Chapter 368 - 249: A Slap

Chapter 368: Chapter 249: A Slap

After a moment’s thought, between posturing and playing it safe, Lin Chu chose the former.

"I’ve heard of it, but I don’t pay it much mind. My master went into seclusion long ago. And don’t call me ’senior brother’—I’m not in Xiangjiang to fight, I’m here for business. Just call me Brother."

Lin Chu said casually with a smile, nonchalantly extending his hand to her.

Mo Xiaorou shook his hand, her lips pursed playfully. Her eyes sparkled, still full of curiosity.

"Okay, Brother Chu."

Her voice had a slightly affected, cutesy quality to it, but not overly so. Her Mandarin was standard, but tinged with a Xiangjiang accent that was actually quite pleasant.

"What brings you to this party? And dressed like that?"

"You’re really tall. A girl your height would be taller than me in heels."

Lin Chu found a place to sit, crossing one leg over the other as he chatted with her casually.

’He was... still quite interested.’

’Of course, whether or not he’d be exposed was a problem for later.’

’As long as they didn’t talk about Wing Chun, anything was fair game.’

Mo Xiaorou smiled sweetly. Not shy in the least, she replied gracefully, "I came with my father. He’s over there."

She pointed to a table in the hallway where a few middle-aged men were playing Texas Hold’em.

Lin Chu glanced over but didn’t recognize which man was her father. Not that it mattered. He just smiled and nodded.

’When it came to chatting with girls, Lin Chu had a foolproof secret: strategic silence.’

’Don’t always be the one bringing up topics.’

’Try too hard and you look like a bootlicker.’

’If she’s interested, she’ll find something to talk about, especially in the early stages when you don’t know each other well.’

’Being comfortable with silence is a fundamental skill.’

’Of course, if she wasn’t interested, he had other tricks up his sleeve.’

"So, why did you come to Xiangjiang from Peng City? I feel like a lot of Xiangjiang people are heading to Peng City these days. I was just there last week, shopping with friends. It was a lot of fun."

Just as he’d predicted, Mo Xiaorou started the next topic. Lin Chu grinned at her. "I’m on vacation. It’s just that so many of you are going over there now, it’s too crowded to even shop. So... I figured I’d try a change of scenery."

Hearing this, Mo Xiaorou couldn’t help but let out a tinkling laugh.

After she finished laughing, she asked, "But Xiangjiang has plenty of fun places too... Where have you gone so far?"

"Haven’t been anywhere yet... Sigh, I don’t know the area or anyone. I only just met Jackie Chan, and that’s just because we’re neighbors."

’Lin Chu casually dropped the key piece of information.’

Mo Xiaorou looked at him, her eyelashes fluttering. She immediately understood his implication and said with a radiant smile, "So, I guess you need a local tour guide, then?"

Her words carried a hint of teasing.

’I know what you’re getting at!’

"Hahaha..."

Lin Chu laughed, but instead of taking the bait, he casually changed the subject. "So what do you do for a living?"

’If he agreed too eagerly, his intention of asking her out would be too obvious.’

’When he first came into money, Lin Chu was all about getting straight to the point. Now, though, he was starting to prefer taking his time and savoring the chase.’

’Besides, the girl studied martial arts!’

’Even if she wasn’t a professional, she’d definitely trained before. A rose with thorns. Tsk, winning her heart was the best strategy.’

"I work at a basketball arena."

Hm?

Lin Chu glanced at her, slightly surprised. But then, considering her height... it made sense.

’Although he wasn’t sure if people still studied martial arts anymore, he figured there couldn’t be many.’

’Who was left to carry on the tradition?’

’The times had long since changed.’

’At most, it was just a hobby.’

’Basketball, on the other hand, definitely had a wider reach and was better for making money.’

"Then I guess you could say we’re in the same line of work. I own a golf course."

Lin Chu added with a smile.

"Yeah! They’re both ball sports! Though I work with a big ball, and you work with a small one!"

She was gradually revealing a more youthful, lively side.

The two of them continued to laugh and chat...

A stunningly beautiful woman in a long white dress and Balenciaga heels walked over, her makeup exquisite. She was holding a glass of champagne.

"Excuse me for interrupting, President Lin. I’d like to offer you a toast."

Lin Chu glanced at her, gave a casual nod, picked up his glass, clinked it against hers, and took a small sip.

Mo Xiaorou, looking rather star-struck, said with a quiet laugh, "Hello, Ah Yan. I’m a big fan. I loved your role as the policewoman..."

"Wow, thank you, thank you..."

The two exchanged pleasantries with smiles, giving off a ’fake friends’ vibe. Their enthusiasm seemed a bit forced.

However, the starlet, Ah Yan, took the opportunity to sit down.

"And you are?"

Lin Chu asked casually, his eyes shifting slightly.

"It’s Ah Yan! The 2020 Miss Xiangjiang! You don’t recognize her?"

Mo Xiaorou’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Lin Chu in disbelief.

Lin Chu chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "I do now."

His casual attitude exuded an air of complete indifference. Ah Yan sensed it, but she didn’t seem awkward. Her control over her expression was perfect, and her smile remained radiant.

’A young billionaire naturally had the right to act that way.’

’After all, that slap from earlier had landed squarely on the face of the Zhuang Family’s third young master.’

’He was so ruthless.’

’That was the kind of confidence that came with his net worth.’

"Mr. Lin, I was wondering if I could get to know you? I’m very interested in golf, myself."

she asked again with a smile.

"If you want to play, talk to my assistant. I haven’t handled the day-to-day stuff for a long time, and I’m on vacation right now. See? He’s over there."

Lin Chu pointed to Gao Haitao, who was standing nearby, and smiled politely.

She... uh.

Mo Xiaorou glanced from Ah Yan to Lin Chu and suddenly sensed his aloofness. ’Wow, so this is what a ten-billion-dollar tycoon is like?’

’He wouldn’t even give out his own contact info?’

’That was... uh, pretty dismissive.’

’So... compared to that, he’s actually been really approachable with me.’

Sensing the chill in the air, Ah Yan gave a charming smile, exchanged a couple more polite pleasantries, and stood up. "Well, I won’t disturb you two any longer. See you around, Mr. Lin."

She rose and gracefully took her leave.

Staying any longer would have just been awkward.

Clearly, this Mr. Lin wasn’t interested in her.

Watching her walk away, Mo Xiaorou looked back at Lin Chu. Her lips parted as if to say something, but she held back, letting out a soft sigh instead.

"What are you sighing for?"

Lin Chu asked with a smile.

"It’s nothing. I just suddenly realized how cold and aloof you are..."

"Cold and aloof to Miss Xiangjiang, but not to my little junior sister, is that it?"

Lin Chu watched her with a knowing smile.

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She met his gaze for a few seconds before quickly turning her head away, though the corners of her lips couldn’t help but curl into a small smile.

...

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