Chapter 3: Negotiation of Interests

"We are very interested in your design, but you should be clear about the impact your invention will have."

"In other words, your design could almost overturn Piltover's current industry system, which relies on Hextech crystal energy."

Karina had no doubt that these were not Li Lin's designs, and she wasn't concerned about it.

Before becoming a senator, she was an excellent Hextech artisan and could naturally tell if Li Lin's unique design sketches were genuine.

If these sketches were designed by Li Lin, the Gilaman family could gain a genius inventor comparable to Jayce. If, however, Li Lin had stolen these designs from another family, he would expose himself in subsequent inventions, and then contacting Piltover's enforcers would be enough to apprehend him. The Gilaman family wouldn't lose out; instead, they could gain a set of technological blueprints to pioneer a new era.

The same applied to Li Lin. Even if he misunderstood the Gilaman family, had his design stolen, or faced any other challenges, he had the Mechanist System and access to technology not found on Earth, allowing him to create even higher-tech inventions.

With both sides harboring their thoughts, negotiations on these invention patents continued.

"We can sponsor you as much as possible. All you need to do is manufacture these technological devices and ensure they can be put into normal use in the future."

"Don't worry about anything else. Our Gilaman family won't seize ownership of your patents. However, they must be associated with the Gilaman family's name. Can you accept this?"

Li Lin nodded, understanding that Karina's question was symbolic. His agreement or disagreement didn't matter much. "Of course, no problem."

"Good, let's move on to discuss the benefits and proportions of the patents. Bring out your design drawings."

Karina had negotiated many such academic sponsorship contracts and was familiar with this part of the process.

"Let's start with the first design... a bicycle. Hmm, a unique name, powered by pedaling on the footboard and turning gears and chains. The design is novel..."

Karina paused, and Li Lin knew a turning point was coming. She was about to negotiate on behalf of the Gilaman family.

"But you should understand, Piltover already has transportation tools like Hextech bikes and Hextech dual-wheel vehicles. Compared to them, your bicycle doesn't have significant advantages. The young masters and misses of big families won't be interested in your simple invention..."

"You're wrong, Mrs. Karina," Li Lin countered without hesitation.

The Gilaman couple frowned simultaneously.

"Firstly, although my bicycle may not match Hextech bikes and dual-wheel vehicles in speed and travel distance, it doesn't require Hextech crystal energy as a power source. Moreover, it has a simple structure. Have you considered the cost?"

Karina and Elro both looked slightly stunned, displaying thoughtful expressions.

Li Lin paused for a moment, a faint smile on his lips. "Besides, who said my bicycle was designed for families?"

"This thing can be useful even without being designed for a family... Wait a moment!" Elro suddenly realized, his eyes brightening. "You want to apply the bicycle to ordinary citizens?"

"Exactly. The original purpose of designing the bicycle was to consider the well-being of ordinary people. It can serve as a means of transportation in daily life, be used for leisure during free time, and also contribute to physical exercise."

"In addition, the bicycle is cost-effective. I believe it should take a low-end route, with an affordable price. Thin profits and high sales will make it accessible to ordinary citizens. I'm confident it will become a popular commodity."

Li Lin revealed all the advantages and sales strategies of the bicycle without reservation. Even Karina found it challenging to exploit the product's value further.

"I think this idea is great, my dear. Other families rarely consider ordinary citizens. If we can start from this perspective, at least we can suppress those bastards from the Antoine family..."

"You fool, why are you speaking up for others!" Karina scolded her husband with a glance, but both Li Lin and he made sense. Unable to refute, she felt a bit discouraged and could only compromise. "Tell me, how much do you want?"

To her surprise, Li Lin didn't make an exorbitant demand. He simply raised three fingers. "Thirty percent. That's enough for me in terms of sales profits."

Piltover was an independent parliamentary city-state, but calling it a small country was not entirely wrong.

As a trading port connecting the east and west channels of the Rune Territories, what Piltover produced was not only sold locally but also exported to various regions of the world.

In other words, the wealth brought by just one invention, like the bicycle, was enough for Li Lin to live extravagantly for a lifetime. He could even enter Piltover's upper class and establish a new aristocratic family.

But he chose to give up this readily available opportunity?

Karina couldn't comprehend.

Before she could ask why, Li Lin continued, "However, I have a condition."

"Go on," Karina sat up straight.

"Firstly, in the future, I may attempt to invent more things. Regardless of how difficult or seemingly impossible they are, you must unconditionally support me."

"How many trump cards does this little guy still have?" Karina couldn't see through this Ionian youth covered in mystery. Her mouth twitched slightly as she tried to maintain a calm demeanor. "Fine, I agree. But the premise is not to touch the interests of the family... Anything else?"

"Secondly, I can share some of the core technology of certain inventions with you. However, some more dangerous technologies must be entirely under my control, and you cannot force me to surrender them."

"Dangerous technologies..." Karina nearly lost her composure. "How dangerous are these so-called 'dangerous technologies'? If they violate Piltover laws, affecting the city's stability and citizens, we can't guarantee..."

Karina was nudged by her husband, and her words stopped abruptly.

Although she didn't finish, Li Lin knew what she meant.

It was the controller behind Piltover, the enigmatic figure known as the Steel Shadow...

Since it had come to this point, and he might have grown up, he wouldn't be afraid of her, right?

Li Lin comforted himself slightly in his mind and explained, "Hmm... I can't say for sure at the moment, but rest assured, there won't be a problem."

"Alright... fine, I agree. What else?"

"Lastly, I hope that for some of my more complex invention patents, I can receive a higher proportion. For example, generators with higher technological content..."

"Of course, for inventions with lower technical content, I can accept a lower percentage, between ten to thirty percent. How about that?"

"..."

By this point in the negotiation, Karina felt a bit numb. She didn't know if Li Lin was playing mind games or if he was truly a genius.

She silently looked into Li Lin's eyes, but apart from brimming self-confidence, there were no other emotions.

Alright, let's take a gamble. After all, there's no loss.

Karina sighed inwardly, "Fine, I agree. Afterward, you can specify some of the inventions, and I'll give you fifty percent

of the patent profits."

"Thank you, Mrs. Karina." A brilliant smile appeared on Li Lin's face.

Then, he and the Gilaman couple stood up simultaneously.

In the exchange of gazes between Li Lin's deep brown eyes and Karina's azure blue eyes, they extended their hands and shook hands.

"Pleasant cooperation!"

(End of Chapter)