457: Chapter 452 80% Confidence

[Special event clue detected. Triggering random mission: The Lost Route.]

[Mission Objective: Help Wang Haidong resolve the customs clearance issues for his cargo at the Port of Rotterdam.]

[Mission Reward: One piece of high-level business intelligence.]

High-level intelligence.

A faint glimmer flickered deep within Shen Yan's eyes.

He subconsciously adjusted his posture, leaning forward slightly.

“The Port of Rotterdam?”

He spoke, his voice carrying a hint of inquiry.

“The supervisor is named Van der Sar?”

Wang Haidong was in the middle of an impassioned speech and didn't notice Shen Yan's subtle shift.

He only felt that this young man seemed to be genuinely interested in his plight.

A flood of grievances and indignation finally found an outlet.

“Yes! That's him! A Dutchman!”

“I suspect it's my competitor, Zhao Hong from Hongyuan Trading, messing with me behind the scenes!”

“That kid has always been envious of this route. He's used plenty of dirty tricks before!”

“He’s the happiest now that I'm in trouble!”

“And my partner—damn it—as soon as he heard there was a problem with the capital chain, he was the first to grab the money and run!”

“The world is truly cold; people just aren't what they used to be!”

Wang Haidong grew more agitated as he spoke, nearly slamming the table.

Shen Yan's expression remained calm.

However, the questions he asked became increasingly specific.

“What is your cargo, specifically?”

“The container numbers, the shipping company's name, and the contact information for the customs broker.”

“And that Van der Sar—how much do you know about him?”

“Family background, personal preferences, any particular habits?”

The string of questions left Wang Haidong a bit dazed.

He stared blankly at Shen Yan.

“Mr. Shen, why are you asking all this?”

“I just feel that things might not be that simple.”

Shen Yan's voice carried a convincing weight.

“Sometimes, a situation that seems like an unsolvable dead end is only because you haven't found the right key.”

Wang Haidong thought Shen Yan was moved by his story and wanted to help brainstorm ideas.

Like a drowning man clutching at a straw, he immediately spilled everything, pouring out the information like beans from a bamboo tube.

“The cargo is twelve standard containers of Dysprosium Oxide. The container numbers are... the shipping company is Maersk, and the broker is Tongda from T-City...”

“As for Van der Sar, I only know he's in his forties and was just transferred from the Port of Antwerp. I heard he's a workaholic who doesn't smoke or drink. His only hobby is collecting vintage watches...”

“Vintage watches?”

Shen Yan caught this keyword.

“Yes, I think so.”

Wang Haidong tried hard to remember.

“The middleman I found mentioned it once, saying he always wears a very old Patek Philippe on his wrist.”

Shen Yan nodded and didn't press further.

In his mind, a preliminary plan had already formed.

Wang Haidong continued to drone on about his misfortunes, as if Shen Yan were an old confidant he had known for years.

He was completely unaware that behind the calm eyes of the young man opposite him, a cold calculation was taking place.

“President Wang.”

Shen Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it easily cut through Wang Haidong's complaining.

Wang Haidong's mouth remained open, his words stuck in his throat.

“Are you interested in discussing a partnership?”

The air fell silent.

Only the 'hissing' sound of the automatic sprinklers on the distant lawn remained.

The indignation and dejection on Wang Haidong's face froze.

It took him a full three seconds to process the meaning of those words.

“A partnership?”

It was as if he had heard some fantasy tale; his tone carried a hint of the absurd.

“Mr. Shen, are... are you joking?”

“In my current state, what right do I have to talk about a partnership with you?”

Shen Yan's index finger tapped lightly on the tabletop.

“Let's talk about your cargo.”

Wang Haidong's pupils contracted slightly.

“Your cargo is stuck in Rotterdam.”

“I'll help you clear customs.”

“In exchange, you let me take a stake in your trade route.”

Shen Yan spoke slowly. Each word was like a stone accurately thrown into the chaotic lake of Wang Haidong's heart, stirring up layers of ripples.

Wang Haidong was completely stunned.

He looked at Shen Yan as if he were looking at a monster.

This young man had just squeezed his house price down to rock bottom.

And in the blink of an eye, he wanted to involve himself in the business Wang relied on for survival?

What kind of move was this?

“How... how will you help me?”

Wang Haidong's voice was somewhat dry.

“That old stubborn Van der Sar—I've looked for connections in Europe, and nothing worked.”

Shen Yan didn't answer the question of 'how' he would help.

He simply stated a fact.

“But you have no other options, do you?”

These words were like a knife stabbing into Wang Haidong's chest.

It was true.

He was at the end of his rope.

“President Wang, you've already started selling your house to fill the hole.”

“This route is your last chance to make a comeback.”

“If this batch of goods is stuck on your hands, the Bank will pull its loans, and your company will go into bankruptcy liquidation within a month.”

Shen Yan's tone was very calm, devoid of any sympathy or mockery.

He was merely describing an impending future.

A future that Wang Haidong himself was all too aware of but didn't dare to think about deeply.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Wang Haidong's forehead.

He picked up the bottle of soda on the table, which was no longer very cold, and took another large gulp.

This time, it did nothing to extinguish the fire of anxiety in his heart.

Shen Yan looked at him.

“So, cooperate with me.”

“What do you have to lose by trying?”

“The worst-case scenario is exactly what you're facing now.”

“But what if it works?”

What if it works?

These four words were like a faint light shining into Wang Haidong's pitch-black despair.

His breathing became heavy.

In the world of middle-aged men, there is no room for luck.

Every step must be taken steadily.

He had relied on his own caution to build this family business.

But it was also this caution that left him tied hand and foot in the face of a crisis.

The young man before him possessed a sharp edge he had never seen before.

It felt as if there were nothing in the world he couldn't accomplish.

This kind of confidence couldn't be faked.

Wang Haidong stared intently at Shen Yan, like a drowning man staring at the only piece of wood floating on the water.

He wanted to grab it.

Yet he feared it was just a piece of rotten wood that would sink.

Time passed, second by second.

Shen Yan didn't rush him. He picked up the glass of ice water, which had mostly melted, and took a sip.

He had plenty of patience.

Because he knew Wang Haidong had no other choice.

Finally, Wang Haidong spoke.

His voice was raspy and carried a hint of a tremor, but more than that, it held the determination of someone burning their bridges.

“Mr. Shen... how certain are you?”

Shen Yan set down the water glass. The bottom clinked against the table.

He looked up at Wang Haidong.

“Eighty percent.”

No extra explanation.

Just those two words.