Chapter 1400: Good News

In fact, Zhao Fusheng wasn't acting on impulse; he simply felt that if something was wrong, it should be corrected.

After listening to Chen Liang's report, Zhao Fusheng nodded with satisfaction.

It had to be said that Chen Liang was quite capable; at the very least, his plan was well-made and the budget was acceptable. Zhao Fusheng couldn't find any issues.

After giving a few instructions to Ye Jing and Chen Liang, Zhao Fusheng said no more and left Future Film.

In the following days, aside from spending time with Fan Baobao and Fan Beibei every day, he stayed at home. Occasionally, Yu Feihong would call him out to gatherings with the Sixth Generation directors.

But to be honest, the more his position differed, the more Zhao Fusheng felt that these Sixth Generation directors were hypocritical, living in their own world and unwilling to look outward.

No wonder they were all eventually 'co-opted' by the authorities.

"I feel like you don't really enjoy having dinner with Old Jia and the others?"

After one gathering, Yu Feihong sat in the car and casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

Women are delicate and sensitive, and since she was so familiar with Zhao Fusheng, she naturally noticed the subtle changes in his mood.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and didn't hide anything from Yu Feihong. He said directly, "Many independent filmmakers believe that if they make a good film, the whole world will flock to their door. That's not the case. Becoming a successful filmmaker is a tough task. The reason is that it requires not only creative achievement on screen but also a good business sense for true success. Many domestic filmmakers still don't understand this."

Yu Feihong fell silent. She wasn't an outsider who knew nothing; she naturally understood that Zhao Fusheng's words made a lot of sense.

The biggest problem with domestic independent films is that many people still live in the era of 'good wine needs no bush,' not realizing that only when the public knows about their works can they truly change the current situation.

To put it nicely, this is sticking to one's artistic pursuit; to put it bluntly, it's saving face at the expense of suffering.

"Sigh, you can see through things that many of them never can," Yu Feihong sighed helplessly.

Such a simple truth, even an outsider like Zhao Fusheng could understand, but many in the film industry seemed possessed, unable to grasp it. No wonder domestic independent films were declining.

"You can never wake a person who pretends to sleep," Zhao Fusheng said indifferently, looking unconcerned.

Hearing his words, Yu Feihong was startled, then smiled bitterly.

Zhao Fusheng's words hit the nail on the head, directly pointing out the problem with those people.

"By the way, 'Lurking' is about to start filming. Will you have time?" Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and asked Yu Feihong.

Yu Feihong smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I have it under control."

She was the top female artist at Future Film. Although this role was a guest appearance, it had a fair amount of screen time. The company had dedicated staff to arrange her schedule, ensuring no conflicts.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. He trusted Yu Feihong's work; she was the type who didn't say much but knew everything clearly.

...

...

Time passed quickly, and before long, National Day arrived.

In 2005, the National Day holiday was still seven days. For most people, this was undoubtedly a happy time. Of course, in the capital, it was the same, because at that time, there was no odd-even license plate restriction when going out.

After the National Day holiday, the 'Lurking' crew was set to officially start filming. As the female lead, Fan Baobao naturally had to prepare to join the crew. Perhaps because they were about to be apart, she was especially clingy with Zhao Fusheng these days.

Zhao Fusheng understood and simply did nothing else these days, staying at home with his wife.

On October 7th, Fan Baobao reluctantly left home and officially joined the crew. The director had previously promised to finish her scenes within three months.

In an ordinary crew, this would certainly be criticized. If it were someone else, other crew members would surely have objections, but for Fan Baobao, no one had any complaints.

Even the investors were her own company; why shouldn't she be treated favorably?

After seeing Fan Baobao off, Zhao Fusheng lay in bed reading. Since his rebirth, he particularly enjoyed reading, because he felt it was a process of thinking and learning.

It allowed him to continuously improve and also to pause and carefully consider his gains and losses.

Don't be too arrogant when things go well, and don't wallow in self-pity when things go badly.

Sometimes, when facing difficulties, one might find answers in books.

Perhaps that is the meaning of books.

"Ring, ring, ring!"

The phone rang. Zhao Fusheng glanced at the caller ID, frowned, picked up the receiver, and pressed the answer button.

"It's done!"

