Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Friends Are Friends, Brothers Are Brothers
Song followed song, and the bottles kept arriving.
When the second round of drinks arrived, it finally dawned on Liu Junfeng, Li Kai, and the others that all the liquor tonight was, shockingly, Yamazaki 25.
This was just insane.
They subconsciously glanced over at Lin Chu.
Right then, Lin Chu was in the middle of a song. It was a somewhat melancholy tune called "Pasture City," but he sang it with an air of bold confidence.
He was off-key, sure, but he was a true soul singer.
When the song finally ended...
Everyone applauded.
Lin Chu shook his head with a smile, returned to his seat, and leaned back against the warm, fragrant beauties on either side of him.
’Tonight was all about singing. A real "sage time" for me.’
’Double the clarity. I’m being way too virtuous.’
’Time to give the old kidneys a break.’
"A toast to you, Brother Chu."
One of the friends Liu Junfeng had brought along sidled up with a smile, raising his glass.
Lin Chu glanced at him, nodded, and took a small sip from his glass.
The man, in contrast, downed his glass in one go.
"My name is Shi Yan, Brother Chu. I hope you’ll look out for me in the future."
The man, who looked to be in his thirties with slightly graying temples, wore a brilliant, fawning smile, his back constantly bowed.
But in situations like this, age was never the most important thing.
Power was.
Lin Chu had no intention of flexing, so he patted the sofa amiably and said, "Have a seat. Something on your mind?"
"Haha, it’s nothing, nothing at all! I just wanted to get to know you a little better and thank you for your hospitality tonight. Brother Feng and I have been friends for many years. If you ever need anything in the future, Brother Chu, just say the word."
Shi Yan said, smiling politely.
Lin Chu nodded and smiled but didn’t take the bait. "No problem," he said casually. "We’re all friends here."
He gave a sheepish smile.
He could tell Lin Chu wasn’t in the mood to chat.
’If he were, he would have asked something like, "So, what industry are you in?"’
He hemmed and hawed, trying to say something, carrying on a sputtering, one-sided conversation with Lin Chu.
Lin Chu was starting to get annoyed.
But the man wouldn’t get to the point; he just kept pestering him.
Just then, Liu Junfeng seemed to realize what was happening. He squeezed over from the other side of the couch and sat down with a casual air. "What’s all this happy chatter about?"
Lin Chu glanced at him and offered him a cigarette. "In an atmosphere like this, any conversation is a happy one. Go drink your booze. What are you doing crowding around me?"
"I am drinking! But I saw Old Shi over here trying to skip a round. Don’t try that crap with me. Even if you’re hiding next to Brother Chu, you still have to go back and finish your drink."
Wrapping an arm around Shi Yan’s shoulder, Liu Junfeng spoke with a chummy smile.
Shi Yan couldn’t help but laugh along. "Alright, alright, I’m going. A guy can’t even take a short break."
He got up, glass in hand, and went back to his seat.
Liu Junfeng leaned close to Lin Chu’s ear. "This guy is still so clueless. My bad, my bad. I won’t bring him along next time."
He didn’t say what the matter was.
But it was obviously about looking for a project, borrowing money, finding business, or something along those lines.
Lin Chu had already figured it out.
He didn’t say anything more about it, just nodding.
’Everyone falls on hard times.’
’Especially in this economy.’
’By bursting onto the scene and showing off my willingness to spend money like water, it’s inevitable that some people would see me as a fat sheep, or at the very least, a sugar daddy.’
’But it all depends on who’s asking.’
’Friends are one thing, but real brothers are another.’
Lin Chu was very clear on that.
...
In the end, the big bash cost a total of 3.84 million.
All ten bottles of Yamazaki 25 had been brought out.
Toward the end, everyone’s drinking had slowed considerably. They were all in a state of unparalleled shock, but no one said a word.
Liu Junfeng, Lu Ming, and Zhang Peng were already used to it; they knew there was no point in saying anything.
Li Kai just assumed this was how Lin Chu always was.
