When Jing Rui appeared at the party, as usual, he instantly became the center of attention.

He was tall and had a face more handsome than any celebrity’s, with features as if they were sculpted by a master artist. The proportions of his features seemed to be the result of hundreds of scientific experiments, finally yielding the most perfect DNA, flawless in every way.

However, such handsomeness required the right aura to complement it; just a slight misalignment would make him appear too alluring, too effeminate, too unmanly.

But Jing Rui possessed a certain exquisite and cold aura that was mesmerizing yet kept people at a distance. His expression was indifferent, his gaze profound. He didn’t resemble a six-winged angel from heaven, but rather a fallen demon king from the depths of hell.

That night, Jing Rui wore a black suit, with the collar of his white dress shirt standing up, and a thin black tie. The combination of black and white perfectly complemented his contradictory appearance.

Jiang Yuyan quietly moved to the side, creating some distance between them.

“Where are you going?” he asked in a low voice.

“Do you even need to ask? I have to work.” She smiled sweetly and flicked her dyed wig. “I’ve already found my target.”

“Is that so?” Jing Rui didn’t stop her and moved in a different direction, pretending they were strangers.

He walked calmly, capturing the admiring gazes of those in the hall, and approached an elderly gentleman with graying hair. “Mr. Luo, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yes, quite unexpected.” Mr. Luo seemed a bit uneasy upon seeing him and glanced quickly around the room.

He’s probably looking for that last-minute buyer.

Jing Rui smirked knowingly and took two glasses of wine from a passing waiter. “Why? Did you see someone you know?”

“No, not really.” Mr. Luo accepted the glass Jing Rui handed him, smiling awkwardly. “I think I might have mistaken someone.”

“Perfect, I have a lot to discuss with you.” Jing Rui swirled his wine glass. “Let’s have a drink to our future cooperation.”

“Sure, sure.” Mr. Luo hurriedly drank his wine.

Jing Rui deliberately engaged him in small talk, always steering the conversation back to their cooperation. “…We had a meeting with our partners a few days ago, and they’re all very optimistic about your company. Although you’ve faced some operational challenges and difficulties with financing recently, with Tai Rui’s investment, the future looks promising. Even our Chairman Yang has praised the progress your research department has made in recent years.”

“Chairman Yang? You mean Yang Renkai, the chairman of Taiya Group?”

“No, I mean his son, Yang Pinshen.” Jing Rui smiled. “Pinshen is the chairman of Tai Rui. I thought you knew.”

“Right, right, I think I’ve heard that.” Mr. Luo nodded repeatedly, sweat starting to dampen his temples. For some reason, he felt immense pressure from the young man in front of him. “But you’ve always been the one I’ve communicated with, so…”

“That’s fine, Pinshen trusts me. If I say a project is okay, he’ll support it.”

“Good, good.”

Jing Rui leisurely observed the old man in front of him, noticing his panicked expression. Clearly, he had something to hide.

Mr. Luo was an honest man who had worked hard over the years to gradually build up his company’s capital. He had a good eye for business and knew how to cultivate talent, but in this fast-paced society, he lacked decisiveness.

Jing Rui’s plan was to use Tai Rui’s investment to help Luo’s company transform its operations. At the right time, they would spin off the most promising technology department to form a new subsidiary, with all its management appointed by Tai Rui. The chairman of the parent company would also have to be replaced.

It might sound ruthless, but this old man, who couldn’t keep up with the times, was no longer fit to lead a company.

Could it be that Mr. Luo had sensed his intentions and was secretly looking for another buyer?

Jing Rui pondered without any emotion, when suddenly, his phone vibrated silently in his suit pocket.

Without drawing attention, he took it out and checked the message—

“Have Mr. Luo say hello to me.”

It was a text from Jiang Yuyan.

He raised his eyes, searching for her in the crowd. Within seconds, his gaze locked onto her—this seemed to be his superpower; he could always find her quickly.

He smiled faintly and patted Mr. Luo on the shoulder. “Mr. Luo, do you see that woman over there?”

“What woman?” Mr. Luo followed his gaze, landing on a woman with wavy hair, dressed in a red, low-cut gown that burned like flames in the eyes of the men around her. “Who is she?”

“She’s our Chairman Yang’s new love interest. Beautiful, isn’t she?” Jing Rui lowered his voice. “Go ahead, smile at her and say hello.”

“Oh.” Mr. Luo foolishly raised his hand and waved at Jiang Yuyan.

She responded with a playful air kiss.

“Looks like she likes you.”

“That’s impossible. I’m too old for that.” Mr. Luo grinned, his eyes lingering on the seductive curves of the woman.

“Hi, may I join you for a drink?”

After parting ways with Jing Rui, Jiang Yuyan followed the data Ben had sent her and accurately found tonight’s target—a pair of Japanese investors.

The older one held the title of managing director at a Japanese private equity firm, while the younger one was his assistant.

“Sorry, we… uh, we don’t speak Chinese,” the young assistant declined her enthusiastic approach in English, his eyes awkwardly glancing at her deliberately enhanced cleavage.

