“My dad told me that there’s a ‘distinguished guest’ coming today. I was wondering who it could be? Turns out it’s just the ‘diner’ who used to stay at our place,” Guo Yaochang said as he spoke, brushing off the dust from his suit as if someone contaminated had just walked in. “Looks like the ‘mark’ I left on your face last time has almost healed!”

“I’ve always had a strong recovery ability since I was a child; my cousin should know that,” Jing Rui replied with a calm tone that betrayed neither joy nor anger.

Instead, Guo Yaochang was annoyed to see him so composed. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to visit my uncle. It’s been so many years since we last met; I thought it was time for a polite visit to check on how he’s been lately.”

“He’s doing fine; you don’t need to pretend to care!”

“I just want to show some filial piety as a nephew.”

“Filial piety? Give me a break!” Guo Yaochang scoffed. “We all remember what you said when you left the Guo family. You said you wouldn’t come back and that one day you’d make us all pay!”

“Did I really say that?” Jing Rui shrugged. “Sorry, I was too young back then and couldn’t control my emotions.”

“So you mean you’re different now, more restrained?” Guo Yaochang squinted, displeased. “What do you really want?”

Jing Rui smiled slightly. “‘Fenghua’ is a nice company, but I seem to have heard that you’ve encountered some financial difficulties due to rapid expansion in recent years?”

“Who said that? ‘Fenghua’ is doing just fine!” Guo Yaochang retorted eagerly, making his desperation even more obvious.

“Oh, really? Then I might have misunderstood,” Jing Rui replied, still smiling calmly. “You know how those bank executives can be sometimes; they speak vaguely and don’t make things clear.”

Guo Yaochang’s anger flared, glaring at him. “Did you come here just to stir up trouble?”

“I already said, it’s just a polite visit.” Jing Rui leisurely took out a business card holder and pulled out a card.

“Please take care of it.”

Guo Yaochang took the card, glanced at it, and curled his lip in disdain. “I heard Yang Pinshen was partnering with you to start a venture capital company. I didn’t expect it to be true.”

“‘Tai Rui’ has been open for several years; is it surprising that you only heard about it now?” Jing Rui replied with a half-smile. “Clearly, we need to work on our reputation.”

“There are so many companies in Taiwan; it’s really troublesome to remember all of them,” Guo Yaochang maliciously interjected, following his cousin’s line of thought.

Jing Rui certainly noticed the intended insult but kept his composure. “Although ‘Tai Rui’ is not large, we’ve been doing quite well these past few years. Besides the funds we raised originally, we’ve earned quite a bit more. Honestly, I feel that our idle funds have become too abundant lately; it’s a waste not to find somewhere to invest. So if your company needs assistance, we’d be happy to help.”

Guo Yaochang was taken aback, eyes wide. “You want ‘Fenghua’ to borrow money from ‘Tai Rui’?”

“We’re not a bank; we don’t provide loans, only investments.”

“Investment? Do you mean buying our company’s stock to become a shareholder?”

“You could say that.”

However, this shareholder would need to have enough shares to take over the board and control the entire management team, but now was not the time to make that clear.

Jing Rui remained indifferent, observing every subtle change in Guo Yaochang’s expression.

“Are you really interested in investing in ‘Fenghua’?” Guo Yaochang asked suspiciously.

“While our company primarily focuses on investing in startups, we’re willing to lend a helping hand to mature companies as long as there’s potential for breakthroughs in the future.”

“What kind of help?!” The prince’s pride was wounded, his frustration evident. “Who would want your help? Don’t think I can’t see your ulterior motives! If I agree to let you in as a shareholder, it’s like inviting a wolf into the henhouse!”

At least he had some brains.

Jing Rui冷ly sneered. “I don’t think this is something you, Vice General Manager Guo, can decide. I believe my uncle, the ‘chairman,’ would be very willing to discuss this with me.” He deliberately emphasized the title, suggesting that Guo Yaochang, the yet-to-be-crowned prince, had no say over the Guo family’s affairs.

This hint drove Guo Yaochang even more insane, and he roared, disregarding his image: “You’re dreaming! My dad won’t talk to you!”

“Then how do you think I ended up here today?” Jing Rui countered with a smile.

“Enough already! It’s not enough that you’re stealing my woman; now you want to take my company too? Tell me! Liying still won’t agree to see me; are you the one causing trouble?” As he spoke, Guo Yaochang suddenly stepped forward, threateningly grabbing his cousin by the collar.

This time, without a lady present to witness, Jing Rui didn’t bother to maintain a gentlemanly demeanor and forcefully pulled off the disrespectful arm.

“So she won’t see you? What a smart woman.”

“You!” Guo Yaochang was like a furious beast, charging again. Jing Rui nimbly dodged, his deep eyes shining with sharp light. “Calm down, cousin.” He half-jokingly soothed while taking out his phone to dial. “Hello, is this Miss Liying? This is Jing Rui.”

Upon realizing he was calling his girlfriend, Guo Yaochang froze, momentarily speechless.

Jing Rui’s expression was icy, but his tone while speaking into the phone was warm enough to melt any woman’s heart. “Here’s the thing: I’m currently with Yaochang; he really wants to talk to you. Would you like to speak with him? … Don’t worry, he’s not threatening me; he’s my cousin. Even though there were some small misunderstandings before, it’s all in the past now… Hmm, you don’t want to? I can understand.”

Hearing his girlfriend refuse to meet him, Guo Yaochang’s face turned pale with anger.

“Oh, right, Miss Liying, if it’s not too abrupt, could I treat you to dinner? I have my eye on a few paintings that are about to go up for auction and would like your opinion… No, please don’t be so modest; I really enjoy hearing your thoughts… Then I’ll see you tonight; I’ll come pick you up.”

After ending the call, Jing Rui leisurely looked at his furious cousin. “Sorry, Yaochang, I did my best, but she doesn’t want to see you; she only wants to see me.”

“Jing Rui!” Guo Yaochang gritted his teeth, ready to throw a punch without a second thought when a sharp voice rang out first. “What’s going on here?”

Finally, here it comes! Jing Rui coldly curled his lips, wiping away all emotions from his eyes, then slowly turned around to face the suddenly appeared elder with a polite smile.

“Uncle, long time no see.”