Hearing this, Qin Xiao was instantly thrilled.
If this century-old problem was truly solved, then all new energy and cutting-edge technologies would no longer be just dreams.
The application prospects for graphene were vast—so vast that all capital wanted a taste.
It was just that the required investment was too enormous, leaving many uninterested.
Capital preferred ready-made returns!
"Are you certain you've solved this entire series of problems?" Qin Xiao's gaze was fervent. "If it's truly as you say, I am willing to represent the Qin family in cooperating with you."
"To pave the way for you!"
Qin Xiao was different from people like Wei Ting.
He didn't like making enemies; he preferred making friends.
Or rather, his entire family had risen by investing in others and building connections.
The reason the Qin family had achieved its current status was precisely because of strategic investments made in the past.
They had secured the Qin family's safety and prosperity for a century.
The Wei family was different.
They preferred to seize everything for themselves. If they couldn't grasp it, they'd rather destroy it than let others have it.
This was also why, in the original story, the Wei family chose to abandon Adrien Lefèvre.
But the protagonist was, after all, the protagonist. Despite being besieged on all sides, he rallied.
Finally, after enduring countless hardships, he returned to the city and reached the pinnacle!
Everyone took pride in following Adrien Lefèvre.
But the Wei family had missed out on this towering tree.
Although Adrien, "magnanimous and not holding grudges against lesser men," forgave them for abandoning him and refusing aid back then,
those who followed him had no intention of letting the Wei family off.
One by one, they began to isolate the Wei family.
Ultimately, the Wei family silently withdrew from the stage.
As for the Qin family...
Its fall was purely over a woman.
Pitiful.
Such a colossal family, indirectly brought down by a woman.
Truly unbelievable.
Seeing Qin Xiao's reaction, a brilliant smile spread across Lucas's handsome face.
Excellent.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
Indeed, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. Business with them was the easiest.
No need to worry about betrayal.
The potential downsides were much smaller than trying to win over side characters originally destined for the protagonist.
Lucas said softly, "Young Master Qin, don't get too excited just yet."
"Regarding our collaboration, I'll discuss the details with you further later."
"For the car battery sample, I'll arrange for a test product to be secretly delivered to you. Furthermore, I'll also provide you with the design blueprints for the new vehicle model."
"I can supply the batteries for free. However, I want half the profits from this specific car model!"
Lucas's voice was quiet but filled with conviction.
He could compress costs to the extreme.
And he only wanted a share of this particular car.
Hearing Lucas's terms, Qin Xiao hesitated for a moment. After weighing the pros and cons, he nodded. "Agreed."
"However, for subsequent new models we release, we'll transact normally. If you provide new design blueprints or motors, the profit split will be negotiated separately."
These were minor issues.
If they could truly be the first to launch a new energy vehicle model, and with world-leading battery technology at that,
then, with this automotive company alone, Qin Xiao could push its market valuation past the trillion mark!
Just in market cap.
But that would be enough.
If they really pulled it off, the Wei family would be utterly crushed by them.
Lucas smiled. "Of course, no problem."
New energy vehicles were just the first step. Later, his graphene polymer composite materials, seawater desalination, transistors, and so on—he would lay out each one strategically.
The Qin family...
Was merely one of the means for him to firmly establish his footing!
Plan one step, foresee a hundred.
Lucas knew he was operating with cheats, but he wasn't the type to get carried away.
Thinking long-term and being prudent was the right way to stay stable and avoid recklessness.
Seeing Lucas agree, Qin Xiao immediately laughed. "Mr. Lucas, no—Brother Lucas! From now on, you're my brother!"
"Then let's sign a strategic cooperation contract tomorrow."
"Let's crush the Wei family together!"
Qin Xiao's personality was like this: if they got along, they could become sworn brothers; if not, he wouldn't care about your background.
Lucas being so easy to talk to was simply his lucky star.
He liked this kind of person.
Calling Lucas "brother" felt perfectly fine to him.
As long as everything Lucas said was true.
Of course, if it was all false, then after sobering up, Qin Xiao wouldn't be so amiable.
That would constitute deception.
Lucas laughed heartily. "Alright. Since you, Old Qin, are calling me brother, then for any lucrative opportunities in the future, I'll come to you first."
There would be plenty of chances and windfalls later anyway.
Giving the Qin family some benefits would also make them more loyal in protecting him.
Not a bad deal.
He was a few months older than Qin Xiao, so he could accept being called "brother."
Qin Xiao grinned, raising his glass to clink with Lucas's.
This was the future rising star of the Dragon Nation.
If he didn't build connections now, it might be too late later.
Qin Xiao also had a long-term vision.
Lucas had mastered graphene mass production technology. If he'd already developed car batteries, how far behind could the industries built on graphene be?
Not far at all.
Given time, Lucas's net worth would reach trillions at the very least.
A proper future tycoon in the making.
Ensuring this "thigh" grew strong now meant that later, when Lucas had many hangers-on, Qin Xiao could still be the foremost ally.
Hahaha.
Just thinking about this made Qin Xiao want to laugh.
Perhaps this was the joy of an investor.
After clinking glasses a couple of times, the two chatted some more.
Lucas also mentioned Wei Ting's actions that day.
After hearing him out, Qin Xiao slapped his thigh fiercely, cursing, "That bastard! It's a good thing you didn't yield to him, Brother Lucas."
"Otherwise, I, Qin Xiao, would have died of laughter from his gloating!"
So, the reason Lucas had sought him out was precisely because Wei Ting had tried coercion and temptation.
Good thing.
When Lucas was testing him, he hadn't been that foolish.
Of course, he didn't like that approach either.
See? A money-making opportunity had just presented itself.
Qin Xiao turned into a verbal machine gun, ranting angrily, "Dammit! He actually dared to threaten you, Brother Lucas? I'll find a chance another day and curse him to death!"
After downing several more drinks, Qin Xiao was thoroughly relaxed.
Lucas found his drunken demeanor quite amusing.
"Haha, that chance will come."
While the two were talking and laughing, two girls ran over, their expressions panicked.
They returned to the booth, saying urgently, "Qin… Young Master Qin! Some hooligans are harassing us!"
Hearing this, the slightly intoxicated Qin Xiao immediately flared up. "Where?!"
Someone dared to mess with the women *he* had brought out?