“Don’t you think she’s suitable?” she asked softly. He coolly analyzed in his mind: Hu Liying came from a prestigious family, with considerable wealth and a vast network, which would help him expand his career in the future. She was gentle, wise, and kind-hearted, and would surely play the role of Mrs. Jing well, enhancing his social reputation. Most importantly, she wasn’t like other rich young ladies who were clueless and only knew how to indulge in luxury and wastefulness. Conversations with her were still somewhat interesting.

If this marriage deal could indeed be established, he would not be at a loss.

However, he couldn’t imagine that the person reminding him of this opportunity would be her, the one who had been by his side for many years—pushing him toward another woman. Didn’t she feel uncomfortable about this?

He glared at her, feeling a tumult of emotions within him he couldn’t quite comprehend. “You really hope I pursue Hu Liying seriously, even marry her?”

“I’m just suggesting you might want to consider it.” She met his gaze.

Four pairs of eyes locked in the air, their thoughts complex, emotions entangled, a heavy intertwining, lingering and hard to separate.

They were both testing each other, guessing each other’s thoughts while guarding against being completely understood. Once believing that no one could know the other better than themselves, they now realized there was still a thin veil separating them. Although it was sheer, it was not entirely transparent; their hearts did not truly press against each other, indistinguishable from one another. He had his ambitions, and she had her concerns…

He turned his gaze away, his deep eyes landing on the tall buildings outside, bathed in golden light, finally locking onto the tallest one, the landmark of Taipei.

“Your photos are pretty good,” he suddenly said.

She was taken aback. “What photos?”

“Taipei 101.” He spoke in a cold, flat tone, devoid of any fluctuation. “Deng Yuanhong is indeed a professional photographer, and he really knows how to teach students.”

“Yeah, he is a great teacher.”

“It must be enjoyable being with him, right?”

“Yeah, it’s quite nice.”

He suddenly turned his head, two sharp gazes piercing towards her.

Her heart ached, and she suddenly understood. “You don’t think I want to be with Deng Yuanhong, do you? That’s why I advised you to take your relationship with Hu Liying seriously?” He scoffed.

“Isn’t that the case?” He really didn’t understand her enough.

She sighed with a hint of melancholy.

“Rui.” A brief call conveyed an endless affection, hoping he could understand that she didn’t truly want to push him toward another woman; it was for his own good.

It was simply because she understood him too well, knowing the significance of power and ambition to him, and she was well aware that there wasn’t much she could do to help him.

Besides accompanying him on his downward spiral, what else could she offer him?

And Hu Liying not only had the ability to help him attain everything he desired but also possessed a pure and kind heart that could bring him light.

Only an angel could save a demon king, but unfortunately, she wasn’t one.

Could he understand? She gazed at him in despair.

“I have to go to ‘Fenghua Technology’ this afternoon. When I come back, I want to see you.”

His strong command was his response to her.

He wouldn’t allow her to leave work early and made her wait for him in the office, essentially preventing her from going on a date with Deng Yuanhong. Yes, he was an unreasonable boss, forcing her to stay late and compelling her to accompany him!

He was selfish; he knew it, but this kind of willfulness was cultivated by her. From high school until now, whenever he needed her, she would always be by his side. No matter when he turned around, he could always find her waiting for him somewhere.

He didn’t want her to date Deng Yuanhong; he wouldn’t allow any man to take her away from him. He could tell she had a strong affection for Deng Yuanhong, unlike the other men who had pursued her.

She could very well fall for that guy.

And this realization left him feeling inexplicably anxious, flustered and terrified, not knowing what to do, like a child throwing a tantrum, refusing to let go of his toys.

She was his, his, his…

The tide of emotions surged to its peak, and Jing Rui suddenly lost control, pounding the horn with his fist, the long, sharp sound drawing loud protests from the surrounding drivers.

“What the hell? Who’s making noise?”

He jolted in realization, suddenly aware of what he had done, feeling even darker as he kept a cold face, arriving in front of the ‘Fenghua Technology’ building. He raised his head, squinting slightly, examining this glass curtain building that had clearly cost a fortune to build. It was a symbol of his uncle Wang Guo; during its prime years, it had once been the leading force in Taiwan’s tech industry. Though it had declined now, its strength was still not to be underestimated.

The foundation of this building contained the grievances of his parents, as well as the intertwined blood and tears of his youth. He had vowed long ago to settle this score one day.

Now, it was time.

He stepped into the first-floor lobby and told the receptionist that he had an appointment with the chairman, but only a small administrative secretary came out to greet him.

Jing Rui knew this was his uncle’s way of asserting his authority. Even though he was visiting as the general manager of “Tai Rui,” his uncle still treated him with contempt.

He pursed his lips coldly, not taking it to heart, calmly following the secretary to the meeting room.

“Please wait here, General Manager Jing; I’ll go notify the chairman.”

After the secretary left, he guessed that his uncle would at least make him wait for half an hour. Not wasting time, he took the opportunity to walk around the office, observing the employees’ work conditions.

Just by seeing that most of the sales department employees were idly sitting at their desks without attending to clients, it was clear that the company’s order intake was not good lately, and their performance was concerning. When he returned to the meeting room, there was already a sharply dressed man standing there, dressed head to toe in brand-name clothes, believing himself to be charming and suave.

It was his cousin.