Chapter 1705 Kneeling and Begging for Mercy

Lee Byung-hun was a smart man, so as soon as he entered, he knelt before Zhao Fusheng.

“Chairman Zhao, I failed to recognize your greatness before. Please forgive me!”

Apologizing to Zhao Fusheng with utmost respect, Lee Byung-hun was quite straightforward. At a time like this, if he still clung to that ridiculous so-called pride, he would truly be an idiot.

South Korea is a country where money reigns supreme, and Koreans worship the principle of winner-takes-all.

What is winner-takes-all?

The victor becomes king!

Success is king, failure is a bandit!

That is reality.

Lee Byung-hun was not as powerful as Zhao Fusheng. Having offended Zhao Fusheng, he had to bear the bitter fruit of Zhao Fusheng’s retaliation.

For the strong, even murder and arson have their reasons; for the weak, even poverty and kindness are sins.

Why do so many people yearn to become strong? Because the feeling of looking down is always more comfortable than looking up.

“Mr. Lee Byung-hun, you are very smart.”

Zhao Fusheng looked at Lee Byung-hun kneeling before him, his eyes icy cold. Though his words were praise, there was not a trace of goodwill.

Perhaps there was goodwill in his heart, but he would never give it to someone like Lee Byung-hun.

The reason was simple: such people were not worthy of sympathy.

To put it bluntly, if he hadn’t brought Chen Zhen and the others, what might have happened?

What would happen to a few female trainees falling into the hands of a gang?

And even Lee Byung-hun himself—if he hadn’t been stopped by Zhao Fusheng, what would he have done?

Many things cannot be thought about too carefully, because if you do, you’ll find the truth hidden within—terrifying and disgusting.

Just like many things in the Chinese entertainment industry: it’s not that no one knows, but those who know are unwilling to dig deeper.

“Chairman Zhao, I was truly wrong!”

Lee Byung-hun begged again: “Please, give me a chance, no matter what!”

Zhao Fusheng laughed. Though he despised the Korean habit of kneeling at the drop of a hat, he truly admired these people. Backbone seemed rare in this nation.

Of course, that’s not to say they have no national heroes, but it seems that since World War II, the spine of this nation has been completely broken.

Just like now—if it were him, Zhao Fusheng felt he definitely couldn’t admit defeat as thoroughly as Lee Byung-hun.

But on second thought, he could understand. Lee Byung-hun probably knew very well that if Zhao Fusheng wished, he could ensure that everyone at BH Entertainment starved in Seoul.

Lee Byung-hun certainly knew!

Sometimes, living at the bottom is actually a very happy thing, because the higher you climb, the more you understand the truth of this world.

That was the case for Lee Byung-hun.

As a rookie actor, he thought the industry was quite beautiful. But as he became a top actor and the owner of an entertainment company, he gradually realized that this world had never been fair.

Especially in a place like South Korea.

With the network of Hanxing Investment and their relationship with Samsung, targeting a few dozen people to make them lose money in any venture and find no jobs was not a difficult task.

In South Korea, as long as you have money, even murder doesn’t require paying with your life, let alone dealing with an artist like him who already had stains.

“Heh, a chance.”

Zhao Fusheng laughed, looking at Lee Byung-hun, and said indifferently: “Give me a reason why I should let you off.”

He paused, then smiled: “Don’t forget, because of you, my last night before leaving Korea was very unpleasant.”

For a big shot, saying “you made me unhappy” is enough reason to punish someone.

Lee Byung-hun’s heart was full of bitterness. It was the same logic as when he punished junior actors and trainees who made him unhappy.

Because Zhao Fusheng was stronger than him, whatever Zhao Fusheng did was justified. Even if he humiliated him or casually turned years of effort into nothing, Lee Byung-hun could only come before him, kneel, and beg for mercy.

Simple: if he didn’t kneel and beg, what would happen to him next was anyone’s guess.

“Chairman Zhao, I know I’ve made a grave mistake. I dare not hope for your forgiveness, but I beg you to give me a chance to make amends. I will do my utmost to serve you.”

Lee Byung-hun took a deep breath, offering his greatest sincerity.

This was the answer he had reached after a night of thought. For someone like Zhao Fusheng, he was nothing—not even qualified to be a dog.

But since that was the case, he might as well hand over everything and let the other party decide his fate.

That way, perhaps the other party, seeing his honesty, would give him a way out.

“Heh, interesting.” Zhao Fusheng laughed, glanced at Lee Byung-hun kneeling on the ground, and said: “Get up.”

Lee Byung-hun was overjoyed!

Since the other party allowed him to stand, it meant his words had moved him.

“Thank you, Chairman.”

Lee Byung-hun thanked him, stood up, and stood there obediently.

“Sit down.”

Zhao Fusheng pointed to the sofa in front of him: “Have some water first.”

Lee Byung-hun cautiously sat on the sofa in front of Zhao Fusheng, but only perched on the edge, looking respectful.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled and was about to speak when Fan Beibei came out: “Brother!”

“Beibei’s awake.”

A smile appeared on Zhao Fusheng’s face, then he looked at Wu Sijie: “Take Beibei to wash up, then go downstairs for breakfast.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Wu Sijie naturally knew that Zhao Fusheng seemed to have matters to discuss with Lee Byung-hun, so he quickly came over and took Fan Beibei away.

Fan Beibei also knew Zhao Fusheng was busy, so she nodded and followed Wu Sijie out.

“My wife’s younger sister, eleven years old, raised by me since she was little.” Zhao Fusheng watched the little girl disappear from his sight, then looked at Lee Byung-hun: “She’s in elementary school. This summer, I brought her out to travel. That trainee from SM Entertainment was our translator and guide. Beibei liked her a lot, so before leaving, I invited her and her friend to dinner.”

He paused, then coldly stared at Lee Byung-hun: “But my sister’s first serious friendship—the farewell dinner—was ruined by you. How do you think I should punish you?”

Lee Byung-hun almost cried!

Only then did he realize what had touched the big shot’s nerve. So it was because he had ruined his mood!

“Chairman, I really didn’t know. Yesterday, I had been drinking…” Lee Byung-hun, in a panic, began to explain to Zhao Fusheng.

He knew very well that if he had only offended Zhao Fusheng, the man might forgive him for his usefulness. But offending his family…

Lee Byung-hun truly regretted it. If he had known, he wouldn’t have drunk yesterday, and he definitely wouldn’t have gone to eat barbecue near SM Entertainment. Seoul was so big—why did he have to go there?

Seeing his expression, Zhao Fusheng shook his head, waved his hand, and said: “The matter is over. You’ve been punished. This ends here.”

“Thank you, thank you!”

Lee Byung-hun was ecstatic, standing up and bowing repeatedly to Zhao Fusheng.

He knew that since Zhao Fusheng had said so, at least he wouldn’t face death or prison.

Next, he had to figure out how to satisfy the man and demonstrate his value.

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Zhao Fusheng calmly said to Lee Byung-hun: “First, tell me, what kind of return can you give me?”

“BH Entertainment can become a subsidiary under your company, and I can serve as its manager.” Lee Byung-hun said straightforwardly to Zhao Fusheng: “You know, though my reputation is completely ruined now, I still have some connections in the industry.”

He then said seriously: “I believe that since you were willing to see me, you must be willing to give me a chance!”

“Heh…”

Zhao Fusheng laughed.

He had to admit, this guy really had some skill. No wonder he could, as an artist, found a film company and develop it.

In a sense, he was a smart man.

This was clear from the fact that, upon learning Zhao Fusheng’s identity, he immediately asked Ahn Sung-ki to act as a mediator just to get a meeting. And after meeting, he knelt without hesitation.

At the very least, such courage and mindset of cutting off one’s arm to save the body were not something ordinary people possessed.

Zhao Fusheng had to admit that he had indeed underestimated Lee Byung-hun before.

Because originally, in his mind, he had only regarded the man as an ant he could crush at any time.

“Go back. I’ll have someone contact you.”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Fusheng looked up and slowly said to Lee Byung-hun: “Although your chips mean nothing to me, your sincerity has moved me. I hope you remember my words.”

“Please rest assured.” Lee Byung-hun quickly bowed in agreement. He wasn’t stupid—since Zhao Fusheng said that, it meant he was willing to take him in.

“But.” Zhao Fusheng gave Lee Byung-hun a deep look and said indifferently: “I know you like to play with women. But I hope you understand that from now on, you represent me. Let the past be the past. In the future, no matter what you do, clean up after yourself. If I find out you’ve done anything to damage the reputation of Hanxing Investment, believe me, you will regret being alive!”

Zhao Fusheng had heard of Lee Byung-hun’s habits before—it was said that even Song Hye-kyo broke up with him because of some of his quirks. Bringing it up now was naturally to warn him.

The moment Lee Byung-hun heard Zhao Fusheng’s words, his face instantly turned pale. He quickly nodded: “Rest assured, I know what to do.”

At that moment, he finally realized that from today on, he might have to bid farewell to his former happy and pleasurable life.