Chapter 615 - 355: A Roomful of Schemers

Chapter 615: Chapter 355: A Roomful of Schemers

As his son’s boss, Lin Chu was warmly received by Lu Ming’s parents the moment he walked in.

Old Lu even used honorifics. Lin Chu had to decline several times before his form of address was changed to "Xiaolin."

It was clear the Lu Family’s decor was quite... old-school.

It was a Chinese-style rosewood decor, the kind favored by the previous generation. The sofas were all hardwood seats carved with dragons, making the whole place look like an imperial palace.

In the most conspicuous spot in the living room was a giant statue of Guan Gong, with incense burning before it.

Lu Ming’s father, Lu JiaSheng, had long limbs but a rather large belly. He was dressed in casual loungewear, but a tattoo was visible at his cuff: the character for "Patience."

It had a very old-school flair.

Sitting on the sofa was another family of three. The man was impeccably dressed in a suit and wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a somewhat refined and scholarly air. The woman was in a cheongsam, looking graceful and elegant. Beside them, their daughter, the "actress" Wen Sui, appeared quite demure and ladylike.

’To be honest...’

’Lu Ming was on a blind date, and his father had insisted on inviting me over at this exact time. It was clearly no coincidence, but a premeditated act.’

’As for the motive, Lin Chu couldn’t figure it out for the moment.’

But since he was already here, he might as well go with the flow. He took a seat calmly and made small talk.

Lu JiaSheng brewed tea and then introduced the two parties.

First, he introduced Lin Chu to his old friend.

"This is my son’s boss, Lin Chu, Mr. Lin. It’s my first time meeting him as well. The two young men started a business together this year. It’s mainly President Lin who’s been guiding my good-for-nothing son and helping him build something for himself. Since President Lin is back in the country and it’s the holidays, I invited him over for a meal."

"Ah Ming is old enough now, and as his boss, you’re also like a big brother to him, so you can help vet things for him."

"You know how it is for a man: first you start a family, then you build your career. It’s easier to establish yourself once you’re settled down."

Lin Chu nodded with a faint smile.

Lu Ming, however, looked a bit stiff. He hadn’t expected such a formal speech from his father and could only respond with a dry laugh, at a loss for words.

"And this here is my old friend of many years, Wen Qiusheng, President Wen. He’s a prominent businessman, from Min Nan, in the trading business... And this is his wife and daughter."

"It’s the holidays, so the more the merrier. But I’ve got gout, so I can’t drink. Tonight is your show. I’ll be the waiter. I’m volunteering to go cook first and serve my old friend, the ladies, our guest, and my son..."

Lu JiaSheng said with a chuckle. There was something slightly comical about it, but the old man had a profound presence that instead made him seem approachable.

"As for alcohol, I’ve quit as well... I’m not kidding, I’ve given up both smoking and drinking. Tonight really is Ah Ming’s show. Uncle Lu, let me give you a hand."

Hearing this, Lin Chu immediately stood up, smiled, placed a hand on Lu JiaSheng’s arm, and prepared to head to the kitchen with him.

’If I say I’m not drinking, I’m not drinking.’

’I didn’t drink when I was eating with my own father and my prospective father-in-law, so there’s no way I’m drinking now.’

’I wouldn’t drink even if the Jade Emperor himself showed up.’

"Dad, Brother Chu is trying for a baby, so he’s quit smoking and drinking. Don’t try to persuade him, it’s no use. We even made a bet. If he has even one drink or one cigarette, he has to call me ’Dad’ a hundred times."

Lu Ming said with a laugh. Although he was trying to smooth things over for Lin Chu, it came off as a bit flippant.

The others couldn’t help but laugh.

Lu JiaSheng glanced at his son, feeling that this foolish boy was still useless and lacked class. But with so many people watching, he didn’t say much and graciously backed down with a smile. "Alright, alright, then sit down. It’s your first time visiting, how could we let the boss work in the kitchen?"

He was surprisingly strong, and he managed to persuade Lin Chu back into his seat.

From this gesture, Lin Chu could glean a thing or two. He sat back down, his expression serene as he observed the others.

"Ah Ming is my subordinate, but he’s also my brother. I’m quite happy for him that he’s on a blind date. Although it’s not really my place to speak here, since Uncle Lu has given me the honor, I’ll say a few words."

"Since this is a blind date, it’s not about casual fun or simple dating. The goal is marriage. A man marries a virtuous wife. Ah Ming’s personality is still a bit flighty, so he needs a capable wife to keep him in line."

With these words, Lin Chu took a very superior stance, truly adopting the air of a "leader."

’Since I’ve been pushed into this position, I naturally have to say things that fit my status.’

Hearing this, Lu Ming was slightly taken aback. He licked his lips and looked at Lin Chu, a bit confused, feeling that Brother Chu was being overly formal, to the point of being a little awkward.

’But on second thought, he started to vaguely grasp the reasoning behind it.’

He chose to remain silent and see how things would unfold.

In the kitchen, Old Lu heard this, exchanged a look with his wife, and raised his eyebrows. His expression screamed, ’This guy knows how to handle things.’

’That’s exactly how it should be said.’

His wife, in return, shot him a playful glare.

The two of them in the kitchen both pricked up their ears, listening to the conversation outside.

"Oh, it’s not that serious. We’re just having a meal. My parents haven’t been back in the country for a long time, and they really just wanted to see their old friends. The blind date for me was just something they mentioned in passing..."

"Can we not talk about this today?"

"Brother Ming and I can talk privately. You’re elders, and you’re a leader, so please don’t add any more pressure... Okay? Dad? President Lin?"

Wen Sui said coquettishly with a sweet smile, showing off a charmingly naive demeanor that was actually quite poised.

