Chapter 50 Amaterasu Corporation

“It’s precisely because they’re targeting our company that I asked you to handle the negotiations. I also want to let outsiders know your position here—many decisions in this company are yours to make. I’ll simply observe from the side and see what tricks those islanders are trying to pull,” Lin Feng said quietly.

“Oh, I see! Thank you, Lin Feng. Then I’ll take the lead in today’s meeting,” Xia Ruoxi replied, gratitude shining in her eyes. She understood how much thought Lin Feng had put into strengthening her voice within the company.

Lin Feng smiled, reaching out to gently touch her cheek. “That’s more like it. Show them the authority of the company’s leading lady—be firm when you need to be. The company will only get bigger, and it needs a strong hand at the helm to steer it.”

Seeing Lin Feng getting playful again, Xia Ruoxi briskly knocked his mischievous hand away. “We’re at the office. Mind your behavior! The door isn’t even closed. If any employees pass by and see, how am I supposed to manage them afterwards?”

Sure enough, just as she brushed his hand away, her secretary knocked at the open door, signaling she had something to report. Entering, the secretary addressed them both: “Chairman Lin, President Xia, the delegation from the island company has arrived. Reception has shown them to the meeting room.”

“All right, I understand. You may go back to your work,” Xia Ruoxi replied.

After the secretary left, Lin Feng grinned at Xia Ruoxi. “Interesting. They’re even early—it seems they won’t be easy to handle.”

“If they were, they wouldn’t be a Fortune 500 group! Since they’ve come all this way, let’s not keep them waiting,” Xia Ruoxi answered, picking up the documents from her desk.

Lin Feng watched her eagerness, a little displeased. “What’s the rush? If it were up to me, I’d make them wait a few hours first.”

Xia Ruoxi couldn’t help but nudge him lightly. “No one does that! They’re a major corporation, after all. If we did as you suggest, it would just give them ammunition against us—which might be exactly what they want!”

“Fine, fine, we’ll do it your way. Let’s go see them now,” Lin Feng conceded, and together they headed to the meeting room.

Meanwhile, in the conference room of FutureTech, Takehiko Iga sat sipping the tea brought by the receptionist, contemplating every possible turn the negotiations might take. Upon hearing footsteps outside, he looked toward the door as a stunning woman entered with a man beside her. Though Takehiko had seen photos and videos of Xia Ruoxi in the media, seeing her in person captivated him completely. Comparing her to the women he’d been with before, he realized they paled in comparison—none could hold a candle to her. Suddenly, he became genuinely interested in this impossibly beautiful CEO. He quickly stood, straightening his attire, and extended his hand, greeting her in halting Chinese: “You must be the renowned President Xia Ruoxi of FutureTech. I am Takehiko Iga, representing the island delegation.”

As soon as Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi entered, Lin Feng noticed one of the islanders—a fair-skinned man—eyeing Xia Ruoxi with a lecherous gaze, standing to offer a handshake. Instantly, Lin Feng felt a surge of displeasure, fighting the urge to go over and teach the man a lesson. Moreover, there was another member of the delegation who caught Lin Feng’s attention—a man exuding a subtle aura of menace and violence, nothing like a typical business representative.

Xia Ruoxi, unlike Lin Feng, failed to notice anything amiss. Seeing someone extending a hand for a handshake, she stepped forward out of courtesy. But just as she did, Lin Feng moved ahead, blocking her path and grasping the islander’s hand first, smiling congenially. “I’m Lin Feng, chairman of this company. Welcome.”

Takehiko’s hand failed to reach the beauty’s, and instead he found himself shaking hands with a man. Annoyed, he nearly lost his temper before remembering that they were in China, not his own country. Swallowing his irritation, he replied with forced politeness, “So you’re Lin Feng. I’ve heard much about you.”

“Haha, you flatter me. You’re the impressive one, Takehiko—so young and already a world-class company’s representative. I hope you’ll look after me in the future,” Lin Feng said, continuing the ritual exchange of pleasantries.

Xia Ruoxi was taken aback by Lin Feng’s unexpected behavior, unsure what was happening. All she could do was greet the other members of the delegation while everyone else watched Lin Feng and Takehiko exchange exaggerated compliments.

When the room could bear no more, Xia Ruoxi feigned a cough to prompt Lin Feng.

Catching her cue, Lin Feng realized he’d gone a bit far. He turned to Takehiko with a suggestion: “Takehiko, shall we sit down and talk in earnest?”

“Of course, Lin Feng. Please, let’s sit and have a good discussion,” Takehiko replied, though he couldn’t help muttering inwardly, “This Lin Feng is tough. He immediately established himself as the center of his group, upending our momentum. The negotiations have shifted in their favor.”

Once everyone was seated, Xia Ruoxi shot Lin Feng a look, as if to ask what he was up to—he hadn’t mentioned this change of plan in her office.

Realizing he’d disrupted their original strategy, Lin Feng quickly turned to the delegation with a cheerful smile. “Let’s begin. On our side, President Xia Ruoxi will be our spokesperson. If you did your homework, you’ll know that although I’m the chairman, President Xia is the one who manages things.”

“Chairman Lin is too modest. Without the product you brought in, FutureTech wouldn’t be where it is today,” Takehiko responded eagerly, clearly well-versed in the company’s history.

With Lin Feng finally returning the initiative to her, Xia Ruoxi wasted no time. She addressed the delegation, “We’re pleased to welcome you to our company. May I ask what sort of cooperation you have in mind for our two companies?”

Takehiko, delighted to hear her speak, responded, “Of course. Amaterasu Group is renowned not only in our country, but worldwide. We have operations and channels in many nations, while your company, FutureTech, currently only focuses on the domestic market. We’d like to obtain exclusive distribution rights for your products outside of China. With our resources, FutureTech’s global expansion would be greatly accelerated.”

Hearing such aggressive terms right at the outset, Xia Ruoxi replied coolly, “If it’s just distribution rights you seek, you must know we are considering offering them—but you should be talking to the Lin family in Beijing, not us.”

Takehiko pressed on, “But in the end, isn’t your company the ultimate decision-maker? Why waste time going through intermediaries?”

“That’s not how we do business. We gave our word to let the Lin family decide, and we intend to keep our promise. If we break the rules now, our company’s reputation in China would be ruined,” Xia Ruoxi refused firmly.

“Well then, if distribution is off the table, how about letting Amaterasu Group invest? With our backing, your growth would be even swifter,” Takehiko offered, his tone almost patronizing.

“That’s not necessary. We’re not short on funds. If we were, I’m sure the banks would be eager to lend,” Xia Ruoxi declined again.

Takehiko’s expression darkened. “What if Amaterasu Group insists on acquiring your company? Name your price. If you refuse, I doubt your products will ever make it to foreign markets,” he threatened, already envisioning his future with the captivating CEO.

Unable to tolerate any more, Lin Feng cut in sharply, “If this is your idea of sincere business negotiation, we can end this now. Do we need your influence? Once we appoint our overseas agents, what will Amaterasu Group amount to? Do you really think you’re that powerful? You’re not even number one in Japan, let alone the world. I can’t imagine why your company would send an idiot like you to negotiate. Trying to buy us out—do I look like someone desperate for money?”