Chapter 552 - 326: Homesick, Restraint, and With Money You Can Do as You Please

Chapter 552: Chapter 326: Homesick, Restraint, and With Money You Can Do as You Please

The cruise ship was named the Ocean Harmony, and it belonged to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Company.

It featured a Central Park, an Imperial Corridor, and daily performances of classic Broadway shows.

There was even a giant water park with a spiral slide dozens of meters long that could drop you ten decks in just over ten seconds—an exhilarating thrill.

The price wasn’t even that expensive.

Even with Lin Chu booking a luxury suite that included all activities, it was only ten thousand USD per person for eight days and seven nights.

’Objectively speaking, my current situation isn’t great. Everything’s still up in the air.’

But even so, Lin Chu wasn’t letting it weigh on him.

’Since I’m here, I might as well make the best of it.’

’There isn’t much more I can do right now anyway. Might as well relax and enjoy it.’

’If you divide the world’s civilizations by region, you’ll find there are broadly two types: agrarian and maritime.’

’Agrarian civilizations are driven by a strong sense of anxiety. It seems to be ingrained in the bones of my countrymen—to prepare for a rainy day, to be mindful of danger even in times of peace.’

’But maritime civilizations are largely different. They’re about surprise, adventure, excitement, plunder... going all-in.’

’After experiencing so much, I guess I’ve absorbed a bit of both by now.’

’As long as I’m alive, the sky can’t fall.’

"So, what should we get into?"

Stepping inside the ship, Lin Chu grinned at Liu Chenhui and asked casually. He’d never been on a luxury cruise before, but when it came to having fun, he was a natural.

Scratching his head, Liu Chenhui offered a slightly sheepish smile. "The gym?"

Lin Chu was speechless.

"The gym? Are you kidding me? This is no time for that. Let’s do something exciting. Go get me five hundred thousand US dollars."

They had, of course, brought money with them when they set out. It was all cash, though—not much, just a million US dollars packed into a suitcase.

They’d be reaching the waters off Somalia in two days anyway. With a spending allowance of five hundred thousand a day, he figured they might as well use it.

"Uh, okay."

"I’ll go get it."

Liu Chenhui had never experienced this kind of extravagant lifestyle, but since he was with his boss, he figured he might as well live it up.

"Hurry back. I’ll wait for you here."

Lin Chu said with a smile, his hands in his pockets. He casually found a seat, picked up a book, and started to read at his leisure.

But he couldn’t really get into the book.

He felt a little empty without his phone.

He casually scanned the crowd. It was predominantly white—this was an international cruise, after all—though there were a few Asian faces here and there, mostly with their families in tow.

’I really need to practice my English.’

Shaking his head with a small smile, Lin Chu idly flipped through the magazine in his hands. It was something like a Playboy pictorial. He couldn’t read the words, but the pictures were beautiful enough—easy on the eyes.

Looking at the pictures of sexy Western women, he couldn’t help but think of Dongnya. He sighed, a faint sense of melancholy washing over him.

He had called her yesterday.

She had already seen the news about the "murder incident" online.

She was in tears, a complete sobbing mess.

But there was nothing to be done.

She was sick with worry, but there was nothing she could do to help.

She even offered to come and "face the world" with him, but he had refused.

’I’m on the run, after all.’

’What would it look like, bringing a woman along?’

Yang Huixian, by contrast, was much calmer. Her age and experience showed. After the initial panic, she had quickly composed herself and had already returned to China from Dubai.

She was... faintly starting to carry herself with the air of a don’s wife.

The task Lin Chu had given her was to find all sorts of connections back in the country.

The short-term goal: protect the company’s assets from being seized. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The long-term goal: cultivate a network of connections in high places.

’This was an area I’ve never ventured into before, but now, I have to take that step.’

’Of course, these are just defensive measures. As for how things will develop later, that remains to be seen.’

Besides Yang Huixian...

To develop domestic connections, Lin Chu was also using two other channels: one was Zhou Ming, and the other was You Shaoqiang. He held shares in both their companies. Given the current situation, they had two choices.

First, they could offer a helping hand in his time of need.

Second, they could kick him while he was down.

Either was possible.

’Right now, I can’t guarantee which they’ll choose.’

’But, I suppose it’s a test, in a way.’

’Either way, I’m not pinning all my hopes on them.’

Lin Chu’s bottom line was this: it was fine if they didn’t help. No problem. After all, this was a huge mess, and it was perfectly normal to want to protect yourself.

But if they kicked him while he was down, then once he caught his breath, he would have to have a *serious talk* with them.

Repay kindness with kindness, and enmity with enmity.

For matters concerning his life and fortune, Lin Chu had tasked Wang Zhefei, Liu Junfeng, and Hu Ping’an.

Wang Zhefei was responsible for quickly setting up an intelligence network for information support, starting with solving Lin Chu’s communications and financial channel problems.

Old Liu’s job was to network—to make deals with top international lawyers and find small countries overseas where one could obtain a legitimate public identity.

Hu Ping’an, meanwhile, was setting up safe houses across the globe, establishing various fallback options.

The road is easier to walk with brothers by your side.

These were brothers he could trust absolutely. With his own movements restricted, there was a lot they could accomplish by acting separately.

As for Lu Ming, he was in Dubai, one of their main bases, steadily developing their influence.

He had considered trying to make a deal with the Little Prince, using his power there to give Lin Chu asylum.

But Lin Chu had vetoed that suggestion.

Living under someone else’s protection was no real solution.

Things hadn’t gotten that desperate yet.

In short...

’The current situation isn’t good, but it’s not a total disaster yet. I still have quite a few cards left to play.’