On the other end of the line, Dong Chenxi's excited voice rang out. Clearly, she was feeling particularly thrilled at the moment.

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then his heart stirred: "The Facebook matter, it's settled?"

Recently, Dong Chenxi had been busy negotiating with Tan Kaixuan and Sequoia Capital. After all, Future Investment had previously held over thirty percent of Facebook's shares, and this time Zhao Fusheng planned to give up a considerable portion.

"Mm, it's basically settled, just waiting to sign the contract." Dong Chenxi reported to Zhao Fusheng: "We're giving up fifteen percent of the shares, of which Sequoia Capital gets ten percent, and Tan Kaixuan gets five percent."

"And the price?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned and asked.

That was the most critical part of the matter. Giving up fifteen percent of the shares at once meant losing half of his Facebook equity. If he couldn't gain more benefits, Zhao Fusheng's heart would ache to death.

After all, if he could hold out until Facebook went public, that money could amount to billions of dollars or even more.

"Sequoia Capital is offering six hundred million US dollars, and Tan Kaixuan is offering three hundred million." Dong Chenxi replied, and as she spoke, a note of apology crept into her voice: "I'm sorry, this is the best condition we could negotiate."

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Fusheng tried not to think about Facebook's future value. After all, he still had fifteen percent of Facebook's shares in hand. He nodded and said, "I understand. Even though we seem to be at a loss now, we can use this nine hundred million dollars to do more things. Let's leave it at that. Sign the contract first. I'll pack up and prepare to go to the US."

For a signing worth nine hundred million US dollars, Zhao Fusheng, as the company's chairman, had to be present.

In other words, without his signature, the verbal agreement was invalid.

Dong Chenxi naturally understood this as well. So after reaching an agreement with Sequoia Capital and Tan Kaixuan, she promptly notified Zhao Fusheng, meaning she hoped he could come to the US as soon as possible to formally sign the agreement.

After all, before the ink was dry on paper, everything was subject to change.

As a Chinese person, Dong Chenxi certainly appreciated the foreign concept of contractual spirit, but she always believed that money should be safely in hand.

Because before it was in hand, even bickering could drag a person down.

Zhao Fusheng put down the phone, and a text message came in on his mobile. It was from Wu Sijie, saying he had compiled the meeting minutes of the negotiations and sent them to his email.

Smiling slightly, Zhao Fusheng was quite satisfied with this assistant. The guy knew what to do and what not to do. It had to be said, Wu Sijie was somewhat overqualified as an assistant.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't plan to entrust him with important tasks just yet. After all, he hadn't been with the company long, and Zhao Fusheng intended to observe him further.

Many people didn't understand why leaders always liked to scrutinize candidates repeatedly. The reason was simple: time was the most suitable stage, allowing a person to reveal their true self.

Whether a hypocrite or a true villain, through the tempering of time, their real face would eventually show.

Of course, if someone could pretend to be a hypocrite for a lifetime, they would have unknowingly become a true gentleman.

Wu Sijie didn't know that because of his meticulousness, Zhao Fusheng had a very good impression of him and planned to keep him by his side for a while. He only knew that he had to fulfill his duty as an assistant, reporting everything happening in the US to Zhao Fusheng in detail.

Three days later, at New York International Airport.

The moment Zhao Fusheng stepped out of the cabin, he felt immensely exhilarated.

Twenty-four hours later, he would have ample funds in hand to do many things.

Although the reduction in his Facebook equity stake left him somewhat unwilling, the future prospects excited Zhao Fusheng even more. After all, he had many projects, and with sufficient funds, whatever he lost now could be earned back later.

Trade-offs were an important lesson. Zhao Fusheng had never understood this before, but now he was beginning to grasp it a little. To gain, one must dare to let go.

"Chairman, the car is ready."

As Zhao Fusheng walked out of the airport, he saw Wu Sijie standing there waiting for him.

"Let's go. You've worked hard." Zhao Fusheng patted Wu Sijie on the shoulder, nodded to Hu Donghai and the others behind him, and got directly into the car.

"You've all worked hard this time."

Sitting in the car, Zhao Fusheng smiled at Wu Sijie again: "When we get back, I'll throw a celebration party for you."

He was genuinely happy. After all, when he was short of money, Dong Chenxi and the others being able to close this deal was undoubtedly very important.