Chapter 63: Discussing a Big Business Deal with Audrey
Backlund, still the same dog, man, and woman.
Of course, the "dog" here refers to Susie, who had just begun her Beyonder path and was currently in her room consolidating her wisdom and familiarizing herself with her abilities.
The "man" and "woman" referred to Nairn and Audrey, who were sitting in the lounge next to Count Hall's private laboratory.
They were engaged in a deep discussion about life.
"Alright, now that the official business is over, let's talk about something deeper." Nairn withdrew his hand and turned to Audrey, his expression becoming more serious.
Something deeper?
Audrey's heart skipped a beat. The warm light in the laboratory spilled over his profile, outlining a perfect silhouette.
A man and a woman alone, having just witnessed a miracle of life together... Could the 'deeper' thing he mentioned be... be about emotions, about the relationship between them... She felt her cheeks begin to heat up and quickly lowered her head, pretending to adjust her skirt, not daring to look Nairn in the eye.
"For example, about life," Nairn continued.
Here it comes! Audrey's ears perked up, and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat.
"The future of hundreds of thousands, even millions of lives in a city."
"Huh?" Audrey snapped her head up, her eyes full of question marks. The pink bubbles that had just flashed through her mind were instantly popped, leaving her looking utterly dazed.
The future of lives... does he mean... the Tingen Citizen Mutual Aid Foundation?
"Ah, yes, the foundation."
Nairn seemed not to notice her earlier abnormality and continued on his own.
"The model in Tingen is already on the right track, and there's enough funding to support its operation for a long time. But Backlund is different; this is the capital of the Kingdom of Loen, the heart of the Industrial Revolution. The problems here are more complex and the scale is much larger."
Audrey quickly adjusted her mindset. Although her earlier wild thoughts made her a bit embarrassed, she immediately entered a professional state when it came to serious business.
"Yes, my father has also mentioned that the wealth gap and worker treatment issues in Backlund are much more severe than in Tingen. East Borough and Cherwood Borough are like two different worlds."
She responded earnestly.
"Therefore, I need someone I can trust to manage the foundation in Backlund."
Nairn's gaze looked directly at her.
"Someone with sufficient social status who can mobilize resources; someone with enough wisdom to see the situation clearly; and most importantly, someone whose goals align with mine, who truly wants to make this world a better place."
Each of his qualifiers was like a beam of light, accurately shining upon Audrey.
Audrey's breath hitched.
She understood.
"Mr. Lover, you... you mean me?" She could hardly believe it.
In her own home territory, to personally manage and operate such a massive charitable endeavor?
"I can't think of a better candidate besides you," Nairn's tone left no room for doubt.
A surge of immense joy and the accompanying pressure simultaneously welled up in Audrey's heart. She felt an unprecedented level of trust, which made her incredibly excited.
But at the same time, she also felt apprehensive.
"Can I... can I really do it?" she asked subconsciously. "I have no experience; I'm just... just a noble young lady who has just come of age. I'm afraid I'll fail your expectations and mess things up."
She wasn't being modest. She was truly afraid.
She had been protected too well since she was a child.
She had read many books, understood many principles, and even played the role of a guide in the Tarot Club.
But that was ultimately just theoretical. She had only glimpsed a fraction of the complexity and cruelty of the real world through books and Nairn's descriptions.
"Experience can be learned, but kindness and determination cannot," Nairn's voice was calm but carried a reassuring power. "Moreover, you are not fighting alone."
He paused and pointed at Susie, who was looking at them with an extremely human-like gaze.
"You have your'strategist'."
He then pointed to himself.
"And you have me as your 'consultant'."
"More importantly," Nairn's gaze deepened, "you are a 'Spectator'. Audrey, do not treat the Acting Method as a shackle. It's not meant for you to watch coldly from the sidelines, but to allow you to more deeply understand the human heart and the will of the masses."
These words were like a bolt of lightning, clearing the fog in Audrey's mind.
The foundation would be her stage. The people of Backlund would be the audience waiting for the performance.
And what she had to do was guide them toward a better ending.
An unprecedented sense of mission and passion burned in Audrey's chest. That fear of the unknown was instantly replaced by an impulse to change and a desire to practice.
"I... I accept!" She looked up, her emerald eyes shimmering with a firm light. "Mr. Nairn, I am willing to take charge of the Backlund Mutual Aid Foundation! I won't let you down!"
Seeing the fire reignited in the girl's eyes, Nairn nodded with satisfaction.
Very good, his "Miss Justice Cultivation Plan" had taken another major step forward.
Susie let out a timely "Woof," as if cheering for her mistress. Audrey crouched down and hugged her beloved dog tightly, feeling full of strength.
She looked up at Nairn standing under the light, her heart filled with gratitude and admiration.
He had not only given her power but also a direction in which to use it.
She secretly resolved to make the foundation a success and never betray this heavy trust. "The foundation is a great cause, but a great cause also requires money to maintain." After Audrey's enthusiasm had slightly subsided, Nairn brought up a very realistic issue.
Audrey nodded; she was very clear on this point. "I will persuade my father to make the first injection of capital in the name of House Hall. Moreover, I still have some money in my own little vault, which should be enough for the initial startup."
She was already prepared to spend her entire fortune. To be able to personally participate in and lead such a meaningful matter was worth any amount of money to her.
"Your enthusiasm is commendable, but we cannot rely solely on blood transfusions." Nairn shook his head. "A charitable cause must have its own blood-making capability; otherwise, enthusiasm will eventually run dry. We need a... a commercial project that can continuously generate profit to support it."
"A commercial project?" Audrey was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Nairn to have considered even this.
"Yes." A mysterious smile curled at the corners of Nairn's mouth. "And I happen to have an idea. An idea that will not only provide a steady stream of funds for the foundation but might even change the way people travel in the entire Kingdom of Loen, and even the whole world."