Chapter 627 - 361: The Way of Advance and Retreat

Chapter 627: Chapter 361: The Way of Advance and Retreat

The Koaster stopped in the underground garage of the InterContinental Hotel. A large entourage flocked around Liszt as he got out of the vehicle, greeting him as if he were an emperor.

Among the welcoming party, a young man with a particularly aristocratic air was the group’s clear leader.

He wore a sharp, tailored suit, his leather shoes shone, and his hair was impeccably styled. His every move exuded an air of not just wealth, but nobility.

Mere wealth alone couldn’t cultivate such an aura.

It required status.

Having met his fair share of people, Lin Chu was extremely familiar with this kind of presence.

Though there had been no formal introductions, he looked like one of Liszt’s subordinates. However, he didn’t carry himself with fawning respect, appearing more like a partner who was neither servile nor overbearing.

This man’s presence made Lin Chu’s heart stir.

Large multinational corporations, foreign enterprises—no matter the field, they all needed a domestic partner to enter the local market. It was a prerequisite.

Of course, everything both parties did was generally within the bounds of the rules.

But that was the core of it.

It was the same reason he had chosen to keep Ma Lin, whose family had connections in relevant fields, when he first acquired the golf club.

Naturally, for someone of Liszt’s stature, anyone he considered a "partner" would possess extraordinary influence.

In that moment, a single word surfaced in Lin Chu’s mind.

「A moment later.」

Lin Chu didn’t ask. He just listened quietly, and when he heard someone call out "President Ye," his suspicions were confirmed.

"I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I won’t be able to accompany you further," Lin Chu said. "I’ll be in Yang City for the next two days. Mr. Li, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me."

After a moment’s thought, Lin Chu chose to take his leave.

’He felt a subtle, complex emotion, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.’

Of course, this was a perfectly normal situation. He was the same type of person back in Dubai.

’I can’t be such a hypocrite.’

Thinking it was okay for him to do it, but not for others.

It was just that after seeing this man, the space for him to get involved had become extremely limited.

Lin Chu could already predict that even if he managed to force his way in through various means, the outcome would likely be unfavorable.

Bringing in foreign capital legally, partnering with them legally, and earning profits legally... their partnership was, in fact, the legitimate one.

In comparison, he was the one with ulterior motives.

"What about the banquet?"

Liszt asked with a smile, extending an invitation.

But Lin Chu decisively waved his hand, politely declining with another smile. "No, thank you. I’ve been working out lately, so I’m skipping dinner. I’ll be on my way."

He took his leave with a graceful air, got into his car, and rolled up the window. After one last glance back, Lin Chu told Liu Chenhui to drive, and the car slowly pulled away.

"President Lin, what’s the situation?"

Wang Huating asked curiously from the back seat.

Lin Chu had been chatting with their key figure the entire ride. Why was he suddenly leaving now?

’Did they seal the deal?’

’Or did some problem come up?’

He couldn’t read anything from Lin Chu’s expression, which was calm and refined.

"The talks sort of fell apart," Lin Chu said. "As we talked, my thinking on the matter changed. A partnership is highly unlikely."

"But if you’re really set on doing this, we can just start our own project from scratch."

"Like I told you before, you can assemble a team and test the waters with that hospital in Dubai. I’ll fund the whole thing, anyway."

"As for things here... the situation is still unclear."

Lin Chu responded decisively, without a hint of hesitation. In his mind, he had already pronounced any potential medical collaboration with Liszt dead.

’It couldn’t be helped.’

’There were many red lines he always did his best to avoid.’

’If he ever ran into one, he wouldn’t cross it. He’d just turn around and walk away.’

Hearing this, Wang Huating was slightly taken aback, a little shocked. They had only talked for the duration of the car ride, and he had already decided to give up?

Still, for him, even if this deal didn’t work out, there was still the project in Dubai.

He smiled and nodded. "Alright, then. There’s no rush. Let’s focus on the tasks at hand first. Where to next?"

"Time to eat."

"Come on, let’s go crash at a friend’s place for dinner."

Lin Chu thought of Pei Jin. The Xiangyun Sha Factory was currently expanding its production capacity at full tilt to prepare for stocking the upcoming luxury stores. Since Pei Jin didn’t have to worry about sales channels, all he had to do was maintain quality control. He was living the good life right now.

「...」

「Meanwhile.」

"Mr. Li? Why did he leave?"

It was only after Lin Chu had left that Jin Bingzou felt some of his dignity return. He asked quietly as they walked into the room.

When Lin Chu was present, he hadn’t even felt like speaking. He’d been genuinely intimidated.

Now, however, he was just confused.

Everything had been going so well. Why would he just turn around and leave?

It even looked like he was proactively giving up.

’I really don’t get it.’

Liszt gave him a thoughtful look, rubbing his chin, but didn’t respond.

He, of course, had his own assessment of the situation.

To be honest, the move had "impressed" him.

Yes, it had risen to the level of being impressive.

He was certain that Lin Chu’s interest in the medical project was threefold: first, to make money; second, to cultivate a stronger connection with the club; and third, to achieve certain personal objectives.

But upon arriving here, he had turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

The timing of his departure had puzzled Liszt for a moment, but after some thought, he quickly understood.