Chapter 1058: A Shift in Thinking

As it turned out, Bai Jie and the others had a fairly accurate understanding of Zhao Fusheng.

"The two of you, barring any surprises, will be executive vice presidents of the company, responsible for investment and film and television work respectively," Zhao Fusheng said. "However, you also need to cultivate successors, because since the company is being integrated into a group, you naturally won't be limited to handling just one area of business."

This was the truth. After all, a large comprehensive group company would inevitably involve many aspects of business. Different positions naturally required different responsibilities.

For example, in the past, Bai Jie only needed to do her job as the general manager of her film and television company. But after the integration into a group, in addition to focusing on film and television investment and production, she also needed to consider whether it was possible to generate more benefits for the company through such investments and productions.

"By the way, let me ask you a question. What do you think if I let Fan Baobao join the company's management?" Zhao Fusheng suddenly asked Dong Chenxi and the others.

Everyone was taken aback. They exchanged glances, but none of them spoke immediately.

This question was actually quite intriguing, for a simple reason: Zhao Fusheng was the company's boss, and Fan Baobao was his girlfriend and fiancée—in other words, the boss's wife.

The boss was asking the company's senior executives, in front of everyone, whether the boss's wife could join the management.

Ahem, this question was a bit tricky.

Was the boss losing trust in them?

Or did the boss's wife want to take power?

These were all factors to consider, so the answer to this question needed to be cautious.

Seeing that no one spoke, Zhao Fusheng frowned. He was about to say something, but then he thought again and understood their concerns.

He burst out laughing and waved his hand. "Don't misunderstand. This isn't something Baobao brought up, nor is it that I don't trust you. I'm just thinking about giving her a management title. On one hand, it would let her learn business and help the family and me in the future. On the other hand, this identity could help her establish a foothold in her circle and avoid any trouble from people who don't know their place."

The last point was Zhao Fusheng's real intention.

After all, the entertainment industry was full of sordid affairs. Even with Zhao Fusheng's extensive experience, he couldn't guarantee that someone, unaware of Fan Baobao's identity, might not do something despicable.

Therefore, finding a protective umbrella for Fan Baobao was very important.

If Fan Baobao were a senior executive of a large group company, it might serve as a deterrent to many people.

"Actually, I think, maybe about this matter, you should discuss it with her." After a moment of silence, Dong Chenxi spoke.

Although Zheng Yao and Bai Jie also had a good relationship with Fan Baobao, after all, they were a few years older, not as close in age as Dong Chenxi and Fan Baobao, and had more in common.

Zhao Fusheng was stunned for a moment, said nothing, and only after a long while spoke: "I understand, you mean..."

"You don't understand."

Dong Chenxi interrupted Zhao Fusheng, who looked bewildered.

"Sometimes when you think you're doing something for someone's good, it's just your own narrow thinking. Perhaps what you think is good for her, she just silently endures. And what you think is bad for her, she might not mind at all, but instead yearns for it."

Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng and said slowly.

Zhao Fusheng fell silent at once, not speaking for a long time.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are processes everyone must go through in life; living is about struggling continuously within this process.

Whether drifting with the tide or surpassing oneself, it's all a process.

Which is more important, career or love, has always been a false proposition, because these are inherently parts of life, ways for a person to realize self-worth and transcend oneself.

Zhao Fusheng was well aware that everything he did now was a struggle to realize his life's value, and for Fan Baobao, she naturally had her own thoughts.

As Dong Chenxi said, sometimes what he gave her might not be what she wanted.

Perhaps because of his rebirth, or perhaps due to his psychological age, Zhao Fusheng always habitually looked down on others, including in matters of the heart.

His intentions were good, but to be honest, he had indeed somewhat neglected Fan Baobao's feelings.

Feelings should be equal, not dominated by one person while the other is passive; over time, feelings will deteriorate.

Of course, this varies from person to person; perhaps some people might not be affected, but the vast majority will not willingly have their lives planned by others forever.

After all, humans are beings with independent thoughts.

"Alright, I understand. I'll talk to her about it later." Zhao Fusheng pondered for a moment and finally spoke.

