After Guan Xixin recovered fully from his injuries, he immediately went overseas. He only had two months to secure all the dealings abroad that the Guan Empire had trouble with.
Gambling with his chances for the succession trial, Guan Xixin started with the most difficult one having the highest fold percentage of returned profits, because this was an all or nothing competition.
If he could not win, he would only lose.
This was a certain project proposal with tremendously high income that the Guan Empire desperately offered to a certain conglomerate but could not convince the other party due to the high risk of failing, and because the said conglomerate was already having talks with another company on a similar deal.
Although the Guan Empire gave more benefits for the other party, the other party stubbornly refused.
Guan Xixin himself had checked the project proposal. Although the risk was high, the deal could immediately give very high profit returns in a short amount of time. Moreover, his instincts were telling him that this was the best card he could use for the competition.
If Guan Xixin managed to convince the CEO of that conglomerate to cooperate with that tens of billion dollar project, his reputation in the Guan Empire would rise. It would be a great way to start his winning streak.
Since Guan Xixin, a potential heir from the main line of the Guan family, was flying to another country to especially meet the CEO, the conglomerate finally gave them face and agreed to meet him. But it did not mean that Guan Xixin would get the headlights for the proposal. He had to do well and bargain well so that this chance would not be wasted.
....
Guan Xixin was sitting inside a luxurious private box of an upscale restaurant which he especially reserved to meet the CEO of the international conglomerate.
He was quite fortunate that the conglomerate who refused them many times finally accepted his invitation to meet personally. He knew that the other had a backing and status that could rival him. Even the Guan Empire was offended by him many times, they could not touch this foreigner easily.
The carved oakwood door of the luxurious box opened.
A tall man with handsome caucasian features entered. Guan Xixin recognized the man who entered.
This man was Eugine Richards, one of the famous six kings. A young man who detached himself from his family's empire and created his own legend in the business industry together with the other five kings.
Guan Xixin stood up and smiled.
"It's an honor to have Sir Eugine--" His words halted when he saw a familiar face appearing behind Eugine.
His eyes widened.
Was it not the butler of the young Xiong heiress, Zhou Linfeng?
Ah, right.
Zhou Linfeng was the current sixth king.
Guan Xixin instantly recovered from his surprise of seeing Linfeng's presence in this private meeting. He continued his greeting, " It's an honor to have you Sir agreed to my invitation. I am indebted. " He then turned to greet Linfeng.
"It's nice to see you here too, Mr. Zhou Linfeng."
Eugine shook hands with Guan Xixin. "I hope you don't mind him joining us."
"It's alright. I am well pleased that I met another king."
Linfeng also shook hands with Guan Xixin. "Young Master Guan Xixin sure is modest. In the country, you are quite well known. It will be my loss if I wasted this chance of meeting you."
Guan Xixin just smiled. He had not dealt with any business with Linfeng before. But since the man was here, he could not just tell the man to leave them, could he?
Even though the news of Guan Empire's failure to collaborate with Eugine was maintained confidential and not spread outside, he trusted the man before him that he would not entirely offend the Guan Empire by spreading the outcome of the business deal today to the public.
Zhou Linfeng should know when to keep his mouth shut. Even Guan Xixin was unease about it, there's no need to worry over this matter.
Besides, it also looked like Mr. Eugine Richards approved of Linfeng's presence here.
Guan Xixin inwardly wondered.
What was the reason for another king's presence here?
Guan Xixin did not waste time. After the refreshments were served in their room, he began to straightforwardly bring up the business matter.
"Sir Eugine, I came here in behalf of the Guan Empire. I know it is rude for us to always bring up the same project with you with very few adjustments on the conditions of the offer each time. This time, I personally remade the proposal with everyone's best interests in mind. Also, the adjustments in the project proposal has increased the success rate by ten percent. I hope you can take a look."
Guan Xixin handed a file to Eugine.
Eugine accepted it silently. He skimmed through it and saw the difference this time.
Guan Xixin made quite a decent offer. However...
"I understand that the Guan Empire is sincere about this deal. However, you must know that it's not only profit that my company is looking the most into. I don't want to reject and offend the Guan Empire, but my company's name will be at risk here. If I would not end up going back against my word with the previous company that I made a deal with, I would probably have accepted your proposal ages ago. I hope you understand."
Guan Xixin's eyes lashes lowered. He knew that it would not be this easy.
"I truly understand. However, Sir Eugine, business is about profit. If the previous got offended because you accepted this deal rather than theirs as were previously promised, then we, the Guan Empire will handle it. They should know that it is their proposal that is lacking..."
Eugine frowned. "I know you are just being straightforward. However, in my company, trust and credibility in our promise mattered the most. Profit only comes second. My company grew and became known because of that. I don't want to break my word."
Guan Xixin looked into Eugine's eyes. "Then, is there really no other way for the Guan Empire to sign this project? We are willing to divide the project shares into fifty-fifty in the first six months. That is four times than what the other company offered to you."
Eugine narrowed his eyes.
The offer was tempting.
But if he accepted that, then his company would not be any different from the other companies, like his father's. In order to get more profit, Eugine had to break his first promise, betray the other's trust, and crush their dreams before jumping to a bigger boat.
He could not do that.
This was his bottom line, the reason why many talents stayed with him.
Besides, even though the previous company was lesser than the Guan Empire, they were decent and hardworking. This project was important to them as it would be their first step to reach higher. Eugine was also personally supporting that company.
"I can see the Guan Empire's sincerity. But please understand, I have my name, my word, and my company's principles to consider. No matter how much you offer in this deal to us, we will not be able break our promise with the other company."
Guan Xixin frowned.
Then did that mean that he came here for nothing? That this deal would not work no matter what he offered?
Should Guan Xixin offer thirty-seventy for half a year then? No, the Guan Empire would not invest in a project where they could not get any considerable profit from, even if it was only temporary.
What should he do?
"Instead, I have a proposal for you." Eugine continued his words.
Guan Xixin was stunned. "A proposal for me?"
"Yes. I understand that you are doing this for the succession trial of the Guan Empire..."
Guan Xixin's eyes flashed.
"That's why I know that if I rejected you, it will have a negative impact on your credibility as an heir candidate." The man with fair skin and emerald green eyes stared directly at Guan Xixin. "So we have a proposal for you, Mr. Guan Xixin."
Guan Xixin caught a word.
"We?"
"Yes. My friend and I."
Eugine gestured towards Linfeng, who was calmly drinking the tea at the side.
Linfeng put down his teacup.
It was finally time for him to talk.
"You heard it right, Young Master Guan. I have a proposal specifically for you."
Guan Xixin looked at Linfeng with suspicion.
So this man's presence here truly had a reason.
Anyway, since this man said that he had a proposal for him, not for the Guan Empire, Guan Xixin became interested.
He wanted to listen.
"Please kindly tell me. I'm all ears."
Linfeng smiled. This Guan Xixin was quick witted just like what the reports said.
"Alright. Let me start by saying that I, Zhou Linfeng, would like to support you wholeheartedly in becoming the heir of the Guan Empire."
Guan Xixin: !!!
Eugine gulped the tea.
The youngest really likes to drop a bomb without warning.
****