Lei Ming watched everyone's serious demeanor, acting as if they were receiving important leaders, which made him anxious.
He had only come to chat and connect, not to meet any high-profile figures. He wasn't even prepared.
"Teacher Ma, did you also invite some important leaders?" Lei Ming asked quietly, standing beside Jack Ma.
"No, just watch and see," Jack Ma replied, ignoring Lei Ming afterwards.
Feeling rebuffed, Lei Ming patiently waited with the others.
After about three minutes, which felt like half a century to Lei Ming, the anxious anticipation was quite unsettling.
The first to enter was the national "Little Wang," whom Lei Ming naturally recognized.
What's more, this kid had even argued with him. Once, at a Xiaomi overseas press conference, Lei Ming used broken English to introduce the Xiaomi 4. Little Wang then posted on Weibo criticizing him, saying he shouldn't embarrass himself abroad if his English was poor.
Later, when Lei Ming found out, he specifically called Old Wang, saying, "Your son is even arguing with me."
Old Wang reprimanded Little Wang severely. How dare he argue with Lei Ming, when he should only dare to pick on other celebrities with questionable reputations?
The outcome was predictable. After being thoroughly disciplined by Old Wang, Little Wang quickly deleted the Weibo post and issued a formal apology.
During that period, "Are you okay?" became a popular meme.
As Lei Ming watched with great anticipation, two girls entered. One was Ma Yuqin, whom he knew, and the other he didn't.
This unknown girl was indeed quite beautiful. Following them were Qin Dou and a few others.
"Lin'er, where did you have dinner tonight? Did you eat enough?"
"The food here is good. Lin'er, would you like some late-night snacks?"
"Lin'er, don't you like listening to Uncle Ma sing rock music? Uncle Ma will sing for you now."
As soon as Xia Lin entered, Old Wang and others swarmed her, showing more concern than her own mother.
"Huh?"
The "Lin'er" they were addressing was this young girl?
This person, who was younger than his own daughter, was the leader he had been thinking of?
"Fuck me..."
Lei Ming was internally shocked, bewildered, and found it utterly inconceivable.
Moreover, Jack Ma's smiling face looked so pathetic, like a sycophant trying to curry favor.
If Lei Ming hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.
"Shigu, have a cup of water to quench your thirst." Du Lapite was very thoughtful and handed over a prepared cup of water with a happy trot.
"Thank you," Xia Lin said politely as she took the water.
It was then that Xia Lin noticed Lei Ming standing to the side and exclaimed in surprise, "Leibus?"
"Leibus" was a catchy nickname given to him by his online fans, and Lei Ming gladly accepted it.
"Lin'er, you probably know Mr. Lei, so I won't introduce you further. Mr. Lei, this is Lin'er, a game streamer," Old Wang introduced them personally.
"A game streamer?"
Lei Ming's mind was a bit foggy. It was impossible for her to be just a simple game streamer. Were they fooling him?
"You game streamers can take turns flattering her, groveling without any shame."
Even someone just released from a psychiatric hospital wouldn't believe she was just a simple game streamer.
"Hello Lin'er, it's a pleasure to meet you. How about I treat you all to dinner tomorrow? Since you're all in Kyoto, let me host you." Lei Ming smiled politely and invited Xia Lin.
"Okay," Xia Lin replied after a moment of thought.
She figured she had nothing else to do, and eating anywhere was still eating.
Besides, Xia Lin genuinely admired entrepreneurs like Lei Ming.
Xia Lin stayed in the private room for a while before going upstairs to sleep with Qin Wen and Ma Yuqin, as she couldn't sing and was too embarrassed to even try.
After Xia Lin and her group left, Lei Ming could no longer contain his curiosity. He first pulled Jack Ma aside and asked, "Teacher Ma, just give me a hint, what's going on?"
Lei Ming wasn't someone who dug into things, but the situation was too extraordinary, and his mind was buzzing like a cat scratching. He couldn't be comfortable without understanding.
"Do you remember what I told you about being in Shanghai a while ago?" Jack Ma asked Lei Ming.
"Yes, I remember. It was about that incident with India. After you went to Shanghai, you stopped paying attention to me," Lei Ming nodded, also pointing out Jack Ma's neglect.
Jack Ma glanced at Lei Ming, thinking his way of speaking was so much like a woman's.
It was as if he had done something wrong to him. It wasn't like he hadn't called to explain the situation, and he still held onto such a small matter.
In the end, it was his subordinate Du Lapite who helped.
"I found Du Lapite in Shanghai that time, and we stayed at Lin'er's place during that period," Jack Ma said.
"Is that what I'm asking? I want to know who Lin'er is! Why are you talking in riddles?" Lei Ming was somewhat speechless.
"Am I asking about where I was staying?"
"I'm asking who Lin'er really is."
"Lin'er is Lin'er. She's just a streamer," Jack Ma said with a laugh.
"I freaking..." Lei Ming, a refined gentleman, was about to curse because of Jack Ma.
"If you don't tell me, I'll go ask Old Wang." Lei Ming said, preparing to get up and find Old Wang.
"Don't rush," Jack Ma held Lei Ming back.
"Then will you tell me or not?" Lei Ming asked.
"Sit down. Why are you so impatient?" Jack Ma signaled Lei Ming to sit down and listen slowly.
"If you don't listen patiently to Teacher Ma's lecture, how can you grasp the essence?"
"Lin'er is indeed a streamer, but her brother is the truly awesome one, reaching the pinnacle of power," Jack Ma said in a low voice.
"Hmm? Who is her brother?" Lei Ming asked patiently, seeing that Jack Ma was finally getting to the point.
"I can't say," Jack Ma shook his head.
"Get lost." Lei Ming was completely enraged.
He piqued Lei Ming's interest from the start, then dragged it out, avoiding the main point, and finally revealed a crucial figure, only to tell him he couldn't say?
"Then why were you acting so smug at the beginning?"
Lei Ming suddenly realized how incredibly annoying Jack Ma was, so good at hiding things.
Even Lei Ming, known for his calm demeanor and good temper, was angered by Jack Ma.
"This is indeed a bit too much."
Feeling teased by Jack Ma, Lei Ming couldn't stand it anymore.
Seeing Lei Ming's outburst, Jack Ma shrugged, indicating he was powerless, that some things could be said, and some couldn't.
It was enough for him to mention that Xia Lin's brother was powerful.
Unable to get the answers he wanted, Lei Ming went to ask Old Wang again. Old Wang shook his head, stating it was confidential.
Finally, he set his sights on Jiang Quanshui and Pony Ma, among others. Without exception, they all replied that it was confidential.
Lei Ming:.......
"My mental state has collapsed!"