Chapter 199: I Don’t Have a Habit of Kneeling and Licking!
"Lin Mu, Young Master Qiao is talking to you!" Jiang Xia snapped, clearly dissatisfied when Lin Mu remained silent.
"With Young Master Qiao’s status, what kind of talent couldn’t he find? The fact that he’s willing to take you on is all because he’s giving us face. Of course," she added, a hint of pride on her face, "your strength is a factor too."
A reserved smile played on Qiao Zishan’s face. From what I heard from Jiang Xia, this Lin Mu seems to be a Martial Artist with decent capabilities, which is why I even considered recruiting him. But most importantly, I want to demonstrate my magnanimity and appreciation for talent in front of Song Wenrou. Otherwise, with my status, what kind of talent couldn’t I find? Forget someone like Lin Mu who merely has some brute strength; I could find plenty of truly top-tier people.
"He’s right, Lin Mu. I heard you’re still jobless. Following Young Master Qiao might not be a bad path," Ye Tong advised earnestly. "You’re not getting any younger, you know. You should have a proper job, shouldn’t you? Otherwise, how are you going to find a girlfriend or buy a house in River City?"
Of course, Ye Tong had her own ulterior motives. After all these years, Wenrou still hadn’t forgotten Lin Mu, and that just wouldn’t do. How could Lin Mu possibly be good enough for Wenrou? As long as Lin Mu starts working for Young Master Qiao, he’ll eventually realize the massive gap between them and naturally give up. Then, from Song Wenrou’s perspective, it would be a choice between the son of River City’s wealthiest man and someone’s minor subordinate. The stronger choice would be obvious.
"Don’t worry," Qiao Zishan said with a faint smile. "Considering you’re an acquaintance of Wenrou, I won’t treat you poorly. As for your compensation, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied."
He could certainly afford a mere Lin Mu. This would not only help Jiang Xia vent her frustration but also win Song Wenrou’s favor. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
Any ordinary person would have been overflowing with gratitude and accepted immediately. After all, the chance to work for Young Master Qiao, even as a mere follower, was an incredible honor—an opportunity many would kill for.
But Lin Mu was different.
Never mind the feud between him and Qiao Zishan. With Lin Mu’s current status as the husband of Qin Luoli, the president of Qin Corporation, there was no way he would work for someone else. He even had his own company.
And besides, was Qiao Zishan even worthy of having the great Master Lin of River City as his enforcer? What a self-important fool.
Seeing Lin Mu shake his head, Jiang Xia’s expression turned ugly.
"Lin Mu, what do you mean by that?" Jiang Xia demanded coldly. "This is a great opportunity. You’d better think it over carefully."
Thinking that Lin Mu was still hung up on Song Wenrou, Ye Tong grew even more anxious. "Lin Mu, do you really want to live your life having achieved nothing? You’re almost thirty. For a man of your age to have no family and no career is a shameful thing."
She looked at him sternly and said, "People will look down on you."
"Hmph, some people just don’t know what’s good for them," Li Ping said with a hint of jealousy. "Just because they can fight a little, they think they’re so special. But this world isn’t a place where fighting gets you everything."
"Indeed," Gu Can added in a sour tone. "A respectable job, a happy family, a blissful love life... you can’t get those things through violence. It’s a pity Young Master Qiao doesn’t think much of us. Otherwise, working for him would be far more promising."
Qiao Zishan chuckled. "If you ladies want to work at my company, I would be more than happy to welcome you. And I definitely wouldn’t shortchange you on compensation."
As the son of the tycoon Qiao Jinghao, Qiao Zishan was no fool. He had started his own company and was, in fact, in need of talent.
"Really?" Li Ping’s eyes lit up. "Young Master Qiao, you have to keep your word."
"Of course. I never go back on my word."
Qiao Zishan’s offer was tempting to Li Ping and the others.
Ye Tong, however, was still focused on Lin Mu. "Lin Mu, hurry up and accept Young Master Qiao’s offer! This is such a rare opportunity."
Jiang Xia also pressed him, "Kid, you’ve hit the jackpot by catching Young Master Qiao’s eye. Anyone else would have kowtowed in gratitude by now."
"Kowtowed in gratitude?" Lin Mu looked at Jiang Xia. "If you want to be someone’s dog, that’s your business. Don’t drag me into it. I don’t have a habit of groveling."
His words immediately made the expressions on Jiang Xia, Ye Tong, and the others darken. Was he saying they were grovelers?
"Lin Mu, what’s that supposed to mean? Who are you calling a dog?" Li Ping glared at him furiously. His words were just too harsh.
Lin Mu shot her a disdainful look. "If you can’t even understand human speech, I suppose you are only fit to be a dog."
"As for you..." Lin Mu’s gaze fell on Jiang Xia, his voice dripping with contempt. "You’re a loser I’ve already beaten. What right do you have to bark in my presence?"
The words struck Jiang Xia like a dagger. He glared at Lin Mu, about to erupt, but Lin Mu simply gave Song Wenrou a nod.
"I’m leaving."
After Lin Mu walked away, the remaining group exchanged awkward glances, their expressions unnatural.
"That Lin Mu is as arrogant as ever," Jiang Xia said, narrowing his eyes.
"Young Master Qiao..." Li Ping began, still fuming.
Qiao Zishan just chuckled. "Everyone has their own aspirations. Let’s not bother with him. Come on, I’ve already booked a room at a fish restaurant by Bolan Riverside. Their fish head dish is excellent. Since we’re here, we might as well give it a try."
He turned to Song Wenrou, his tone softening. "Wenrou, would you prefer to eat first, or have some fun on the river? If you want to go on the river, I can charter a speedboat right now."
"Wow, Young Master Qiao is amazing! Chartering a speedboat must cost a lot, right?" Li Ping exclaimed with envy.
"It’s nothing, just tens of thousands. The important thing is that everyone has fun," Qiao Zishan said nonchalantly, though the pride on his face was impossible to miss.
"Tens of thousands? That’s several months’ salary for me," Gu Can laughed awkwardly.
"That’s nothing," Qiao Zishan said with a dismissive wave, his eyes never leaving Song Wenrou. "In my company, our monthly team-building events easily cost over a hundred thousand. The annual company trip abroad costs enough to buy a small yacht."
His real target, of course, was Song Wenrou. Although the woman he most wanted was River City’s number one beauty, Qin Luoli, a gentle woman like Song Wenrou was good for a bit of fun.
"Sigh, if a certain someone knew how well Young Master Qiao treats his people, I wonder if he’d be green with regret," one of the girls muttered.
Qiao Zishan looked at Song Wenrou again. "Wenrou, why don’t we go have some fun on the river first?"
"Yes! The weather is beautiful today. It’s rare we get to go out, so let’s do it!" Ye Tong urged, her face full of excitement.
Song Wenrou just smiled faintly. "No, thank you. You all go ahead. I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving now."
She turned and called out, "Lin Mu, wait for me!"
Watching Song Wenrou hurry after Lin Mu, the corners of Qiao Zishan’s and the others’ mouths twitched.