Bai Xiaosheng and Mr. Wagg entered a small lounge inside the gala hall, while Lin Weiwei, Lei Ying, and Mr. Wagg’s entourage waited outside the door to avoid interrupting their conversation.

"I apologize, Mr. Bai, due to work-related reasons, we couldn’t attend the welcome ceremony during the day." Mr. Wagg first smiled and apologized to Bai Xiaosheng, "The Minister also cannot come at this time because he needs to report to the highest council in our country, so he entrusted me to express his utmost apologies and warmest welcome to you and the Huaxia Business Group."

Bai Xiaosheng previously learned about Oshan’s structure, which differs from the Aisha Emirate and Karan Chieftaincy; it consists of six chieftains forming the highest council, from which the President and Vice President are selected to manage the state. The Ministry of Commerce member assembly must report to the highest council annually, and if they don’t satisfy the council, they face the threat of stepping down.

Their Minister likely wanted to come but simply didn’t have the time, which is understandable.

"Mr. Wagg, you and the Minister are too kind." Bai Xiaosheng said with a smile.

Seeing Bai Xiaosheng’s accommodating and amiable demeanor, Mr. Wagg smiled and raised his glass to him.

Bai Xiaosheng reciprocated the gesture, and both took a sip of wine.

"Huaxia people are friendly and tolerant, seeing is believing." Mr. Wagg said with a smile, "Though our Ministry of Commerce was somewhat negligent due to being entangled in matters, we certainly won’t disappoint our Huaxia friends. Look——"

As Mr. Wagg spoke, he took out his briefcase, flipped through a stack of paper documents, and handed them to Bai Xiaosheng with a smile, "This is a commercial cooperation framework jointly drafted by the Minister and me, involving twenty industries and forty enterprises. If you’re willing, we’ll assist you in negotiating with those enterprises, ensuring the most favorable conditions for your business group, thereby facilitating this grand collaboration between both parties!"

Mr. Wagg’s typically stern expression had maintained a smile from earlier until now.

When he spoke these words, he seemed somewhat excited.

However, Bai Xiaosheng remained calm and courteous, glancing through the documents first.

Mr. Wagg sipped his wine while discreetly observing Bai Xiaosheng.

In his heart, he couldn’t help but feel amazed.

He had heard that the Huaxia Commercial Delegation Leader was a young businessman with relatively unknown fame, and it turns out he truly is impressive. He can remain composed, despite facing such a substantial cooperation, exhibiting remarkable calmness.

Remarkable!

While Mr. Wagg was inwardly praising him, Bai Xiaosheng was reviewing the commercial cooperation framework, increasingly understanding the situation.

It seemed Wagg’s department was bundling a lot of cooperation in one go, hoping to seize the opportunity to unload it on him.

The discounts involved were indeed substantial, overall appearing beneficial to his side.

However, if he were to sign, it would also bring significant achievements to their department, allowing them to survive the reporting crisis.

In theory, it could be considered "win-win."

But in Bai Xiaosheng’s view, only about one-third of the content would suit his side.

Being the delegation leader, he had witnessed numerous partnerships along the way, knowing which industries Dong Tianlu and Lu Tiandao paid more attention to and where they hoped to sign agreements, also knowing how much "appetite" they had left.

Clearly, what Mr. Wagg offered was "bloated" and "complicated," though seemingly suitable in terms of discounts, yet not appropriate.

Considering the needs of the business group members, perhaps only one-third of the framework would be useful...

The reason Bai Xiaosheng patiently reviewed one by one was to ponder how he might tactfully express his side’s needs and reject unsuitable cooperation later.

Bai Xiaosheng looked over the documents for twenty minutes, and Mr. Wagg patiently waited for twenty minutes, checking the time twice during the interval.

Mr. Wagg’s visit was bearing the Minister’s earnest hope and also concerned his own job, naturally eager to achieve a pleasing result.

After obtaining a positive result, he needed to set off immediately to strive to include today’s achievements in tomorrow’s report.

At that moment, they were racing against time, driven by a strong survival instinct.

Seeing Bai Xiaosheng still reading leisurely, Mr. Wagg couldn’t hold back and asked with a smile, "Mr. Bai, what do you think of this document?"

Bai Xiaosheng finally raised his head and looked at the other party, smiling and saying, "It’s pretty good."

This response seemed too "plain" to Mr. Wagg, lacking the sense of surprise and excitement.

Clearly dissatisfied.

"Actually, regarding discounts, especially policy aspects, there’s room for negotiation, ensuring your satisfaction. After all, Huaxia is our most friendly nation, you are our most esteemed guests, and cooperating with you is something our department eagerly looks forward to." Mr. Wagg said repeatedly, "Regarding the entire cooperation, if you find the scale too large, in the first phase, we can sign ninety percent, even eighty percent."

Faced with Mr. Wagg’s enthusiasm, Bai Xiaosheng could only say with a smile, "We’ll seriously consider this cooperation framework soon, but you know, actually, I, like any businessman in the group, am equal, so I need to discuss with them..."

These words immediately made Mr. Wagg a bit anxious.

Discuss further?

If they took more days to discuss, perhaps his department might undergo a complete change, eventually benefiting only the next group.

Mr. Wagg wished Bai Xiaosheng would sign immediately.

"Mr. Bai, I’ve heard about your deeds in Karan, I know you can fully decide on your business group’s matters, you have the prestige and ability." Mr. Wagg even flattered Bai Xiaosheng.