Business?
Lucas's words made Qin Xiao set down the wine glass in his hand.
He asked with interest, "Mr. Lucas, you suddenly coming to talk business with me seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it?"
However, Qin Xiao was still somewhat interested in hearing him out.
He was very interested in making money.
In Qin Xiao's view, money might not be the most important thing, but one's pockets absolutely needed to be fuller than most.
Lucas smiled and said, "Could it be Young Master Qin isn't interested in business?"
It wasn't that Qin Xiao wasn't interested in business.
He just looked down on the scale of Lucas's operations.
Unless Lucas could sell his company to him, Qin Xiao might then show interest.
After all, the profits from small-scale ventures were too insignificant for him to bother with.
Qin Xiao shook his head. "I'm very interested in business, but it depends on what kind of business—the kind that can make me money."
"If I were to invest in you, I wouldn't be interested." He might even forget about the investment afterward.
Lucas understood his attitude perfectly.
However, compared to Wei Ting, Lucas clearly preferred Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao was decent as a person.
He was just sometimes too arrogant in his actions.
Of course, his methods were relatively aboveboard.
"Then what if I said that doing this business with me could make the Wei family suffer a setback?" Lucas glanced at Qin Xiao. "The kind that would infuriate the Wei family."
Hmm?
Qin Xiao paused.
Make the Wei family suffer?
This business… seemed somewhat interesting.
Qin Xiao's interest was piqued. He asked, "I wonder what business Mr. Lucas is referring to?"
"As long as it can truly make the Wei family suffer, the project is negotiable."
He loved seeing the Wei family look bad.
That feeling was even more satisfying than spending a billion.
In the original story, the Qin and Wei families were at odds. So, besides Qin Xiao clashing with Adrien Lefèvre over a woman,
another point was that Adrien at the time was still siding with the Wei family.
Thus, as the conflict deepened, the Qin family declined.
All because the protagonist intervened.
It was precisely because of this that Lucas had taken notice of Qin Xiao.
Operating on the principle that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," he had come.
To cooperate with Qin Xiao.
This was currently a relatively safe plan.
Since he'd already crossed Wei Ting, allying with his opponent to form a coalition was the logical move.
Wouldn't that be perfect?
Lucas smiled.
He liked this kind of decisive person. Wasn't this much more satisfying than dealing with a big fool like Wei Ting and his nonsense?
"Young Master Qin's enterprises include an automotive company, right?" Lucas asked.
"In your competition with the Wei family, the automotive sector is probably a major battleground, correct?"
As a rational adult, Lucas wasn't foolish enough to try manufacturing entire cars himself.
That kind of investment took too long to show returns.
It was better to directly break into the market via the battery industry.
Comprehensive graphene technology was enough for him to rake in massive profits.
Don't think it's just about graphene extraction technology; the industrial value it represented was absolutely enormous.
From sensors and transistors to new energy batteries—all could utilize it.
Seawater desalination equipment also needed graphene.
And there was also composite materials!
Multifunctional polymer composites and high-strength porous ceramic materials made from graphene enhanced many special properties of composite materials.
Just focusing on pure graphene alone wouldn't yield much profit. But if one broadened their perspective and pursued research,
a whole new world would open up.
Lucas gave a light laugh. "I can help Young Master Qin break into the new energy industry and fully capitalize on its dividends."
Hearing this, a spark of interest gradually lit in Qin Xiao's eyes.
"Oh?" He waved a hand dismissively. "You all go to the restroom first. Come back in ten minutes."
The flock of beauties surrounding Qin Xiao immediately protested upon hearing this.
"Young Master Qin, don't be like that~ We want to learn a thing or two as well."
"Yeah, it's not some big secret."
They didn't want to miss out. Perhaps there was a business opportunity hidden within?
Then they could get rich and wouldn't have to do this kind of work anymore.
However, faced with their coquettish pleas, Qin Xiao didn't display his previous good temper. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Now!"
"Alright, Young Master Qin…"
Seeing this, the women immediately fell silent.
They all obediently left.
Lucas wasn't surprised by this.
So what if these women overheard the earlier part of the conversation?
Could they get access to Wei Ting?
Maybe.
But what use would that be?
None.
Qin Xiao retracted the coldness, a smile reappearing on his face. "Mr. Lucas, you can speak freely now."
Lucas nodded.
However, he suddenly reached out and picked up a phone lying on the booth nearby.
It belonged to one of the women.
*Crunch!*
Lucas crushed it bare-handed.
Recording?
Such a low-level tactic.
Seeing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Qin Xiao's eyes.
Ancient Martial arts?
Before he could ponder further, Lucas began, "Young Master Qin, in your opinion, what is the most critical problem that needs solving in the new energy sector currently?"
The problem that needs solving?
Qin Xiao answered truthfully, "Of course, it's the issues of charging and battery life. Currently, aside from battery technology, there aren't any significant technical hurdles."
Things like electric motors were actually invented long ago.
They just lacked batteries with sufficient capacity to power them for extended periods.
Lucas smiled. "Then this problem is easy to solve."
"I have a newly developed battery."
"A super-endurance battery developed using graphene!"
Hmm?
Qin Xiao was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. "That… isn't a big deal."
"Graphene batteries have existed for a while, but their production yield is low and they're unstable. It's not a great project."
Indeed, graphene super-batteries had issues: inability to store energy long-term, low energy density, limited storage capacity.
If those could be solved, it would naturally be ideal.
Large-scale mass production still had no clear path forward, which was why lithium battery technology was still being developed.
Even if mass production were solved…
The problems of low energy density and limited capacity still remained unresolved.
Lucas nodded. "True."
"But…"
"What if I told you my company has already developed a graphene battery with mature technology?"
"Including graphene production capacity and extraction technology."
"All problems have been solved. So, Young Master Qin… what do you think of this project?"
Hearing this, Qin Xiao was completely stunned.
His breathing became rapid. He asked urgently, "Are you telling the truth?"