Free Web NovelChapter 282: Chapter 213: Downward Socializing
’What a tool.’
It’s not the rich kids who party that you have to worry about, it’s the ones who try to start a business and end up losing the family fortune.
Lin Chu watched the three of them chatting from a distance. Seeing them grow more and more relaxed, their smiles widening, he figured Lu Ming had actually managed to win over the principal.
Tsk.
’Not bad.’
But he couldn’t help but roast him in his head.
Then again, thinking it over, the investment wasn’t that big. It was just for fun. Lu Ming’s family collected millions in rent every month; this little bit of cash was just a drop in the bucket for them.
Still, he was a little curious.
’What are they talking about?’
...
「Elsewhere.」
Gu Jiayan stood at the edge of the athletic field, watching from a relatively far-off spot.
’Well... this is pretty interesting.’
She hadn’t expected Lin Chu to suddenly enroll in a full-time MBA program here, especially during the golf club’s busiest season.
But, this was Peking University!
Even if the MBA degree was a bit of a joke, this was still Peking University.
What she expected even less was for Lin Chu to be so high-profile about it, even bringing his secretary to class.
Sigh... she felt like she had become the "young master’s study companion," creating a scene straight out of a classical romance—a scholar with a beautiful lady by his side.
But the thought only flickered in her mind for a moment before she quickly dismissed it.
"Hello there. I saw you standing here all by yourself. Would you like to take a picture together?"
Just then, a voice suddenly spoke up from her side.
Gu Jiayan glanced over. It was a suave-looking man in his thirties, dressed in a sharp suit. She had seen him on the main stage earlier; the nameplate on the table had read Tang Rubo. As for what he did, she had no idea.
A lot of people on the field had been taking pictures with him just now.
He was just coming out of the restroom and happened to be passing by.
Of course, it was also possible he had taken a detour specifically to come this way.
An idea suddenly struck Gu Jiayan. She made a few hand signs, pointing to her mouth and then her ear.
A universally understood gesture.
She was implying that she was deaf and mute.
She had specifically learned this set of signs back when she was volunteering at an orphanage, since she needed to communicate with the children.
She had also used it occasionally on the street or in the subway when men tried to hit on her, and it had always worked very well.
Tang Rubo paused for a moment, then gave a polite smile and began signing back. "I know sign language too, and I saw you speaking earlier. My apologies for disturbing you."
Then he turned and walked away.
Gu Jiayan’s mind went blank, and her face instantly flushed bright red.
She hadn’t expected him to know sign language as well.
Getting caught in a little lie like that on the spot was truly mortifying. She wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Glancing at his retreating back, she couldn’t help but look toward Lin Chu, only to see that this Tang fellow was now walking straight toward him.
’Huh?’
’What is he doing?’
A flicker of anxiety sparked in Gu Jiayan’s heart. It wasn’t that she was worried he would snitch on her, but she didn’t want to cause any trouble for Lin Chu.
After all, the man had been sitting on the main stage.
"President Lin, hello."
"I’ve heard of you."
"I didn’t expect to see you here."
Walking up to Lin Chu, Tang Rubo greeted him with a reserved smile. He stood with a relaxed posture, waiting for Lin Chu to take the initiative and offer a handshake.
Lin Chu glanced at him and recognized him as well. He was one of the people on the main stage who had given a speech. Lin Chu didn’t know what he did specifically, but he was probably a distinguished alumnus of Peking University.
Taking the initiative, Lin Chu extended his hand for a shake and smiled. "Hello."
"Should we add each other on WeChat? I think we’re in the same group chat—the one for Mission Hills members."
Tang Rubo said, pulling out his phone.
Lin Chu nodded, smiled, and added him. He didn’t think much of it.
He really had no impression of the man, though.
"Alright, see you around. We should play a round of golf sometime."
After adding him on WeChat, he patted Lin Chu’s shoulder and left just as quickly, looking very brisk and efficient.
His demeanor was very much in line with that of a successful person for whom "time is money."
Lin Chu casually glanced at his WeChat Moments.
He saw that the man was in the automotive industry—a vice president at Jiefei Group.
Lin Chu had heard of Jiefei Group. They specialized in luxury cars and were the domestic distributor for many high-end brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and the Toyota Alphard.
Anyone who knew how high the markups were for the Toyota Alphard in China knew about this company. They were the ones who orchestrated it all, running a monopoly. It was a shady business.
Tsk.
’When I get the chance, I should try to poach him for Lc.’
’If the company needs to procure any vehicles in the future, I could go through him.’
This was how you built a network, after all. Through mutual benefit.
Gu Jiayan had started walking over, but when she saw that Tang Rubo only exchanged a few simple words with Lin Chu, seemingly added him on WeChat, and then left, she figured he probably hadn’t said anything about her.
After a moment’s hesitation, she stopped in her tracks.
’There’s no need to tell him about something so minor.’
’It’s not worth it.’
’I’ll just be the one who lost face. Whatever.’
...
"Brother Chu, it’s a done deal!"
"Damn, Principal Hao... he really is a good principal. He approved it just like that."
Lu Ming came back buzzing with excitement, his face alight with joy as he spoke to Lin Chu.
Ever since he started working and then enrolled in this MBA program, seeing his good friends’ careers all about to take off had left him feeling a bit restless. Now, he was finally getting something started himself.
It felt like something was missing in life if you never tried to start your own business.
When he looked back on this later, he’d have some serious bragging rights.
’From now on, call me President Lu!’
’None of that "Brother Ming," "Ah Ming," or "Xiaoming" bullshit. Show some damn respect.’
’Except for Brother Chu, of course.’
"Alright, congratulations. I guess we’ll have to call you President Lu from now on,"
Lin Chu said with a chuckle. He paused, then lowered his voice. "Don’t mention this to anyone just yet. Let’s talk about it when we all get together for dinner. It would be best to have Old Kong announce it. He’s in on it too, and if it comes out under the university’s name, people will be more receptive. Then I’ll rally some support for you, and it’ll be a done deal."
