Chapter 360 - 246: You Don’t Have Enough Money, and You Don’t Have Enough Women Either

Chapter 360: Chapter 246: You Don’t Have Enough Money, and You Don’t Have Enough Women Either

"I know of them. I’ve heard the name."

"Ha... well, that’s hard to say. You could call both of them industry leaders. Their family has stronger overseas connections, while my family... well, we decided to latch onto the big fish decades ago."

Zhu Yixian said, his assessment objective and fair.

"In that case, you should have a few drinks with him later."

Lin Chu said with a smile, patting his shoulder.

...

When Zhuang Yingcheng came over, he saw a large group of men and women gathered there.

After greeting Lin Chu, Lin Chu made a spot for him. He didn’t introduce anyone else, only casually mentioning "Ah Xian."

Zhuang Yingcheng smiled and nodded.

’Whoa!’

’So he really is a dragon crossing the river!’

Yesterday it was Jackie Chan.

Today it’s the Zhu Family, the golf tycoons.

He raised his glass with a grin, toasting both of them in turn before naturally taking a seat. His eyes swept across the room, but he didn’t spot anyone else worthy of special attention. These two were the main event.

"Did you need something from me?"

Lin Chu asked casually.

"Haha, not at all. I’m mainly here to make amends, to apologize. And while I’m at it, have a few drinks and get to know you."

"How about we let bygones be bygones with a smile and a drink? What do you say?"

"Truth be told, there was never any real grudge between us. It was just a small misunderstanding."

Zhuang Yingcheng said with a gangster-like swagger, slinging an arm over Lin Chu’s shoulder.

Lin Chu nodded with a smile and raised his glass. "Alright. I’ll drink to that."

Their acquaintance was still shallow, so naturally, their conversation wouldn’t be deep.

Lin Chu remained nonchalant, watching his performance and treating him as nothing more than a casual acquaintance.

They chatted idly, making small talk.

They continued until another two bottles were finished and the place became too crowded. The group decided it was time to move on. They all left together, planning to hit a nightclub for the next round and experience the nightlife of Xiangjiang. Everyone was clamoring to go, so Lin Chu naturally had no objections.

"President Lin, ride with me! We can talk about something on the way."

Zhuang Yingcheng’s driver had already pulled the car around—a silver Rolls-Royce. He extended the invitation with great enthusiasm.

Gao Haitao walked over, his expression nonchalant.

Tall and imposing, he looked every bit the bodyguard. He watched Lin Chu’s face and eyes, ready to act the instant something seemed wrong.

"Alright. After you."

Lin Chu got in the car. Zhuang Yingcheng smiled and directed Gao Haitao to the front passenger seat, while he himself sat in the back.

The car slowly pulled away.

"Hey, brother up front, no need to worry. Your President Lin and I have some private matters to discuss. Putting up the partition now."

Gao Haitao glanced back. Seeing Lin Chu’s calm expression and slight nod, he said nothing.

Zhuang Yingcheng pressed a button, and the electronic privacy partition rose, sealing the back seat into an isolated space.

He looked at Lin Chu, his face wreathed in a smile.

"President Lin, thank you for your trust. Rest assured, I have no ill intentions. I just want to talk about a business deal with you."

"Let’s hear it."

Lin Chu said, his brow slightly furrowed.

Zhuang Yingcheng laughed, then suddenly reached behind his rear. "What the hell is this? It’s digging into me!"

He complained with a laugh, pulling an all-black gun from the gap in the seat.

Lin Chu: !!!

’What the fuck?’

"Oh, so that’s what it was. Whoops, sorry about that. Not sure when I left it in the car."

"I’m a legal member of the Kowloon Gun Club, you know. I’m a certified safe shooter. IPSC, ever heard of it?"

Zhuang Yingcheng casually held the gun, twirling it and playing with it.

It was terrifying.

Lin Chu could feel his heart begin to race and his face flush.

Objectively speaking, his current composure was a complete act.

He honestly had no idea if the man’s gun was loaded.

Even more, Lin Chu had no idea what he was planning to do.

’This time, I was careless.’

’My mainland mindset screwed me over. Who the hell would’ve thought this idiot would keep a gun in the back seat?’

’And pull it out at a time like this?’

The car was moving at high speed, so jumping out was impossible. Besides, things hadn’t escalated to that point yet.

"I know of it. I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never seen one up close. I’m quite curious. Let me see."

A thousand thoughts raced through Lin Chu’s mind, but he acted nonchalantly, smiling and reaching a hand toward him.

The atmosphere at that moment was actually still relaxed—tense on the inside, but outwardly calm.

"Haha... Let’s not talk about this for now. It’s just a gun. If you want one later, I’ll give you one. Let’s get back to business."

But Zhuang Yingcheng didn’t let go, steering the conversation back on topic, the brilliant smile never leaving his face.

Lin Chu: ...

’Business, my ass!’

’I just met you today, what fucking business is there to talk about?’

Though he was cursing him out in his head, Lin Chu kept the smile on his face and nodded. "Alright. Go ahead."

’Sigh...’

’This must be one of the side effects, one of the costs of freedom.’

Xiangjiang definitely had gun control laws, but due to its history, the degree of freedom and the strictness of enforcement weren’t as severe as on the mainland. That’s why organizations like the IPSC could exist. Even if it was just an air gun, it could still be lethal.

Ultimately, he didn’t dare bet on whether the gun was loaded.

And Zhuang Yingcheng was probably banking on that.

Seeing Lin Chu agree, Zhuang Yingcheng sniffed and said with a grin, "I’m a bit short on cash lately. I was wondering if I could borrow some from you. Are you liquid at the moment? It’s a loan, definitely a loan. I’ll even write you an IOU and pay interest."

Lin Chu: ...

At that moment, a classic movie line surfaced in Lin Chu’s mind: ’You’re extorting me!’

’But what I don’t get is, how does he have the nerve?’

’Is he not afraid of retaliation?’

’Or does he have some hidden ace up his sleeve?’

’And... borrowing money with a gun? You call this *borrowing*?’

The atmosphere inside the car instantly fell silent.

Their eyes met, and a silent battle of wills ensued.

Of course, Lin Chu reined in much of his own aura. After all, the other man was holding a gun.

"You’ve got to be kidding. You’re the Eldest Young Master Zhuang. Do you really need to borrow money from me?"

Lin Chu said with a lighthearted laugh, trying to draw him out.

"But if I were to really ask, would you lend it to me or not?"

Zhuang Yingcheng said with a smile, suddenly raising his hand and pointing the gun at Lin Chu’s chest.

Even now, he could still smile, as if suspended in a state of "Schrödinger’s joke."

"How much?"

Lin Chu asked calmly.

Zhuang Yingcheng: "One hundred million? Yes or no?"

"Yes!"

Lin Chu said through gritted teeth, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yingcheng burst out laughing and tossed the gun to Lin Chu.

"I’m just kidding! Just messing with you. You were really going to lend it to me! You’re a good friend!"

"Sorry about that. It’s a toy gun, loaded with blanks. I’ve got a twisted sense of humor, I know. But this is how you test a friend."

Lin Chu had a feeling now.

’It feels like Zhuang Yingcheng is deliberately trying to piss me off. Or even just offend me?’

’But why?’

...

...