Chapter 1173: I'm Really a Good Person!

The Chinese language is undoubtedly profound and extensive.

Many times, even the same content can lead to different interpretations, let alone specific words and phrases.

Just like when Tong Zhenbang said to Zhao Fusheng, 'May I have a word?' the meaning was already very clear: he didn't want what he was about to say to be heard by a third person.

Zhao Fusheng nodded lightly: 'Alright, let's talk in your car.'

Tong Zhenbang didn't hesitate; he opened the car door and invited Zhao Fusheng in.

Zhao Fusheng and Tong Zhenbang got into the car, while Xiao Bao, Chen Shijie, and Zhang Qian stood guard outside the door.

'Mr. Tong's car is really quite nice.' Zhao Fusheng glanced at Tong Zhenbang's vehicle and said with a smile.

At that time, BMWs were still not very common in China. Most people who bought cars preferred Santanas or Xialis, while the wealthy mostly chose Mercedes or Bentleys.

Tong Zhenbang smiled upon hearing this: 'Chairman Zhao is joking. In terms of financial resources, if you wanted to buy a car, you could choose whatever you like.'

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and said nothing.

His principle was not to make himself a target of others' envy; it was enough to live comfortably without being too ostentatious. Zhao Fusheng rarely did things that would bring instant success; he preferred to take things step by step, one step at a time. It wasn't the fastest walker who won, but the one who made it to the end.

'Chairman Zhao, I heard from Miss Dong that you plan to invest in the real economy?' Tong Zhenbang looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked.

This was something he cared about deeply, because if Zhao Fusheng started to get involved in the real economy, it meant he might have a chance to establish himself in China.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly and nodded: 'Sort of. I'm quite optimistic about the domestic real estate industry, so I plan to allocate some funds to invest in real estate. Of course, the return on investment will take a relatively long time; it will take at least two or three years before we see results.'

This was the truth. The real estate industry was different from other sectors, especially since Zhao Fusheng intended to make long-term arrangements. Even if he acquired land now, it would take at least three or four years to develop or wait for housing prices to rise. Saying two or three years to Tong Zhenbang was already an overstatement.

Tong Zhenbang understood this reasoning and nodded: 'I have no objection to that. Real investment certainly can't yield immediate results like the stock market. I will explain this to Mr. Li when I get back.'

Regardless, Zhao Fusheng's plan was beneficial to their side, so he naturally had to treat Zhao Fusheng well.

'That's good.' Zhao Fusheng nodded. 'Also, please tell Mr. Li that I plan to invest in the e-commerce industry recently. If convenient, I hope to meet with him in person.'

This was something Zhao Fusheng thought of on the spur of the moment. That Mr. Li was too mysterious; even when he went to the United States, the other party didn't show up. Zhao Fusheng wanted to see if he would be tempted by the profits he offered.

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Tong Zhenbang looked troubled and hesitated.

'What, Mr. Li doesn't want to see me?' Zhao Fusheng frowned, feigning displeasure. 'It seems I'm not trusted.'

'No, no.' Tong Zhenbang quickly waved his hand. 'Chairman Zhao, you misunderstand, you misunderstand.'

Hesitating for a moment, he smiled bitterly and explained to Zhao Fusheng: 'The thing is, when Mr. Li left the country back then, there were some misunderstandings, and he carried a bad reputation. So for all these years, he hasn't returned to China. To be honest, Chairman Zhao, I fully support your investment in the real economy because I want to return to China to live. But Mr. Li's goal is South America. So I'm sorry, I need to report this to him.'

Zhao Fusheng then understood why Tong Zhenbang was so enthusiastic about his investment in the domestic real economy.

So that was it—this guy wanted to return to his roots.

With that in mind, he nodded: 'Alright, I'll trouble Mr. Tong then.'

As he spoke, Zhao Fusheng looked at Tong Zhenbang and said: 'Mr. Tong, is this the only reason you came to see me?'

Clearly, he was asking.

Tong Zhenbang smiled bitterly. He knew very well that since Zhao Fusheng agreed to meet him, he must have already communicated with Dong Chenxi. As a subordinate, Dong Chenxi would not fail to tell Zhao Fusheng about such matters.

In other words, at this moment, Zhao Fusheng already knew his purpose for coming; he was just playing hard to get, or pretending to be clueless.

The goal was simple: to make him take the initiative to make a request.

Negotiation was like this—the one asking for a favor was always at a disadvantage, while the one capable of helping others was naturally more composed.

This is the difference between having confidence and not having it.

