“I can’t afford it since I need to save money to pay bills,” Jiang Yuan Ji replied honestly, nearly causing Ya Ji to choke.
George sighed helplessly: “Can we please not argue today? Your issues with Jiang Yuan shouldn’t be resolved today.”
George was dressed formally today, and Ya Ji paid careful attention to details, while only Jiang Yuan Ji appeared so shabby, standing out awkwardly from the other two. Though George wanted Jiang Yuan Ji to change clothes, there wasn’t enough time. However, as long as Jiang Yuan Ji didn’t feel inferior about it himself, it would be fine.
George lowered his voice: “I agree to pay $100 per day, but don’t mention this in front of Harold. What you need to do is win Harold’s favor, so that during his stay in China, he’ll want to keep you by his side frequently.”
Harold had come to China with his butler, driver, assistant, and bodyguard.
If he wanted a tour guide, he could easily find one anywhere.
Harold might not necessarily accept a tour guide recommended by George.
But Jiang Yuan Ji’s current status as George’s future stepson meant he had a familial connection to Harold. George hoped Jiang Yuan Ji would win Harold’s favor as a “relative” rather than appearing to be there just for the tour guide fee.
Harold wouldn’t take a salary-earning college student seriously.
But if a relative’s child could engage in witty conversation and connect with Harold, that might work well.
George wanted Jiang Yuan Ji to use his social skills from America.
Jiang Yuan Ji nodded, “I understand, Uncle George. This matter has nothing to do with my mother. I’ll do this job well.”
If Harold didn’t like him, he wouldn’t have the chance to figure out the other’s intentions.
Jiang Yuan Ji wanted both a part-time job and to stay close to Harold.
As for whether to help Hong En Tang, Jiang Yuan Ji hadn’t decided yet.
To outsiders, they appeared as a harmonious family of three. Like Ya Ji and George, Jiang Yuan Ji first met Butler Allen.
Jiang Yuan Ji had indeed been well-trained. His shabby clothes didn’t matter; what mattered was what he had to say.
After exchanging a few words with Jiang Yuan Ji, Butler Allen had a very good impression of this young man.
“You’ve come at a good time today. Mr. Harold is in the hotel. George, stop craning your neck to look around, Harold isn’t in the room!”
Butler Allen strongly disapproved of George’s behavior.
Both Ya Ji and Jiang Yuan Ji were curious about the mysterious American tycoon, though mother and son had different motives, their thoughts aligned at this moment!
This Harold had kept Ya Ji in suspense. She had never been treated with such dismissiveness before. Even in America, she had always been pursued by men. When she was younger, there was never a shortage of men wanting to court her.
George grew anxious too:
“Allen, stop joking, where exactly is Uncle Harold?”
Butler Allen pointed behind him.
A tall foreign man stood at the doorway, water droplets still in his hair, wrapped in a bathrobe, leaning against the doorframe talking to a female hotel staff member. The staff member’s face was flushed red, too embarrassed to look at the foreign guest beside her.
If it had been a middle-aged balding foreigner behaving this way, it would have made the female staff member cry from discomfort – it would have been harassment!
But this foreign guest was tall and handsome; his behavior made the female staff member’s heart flutter despite her shyness.
“Uncle Harold!”
George quickly walked over.
Ya Ji was completely stunned.
This was the mysterious Harold?
He didn’t look like George’s uncle at all – he could pass for his younger brother!
Butler Allen was very understanding:
“Mr. Harold is 11 years younger than George.”
George was in his forties.
Which meant that billionaire Uncle Harold was only in his early thirties?!
Ya Ji’s eyes sparkled with admiration, sincerely exclaiming: “Mr. Harold is truly accomplished for his age!”
Butler Allen didn’t contradict her.
Although Harold’s wealth was inherited from the previous generation, Harold still needed capability. Why could Harold manage the company while George only received trust fund money? Because Harold demonstrated business talent and ability that could lead to better development of the family company—to put it bluntly, Harold was more capable than George!
George had never mentioned Harold’s age to Ya Ji before, so she had assumed he was an old man.
The contrast was too great – not an old man, but a handsome man in his prime.
No wonder such an Uncle Harold would enjoy shooting.
George embraced Harold, pretending to complain: “Uncle Harold, you’re always so unpredictable.”
Harold took the towel from the female staff member and dried his hair.
“George, you’re always the same too. I hope this time you’ve found true love.”
George looked embarrassed, “Let me introduce you – this is my fiancée Ya Ji, and this is her son Jiang Yuan Ji. You’ll like Jiang Yuan – he won an IPSC regional championship!”
Harold finally gave Jiang Yuan Ji a proper look.
Jiang Yuan Ji had thought he was coming to please someone of his grandfather’s generation, but suddenly that grandfather figure had transformed into a handsome man in his early thirties. Jiang Yuan Ji felt a bit strange about it.
“Hello, sir!”
Harold nodded, “Hello, young man! Everyone, please excuse me for a moment. I believe I need to change into proper clothes. It’s too impolite to speak with you like this.”
Americans are generally casual, but they’re not without social etiquette. Compared to the conservative social atmosphere in China, they’re indeed more relaxed.
Of course, it depends on the occasion.
Butler Allen had prepared pressed clothes for Harold.
After waiting for about half an hour, they no longer saw the frivolous man who had just finished swimming, but instead the formal Mr. Harold.
His hairstyle had been professionally styled.
The wet, sexy look was gone, now slicked back strictly against his scalp – a hairstyle that truly tested one’s features, yet Mr. Harold’s handsome face stood up to the test.
From any angle, he was America’s most eligible bachelor – handsome appearance, substantial wealth… Such a man naturally remained the focus of attention wherever he went.
George lacked confidence in comparison.
Jiang Yuan Ji appeared too inexperienced in comparison.
Harold sat in the single chair, and the air in the room seemed to stop flowing.
How could Jiang Yuan Ji socialize with such a person?
Mr. Harold probably only socialized with business elites. Jiang Yuan Ji had a feeling that Harold didn’t think much of George.
Just as he had this thought, he heard Harold get straight to the point:
“George, I’ve toured around China’s capital for the past few days. This place isn’t suitable for investment, at least not now. I have no interest in this city. I hope the Special Economic Zone you mentioned will be more attractive.”
That was just like Harold.
He wouldn’t do meaningless things – the days he had disappeared were certainly spent conducting his investigation.
George breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t planned for Harold to invest in China’s capital anyway – he just wanted to lead him to Pengcheng!