Those people all had unusually powerful backgrounds, many of them ranked among the top ten enterprises in the business world of the West African Chieftain Union.

Alger was going over to greet those uncles and elders, and talk a bit of business while he was at it.

Of course, all of this was just "preparatory work". Once everything was in place, Alger planned to go look for Bai Xiaosheng again.

His real goal was to reach a cooperation agreement with the Huaxia Business Group.

Their group-to-group cooperation with the Karan business community had already come to Alger’s attention.

For someone as conceited as he was, he also wanted to pull off something big, to show the people in his family.

With that goal in mind, Alger had been holding back quite a lot when facing Bai Xiaosheng.

Of course, Bai Xiaosheng was not yet aware that Alger had such intentions.

As the reception went on, Bai Xiaosheng, the central figure of the event, was extremely busy, barely taking a break, chatting with seven or eight waves of people.

Many figures from Oshan’s business community showed great enthusiasm and high expectations toward the Huaxia Business Group, all thinking about launching major collaborations.

Even though Bai Xiaosheng knew full well that, with only "half" of the business group’s people on his side, it would be hard to take on any more big deals, he still communicated with those people very carefully.

Bai Xiaosheng had it all planned out.

Some high-quality cooperation opportunities could be used as bridges and connections, handed over to Lu Yun, Jia Chengshan and the other "half" of the group. As for the rest, if the local businessmen were willing, he could have his own private company absorb them—of course, outwardly it would still be "helping out a friend".

Besides that, he could also funnel business to the Wei Family, and even to the Luo Family in Europe, the Qin Family in South America, and the Bai Family in North America; they could all help digest it.

As long as some local businessmen weren’t specifically targeting the Asian market, everything was open to discussion.

While Bai Xiaosheng was busy on his side, Alger was not idle either, seeking out seven or eight heavyweight figures one after another.

Given Alger’s status and background, those people all gave him some face.

Alger reaped a bountiful harvest and felt immensely satisfied that his business plan could gain such broad acceptance and recognition.

Soon, Alger wrapped up his talks and, seeing a gap open up around Bai Xiaosheng, strode over.

Coincidentally, Yang Xiaoyun was also bringing Yang Yishan over from another direction to find Bai Xiaosheng.

The two parties arrived in front of Bai Xiaosheng almost at the same time; Alger and Yang Xiaoyun couldn’t help exchanging a surprised look.

"Mr. Yang, are you also here to discuss something important with Mr. Bai? Why don’t you go first?" Alger said with a polite smile.

But since he put it that way, how could Yang Xiaoyun deny him this bit of face.

"I don’t really have anything pressing. If you do, Mr. Alger, go ahead and talk. I’ll take the chance to rest a bit." Yang Xiaoyun chuckled, moved to the side, found a seat and sat down. He tapped his leg and muttered to himself, "Once you get to a certain age, your legs and feet tire so easily."

Yang Yishan cast a glance at Alger, then went over to sit with his father.

Seeing this scene, Alger smiled faintly and said to Bai Xiaosheng, "Mr. Bai, I have something to discuss with you. Why don’t we step aside and talk slowly?"

Alger raised his hand and pointed to a corner of the sofa area by the window, where there was a table in a rather secluded spot.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled and nodded. "Since you have something to discuss, Mr. Alger, that’s fine."

Alger smiled, then lightly waved his fingers in that direction. His men immediately went over and took seats in a ring around that table, using their presence as a human screen to carve out a private space for conversation.

Alger made an inviting gesture toward Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled at Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying. "You two stay here and chat with Mr. Yang and Miss Yang for a bit."

Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying nodded at once and did as he said.

Alger’s gaze lingered on Lin Weiwei for a moment.

"After you, Mr. Alger." Bai Xiaosheng cut him off and made an inviting gesture as well.

Only then did the two of them head over together.

The movements on their side naturally drew the attention of the other guests present.

By a bar counter, Miss Lisa was holding a glass of red wine in one hand, gently swirling it to set the crimson liquid rolling, while her other hand supported the elbow of the hand with the glass.

Her eyes were fixed on Bai Xiaosheng and Alger, full of subtle, meaningful intent.

...

Bai Xiaosheng and Alger sat facing each other at a small table.

"Mr. Alger, are you here to talk business with me?" Bai Xiaosheng asked with a smile.

"But of course." Alger flashed his white teeth and said with a grin, "And it’s big business!"

"I’d love to hear the details." Bai Xiaosheng nodded at once.

If he could secure a major cooperation with the family behind Alger, the returns would be astonishing.

However, Bai Xiaosheng didn’t quite believe that for a truly heavyweight deal, the other side would send only Alger alone to negotiate with him.

And in any case, a reception like this was not an ideal setting.

Alger looked at Bai Xiaosheng with a smile, unable to hide his eagerness. "Mr. Bai Xiaosheng, I’ve heard about your cooperation model with the Karan business community. Frankly speaking, I admire that approach very much, and I’d like to cooperate with you in the same way. Before this conversation with you, I went to seven or eight major players and discussed a lot of deals. If you’re willing, I promise you’ll be in for a huge surprise!"

When Alger said this, he was practically brimming with confidence.

"So, what you’re saying is that this cooperation you’re proposing with me is something you personally prepared, Mr. Alger, and not your family?" Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t help asking.

From Alger’s words, this was clearly his own operation.

That was something Bai Xiaosheng hadn’t expected.

He hadn’t expected Alger to be this ambitious.

"That’s right. As long as we cooperate well, my family will definitely stand with you in the future."

Alger seized the moment, using that as bait.

"Then I’d like to hear your plan." Bai Xiaosheng’s interest in the matter cooled significantly, but for the sake of decorum he still decided to listen to what Alger had to say first.