Chapter 1036: Hello, Boss

When two people have been together for a long time, their understanding of each other naturally deepens. That's why many couples can guess each other's thoughts from even a small gesture.

Fan Baobao and Zhao Fusheng were like that. Growing up together and now in such an intimate relationship, they could detect even the slightest deviation from the norm.

Just like now, Zhao Fusheng immediately guessed that Fan Baobao had something to tell him.

But even so, he enjoyed this kind of interaction between them.

Whether married or dating, after being together for a long time, the physical desire for each other gradually diminishes. Over time, they slowly discover that the once fiery love has turned into warm affection. Even their images of each other may blur.

This is a manifestation of feelings penetrating deep into the bones.

Because only by letting down all defenses can one allow another person to appear freely in their mind.

Just like Zhao Fusheng toward Fan Baobao, or Fan Baobao toward him—wholeheartedly treating each other—only then can such feelings exist.

"Come on, what is it?"

After dinner, when everything was cleaned up, the two sat on the sofa cuddling and watching TV. Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Fan Baobao.

She was thin-skinned; if he didn't ask, she probably wouldn't have the nerve to bring it up.

The fact that she had managed to get this far was already beyond Zhao Fusheng's expectations.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Fan Baobao smiled, hooked her arm through his, and leaned close to him. "Actually, it's like this: Teacher Zhou's son has been at home drawing comics since graduating from college, without a proper job. I heard you were planning to start a comic company, so I thought you could give him a try."

"That's it?"

Zhao Fusheng blinked, stunned.

He thought Fan Baobao had something major to tell him, but it turned out to be such a trivial matter.

What a waste of emotion~

"Yeah, I heard from Teacher Zhou that her son is actually quite good at drawing, but he just hasn't had the right opportunity." Fan Baobao nodded like a chick pecking at rice, introducing Zhou Qing's son's situation to Zhao Fusheng.

Clearly, she had done some research before recommending him to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng burst out laughing. "Didn't you know? My comic studio currently only has Sun Jun and Fang Minya. It hasn't even been officially registered yet. Is it appropriate to ask him to come now?"

This was Zhao Fusheng's own fault. When he went to Hong Kong earlier, he was so busy that he forgot about the comic company and didn't have time to follow up. So now, the comic studio had been registered, but the only staff were Fang Minya and Sun Jun.

Moreover, the couple was still painstakingly drawing the first few episodes of One Piece.

This was actually a rather sad story...

And now, apparently, another unlucky person was about to join in.

"What's his name?" Seeing Fan Baobao lost in thought, Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked.

Fan Baobao replied instinctively, "Li Zhijie."

"Since you've brought it up, if he wants to come, he can work with Sun Jun and the others. I've already started working on the comic company." Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Fan Baobao.

"Alright then."

Fan Baobao smiled. "That's good. At least he'll be a founding member of the company."

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then shook his head and laughed. He had learned to appreciate Fan Baobao's carefree nature.

But in his heart, he decided he would have a good talk with this Li Zhijie later, so as not to hinder the young man's development.

Unconsciously, though only twenty-five, Zhao Fusheng had grown accustomed to viewing the people and things around him with the mindset of a middle-aged or even elderly person.

Actually, he was overthinking it. Fan Baobao had gained considerable fame at the People's Art Theatre. Many people already knew her, and now she was even more legendary.

In many people's eyes, Fan Baobao truly loved acting. She was the kind of person who, if she couldn't act well, would have to go home and marry a billionaire.

Of course, that was all a joke. Those around her had long understood Fan Baobao's character; she wasn't that kind of person.

So when she suggested to Zhou Qing that Li Zhijie work at Zhao Fusheng's comic company, Zhou Qing didn't refuse.

After all, in China's social and cultural context, personal connections are unavoidable, and they aren't always a bad thing. Even old artists can't escape this convention.

Moreover, Fan Baobao had made it clear that she was just mentioning it to Zhao Fusheng, giving Li Zhijie a chance. There was no guarantee he would be hired, but it was better than him staying cooped up at home.

Zhou Qing was quite satisfied with that.

The bigger the favor owed, the harder it is to repay.

...

...

The next day, Zhao Fusheng actually received phone calls.

Not one, but two.

The first was from Li Zhijie, and the second from a self-proclaimed overseas student named Li Dezhu.

Without any nonsense, they set a time. Zhao Fusheng told Li Zhijie to contact Zhang Qian. Regardless, since the comic industry was part of his future plans, he needed to meet this person first before making a decision.

As for Li Dezhu and his friend who worked at Citibank, Zhao Fusheng thought it over and decided to meet them.

The location, naturally, was chosen at Future Investment.

When Li Dezhu and Xia Zijun walked into Future Investment, the shock in their hearts was indescribable.

"This place... belongs to that person?" Xia Zijun had learned from Li Dezhu that the other party had arranged to meet at his investment company.

"Yes, Zijun. I didn't expect him to own an investment company either." The man with the Chinese name Li Dezhu and English name Jerry said to his old classmate, "I think this might be an opportunity for you."

"What about you?" Xia Zijun asked Li Dezhu. If before Li Dezhu helped because of their relationship, now he clearly had other ideas.

"I think he needs a China hand who knows the US situation inside out." Mr. Li Dezhu chuckled.

Clearly, he too was a man with ambitions.

Thus, Zhao Fusheng found that the two people before him were both very respectful toward him.

"Hello, I am Xia Zijun." Xia Zijun greeted Zhao Fusheng in nearly broken Chinese.

Obviously, he had crammed at the last minute.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Xia Zijun in English, "Mr. Xia, you can speak English. I understand."

Then, Zhao Fusheng turned to Li Dezhu and said in Chinese, "Mr. Li Dezhu, nice to meet you."

For a moment, Li Dezhu and Xia Zijun looked at each other. They suddenly felt that this person before them was harder to handle than they had imagined.

It is said that businessmen are shrewd. The man before them, though seemingly young, was like most old foxes in business—not someone easily fooled.

The two had harbored some hope earlier, but now it had vanished without a trace.

Today, if they didn't show real talent, it seemed they wouldn't get through easily.

"What can I do for you two?"

After inviting them to sit down, Zhao Fusheng didn't waste words and asked with a smile.

"Mr. Zhao, it's like this. Yesterday, there was a misunderstanding with your girlfriend..." Li Dezhu hesitated but decided to explain.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand with a smile. "Since it's a misunderstanding, there's no need to explain. My girlfriend has already told me the details. I know it has nothing to do with you two."

One doesn't strike a smiling face. Since the matter had nothing to do with them, Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't intend to make things difficult for them.

Moreover, he was curious about what surprises these two might bring him.