C21 He Became the Boss out of Thin Air

Gazing at the distant private jet, Lin Luo felt the urge to decline, but the other person didn't leave him any room to do so.

"Boss, please just come with us this one time. If you don't, we're as good as dead."

Lin Luo remained unmoved, prompting the man to resort to a guilt trip.

Despite the other's brashness, which was tinged with a touch of vulnerability, Lin Luo eventually decided to give in.

"Alright, since you've put it that way, I'll join you. But let me be clear, I can't promise that everything will go smoothly."

Lin Luo expressed his concerns, almost as if he feared being blamed should anything go awry.

He was clueless about what the other party was involved in. Going into this situation blindly was likely to be one of his most unique experiences.

Under the man's escort, Lin Luo boarded the private jet. Sitting there, he felt a surprising sense of expansiveness.

It was his first time on a private jet, and he couldn't quite describe the thrill and flutter of excitement he felt.

As Lin Luo surveyed the plane's interior, a hefty book suddenly found its way into his hands.

"Boss, I've prepared almost everything for you. This book details the industries we're involved in. All you need to do is commit it to memory."

For a moment, Lin Luo thought the man was joking about memorizing the content.

The book looked to be several hundred pages, if not a thousand.

Expecting him to read through a thousand pages in a short span was akin to treating him like a total bookworm.

"Are you sure you expect me to read it all? Even with a whole day, I couldn't guarantee I'd get through it."

Lin Luo's words faltered, and his smile turned bitter as he considered the possibility of a joke.

Maybe now he understood why the old man had chosen to pass this role on to him.

The thought of someone of advanced age still having to read daily was indeed a daunting prospect.

"Of course I'm not joking. This represents the entirety of our business. You're my boss; how could I possibly joke with you? I wouldn't dare, not in a million years!"

The man's eyes brimmed with sincerity as he spoke, which made Lin Luo begin to question himself.

Maybe the man wasn't lying; perhaps Lin Luo's own abilities were limited, and he wasn't up to the task at hand.

As Lin Luo wrestled with how to decline the offer gracefully, the man began to elaborate.

"We're short on time. You only need to remember the content of the last few pages. The dispute today was over those pages."

Realizing the conflict was just about the last few pages, Lin Luo breathed a sigh of relief.

He could manage a few pages, but anything more would have been overwhelming.

"Next time something like this comes up, please let me know earlier. Don't drop a bombshell on me; you nearly gave me a heart attack."

Listening to Lin Luo's use of the idiom, the man clapped his hands in excitement, startling Lin Luo in the process.

"Only our boss could be so unique, using idioms so naturally in conversation. You truly are a marvel."

Suddenly showered with praise, Lin Luo almost felt like he was floating on air.

He had never been commended so highly for using a four-character idiom before; it was a peculiar feeling.

Throughout the journey, Lin Luo continued to review the last few pages until he had committed every detail to memory.

At the heart of it all was a pointless argument over an investment in a tourism project.

The crux of the investment issue was the cost of the land.

Some believed it was foolish to spend so much on a piece of land.

Others argued that only by paying a premium could the land's true value be realized.

Lin Luo wasn't sure about the specifics of the land, but judging by the dispute, it must have been prime real estate.

As Lin Luo contemplated this, the private jet descended smoothly. Stepping off the plane, he was greeted by a group of elders.

The elders stood waiting, with a backdrop of robust young men.

Upon seeing Lin Luo, the elders exchanged glances, followed by expressions of frustration.

"I can't believe that old man found a successor so quickly. I admit defeat."

"I thought I could use the land to crush that old man this time, but he had a contingency plan after all."

Hearing their words filled with regret, Lin Luo's confusion only deepened.

What exactly happened? Wasn't he supposed to come here and take charge as the boss? How did he suddenly end up being named the successor?

As Lin Luo was gearing up to inquire, the old man unexpectedly materialized nearby.

Seeing the old man beckoning to him, Lin Luo dashed toward him.

"What's going on, old man? Give me back my Jade Chess. I came here to sell chess pieces, not to fuss over being a boss."

Lin Luo demanded, his hands frantically rummaging through the old man's pockets, only to come up empty.

"Isn't it better for a young man to be a businessman? Instead of fussing over some useless chess pieces, you could be your own boss."

The old man stood there, speaking with an authority that seemed disproportionate to his stature.

Unable to locate the Jade Chess he coveted, Lin Luo eventually admitted defeat.

"Honestly, I'm nothing but a good-for-nothing. By asking me to help manage your company, you might as well have handed it over to a beggar."

Lin Luo was prepared to brush off the matter quickly, resorting to self-deprecation to downplay his own worth.

Listening to Lin Luo's self-deprecating remarks, the old man maintained a calm demeanor, leaving others guessing at his thoughts.

After what seemed like an eternity, applause erupted, leaving Lin Luo bewildered.

In the midst of his confusion, the old man suddenly grasped his hand.

"You truly are my chosen successor, distinct from the rest. I have a business that specializes in debt collection, and your tactic of playing the sympathy card is precisely the approach I've been seeking."

Lin Luo stood there, dumbfounded, only then realizing there was no escaping his fate.

Reluctantly, he followed the old man into the so-called meeting room, where he was greeted by a ring of massage chairs.

"We conduct our meetings in massage chairs. At a certain age, you have to look after your well-being. Taking care of one's health is essential."

The old man enthusiastically explained, and after a lengthy introduction, Lin Luo settled into the red massage chair.

"From this day forward, he will take over my responsibilities. Xiao Men will oversee the specifics."

Upon hearing this, the man beside him nodded with utmost respect and then bowed to Lin Luo.

"Boss, rest assured, I'll be looking after you from now on. With my care, you're sure to improve steadily."