In the corner of the restaurant, two gentlemen, much in the spotlight, were chatting away.

"... Many people will get hurt!" Mr. Pato said with a playful expression, joking.

He didn't care about the lives of those natives. He had almost grasped that once this plan was implemented, all Nagariel would instantly become genuine waste paper, not merely described as "worthless."

Waste paper, true waste paper, and those holding this waste paper would suffer!

Who holds this currency the most right now?

Undoubtedly, the Federation Government, the six major banks, and "insiders" like Lynch.

But they won't hold onto it forever; as Nagariel continues to appreciate today, they haven't lost money. Instead, they've made a large sum, and the subsequent events he could roughly imagine — some fools will bear the costs of this action.

This is the essence of finance or capital; if someone makes money, someone must lose money. Wealth does not spawn from thin air!

"It seems, starting today, I should directly pay those workers in Federation Sol too!"

His expression was somewhat regretful, as some workers still insisted on using Nagariel, which allowed the United Development Company to save on wage expenses.

These benefits can't be eaten forever; being able to enjoy them for a month is already a gain for people, and not being able to continue isn't an issue.

The overall atmosphere of the meal was rather pleasant. After it ended, Mr. Pato immediately got up and said his goodbyes. He had received some information from Lynch and needed his assistants to continue analyzing it for him.

Lynch wandered around the boat, enjoying the somewhat uncomfortable sea breeze for a while before returning to his room.

Silence through the night.

...

The next day, Lynch, along with his assistant, went to watch an opera. The opera's leading man was referred to as "the last sparkle of the Federation's opera scene," a nickname that sounded a bit shameful.

He was a gentleman in his sixties. Today's opera was about a King and his battle of wits with treacherous officials, making the plot very intense and requiring strong stage presence, something an average person couldn't perform.

This segment reminded people that rulers are always right, thus only true star opera actors could uphold the framework of the production.

The content to be conveyed by the opera was undoubtedly correct, as believed globally, not just in the Federation, Gafura's situation was more exaggerated than the Federation.

It must be said that Mr. "Sparkle" had a voice with great penetration, capable of triggering emotional resonance. However, the entire opera scene now faced an awkward issue—there were no successors.

Young people are more inclined to participate in various talent shows, or sign contracts with entertainment and broker agencies, undergoing star cultivation programs to eventually appear before the public as celebrities.

Few are willing to learn opera nowadays, as singing opera requires much time to settle.

An entertainment star never needs talent; they don't require prolonged cultivation. A beautiful appearance can quickly propel them to fame.

But opera stars often need to be over fifty. They must find their own style, cultivate their own aura, refine their artistic temperament and singing skills, with no lack in any aspect, making assembly-line star creation very challenging.

This has doomed opera, as an art form, to a difficult path, unable to be the protagonist, potentially remaining unknown throughout their life.

In earlier years, when television hadn't entered every household, opera firmly held a dominant position. Many opera actors or industry practitioners didn't believe television would become a qualified challenger.

Television programs and movies were even termed "non-mainstream expressions," and they weren't willing to associate the word "art" with this new media.

At that time, indeed, opera actors and the whole community firmly controlled the Federation's audio and visual entertainment industry, receiving pursuits from high society, having the right and courage to speak this way,

However, the cultivation of opera actors was too lengthy, and appreciating opera required a certain level of artistic literacy, which was precisely what the lower strata of society lacked.

Conversely, television and movies were much favored by the masses from the lower social strata.

Ultimately, opera was defeated by these unesteemed, deemed "non-mainstream expression" media.

An operatic voice wasn't needed, nor the powerful onsite emotional infection, not profound plots or tragedies, or general comprehension abilities for acts and plots.

All that was needed was a television or a big screen, a sofa or connected seats, food that could make one gain weight, and a family could sit for long hours before the television or big screen, giggling away.

As for influence?

If it doesn't influence the masses of the lower society, what kind of influence is that?

It's only natural for opera to descend from the altar and fall into obscurity.