A few people nodded, naturally not saying much more; in matters of the heart, no one but the parties involved has the right to speak.

As they were leaving, Dong Chenxi whispered to Zhao Fusheng, "Hey, do you two ever argue?"

Zhao Fusheng blinked. "Why would we argue?"

Dong Chenxi was speechless. She felt that something might be off in her communication with Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Dong Chenxi, "I think arguing between couples is definitely unavoidable, but the question is how to make up afterward. The process doesn't matter, after all, they're a couple."

As he spoke, Zhao Fusheng said meaningfully, "The reason for arguing often isn't about who's right or wrong; it's just that everyone cares about their own pride, thinks they're correct, and is unwilling to back down. Maybe if one person admits fault first, the other will feel embarrassed. So whether they argue or not, it's really just a matter of tolerance."

Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie exchanged glances, and in the end, no one said a word.

They had to admit that the maturity Zhao Fusheng sometimes displayed was truly astonishing. The guy seemed mature not like a young man, but like a man in his forties or fifties.

It's said that understanding the world is all knowledge; in Zhao Fusheng's case, this saying seemed perfectly illustrated.

Watching their retreating figures, Zhao Fusheng shook his head and turned back into the house.

Actually, he had another thing he didn't say: when two people are together, no matter what happens, mutual understanding is most important. It's like Li Heiniu, who remained silent during the incident involving a certain horse-trembling actress, and was criticized by some public accounts and self-media as irresponsible.

In fact, anyone with a brain knew that Li Heiniu's choice at that time was correct.

Don't spout nonsense about how a man should stand up and support his girlfriend at such times; that's just a bunch of bored idiots sitting in front of computers all day making up stories, leading the rhythm. In that situation, the whole country was watching, and even higher-ups had given instructions.

The higher you jump, the faster you fall.

The most appropriate choice was to keep a low profile, lower and lower, so that the media and public wouldn't focus on his girlfriend. If Li Heiniu had loudly supported his girlfriend, they'd be trending in no time. Believe it or not, both of them would have ended up worse.

So, although he had little regard for this member of the "Stab-Brotherhood," Zhao Fusheng knew that Li Heiniu's choice in that matter was actually the most correct approach.

Stupid moves like his brother-in-law crying at a fan meeting were the most exasperating—that was practically ensuring his sister's ruin.

Sometimes it's okay to be foolish, but being foolish and yet liking to act clever—that's just too annoying.

...

...

In the evening, when Fan Baobao came home, Zhao Fusheng told her his thoughts.

"You mean you want me to join the company? As management?" Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Not as management, just to have your name on the rolls of the Future Group. That way, no matter where you go, those annoying people won't bother you."

Fan Baobao didn't say anything, but fell into deep thought...

Clearly, she was pondering Zhao Fusheng's words. After all, she knew he meant well.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't in a hurry. He said to Fan Baobao, "Think it over carefully. You don't have to answer me right away."

Fan Baobao hummed in acknowledgment and nodded lightly.

In the evening, after dinner, Fan Baobao walked solemnly up to Zhao Fusheng and said, "I've made up my mind."

"Oh?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, looking at her in surprise. "Tell me about it."

"If you want me to go, then I'll go," Fan Baobao said, biting her lip.

Clearly, she was hesitant.

Frowning slightly, Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I knew it..."

Dong Chenxi was right; the girl had gotten used to passively accepting his suggestions, without considering anything else.

It wasn't that this was bad, but Zhao Fusheng felt that over time, Fan Baobao would lose herself and become someone other than the person he knew.

"Baobao, actually, you don't have to consider my thoughts on this. My main purpose in having you join the company is to use this status to shield you from some unnecessary trouble," Zhao Fusheng said sincerely, looking at Fan Baobao. "So if you don't want to join the company, you can tell me. Understand?"

Fan Baobao was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

In Fan Baobao's understanding, Zhao Fusheng's usual style was decisive and resolute, speaking and acting with a sharp, no-nonsense manner, rarely seeking others' opinions.

But today, for some reason, Fan Baobao felt that he seemed a bit different.