Chapter 1659: Misery Loves Company

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng no longer had much expectation for his meeting with Ma Yun.

At the very beginning, he still admired those big shots he could only look up to in his previous life, after all, each of them was a legendary figure, someone he needed to revere.

But now, after these people had stepped down from their pedestals, Zhao Fusheng's respect for them had completely vanished.

He chatted with Ma Yun in the office for a while without saying anything useful, then Zhao Fusheng served tea as a signal for the guest to leave. It wasn't that he had any prejudice against Ma Yun, but rather that under the circumstances, there was really nothing to talk about.

"Chairman, Ma Yun's visit this time doesn't seem to be just to see you."

Wu Sijie walked up to Zhao Fusheng and said in a low voice.

Ever since he learned that Ma Yun had arrived in the capital and requested a meeting with Zhao Fusheng, Wu Sijie had been investigating the whole matter and discovered something unexpected.

"What's wrong?"

Zhao Fusheng asked, somewhat puzzled.

"He first went to see James of Sequoia Capital, then to see Ono Masao of SoftBank," Wu Sijie replied. "Chairman, do you think he..."

Though he didn't say it outright, Wu Sijie's thought was clear: he suspected Ma Yun had other intentions.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded but said nothing.

In fact, he wasn't at all surprised by Ma Yun's moves, because if it were him, he would probably have made the same choice.

When under someone else's roof, one has to bow one's head.

Many times, people think that no matter when, one must always maintain pride—that one may lack arrogance but must never lack backbone.

But the problem is, it depends on the situation.

If it's for one's faith, then sacrifice is fearless, but in the eyes of a businessman like Ma Yun, what faith is there to speak of?

For example, even if Ma Yun won Zhao Fusheng's favor, he was still just a small shareholder in the company, and his voice came only from voting rights.

Under such circumstances, as a board member, he couldn't afford to offend Yahoo, SoftBank, or Sequoia Capital. The only thing he could do was try to please them.

Cultivate good relations with all sides!

Only a fool would think of completely taking sides.

If he really did that, he wouldn't be far from being kicked off the board.

Wu Sijie couldn't see this truth because he hadn't thought that far, because he had never started a business.

Zhao Fusheng could see it clearly because he stood high enough and far enough.

Putting Ma Yun's matter aside, Zhao Fusheng's mind was no longer on it.

The reason was simple: in his view, at least before the IPO, Alibaba wouldn't have any problems for the time being.

After all, with the news of Samsung and Future Investment's cooperation, both Sequoia Capital and SoftBank Asia must have gotten a clear message.

That Zhao Fusheng was truly prepared to burn bridges.

"By the way, any news from Korea?"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and asked Wu Sijie.

Dong Chenxi and Zheng Yao had been in Korea for a few days, and there had been no word yet. He wondered how the negotiations were going.

"They are currently negotiating the details of the shares."

Wu Sijie quickly replied, "Samsung is not willing to give up the shares of Everland."

"That won't do."

Zhao Fusheng laughed and shook his head. "The shares of Samsung Everland and Samsung Electronics are what we must get."

He insisted because he knew these were Samsung's core enterprises.

"Okay, I'll inform them right away."

Wu Sijie nodded promptly.

Since it was the boss's order, he had to convey it to Dong Chenxi and Zheng Yao as soon as possible.

This was the bottom line of the negotiation.

Zhao Fusheng watched Wu Sijie leave, said nothing more, and silently took out his phone to text Fan Baobao, asking what she was doing.

"Filming." Fan Baobao replied quickly.

"Filming and still able to reply?" Zhao Fusheng smiled and typed quickly on his phone.

"Touching up makeup." Fan Baobao answered.

Seeing this reply, Zhao Fusheng directly called her.

"Why are you calling?" Fan Baobao was a bit surprised. "Didn't you say you were meeting Ma Yun today?"

"Already met." Zhao Fusheng laughed. "He's a smooth operator. Before seeing me, he went to see James and Ono Masao, trying to please both sides."

"You people are all schemers!" Fan Baobao said irritably. "All of you have too many tricks. Businessmen are too clever."

"I don't like hearing that. What do you mean 'too clever'? We just know how to use our brains." Zhao Fusheng retorted with a smile. "What time will you finish tonight? Want to have dinner together?"

"No."

Fan Baobao refused. "I'll go home after filming to feed our daughter. I plan to take both mothers out to dinner tonight. They've been working hard these past few days."

"Alright."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Then you guys go eat."

Since his wife, mother-in-law, and mother had plans, he could only stay alone.

After hanging up, Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and dialed Jiang Wen's number.

"What's up?"

"At the company."

Old Jiang looked confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'll come find you." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Jiang Wen.

Then he hung up directly.

He stood up, walked out of the office, and happened to see Wu Sijie returning. "Chairman, you..."

"It's nothing." Zhao Fusheng waved his hand. "You stay. I'm going to Future Film to have dinner with Old Jiang."

Wu Sijie stared blankly at Zhao Fusheng's receding figure with Hu Donghai and others, shaking his head helplessly.

His boss really did whatever he wanted.

...

...

"So, you only thought of me because your wife and kids aren't home and no one has time for you?"

Jiang Wen stared dumbfounded at Zhao Fusheng, who had appeared before him, looking helpless.

Zhao Fusheng nodded matter-of-factly. "Yeah, who would look for you if I had time?"

"Damn you!"

Jiang Wen cursed outright, pointing at Zhao Fusheng. "Do you even have a conscience?"

"Are you kidding?"

Zhao Fusheng curled his lip and waved his hand. "What do I need that for? Let me tell you, be nice to me, or I won't invest in your next movie."

"..."

Jiang Wen was speechless, really wanting to spit the water in his mouth on this guy's face. He was simply too shameless.

"Come on, you're free anyway."

Zhao Fusheng stood up and put his arm around Jiang Wen as they went downstairs.

"Hey, I still need to go home..." Jiang Wen tried to resist, but Zhao Fusheng directly retorted, "I already called Zhou Yun. She's taking the kids to your in-laws' place today and flying out tonight."

"Damn, how did you know..." Jiang Wen exploded.

"Our ancestors taught us: fight no battle unprepared, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle." Zhao Fusheng said with a grin. "Don't resist. Come on, have dinner with me tonight, and tell me if you're interested in taking a trip to the US."

"The US?" Jiang Wen suddenly became interested. "Hollywood?"

As a filmmaker, he couldn't resist the temptation of the word Hollywood. He felt that if he had the chance, he should go to Hollywood, not to make money, but to experience the film atmosphere there.

"Yeah, Hollywood."

Zhao Fusheng laughed and teased, "Honestly, don't you think you'd be a good fit for Hollywood?"

"Really?" Jiang Wen was overjoyed. Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's words made his heart bloom.

"Of course not."

Zhao Fusheng said irritably. "I'm going to the US on business. If you're free, come with me and be my advisor, got it?"

"..." Jiang Wen was speechless for a moment, then finally squeezed out three words.

"Damn you!"