The former can sit steady in a fishing boat, waiting for others to come begging. The latter, however, can only humble themselves, adopting a low posture to ask for help.

Circumstances are stronger than people; there's no way around it.

After a moment of silence, Tong Zhenbang took a deep breath and said slowly to Zhao Fusheng: "Chairman Zhao, I have a personal request. I wonder if you could help me."

From the beginning, Tong Zhenbang rarely used the honorific "you" when addressing Zhao Fusheng, after all, he was older than Zhao Fusheng, and in Tong Zhenbang's eyes, Zhao Fusheng was merely a junior in the underworld. Or rather, if Zhao Fusheng did not possess wealth that was almost terrifying compared to his own, at his age, he would be nothing more than a lackey under Tong Zhenbang's command.

But it was this very Zhao Fusheng who now forced him to lower his head and ask for his help.

Men, after all, care about face, and Tong Zhenbang was no exception. So facing Zhao Fusheng, he felt quite uncomfortable inside.

But there was no help for it. When it came to matters of investment, Tong Zhenbang knew well that he was far inferior to Zhao Fusheng, not just by a single level.

It was like boxing champion Ali fighting himself—they weren't even on the same level as opponents.

A stock someone else might have casually picked would often rise more than the one he had painstakingly researched.

Zhao Fusheng smiled inwardly at Tong Zhenbang's words, but his expression was one of surprise: "Mr. Tong, what makes you say that? We're friends. Whatever it is, just tell me."

This was the art of conversation. No matter what, Zhao Fusheng put on a warm-hearted front, but in truth, if you listened carefully, you could tell he hadn't promised Tong Zhenbang anything at all.

First, let's hear the matter out. As for whether he could help, that would be discussed separately.

That was the meaning behind Zhao Fusheng's words just now.

He had made it very clear, and Tong Zhenbang understood perfectly.

Looking at Zhao Fusheng's seemingly sincere face, Tong Zhenbang sighed inwardly. This guy was practically a demon; there was no way he could gain any advantage over him.

"It's like this: I have a sum of money—savings I've accumulated over the years, plus what Abao and Ajie and the others who follow me have put together. What we mean is, we hope you, Chairman Zhao, could help us with some investments." Tong Zhenbang looked at Zhao Fusheng, his tone extremely earnest, like a bandit standing at a landlord's gate shouting, "Brother, give us a hand."

"Hmm, I see."

Zhao Fusheng was clearly taken aback by the words, then looked at Tong Zhenbang in surprise, seeming somewhat puzzled. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "What's the trouble? You can just inform Mr. Li and have the money transferred directly, can't you? Don't worry, I'll still take my thirty percent share of the dividends."

He spoke lightly, but Tong Zhenbang's face turned pale and flushed by turns. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "Well, Chairman Zhao, to be frank, I don't want Mr. Li to know about this money."

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tong Zhenbang in surprise, but didn't say a word.

At that moment, the expression on Tong Zhenbang's face was quite serious, as if he hadn't just said those words himself.

Things had reached this point; even without saying certain things, both of them understood clearly in their hearts.

After all, they were both intelligent people, not fools. Especially Zhao Fusheng, who had experienced many ups and downs in the business world—how could he not see through such a truth?

To put it plainly, this money was Tong Zhenbang's own private savings.

As for its source, it was obviously not to be investigated, and he didn't even dare let Mr. Li know of its existence, because once he did, Tong Zhenbang would most likely not survive.

Although he very much wanted Tong Zhenbang to die immediately, Zhao Fusheng felt that some people needed more than just the relief of a bullet; they needed to endure some suffering, only then could the goal of punishing them be truly achieved.

And Tong Zhenbang was precisely that kind of person.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, Tong Zhenbang was the type of heinous and vicious criminal who had even personally shot two undercover agents. Such a scumbag, Zhao Fusheng thought, if he didn't make his life worse than death, it would be an injustice to the fallen police officers.

Death, for many, is actually a blissful release, because once life is lost, they no longer have anything to worry about. Posthumous reputation means nothing to criminals like Tong Zhenbang. What truly pains them is seeing the savings they painstakingly accumulated over half a lifetime vanish overnight.

Moreover, having such a large sum of money sitting in his bank account, yet being unable to use it due to his current identity, was undoubtedly unacceptable to Tong Zhenbang.

Therefore, he was determined to launder the funds in his hands. Once he had the money, he could go wherever he wanted and do whatever he pleased—that would be the true enjoyment of a new life.

As for having to humble himself before Zhao Fusheng now, Tong Zhenbang didn't care. As long as it led to success, he was willing to give up anything.