I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2253 - 1434: Apocalypse_2

Right then.

She grasped as well that the notion of him being a kept man was most likely utter rubbish.

"Here's my business card."

Though she enjoys playing around, Luck isn't merely a reckless reveler—she promptly grabbed the chance she'd nearly missed and fished out her business card from the sparkling clutch bag.

Hu Die quietly nursed her beverage.

To be frank, while Luck was truly a billionaire, she didn't quite match Jiang Chen's league. Yet, being friendly doesn't equate to elitism; Jiang Chen, capable of bantering with a delivery boy, clearly wouldn't mind if people matched his level or not.

Naturally.

If he stuck strictly to that rule, he'd have no friends at all, given his position—how many peers could exist worldwide?

Jiang Chen accepted the card and even leaned in to examine it carefully—a small gesture revealing genuine courtesy.

In today's world where the wealthy are idolized and the poor scorned, staying distant is easy; the challenge lies in viewing others eye-to-eye from a pedestal.

"Honestly, I run a research outfit that delves into bionic tech too. Perhaps down the line, we can team up with Director Lou of Qicai Technology."

Jiang Chen remarked abruptly, his tone far warmer than at their initial encounter.

Lou Meili felt no shock.

Given his looks and aura, were he actually a gigolo, she'd retract everything she thought.

"Could I inquire about the name of Mr. Jiang's research institute? Is it located in Kyoto or somewhere else?"

Lou Meili seized the moment to probe further, keeping the talk flowing.

"It's in Kyoto. Director Lou, have you heard of it? It's the Tianqi Research Institute."

Tianqi?

Luck froze, her eyes bulging wide, her thoughts roaring chaotically.

Not just heard of it.

It rang like thunder in her ears.

Since Qicai operates in tech, they stay laser-focused on global breakthroughs and top research centers.

Qicai boasts its own R&D teams and facilities, of course.

But Tianqi?

Isn't that a state-backed powerhouse?

Rumors say it gathers prodigies, pulling in elite experts from every domain, featuring famous overseas returnees and even Nobel hopefuls.

And he claims ownership of Tianqi?

As an insider, Lou Meili understood perfectly the insane funding needed; outfits like Tianqi relied solely on government backing, impossible for any single person.

For a split second, she suspected he was bragging!

"Mr. Jiang, which Tianqi do you mean?"

She logically wondered if it was just a name coincidence.

"The Tianqi Research Institute was founded together by Mr. Jiang and the country."

Hu Die interjected.

Jiang Chen stayed quiet.

Evidently, she'd dug deep into his background.

"..."

Hu Die's words left Luck dumbfounded once more.

"Mr. Jiang, are you acquainted with Dr. Lin Zhuzhen?"

"Yes."

Gazing at the composed man, Lou Meili's face grew rigid, her scalp prickled, hot blood rushed upward, her head spun wildly, she wobbled and clutched the bar edge for support.

The prank had escalated wildly.

A guy pretending to be a kept man, but partnering with the state on a research hub, assembling worldwide geniuses, even hiring Lin Zhuzhen—that ultimate intellect seen globally as a national asset.

Then consider the lady supposedly funding him.

No surprise calls hit her dad effortlessly.

Folks in Kyoto had to know.

Could this be...

Stumbling into the divine realm by mistake?

Unaware of Luck's turmoil, Jiang Chen slipped the card into his pocket and accidentally brushed his phone.

His phone buzzed away.

He glanced at it.

Whoa.

A bunch of missed calls.

The blaring bar tunes had masked them completely.

"I need to answer this."

He stood up.

Luck lingered in shock.

Hu Die left her alone.

When Jiang Chen stepped away, Luck recovered, took a deep breath to steady herself, and said, "So you've always been..."

"I wasn't earlier."

Hu Die responded briefly; making the intro was likely a friendly act—people have circles, though hers were quite limited.

Still.

No need for outsiders to learn more.

"So you can stay then?"

Luck wasn't dumb enough to dig deeper; savvy as she was, pushing would yield nothing.

"I'll head out shortly."

Disappointment crossed Luck's features.

Hu Die switched topics, "How did you two cross paths?"

That made sense.

Curiosity was unavoidable.

With no interest at all, no one would crave the gossip.

Luck's face turned awkward and uneasy without a sound—a uncommon look for such a dominant figure.

"You didn't pick him as your next conquest, right?"

Hu Die knew her habits well.

Luck flushed deeper, stammering bashfully; the usual bold businesswoman now resembled a caught schoolgirl.

"How could I tell he was fibbing? I spotted him drinking solo here, he seemed decent, so I struck up a chat, and he claimed he was kept. What man jokes like that? I bought it hook, line, and sinker."

Luck sounded even more forlorn and begrudging.

"Kept?"

"Yes!"

Luck bobbed her head emphatically, "I even saw his benefactress show up afterward. Know her?"

"What did she look like?"

She had to ask.

Hu Die wasn't pretending; the man truly had women everywhere, so even she couldn't pinpoint instantly.

"Gorgeous, poised vibe, friendly to approach, roughly your build, no bling but super elegant, yet down-to-earth..."

Having detailed her fully, Luck asked cautiously, "Ring any bells?"

Hu Die stayed composed.

"That matches Cao Jinse, head of Jiuding Group's strategy division."

Luck reeled in shock, as if struck hard, staring vacantly at Hu Die, unable to believe it.

"Huh?"

Who was Jiuding Group?

Any business player or sizable operator knew.

It masqueraded as a company, but transcended that label entirely.

The strategy unit's role in such a conglomerate was crystal clear to an entrepreneur like Luck.

That lady couldn't be much older than her, could she?

So youthful, yet a key player at Jiuding?

Luck clutched the bar tighter, buying time to process.

"Hu Die, you're pulling my leg, right?"

"Others might tease you, but not me."

Hu Die spoke evenly, maybe coolly, yet as pals, Luck recognized her inner kindness; why else spill all this?

Tripped unwittingly into the celestial halls.

Which implied...

Hu Die counted among the gods too?

Explains her vast network.

"Die, I've been clueless—please watch over me still."

Luck's voice turned super ingratiating.

She got it fully.

Hu Die might trail those innate deities, but serving in their court elevated her to immortal status for us mortals.

Inside heaven's gates, dub me whatever—even a stable hand—and I'd grin; but beyond, what title fits?

"Wrong mark chosen. Didn't you like him?"

Luck gave a wry smile, hand grazing her belly cinched by the gown, "With my figure, he'd notice."

Hu Die lifted her glass.

"He might prefer exactly that."

Spot on.

Boss Jiang lacked this variety—no, category.

"You're trying to kill me."

Luck appeared forlorn, "Jiuding's empress isn't for my frail frame to tangle with. One swat, and poof—I'm gone."

"Didn't you call her warm and approachable?"

"Haha, that's how deities handle ants. But poach her riches, and she'll erase you—vanished forever."

Hu Die took a sip, lips curving faintly, saying nothing.