Chapter 492 - 297: Brothers as Each Other’s Tools

Chapter 492: Chapter 297: Brothers as Each Other’s Tools

"Mr. Lin, my name is Li Kexin. I’m from Shanghai. I graduated from the University of Cambridge, where I majored in international economics. I’m fluent in four languages: English, French, German... It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Once they had finished discussing things with Liszt, the translator seized the opportunity to quickly speak to Lin Chu in Chinese.

’Working at an auction house was a pretty good gig. The pay and benefits were decent, putting her firmly in the upper-middle class.’

’But the most important perk was the opportunity to meet all sorts of heavy hitters.’

’After all, most of the world’s money and resources were in their hands.’

’The slightest favor from them could change a person’s entire fortune.’

’Lin Chu wasn’t the first one she’d tried to get to know, and if she kept working here, he wouldn’t be the last.’

’Since their paths had crossed, there was certainly no harm in trying to get acquainted.’

’Assuming he was willing, of course.’

Hearing this, Lin Chu gave a casual nod. "Hello."

’They all want to get to know me.’

What surprised Lin Chu a little, though, was her background. ’A Cambridge graduate is doing this kind of work?’

’And fluent in four languages?’

’Fair enough.’

’I’d heard the unemployment rate was pretty high lately.’

’Besides, this auction house was an internationally renowned company, even if it wasn’t a big name back home.’

"Could I... could I add you on WeChat? Don’t worry, I promise I won’t bother you. I can just give you a heads-up if there are any new auctions. And of course, if there are any items you’re unsure about, you can ask me. I’d be happy to help."

Seeing that Lin Chu didn’t seem to mind, Li Kexin pressed on with a pleasant smile.

’Her supervisor was standing right there, but it didn’t matter.’

’Company policy didn’t forbid becoming friends with clients; in fact, it was encouraged.’

’Besides, my biggest advantage right now is my language skills.’

’They can’t speak Chinese, after all.’

’No one had expected that at this auction, a single person—Lin Chu—would buy all nine lots.’

’It must be fate.’

’It was all fate.’

"Sure."

Lin Chu smiled, taking out his phone to add her on WeChat. "As for the collection, have everything put on my plane tomorrow. The paperwork and everything... that won’t be a problem, will it?"

Lin Chu had no intention of taking his purchases back to China.

After all, he needed to use them soon.

He planned to gift them away to free up some capital.

’But when it came to international shipping and paperwork, I don’t really know much, so I’d better ask.’

"No problem at all, Mr. Lin. And, uh, pardon me for asking, but is it your private jet?"

"If it’s a private jet, that’s perfectly fine. All the paperwork for the collection is in perfect order, allowing for seamless customs clearance worldwide."

"However, we do need to consider the issue of turbulence. We’ll do our best to perfect the protective packaging, but with a plane in the sky, you can never rule out the possibility of extreme weather..."

"Normally, these items are transported by ground or rail, and we have dedicated personnel escort them for the entire journey."

Li Kexin said with a charming smile, her long eyelashes fluttering.

’A top tycoon who drops 2.2 billion in a single auction having a private jet? That makes perfect sense.’

’How have I never heard of a tycoon like him before?’

Hearing this, Lin Chu rubbed his nose.

’That... was a good point.’

’Especially with the porcelain antiques. If one of those were to break, it would be an absolute disaster.’

’The chances were small, but not zero.’

’No, I have to gift them away first.’

’Once the rebate comes through, none of this will matter.’

"Okay, I get it. Just wait for my instructions. We have each other on WeChat, so I’ll think it over and let you know."

"Of course. I’ll be waiting for your instructions."

With the transaction complete, Lin Chu left.

...

"Got a few gifts for you guys. Need you to make a trip to Dubai to pick them up in person."

"We agreed to get together once a month, so let’s do it in Dubai. Try to get here by tomorrow, or the day after at the latest."

After leaving, Lin Chu casually sent a message to the group chat with his closest friends.

Getting the group together once a month was a rule they had established last time in Xiangjiang. They had skipped the previous month because he was away skiing, but now, given the circumstances, he was bringing the tradition back.

’Tsk.’

’I really am just using my buddies as tools.’

’When I want to do my own thing, I just go and do it.’

’But as soon as I need them, I call them up.’

’But... you couldn’t really call it my fault.’

’After all, everyone has their own stuff going on.’

’A fire when gathered, a sky full of stars when scattered—that’s the ideal state.’

’Previously, I was contemplating the topic of "love," and that was a solo "mission." Bringing them along would have been useless; they would have just been a burden.’

The moment he sent the message, the group chat exploded with replies.

Zhang Peng: "I’m in! Booking my ticket now. I just checked, there’s a flight tonight."

Hu Ping’an: "Got it."

Liu Junfeng: "Brother Peng, you’re in Peng City, right? We should go together."

Li Kai: "Me, me, me! Count me in! I’m going too! You two, take me with you!"

Wang Zhefei: "Me too! I’m free!"

Gao Haitao: "I just checked. There are no flights from Peng City. Everyone should come to Xiangjiang first. I’ll pick you guys up at the crossing, and then we can all go together."

Everyone was eager.

They all knew Lin Chu had been traveling for the past two months, having a blast all over the world—road trips, skiing, even special forces training. Lin Chu had posted it all on his social media.

But the friends really hadn’t gotten together much, and it left them feeling a bit empty.

Now... the familiar rhythm was back.

"Alright then, come on, everyone come. Old Gao, you handle the arrangements. I’ll be waiting for you guys."

"@Zhu Yixian, you should come too, man. Come hang out."

This guy was something of a special case in the core group of friends; he rarely, if ever, joined them for their usual escapades.