Considering this possibility, Lucas couldn't help but muse, "Indeed, the most powerful forces are the ones you can't see."
He never underestimated the complexity of this story-world.
It was like knowing the world's predetermined trajectory. If you forcefully altered it, the world would inevitably use other forces to correct the future outcome.
That was precisely why the system's functions were so crucial.
By raising someone's favorability towards him to a certain level, he could prevent them from being "corrected" back by the plot.
And this very mechanic was what made it all so intriguing to him.
"Come on then. Let's see what moves you have."
With that thought, Lucas replied with a smile, "Understood, Adrien. I'll make sure Mr. Wei is well taken care of when he arrives."
Hearing his answer, Adrien gave a cold nod. "Hmm."
Perhaps sensing his own tone was a bit off, Adrien quickly added, "Don't worry. This is your opportunity."
"If you complete this task, there will be plenty of benefits for you later."
Adrien knew a little about managing subordinates—you had to keep them fed, or they'd stop working.
Lucas replied cheerfully, "Don't worry, Adrien. I won't let you down."
After the call ended, Lucas hung up.
"Taken care of?"
Lucas let out a scornful laugh. "What does 'taken care of' even mean?"
"A 2% cut? As if I need his scraps?"
He could hardly keep from laughing out loud.
Of course, he chose to ignore Adrien's condescending tone for now. After all, they hadn't openly turned against each other yet.
He couldn't recklessly do anything to his "good big brother."
Sigh.
If only the protagonist would grow up faster, then this "good big brother" could meet an early end.
And he could rightfully inherit the "good big brother's" estate.
Lucas had always coveted Adrien's family fortune.
After all, it was a conglomerate worth hundreds of billions.
If it fell, he could feast on quite a lot.
If his plans progressed in time, he might even be able to take over all of the Su family's assets directly.
Not long after,
while Lucas was still busy working,
the front desk called.
"Mr. Lucas, Mr. Wei Ting, the General Manager of the Wei Group, is here to see you." The front desk girl's voice trembled slightly.
Clearly, the name "Wei Group" carried immense weight.
And rightly so.
The Wei family's market value approached over 400 billion, spanning numerous domestic industrial projects.
Real estate, supermarkets, commercial plazas, construction, and more.
Few were unaware of the Wei family.
Lucas replied calmly, "Alright. Please send them up."
"Yes, Mr. Lucas."
The call ended.
The receptionist let out a relieved sigh and said, "Mr. Wei, Mr. Lucas invites you to go up."
At the front desk stood a strikingly handsome young man whose noble bearing was impossible to conceal. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble."
With that, he followed the receptionist towards the elevator.
She pressed the button for him.
Wei Ting took the elevator to the floor where Lucas's company was located.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Before Wei Ting stood a young man with an upright posture and exceptionally handsome features.
They were about the same height, around 1.85 meters.
Lucas looked at the handsome young man and smiled. "Mr. Wei, welcome."
Wei Ting assessed Lucas, then smiled in return. "Mr. Lucas."
"You look just as I heard in the rumors."
And nothing like the rumors at all.
Wasn't Lucas supposed to be a grassroots entrepreneur from an ordinary background who obeyed the Su family's every word?
How come...
he didn't seem like that at all?
Lucas chuckled in response. "You flatter me, Mr. Wei. You are the true dragon among men."
"Please, this way."
With that, Lucas led him to his office.
As they passed through the employee work area, many young men and women glanced over.
All of them were astonished.
"Holy crap! That's Wei Ting, the General Manager of the Wei Group!"
"It's him! I've seen him on the news!"
"Why is he at our company? Could it be for a collaboration?"
"Has Skyward Tech caught the Wei Group's eye?"
The Wei family's reputation was simply too prominent.
Although their listed market value wasn't astronomical, the sectors they covered were surprisingly vast. There was even speculation that their stock price was artificially controlled.
The purpose was to prevent foreign capital from gaining a foothold.
If restrictions were lifted, it would be normal for their market cap to break the trillion mark.
The employees outside were buzzing with shock.
Even in her office, Lucas's assistant Li Yufei watched the two through the window in surprise.
She was aware of the company's recent development plans.
Although somewhat startled, she could accept it.
After all...
what was to come was truly astonishing.
"Is Mr. Lucas that incredible? He's already negotiating with the Wei Group after just a few days?"
The more Li Yufei thought about it, the more excited she became.
Ever since Mr. Lucas changed, scolding her less, he seemed to have entered a breakout phase.
Was this the legendary... takeoff?
CEO's Office.
Lucas invited Wei Ting to sit on the sofa. He prepared tea, poured two cups of black tea, and they both took a moment to savor it.
Wei Ting set down his cup with a smile. "Excellent tea!"
Lucas smiled without comment.
Putting his own cup down, Lucas looked at Wei Ting with a somewhat playful gaze.
This Wei family...
In the original story, they actually had a chance to side with the protagonist. But later, weighing the pros and cons, they abandoned Ye Fan.
Then, after Ye Fan soared to success, they were isolated.
At one point, their market value plummeted by hundreds of billions.
Simply unbelievable.
That even a giant family like this could fall.
Lucas could only say one thing: Protagonist halo is ridiculously overpowered!
As for Wei Ting, he initially valued Ye Fan and invested heavily, but later abandoned him due to strategic calculations.
In the end, he faded into obscurity.
Looking at this Wei Ting, who missed his chance with the protagonist and became a textbook case of a failed investment, Lucas smiled faintly. "Mr. Wei, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my small company?"
As a southerner, Lucas disliked beating around the bush.
Getting straight to the point was more his style.
Wei Ting narrowed his eyes with a smile. "Just came to Mr. Lucas's place for a cup of tea."
Hearing this, Lucas crossed his legs and raised the corner of his mouth. "Is that so?"
"Then I wonder..."
"is Mr. Wei satisfied with this cup of tea?"
Wei Ting examined his cup for a moment, then nodded. "For now, quite satisfied."
"I just don't know... if Mr. Lucas is willing to sell me some of this 'tea'?"