America: The neighbor's wife is so incredibly hospitable!

Although Montana winters are harsh.

But since we're talking about a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars, we still need to put on a good show.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

The Miller family's living room has been rearranged.

The oak dining table, which was usually used to eat venison, was polished to a shine.

Several meticulously printed documents were laid out on top, along with a bottle of Bordeaux red wine that had been opened specifically to enhance the presentation.

"Damn... isn't this skirt way too short?"

"And these stockings, why are they so sheer?"

The sound of high heels clicking and clattering came from the stairwell.

Jessica held onto the railing and slowly made her way down.

Chen An looked up and saw the cigar in his hand stop in mid-air.

This girl definitely went all out today, or rather, Sarah "carefully packaged" her.

She was wearing a white silk shirt, with the top button fastened to the second to last.

But the tight fabric was still stretched so much that its curves were clearly visible.

She wore a black high-waisted pencil skirt that barely covered the top of her thighs.

The most dangerous thing is those legs.

In sub-zero temperatures, she wore sheer black stockings.

Although they hadn't left the house yet, the firelight from the fireplace illuminated the scene.

That subtle, barely-there skin tone, combined with the uniquely toned lines of her legs.

It's practically made to seduce someone.

"Mom insists I wear this!"

Jessica blushed under Chen An's gaze and awkwardly tugged at her skirt.

"It's supposed to be business etiquette... but I feel like I'm... like someone working in a certain special industry."

Sarah followed behind her, holding a thick coat, watching the scene with a smile.

"This is called business attire, silly girl." Sarah came over and helped her daughter put on the coat.

"You used to dress like a beggar in Seattle, but now this is what a beautiful girl should look like."

After she finished speaking, she winked at Chen An, a look of seeking praise.

Chen An stood up and looked him up and down.

"very nice."

He walked up to Jessica and reached out to straighten her slightly crooked collar.

"But if it gets cold later, just tuck your legs behind that table."

"I don't want my secretary to have a runny nose from the cold before she even starts taking meeting minutes."

Jessica's ears turned even redder after his actions, and she muttered softly, "Rogue boss..."

"Alright, get ready." Chen An glanced out the window. "Those 'respectable people' are here."

………………

Ten minutes later.

A futuristic, silver-gray Rivian R1T electric pickup truck came to a stop at the farm entrance with a silent slide.

This car is standard equipment for environmental elites in California or Silicon Valley.

But in this muddy Montana wilderness, it seemed somewhat out of place.

The car door opened.

The man who came down was not the greasy middle-aged man Chen An had expected.

Instead, he was an Asian man who looked to be in his early thirties.

He was wearing a dark blue Arc'teryx business jacket over a fine Ralph Lauren sweater.

She was wearing a pair of shiny, handcrafted Chelsea boots.

Her hair was neatly combed, and she wore frameless glasses.

He exudes an elite aura that says, "I am smart, rich, and environmentally conscious."

This is Vincent Zhang, the representative of TerraPower.

"Watch out for the mud."

Chen An stood on the porch, watching Vincent's expensive leather shoes step into the unmelted snow.

I couldn't help but offer this reminder, whether out of kindness or amusement.

Vincent frowned and looked at the muddy tips of his shoes.

A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes, but he quickly replaced it with a professional smile.

"It's alright, Mr. Chen." Vincent walked up the steps without taking off his gloves, but simply extended his hand politely.

"This soil is a gift from nature."

"I'm Vincent, VP of Strategic Investments at TerraPower."

"Chen An".

Chen An shook hands with him. Their hands touched briefly and then parted.

One is a large, rough, and powerful hand gripping a gun and steering wheel;

One is well-maintained, delicate, and aloof hands.

The clash of classes begins with a handshake.

………………

In the living room.

Sarah, acting as the "housekeeper," served hot coffee.

Vincent did not touch the instant coffee.

Instead, he took out his iPad Pro from his briefcase and opened a beautifully designed PowerPoint presentation.

"Mr. Chen, I prefer to get straight to the point."

Vincent pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a condescending confidence.

"We've heard some rumors in the geological community."

"I heard you found some...interesting stones here."

"Although specific data has not yet been released, it is the largest battery recycling and raw material supplier in the United States."

TerraPower is eager to be your first partner.

"State your terms." Chen An leaned back in his chair, fiddling with the Zippo lighter in his hand.

"We are willing to provide full-service mining technology support, including equipment financing."

"In exchange..."

Vincent swiped the screen. "We need to sign a ten-year exclusive underwriting agreement."

"That means all the lithium ore you mine can only be sold to us for ten years."

"The price was settled at 85% of the London Metal Exchange benchmark price at that time."

85%.

exclusive.

ten years.

This is practically turning Chen An into their employee.

Jessica, sitting next to me, was pretending to take notes with her notebook.

Hearing this number, even though I don't know anything about it...

But she also felt something was off, and secretly looked up at Chen An.

Chen An wasn't angry; he even smiled.

"Mr. Vincent, do you think Montana doesn't have wired internet?"

"Do you still think that a farmer from the mountains like me doesn't understand market trends?"

With a "snap".

Chen An lit the lighter, and the flame danced between the two of them.

"In the current spot market, major battery manufacturers are buying at a premium in order to secure supplies."

"You're asking for a 15% discount right off the bat? And you want to lock me in for ten years?"

Vincent's smile froze for a moment.

"Mr. Chen, you need to understand that having a mine is one thing, but being able to turn it into money is another."

Vincent's tone turned cold, carrying a hint of threat.

"Environmental approvals, and even relationships with the local community..."

"Without the backing of a large company like ours, your mine might not even be able to transport a single rock out of the mine."

"We're not just buying mines, we're also buying risks."

"risk?"

Chen An suddenly leaned forward, instantly releasing the oppressive aura of a Western hunter.

"I have obtained the Pentagon's 'strategic material certification'."

"My partner is Robert White of Aurora Group."

"As for environmental approvals... that Smith who tried to strangle me is now picking up soap in jail."

Chen An stared into Vincent's eyes and said, word by word:

"So don't talk to me about risks. I am the biggest risk right now."

"If you want to negotiate, the price will start at 110% of the market price."

"And it's not exclusive; it's a competitive auction. It happens quarterly."

"Whoever pays the most gets the goods."

Vincent was stunned by these words.