Chapter 168 True King of the Business World
After Xu Tian left the office to return to his own desk outside, Jin Liwei stood up and walked to the glass wall overlooking the bustling business district. His eyes were trained on the concrete buildings and giant flashy logos of various companies, but he wasn't seeing any of them. His mind was elsewhere.
His expression remained cold as usual, but his eyes showed the turmoil within him. He continued standing without moving until the sound of a ringing phone interrupted him.
Quickly reorienting himself, he walked to his desk and pressed a button, picking up the call on speakerphone.
"President, you have a call from Sir Lu Jianhong." It was Xu Tian and he sounded excited.
A trace of surprise flashed in Jin Liwei's eyes. Then his lips curved into a fond smile. "I'll take it," he told his assistant.
The call was transferred.
"Hello? Hello! Hey, Mr. Secretary! Did you really transfer me? How long do I have to wait to speak to that boy! I want to know!" An elderly man's voice boomed over the speakerphone.
Jin Liwei's smile became deeper upon hearing the familiar voice. "Grandfather Lu, it's me."
"There you are, Liwei my boy! How are you? And quit with the 'Grandfather'! I already told you long ago to call me Grandpa! You're just like that pinheaded grandson of mine! All you brothers are the same!"
Inwardly chuckling, Jin Liwei maintained a calm voice as he talked to the elderly man. "Grandpa Lu, to what do I owe this honour of receiving a call from you?"
"Oh, right. I'm calling to let you know that I'm returning to China in a few days…I think. Hai. I was supposed to return weeks ago but my friends here in Greece wanted to throw me farewell parties. I have lots of friends, you know, and each of them hosted a party for me. What can I do? I can't just reject their kindness! So my friends and I partied every day. And before I knew it, weeks have already passed. Ah! That bossy Dupont bastard keeps on badgering and rushing me every single day to return to China immediately! Can't a man enjoy himself with his friends? Bah! What a killjoy! Though I'm not surprised given that he holes himself up in that fortress deep within the mountains every day."Jin Liwei quietly listened to Grandpa Lu's lively complaints. He didn't know who this Dupont bastard was but he figured he must be an impressive figure if he was able to badger and rush someone like Lu Jianhong.
Most people considered Jin Liwei as the current most powerful man in the country's business world. However, this was only the case if Lu Jianhong was not in the country. Now that Lu Jianhong planned to return, the country's business world needed to welcome their true king.
"By the way, Liwei my boy! I heard from Haohao that you now have a girlfriend? And that you're even planning to marry her?"
"Yes, Grandpa Lu. That is true." Jin Liwei's expression became gentler as he thought of his baby girl.
The elderly man's booming laughter echoed throughout the spacious office. "Good! That's good, boy! To be honest, your grandmother and I were deeply worried about you. Both your grandfather and father—bless their souls—are no longer with us, so your grandmother is always fretting that her beloved husband's business genes won't be able to continue after you."
'Business genes?' Jin Liwei fought hard not to laugh out loud.
"You surely inherited your grandfather's head for business. You're even better than your father in leading Jin Corporation. It's just a pity that you didn't inherit your grandfather's level. If that was the case, I could've helped you get admitted to…hai. Never mind that. You're already doing an excellent job in continuing the legacy of your grandfather and I. We're all proud of you, Liwei boy!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Lu. I'll continue to do my best in ensuring the continued success of Jin Corporation," Jin Liwei said seriously.
"That's a good boy! Oh, what I really wanted to say is that I am glad that you're not gay after all! Ahaha!"
Jin Liwei scowled but didn't dare retort."Your grandfather's business genes can now continue to be passed on to the next generation after you. What a great relief! I'm sure that your grandmother and also your mother will be happy. Oh, speaking of them, have you told them about your woman yet?"
He froze for a couple of beats, then his eyes showed a sudden flash of realization. "No, not yet. But I will. Soon."
"Oho~ Why the hesitation? Liwei my boy, is your woman someone that your grandmother and mother wouldn't approve of?"
"My girlfriend is amazing and special."
"That's not an answer, boy!" Grandpa Lu said in a knowing tone. "Fine, let's say that your woman is indeed amazing and special but I bet she's nothing compared to the girl I want to matchmake for my Haohao. I saw a picture of her and she's beautiful. A bit too young so their gap will be a bit big, but she's already an adult so she can make her own decisions. And the most important thing is that the girl is a genius! Ah, I can't wait for them to make me beautiful great-grandbabies! Maybe they'll inherit their mother's brains and become geniuses too!"
Jin Liwei didn't care about this girl Grandpa Lu was trying to matchmake for his Fifth Brother, but he was sure that she would never be able to compare to his baby girl. To him, no other woman could come close to his Xiulan, not even his own mother and grandmother. That was why, he couldn't help but retort this time.
"No. Grandpa Lu, I disagree with you. My girlfriend is the best. She's the real genius."
"Fine, I get it. Of course you think that your own woman is the best. That's the correct mindset if you want to have a peaceful life! But don't be so uptight, boy! You'll age faster, then you wouldn't be able to satisfy your woman. When I return, you must show her to me! I want to meet the girl who managed to ungay you!"
Jin Liwei almost choked. "I'm not gay!"
"Ahahaha! There's nothing wrong with being gay, my boy. In the end, we're all human beings.""I really am not gay," he said through gritted teeth. Then he realized that he had almost the same conversation with his baby girl before.
"Your woman has already ungayed you so of course you're not one anymore."
Jin Liwei closed his eyes and sighed deeply, giving up on trying to reason with Grandpa Lu. He knew that the elderly man was just teasing him. Grandpa Lu was just too mischievous!
"Alright, I'm going to stop now. You're always so serious, Liwei boy! You need to learn how to loosen up!"
"I understand, Grandpa Lu."
"That's a good boy! Oh, I almost forgot! Can you talk to your Fifth Brother? That dunderhead is insisting on flying back to China. He's not completed all his treatment yet! What if he aggravates his body and breaks his neck again? Ah, does he not know that his beloved Grandpa is worried sick about him?! I don't know from who he inherited that hard head of his from!"
'He obviously got it from you,' Jin Liwei thought but didn't say out loud.
"Grandpa Lu, why don't you let Fifth Brother return here if he wants to? His condition has improved greatly. The best hospitals in our country are also great. They can resume the rest of his treatment without any problem."
"Hmm… You may be right, boy. I'll think about it first!"
The two talked some more about other matters before ending the call.Afterwards, Jin Liwei leaned back on his opulent leather seat. Now that the legendary Lu Jianhong was returning, it seemed that the country's business world needed to prepare itself for lots of disturbance and excitement.