Five minutes passed, and Lin Chen arrived.
Old Man Li stood up and said with a smile, "Little Lin, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Mekav, the head of Bear Country's visiting delegation."
Mekav took the initiative to extend his hand. "Mr. Lin, I've heard much about you."
Lin Chen shook hands with Mekav.
"Mr. Mekav, Old Man Li said you wanted to see me?"
Lin Chen said.
Mekav nodded. "Yes, Mr. Lin."
Lin Chen said, "Mr. Mekav, let's get one thing straight first. We can talk about literature, music, football, basketball, whatever you like, but let's not talk about cooperation between our two countries."
Mekav was a little embarrassed.
Backing out of an agreement was hardly the conduct expected of a major power, yet some of Bear Country's actions had indeed fallen short.
"Mr. Lin, I think there may be a small misunderstanding—"
Mekav tried to explain.
Lin Chen interrupted him. "No need to say more. Mr. Mekav, I understand something now. What you get at the negotiating table sometimes doesn't count for much."
"You still have to do everything you can to develop your own strength. Only what you obtain through your own strength is truly reliable."
Mekav's expression shifted slightly.
A Bear Country man beside him said, "Mr. Lin, what do you mean by that? Are you threatening us?"
Lin Chen looked at him.
He said calmly, "You wouldn't be wrong to see it that way."
Old Man Li tried to smooth things over. "Mr. Mekav, don't get angry. Little Lin is young and a little hot-tempered."
"Little Lin, don't be upset. It's normal for negotiations between nations to have some twists and turns."
Mekav took a deep breath. "Mr. Lin, that Access to the Sea involves quite a few issues, which delayed things somewhat. We