Since he had a criminal record, Fu Ling easily obtained evidence of the connections between Song Jingwu's interests and Chunfeng Charity when he was assigned by the boss to investigate Song Jingwu's recent activities again.
Sitting in the office going through this evidence, Zhong Ruanxing didn't know whether to be amazed at how audacious Song Jingwu was or how stupid he was.
With a brain like this and such clumsy methods of doing bad things without even covering his own ass, if the Song family business was handed over to him, Zhong Ruanxing believed it would be ruined within three years.
This kind of person was a typical example of someone who didn't know his own limits and capabilities but still wanted to grasp for power.
But stupid people also had their advantages. For example, now Zhong Ruanxing was able to invite this second uncle to his office and personally serve him coffee, and the look on Song Jingwu's face could only be described as horrified.
It was obvious what he was thinking from the expression on his face.
Having seen this cold-blooded and emotionless nephew's expressionless appearance frequently, now seeing him with a mild and amenable appearance, Song Jingwu felt it was even more frightening than his previous demeanor.
Zhong Ruanxing sat across from him, seeing how he kept his distance from the cup of coffee with eyes full of wariness but still trying to maintain calm, and felt somewhat amused. "Second uncle, how come you're not drinking the coffee? Is it not to your taste?"
Song Jingwu: "I'm afraid you poisoned it."
He let out a false laugh, stiffly picked up the coffee and took a symbolic sip, then couldn't sit still any longer. "What did you call me here for?"
Zhong Ruanxing smiled. "Why, second uncle, can't your nephew invite you for a chat if there's nothing going on?"
Song Jingwu was really unable to cope with this version of Song JinXing and said impatiently, "If you have something to say then say it! Stop beating around the bush with me!"
Zhong Ruanxing slowly placed the evidence he had collected in front of him. "Second uncle, you should be very clear why I called you here. You have to stop cooperating with Chunfeng Charity immediately."
Song Jingwu snorted coldly with a frown. "It's none of your damn business who I cooperate with privately since I didn't use the company's accounts or touch the company's money!"
Although Song Jingwu acted tough in front of Song Xinwen, facing this nephew alone he still felt a little apprehensive. This kid was nothing like the smiling, gentle and kind Third Younger Brother; instead, he had the imposing manner of The Old Master when he wasn't angry but was still intimidating.
In the few clashes since he returned to the country, he had suffered badly at the hands of this nephew. Especially that time when he took action to cut off his cooperation with Chunfeng Charity, the ruthless way he did it made it seem like he wanted to throw his second uncle in jail along with it. Indeed, it left quite a psychological shadow on Song Jingwu.
But this time was different. As he said, he really didn't use the company's accounts or touch the company's interests. He was doing this entirely in his personal capacity, so when he was "summoned" to the office by Song JinXing, Song Jingwu still felt a bit smug.
But unexpectedly, this time the nephew changed his tactic. Instead of his usual cold businesslike attitude, he was as warm as a spring breeze, completely throwing Song Jingwu's prepared countermeasures into disorder!
He was full of wariness, but when the other party heard him say this, he not only didn't get angry. His tone was even more sincere: "Second uncle, we are family. If something happens to you, I would never stand idly by, nor could I disassociate myself from it. You are using the entire Song family's future to pursue risky profits, which is not worth it."
Song Jingwu looked at this nephew in disbelief.
Song JinXing had never spoken to him in such a warm manner before. Since he returned home to take over from The Old Master, it seemed they had naturally taken adversarial positions. Song JinXing had never taken him, this second uncle, seriously, always maintaining a coldly businesslike attitude, which had deeply irritated his pride and self-esteem time and time again.
This junior had not only taken power from his elders, but was also so arrogant as to look down on them. What chance would they have left once he gained full control?
But now, this Song JinXing with a sincere tone and gaze full of sincerity made Song Jingwu involuntarily think of his deceased Third Younger Brother.
Ever since learning to read and write, the third brother had been the most obedient and smartest child in the family. He displayed extraordinary intelligence and talent beyond ordinary people no matter what field he took an interest in. As long as he was interested, he could be number one.
The Old Master often boasted proudly about this talented son, and sometimes he would also feel jealous. But he would soon reconcile himself to the fact that the Third Younger Brother was more capable than him and the eldest brother whenever he heard that sweet "second brother" from the third brother. He began to feel proud to have such a genius for a younger brother.
When the Third Younger Brother passed away in a car accident, the deepest pain was felt not just by The Old Master and The Old Madam, but also himself. He was in low spirits for a very long time.
If the family business had been left in the hands of the Third Younger Brother, he would absolutely not have been resentful or reluctant. He also believed the Third Younger Brother would not shortchange him.
It wasn't until the Third Younger Brother's son returned from overseas that he still had a glimmer of hope. The Third Younger Brother's child should be like the Third Younger Brother, right?
But reality doused him with a bucket of cold water. They weren't alike at all, and this child who had not grown up in the Song family even saw them as enemies. When he handled the bad accounts from all these years without mercy, the icy look in his eyes chilled Song Jingwu to the bone.
At that moment, he realized this child resented the Song family and their relatives. If he didn't fight for it, he would definitely have nothing left in the future.
But this child's personality was vastly different from the Third Younger Brother's. His talent and intelligence were even superior to the Third Younger Brother's. Every clash with him ended in miserable defeat for Song Jingwu, infuriating him to no end. He was the brother who grew up together with your father, yet you show me no consideration?
Thus, time and time again, their contradictions and resentment only deepened.
Now, facing a nephew with a somewhat similar expression to the Third Younger Brother, Song Jingwu was at a loss instead: "Even if I don't do it, there are others who will! So many people have made a fortune and gotten away scot-free over the years without anything happening to them!"
Zhong Ruanxing sighed. "Second uncle, if you walk the night road long enough, you're bound to run into ghosts eventually. Just because others didn't crash and burn doesn't mean you can get away clean either. Have you ever thought that the partners the one surnamed Kang found in previous years were all unknown small fry, yet these last couple years he's repeatedly approached you?"
Song Jingwu looked at her with a frown.
"It's because he also realized the risk and needs a large enterprise with status and influence to provide a safety net. If something goes wrong, the Song family can share at least half of the risk for him."
Zhong Ruanxing placed some data reports in front of him. "Second uncle, for others, this is a high risk, high reward undertaking so they have reason to gamble. But now that I'm here, the company's earnings have doubled and surged this year already. These profits are enough to offset what you hope to earn by taking risks. Give me three more years and I can make this figure increase tenfold again. You won't have to do anything, yet I can let you earn more money than what you made in the last ten years combined. Second uncle, do you believe me?"
Song Jingwu was completely unexpected that after being called to this place that was like purgatory to him, what he would hear was such a heartfelt and earnest speech.
Was this still the Song JinXing he knew?
But he had asked if he believed in him, huh.
That expression, that gaze, it was like a very, very long time ago when the Third Younger Brother stood in front of him and asked, "Second brother, do you believe that I can rank first nationally in this math competition?"
How did he answer back then?
"Of course I believe in Third Younger Brother!"