Chapter 365 - 248: The Way of the Dragon

Chapter 365: Chapter 248: The Way of the Dragon

Each individual incident was newsworthy on its own. Combined, they created an overwhelming wave of publicity over the past few days.

Numerous A-list entertainment media outlets sent requests for interviews.

The buzz on online platforms had yet to die down.

Even his father, far away in his hometown, had heard about it and sent a special message asking about everything.

During the two days he hadn’t streamed, his TikTok follower count had grown by over a million each day.

Now, it was already approaching eight million.

The company staff had also noticed something unusual. A female streamer named Yaoyao was riding his coattails, claiming to be Lin Chu’s ex-girlfriend. She posted on various social media platforms, her posts filled with reminiscences about the wonderful times they had when they were dating. Her words were laced with regret, saying that she had been young and foolish back then, mistaking a good man for a bad one.

Lin Chu took a look.

He saw that in her "memoir," she had deliberately blurred the timeline and embellished many details, but she hadn’t revealed much about his past. So, he decided to ignore it.

’When one person makes it, everyone around them tries to cash in, is that it?’

’Let her be.’

’Whatever.’

’How long has it been, anyway?’

’Feels like a lifetime ago.’

At that moment, Lin Chu, with Gao Haitao in tow, arrived outside Jackie Chan’s home.

He was hosting a party. Although Lin Chu didn’t know how big it would be, he had been invited a while ago, so of course, he had to come.

Lin Chu hadn’t told him about the incident with Zhuang Yingcheng.

There was no need.

When that gun was pressed against him, the shackles he’d broken were far more than he had realized at the time. The more Lin Chu thought about it, the more he understood what it meant to be a badass.

’Don’t make unnecessary enemies, but never be afraid of anything.’

’In that vein...’

’Looking back...’

’For example, when I was dealing with Lan Yuzheng, I really could have just sent a dump truck after him. The motherfucker was trying to blackmail me at my own doorstep, and I was still thinking about keeping things peaceful to make money?’

’And another example, that speech I gave to the Peking University MBA class—I could have been much bolder. It was just a speech. It’s not like they would’ve executed me for it, right?’

’And with that low-altitude aircraft project, when I had dinner with Li Bin and that group of Peking University professors, I could have afforded to be more defiant, more flamboyant.’

Of course, these were all recent realizations. Now that he was worth tens of billions, he had so much more than before, and with it, more confidence.

In the end, money is a man’s courage.

"Mr. Lin, you’re here."

"Please, come in."

The majordomo he had met last time, flanked by two bright and lovely women, was greeting guests at the door. Seeing Lin Chu approach, she smiled warmly and greeted him.

Lin Chu nodded with a smile, exchanged a few pleasantries, and after entering, was led by one of the women straight to the backyard.

The backyard held the garden and swimming pool.

A band was currently performing. It was a small chamber orchestra of six or seven people, with a very Western feel.

There weren’t many people there, either—just a dozen or so. There were middle-aged people and young people, gathered in small groups of two or three.

A few women in bikinis were splashing around in the pool, their cheerful laughter indicating they were having a great time.

"Godfather is in the conference room handling some things. He should be out soon. Please make yourself at home, Mr. Lin."

"I have to go greet the other guests now," the woman said with a smile.

Lin Chu nodded. He had a faint suspicion. ’Is he mediating for the Zhuang Family’s three brothers?’

’Heh, that’s what happens when you’re a big shot.’

’Always playing the peacemaker.’

He certainly wasn’t going to get involved in that kind of business. He found an empty seat, picked up a glass of champagne, and took a small sip.

"This is so high-class. Too bad there’s no barbecue," Gao Haitao whispered jokingly.

This kind of Western-style, high-society party felt more like a business cocktail reception. It seemed stuffy, making it hard to really let loose and have fun.

Everyone was putting on airs, their smiles reserved and elegant, adhering to a strict, unspoken etiquette.

Lin Chu couldn’t help but nod and smile.

’That’s just how it is. All very proper, but nothing particularly amazing. Just a bunch of people eating, drinking, listening to music, and shooting the shit.’

