Chapter 287 - 214: When Connections Begin to Form

Chapter 287: Chapter 214: When Connections Begin to Form

"Plus, it’s definitely the way of the future. I think it has a lot of potential."

"Right now, I have a prototype. I’ve brought on three technical guys, and we’re researching the flight control system. I also have some potential talent lined up for the power and mechanical side—people I know from before."

Chen Yuanxing continued his pitch.

If you wanted a major player to invest, these were the details you had to get straight.

Lin Chu offered him a cigarette.

Chen Yuanxing didn’t normally smoke, but he took it anyway.

"You want to start a company, but you’re still coming to school?"

Lin Chu asked, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as he cut right to the heart of the matter.

’If it’s a solid project, I’m not against investing. But the prerequisite is not getting played for a fool.’

’Otherwise, I’d just be a patsy.’

"I actually enrolled in this MBA program three years ago. My company at the time reimbursed the tuition, but I just never got around to attending, so it kept getting deferred. The counselor knows all about it. Hahaha, you could call me the resident MBA holdout."

At that, even Kong Qi couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"Hey, I can vouch for that. He really is."

That reason...

It did hold water.

’He probably wasn’t lying.’

"Let’s talk about this tomorrow. I’ll contact you to set up a time. No rush."

A chaotic event like this was clearly not the time or place for such a discussion, Lin Chu said with a casual smile.

"Great, I’ll wait for your message then. I’ll send you the written proposal first."

Chen Yuanxing knew to quit while he was ahead. Just getting that one sentence was enough to satisfy him.

He quickly sent a project proposal to Lin Chu on WeChat.

...

Li Fangfei was sitting nearby, just to Gu Jiayan’s right, and she had overheard their conversation.

She wasn’t particularly interested in low-altitude aircraft.

’What is that supposed to be?’

Still, the feeling, the atmosphere—it was all quite exciting to her.

It was as if the very air was thick with the scent of money. Everyone was talking about opportunities and startups. Wisdom and ideas collided, forming connections. Perhaps in the future—a few years from now, or even longer—one of these conversations would give birth to a profitable company.

For someone who spent her days toiling away on film sets, this was an immense temptation.

Moreover, her academic background wasn’t particularly strong. Deep down, she felt an instinctive "admiration" for these people.

’The entertainment industry really is in decline now.’

’Celebrities don’t even make as much as streamers anymore.’

Li Fangfei felt a little relieved. ’Maybe this move was the right one after all?’

But in this circle, she first needed to find her own niche.

"President Lin, I’m counting on you from now on. If any good opportunities come up, don’t forget to include me."

She interjected with a beaming smile, her tone naturally light and joking.

’A woman has to show a little vulnerability, say a few nice things. It doesn’t cost anything, and who knows? An opportunity might just come out of it.’

Lin Chu glanced at her and nodded with a smile.

"No problem."

"Actually, I have something I’d like to ask for your help with, too."

"It’s about a production. I’m planning to film a story to promote my Xiangyun Sha business. When the script is done, I’d like you to take a look at it. But there’s no rush, we can discuss it later."

Lin Chu threw her a line as well.

’This woman has some sense. She went to the club once and immediately got the highest-tier membership card.’

’She’s a customer, after all.’

’And she’s a gateway to the entertainment industry.’

’Hou Chengjin’s short-form drama team, to put it bluntly, is just an amateur operation. It needs to be improved in every aspect.’

’It wasn’t that Lin Chu was determined to make a big splash in the entertainment industry. It was just that connections were being formed, and you never knew when they might come in handy.’

’Even if he just wanted to date a celebrity, at least he’d have someone in the industry who could get him the inside scoop.’

"Of course, no problem."

"The Xiangyun Sha is genuinely beautiful, I love it. I’ll be sure to recommend a few more clients to you."

Li Fangfei continued with the pleasantries.

Lin Chu nodded, his smile radiant.

...

Just then, another man holding a wine glass walked over, grinning as he greeted the group and offered a toast.

He looked to be in his thirties, dressed in a black shirt and jeans, with a short buzz cut that gave him a sharp, competent appearance.

He smiled and said, "President Lin, everyone, uh, sorry to interrupt, but I have to leave early. My wife just called and is rushing me home. She said our kid seems to have a cold, so I have to go right away. My apologies."

Lin Chu glanced at him. He didn’t recognize the man and couldn’t recall his name.

’Just another face in the crowd.’

Kong Qi casually replied with a smile, "Cheng Jun, right? Hey, I remember you used to be with DJI Company. These guys were just talking about low-altitude aircraft. But no worries, go on home. We’re all in the group chat anyway."

Cheng Jun paused, slightly taken aback.

’This counselor clearly doesn’t know much about the field.’

’Drones and low-altitude aircraft are two completely different things.’

But of course, he wasn’t going to correct him. He just laughed and said, "I was in sales, hahaha, not very technical. But if anyone needs help with anything, just ask in the group chat."

"I really have to go, my ride is waiting downstairs. I’m heading out now, bye everyone."

Lin Chu and the others smiled, clinked glasses with him, and watched him leave.

Watching his retreating back, Lin Chu’s gaze swept across the room. A peculiar feeling arose within him. ’This must be the greatest value of an MBA program, right?’

’Everyone here has been working for several years, some for over a decade. They aren’t gathered here purely for profit; there’s the veneer of being classmates, and they still have to spend the next two years together.’

’Who knows how many sparks will fly from all this?’

...

The party continued.

Lu Ming’s startup idea received widespread approval, and more details were discussed.

Other small groups began to form as people made new friends and chatted about all sorts of things.

It was like a neural network, with nodes lighting up one by one, forming connections between the points.

As the brightest node of them all, Lin Chu truly drank a great deal.

By the time the party wound down and everyone was satisfied, his steps were slightly unsteady. He leaned on Gu Jiayan’s shoulder as he said his goodbyes, left the restaurant, and got into the car.

Once in the back seat, he smoothly collapsed into her arms.

Gu Jiayan: "..."

Taking a deep breath, she gently touched Lin Chu’s face. His breathing was heavy; he was clearly already asleep.

"Master Gao, should we go... Do you have the key to President Lin’s house?"

she asked, a little nervous.

’How... how am I supposed to handle this?’

Lu Ming had also drunk a lot tonight, and even Kong Qi had had a bit too much. They had both already left in separate cabs.

Gao Haitao chuckled. "I definitely don’t have a key to President Lin’s house. Since he’s this drunk, I’ll have to trouble you to look after him tonight. Let’s take him to a hotel. There’s a Dongfang Wenhua nearby. President Lin usually stays in the presidential suite there—it’s more comfortable than home. I’ll help you get him upstairs. I have a contingency fund, so I’ll go get the room."

Gu Jiayan felt his words were a little strange, as if this had all been arranged in advance. But she didn’t overthink it. After all, Gao Haitao was known for being a very meticulous person.

Taking a deep breath, she said softly, "Okay, thank you for your trouble."

...

...