Chapter 977 - The Snowballing Truth
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
On Lya Sphinx, the actions of Jasper and Laurel for the formation of the Tita Business Organization weren’t well received by everyone. It was especially so among the core members of Karuna Business Organization, and they were rather unhappy about Laurel.
The Karuna Business Organization wasn’t a business organization per se but possessed certain functions of one. It provided everyone with a platform for business opportunities and had gathered their resources to form an influential political force in Lya Sphinx. Privately, they were known as the “Little Committee.” Everyone didn’t have any faction relationships and knew restraints when doing things. However, Laurel had been overly promoting her “boyfriend” and was a little guilty of putting love in front of other things. In addition, she had been pushing for this project from the Solar System a little too highly currently. This had resulted in some divided views within the organization. Nonetheless, they had to give Laurel some respect. There was no point in causing a fuss over such a small matter at the moment. Even those who were thinking of replacing Laurel were not doing so, at least not till the project had collapsed.
Tita Star was a great place for investment. However, it wasn’t the case for everyone. It was especially so for those in the entertainment and service industries as they could not find a market entry point for that place.
“I have heard that even floating cars are not usable in that place.”
“Yeah, there are restrictions on energy. I have heard that the main form of transport is actually the ancient railway train. Are they kidding us?”
“With such planetary conditions, shouldn’t they just be a mining star? Those Tita people could have sold their minerals to Aslan or Arbiter and proceed to another planet to purchase land for immigration. They could even avoid a war by doing so.”
“With the generosity of Aslan, they might even get a small satellite planet. Can’t they just be a mining star? Moreover, they would have been able to establish their country, enter the Milky Way Alliance, and become allies to Aslan.”
These were classic examples of speaking were easier than doing. It might sound like a great idea, but which child would be disgusted with his mother for not being good enough? How many children would actually abandon their biological mother and leap into the embrace of a stepmother? However, no one would pay attention to these comments made based on personal interests. As long as these comments were beneficial to them, they would have regarded those as great.
As for those comments that might hurt their interests, even though they were not directly affected, they would also lament about them.
At the very moment, Laurel was in an afternoon tea activity.
Although it was called an afternoon tea, it was, in fact, a very important activity. Those people that she would be meeting were all important officials or distinguished guests.
“Laurel, regarding the hunting activity tomorrow, are you sure that you will not be coming?” Arahan was playing with the crystal clear tea cup in his hands. He raised his head, took a glance at Laurel, and understood her intentions of coming immediately. However, it was a pity. He didn’t feel anything about the Tita Business Organization.
Laurel smiled faintly and looked at the greyish hair of Arahan. This was one of the trademarks of the Burlet family. “I have some friends to entertain tomorrow.”
“That’s a shame. Nonetheless, what kinds of friends?” Arahan smiled. The reason why he wasn’t interested in the Tita Business Organization was because he felt that Laurel had gone a little overboard this time.
From his perspective, the business opportunities on Tita Star were indeed great. However, if he was in her shoes, he would definitely not expend so much effort in doing it. The key issue was that they weren’t in the controlling seat. With their standing in the Milky Way Alliance, why should they support a stinky brat from the Solar System? This wasn’t an issue with money but an issue of status. Laurel used to be a very understanding lady. Why did her intelligence fall by so much when she was in love?
Within the circle, there were many people waiting to see Laurel make a joke of herself. It was especially so for some of her past suitors who had seen her walking closely with Jasper. Although there weren’t any concrete news up till now, the two of them had been spotted acting intimately numerous times.
Moreover, based on the current situation, although the development of the Tita Business Organization looked bright, it wasn’t a reasonable return compared to what Laurel had contributed till now.
“They are the other higher management of the Tita Business Organization. Arahan, as friends for so many years, I truthfully feel that you should take part in it. This is an opportunity,” said Laurel.
The Burlet family behind Arahan was a big family with deep roots in Lya Sphinx. The reason why they had taken Arahan in was to strengthen relationships.
“I’m sorry. I have too many projects in my hands and I’m barely coping.” Arahan shrugged his shoulders and still wasn’t interested. Even if he was interested, he wouldn’t want to enter through the collaboration model of the Tita Business Organization.
“The red tea is not bad. Arahan, there’s a meeting in a while. If you have time, you can come and take a look. Just take it as you are my advisor.” Laurel smiled and raised her tea cup. This was her last chance. It was okay if Arahan didn’t have the foresight. The Burlet family was a great force that was worthwhile for her to get on the good books of. Moreover, Arahan had helped her previously. It was really a pity that he would let this opportunity slide past because of the so-called status.
Arahan smiled and sipped on a mouthful of red tea. He felt a little embarrassed to say no after Laurel had invited him again. Eventually, he replied faintly, “Alright.”
Arahan used to be in love with Laurel. However, it was more of an infatuation. It was similar to when one would fall for the female actress in a movie but would soon fall in love with another actress in a different movie.
However, for a man, a friend who he used to like would be a rather special friend. He would always hope she could live a little better. Although he might not extend a helping hand, a reminder was still something he was willing to give.
However, what Arahan might not have expected was that the time for the meeting would actually be eleven at night!
After waiting for so long, he was clearly not happy. He knew that this was to accommodate to the available time of the other members. It was late at night at his place but was day time for the others.
