The richest man started taking advantage of loopholes after joining Alibaba.

"I spent the whole night going back and reviewing your assessment."

As soon as Lin Che sat down, he put the report back on the table, his attitude even more polite than yesterday.

"To be honest, the more I look at it, the more it makes sense. We really don't have your kind of global-level assessment capabilities."

The chief representative's expression didn't change much; he just leaned forward slightly.

"Mr. Lin, you're too kind."

"It's not just politeness." Lin Che shook his head, his expression sincere. "It's that I've come to terms with reality. I believe your assessment that the core is in the northern section. According to your model, the land in the central section that I have won't be worth developing until after 2024. Before that, throwing money into it will just be a waste of time."

He spoke slowly, each word carefully chosen, as if someone was reluctantly but had to admit that the other person was more skillful.

He even pulled out the cross-sectional diagram from the report, pointed to the northern section, asked a few questions about the details, and nodded after asking, as if he had finally completely understood the other party's reasoning.

Seeing how earnestly he was digesting the information, the chief representative unconsciously relaxed his initial wariness. It's always satisfying to teach a willing and respectful opponent.

He Wei sat to the side, her eyes downcast, her palms sweating again. She knew this was all an act, but watching Lin Che relinquish control of the core area, her heart sank lower and lower. She had to remind herself that this was what Lin Che had repeatedly instructed her to do last night: the more readily she yielded, the better.

"So I've thought about it," Lin Che continued, "If you want the northern section, then take it. We won't compete for it. I'll just hold onto this gentle slope in the middle section, and we can discuss the price based on your assessment."

There was a moment of silence on the other side of the table after he said that.

The chief representative's fingers twitched slightly on the table. He probably hadn't expected that this Chinese man, who had pieced together so many pieces, would concede so readily.

He didn't reply immediately, his gaze lingering on Lin Che's face for a few seconds, as if weighing whether there was something else behind this concession. How could someone who could manipulate things so easily back down over a mine?

This moment of doubt was the closest he ever came to the truth during this negotiation.

Logically, a seasoned negotiator at this stage should have asked one more question. Even a casual question like, "Why doesn't Mr. Lin try to argue further?" But he didn't.

Because he already knew the answer in his heart.

But this doubt only surfaced briefly before being suppressed by the readily available answer.

Endertu was also looking at Lin Che. He sat to the side, his expression even more resolute. In his view, this outsider had finally realized the situation: a Chinese company burdened by the Entity List would ultimately not dare to compete for the core area.

He had to be mindful of the government's attitude and his own position; every step he took was a stumbling block. Retreating was his only option.

This reason makes perfect sense.

The chief representative had clearly considered this as well. He recalled the company's background and the lingering shadow of the Entity List. It was perfectly reasonable for a company afraid of trouble to back down in the face of a powerful competitor and its own concerns; it was so reasonable that it wasn't worth delving into.

His initial doubts slowly subsided.

The tension that had been building on his face eased.

"Mr. Lin's thinking is wise." His tone softened, taking on a victor's composure. "Forced relationships are never sweet. Fighting over a piece of land that isn't ready for the right time only damages harmony and money."

He raised his hand, signaling his assistant to refill his coffee. He took a sip, his demeanor much more composed. There was no ostentation in the gesture, only a relaxed ease that came after the dust had settled—the demeanor of a professional after confirming victory.

He even became somewhat talkative.

"On a side note," he said, leaning back to relax, "I've been in this business for almost thirty years and have seen too many people who, despite having a bad hand, stubbornly refuse to admit it. In the end, they lose all their money and don't even get the land."

He looked at Lin Che with a hint of genuine appreciation in his eyes. There was no defensiveness in this appreciation; it was the gaze of a victor looking at an opponent who had gracefully conceded defeat, and all that remained was mutual respect.

"There aren't many people like Mr. Lin who are willing to back down once they see things clearly. This isn't weakness; it's wisdom."

Lin Che lowered his head, as if he was a little embarrassed by what he was said.

"You're too kind."

"You flatter me." The chief representative smiled and stopped talking. "If this piece of land in the middle section really develops, we'll still be neighbors and visit each other more often."

He Wei was taking notes at the meeting, her pen almost piercing the paper. She had to desperately suppress her smile to avoid revealing any weakness amidst the harmonious atmosphere. The more relaxed the chief representative of the other side became, and the more condescending goodwill he displayed, the heavier the weight on her heart became. She knew that this seasoned opponent was walking step by step down the path that Lin Che had paved for him.

"I personally think you've done a great job guarding that piece of land in the middle section," the chief representative put down his cup. "Given time, it might very well become a good piece of land."

Lin Che smiled.

"Thank you for your kind offer," he said, his voice low but clear. "What I wanted was exactly this middle section."

This sounds like a consoling statement from someone who has backed down. "I can't compete for the core area, but I'm content with holding onto what I have."

No one at the table gave it much thought.

The chief representative took it as a polite formality, smiling and nodding in agreement. Enderitu also saw it as the last face-saving measure offered by the one conceding defeat. The local official, listening nearby, also nodded slightly, as if he thought the outcome was good for all parties.

No one realized that there was another meaning hidden in those words.

What I wanted was the middle section anyway.

On the surface, this is a self-deprecating remark from someone who failed to secure the core area and settled for second best. But there's another way to interpret this sentence: What I wanted from the very beginning was only the middle section.

It's not about settling for second best; it's about getting what you want. The true core of this mine lies entirely beneath that gentle slope in the middle section, and he just made everyone think he abandoned the core and held onto a worthless piece of land.

Everyone at the table breathed a sigh of relief at his concession, feeling that this pragmatic Chinese man had finally found his place.

No one knew that their relief was exactly what Lin Che wanted. The more they thought he had lost, the more decisively he would win.

This is the only truth in this room.

It was also the only sentence that no one understood.

The chief representative leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee, his expression completely relaxed. This core area was now firmly in their grasp, and their once most formidable opponent had already conceded defeat.

He thought he had already won.