Chapter 674: with translation of chapter title

In A City, that year, 8

C Shi.

On Little New Year's Day, Jiang Liangjin merely had a simple meal, then returned to his room.

Outside the window, the bustling scene boiled over, but he didn't look up until someone sent him an encrypted message with a rough location.

M Guo, a certain city on the west coast.

He stared at that string of cold characters for a long time, his slender fingertips hovering above the screen, unmoving for a while.

A few days later, his fifteenth birthday passed in extreme haste, without a banquet, just the family sitting together for a meal.

Silence was the most ordinary state of these days for him.

That day, Jiang Liangjin returned to the Jiang Family; just as he entered, Jiang Su said: 'In two days I need to go to M Guo for negotiations—you should be careful staying home alone.'

Jiang Liangjin took the document, flipped through it without examining the content, and only asked: 'When?'

'The day after tomorrow.' Jiang Su looked him up and down; previously, when he had his son sit in on company meetings, the son would space out, but now he finally showed some initiative—this is good. 'What's up, do you have something?'

'No, I'll go.'

Jiang Su narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, 'You've been like this lately—what's wrong? Tell me.'

At first, Jiang Liangjin dyed his hair red; he thought it was done out of happiness, symbolizing prosperity and vigor!

If this son doesn't speak to him again, he'll have to urgently seek a psychiatrist.

Jiang Liangjin brushed him off: 'Nothing much, I just want to help you share your worries.'

Jiang Su didn't call him out: 'All right, my good son, once the matters there are settled, you can stay as long as you like.'

Jiang Liangjin acknowledged, then turned and went upstairs.

Jiang Su watched his back, sighed inwardly, feeling that he hadn't seen this child smile for a while.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, the butler beside him softly agreed, his tone full of lament: 'The young master hasn't laughed in a long time.'

Jiang Su: '……'

Two days later, in M Guo, at the round negotiation table.

Both sides were filled with people, mostly over forty, in suits, with composed expressions.

Jiang Liangjin sat at one side of the head position, with a cooperation proposal spread before him; behind him stood only a bodyguard and a translator.

He wore a black suit today, his tie neatly knotted, concealing all his emotions; as the translator beside him gave a low-voiced briefing, his gaze swiftly swept over the few documents before him.

Midway through the negotiations, the opposing side's core representative suddenly proposed an additional clause, intending to greatly increase their own capital contribution ratio, full of ambition.

The other few business magnates exchanged glances, each harboring their own calculations.

In such a setting, it's already impressive for a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy to hold his ground without being intimidated; no one expected him to achieve any substantive progress.

In the corner seat, Xiao Ting sat lazily.

He had been temporarily brought in as a consultant and wasn't particularly interested in this cooperation proposal.

Until Jiang Liangjin's fingertips lightly turned the document, pausing at the supplementary clause at the end, his motion barely hesitated.

The next second, the youth lifted his chin, his clear voice ringing out: 'What data did you base the conclusion that this additional investment is needed on?'

If I recall correctly, your company's financial statements for the last four quarters show negative net profit in the relevant field, yet you demand we increase investment—this is unreasonable.

He spoke pure M Guo language with standard pronunciation.

The translator beside him didn't even have time to speak, merely closing his mouth silently.

The several foreign directors opposite the meeting table all simultaneously tightened their expressions, sitting up straight in unison, evidently not expecting this young representative to be so direct.

Xiao Ting's previously lax movements froze; for the first time, he looked directly at Jiang Liangjin.

'……'

The subsequent negotiations proceeded much more smoothly than expected, even surprising Xiao Ting himself.

He raised several key questions, precisely pointing out several ambiguous areas in the clauses, with several people present unable to find suitable wording to rebut.

Jiang Liangjin pointed out each of those loopholes in turn and provided feasible solutions.

The several directors opposite exchanged glances, ultimately overturning the original proposal and deciding to sign a more reasonable new contract.

The final signatory felt somewhat unsatisfied, even thinking that, given enough time, this kid could still negotiate a few more rounds.

As the meeting dispersed, several people surrounded Jiang Liangjin, shamelessly asking for his contact information.

Jiang Liangjin finally managed to send them away, when Xiao Ting approached again.

His tone carried a rare admiration: 'Did you prepare those remarks just now?'

'No.' Jiang Liangjin lifted his eyes.

Xiao Ting fished out a private business card from his pocket and handed it over: 'You're the youngest person I've seen in years who can interest me. If you have any matters in M Guo, feel free to find me.'

Jiang Liangjin took the card, glanced at it—the name was well-known in international art circles—but he wasn't interested: 'Okay, thanks.'

