Chapter 31: Hooked on Novels, Meeting Preparation

Leo's small cultivation base was not just the home of those four beasts.

He also showed Adrian some research areas, group cultivation areas, and breeding areas.

Inside were quite a few common-quality beasts, and even some ungraded animals.

Leo explained why. After graduating from high school, he had not just been idle.

Beast-taming high school students might have two months of vacation before university, but that did not mean they could do nothing for two months.

Depending on the university major, there were assessment standards for admission.

Those going the combat route had to battle and explore during the summer. Those learning support and healing had to intern at beast hospitals or handle casualties caused by wild beast battles.

For those going the breeder route, besides interning at a cultivation center, the best thing was to write a small paper in advance.

Leo's recent research topic was "On the Influence of Music on Different Types of Beasts—An Experimental Analysis Based on the Kodar Index."

Seeing that time was almost up, Leo stopped chatting. "Anyway, your talent and abilities also suit the breeder route. From my experience, if you can write a paper that gets published in a national journal during high school, it will definitely add a lot of points for you."

"Mr. Caldwell is good at that. Ask him specifically later."

"I'm definitely more professional than you when it comes to writing papers. If you have questions, you can ask me too."

When it came to writing papers, Leo might still not compare to him. After all, in his past life, Adrian had published quite a few international journals.

He had studied the paper structure of this beast-taming world. It focused more on experimental data and beast behavior analysis, but there was no unified standard for text norms and formatting.

"Okay, Senior Leo," Adrian said with a smile.

The moment Leo heard "senior," he felt uncomfortable all over.

Surely this kid had not secretly written a bunch of papers already?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

"Mm, you start school in a couple of days, and you still have to take care of business. But I estimate your finances will gradually loosen up. If you need help hiring employees or anything, you can tell me too!"

"Also remember to balance work and rest. Listen to music occasionally, look at flowers, that kind of thing. In recent years, there have been more and more tragic cases of high school beast tamers staying up for days studying and training beasts. I can tell you're the kind who secretly overworks. Watch yourself."

At this point, Leo took on the posture of someone experienced. "Watching short dramas occasionally is also acceptable. Just don't tell anyone."

Adrian scratched his head. Watching a short drama felt like being a thief. "Mm, I usually read novels to relax."

Hearing that, Leo was startled. "Good heavens! I thought getting hooked on short dramas was already as low as I could sink, and you're actually hooked on novels? You know that stuff can make you lose track of day and night. Where would we beast tamers find that much time?"

Adrian did not know what to say.

In this world, beast-taming students spending time on entertainment was considered "shameful."

"The lives of beasts in some novels are also wonderful. They can inspire me," Adrian said. "We put too much weight on the word beast tamer. We treat high-quality beasts as treasures and low-quality ones as tools. Sometimes we miss out on spiritual wealth."

"In the end, we are humans. We still need to stay close to life, to be grounded."

These two sentences surprised Leo even more.

This was not a concept taught by school teachers.

But coming from Adrian, it made some sense.

"Have you read any novels about Phantom Dream Butterflies?" Leo's thoughts shifted, and he suddenly asked.

"No… go search for yourself." Adrian was speechless. No matter what topic he discussed with Leo, Leo could always drag it back to fate, and then to Violet.

"Mm…" Leo looked thoughtful. "I'll take you to the banquet hall first. When the meeting is over, message me privately. You have to at least eat here before you leave."

Five minutes later, Adrian arrived at the banquet hall.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Leo turned back toward the small cultivation base.

On the way, after struggling for three minutes, he downloaded the red app Adrian had recommended, then without hesitation searched the keywords "purple Phantom Dream Butterfly."

Soon, a novel called Phantom Dream Butterfly: Transforming and Reborn from Discovering Beauty appeared before his eyes.

'Mm, anyway, Adrian will probably take over an hour. I'll just take a quick look. Maybe it really will inspire me.'

Inside the banquet hall.

The business elite Leo had found from his family had just arrived. He carried a briefcase, wore a suit and leather shoes, and looked refined.

"Hello, I am the deputy director of the Marsh family's business department. Just call me Hugh. The young master said a very good friend was coming today to consult about some business information. I have already reviewed the basic information you provided." Hugh extended his hand.

Adrian shook his hand and smiled. "My name is Adrian. I'll be in your care today, Hugh."

"Please sit."

At the conference table, Hugh took out a folder. The stack of papers inside was thick. Clearly, he had done plenty of preparation.

But he did not open it. Instead, he said to Adrian, "Mr. Adrian, just call me Hugh. I have conducted an in-depth analysis of your Spirit Dew and the main industrial structure of Yellow Crane Tower Shop, the shop you plan to cooperate with, along with multiple other indicators."

"Do you want me to start my report now, or would you like to tell me your thoughts first, and then I can analyze comprehensively based on your opinions?" He opened his laptop as he spoke.

