Chapter 45: Even a Hero Cannot Resist the Charm of a Beauty

"If it were true, would you be happy?"

"As I said before, who wouldn't want to open their eyes and see Mina?"

For some reason, everything Mina said and did always provoked in Xia Xing the urge to tease her.

Her cold, clear eyes rippled slightly, like a pool reflecting the full moon on an autumn night.

"All talk on the surface, but a completely different story when it comes to action."

Mina muttered, seemingly indifferent, as if she had some grievances against Xia Xing.

Not entirely understanding the meaning behind her words, Xia Xing didn't know whether he should probe any further.

Thus, with a tacit mutual understanding, the two of them glossed over the topic.

"Speaking of which, do you really think this coconut water project can make money?" Mina forwarded a news article she had recently seen to Xia Xing via KakaoTalk.

After adding each other as friends, they had exchanged a few messages.

Yet, much like now strictly speaking, it was entirely an attitude of talking business.

In the news article she forwarded to Xia Xing, a batch of coconuts exported from Vietnam had been found to exceed microbiological standards in Taiwan, China.

Looking down at her phone, Mina said with considerable concern, "Coconut is one of the most difficult raw materials to process, and as for the technology, the industry hasn't made much progress even to this day."

"Don't worry about that. Although Peninsula Food's headquarters is in South Korea, we also have two branch offices in Southeast Asia: one responsible for production technology research and product manufacturing, and the other for raw material procurement."

"As long as we can establish the coconut water category in the market, there is definitely room for profit. However, in the long run... just as you said, if we only focus on South Korea, Peninsula Food has no room for growth."

"To survive, we must branch out and also broaden the industrial chain."

Watching Xia Xing speak with eloquent fluency, a glimmer of light returned to Mina's eyes.

"Putting you in an entry-level position is truly a waste of your talent. Although you're a capable general, perhaps... a commanding position overseeing the entire grand strategy is where you truly belong."

Not understanding why Mina suddenly said this, faced with the abrupt praise, he could only offer a soft cough:

"I'm merely echoing your words, and besides, the old chairman of our headquarters is still in good health."

"Even if I were to enter management at my age, I wouldn't have much credibility; at best, I'd just be a minor leader in some idle department, managing personnel files or something similar."

"Besides, if I want to carry out sweeping reforms in the future, it would be very difficult to execute without frontline experience."

She did not continue the response, merely nodded, and shifted the topic:

"As expected, being in your early twenties is truly wonderful. Although you lack the maturity and stability of a thirty-something, you possess an extra touch of passion."

Was Mina... really talking about work?

Looking at her gaze, which seemed deeply interested in him, Xia Xing slightly furrowed his brows.

"I was referring to work. I wish you success in your sweeping reforms."

"Oh, my mind didn't wander anywhere else either."

Just as the two were speaking, a hearty laugh drifted in from outside the room.

The conversation among those few people was still being conducted in Chinese.

Xia Xing and Mina exchanged a glance, each harboring their own thoughts, and stood up to welcome them.

He took the initiative to open the door of the conference room. Among the people brought in by the receptionist, the leader was a middle-aged man with a square face and a slightly tanned complexion.

He appeared to be just over one hundred and seventy centimeters tall, but perhaps due to the inherent demeanor of a former soldier, walking at the front made him naturally seem a head taller than those around him.

"You must be Mr. Lin, hello."

He raised his head slightly, sizing up the dashing Xia Xing, and proactively extended his hand.

Mr. Lin... What on earth was the background of this supplier, to actually know Xia Xing's identity?

The name Lin Xingcan was indeed still retained on his current ID card and passport.

"This is Mr. Zhang Zhiqiang, representing the Tianle Group."

Tianle Group was a mixed-ownership enterprise of above-average scale on the mainland.

Its scope of coverage was quite extensive, ranging from futures trading in bulk commodities like corn and soybeans to the processing and manufacturing of edible oils, condiments, and even snacks. Its industrial chain in the food sector was far beyond what Peninsula International could compare to.

Moreover, according to Xia Xing's previous research, this Tianle Group, established after mixed-ownership reform, clearly had even greater forces supporting it behind the scenes.

With such immense influence, a mere stamp of its foot could probably cause a massive earthquake on this side.

Assuming Xia Xing did not understand Chinese, the receptionist thoughtfully stood between the two and took the initiative to introduce them to Xia Xing.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang. Colleagues from the procurement department will also arrive shortly. Let's go into the conference room and sit for a moment."

Xia Xing also replied in Chinese, while casting his gaze toward the few people behind him.

The remaining Chinese suppliers were all directly or indirectly controlled by Tianle Group.

Meanwhile, the thin and short man in the corner appeared to be the representative of Japan's Maruhiro Corporation.

Maruhiro Corporation's main business was similar to Peninsula International's, but with a few additions such as seed propagation and livestock farming, and it had numerous business dealings with both Tianle Group and Peninsula International.

Word was that they weren't having an easy time either nowadays; given their modest scale, they naturally ended up standing at the very back.

"Mm, alright."

Zhang Zhiqiang shook hands with Xia Xing, then, guided by him, took the seat of honor.

Taking advantage of the time before the meeting began, Zhang Zhiqiang spoke in Chinese to Xia Xing, who was checking the PowerPoint presentation nearby:

"Even before coming here, I was chatting with the embassy staff, and they actually mentioned you."

"They said you are exceptionally handsome, and almost half of the embassy staff know you."

"Now seeing you in person, beneath your scholarly and refined exterior, there is also the bearing of someone capable of achieving great things."

Yet another unprompted compliment, but the feeling it gave one was quite different.

Xia Xing genuinely dared not imagine whether there were any hidden subtexts behind his words.

He only had a vague sense that the agenda for today's meeting might not be about raw material procurement at all.

Although many of Peninsula Food's raw materials required suppliers led by Tianle Group, for enterprises of such massive scale, Peninsula Food's meager orders couldn't quite be called small change, but they weren't much better either.

There was no need for them to make a special trip just for such minor orders.

He faintly felt that the identity of "Lin Xingcan" might be the most crucial topic of today's meeting.

Zhang Zhiqiang and his associates had come specifically for him.

"You flatter me. It's probably just that I went to the embassy frequently to process documents and became a familiar face."

"Was Mr. Zhang a soldier in the past? The moment we met, I could sense that you are someone who has truly experienced major events."

At this moment, watching Lin Xingcan conversing fluently with Zhang Zhiqiang, Maeda, the representative from Maruhiro Corporation, smiled helplessly at Mina and said in Japanese:

"Mina, I finally understand why you are so persistent in helping Peninsula Food."

"Heroes have always had a hard time passing the trial of beauty."