After all, while Jackie Chan had a lot of pull, he was also older. His parties weren’t as wild as those thrown by young people.

A short while later, Jackie Chan emerged from the house with a dozen or so people. In the crowd behind him, Zhuang Yingcheng was conspicuously present, along with a mix of old and young faces. ’Looks like the mediation is over?’ Lin Chu wondered.

After scanning the area, greeting everyone he passed, and hugging two blond, blue-eyed foreigners, Jackie Chan walked straight toward Lin Chu.

He shook his hand with a smile.

"How do you like it?"

Lin Chu smiled. "The atmosphere is great. I just don’t know anyone."

Jackie Chan laughed out loud. "That’s easy to fix. Come, I’ll introduce you."

He took Lin Chu’s arm, walked over to the band, and took the microphone. "My dear friends, I’d like to introduce tonight’s guest of honor, Lin Chu from Peng City. He’s the owner of a golf club, a young and promising man."

"He just arrived in Xiangjiang, and this party today is mainly to celebrate his housewarming and to get together with all you old friends."

Lin Chu: ?

’This is a big deal?’

For a moment, Lin Chu didn’t know if this was how Jackie Chan treated every "new friend," or if it was a special, enthusiastic welcome just for him.

’But it’s no big deal.’

’Even at a gathering of friends, when a new person shows up, the host is expected to make an introduction.’

"Come on, let’s welcome Lin Chu to say a few words."

After speaking, Jackie Chan smiled and handed the microphone to Lin Chu.

The moment he took the microphone, Lin Chu snapped into form. A strange idea sparked in his mind.

’It’s a party, right? Time to get wild!’

’Party however you want to party!’

He put the microphone on its stand, brought his hands together in a fist-and-palm salute, and swept a serious gaze over the crowd. He took a breath and announced, "Wing Chun. Peng City. Lin Chu."

Jackie Chan: ???

He was completely stunned.

’What’s going on?’

’Why is he suddenly... talking about Wing Chun?’

’Judging by his stance, Lin Chu definitely hasn’t studied kung fu. His hands, too... no, there are no signs. So why would he introduce himself like that?’

PFFT!

Gao Haitao burst out laughing. He got it instantly. Brother Chu was making a meme reference—the "Wing Chun, Yip Man" line.

’What a guy!’

’To be so damn cheeky in front of so many people.’

At that moment, the onlookers broke into discussion, whispering amongst themselves.

’Wing Chun?’

’If he comes from a martial arts background, that would make sense.’

’No wonder Jackie Chan introduced him so formally and even threw a housewarming party for him.’

"Anything else?" Jackie Chan asked again.

He even glanced around the crowd to see if any of the guests practiced Wing Chun. Apparently not.

Lin Chu thought for a moment, then added, "Other than that, I just do business. I’m 24, and as for money... well, about ten billion."

Jackie Chan: ?

Ten billion?

In that instant, it was as if a silencing spell had been cast over the party. All sound ceased. Everyone’s eyes went wide as they stared at the stage.

Ten billion!

"Whoa, do you really have that much? Boss, even I don’t have as much money as you! Hey, hey, be a little more low-key, or you’ll get yourself kidnapped!" Jackie Chan teased with a joking tone.

The others immediately burst into laughter.

Lin Chu pursed his lips and grinned. "Hey, you asked, so I had to tell the truth. I’m a man who never lies. Very honest."

"Anyway, please remember me: Lin Chu from Peng City. A young, ten-billion-dollar billionaire, a man of both wealth and talent. Thank you, thank you."

With his performance complete, Lin Chu slung an arm around Jackie Chan’s shoulder and walked off the stage, a brilliant smile plastered on his face.

’Showing off like that felt so good.’

’As for flaunting my wealth... am I really flaunting?’

’I really have it!’

’Can’t I be a little cheeky about it?’

’A place like Xiangjiang is all about freedom. Absolute freedom.’

’I never really got to go wild in Peng City. Now that I’m here, I have to let loose!’

’As for security, there’s no need to worry at all.’

’Over the past two days, Gao Haitao has already put together a security team. Even Zhang Ziqiang would have to kneel if he showed up, and I mean it!’

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