Originally translated from the Thai language.
Inside the Chairman’s private office, the faint, sweet aroma of osmanthus tea drifted through the freezing air. The continuous, rhythmic clicking of a decorative Newton’s cradle on the desk chipped away at the oppressive silence. Adisorn stepped forward, stopping right before the Chairman's desk, and calmly slid a comprehensive dossier forward.
"The time has come for you to make a definitive choice, Chairman," Adisorn initiated, his fingers moving with calculated slowness. "Between Hydrogen Valley and the Super Hub."
Li Ming listened in silence, leaning back slightly against the plush leather of his executive chair. "It is a rather agonizing dilemma... Regardless of whose blueprint it is, both yield monumental returns for CK Group. I am highly reluctant to discard either opportunity."
The corner of Adisorn's mouth curled into a microscopic smirk. "Yet, having reached this pivotal juncture, a decision is imperative, sir."
Li Ming let out a low vibrate in his throat, shifting his sharp eyes to look up at the elite global fund manager. "And if you were in my shoes... whose project would you choose?"
Adisorn met his gaze with unyielding serenity. "If the choice were mine... I would choose to delay the allocation of this specific territory for now. Force both leaders to showcase their strategic visions in a direct arena, proving conclusively who will generate the superior yield for CK Group."
Li Ming burst into a thoroughly gratified laughter. "You truly are a master analyst," the Chairman noted, pointing a finger at him. "A vision debate to let the truth manifest itself, correct?"
"Yes, sir," Adisorn replied, offering a polite bow before straightening up to lock eyes with the old man. "However, there is another critical liability that demands your immediate caution."
"And what might that be?" The Chairman narrowed his eyes, his attention instantly captured.
"President Zhou Miling. Her current precarious position could easily be weaponized into a direct political attack against you."
Li Ming’s gaze sharpened. "You imply that Lu Rong will leverage the merger dynamics to criticize me, claiming I am unjustly stripping Miling of her executive command, correct?"
"Precisely. Therefore, I highly recommend you appoint her to a new, strategic designation," Adisorn advised. Li Ming stared at him unmoving, attempting to penetrate the deep, unreadable layers of the young man's mind.
"And what position could possibly be deemed appropriate for her?"
"Director of Strategic Planning and Resource Control for the Green Hydrogen Project."
Upon hearing the proposal, Li Ming fell completely silent. Adisorn, however, knew exactly what was transmitting through the old man's calculations.
"In exchange for this designation, it is a highly profitable trade-off. It effectively neutralizes any undercurrents before they can coalesce into a strike against your administration."
Li Ming held his gaze for a long moment before letting out another robust laugh. "Excellent... In a volatile transition phase like this, the last thing I desire is the irritating buzz of flies disturbing my focus."
The Chairman’s smile remained, but his eyes betrayed a creeping sense of dread as he studied Adisorn. This young man approached every player with calculated mutual benefits and a chilling, tranquil smile making it utterly impossible to predict what horrific endgame he was actually engineering.
This man... is profoundly dangerous,
Li Ming thought, a cold shiver tracing his spine.
Yet his brilliance is so absolute that I cannot even decide whether I should keep him as a weapon... or eliminate him entirely.