Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 793 Time Won't Erase Feelings (Part Three)

Eric put a cup of crystal but fragrant tea in front of the old man. He put a light and with a composed smile on his face, said, "Mr. Lu, knowing that you're coming, I had this tea delivered here from Dragon Island by air."

Mr. Lu, the old man, picked up the teacup and inhaled the gentle fragrant scent of the drink, then a bright smile lit up his face. He said, "Usually, the Qing Feng Tea from the Dragon Island is only for the leaders around the world... It's my honor to have a cup of Qing Feng Tea here." He drew the cup nearer to his lips and took a sip of the tea. The delicate taste and scent of the tea spread in his mouth and he felt lighthearted. "This is some nice tea!" he said appreciatively.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it..." replied Eric. He crossed his legs and rested one arm on the couch. His other hand remained on his legs and he sat there casually. A light smile was plastered on his charming face, which made it difficult to figure out what he thought now. Mr. Lu put down the teacup and sighed. It seemed that he was reluctant to put it down.

"I've asked the head waiter to prepare some more for you. I hope you will enjoy it." said Eric. It wasn't strange for Eric to make all those polite remarks. It made him seem rather mellow.

In turn, Mr. Lu just smiled. He didn't accept nor reject his overtures. He decided to change topics and said, "I heard the oil tycoons from all over the world are coming to the bidding meeting..."

Eric nodded his head at his words and replied, "Apart from the oil needed for the Sun Island, the rest of the output will be bid in three phases every year."

"Oil..." Mr. Lu paused in his sentence. He slowly leaned back on the sofa, then continued, "Oil is a good thing."

Across him, Eric seemed to agree. "At present, the global resources are tight. We have never expected to explore such a huge oil reserve in the waters of the Sun Island," Eric said casually. "Initially, 20 to 30 areas will be divided for exploration. The number will increase later. It is conservatively estimated that the annual output of crude oil will take up 8% of the global market..." he added.

Although excited by the facts, Mr. Lu stayed calm and collected.

Eric pretended to be naive and told everything he knew on purpose, then added, "Such a big share. We can expect a fierce competition in the bidding..." After those words, he refilled Mr. Lu's teacup and cast a meaningful look at him as he did so, then said, "5%, 3% and 2%... I'm afraid there will be a fierce competition between Mobil and Shell."

When he heard the last words of Eric's sentence, Mr. Lu's face was clouded with doubt. He thought to himself, 'When Richie was in charge of the Dragon Empire Group, the two corporations were already predators around him. Now, they become the most threatening competitors in the coming bidding.'

At this point, Eric got up slowly from his seat and said, "Mr. Lu... Even if I want to help you today, I'm afraid there is nothing I can do."

Mr. Lu's eyes were unreadable. "I came here with a mission..." he said. His eyes cast a sharp glance at Eric. He previously thought that dealing with the younger man was easy, but it turned out that he was wrong. No one in the Long Family was a pushover. He then said, "I brought the CEO of Petroleum and Chemical Corporation with me. If we don't get a piece of the pie..."

He paused in his words. However, Eric only smiled and said, "The State Parliament borders on the Dragon Island. For the economic development of the Dragon Island, the Dragon Empire Group located its headquarter in your place, rather than on Dragon Island itself..." He picked up his own teacup and caught a whiff of the tea's scent. As expected, his intentional pause upset Mr. Lu a little bit. Eric took a sip of the tea and continued slowly, "It's a trust."

"Of course..." Mr. Lu said. The smile on his face seemed unnatural. He came to this negotiation in order to gain some advantages from Eric. However, Eric's display of weakness and secret guidance had totally blinded him. Now, the control of their negotiations slipped away from his hands.

When he looked at Eric who remained calm and indifferent, he only sighed. At this point, he dared not to look down upon this young man anymore. He said, "Mr. Eric Long, Let's be straightforward... I came here with the CEO of Petroleum and Chemical Corporation for a reason. We want to gain some achievements in the bidding."

"Absolutely..." replied Eric in a casual voice once again. He continued, "Heroes emerge in troubled times... It's difficult to make some political achievements in the peacetime now." Mr. Lu wanted to say something in response, but stopped himself. He tried to figure out what Eric implied with his words. At the same time, Eric continued, "But, sometimes... Ignorance is a rare blessing."

A strange smile made its way to Mr. Lu's aged face. He then asked, "Mr. Eric Long, is there anything bothering you?"

"Alas..." Eric sighed. "It's kind of embarrassing." he went on. "You know it was difficult for me to be in power. If it were not for my brother, God knows what would happen to the imperial power of the Long family... One should never forget where his happiness comes from. Is that right? Mr. Lu."

Across Eric, Mr. Lu had a fake smile on his lips. "I understand what you mean..." The bidding was about to start within half an hour. Knowing what Eric meant, Mr. Lu went on, "The State Parliament will stop everything about Justin... Are you satisfied with that?" He finished. At this, Eric smiled in response but stayed calm and collected. "Can I trust you?" he asked.

"There were some subtle changes between the reformist faction and the conservative faction. However, compared to the bidding, these changes mean nothing to the State Parliament!" The older man replied frankly, raising his eyebrows.

"Thank you for your help in dealing with the State Parliament then..." Eric said in response, already anticipating his reply. He then stood up and shook Mr. Lu's hand. "The Dragon Island and the State Parliament support each other. There is nothing unpleasant between us, am I right?" he added.

At this, Mr. Lu just smiled and chuckled. "Yes, you're right," he said in agreement.

The bidding meeting finally proceeded. When It was coming to a close, the seemingly fair bidding meeting ended up with the CEO of Petroleum and Chemical Corporation gaining 5% of the share, all thanks to Eric's secret operation.

Meanwhile in the hotel suite, Molly laid on the couch like a lazy kitten. The dull droning on of the boring news on the TV sounded a lullaby to her. Before the bidding started even, she had already fallen asleep.

When the meeting was over, Eric drove back to the hotel. He went directly into the lobby and into the elevator. His polished leather shoes stepped into the designated floor and into his hotel suite. When he opened the door, his gaze landed on Molly who slept soundly on the couch.

He put his coat on the nearby chair and sat next to her. His eyes watched her and noticed that Molly seemed to dream about something. She?pouted?her lips arrogantly but in a cute way.

Eric reached out his hand and gently stroked the smooth skin of her cheek. He then tucked? a few strands of her hair?behind?her?ear.

He just continued to watch her. On impulse, he bent down and tried to kiss her...

Molly suddenly woke up, but her eyes were still heavy with sleep.

"Bri..." she mumbled in her sleepy voice. [