In the Alt Conglomerate's office, Jonas listened intently to Lin Gong's report, finishing his coffee without realizing it. Only when she reached the end did he nod thoughtfully, slowly digesting all the information.
"Here's what you should do. Don't rush, Miss Lin Gong. When the time comes, just offer them terms as usual and lay out the pros and cons."
Jonas tapped the desk. On the other end of the call, Lin Gong waited for his orders.
"You can promise them favorable terms. Any terms will do, as long as you can unite them temporarily. If they ask how you can guarantee those terms will be fulfilled, or what power you have to fulfill them, just invoke my name."
"...Any terms?"
There was some hesitation in Lin Gong's voice.
"As long as they aren't too outrageous, anything is fine. Even if they discover their terms can't be fulfilled after joining, they won't dare pull out rashly. Even if they want to leave, the other families won't agree to it."
"I understand."
Lin Gong ended the call. Standing at her desk, she looked through the message Snow had sent her.
[Underground bar, midnight]
Midnight, at the underground bar.
In the noisy, chaotic underground bar, sex dolls danced like butterflies against the poles. The smells of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs mingled with the already foul air, making Lin Gong frown almost imperceptibly.
"Over here."
Snow smoked leisurely and waved to Lin Gong.
"Why choose this place for our conversation?"
"Are you worried about prying eyes and ears, Miss Lin Gong? Rest assured, that won't be a problem."
He stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray, then smashed the ashtray against a nearby sex doll's head. Lin Gong frowned, but everyone around them carried on eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves