Chapter 1665: The Bait

Zhao Fusheng still underestimated the appeal of this event to artists.

China's national conditions are different from those of other countries. When the higher-ups want something done, how could those below refuse?

Moreover, given the chance to curry favor with the big shots, these entertainment industry folks would never let it slip unless they were insane.

For a time, after Future Advertising and Future Film released the news, people in the entertainment circle began to express their stance one after another.

"Promoting the Olympics is everyone's responsibility!" a famous movie star said in an interview.

"I am proud to be Chinese," Brother Long said decisively in a newspaper interview.

Meanwhile, Zhao Fusheng received a call from Zheng Yao.

"Did you give Jiang Wen that idea?"

Zheng Yao asked with a smile. It was clear she was in a good mood; her voice carried a hint of laughter.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yeah. You sent him to me, didn't you, expecting me to handle the planning myself?"

He wasn't stupid. Although he rarely did any advertising planning himself these days, the fact that Jiang Wen came to him directly was obviously Zheng Yao's doing.

"It's mainly because you're too lazy."

Zheng Yao wasn't upset at being found out. She smiled and said to Zhao Fusheng: "To be honest, you should seriously consider whether to come out of retirement."

"Come out of retirement?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: "Come out to do what?"

"Planning, of course," Zheng Yao said. "You don't have anything to do anyway, and you won't be leaving the capital anytime soon. Take on a few projects, just to boost Future Advertising's reputation."

"No way!"

Zhao Fusheng flatly refused: "If I still need to boost the company's reputation, what's the point of having so many people at Future Advertising? Don't try to fool me—it's impossible!"

Are you kidding me?

He knew Zheng Yao's little scheme all too well. She just thought he was too idle and wanted to give him something to do.

Other CEOs tried to keep their bosses from meddling in company operations, but his was the opposite—she was eager to have him show up at the company all the time.

Absolutely inhumane!

"The promotional song—you have to handle it."

Zheng Yao ignored his objection and said firmly: "The higher-ups have demands."

"Huh?"

Zhao Fusheng paused, then understood: "A political task?"

"Sort of," Zheng Yao said with a wry smile. "Their idea is that, if possible, they hope our company can get the best advertising planner to handle this promotional work. After all, it's going to be held next year, and it's a chance for our country to show off. If we don't do it perfectly, how can it match our status?"

"Alright, alright."

...

...

Having agreed to plan the promotion, Zhao Fusheng's leisurely days were over. The next morning, after getting up and tidying up, he got into the car and left home.

Arriving at Future Group headquarters, he got out of the car and saw Zheng Yao at the entrance.

"Oh, you came to pick me up in person?" he joked, nodding to the several executives behind Zheng Yao.

They were all core members of the company; as the boss, he had to show them due respect.

"Hello, Chairman."

"Hello, Chairman."

"Good morning, Chairman."

The group bowed and greeted him in turn. This was the rule of the workplace. The boss might be approachable and humble, but that was his prerogative—it was called grace.

But if subordinates took the boss's courtesy for granted, they would be seriously out of line.

The boss showing respect was a privilege. If subordinates couldn't keep their place, they'd eventually be shown the door.

No leader would allow those around them to truly forget who the boss was.

The thoughts of those in power couldn't be taken at face value, because they were hypocritical people, accustomed to making what they wanted and what they said two different things.

That, in itself, was a skill. Most people couldn't pull it off.

Successful people succeed for a reason—they have their exceptional qualities.

"Let's go." Zhao Fusheng led the group of executives straight into the company.

A large crowd, especially with top executives from Future Group and the advertising company, naturally drew attention. Some new employees couldn't help but be curious.

"What's going on?"

"Yeah, even President Zheng came down—she doesn't move easily."

"Wow, all the advertising department heads are here."

"Are you guys blind? That's our boss!"

"Boss?"

"Yeah, the Chairman, the big boss!"

Some veteran employees who knew Zhao Fusheng quickly recognized him. After all, before Future Group became what it was, he used to show up at the company often.