Normally, an opera lasts nearly three hours. Lynch watched it very attentively, which surprised his assistant, Helen, a bit.

Appreciating opera requires a high level of artistic sophistication, something she couldn't fully grasp. Lynch's deep engagement made her feel somewhat ashamed. After all, everyone knew that Lynch only graduated from high school. This prompted her to immerse herself more into the opera.

But what she didn't know was that Lynch appeared very focused because he was daydreaming.

He went over past events and anticipated upcoming ones, ensuring he hadn't missed anything before he turned his attention back to the opera.

Right at that moment, the last note of a trembling male voice faded, and the people in the theater stood up to applaud. Lynch, a bit confused, joined them in standing and clapping.

However, from his face, one couldn't discern his true inner thoughts. To blend more into this environment, he expressed some sentiment!

"Time really flies by. Immersed in the ocean of art, I forgot the passage of time. I wish I could listen a little longer."

Helen, along with some nearby listeners, immediately grew in respect for Lynch's artistic knowledge. Some of them initially wanted to say it was quite boring, but now they nodded vigorously in agreement with Lynch's view to show they were also refined individuals.

One must admit, wealthy people and affluent families truly know how to enjoy life. On a yacht every day, there's no need to face any work; all they have to do is play, play to their hearts' content, play recklessly.

As long as you have money, the Federation is the Celestial Kingdom!

By the third day on board, Mr. Wardrick finally arrived, and the meeting of the board of directors could finally convene, much to the relief of many.

Ordinary employees and their families might greatly enjoy everything on the yacht, but for the shareholders of the board, such a lifestyle was boring.

The entertainment activities they have experienced and participated in were much more interesting and sophisticated than this. Here, they would just feel bored.

On the afternoon of the third day, the United Development Company's board meeting for the new year finally formally convened.

The United Development Company has over a hundred shareholders, not including some stockholders who were not invited.

Only those holding more than one thousandth of the shares were invited to attend this board meeting. Those holding less than that did not qualify to attend.

In the largest conference room on the yacht, all the shareholders were seated around a huge round table.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine the extent of the Federation people's attachment to round tables and round table meetings. They clearly could arrange rows of tables and chairs for people to sit separately, yet they insist on sitting around such a huge round table, as if this provides a greater sense of participation.

Lynch also sat at the table, watching the people far away, suddenly smiling, he started laughing.

The person sitting next to him wasn't very familiar with Lynch, having only met on the ship a couple of times, exchanging nods.

However, since they were both with United Development Company, their relationship was naturally closer. This gentleman was in his forties; seeing Lynch laugh for a while, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mr. Lynch, is there something particularly amusing?"

When Lynch looked at him, he explained, "I just noticed that you've been smiling and even making sounds."

"Really?" Lynch immediately apologized for his blunder, "Sorry, I didn't realize I was affecting those next to me. I'm truly sorry."

The person next to Lynch didn't blame him, just curious, "No need to apologize, Mr. Lynch, I'm just curious if you can share a bit."

Socializing requires communication. If two people sit here without saying a word, they wouldn't know each other by the end. But now, with a reason for conversation and more to talk about, social interaction began.

"Of course, as I was looking at everyone here and this round table, do you know what I thought of?" Lynch shared his thoughts.

The gentleman cooperated with the question, "What did you think of?"

Lynch couldn't help but chuckle again, "A strip club!"

"There, they have round tables like this, just a bit smaller, with some poles or a few chairs inside, and some girls in there..." he animatedly described like a young man.

The man next to Lynch was initially stunned, then pondered, "Your words are profound, Mr. Lynch, but I must say, you painted a vivid picture!"

"Right? That's why I couldn't help but laugh..."

Actually, how different are the people sitting here from those waiting at a strip club for the "main event" to start?

Not much different; even their current mindset is similar, eagerly waiting for the moment their desires are fulfilled.

The board chairman, sitting not far away, glanced over. Lynch promptly restrained his expressive look, sitting up straight after a slight nod.

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