"Just call me Adrian." Having lived two lives, this was the first time Adrian had been called "Mr." like that. It felt strange.

"I plan to first explain my main understanding and my goals." Adrian also took out a file bag from his backpack.

Inside were printed papers, and handwritten notes and different tabs could be seen on the pages.

This surprised Hugh a little.

He knew Adrian was currently only a Grade 11 student, with some business experience from running a beast feed shop alone for two years.

But age and experience were still there. So his preparation had been a comprehensive summary, introduction, and suggestions.

However, Adrian had clearly done his homework.

This made things interesting. As the deputy director of the Marsh family's business department, he would not have come if not for Leo's face.

For this kind of business advice, he felt mutual exchange could spark more ideas.

He closed his laptop again and began listening quietly.

Adrian also flipped to the last page of his notes and read out what he had summarized:

"First, Spirit Dew is only an Exceptional-grade product. Yellow Crane Tower Shop sells many things, and its market monopoly is in high-luxury products, including clothing and bags made from high-quality beast materials. This means my product will not affect their main product chain."

"However, Howard seems to value it greatly. I cannot yet analyze the specific reason. I only have one guess, and I need to hear your analysis and suggestions."

"Second, regardless of the trade method Yellow Crane Tower Shop proposes, the raw Spirit Dew can only be sold through my Vale's Beast Feed."

"They can use it as a raw material to make different products, but they must also note that the raw material comes from my shop."

"I already mentioned this to Leo. I believe he briefly told you."

"Now my confusion is this: in business cooperation, most merchants pursue a buyout. My bottom line may contradict Howard's bottom line. In that case, the negotiation might end up as a waste of effort."

"For this, I also hope to get some advice from you. After all, I agreed to the meeting because I want it to succeed, to profit. No one wants to waste time."

"Finally, Vale's Beast Feed's current industrial structure needs upgrading. Its product framework is especially empty."

"This time, cooperating with Yellow Crane Tower Shop, how much money I get is not the priority. I also want to obtain some goods supply from them to enrich my shop's structure."

"But I do not understand what method or ratio to use for the exchange."

Hugh nodded as he listened.

Adrian's brief three points saved him a full half hour of the report he had planned. Because he already knew Adrian's needs, understanding, and bottom line.

He thought for a moment and said, "Let me explain each question one by one. For reference only."

"First, according to what I've gathered, starting five years ago, Yellow Crane Tower Shop has placed great importance on all healing-related products, regardless of grade. Some say they are collecting various raw materials and products to develop their own 'miracle medicine' and open up the medical product field."

"Others say they may have developed a new evolution path, and the materials needed are products with such related functions."

"In short, they collect a lot, but almost nothing flows out. It is all consumed internally."

"This leads to your second question. I believe Yellow Crane Tower Shop most likely does not want a buyout. What they want more is a stable supply from you."

"So for now, you do not need to worry too much about a bottom-line conflict."

"Actually, what is more important right now is how much we can sell."

"This price, based on their level of demand and quantity needed, I believe can reach between sixty thousand and one hundred thousand crowns per ten drops. The specifics depend on tomorrow's negotiation."

"Third, you want the shop's structure to be improved and supplemented, to gain a supply chain. To some extent, this also depends on the final pricing of Spirit Dew."

"And to a greater extent, it depends on whether they believe you have investment value and cooperation value—that is, whether Spirit Dew is the upper limit of your beast feed shop."

After hearing the first point, Adrian had basically verified his earlier guess.

This might really be related to Howard's Fortune Dog.

Hugh's simple answer also opened Adrian's thinking.

The two discussed back and forth, assuming various situations they might encounter tomorrow in advance and analyzing responses.

The whole discussion lasted nearly an hour, but the process was smooth. Hugh repeatedly marveled at Adrian's reaction speed and business acumen.

If Leo had not said Adrian was his super good brother, Hugh would have asked if Adrian was interested in interning in their department.

Adrian also benefited greatly. Having a professional help sort out logic, train improvisation, and give specific plans was indeed much more efficient than figuring it out alone.

During the discussion, Adrian naturally also explained his discovery and analysis of the Fortune Dog.

Hugh once again marveled at Adrian's unique perspective. From his professional angle, he focused on market data, cash flow trends, and wind direction indicators. He would not have thought to search a gossip forum for related information.

Hugh smiled and thanked him, saying Adrian's angle gave him new inspiration.

The whole process was very pleasant.

Adrian's heart was also more certain.

He had completed the rehearsal in advance and prepared research for various situations.

But Adrian had a premonition—if that Fortune Dog appeared at the meeting tomorrow, everything would become much simpler.

After thanking Hugh again and saying goodbye, Adrian opened his phone and messaged Leo:

"I'm done here."

Leo, who usually replied instantly, took a full three minutes this time.

"Adrian, brother, you've ruined me. I'm hooked on novels…"