Chapter 1841: Compromise?

As for online smear campaigns, Zhao Fusheng really hadn't expected it to happen to him.

He wasn't a celebrity like Da Mimi, nor a high-profile rich second generation like Si Cong, so why would someone inexplicably try to blacken his name?

"What's wrong?"

Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng, puzzled.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, told her the whole story, and finally said, "Those people still have some sense; they didn't drag you and the child into it."

"Do you know who's behind this?" Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Not yet identified."

There was no way to investigate this matter instantly; it would certainly take time.

"What are you planning to do?"

Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Let's see how things develop."

...

The next day, Zhao Fusheng left home early and headed to Future Group headquarters with his team.

As soon as he got in the car, Wu Sijie handed him a stack of documents.

"Well, have you found out?"

"We've identified them."

Wu Sijie replied: "At first, that family posted online, claiming you bullied them. Then, somehow, it got reposted, and a lot of news about our company started appearing online."

"Are you saying someone is fueling this from behind?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and asked Wu Sijie.

Wu Sijie nodded: "Our preliminary investigation points to Baidu."

Baidu?

Zhao Fusheng was startled, then laughed.

He really hadn't expected this to involve Baidu.

They had clashed once before over the advertising company, and afterward became adversaries.

But because their development directions differed, although they competed in advertising, there was no rivalry in the overall development path, so they had no further interaction.

He just didn't expect them to strike at him this time.

"Have you investigated that family's background?"

Zhao Fusheng asked casually.

"We have."

Wu Sijie nodded: "They're office workers in the capital, just felt wronged and resentful, so they posted online."

"What's the company's strategy?"

Zhao Fusheng continued.

This was a critical issue, as it concerned his own image and the company's. They couldn't let this trend continue; otherwise, the hard-earned reputation would be destroyed.

That was something Zhao Fusheng absolutely could not accept.

"The company's idea is to refute the rumors as soon as possible and reach a settlement with that family."

Wu Sijie glanced at Zhao Fusheng's expression and said cautiously.

"Settlement?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned: "Be specific."

"They demand compensation for emotional distress and a public apology," Wu Sijie explained. "President Zheng thinks compensation is acceptable, but an apology is out of the question."

"Apology?"

Zhao Fusheng was stunned, staring at Wu Sijie: "You mean we have to apologize to them? For scratching our car?"

"Well, Chairman, this is to smooth things over." Wu Sijie knew how absurd his words sounded, but that was the reality, and he had no choice.

Smooth things over!

Hearing those four words, Zhao Fusheng nearly ground his teeth.

The thought of apologizing to that inexplicable old lady was utterly unacceptable.

"No."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Fusheng said firmly: "An apology is absolutely impossible. Tell Zheng Yao to reconsider. On this matter, we will not compromise."

"Chairman..." Wu Sijie was startled by Zhao Fusheng's words. He never expected Zhao Fusheng to choose not to compromise.

"What, is that not allowed?"

Zhao Fusheng glanced at Wu Sijie and snorted.

"It's not that it's not allowed."

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng seemed displeased, Wu Sijie quickly explained: "It's just that I think it's unnecessary. Since they want compensation, we can just give them some money and be done with it. Why get angry?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Wu Sijie, saw he was serious, and felt a pang of sadness.

To be honest, he wasn't surprised by Wu Sijie's reaction. In most people's eyes, dealing with such unreasonable people required this approach.

The barefoot don't fear the shod. For such small-time characters, opposing a giant like Future Group was daunting, but there was an advantage: if they went all out, even a small victory was a gain.

So, in Wu Sijie's—or most people's—logic, the best way to deal with such rogue opponents was to keep them at arm's length.

If you can't afford to provoke them, you can afford to avoid them.

That was the mindset of most Chinese people.

But the problem was, this approach only made the wicked bolder and the good more hurt.

"Let me ask you, if someone does this again next time, what do we do?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Wu Sijie and asked slowly.

"Uh..."

Wu Sijie was taken aback by the question and remained silent for a long time, clearly unsure how to answer.

