Looking around, the mid-level official quickly pulled a recording pen from his sleeve.
Right in front of Xin Hai'an, he spoke into it without any hesitation.
When he played it back, there was nothing but static.
Nodding in satisfaction, the mid-level official relaxed immediately and said with a warm smile,
“President Xin, you truly deserve to be the head of the Crimson Blood Group's potion division. Talking to you is so straightforward and effortless! Hahaha.”
Xin Hai'an ignored his flattery and said calmly,
“This matter is a misunderstanding. However, it has caused some inconvenience to everyone in Pingshan District, and I apologize on behalf of the Crimson Blood Group.”
“In the future, I plan to establish a local branch office on a municipal scale, along with several supporting factories.”
“We are currently in need of dividend-earning shareholders and management staff. I hope Pingshan District can provide me with a few business partners to make our cooperation more pleasant.”
This was a massive concession and a show of goodwill.
Investing locally would boost the local economy and employment, helping to maintain stability.
As for the shareholders and management positions, they would allow these officials to line their pockets directly.
Although it was a steep price, Xin Hai'an had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept it.
Normally, if it were just local thugs causing trouble or officials looking for kickbacks, she would have ways to handle it perfectly.
But this had to involve the machine civilization.
These heretics were like a septic tank; even if you didn't fall in, just standing near the edge risked getting covered in filth if the biogas exploded.
She patiently waited for the man to discuss the distribution of benefits, but instead, she saw him shake his head with a smile.
A polite, gentle smile remained on his face.
“My apologies, President Xin.”
“Personally, I believe the risks and issues involved in this matter are far too high. Therefore, I cannot accept your terms right now.”
Xin Hai'an raised an eyebrow.
“Then what do you suggest? How can we get to the bottom of this smuggling case and prove that someone is maliciously framing the Crimson Blood Group?”
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.
“It's not impossible. Since you're already planning to invest and build factories here, it shows you're highly optimistic about the future development of our Pingshan District.”
“How about this? For the sake of Pingshan District's economy and to ensure your company can grow better and more fully here, the local branch should have a leader with sufficient decision-making power.”
“Therefore, I would venture to propose that we purchase 1% of the Crimson Blood Group's shares for ten thousand yuan. What do you think?”
Ten thousand yuan for 1% of the entire Crimson Blood Group?
Xin Hai'an was instantly moved to angry laughter.
“Why don't you just ask me to give you 1% of the shares for free?!”
The Crimson Blood Group had its hands in various industries, making it a massive conglomerate.
Behind that 1% of shares lay an incredibly astronomical sum of money and a vast network of connections.
Buying it for ten thousand yuan was no different from daylight robbery!
Closing her eyes halfway to slowly regulate her breathing, even someone as composed as Xin Hai'an nearly lost her temper.
She lowered her voice.
“No. I am only in charge of one of the Crimson Blood Group's divisions. My authority does not extend far enough to give away 1% of the shares.”
The middle-aged man merely smiled, but his words grew increasingly arrogant.
“President Xin, you must understand that it wasn't my idea to come here. Someone wanted me to come.”
“Since we dare to make this demand, we have naturally done our research.”
“You are the biological sister of the Crimson Blood Group's current leader, and from what I know, the two of you share a very close bond.”
“This matter is actually very simple. As long as you are willing to do it, with your sister's help, it is by no means impossible.
Just 1% of the shares is enough. We aren't asking for too much.”
Xin Hai'an remained silent, her blood-red eyes turning colder by the second.
Seeing her remain unresponsive, the middle-aged man's expression gradually darkened.
“President Xin, I think even if you don't care about your own safety, you should think about the future of your group.
Just 1% of the shares will guarantee that you have nothing to do with the machine civilization case anymore, allowing us to continue our pleasant cooperation.
Both sides will be happy, a win-win result for everyone.
It seems you are still too young. My advice to you is not to be so stubborn.
You need to learn to be a bit more flexible with people and situations.”
Instead of responding, Xin Hai'an rubbed her temples in irritation.
1% of the Crimson Blood Group's shares.
Or the cost of investigating the mastermind behind this and having them assassinated.
The former seemed to cost significantly more.
But... that wouldn't quite work either.
After all, the other party's official status was a factor. If the mastermind behind this turned out to be the district chief of Pingshan District, it would be extremely troublesome.
The Federation's order was maintained relatively well, at least on the surface, and public officials possessed a natural aura of legitimacy and righteousness.
She couldn't kill them, yet she couldn't let them go either.
Her thoughts tangled like a ball of yarn, making her frown.
Suddenly, Xin Hai'an recalled the cute, smiling face of that white-furred fox.
Wagging his tail, saying things that could get him executed with a completely innocent look on his face.
If he were by her side right now, perhaps he could offer some good advice.
What a pity...
Even if he cleared up the matter with Jedoli now, it would be useless.
Because the other party had already come to her door with the report. Even if it was proven that Jedoli was behind everything, it wouldn't stop them from holding her jointly liable under Federal law.
Jedoli wasn't weak. She had given Bai Xiaodu a dart, but she wasn't sure if it would be enough.
Since he had promised so confidently, he probably had a way to handle it.
Still, she couldn't help but worry. She would deal with this situation first, then immediately go find him to see how things were.
She suddenly found herself worrying if that fox was being bullied.
...
Clutching a thick stack of documents under his arm, a travel-worn Bai Xiaodu rushed into the Crimson Blood Group's office building.
He didn't dare waste a single second.
These files consisted of over a hundred pages, containing both bills and ledgers.
Every single page pulled out was fucking enough to keep the firing squad busy through the New Year!
If some random passerby picked them up, they would all be...
Safety off... fire!
Following the signs, he quickly made his way upstairs. As soon as he arrived, he saw the two "door gods" standing outside Xin Hai'an's office.
Still standing on the left and right, like the two temple guardians.
The bodyguard on the left looked up at Bai Xiaodu, saying nothing and showing no reaction.
His face was even colder than usual, with a faint hint of resentment lurking underneath.
On the other side, Liya managed a forced smile and nodded in greeting.
Scratching his head in confusion, Bai Xiaodu immediately sensed that something was wrong.
He stepped forward and lowered his voice.
“What happened? Liya, could you tell me?”
“Maybe I can help.”
Rate on N.U.
