Inheritance of Two Trillion Chapter 2409 - 1801: Shouldering Responsibility (Part 2)

"Alright, I’ll give it a try," Bai Xiaosheng replied, agreeing.

Actually, viewing it from another perspective, presenting Mr. Brown with a substantial cooperation opportunity could also be interpreted as a subtle gesture to mend their strained relationship.

Hou Yuncheng's insistence on Bai Xiaosheng taking the lead indeed carried that underlying consideration.

Subsequent to this, Hou Yuncheng and Bai Xiaosheng engaged in a further discussion.

During their sojourn in Moribido City, Hou Yuncheng impressed upon Bai Xiaosheng that the primary objective was not merely company inspections, but rather facilitating a robust partnership between the two entities should take precedence.

Though the two target companies were not located within Moribido City itself, they were situated in adjacent cities—one to the south, the other to the east. The furthest location was a mere three-hour journey, making day trips feasible for conducting business discussions and returning within the same day.

After a lengthy conversation, observing the encroaching lateness of the hour, Hou Yuncheng advised Bai Xiaosheng to return and rest, postponing any further work until the following day.

Bai Xiaosheng then took his leave.

Upon his return to his lodgings, accompanied by Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying, Bai Xiaosheng recounted the entirety of Hou Yuncheng's directives to them.

"This... do you think it will actually work? We still have no idea what Mr. Brown's stance is towards us," Lin Weiwei voiced her apprehension with a touch of hesitation. "What if..."

"As Sheng just mentioned, we are essentially constructing a bridge for them, introducing a significant business proposition. How does that relate to our existing conflicts? Moreover, this endeavor can concurrently be viewed as a move to improve relations," Lei Ying interjected.

Lin Weiwei remained unconvinced and generally pessimistic about the outcome.

"Alright, alright, you two, cease this argument," Bai Xiaosheng exclaimed, stretching with a wide yawn. "That concludes our discussion for today. It's getting late; head back and get some rest. Sleep well, and we can revisit this tomorrow."

Only then did Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying relent. They bid farewell to Bai Xiaosheng and departed from his residence.

Following the day's events, Bai Xiaosheng was indeed quite spent, and after a simple wash, he promptly collapsed into bed.

"I recall Jiang Kuo mentioning that Mr. Brown was expected to arrive in Naliya today. Given Naliya's proximity, he could potentially reach Xisuli by tomorrow if he were inclined. If Mr. Brown is indeed coming to confront me directly, that might actually be for the better... forget it, I won't dwell on it anymore. I'll see him tomorrow, regardless..."

Unable to resolve the uncertainties, Bai Xiaosheng drifted into a deep slumber.

He slept soundly.

However, in this particular instance, Bai Xiaosheng's assumption proved incorrect. Mr. Brown did not delay his arrival in Xisuli until the following day; instead, he landed in Kaido City, a neighboring city to Moribido City, just past midnight.

Kaido City—the very home of the renowned rare earth company, "Xuanjin"!

It wasn't that Mr. Brown was oblivious to the presence of the Huaxia Business Group in Moribido City, nor did he particularly mind sharing the same city as Bai Xiaosheng. The reason for his landing in Kaido City was due to a lack of suitable flight options upon arriving in Naliya. Consequently, he opted for a private jet, which could only be accommodated at this particular airport.

As he disembarked from the aircraft, Mr. Brown's expression was far from pleasant.

Adding to his usual indispositions, a distinct air of gloominess permeated his demeanor.

Outside the tarmac, a contingent of several dozen individuals awaited his arrival. Despite the late hour, they had been standing in the biting cold for over an hour, anxious not to miss his arrival time and incur Mr. Brown's displeasure.

Among the welcoming party, leading the group was a portly Caucasian man distinguished by a perpetually gentle smile. He was the Executive President of Zhenbei Group's Africa region, known as Tike.

Standing beside Tike was a man of mixed African and European heritage, his trench coat collar turned up, eyes cast downward, and a distinct lack of smile—the Deputy Executive President of the Africa region, Cilio.

He was, in fact, the very individual secretly collaborating with Caroline.

Following the recent exposure of their illicit dealings, Cilio found himself in a precarious position, harboring an intense animosity towards Bai Xiaosheng, the outsider he blamed for the disruption.

Although Tike and Cilio had been waiting for a considerable time, their conversation remained sparse. Only when Tike initiated a politely phrased inquiry did a few exchanges occur, to which Cilio responded with minimal engagement.

