Chapter 317 - 230: I Have a Better Idea

Chapter 317: Chapter 230: I Have a Better Idea

Lin Chu suddenly asked in a leisurely tone.

On the other end of the line, Liao Meili was momentarily stunned.

"So, do you like her?"

"Of course I don’t! But I can’t afford to offend her."

"How could you? Nowadays, when other guys hit on me, I just ignore them."

Liao Meili grumbled a little, feeling that Lin Chu was still flirting around. However, she quickly realized her tone had been too harsh and hastily tried to smooth things over. "Well, I guess you just have to play along. What else can you do? But it’s risky. My dad played along one too many times, and that’s why my mom divorced him."

She was still pointedly reminding Lin Chu.

"Don’t worry, okay? I won’t do that. Let me ask you another question."

Lin Chu said, his tone still relaxed.

"Mhm, go ahead."

"If I went bankrupt, lost everything I have now, and even ended up in prison, would you bring me food?"

"Why are you saying things like that out of the blue? Did... did something happen?"

"It’s about what I just told you. That girl whose love turned to hate... her dad is a high-ranking official. Her family has held key positions for three generations in politics."

Lin Chu casually inserted An Yunzhi’s background into the conversation.

Liao Meili was silent for a long moment.

Lin Chu understood her silence. He didn’t wait for her answer, just chuckled casually. "Alright, it’s nothing. Don’t worry, it’s not like I don’t have backers of my own. It’s just a game, that’s all. I can’t ask you to worry about this kind of problem. Let’s leave it at that. I’m hanging up now. Good night."

Liao Meili said softly, "Good night. Then... you be careful."

He hung up the phone.

Lin Chu shook his head and smiled.

’So, why is the divorce rate so high among the rich?’

’There are too many things to consider. You still have to worry about love and bread—if your bread gets smashed, don’t let it affect mine.’

’Who can really be above it all?’

Besides, Lin Chu now felt that many relationships had a sense of destiny to them. Take his relationship with Liao Meili, for example. It began with the "ultimate romance" he had orchestrated at the InterContinental Hotel, but when faced with "real-world problems," the dream-like bubble burst in an instant.

’Of course, there were probably still some feelings there.’

’But those feelings definitely weren’t strong enough to bet a lot on.’

Still, for his part, the phone call had achieved its purpose.

Even if "scandalous news" about him appeared in the headlines tomorrow, she certainly wouldn’t do anything rash.

’—Goddamn, I’m good!’

The call had just ended.

As Lin Chu stood in the wind, gazing at the countless city lights, he suddenly heard the CLICK-CLACK-CLICK of high heels behind him. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He glanced back.

Li Ke’er was also on her phone, walking out hurriedly.

When she saw Lin Chu, her eyes widened slightly. She gave a somewhat unnatural smile and continued her call. "I’m at the bar, clubbing with friends. Friends from Peng City, yeah, through my aunt."

A smirk crept onto Lin Chu’s lips. ’Sounds like her boyfriend is checking up on her.’

’But hey, it’s the entertainment industry. That’s pretty normal.’

"I still haven’t landed that role, so I’m in a really bad mood. Ugh, I don’t think it’s going to happen."

"What good is you trying to comfort me! My aunt isn’t all-powerful, you know. She’s about to become a has-been herself."

"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Okay, you keep working hard, too... I have to go. Bye."

She hung up and shot Lin Chu a small, apologetic smile.

Lin Chu laughed and deliberately teased her, "Boyfriend checking up on you?"

"Of course not!"

"A colleague. A guy best friend."

"I haven’t even made a name for myself yet. What right do I have to be in a relationship?"

"What are you doing out here?"

Li Ke’er explained with a bright smile, casually turning the conversation back to Lin Chu.

"Getting some air. Having a smoke. Want one?"

Lin Chu casually pulled out his cigarette case.

She hesitated for a moment but took it. With a CLICK, she lit it but didn’t inhale, taking a shallow puff and quickly exhaling, even letting out a couple of soft coughs.

The evening wind blew through her long hair, and her pretty face, brushed by a few stray strands, looked all the more enchanting.

But Lin Chu, naturally, was as calm as still water.

Instead, another idea popped into his head.

"Hey."

"What tier of celebrity would you say you are right now?"

Lin Chu lit another cigarette for himself and asked casually.

The question made Li Ke’er a little awkward. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. "Fourth-tier? Or maybe fifth-tier? Or possibly third. I’m not really sure. It feels like there isn’t a clear standard anymore. Public opinion moves so fast, and the trends change in a flash. You can shoot up to the first or second tier if one drama gets popular, but if the next one bombs, you’re right back at the bottom. It’s so hard. Even Master Ye’s last movie flopped, and now he’s shooting short-form web series."

That was news to Lin Chu.

He just shook his head and smiled.

"Alright, I’ll ask again. You sure you don’t have a boyfriend? If not, you could work with me to cook up a scandal. You want fame, and I want fame. I’ll pay to boost the traffic. An insane amount of publicity is just around the corner."

"Of course, it’s just faking a scandal. But if you want to sleep with me, I don’t have any objections to that either."

Lin Chu laid out this "sordid transaction" in a tone as casual as if he were discussing what he had for dinner.

Li Ke’er was stunned.

’Holy crap!’

But when she snapped out of it, she seemed vaguely tempted.

"How would we do it? What would you need me to do?"

She asked, biting her lip.

’It’s not like I have a "pure and innocent" image to maintain. Besides, that persona isn’t even popular anymore. As a female celebrity with a more standard image—pretty face, sweet voice, long legs, and a slim waist—faking a scandal wouldn’t be a big deal. In fact, it would definitely have its benefits.’

Lin Chu could spend millions on a casual night of drinking. If he paid to push traffic, it could truly be called... epic.

After all, boosting online traffic costs money.

And as long as you have money, you can buy as much traffic as you want.

Trending topics all have a clear price tag.

"You don’t have to do much. Just show up with me in public, go shopping together once in a while, or be seen entering and leaving a hotel together. Then we’ll get a few paparazzi to take some pictures and have our people promote it. We can work out the storyline."

"Hey, you’re in the entertainment industry, so you’re the pro at this, right? If you have any professional advice, feel free to share."

Li Ke’er couldn’t help but laugh.

"Okay, I have no problem with that. This is a piece of cake."

"But, uh, are you paying me an appearance fee, or am I paying you?"

She asked, somewhat jokingly.

Lin Chu replied, "We’ll call it even."

She nodded, her smile blooming like a flower. "Deal."

Then she took the initiative, reaching out to give Lin Chu a light high-five.

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