Chapter 169: Becoming an Outstanding Person

At this moment, the manager of Dyson Asset Management Company sat in Lynch’s room. His name was Asel—Asel Erlyco—an immigrant, not a native of the Baylor Federation.

The Baylor Federation was lenient with names, but not to this degree. Combined with his slightly brown skin, it was clear he was an immigrant.

Immigrants weren’t all wealthy; many were middle class or laborers. In recent years, the federation attracted large international capital, boosting various industries and causing a labor shortage. This gave rise to a new industry: human trafficking.

These labor companies recruited workers from around the world willing to work or escape war, sending them to Baylor Federation for manual and low-level jobs, easing the early labor shortage.

As urbanization increased, the labor shortage eased. Some believed these illegal workers took jobs from local laborers. The conservative party then pushed for the Immigration Bureau. Many early foreign laborers, often brought in by these groups, were deported.

Yet some, like Asel, stayed. Clever and smart, he stood out from ordinary laborers. With schooling, literacy, and numeracy, he quickly became a foreman after arriving.

He spent his free time reading and studying, married a local woman—plain but weighing over two hundred pounds—and thus avoided deportation. He obtained an insurance number and paid social security.

Still, immigrants faced prejudice in the labor market. Locals had a hard time; immigrants had it worse.

When Lynch recruited managers, he noticed Asel, a smart young man.

Many better-qualified candidates applied, with superior education and résumés, but Lynch favored none. Instead, he was drawn to Asel’s smile.

It was hard to describe. Lynch’s smile was clean, transparent, bright, full of cheer and confidence—like spring thawing winter, giving warmth and goodwill.

Asel’s smile was like a late autumn flower with frost, refusing to bow—strong, courageous, reliable, tough, never giving up.

That smile inspired others, motivating them.

Lynch valued that smile. He knew that in business, legal or not, communication was the first step.

No matter your degrees or positions, sitting face to face with a demanding client doesn’t guarantee respect. The most powerful weapon is a smile. It can quickly dissolve defenses without words.

Other skills can be learned with effort. This unique smile is rare.

Lynch spent half his life mastering it. It seemed innate in Asel—some people have enviable talent.

Lynch immediately hired Asel, making him manager of several companies.

The tall thin man guessed right—Asel and Dyson Asset Management were Lynch’s own.

Capital is ruthless. Maybe it wasn’t always so, but now they saw the truth.

Is this exploitation unstoppable?

No. The simplest method is cross-shareholding through other companies, like now—Lynch’s other company holds shares in Interstellar Trading. On paper, his stake shrinks, but aside from shares sold, he hasn’t lost much control.

These small companies stay silent, but when crucial decisions arise, they back Lynch—undoubtedly his.

This grants him significant control and prepares for the future—he plans to split this company and raise funds again.

An old man once told him: selling something at a sky-high price once isn’t impressive—anyone can do that with the right time and reason.

True skill is selling the same thing multiple times at a sky-high price without breaking the law.

Asel sat opposite Lynch, curious and moved by Lynch’s calm face.

He couldn’t imagine that the man who just outwitted two groups showed no pride. That moved Asel.

He’d done many jobs, met many people, but had never seen someone so young running such a large operation.

At first, he thought Lynch might be someone’s child or agent—common enough. For example, the wealthy Mark was just a figurehead, a few years older than Lynch.

But Asel soon realized Lynch was just himself, not anyone’s puppet, which amazed him.

Today was just one of many surprises.

“Tomorrow, after you return to Sabin City, promote our deal. Make it big—buy some newspaper space. Include the acquisition of the newly established transport company…” Lynch instructed.

The immigrant manager took notes eagerly, seeing this as a rare opportunity to learn valuable things unavailable elsewhere.

Lynch separated Cook’s team into an independent transport company. Lynch owned 90% of it; the rest was incentive shares for the transport team, with distribution authority given to Cook.

Dyson Asset Management would acquire this transport company and sign an exclusive entrusted transport agreement with Lynch to handle in-state transport for Interstellar Trading.

Due to anti-unfair competition laws, the contract lasts only three years, avoiding legal risks.

The Baylor Federation’s complex laws nearly made Lynch give up reading.

For the next three years, if both sides comply, Dyson Asset Management’s acquired transport company will fully manage Interstellar Trading’s in-state transport.

All this was done before new investors joined, who cannot alter or interfere with these contracts without paying millions in penalties.

This is only part of the plan—not deception, since Lynch discloses these contracts before investment.

Investors joining despite this shows their approval; the law backs Lynch.

There were other plans too—like building up another construction company, as Interstellar Trading will have many building projects later. Better to give oneself discounts than outsiders.

Even without the qualifications to take on large projects immediately, they could win bids and subcontract them out, saving extra money.

After experiencing the harsh reality of society once again, Asel returned to his room satisfied and began seriously studying Lynch’s ideas and guidance.

The next day, Lynch, who had originally planned to leave, was persuaded to stay by local businessmen.

Dyson Asset Management’s involvement set a firm baseline. After discussing with Noah, the merchants of Kurland City abandoned their plan to acquire majority shares. Instead, they secured attendance rights and signed a new agreement with Lynch.

They exchanged 40% of the cash for 5% of Lynch’s stake in Interstellar Trading, along with a supplemental clause granting them priority rights to increase their shares in future financings.

In simple terms, when new capital enters, they can top up to maintain their 5% stake rather than being diluted below board attendance eligibility.

This reflects the true mindset and standards of doing business—something those insiders trying to take advantage of Lynch could never learn.