Seeing Wu Sijie's reaction, Zhao Fusheng said nothing more.

Soon, the convoy arrived at the company headquarters.

"Chairman, there are reporters at the entrance."

Wu Sijie answered a phone call and then said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng frowned and was about to speak when Wu Sijie said, "Maybe we should use the side entrance?"

He could tell Zhao Fusheng was angry. If he faced those reporters and their barrage of questions, he would likely explode.

Given the chairman's temper, if he got really upset, the reporters...

Wu Sijie dared not imagine that scene; it was too cringeworthy.

"Let's go."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and finally accepted Wu Sijie's suggestion. If he faced those reporters directly, not to mention whether they would report on him, given the nature of Chinese journalists, Zhao Fusheng felt he might not be able to control his temper.

Soon, the group entered the company headquarters through the side entrance.

Arriving at the meeting room, Zheng Yao was already waiting with the others.

"Tell me, what exactly is going on?"

Sitting in his chair, Zhao Fusheng looked at everyone and said solemnly, "I want to know why so much negative news has appeared overnight."

"Let me explain."

Seeing that no one else dared to speak, Zheng Yao smiled wryly and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Assistant Wu should have shown you some of the materials. What I'm about to say is more detailed..."

As Zheng Yao narrated, Zhao Fusheng's expression grew darker.

This time, without exaggeration, Future Group had become a target of public criticism.

What does it mean to be a target?

In short, all attacks were concentrated on Future Group.

"In summary, I think this will be very difficult to resolve." Zheng Yao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng naturally understood what she meant. His expression serious, he nodded without refuting Zheng Yao.

He also knew that this situation was partly due to Future Group's rapid rise in recent years.

The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be destroyed by the wind. Zhao Fusheng had always understood this principle, but the problem was that Future Group had never encountered major setbacks before.

Many conflicts and contradictions had been hidden.

Where there are people, there are conflicts—an eternal truth.

Future Group's development inevitably infringed on some people's interests. At the time, they might have kept quiet due to Future Group's strength, but if Future Group encountered difficulties...

These people would be the first to kick it when it's down.

And clearly, this time they found an opportunity and started to act.

To be precise, the online post was just a trigger. For those people, they had only been waiting silently.

Now that the opportunity had arisen, they naturally wouldn't let it go.

"Chairman, my suggestion is to resolve the previous incident as soon as possible."

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Zheng Yao said slowly, "Don't give the opponents any more ammunition or opportunities. What do you think?"

As she spoke, her eyes fixed on Zhao Fusheng, waiting for his answer.

Not only Zheng Yao, but everyone in the meeting room was watching Zhao Fusheng, because he was the one with the final say.

Zhao Fusheng remained silent, just quietly looking at the documents in front of him.

He knew very well that Zheng Yao's suggestion was, under normal circumstances, a reasonable solution.

The reason was simple: asymmetry.

The other side continued to smear him, while Future Group's losses far outweighed theirs. Under these circumstances, smoothing things over seemed the best choice.

Compromise, sometimes, is to allow things to develop better.

But if they did that, would it really be right?

Zhao Fusheng took a deep breath, sat there, looked at the documents, and remained silent for a long time.

Seeing that he wasn't speaking, Zheng Yao thought for a moment and waved for the others to leave the meeting room.

Everyone exchanged glances, but since it was Zheng Yao's order, they dared not delay and rose to leave.

Soon, only Zhao Fusheng and Zheng Yao remained in the meeting room.

"I know you're unwilling."

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Zheng Yao said slowly, "But the problem now is that we have to compromise. Otherwise, if we let this continue, the losses will be unavoidable."

"Yes, we need to compromise."

Zhao Fusheng suddenly sighed, revealing an inexplicable smile, and then said to Zheng Yao, "Do you think, if we back down this time, will we back down again next time?"

"Huh?"

Zheng Yao was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng with surprise.

Clearly, she sensed that perhaps, maybe, it seemed Zhao Fusheng had other ideas!