Chapter 1095 The Big Boss

A long time ago, Zhao Fusheng heard a saying: There are no coincidences in this world; everything that happens in life has a reason.

He hadn't taken Fan Baobao's reunion with Chen Shijie to heart, but as it turned out, he himself had met Chen Shijie.

Of course, the time and place of their meeting caught Zhao Fusheng somewhat off guard.

“This is Mr. Tong. He has a sum of funds he hopes Future Investment will manage for him,” Dong Chenxi said with a smile, introducing a man to Zhao Fusheng in the office of Future Investment Fund.

The man was around forty, with a genial smile and even wore a pair of glasses, giving off a refined and gentle demeanor.

If it weren't for Chen Shijie standing behind him, Zhao Fusheng might have truly believed he was a legitimate businessman.

But unfortunately, from the moment he saw Chen Shijie, Zhao Fusheng knew that the man calling himself Tong Zhenbang was definitely not a good person.

Though he didn't know how Dong Chenxi had met this man, Zhao Fusheng remained outwardly calm but was inwardly quite alert.

“Mr. Tong, hello.” Zhao Fusheng smiled and greeted Tong Zhenbang.

He had originally come today to meet Dong Chenxi and discuss the investment plan she had brought up at the company meeting, but as soon as he walked in, Dong Chenxi told him that an investor wanted to entrust a sum of money to Future Investment for management.

As a venture capital fund, Future Investment could indeed accept external funds for investment, as long as it could guarantee returns for the investors. But Zhao Fusheng had never done so; the company operated solely on his own capital.

And this Tong Zhenbang was the first investor to come knocking, so Dong Chenxi naturally took it seriously.

She couldn't have imagined there was more to it.

“Chairman Zhao is truly young and promising.” Tong Zhenbang wore a smile that seemed particularly warm, saying to Zhao Fusheng, “I've heard that Chairman Zhao is very capable in advertising and planning, but I didn't expect you to be skilled in investment too.”

Clearly, the other party had done their homework; Zhao Fusheng didn't believe they would approach Future Investment Fund without reason.

“Mr. Tong flatters me.” Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly, glanced at Chen Shijie and another fierce-looking man standing behind Tong Zhenbang, and frowned slightly: “Mr. Tong, Future Investment isn't a den of dragons and tigers, is it? What's with this...”

“Ah, haha, sorry, sorry.” Tong Zhenbang seemed to snap out of it, waving his hand: “I've been doing business abroad, and as you know, it's chaotic there, so I'm used to having people around. Sorry, sorry.”

With that, he waved at Chen Shijie and the other man: “A-Jie, you two wait outside.”

Chen Shijie and the other man said nothing and obediently stepped out.

Zhao Fusheng then looked at Tong Zhenbang: “Boss Tong, forgive my boldness, but what kind of business were you in abroad?”

“I mainly do import-export business. As you know, Chairman Zhao, business is tough and money is hard to come by. I heard about Future Investment Fund's reputation and thought I'd ask you to manage some funds for me.”

He didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

Dong Chenxi spoke up at this point: “Mr. Tong is planning to entrust us with about sixty million US dollars to manage.”

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback and finally understood why Dong Chenxi was so enthusiastic. So that was it—this man surnamed Tong was offering sixty million US dollars for Future Investment to manage. No wonder she was so excited.

To put it in perspective, before obtaining the loan support from Pangu Bank, Future Investment's total principal was just over a hundred million US dollars. This amount was roughly half of the company's assets.

If it were Zhao Fusheng himself, had he not recognized Chen Shijie and consequently become suspicious of Tong Zhenbang's identity, he probably would have happily agreed to the deal.

After all, that was sixty million US dollars!

As they say, people die for wealth, birds die for food. This money in Future Investment's hands could generate astonishing returns for the company.

But unfortunately, Zhao Fusheng knew that some money couldn't be taken.

For one thing, Chen Shijie was still undercover, yet he had become this Tong Zhenbang's bodyguard, and the guy was doing import-export business abroad. Zhao Fusheng would never believe there wasn't something shady going on.

“Well...”

Zhao Fusheng sat there without immediately responding, hesitating instead.

Dong Chenxi frowned slightly. She had thought Zhao Fusheng would agree readily, but contrary to her expectations, he didn't commit.

Knowing Zhao Fusheng as she did, this wasn't like him.

With that in mind, Dong Chenxi gave Zhao Fusheng a deep look, thought for a moment, and said: “Mr. Tong, our chairman needs to think this over carefully. Why don't you go back for now and wait for my news, okay?”

