Master Charlie, though nearly seventy, dressed very fashionably in a white suit and a small boater hat, giving him a gentlemanly air.
Moreover, his demeanor lacked the arrogance one might expect from a master, instead possessing an approachable quality that made him seem easy to talk to.
"What should I call you, sir?" Master Charlie asked first upon seeing Su Yu arrive.
He was also observing Su Yu.
The man's appearance was distinctly Eastern, and he looked quite young.
Having been in the jewelry industry for so many years, he had interacted with many Easterners. Based on his experience, he judged this young man before him to be more likely Chinese.
"You can call me Su Yu," Su Yu replied, and at the gesture of a foreign woman, he went to his designated seat.
While it was referred to as a banquet, only Su Yu and Master Charlie were present at the table.
Several people dressed similarly to the foreign woman stood nearby; they were likely staff from the studio.
"Mr. Su Yu, are you from China?" Master Charlie asked tentatively.
"That's right, Master Charlie, you have sharp eyes. I am from China," Su Yu nodded.
"I visited China when I was young. It's a very beautiful country. It's been over ten years since I last saw an old friend from China. May I ask what industry Mr. Su Yu is in?" Master Charlie, seeing that his guess was correct, smiled and spoke in somewhat non-standard Chinese.
In the East Asian market for jewelry, China and South Korea were the largest. Given that China dwarfed South Korea in both land area and population, its market was naturally much larger.
In his youth, when Master Charlie was establishing himself in the industry, he had spent two years in China.
Upon learning that Su Yu was Chinese, he was very pleased to converse with Su Yu in Chinese.
However, seeing how young Su Yu was, yet having acquired the "Meteor Star" diamond from two top jewelry companies, he became very interested in Su Yu's profession.
"I'm just a songwriter," Su Yu said with a light smile.
Charlie was slightly taken aback by this. He then continued, "I don't usually follow the entertainment industry, but the friend I mentioned earlier is in entertainment. Do you know Lin Chaoyang?"
Su Yu raised an eyebrow, then his lips twitched.
How could he not know him?
It seemed his father-in-law's friends truly spanned the entire globe.
Even a jewelry master from South Africa had a connection with him.
"Strictly speaking, he should be my father-in-law," Su Yu said, seeing Master Charlie's confused expression and understanding that the elder did not grasp the meaning of the term. He then translated it into English.
Upon clarifying Su Yu's identity, Master Charlie's face lit up with surprise. "I never expected the recipient of this diamond's wedding to be Lin Chaoyang's daughter!"
"It seems Master Charlie and my father-in-law have a very good relationship," Su Yu asked with a smile.
"Of course. In fact, Lin Chaoyang played a significant role in my current achievements in the industry..."
When he worked in China, he had formed a deep friendship with Lin Chaoyang.
Years ago, while doing jewelry business in China and managing his company's operations in the Chinese region, he faced a formidable competitor. This competitor had hired the most popular stars from Guangnian Entertainment for endorsements. With the boost of star power, the rival company almost pushed Charlie's company out of China.
To ensure his company's survival, Charlie had no choice but to approach Huangchao Entertainment, hoping their artists would endorse his company's products.
He initially expected this to be a very difficult undertaking, assuming Huangchao Entertainment would demand an exorbitant price.
To his surprise, when he visited Huangchao Entertainment, not only did they not take the opportunity to make things difficult for him, but they even had their most popular artists endorse their products.
With Huangchao Entertainment's support, Charlie's fortunes immediately turned around. His performance soared, he gained recognition in the industry, and began to make a name for himself in the jewelry world. Coupled with his own accumulated expertise, he eventually became a top diamond master in the jewelry industry.
Therefore, Charlie held a deep sense of gratitude towards Lin Chaoyang.
Su Yu listened attentively.
Internally, he was quite amused.
He had a hunch why Lin Chaoyang had helped this Charlie.
Huangchao Entertainment and Guangnian Entertainment had always been at odds. Furthermore, in Su Yu's impression, Lin Chaoyang possessed a sharp and discerning eye. He would undoubtedly have recognized something special about Charlie. With Charlie's rival collaborating with Guangnian Entertainment, it was only natural for Lin Chaoyang to agree to cooperate with him.
After all, the enemy of one's enemy is one's friend.
Moreover, given Lin Chaoyang's character, he wouldn't bother with someone without value.
"My father-in-law has always been very willing to help others," Su Yu said after listening, painting a good image of Lin Chaoyang.
Regardless, he felt obliged to praise his father-in-law, even if it was behind his back. It was something a son-in-law should do.
"I couldn't agree more. Of all the people I've met over the years, he is the best," Master Charlie nodded repeatedly.
Perhaps it was the reunion with an old acquaintance, but Master Charlie seemed to have opened up.
He began to recount his past and his experiences to Su Yu.
"Before I turned thirty, my life was very difficult..."
Master Charlie could be considered a late bloomer. In his youth, due to his race, he was not well-received.
Racial discrimination was deeply entrenched in the West at the time. Charlie's entire young life was spent enduring prejudice, and no amount of effort yielded any positive results.
Fortunately, during that period, South Africa had an extraordinary president.
Mandela!
As a Black man himself, he abolished apartheid and advocated for freedom and equality, earning the respect and affection of countless South Africans.
It was precisely because of Mandela's emergence that Charlie, by virtue of his Black identity, was able to overcome discrimination and become a world-class jewelry master.
Not only were South Africans, but people worldwide also respected Mandela's spirit.
"It seems I've been talking too much. The main reason is that knowing you are Lin Chaoyang's son-in-law reminded me of those past events," Master Charlie said, seeing Su Yu listening intently and then shaking his head with a smile, realizing he had been doing all the talking.
"I have benefited greatly from hearing Master Charlie's experiences," Su Yu replied with a smile.
"I had initially planned to simply create a setting for the ring. However, since it's a wedding ring for Lin Chaoyang's daughter, I will definitely put my heart into creating something that will satisfy both of you." Master Charlie took a sip of red wine and gestured for Su Yu to eat while they talked.
"Then I'll trouble you, Master Charlie," Su Yu said, lifting his wine glass slightly.
This was an unexpected surprise. No matter what, Master Charlie was an internationally renowned top jewelry master, and something he crafted with care would undoubtedly be much better than something done carelessly.
"It's my pleasure," Master Charlie said with a smile.
Upon learning the ultimate owner of the diamond, Master Charlie felt immensely gratified.
After all, in his view, Lin Chaoyang was his benefactor, and having his most proud creation serve as a wedding ring for Lin Chaoyang's daughter was the best outcome for him.