This was something common for interstellar business cooperation. However, on what grounds should his side accommodate the other party? Laurel had set her position too weakly and lowly.
historical
In business discussion, the weaker side accommodating the stronger side was the norm. However, was the Solar System strong?
The feeling he got at the start wasn’t right, but since he was here, Arahan would still like to sit in.
“Oh, you are so willing to part with this bottle of wine. There’s probably less than a hundred bottles of this wine from this year in the entire Milky Way Alliance. It’s a pity that I wasn’t around in the last auction.”
Some good stuff couldn’t be enjoyed even if one had authority and money. For people at his level, this was all they cared about. The passion for things that could be easily obtained no matter how great would only be a fleeting moment.
Laurel smiled faintly. “I bought it for an investment.”
“Be careful not to lose your capital.” Arahan sniggled. There was a hidden meaning in his words as he clearly wouldn’t be convinced with just a bottle of wine.
When it was almost eleven o’clock, Jasper arrived hurriedly. Laurel was in charge of the front end matters, while he was responsible for the thousand little things at the back end. He had been really busy recently. When he saw Arahan, his eyes lit up and he stepped forward to greet him passionately.
“Hehe, Jasper, you are so passionate that I feel a little shy. I just happened to pass by here today and am just sitting in.”
Sitting in?
Jasper smiled. He wasn’t close to Arahan and had only heard about him a few times from Laurel, that he had wooed her before. However, he had a good character and was one of the spokesmen for the Burlet family. He was a target that was worthwhile to get on the good books of. “I’ll be even happier to have you then and hope you can provide us with more advice.”
At exactly eleven o’clock, the meeting began officially.
Yan Xiaosu was the first to connect in from long distance. He was full of smiles, the trademark smile of a local tyrant.
“Let me introduce everyone. This is Mr. Yan Xiaosu, the one in charge from the Solar System. He is also the chairman of the business organization. This is Arahan Burlet, a friend of mine,” introduced Laurel simply. The meeting today was for everyone to meet one another and didn’t involve any practical work.
Arahan was a little shocked when he saw Yan Xiaosu. This guy had a creepy smile... Was he trying to act cool? He looked just like a small shop owner along the streets.
Although the Solar System was a little weaker, it shouldn’t be to this extent, right? Arahan was starting to regret staying behind just for a bottle of wine.
Just so he could observe the silly smile of this guy? He might as well go diving in the seas to look at jellyfish.
Following Yan Xiaosu, various levels of important figures had also started connecting in one after another and were sitting in front of the meeting table in virtual form. At this moment, Yan Xiaosu finally snapped out of being in his own world. Nonetheless the first impression had already been formed in the mind of Arahan, and it would be hard for him to look past it.
“Laurel, I still have something...”
Arahan stood up and was getting ready to leave. He felt that he had wasted too much time. The people from the Solar System that came on subsequently still had some awe with them. However, the problem was that Yan Xiaosu was the chairman. When Laurel had introduced him as the chairman, he no longer had any other things to say. With their leader being like this, those under him would definitely not be any better. It would be okay if one of the underlings was not good enough. However, if the leader was not good enough, the whole team would be dragged down.
However, at this moment, a flash flickered. Another person had connected to the meeting table. This time the position was slightly more to the front. This representative wasn’t from the Solar System. Arahan, who was speaking absentmindedly, took a glance. After which, he didn’t continue with his words.
This was because he saw a familiar figure, a figure that should not be appearing here... Ai Xiaolu!
The Pride of Hail Cloud Alliance and the Business Miracle. Even he had to look up to her a little. Arahan finally kept his arrogance in check.
Even she had joined the Tita Business Organization? And she wasn’t the one leading it?
Could it be that brilliant Ai Xiaolu had fallen for the same trick? Clearly, it was unlikely. This was the financial wiz of the Hail Cloud Alliance!
In an instant, Arahan didn’t want to leave anymore.
After which, he saw Ai Xiaolu nodding her head at Yan Xiaosu. This small action showed that the two of them were familiar with each other.
On the side of Hail Cloud Alliance, the important members had all come online. After which, it was that kid from Clark Republic that he knew too.
There was only one seat left.
At this moment, the lights flickered.
A small and slim girl appeared on the seat. The figure of one from Gemini Star was still easily recognizable.
Arahan’s eyes quickly moved again. Others might find this young girl very cute, like a lolita. They might even compliment her as a great creation of Gemini Star. However, Arahan had visited the current chairman of the Milky Way Alliance when he followed his father before...
This girl was sitting in the flower garden and reading a book then. His father knew about his flirtatious personality and had given him a special reminder that the name of this girl was Luo Er. She was the precious daughter of the current chairman of the Milky Way Alliance and was someone that never should be offended. Whoever did would be the same as dead.
At this moment, he heard Laurel’s introduction of Luo Er. “This is Miss Luo Er and she is also the overall consultant of our business organization...”
What kind of business organization was this?
This seemed to be only the first meeting, a meetup of the major shareholders with no practical topic. Yet the people participating all seemed very willing. This had exceeded his expectations by a little. It was especially so for the participation of Mars and the Moon. Initially, he was feeling a little arrogant. However, with the appearance of authoritative figure after authoritative figure, he knew that he had to correct his mentality and position.
Arahan was feeling a little interested now. It didn’t matter if this matter wasn’t profitable. What was more important was that he needed to leave a good impression on Luo Er!