After Xiao Ting left, Jiang Liangjin went with the bodyguard to the prearranged hotel, changed into casual clothes, then placed a call.

The other end picked up quickly, speaking rapidly: 'Young master, I've repeatedly checked that IP address—it's been artificially altered; someone deliberately planted false clues.'

Jiang Liangjin held the phone, remaining silent for a long time.

Originally we thought her recuperation location was in M Guo, but now even the last clue has been cut off.

He stood by the window for a long time, the only thought in his mind being that she did not want him to find her.

The person on the other end waited a long time without a response, then tentatively called: 'Young master?'

'Understood.' Jiang Liangjin hung up.

It was already late; he stayed an extra night in M Guo, then early the next morning left the hotel, intending to fly directly back to C Shi.

As he dragged his suitcase out of the hotel lobby, dawn had just spread across the streets, the air still carrying the dampness of night dew.

A black sedan was parked by the roadside, its window half-open, faintly revealing a person inside, blond hair especially conspicuous in the dim cabin.

Jiang Liangjin had no time to pay attention to strangers, heading straight toward his own car.

As they brushed past, Jun Chenling inside the car was lowering his head to reply to a message; his fingertip paused on the screen for a moment, and for some unknown reason he lifted his eyes and glanced outside.

That figure had already walked away; he only saw a back in a dark coat, wine-red hair pressed under a duckbill cap, hurrying steps, as if racing against time.

Jun Chenling's eyes flickered for a moment, but he didn't think much of it.

He had seen the documents Qing An sent over the past two days, learning that the young master of the Jiang Family would come to M Guo for negotiations; he thought of coming to meet the person his sister had mentioned several times when she visited M Guo.

After getting off the plane, he came here following the address.

His thoughts settled, Jun Chenling pushed open the car door and stepped out; before he had taken two steps, someone patted his shoulder from behind, 'Xun Li~ Why didn't you come find me?'

Jun Chenling instinctively sidestepped to avoid it, 'When did you arrive?'

Qing An slung an arm over his shoulder, brows and eyes unrestrained and carefree, 'Just now.'

Jun Chenling tilted his head again, 'Did you time your arrival?'

Qing An slowly withdrew his hand, smoothed his cuffs, and drawled, 'Yeah, I'm learning from you. What, did you invite me here to do something? You came all the way to M Guo—surely not just to see my handsome face?'

Jun Chenling couldn't be bothered with his self-indulgent tone, 'I have something; I heard Jiang Liangjin discussed a project here in M Guo a few days ago, and I wanted to meet him.'

'Jiang Liangjin?' Qing An's interest piqued, 'That little boy my sister often mentions? He's come to M Guo? Why didn't you tell me?'

Jun Chenling: 'My sister's friend—why should I tell you?'

Qing An: 'He's also my younger brother.'

Jun Chenling: 'Oh, he doesn't acknowledge you.'

Qing An: '......'

At that moment, the hotel manager ran out to respectfully report that Jiang Liangjin had checked out ten minutes earlier.

Wasn't that just a wasted trip? Jun Chenling replied offhand.

Qing An didn't mind much, because he thought Jun Chenling had come specially to find him!

Jun Chenling turned toward the parking direction, 'Since there's nothing, I'm heading back home.'

Qing An couldn't process it, hurried after him, 'Huh? Why are you rushing off? After all the trouble to come to M Guo... Don't worry, I won't let you down—there's far more good food here in M Guo than in Y Guo.'

Jun Chenling was busy rushing, 'I'm not greedy.'

'What about fun?' Qing An refused to give up, quickly proposing, 'My older brother has a ranch in the suburbs; let's go horseback riding!'

'Not interested.'

'Then what are you interested in? Are you interested in me?'

Jun Chenling finally stopped, 'No.'

Qing An, heartbroken, said, 'Fine, fine, I concede, do as you wish; next time before you come to M Guo, remember to let me know in advance—don't keep pulling surprise attacks.'

Jun Chenling gave an 'uh', opened the car door, and got in.

'Goodbye.' Qing An stood where he was, watching the car drive out of sight, then slowly turned and walked toward his own parked car.

After sitting in the back seat, Qing An's mind suddenly recalled Jun Chenling's earlier words, and he muttered softly, 'What did he just say? Jiang Liangjin came to M Guo?'

Tsk, leaving without seeing the person, and not even keeping him company for a few days.

The driver attendant said, 'That's right.'

Qing An pulled out his phone, flipped through it, found no relevant news, slipped it back into his pocket, and decided to go back and catch up on sleep first.