The men at the table fell silent.
When Guan Xixin saw that Linfeng did not take back what he said, he finally reacted.
The offer came too suddenly that he was taken aback.
After composing himself, he looked at Linfeng with a scrutinizing gaze.
"I am very pleased with Mr. Zhou Linfeng's words. Although it came to me by surprise, all kinds of help are welcome. If Mr. Zhou Linfeng could really help me, I will be indebted to you. Once I become the official heir, I will not forget this favor."
Linfeng smiled at the tactful man. "I am not only speaking in behalf of SC. I am also speaking for the Xiong heiress and as the representative of the other five kings. This, I believe, will be enough to help you, won't it?"
...!
Guan Xixin's eyes almost went wide. He fought to keep his demeanor.
He reached out for his drink and gulped it down.
The Xiong family?
The five kings?
And plus the SC...
This could not only be labeled as 'help', it could be his key to take the lead in the succession war!
Despite the tempting offer, Guan Xixin did not immediately show his d.e.s.i.r.e. He knew that there was no such thing as free meal in the cruel business world, especially when facing another cunning business leader.
Guan Xixin solemnly put down the cup and gazed at the dark eyes of the man, whose capabilities were something he only heard about from others.
This was the first time that he looked at this person differently.
"This favor is something that I could only wish for."
However....
"You mentioned that the heiress of the Xiong family is also expressing her support. Do I take it as the whole Xiong Empire wanting to support me? But as far as I can remember, there is a tacit agreement between the four families to not interrupt or meddle in the succession wars of other families. Considering this, how will the Xiong heiress be able to help me?"
Guan Xixin was not complaining, rather, he was grateful. But he wanted to test if the other's intention was only skin deep, or if they really plan to help him despite the cost.
Just why would they suddenly extend their hands?
Linfeng just smiled. "You are right. But like you said, that is only a silent agreement between the elders. If you are still worried that it may cause your reputation to plummet down once our agreement with you and the heiress became known to the world, then you don't have to worry. We intend to help you discreetly."
Guan Xixin was confused. How would they be able to do that?
"What do you mean?"
"IHZHI is not part of the Xiong Empire. SC as well. These two companies will provide you investment funds and cooperation with projects, like the one you are offering to Eugine. To show you our sincerity, we will start with this proposal."
Linfeng took out a file from his slim suitcase and handed it to the dazed Guan Xixin.
"This is the revised proposal I came up with. It's a three-way project deal with Eugine's company, SC, and you."
Guan Xixin numbly took the doc.u.ment and looked down.
He even came prepared!
And a tripartite deal?
Linfeng: "Eugine cannot break his established deal to support a promising company, but he can make another one and shift his company's role to not conflict with the other's interests. As his company cannot take on this new project with the Guan Empire due to the existing project, this is when SC comes in.
"The revisions made are on the target market and the rest of the framework conditions aligned with it. We have conducted the relevant feasibility research. Please refer to the doc.u.ment for the details. I believe you'll be very satisfied with the changes as the risk is lessened significantly. We will support half of the project in a collaboration under the name of Eugine's company. On the surface, we will mainly enter into the deal as the investor. How does this sound?"
Guan Xixin was dumbstruck.
"Let me see..." He muttered.
Guan Xixin was still dazed but his mind could catch up with Linfeng's proposal. He continued to read through the papers.
The light in eyes began to focus deeply.
The SC Company's support in this project was like the missing puzzle piece that fitted everything. If he rejected this then he would be an idiot.
Never did Guan Xixin expect that after his proposal was rejected, he would be given a revision of his proposal from the other party.
And the project planning on paper was even better!
The people in the Guan Empire would not care how he managed to secure the deal, only the outcome was important. Furthermore, he was not cheating using Eugine's name, but rather, it was a new solution.
Guan Xixin's lips rose. He looked up at Linfeng with praise in his eyes. "This is brilliant. Your name truly precedes you, Mr. Zhou Linfeng."
He was suspicious of how this man had prepared everything beforehand. This obviously looked like it was taken care of with utmost attention and significant time, not a rushed proposal.
...It seemed like this man might have his share of spies in the Guan Empire as well.
However, despite his suspicion, Guan Xixin was glad that this man chose him.
If this man chose Guan Gao Huan instead, he would not stand a chance at all!
But on the second thought, Univ One and ZD World were rivals, so supporting Guan Gao Huan was even more unlikely than supporting him.
"Then, are you willing to accept our proposal?" Linfeng asked gently.
Guan Xixin would love to accept this favor, but there were still matters unclear for him.
The other party's purpose.
He could not just impulsively accept this without knowing why.
As Linfeng had predicted, Guan Xixin did not agree immediately.
Guan Xixin: "This will be really helpful, but may I ask a few questions first?"
"You may."
"Why are you helping me? I mean, I am grateful that you chose me first and foremost rather than my brothers, but I would like to know the reason why."
This Zhou Linfeng's appearance and his proposal were like a fairy godmother appearing with a magic wand suddenly at the critical moment when he was in dire need.
He knew that aside from being indebted as the future head of the Guan Empire, there must be something more that the man wanted.
The tall man's dark inky eyes stared at the grave expression of the third young master of the Guan family. He could see the question in Guan Xixin's champagne-colored eyes.
"Because you caught our interest."
"'Our'?" Him and the five kings?
"Yes, My heiress and I."
Guan Xixin: "..."
Heiress, again.
What did the Xiong heiress want from him?
Linfeng put his elbows on the table, clamped his hands, and put his chin on top of his hands.
His dark eyes attentively watched the reactions of the man before him.
"I heard something interesting."
His tone of voice changed.
Guan Xixin shifted uncomfortably on his chair.
Why did the air suddenly feel heavier?