Free Web NovelChapter 249: Chapter 202: Pulled Off a Mega Stunt
He’d never seen Lin Chu act this way. He was like a devout, "superstitious" follower.
Gao Haitao took a deep breath. It was strange, he had to admit. Everything about Lin Chu was strange today. Still, after a moment of thought, he said, "It’s probably not that serious. President Lin is a sharp guy. He might have some other angle. Let’s just wait and see. No need for us to worry about nothing."
Hu Ping’an licked his lips and nodded.
A faintly menacing glint flickered in his eyes.
...
Inside the office.
Lin Chu methodically brewed some tea, poured him a cup, and then offered him a cigarette, but Master Han waved it away.
Lin Chu didn’t press the issue and lit one for himself.
"That brother of mine, the one who drove us back... what do you make of him, Master Han?"
Lin Chu asked nonchalantly.
Master Han was taken aback. It was... odd. He truly hadn’t expected Lin Chu to suddenly ask about that.
’What’s this?’
’Is he testing my insight?’
"A man of hardship,"
he replied with a serene smile.
Lin Chu chuckled. Whether he had figured it out through observation or "seen" it with his gift, the assessment was a fitting one.
After that, Lin Chu said no more.
He smoked his cigarette, his expression shifting from a frown to a sigh to placid calm, as if wrestling with some internal conflict.
A silence immediately fell over the office.
Master Han waited patiently, but nearly half an hour went by without Lin Chu saying a word. An idea occurred to him, and he asked with a smile, "Is there something weighing on your mind that’s difficult to speak of?"
Lin Chu waved his hand. "No. But, Master, I’d like to trouble you to write a piece of calligraphy for me."
’Hm?’
Master Han was utterly astonished.
’This is what he wanted to ask me?’
He’d met his share of wealthy and powerful people, but he’d never encountered someone with President Lin’s brand of composure.
’He seems like... a non-believer.’
’But why would a non-believer seek me out?’
’Then again, if he were a believer, why would he act like this?’
He was thoroughly baffled, but on the surface, he maintained his faint, smiling expression. "Of course. What would you like me to write? Or shall I choose the words?"
"If you were to choose, what words would you gift me?"
Lin Chu asked with a smile.
Master Han pondered for a moment. "May your seas be calm."
’Those four words were never a bad choice.’
Lin Chu smiled and said breezily, "Those are wonderful words. However, I would like to write: ’Father’s kindness, son’s devotion.’"
Master Han was speechless.
He was now beginning to suspect Lin Chu had ulterior motives. But those four words could just as easily be for his family—for his own son, perhaps, or even his own father.
But no matter how you looked at it, this President Lin was a man who very much had a mind of his own.
’For this President Lin, the request itself isn’t the point.’
’More than likely, he’s just seeking some peace of mind.’
With that calculation, Master Han rose and said with a smile, "It shall be as you wish. Do you have a brush and ink?"
Lin Chu retrieved a brush and ink from his bookshelf, spread out the paper, and invited him to write.
The four words were written in a single, fluid motion.
It was a beautiful piece of running script.
After finishing, he signed his name, though he did not affix a seal.
"Thank you for your trouble, Master. If you would, please give me an account number."
Lin Chu said with a smile, giving him a slight bow.
’That’s... that’s it?’
An indescribable feeling once again rose in Master Han. President Lin’s way of doing things was truly impossible to fathom, bordering on the absurd.
He couldn’t help but smile. "It was nothing. Let’s consider it a matter of fate."
’He’s taking the high road!’
’Makes me look tacky by comparison!’
Lin Chu, of course, just smiled. "It’s only proper. For the trouble of your journey and for your brushwork, a donation is in order."
"There’s no need."
"I have a feeling there is a deeper meaning to your actions, President Lin. But every man has his own path, so I will not pry. If you are truly sincere, please donate the money yourself to someone who needs it. Wealth is like passing clouds to me."
"I will rest here tonight and return to the mountain in the morning."
Hearing this, Lin Chu couldn’t help but regard him in a higher light.
’As expected of someone recommended by Zhou Ming. His principles are quite lofty.’
’Of course...’
’...this attitude of his could also be interpreted another way.’
’—how much could he possibly ask for a single piece of calligraphy? It would be embarrassing to name a high price!’
But as far as Lin Chu was concerned, the matter was concluded perfectly. Right in front of Master Han, he took out his phone, navigated to a charity’s webpage, and donated a hundred thousand, adding a note to the donation: Master Han.
Master Han performed a respectful bow, offered his thanks with a smile, and turned to leave the office.
Lin Chu quickly followed him. "Let me show you to the guest room."
Neither of them spoke on the way, each silently lost in thought. Upon reaching the prepared guest room, Lin Chu used the key card to open the door and bid him farewell with a smile.
Master Han entered the room, still feeling somewhat bewildered as he mulled over the recent events.
’No feng shui reading, no birth chart analysis, no questions about life or death, not even a word about his fortune... just for four words of calligraphy?’
’If not for Zhou Ming’s recommendation, he’d think he was being trifled with.’
And yet, the money President Lin had donated was very real.
’What... was he after?’
He mulled it over and over but still couldn’t make sense of it. As he undressed and lay down on the bed, he suddenly felt something under his pillow.
He looked. It was five gold bars.
Beneath them was a slip of paper.
"My thanks, Master. Please do not overthink things. I am only seeking peace of mind. There is a long road ahead."
Master Han was at a loss for words.
A wry smile touched his lips.
’I’m not the master here!’
’You’re the real master!’
’I’ve truly... been played perfectly.’
To be able to buy such a massive football club at his age... he really wasn’t an ordinary person.
...
「The next day.」
Hu Ping’an received a message from Lin Chu telling him to come to the office. When he arrived, he was shocked to find a framed piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall behind the desk. On it were four words: Father’s kindness, son’s devotion.
’This...’
Hu Ping’an didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