As for the others, who weren’t as close to him, they obviously didn’t dare to comment. They just came over one by one to offer toasts.
Nearly every girl in the room kept glancing over, as if trying to burn the face of their sugar daddy deep into their memory.
The total on the bill had truly set a new record for Sky City since its grand opening.
Lin Chu was getting tired of the constant stream of people, so he pretended to be drunk. Whenever someone came to offer a toast, he had Fan Wanjun or another girl drink on his behalf.
’I’m tired. I just want to go home and sleep.’
Around midnight, Lin Chu paid the bill on his way to the restroom.
The bill was 3.84 million.
Rebate received: 7.68 million.
’Well, I’ve earned back the money for the company’s rent, with some to spare.’
’Pretty sweet.’
His spirits lifted instantly.
Back in the private room, Lin Chu clapped his hands to pause the music.
"Everyone, I’ve been swamped the last couple of days dealing with the new company, so I’m going to head out first. You all keep partying. I’ve already taken care of the bill. See you all later."
Liu Junfeng quickly stood up. At first, he thought Lin Chu might be upset about how much money was spent, but after a quick look at his expression, that didn’t seem to be the case.
He said with a laugh, "Hey now, you’re the man of the hour. If you leave, the show’s over."
Lin Chu laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Cut the crap. I’ve got a girl waiting for me at home. You guys have your fun, don’t let me be a buzzkill."
’Unbelievable... I even have to give them an easy way out.’
’Where’s the justice in that?’
But Lin Chu couldn’t be bothered to argue.
When Liu Junfeng heard this, he immediately understood. He let out a laugh. "Alright then, you go get to it. We’ll probably call it a night once we finish the drinks here."
"Don’t worry," he added. "I’ll take care of everything here."
Lin Chu nodded. "Later."
With that, he got up and left.
Zhang Peng was right behind him.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Ming followed as well.
’Why the hell would I keep drinking?’
’Even though he was quite taken with the girl he’d been with tonight—he’d even added her on WeChat and was thinking about getting to know her better—how could he stay and have fun when the big boss was leaving?’
’I’d look like a total idiot.’
Fan Wanjun was on one side of Lin Chu, helping him walk, with another girl on his other side. Lin Chu looked from one to the other. "You two don’t need to see me out. You’re getting perfume all over me. Text me when you get some new girls in. I’m busy tonight."
Fan Wanjun looked at him, nodding with a smile. She said with genuine concern, "Be careful on your way out. And don’t worry, I’ll definitely let you know when we do."
She leaned in and gave Lin Chu a kiss on the cheek, then deftly wiped away the lipstick print.
Lin Chu gave her a playful pat on the butt and walked out of the room with a smile.
"Hey, I’m just gonna see him off! Be right back. You guys keep going!"
Liu Junfeng hurried after them.
Seeing this, Li Kai also said a quick word to the others and hurried out the door.
He was going to see him off, too.
...
After seeing Lin Chu off.
Liu Junfeng returned to the private room, his face as black as thunder. He suddenly grabbed a bottle and, with a CRASH, smashed it on the floor.
It startled everyone in the room.
One of the girls even let out a shriek.
"Old Shi! You motherfucker!"
"Are you a fucking idiot?!"
"Is this how you fucking handle things?! This was Brother Chu’s party, a party *I* fucking brought you to, and you go over and try to kiss his ass!"
"Fuck off! We’re done hanging out. Even if you’re desperate to ask the big boss for a favor, who the hell does it the first time they meet? Who does it in a setting like this? And another thing, why didn’t you fucking pay the bill then, huh?! Brother Chu spent nearly four million tonight, and you had to go and make him unhappy? If any of us brothers here really ran into trouble down the line, what would the big boss think of us?"
He had completely flipped, letting loose a torrent of curses, the ’mother’ content of which was remarkably high.
In that moment, all eyes turned to Shi Yan, filled with a sense of indignation.
’He was ruining it for everyone!’
’The bad apple spoiling the bunch!’
...
...
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