’What President Lin just said was a bit too "high and mighty,"’ she thought. ’It was as if I were begging for a blind date with Lu Ming, and even had to prove I was "virtuous." It was a little much, and even my dad had a hard time responding.’

Hearing his daughter’s words, Wen Qiusheng also chuckled and took the graceful exit, looking at Lin Chu. "Haha, today is mainly about the meal. As for the young people’s affairs, let’s let them handle it themselves. We as elders will, in any case, respect their wishes. President Lin... what do you think?"

Lin Chu smiled, patted Lu Ming’s shoulder, and nodded slightly. "The young lady is nice. What did you study?"

Lu Ming: ...

’Bro, you’re laying it on a bit thick now.’

’No, seriously.’

’Are you really getting into the role of my dad now?’

He was roasting him internally, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

’Still, it was actually pretty interesting watching Lin Chu put on an act with everyone.’

’Lu Ming was also starting to find the other family’s motives a bit hard to figure out.’

’At first, when his dad said he was inviting Brother Chu over for dinner, Lu Ming didn’t think much of it. But now, he felt like his dad was using Lin Chu as a sort of touchstone.’

’One, to see what kind of person Lin Chu was and if he was worth his son following.’

’And two, to have Lin Chu check out the other family.’

’Tsk.’

’My own father!’

’My *dear* old dad!’

’Everyone in this room is a schemer.’

’And I’m the only idiot smiling like a fool!’

"I studied dance, and now I’m an actress. I’ve just played three roles."

Wen Sui replied with graceful composure, her eyes sparkling. She was bright and lovely.

Lin Chu nodded, picked up his teacup, but said nothing, actively choosing to remain silent.

’If you want to talk about something, go ahead and say it.’

’If you don’t talk, I won’t ask.’

’If this really is just a simple blind date, then my job here is easy.’

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew slightly silent, and an invisible pressure began to spread.

Lu Ming glanced at Lin Chu, then at the family opposite him, feeling a little awkward.

’But since Brother Chu wasn’t talking, he decided not to say anything either. Just let them think I’m a "mama’s boy"!’

’Damn it!’

’This is a high-level game!’

’Picking up girls, that’s what I’m good at. But this situation right here is genuinely complicated for me. I have to consider my dad’s friendship and face with his old friend, the girl’s dignity, and also what Brother Chu is thinking... Fuck, this problem is too hard!’

’Instead, if any harsh words need to be said, it has to be Brother Chu who says them.’

’It wouldn’t even be appropriate for my dad to do it!’

"President Lin, are you based in Dubai long-term now?"

"I’ve heard a few things before. Your security company cooperated with the local police to protect the local small business owners... That was very well done. People in the know who’ve spoken to me about it are full of praise."

The silence was quickly broken by Wen Qiusheng, who subtly shifted the topic elsewhere.

Lin Chu nodded nonchalantly. "You’re one of the Min Nan people. The Min Nan Chamber of Commerce in Dubai is quite influential. I just had dinner with a few of their chairmen and vice-chairmen a couple of days ago. They all went to Dubai decades ago and built their current fortunes and status from scratch. I personally admire the Min Nan spirit—you have to fight to win..."

Wen Qiusheng offered a few modest, self-deprecating words, and in that moment, he completely understood Lin Chu’s meaning.

’Friends are welcomed with good wine.’

’But if you’re thinking of pulling any funny business, you’d better think twice.’

’Frankly, this attitude was actually quite good. He was the same kind of person as me.’

’After all, when rich people make friends, they first have to get a clear grasp of the other party’s background and origins. Only after understanding their motives and plans do they decide on their own attitude.’

"Yes, yes, doing business overseas is certainly not easy. It’s the same for me... Thirty years ago, across the sea, I started from a small workshop and built it up to a factory with several thousand people. It was an arduous journey, like walking on thin ice."

Wen Qiusheng chimed in with a smile, his posture suddenly relaxing considerably.

’He could see that Lu Ming was merely of above-average talent. His main asset was his good luck in following the right benefactor.’

’But this man before him, Lu Ming’s benefactor, Lin Chu, was definitely a formidable figure. He looked to be under thirty, yet he was extremely seasoned.’

’His bearing, his speech, and his conduct all carried an air of nobility.’

’He was even more reassuring and solid than what the public records suggested.’

"President Wen, what specific business are you in?"

At that moment, hearing the three words, "across the sea," Lin Chu’s interest was piqued, and he actively followed the thread of conversation.

Wen Qiusheng’s eyes flickered slightly. He licked his lips and said with a casual smile, "Mainly contract manufacturing. We make sensors, small chips, that sort of thing... But we’re preparing to shut down the factory now. Ai, I’m getting old, it’s time to retire..."

"Ha, that’s good. Running a physical business is hard work. It’s right to retire when it’s time. When you’re in the eye of the storm, taking a step back opens up a whole new world."

"As for the business in Dubai, I’ve basically handed it over to Ah Ming to manage. I’ll get involved in major matters, but I generally don’t ask about the small stuff."

"Of course, making money is a small matter. Marriage, however, is a major life event. As is health."

"Alright, enough of this. I’m going to see if the food is ready. I’m getting hungry."

Lin Chu slapped his knees, stood up, and walked toward the kitchen.

Wen Qiusheng watched his retreating back, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Lu Ming: ?

’He had a feeling the two of them had discussed something, but if he really tried to think about it, he couldn’t quite figure it out.’

’However, he’d heard Lin Chu’s last sentences loud and clear. Very clearly.’

’Which was—if you want to make money, get some orders, or discuss some other kind of cooperation to make a bit of cash, that’s all fine. It’s not a big deal. But don’t use a blind date as a pretext. That’s just pointless.’

’It was said with such magnanimity and sharpness, without hurting anyone’s pride.’

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