han to his office, locked the door from the inside, and cultivated an air of mystery.
Naturally, the other two did not follow them inside.
Their mission successfully completed, Lin Chu even gave each of them a red envelope.
This...
Hu Ping’an and Gao Haitao were taken by surprise again, feeling even more certain of the deep respect Lin Chu held for this master.
"Old Gao, you don’t think President Lin is getting scammed by this master, do you?"
Hu Ping’an asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
’This is all way too formal.’