The underlying reason for Cilio's subdued participation stemmed from Tike's amiable disposition and preference for collaborative decision-making on significant matters. This approach led Cilio and others to perceive him as indecisive and perhaps unfit for the role of Executive President.

Now, with Mr. Brown's appearance, both Tike and Cilio, accompanied by a retinue of subordinates, moved forward to extend their greetings.

Unlike other regional corporate and executive presidents, and despite the established hierarchies, Mr. Brown held a unique position. As one of the group's founding elders, he had once been a contender for the Vice Chairman position. Consequently, Tike and Cilio accorded him a level of deference typically reserved for a Vice Chairman.

Upon hearing of his impending arrival, they had promptly organized this welcoming ceremony, extending their reception from a distance.

Naturally, there was an additional, unspoken motive behind their eagerness.

With Mr. Brown's potential retirement on the horizon, a clear opportunity arose for Tike and Cilio to advance their own positions within the company, making their show of reverence an obligatory strategic maneuver.

"Mr. Brown, welcome! It has been a difficult journey for you. You should have rested overnight in Naliya; please don't overexert yourself," Tike said with a wide, respectful smile.

"We've secured a hotel room for you and will escort you there presently," Cilio, dismissive of Tike's obsequious flattery, cut to the chase.

Mr. Brown, his expression unreadable, cast a brief glance at both of them before nodding and stating casually, "I appreciate your efforts, gentlemen."

As he spoke, Mr. Brown, leaning on a cane for support, moved forward, his gaze lingering on Cilio with a subtle, piercing intensity.

Cilio displayed no external signs of reaction, yet his throat bobbed as he swallowed discreetly.

Given how matters had escalated, Mr. Brown undoubtedly understood the situation; the primary concern now was how to manage the fallout... Cilio felt a knot of anxiety tighten within him.

To be frank, Mr. Brown acknowledged Cilio's decisive methods, although he found himself hesitant to endorse him for advancement.

Naturally, the inherent dynamics between a second-in-command and a third-tier operative often placed the former at a slight disadvantage.

Nonetheless, Cilio firmly believed he was the superior choice over the somewhat hesitant Tike, leading to occasional undertones of resentment. Mr. Brown, aware of this, had been lenient, which inadvertently fueled Cilio's growing arrogance.

However, the look Mr. Brown gave him today unsettled Cilio considerably.

"Regarding the matters I entrusted you to oversee, what is the status?" Mr. Brown inquired abruptly as they proceeded.

"The Huaxia Business Group is currently in Moribido City and is expected to remain for several days. Today, a welcome banquet occupied their entire schedule," Tike offered, matching Mr. Brown's pace.

Unwilling to be outshone, Cilio quickly interjected, "We also received a missive from the Xisuli Government today. They requested that our local 'Xuanjin' Company host the visiting Huaxia Business Group to discuss rare earth mining opportunities and urged our cooperation."

It so happened that a small mining site previously existed in this vicinity. The Zhenbei Group had acquired the fifty-year mining rights at a nominal price, subsequently discovering rare earth deposits. Under local statutes, they possessed the right to develop and exploit these resources, albeit subject to oversight and certain limitations.

For instance, the Xisuli Government retained the authority to provide 'guidance' on their external dealings whenever deemed necessary.

"Indeed?" Upon hearing this, Mr. Brown halted his steps, turning his gaze toward Cilio. "You mentioned the Huaxia Business Group is here to explore cooperation?"

Cilio responded with a swift nod. "Precisely."

"We have finalized the arrangements for their reception," Tike added with a smile.

A slight nod from Mr. Brown was followed by the upward curve of his lips into a smirk—a smile of sorts, yet devoid of any warmth, carrying instead a subtle, chilling edge.

"I was beginning to think I had arrived at the wrong destination, but it appears I am precisely where I need to be. Therefore, I shall simply await his arrival here!" Mr. Brown murmured, his cane tapping lightly against the ground.

If Bai Xiaosheng does not appear, he will not utter another word.

"What did you say...?" Cilio, standing nearby, hadn't clearly discerned Mr. Brown's words and inquired instinctively.

Mr. Brown fixed his stare upon Cilio, causing the latter to feel a prickle of unease.

Mr. Brown placed a hand on Cilio's shoulder and applied a firm squeeze, betraying none of the frailty one might expect from an aging man nearing retirement, eliciting a wince of pain from Cilio.

"I am unaware of the progress of the group's inquiries, nor do I concern myself with it," Mr. Brown stated deliberately to Cilio. "Once I have settled my grievances with that individual, you will provide me with a complete explanation! See to it that your account is satisfactory! Understood, my good fellow?"