Tong Zhenbang was taken aback, then nodded: “Alright, I'll head back. I know this sudden visit might have surprised you both, but I come with sincere intentions.”

Zhao Fusheng gave a noncommittal smile, stood up, and said to Tong Zhenbang: “Mr. Tong, I appreciate your trust in us, but this matter is significant. I need to discuss it thoroughly with my assistants before giving you an answer.”

Tong Zhenbang nodded: “I understand. Though I'm not very familiar with investment rules, I know you need to consider carefully. I hope we can have the opportunity to cooperate.”

With that, he took his leave.

Zhao Fusheng asked Dong Chenxi to see Tong Zhenbang out, while he sat alone in Dong Chenxi's office, lost in thought.

After a while, the office door opened and Dong Chenxi walked in.

“Sent him off?”

Zhao Fusheng asked casually.

“Mm.” Dong Chenxi nodded, then said to Zhao Fusheng: “What's wrong with you today?”

She knew Zhao Fusheng too well. After knowing him for so long, he rarely acted so out of character. Normally, even if he didn't agree immediately, he would have at least given Tong Zhenbang a friendlier attitude.

But clearly, Zhao Fusheng's behavior just now, in Dong Chenxi's view, showed he didn't want to deal with Tong Zhenbang at all.

“Nothing, I just feel that this man surnamed Tong isn't that simple.” Zhao Fusheng rubbed his head in some distress and said with a bitter smile: “Honestly, don't you think his appearance is too sudden?”

Dong Chenxi fell silent. She wasn't a child; she had considered what Zhao Fusheng said. But the other party's offer was too tempting, which made her think maybe they could take a risk.

But clearly, Zhao Fusheng didn't think so.

“Future Investment has come this far. Though it's not the best investment bank in the country, it has definitely caught the attention of certain people.” Zhao Fusheng glanced at Dong Chenxi and said calmly: “I bet even how many boyfriends you had in college is now on someone's desk.”

Dong Chenxi fell silent again. Zhao Fusheng's words, though seemingly joking, were indeed true.

For businessmen, they often look at things based on two outcomes: either they make money or they lose money.

Although Future Investment had only risen recently, the few deals it had completed were all highly profitable. Though this was due to Zhao Fusheng's earlier investments, it had undoubtedly boosted Future Investment's reputation.

At the very least, Dong Chenxi had already received invitations from many people hoping to cooperate with Future Investment.

But because Zhao Fusheng hadn't expressed his opinion, she had always maintained a distant attitude.

This time, Tong Zhenbang's offer was too substantial, so Dong Chenxi couldn't sit still.

“But he seems fine.” After a long pause, Dong Chenxi said slowly: “I checked his company's information. It is indeed in the foreign trade business, and it's quite big over there. The company's assets are conservatively estimated at nearly two hundred million US dollars.”

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: “That's not important. What matters is that I don't trust him, understand?”

Don't trust him?

Dong Chenxi was taken aback, somewhat baffled. Clearly, this reason didn't convince her.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and said flatly: “Do you think, with his company's scale, he couldn't find a legitimate investment company abroad to cooperate with? Even if he couldn't, there are so many established investment banks in the US, Hong Kong, and even domestically. Why would he choose us? Does that seem reasonable to you?”

Hearing this, Dong Chenxi's expression turned grim.

She finally realized a problem she had been overlooking.

Zhao Fusheng was right. No matter how you looked at it, Tong Zhenbang's approach was too roundabout. He could have easily found a private equity firm abroad, but he chose Future Investment instead. That itself reeked of something fishy.

Even if he didn't want to cooperate with foreigners due to his Chinese identity, there were plenty of venture capital funds in China and Hong Kong with better credentials than Future Investment. Yet Tong Zhenbang had specifically approached Dong Chenxi.

Three years ago, Dong Chenxi might not have found this strange, but with more experience in the business world, she was no longer the naive girl she once was.

“In that case, I'll turn him down when I get back.” Realizing what was going on, Dong Chenxi made a prompt decision.

Since the other party clearly had ulterior motives, no matter how much money was involved, it held no appeal for her. Dong Chenxi didn't want to see the hard-won progress ruined by such suspicious funds.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “Don't be too direct; try to be tactful.”

That was the best solution. Regardless, Tong Zhenbang was clearly not clean. Zhao Fusheng wasn't afraid of such people, but there was no need to get involved in trouble.