Chapter 641 - 368: Public Opinion Storm, Lin Chu’s "Debut", Flaunting Wealth

Chapter 641: Chapter 368: Public Opinion Storm, Lin Chu’s "Debut", Flaunting Wealth

Now that he had the upper hand, Lin Chu naturally intended to press his advantage.

Just then, his phone suddenly rang. A glance at the screen revealed the caller was none other than Li Jingxian.

’He’s right on time.’

’I haven’t even replied to his email, and now he’s calling again.’

A faint smile played on his lips as Lin Chu answered the call with the air of a victor.

"Mr. Lin, hello. This is Li Jingxian. I’m calling on behalf of my boss. What I’m about to say may be a bit long, but I hope you’ll hear me out."

"The current result of the trial is a temporary adjournment while the jury deliberates. However, the murder charge is still being pursued. The facts of the crime are very clear, and if it’s confirmed, you would likely face a prison sentence of twenty years or more... That is the most probable outcome."

"Of course, in terms of practical effect, your countermeasures have been completely effective. Even a global warrant would only be a minor inconvenience given your current capabilities, not a major problem."

"My boss is very impressed with this method of response."

"However, there is actually a simpler way: a letter of pardon. A completely legal pardon document has a fair market price of 3.5 million US Dollars. Its effect is equivalent to the imperial immunity grants of ancient times, capable of absolving all crimes committed within a specific period."

"And my boss has already prepared one for you."

"This is perhaps the point of this lawsuit—the rules. When you are familiar with the rules and are inside the threshold, there are always more suitable, lower-cost methods to handle things. But when you aren’t familiar with them, you can only resort to overwhelming force."

"My boss wants you to become a director at Citibank. Capital is currently the world’s second-greatest power, and the exercise of that power follows its own unique paradigms with high barriers to entry. Furthermore, as a director at Citibank, your status as a Chinese national will be a great convenience for whatever you do next, be it in the East or the West. This is also in preparation for a smooth transition of power within the club."

Li Jingxian’s voice was steady and rational.

But the content of his speech, especially the word "pardon," left Lin Chu momentarily stunned.

’So something like that actually exists!’

But as he came to his senses and processed it, he knew he didn’t need to doubt it. It had to be real.

’I’d never even considered that possibility.’

And yet, it had been part of Liszt’s plan from the very beginning.

What left Lin Chu even more speechless was how cheap this thing was.

’Only 3.5 million US Dollars?’

’And it’s sold publicly?’

In that instant, a thousand thoughts raced through Lin Chu’s mind. He gained a whole new understanding of certain rules. ’This is what it truly means to be able to do whatever you want with money.’

"In that case, these rules are actually meaningless."

"Violence is still the Metarule. There’s no need for me to abandon the primary rule just to learn a bunch of convoluted add-ons."

Lin Chu said calmly, pointing out the biggest bug in this system of rules.

"Humanity’s two most primitive activities are creation and destruction."

"Violence can destroy, but it cannot create."

"My boss anticipated you would have this question. That is his answer."

Li Jingxian quickly replied.

Hearing this, Lin Chu fell silent for a moment. "Citibank. I don’t want to be a director. I want to be a shareholder."

Li Jingxian: "That can be arranged. My boss’s notarized will shall specify this, to take effect after his passing."

Hearing this, Lin Chu was left speechless.

The feeling at that moment was somewhat awkward.

Honestly, he was of course tempted by this kind of wealth, which represented resources and power. He was definitely tempted. After all, this was something money couldn’t buy—it required "standing."

But this business of "inheritance" still made him feel like he was a step below, as if he were just a subordinate waiting to benefit from a patron’s death.

But, in fact, that’s what it was.

’I’ve come this far, there’s no need to get hung up on such things. What’s the point of being so sentimental?’

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chu let out a breath. His gaze fell upon the boundless azure sea where a few white seabirds soared on outstretched wings. A strange tremor of excitement stirred in his heart.

’Citibank?’

’A director?’

Ever since he’d gained the ability to generate money, all he had done was acquire, acquire, and acquire some more, snowballing his assets. He never expected that, having reached this point, he would now have to integrate into—or at least participate in—an independent and colossal system.

Liszt’s intentions in doing this were already very clear.

He wanted him to familiarize himself with the rules.

Objectively speaking, the motive of "grooming" him was now perfectly obvious.

Of course, there might still be a test involved—that he might change his way of thinking in this position, gradually becoming corrupted. But that was a matter for another time.

...

「Three days later.」

A confirmation letter sat quietly in Lin Chu’s inbox, sent from Citibank’s headquarters.

Liszt had exercised his authority as the second-largest individual shareholder to propose that a board seat and a vice president position be given to Lin Chu.

This was formal corporate procedure.

After staring at the email for a while, Lin Chu clicked confirm.

’Come to think of it, this turn of events is pretty absurd.’

’Especially given my nationality.’

’If all goes as expected, once this news is announced, won’t I become the highest-ranking ethnic Chinese person at an overseas corporation in the world?’

After all, even for second-generation immigrants over the past few decades, breaking into the core echelons of local power was a nearly impossible barrier to overcome.

The core management of these major foreign corporations was naturally limited by ethnicity. Immigrants might get to work there, but they could never become part of the innermost circle of decision-makers.