Usually, when men are faced with a willing beauty, they’re happy to pull her into their arms, but these two managed to keep their wits about them. It seemed they weren’t the type to be ruled by their desires.

Jiang Yuyan immediately changed her strategy, tilting her head and holding a wine glass in front of them. “Let me guess, you’re Japanese?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be fooled by my appearance; I can speak Japanese too.” She showcased her fluent Japanese.

The older man raised his eyebrows, slightly impressed by her.

“Are you here in Taiwan for business or pleasure?” she asked sweetly.

“Business.”

“Is that so? What a shame.” She pouted her glossy red lips. “If you were here for sightseeing, I could’ve played host and shown you around.”

“Why are you being so nice to us?” The assistant was cautious. “We don’t even know each other.”

“Because you’re handsome!” She playfully tapped his lips with her finger.

He frowned. “Miss, are you drunk?”

“Am I drunk?” She blinked and then put the finger she had just used to tease him into her own mouth, sucking it like a child. “Oh no, wasn’t I drinking a cocktail?”

“That looks more like whiskey,” the young assistant informed her.

“Whiskey? Oh no!” She widened her eyes in feigned panic. “I have a terrible tolerance for alcohol. I shouldn’t drink such strong stuff. My boss will definitely scold me if he finds out.”

“Who’s your boss?”

“That would be… wait, where is he? Let me find him.” Jiang Yuyan glanced around, pretending to search for her boss, while secretly sending a pre-written text with one hand behind her back.

Soon, she received a reply.

“There he is!” She smiled brightly and blew a kiss in the direction of her target. “Boss, did you miss me?”

The two men, realizing who she was blowing kisses to, were both startled. “Mr. Luo is your boss?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yuyan signaled a passing waiter for another drink, downed it in one go, and then giggled foolishly at them, her expression one of drunken allure. “My boss is great. He gives me a lot of bonuses every year, and I try my best to ‘repay’ him!” She laughed suggestively and then sighed. “But, alas, our company’s in a bad spot lately. The boss is desperately looking for funds…”

The two men exchanged a glance, and the young assistant pulled Jiang Yuyan to a corner of the hall. “Miss, we’re very interested in your company’s situation.”

“Why the curiosity? Are you planning to help?”

“We might consider it.”

“You really want to help? That’s great, let me tell you…”

Mission accomplished.

When the two Japanese investors approached them, their faces ashen, and Jiang Yuyan was nowhere to be seen, Jing Rui knew their plan to sow discord had succeeded.

“Mr. Luo, we didn’t expect you to be such an untrustworthy businessman!” The Japanese investor sharply accused. “We’ve heard that your company’s machinery and factories have already been mortgaged to the bank, and the loan amount is double the figures you gave us in your report!”

Mr. Luo was stunned and momentarily at a loss. “Mr. Matsuda, I don’t understand… what you mean.” With Jing Rui also present, he couldn’t be too explicit in his response, making it difficult for him to explain.

“Don’t pretend anymore. We’ve just confirmed with your company’s loan bank through our connections, and they admitted it’s true. We also heard that another company has made an offer to buy your company’s shares, and the price you quoted them is much lower than what you offered us.”

“What? Listen to me, it’s not like that—”

“We’re not familiar with the Taiwanese market, so we need to be extra cautious. With you hiding the true situation of your company, it’s hard for us to continue discussions!” After saying that, the Japanese investor left without looking back.

Mr. Luo stood there, completely stunned.

Jing Rui sneered coldly. “Mr. Luo, what just happened? So, besides ‘Tai Rui,’ you’ve also been seeking other partners?”

“…”

“Well, our deal hasn’t been finalized yet, so you have the right to look for other buyers. But keeping it from us, isn’t that a bit unfair?”

“This…”

Jing Rui didn’t give him a chance to respond and continued pressing, “Regarding the matter of your company falsely reporting the bank loan amounts, we’re aware of that too. Initially, we thought Mr. Luo might have had his reasons, so we planned to discuss it with you at our next meeting. But now, it seems there’s no need.”

No need? Does that mean “Tai Rui” is also going to call off the deal?

Mr. Luo was horrified. With the company’s precarious situation, losing this major investor would be disastrous! “I’m sorry, Mr. Jing, please give me a chance to explain. Those two Japanese men… they approached me first. I just wanted to hear what they had to say…” He abruptly stopped speaking, seeing Jing Rui’s mocking expression, and his heart sank to the lowest depths.

His attempt to maximize benefits for the company might end up backfiring completely. He bit his lip in regret.

Jing Rui observed Mr. Luo’s expression, confirming that the latter had fully fallen into the psychological trap he had set. It seemed this deal would now be even more advantageous than before.

He coolly pursed his lips and, like a predator toying with its bleeding prey, delivered one final blow—

“If you’re willing to guarantee ‘Tai Rui’ exclusive rights to the deal and provide us with some ‘reasonable’ concessions on certain terms, I think we can reconsider this transaction.”

Does he want him to be at his mercy? Mr. Luo’s face darkened.

“What’s the matter? Mr. Luo seems reluctant?”

“No, not at all! I just meant we should sit down and discuss things slowly, have a good talk—”

—