"Uncle Guang, thank you so much today. If you have time, how about I treat you to a meal?"
Gong Chengbin was about to leave when they reached the roadside.
However, Gong Weiguang and his family had helped him for quite a while, and Gong Chengbin felt obliged to express his gratitude.
After a moment's hesitation, Gong Chengbin decided to invite him to a meal.
Upon hearing this, Gong Weiguang and his children couldn't help but smile.
It seemed their efforts today hadn't been in vain; Gong Chengbin was finally moved by them.
"Oh, that wouldn't do at all. Since you've come all this way, I should be the one treating you."
Gong Weiguang was very pleased inwardly, but he didn't show it.
Gong Chengbin, however, shook his head. "No, I must treat you today. If you don't let me, then I won't go."
As soon as Gong Chengbin said this, before Gong Weiguang could respond, his eldest son quickly chimed in, "Dad! Since Brother Bin insists, don't argue with him."
"That's right, Brother Bin. What kind of dishes do you like? I know many good restaurants; I'll book a table right away."
The third son followed suit.
Gong Weiguang glared at his two sons before nodding, "Alright, then Ah Bin will treat today. I'll treat you another day."
The group surrounded Gong Chengbin and headed towards a restaurant in the city.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, as the eldest and most senior person, Gong Weiguang should have taken the head seat.
However, Gong Weiguang and his family had their own agendas. They all clamored that Gong Chengbin was a distinguished guest and insisted he take the head seat.
Gong Chengbin repeatedly refused, and eventually, Gong Weiguang, seeing that further politeness would be too contrived, sat at the head.
"Brother Bin, what do you like to eat?"
Gong Weiguang's eldest son was in charge of booking the restaurant. When the waitress brought the menu, he immediately placed it in front of Gong Chengbin.
As Gong Chengbin was about to pick it up to order for Gong Weiguang first, the latter said it was fine and that as he was older, he'd just have something vegetarian.
Since they had said so, Gong Chengbin didn't want to push the matter further and casually ordered a couple of dishes from the menu.
"Ah Bin, I heard yesterday that Xiao Qiang was a bit arrogant with your friend. I disciplined him properly when I got back. He was spoiled by his mother since he was young, so I hope you don't take it to heart."
After the waitress left with the menu, Gong Weiguang brought up yesterday's incident.
As soon as Gong Weiguang finished speaking, his second son, who had been sitting, immediately stood up, holding his wine glass, and approached Gong Chengbin, offering a sincere apology again.
In fact, after Du Fei said it was fine yesterday, Gong Chengbin had already forgotten about it.
Today, Gong Weiguang's family had gone out of their way to help him, and Gong Chengbin could see they had put in a lot of effort. Now that they were being so humble, he waved his hand, indicating that the past was the past.
Gong Weiguang gave Gong Chengbin a thumbs-up. "Ah Bin, you're truly magnanimous. You all should learn from Ah Bin."
The others in the room chuckled and nodded, showering Gong Chengbin with praise.
Soon, the dishes they had ordered were served.
Gong Weiguang gestured for Gong Chengbin to eat and then casually asked, "By the way, Ah Bin, how many days do you plan to stay here this time? Do you need me to have someone show you around Chuncheng?"
"No need, Uncle Guang. I'm here with a friend on business, and I'll probably be back by the day after tomorrow at the latest. My father is getting old, and there are many company matters waiting for me to handle back home."
Although Gong Weiguang and his family had helped him, Gong Chengbin wasn't very familiar with them. Moreover, one of his main purposes for visiting Chuncheng this time was to investigate the local medicinal herb market. However, this was something he obviously wouldn't reveal to Gong Weiguang and his family.
As for letting them treat him and show him around Chuncheng, that would be asking for trouble. Gong Chengbin wouldn't agree to that.
Hearing Gong Chengbin's words, Gong Weiguang hesitated for a moment and then said, "Is Brother Min planning to retire now? Ah, I envy him. Having a capable and filial son like you to take over. I'm in a much worse situation. My company is having some problems, and these subordinates are not up to par. It's really worrying me."
"Heh, Uncle Guang, I can't accept such praise. I'm still in the learning phase."
Gong Chengbin chuckled.
Gong Weiguang had intentionally mentioned his company's problems, hoping Gong Chengbin would inquire, giving him an opportunity to ask for help. But Gong Chengbin didn't take the bait, which made Gong Weiguang anxious.
Seeing that the meal was almost over and if he didn't speak up, he would miss his chance, Gong Weiguang gritted his teeth. "Ah Bin, we are family, so I won't mince words. Actually, my company has been having problems for the past six months and needs a sum of money for capital turnover. But don't worry, Uncle won't take your money for nothing. I have two proposals. First, I'll write a formal IOU, and once the company situation improves, I'll repay the money immediately. Second, this money can be considered an investment based on the company's current valuation. We'll be one big family from now on. What do you say?"
At this moment, Gong Chengbin finally understood the true intention behind Gong Weiguang and his family's actions.
Their picking him up at the airport, their arranged chance encounter leading to lunch, and their helping him out today – it all stemmed from their company's financial troubles and their need for capital.
"Uncle, my father is still in charge of all company matters. It's not appropriate for me to make promises without his consent. How about this? When I return home in a few days, I'll inform my father about your situation, and he can make the decision."
Gong Chengbin's words were watertight. He neither agreed nor outright refused, leaving Gong Weiguang in an awkward position.
Gong Weiguang was taken aback, but then he plastered a smile back on his face.
By this time, everyone had eaten their fill. Gong Chengbin mentioned he had other matters to attend to and left with his assistant.
"Dad! This guy is clearly unwilling to help. If he were willing, he would have just called his father right here, wouldn't he?"
"I agree. He said he'd tell his dad when he gets home, who's he kidding?"
"I knew from the start this wouldn't work out. We haven't been in contact with their family for decades, and now we want to borrow money. How is that possible?"
As soon as Gong Chengbin left, Gong Weiguang's children's demeanor changed.
These individuals were accustomed to being flattered. However, in order to secure funds for their company, they had acted subserviently towards Gong Chengbin multiple times.
Yet, in the end, his single sentence had rebuffed them, leaving them feeling resentful.
Gong Weiguang's expression shifted between moods, and he remained silent for a moment.
"Damn it! I knew this guy wouldn't care about family ties. If soft tactics don't work, let's try force! Leave this to me!"
Gong Weiguang's second son slammed the table and stood up.
Gong Weiguang opened his mouth, intending to stop him, but the words died on his lips.
Gong Xiaoqiang pushed open the private room door and strode out.