19: Chapter 20 Aftermath – I Want to Start a Company.

"Tianxue, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Yin Tianxue also put down her chopsticks. "Go ahead."

"I plan to start a company," Yu Bo said directly. "An investment firm focusing on venture capital, investing in some promising startups."

Yin Tianxue was slightly surprised but didn't interrupt, signaling for him to continue.

"Although venture capital has high risks, once you make the right call, the returns are staggering. More importantly, it's truly supporting the real economy and innovation. I feel... it's more meaningful." Yu Bo explained his thoughts. He needed a company, a platform, to operate "legally and compliantly," transforming his mysterious system funds into legitimate wealth that could be displayed openly, thereby establishing his own career and dignity.

He paused and looked at Yin Tianxue. "Besides, I have some ideas of my own."

Yin Tianxue nodded. "What ideas?"

Yu Bo smiled, his expression carrying a strange certainty. "I think my eye for projects... might be quite accurate." He didn't elaborate, only continuing, "I studied finance in university and minored in law, so I've researched business logic and contract risks. I can oversee things myself, drafting core investment agreements and equity documents to keep risks under control."

"Venture capital requires a significant initial investment, and the demands on vision and resources are high," Yin Tianxue reminded him, while internally assessing the feasibility of his idea. She could see that Yu Bo was serious and seemed... very confident.

"I have the startup capital," Yu Bo said. "I want to use this money as the initial fund. It doesn't need to be large-scale; I'll focus on small investments in Angel or Pre-A rounds first, keeping individual deals under five million. I'll slowly build up experience and a reputation." The funds returned by the system were his backbone, but in the early stages, he needed a reasonable source of funding as a cover.

"Five million..." Yin Tianxue mused. "For an Angel round, that's quite a bit. But your personal vision and energy are limited. How will you handle the initial project sourcing? Due diligence, post-investment management—these all require a team."

"The team can be built slowly," Yu Bo had already planned. "In the beginning, I can make the judgments myself, and I can handle the legal documents. For project sources... I can start by visiting university entrepreneurship competitions, incubators in technology parks, and some online startup communities. I'll start with small, tangible projects. Once there are success stories, good projects will naturally come looking for us."

He spoke clearly and logically, obviously not acting on a whim. Yin Tianxue listened carefully, her estimation of him rising another level. He not only saw the opportunities but was also clear-eyed about the difficulties and had preliminary solutions.

"Which field are you more interested in?" Yin Tianxue asked.

"Hard tech," Yu Bo said without hesitation. "Artificial intelligence, biomedicine, new energy, semiconductors... these are the directions of the future and key areas of national support. Although the threshold is high, once an investment hits, the moat is deep." With the system, he wouldn't truly "lose," but he didn't want to invest blindly either. Choosing promising tracks would make his "success" appear more reasonable.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Yin Tianxue's eyes. This judgment coincided perfectly with the direction of her company's Strategic Investment Department.

"It seems you've really thought this through." Yin Tianxue leaned back, crossing her hands on the table, returning to her usual calm demeanor at the negotiating table. "So, CEO Yu, what do you need me to do? In what capacity?"

Yu Bo marveled at her instantaneous shift in aura and answered seriously, "First, I hope you'll invest a symbolic amount as an individual LP (Limited Partner) to take a very small share. This way, our relationship becomes more 'legitimate,' and I can tell the outside world that my startup capital has the support of a veteran investor." This was mainly to deflect suspicion and make his funding source more reasonable.

"Second," Yu Bo continued with a sincere gaze, "I hope you can be my advisor. You don't need to manage the company; I just want to hear your opinion when I encounter a project I'm unsure about. You've been in the business world for so many years; your eye for people and matters is sharper than mine."

"Third," he paused, his voice lowering slightly, "This will be our company. I will use my performance to prove that the man you chose is no worse than anyone else."

Yin Tianxue looked at him quietly, seeing the ambition, the planning, and that careful sense of treasuring in his eyes. She suddenly smiled—a smile that shed the cold hardness of a career woman, leaving only pure warmth and trust.

"Alright," she replied just as decisively. "First, I'll invest ten million for a 5% stake—a purely financial investment with no involvement in decision-making. Second, I'll be your advisor, but the consulting fees won't be cheap." She winked. "Third... Yu Bo, since I've chosen you, I won't care what others say. I believe in you."

A weight lifted from Yu Bo's heart, followed by a surge of immense gratitude and motivation. Reaching across the table, he took Yin Tianxue's hand. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me too soon." Yin Tianxue gripped his hand back, her tone half-joking and half-serious. "CEO Yu, I'm very strict. If you lose my money, or if I find out you're fooling around outside..."

"I won't," Yu Bo interrupted, his eyes burning with intensity. "Absolutely not. I promise you."

The two smiled at each other, many unspoken words passing between their eyes.

Dinner continued, and the conversation turned to more specific details of the company's preparation—the company name, place of registration, channels for finding initial projects, possible legal risk mitigation...

Under the lights, they sat side by side, one analyzing calmly and the other responding steadily. They didn't look like a couple, but rather like business partners with perfect chemistry.

But under the table, their legs lightly brushed against each other, conveying silent intimacy and support.

Dinner neared its end amidst discussions of future blueprints. Yu Bo stood up to clear the dishes. Yin Tianxue wanted to help, but he gently pressed her back into her chair.

"Her Majesty has worked hard today; I'll handle this manual labor." Yu Bo winked at her, his words carrying a double meaning.

Yin Tianxue's face flushed, and she glared at him but didn't insist further. She simply leaned back in her chair, watching his back as he busied himself at the kitchen sink wearing an apron. The sound of flowing water and the crisp clinking of dishes, mixed with the faint city night sounds from outside the window, formed an ordinary yet comforting scene.

She suddenly felt that such days might be more fulfilling than those social gatherings filled with clinking glasses or negotiations worth hundreds of millions.