The next day.
11:00 AM.
Tian Ying Technology.
"My God, what is going on? Yesterday it was Mr. Wei from the Wei Group. Today it's Mr. Qin from the Qin Group."
"Has our Mr. Lucas struck gold?"
"Why do these top-tier big shots keep coming to see him?"
"I have no idea. Could it be that our company is actually worth trillions?"
"Dream on. I'm an old-timer at Tian Ying. When it was first founded, there were only seven or eight people here."
In the office area, employees were buzzing with discussion.
The surprises of the last two days were simply too big.
The Wei Group yesterday, the Qin Group today.
What about tomorrow?
The Ma Group?
Arriving at Lucas's president's office, the receptionist respectfully opened the door for Qin Xiao.
As soon as he entered, Qin Xiao called out, "Brother Lucas, your company is pretty small."
"Our Qin Group also has an office building in Jiang City. How about we just let you use it?"
Saying this, Qin Xiao walked over and sat down on the sofa.
The familiarity of his actions made him seem like a regular.
Lucas shot him a glance, saying helplessly, "Let's just focus on discussing business properly. Don't bother with all that extra stuff."
As he spoke, he walked out holding a document.
Approaching the sofa, he tossed the document in front of Qin Xiao, saying calmly, "Take a look at the contract yourself first."
"If there are no issues, sign it. The new energy batteries will be ready for you in seven days."
Hearing this, Qin Xiao took off his flashy sunglasses and pulled a pen from his suit pocket.
After giving the contract a cursory glance, Qin Xiao directly signed his name.
"Done!"
Seeing him act so decisively, Lucas couldn't help but express surprise. "You're not going to read it carefully? Aren't you afraid my contract has pitfalls?"
Qin Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "You saved me yesterday. How could I not trust you?"
"I also notified my old man this morning."
"He told me that if your batteries are truly as described, even with only half the functionality you claimed, we'd still sign this contract with you."
Suppressing the Wei family wasn't just something he alone wanted to do.
It was what the entire Qin family wanted.
Lucas was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. "Your old man has quite the guts."
Decisive.
At that moment, Li Yufei walked in.
She carried a stack of data files in her arms, placing them on the coffee table. "Mr. Lucas, all the materials you asked me to compile are here."
"Alright, you may go." Lucas nodded.
After Li Yufei left, Qin Xiao grinned. "Brother Lucas, you're living the good life."
"Hiring such a beautiful secretary."
*Tsk, tsk.*
What a shame his own secretary was a man.
The family's explanation was they were afraid he wouldn't get any work done!
How was that possible!
Of course he wouldn't work when there was nothing to do, but the secretary couldn't just be idle either!
Outrageous!
Lucas flicked a cigarette at his head, lit his own, and said leisurely, "Cut the crap with those crooked ideas. She's *my* person."
Qin Xiao patted his head, not minding. "A brother's wife is not to be coveted. I still know that much."
Lucas sighed, then said, "Within these data files are the blueprints you need, along with various parameters. Everything has been detailed and annotated for you."
It pained him.
To exchange for these data files last night, Lucas had spent a whopping 1000 Steady Points.
Heartache.
If Qin Xiao wasn't effective and couldn't let him show off properly, that would be a huge loss.
Lucas said quietly, "Do your best. Put your heart into it during this period."
In the original story, Qin Xiao's appearance in the plot was also around here.
However.
At tonight's gathering, he would take a fancy to a woman, becoming utterly infatuated for a time.
Later, he would be intercepted by the buzzcut protagonist.
Thus, the two became rivals.
Lucas patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly, "I advise you, don't get bewitched by feminine charms. Women are everywhere. One or two more or less doesn't matter."
"They're all roses with thorns. One misstep, and you could get fatally pricked."
Hmm?
Qin Xiao: "???"
Brother, I just glanced at your secretary. No need to curse me like that.
That's too much.
Lucas didn't explain further.
Anyway, Qin Xiao just needed to behave himself tonight. If it really came to it,
he could just send him away.
To prevent him from becoming immobile at the sight of a woman.
After chatting for a while, Lucas also signed the strategic cooperation contract Qin Xiao had brought.
Before leaving, Lucas instructed, "Remember, our partnership must not be announced for another ten days."
In ten days, Lucas needed to complete all preparatory work.
He intended to leverage the Qin family's influence and the advantage of graphene to make a nationwide impact in one fell swoop!
Lucas didn't know the meaning of "low-key."
He only knew "high-profile"!
Only by creating the biggest possible stir would they not dare to look down on him in the future.
That way, he could avoid running into clueless people on the street.
Like in those naive urban stories where the protagonist, dressed in rags, goes out and immediately finds someone causing trouble, offering their face to be slapped.
That's just pure, unadulterated showing off.
Not like him.
*Sigh.*
Indeed, the gap between people is vast. I don't need to show off, because I simply have the capability.
Hearing Lucas's words, Qin Xiao thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright."
He also understood Lucas's plan.
Of course, this was beneficial for him too. Supporting it wasn't a problem.
It might even give the Qin Group's stock price a boost.
The two conspirators continued their discussion.
Outside the president's office, Li Yufei, hearing the occasional snickering laughter from the two men, couldn't help but pout. "Mr. Lucas is being led astray."
The old Mr. Lucas, while sometimes a bit obsequious,
had never laughed quite so... shamelessly before.
Just then, a soft, feminine voice sounded.
"Hello. May I ask if Lucas is inside?"
Hmm?
Li Yufei turned her head and immediately saw a stunning beauty with cool, elegant makeup.
Who was this?
But she was so beautiful.
"Hello, is Lucas here?" Seeing Li Yufei frozen, the woman slightly emphasized her tone.
"Ah, yes."
Li Yufei snapped back to reality, quickly nodding. "Do you have an appointment?"
She hadn't reacted immediately.
But as a proper secretary, she still had to screen visitors for her boss.
Like... this stunning beauty before her.
She couldn't just let her in.
What if she was here to seduce or harm Mr. Lucas?
She had to guard the gate properly!
Hearing this, the woman said seriously, "I am the president of the Laurent Group. My name is Camille Laurent. I'm here to discuss something with your Mr. Lucas."