Chapter 265: Chapter 252 Elf Prince_1
Feng Tingyue considered herself seasoned, having witnessed many major events, but this was the first time she’d faced a situation quite like this.
Although Yan Xing had said these griffons wouldn’t harm people, these ferocious-looking creatures were blocking the path between the villa and the van. To get past, one would have to walk through them, just as Yan Xing had.
After Yan Xing made his way through, the griffons closed ranks again, blocking the path.
They seemed to have calmed somewhat, curiously observing the people while their claws scraped against the hard ground.
Their sharp talons etched deep scratches into the stone bricks.
Everyone outside the villa watched both Feng Tingyue and the griffons, forcefully suppressing the urge to flee into the building.
Knowing she had to cross, Feng Tingyue mustered her courage. She straightened her clothes and slowly began walking towards the villa.
She did her best to smile, trying to convey her goodwill to the griffons.
Seeing someone approach, the griffons all immediately looked at Feng Tingyue, low RUMBLES issuing from their throats.
Stared at by six griffons, Feng Tingyue froze in fear. She glanced at Yan Xing ahead, took a deep breath, and continued forward.
The griffons slowly paced, gradually surrounding Feng Tingyue.
Stay calm, stay calm! I have to make it through this! Feng Tingyue kept reminding herself.
Just then, Feng Tingyue felt a griffon behind her nudge her back with its head, causing the hair all over her body to stand on end.
Then, another griffon brushed its body against her...
By then, Feng Tingyue had made it out of the griffons’ encirclement. She dodged the griffon that tried to rub against her again and quickly ascended the villa steps. Turning back, she looked at the griffons, panting heavily.
She would never forget this experience for the rest of her life.
Yan Xing smiled at Feng Tingyue and said, "It seems they really like you. I’m sure you’ll get along very well with them in the future."
"They... they like me?"
Feng Tingyue had been scared half to death, terrified she would be torn apart and devoured.
She could hardly discern what the griffons wanted.
"Yes!" Yan Xing said with certainty. "If you’ve ever raised a cat, you’d know they genuinely like you. Let’s go, we need to finalize the griffon breeding project."
Yan Xing glanced at the magnates Chen Shi had invited. With a polite but cursory smile, he walked into the villa as if it were his own home.
These magnates had never been treated so dismissively, especially by someone so young.
The quick-witted Chen Shi immediately tried to smooth things over, inviting the magnates into the villa.
"President Yan’s temperament is a bit eccentric, but his sincerity in inviting you all to participate in this project is genuine and substantial. Please, overlook any minor points... Let’s all head inside and finalize this project quickly. I’m sure none of you want any unexpected setbacks, right?"
Although the magnates were somewhat indignant at Yan Xing’s dismissiveness, with the griffons in mind, they still entered the villa one by one.
When they arrived at the newly arranged conference room, they found Yan Xing already seated in the place of honor.
This seat of honor had originally been prepared by Zhao Guotai, the villa’s owner, for himself.
Whoever sat there naturally held the initiative in the meeting, able to secure the greatest benefits for themselves from the project.
"Chen Shi, sit here. Manager Feng, here. The rest of you, please take your seats as well," Yan Xing said, patting the chairs beside him, effectively deciding the second and third-in-command for this future project.
Standing by the door, Zhao Guotai’s expression darkened further.
The other magnates didn’t immediately comply with Yan Xing’s seating arrangement.
Once this hierarchy was set, it would be very difficult to change their standing within the project later.
After Chen Shi and Feng Tingyue took their seats, Zhao Guotai asked, "Chen Shi, we all know each other, but who is this young lady?"
Zhao Guotai, in his fifties and dressed in a gray Chinese tunic suit, looked much younger than his age and spoke with an imposing air.
The others also carried themselves with the gravitas of corporate leaders.
However, Yan Xing, who could chat and laugh with Count Theodore and Lady Karol, naturally didn’t pay these people much heed. He had no personal ties with them; it was all about interests. And when discussing interests, there was no need to bother with saving face.
"Manager Feng represents Renlun Investment Bank. I made a last-minute decision today to bring them into this project. Gentlemen, please don’t waste my time. If you don’t want to discuss this, you’re free to leave. Or, we can be the ones to leave."
When Feng Tingyue heard Yan Xing mention griffon breeding, she had a general idea of what this project, which had attracted so many magnates, was about.
She said, "Renlun Investment Bank can provide President Yan with all the funds, locations, personnel, and equipment he needs. However, we also respect President Yan’s decision. Since he invited you first, we will abide by the rules of the game."
Hearing this, the magnates understood that Yan Xing, despite his youth, was not someone they could easily manipulate. For most of them, the crucial thing now was to secure a spot in this project.
How large that spot was, by contrast, wasn’t as important.
The unstable alliance shattered instantly. Someone took the lead and sat down, and the others quickly found seats for themselves.
With no one to support him, Zhao Guotai could only temporarily concede and sat in an empty seat beside Chen Shi.
"President Yan, I believe this is the first time you’re meeting most of us. Allow me to make some introductions so we can all get acquainted and contribute funding and effort to this project together in the future," Zhao Guotai said.
Yan Xing nodded in agreement.
That manner, as if addressing subordinates, greatly displeased Zhao Guotai.