Back then, without Zhao Fusheng, the gold-medal planner, propping it up, Future Advertising would have been crushed by competitors.

In a way, no one could match Zhao Fusheng's status and position in Future Advertising.

Stepping into the elevator, he left a dashing silhouette behind and disappeared from everyone's sight.

"What's with the big show?" Zhao Fusheng asked Zheng Yao curiously.

They were in Zhao Fusheng's private elevator; the other assistants and executives took a different one.

"I thought since you're here, I'd give you some fanfare," Zheng Yao said with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes helplessly, too tired to deal with her.

He was the owner of this company and the founder of Future Advertising. Apart from new hires, which senior executive didn't know him?

"Alright, enough joking," Zheng Yao said, knowing her joke was pointless. She smiled and explained: "It's mainly for show."

"For show?"

Zhao Fusheng was puzzled. "Don't tell me you're planning to leak that I'm personally handling the planning."

"Of course," Zheng Yao said calmly, meeting his gaze. "If we're going to do it, we might as well do it best. You understand that, don't you?"

Of course he did!

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "But what does that have to do with me?"

"A lot."

Zheng Yao argued confidently: "A world-renowned event, a state-valued promotional video, personally planned by the chairman of Future Group and the gold-medal planner of advertising—just that gimmick alone will make many in the entertainment industry flock to it. Don't you believe me?"

"And then?"

Zhao Fusheng asked, puzzled: "What do you plan to do with this?"

He knew Zheng Yao too well. After knowing her so long, how could she not exploit this? If she did nothing, it wouldn't be her style.

"Naturally, trade benefits," Zheng Yao said frankly. "Our company may be big now, but the more people we have, the more we have to budget. With an opportunity like this, we have to reap the rewards."

"So I'm just a gimmick, right?" Zhao Fusheng said helplessly.

If he still couldn't see what Zheng Yao was up to by now, he'd be an idiot.

In short, she was using him as bait.

Yes, bait!

After all, Zhao Fusheng's identity was legendary.

Major shareholder and chairman of Future Group, a billionaire worth tens of billions of yuan. At the same time, he was the mysterious gold-medal advertising planner, creator of many classic ad campaigns—a rare commodity in high demand but short supply.

Indeed, his status and wealth meant he couldn't personally handle advertising planning like before.

In other words, having the chance to participate in this promotional song would not only earn praise from above but also bring them closer to Zhao Fusheng. For any artist, it was a golden opportunity.

He had to admit, Zheng Yao really knew how to maximize resources.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng also had to acknowledge that what she did was perfectly fine—it maximized the company's interests.

As a professional manager, whatever she did, her fundamental goal was the company's benefit.

Even Zhao Fusheng, as the major shareholder, had to go along with that choice.

So, despite his verbal reluctance, Zhao Fusheng still showed up.

"Gimmicks and such don't matter," Zheng Yao said with a laugh. "But seriously, Old Jiang is going to be busy now."

"Is that so?" Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you've heard something."

"Of course," Zheng Yao chuckled. "After the news got out, his phone nearly exploded. Zhou Yun was chatting with me last night and said Old Jiang had to turn off his phone. Not only did people call her, but some even visited in person, just to get their artists into the promotional video. Tsk, these people are going crazy..."

She was genuinely surprised that such things were happening.

Zhao Fusheng, however, wasn't surprised after hearing her. This was nothing—in later years, there were actresses who knocked on actors' doors for roles.

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow: "Looks like you've heard something."

"Of course," Zheng Yao chuckled. "After the news got out, his phone nearly exploded. Zhou Yun was chatting with me last night and said Old Jiang had to turn off his phone. Not only did people call her, but some even visited in person, just to get their artists into the promotional video. Tsk, these people are going crazy..."

She was genuinely surprised that such things were happening.

Zhao Fusheng, however, wasn't surprised after hearing her. This was nothing—in later years, there were actresses who knocked on actors' doors for roles.

Zhao Fusheng, however, wasn't surprised after hearing her. This was nothing—in later years, there were actresses who knocked on actors' doors for roles.