Chapter 1933 Persuading Fan Baobao

While Zheng Yao was holding a meeting with Xue Yuanfang and the others, Zhao Fusheng and his group were sitting on a train heading from Xichuan to the capital.

They had flown in a hurry when they came.

Now that things were mostly settled on the way back, Zhao Fusheng naturally chose to take the train.

"The 'Let the Bullets Fly' crew has been settled."

Liu Yiming reported to Zhao Fusheng: "Director Jiang Wen and Ge You and the others have returned to the capital. The crew has been mostly pacified, and we've suspended work for a while."

"Okay."

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Notify President Ye to make sure the families of the injured are comforted and medical expenses are paid as needed."

"Got it, I understand." Liu Yiming nodded and jotted down everything Zhao Fusheng said in a notebook.

This was a suggestion from Wu Sijie.

A good memory is worse than a bad pen. Especially for a secretary, a boss's requests can be varied; it's better to write them down than to rely on memory.

"Also, send a message to Hanxing Investment, telling them to keep a close eye on the movements of Samsung and CJ Group recently." Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and then said to Liu Yiming.

Liu Yiming was startled but still nodded.

Though he didn't know why Zhao Fusheng was doing this, the boss's words were always right.

Zhang Qian, however, was a bit puzzled. After Liu Yiming left, he looked at Zhao Fusheng and said, "What, are you worried about Samsung and CJ Group causing trouble?"

"Hard to say."

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "To be honest, I still can't let my guard down against Lee Kun-hee. He's an old fox, a thorough old fox. Though he's taken the initiative to show goodwill, I don't really think he's that optimistic about me."

This was Zhao Fusheng's true feeling.

He had never truly trusted Lee Kun-hee.

He believed Lee Kun-hee felt the same way about him.

Cunning people seem to have a tacit understanding; everyone knows the other is no pushover, so naturally, they can't relax their vigilance.

Of course, on the surface, everyone behaves quite well.

"You people who live by your wits have dirty hearts."

Zhang Qian was silent for a long moment, then suddenly said.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Yeah, people with dirty hearts always hope those around them are pure."

This was his true feeling. In Zhao Fusheng's view, it was like how executioners never want their families stained with blood.

Though Lee Kun-hee wasn't a good person, he was really good to his children.

After Lee Yoon-hee committed suicide for love back then, Lee Kun-hee let Lee Boo-jin decide her own marriage entirely. Though she chose a jerk, the old father's protective love was evident.

"By the way, donating so much money this time—won't it be dangerous?" Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Fusheng seriously. "Don't show off your wealth. Aren't you being a bit too flashy?"

Given their relationship, he could say these things without reservation.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "I wanted to do charity anyway. Besides, this not only brings us visibility but also helps shape a positive image for the Future Group. That's a good thing."

He paused and smiled: "What do you think a company that donates the most and performs best in such a disaster relief charity gala can gain?"

Zhang Qian was taken aback, his expression turning interesting.

Zhao Fusheng's words made him think of many things.

Zhang Qian wasn't stupid; he was quite smart, but he rarely considered things from this angle.

With a little hint from Zhao Fusheng, he understood Zhao Fusheng's intention.

"Kill two birds with one stone?"

Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Fusheng and said.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yeah, it satisfies my desire for charity and promotes the company, making its image positive. It makes people think of the Future Group as a socially responsible, trustworthy company. That's very important to us."

This was Zhao Fusheng's true feeling.

He placed great importance on corporate image.

In his later life, Zhao Fusheng had always disliked Baidu, simply because its corporate image was really terrible.

Like other internet companies—Taobao, Tencent—they all made money from netizens, and their methods were similar to Baidu's.

But Baidu's behavior was just too ugly.

Especially in its search engine business, it basically accepted money for anything.

False ads led by the Putian system, piracy on Baidu Tieba, etc.

With this series of operations, Baidu's corporate image was almost entirely negative.

Without exaggeration, if foreign search companies hadn't been unable to enter the Chinese market for certain reasons, Baidu might have died out long ago just from its own actions.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want the Future Group to end up like Baidu one day. If that happened, he would rather shut down the company.

"You've thought it through thoroughly."

Zhang Qian looked at Zhao Fusheng and suddenly smiled.

There is an order to learning, and each has their specialty.

He knew this well. At least in business, the gap between him and Zhao Fusheng was like the gap in combat between Zhao Fusheng and himself.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

Both Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian were well aware of this.

...

...

Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian returned to the capital from Xichuan. Meanwhile, after talking with Xue Yuanfang, Zheng Yao called Fan Baobao and also invited Yu Feihong, and they all went to Zhao Fusheng's home.

"You want me to attend the disaster relief gala?"

Fan Baobao stared at Zheng Yao, bewildered: "Are you kidding?"

"Of course not."

Zheng Yao said seriously: "This was decided by the chairman and me, and it's been announced at the company."

"Why?"

Fan Baobao frowned slightly and asked her in confusion.

She knew Zheng Yao wasn't the type to make such a request without reason; clearly, she came prepared.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought Yu Feihong.

"The chairman and I both think this is your chance to step into the spotlight."

Zheng Yao said slowly: "There have been some speculations about your identity from the outside. I think this is a good opportunity to clarify. Also, I believe Chen Shijie should be recognized as a martyr."

Fan Baobao's expression froze. Mentioning Chen Shijie's name brought to mind the image of that quiet young man.

"Baobao, I also think you should participate."

Yu Feihong spoke up then, saying to Fan Baobao: "For the foundation, I think it's more appropriate for you to step forward than Fusheng."

A glint flashed in Fan Baobao's eyes as she looked at Yu Feihong: "Sister, you think so too?"

"Yes."

Yu Feihong nodded: "They say men handle outside affairs and women handle domestic ones. Fusheng is the chairman of the Future Group; you can't have him do charity promotion, can you? As his wife, you're the best person for this. And I think it's good for your own image, isn't it?"

She considered the issue from the perspective of Fan Baobao's image.

Fan Baobao agreed with that.

In the entertainment industry, there are many gossips.

Especially as the internet becomes more developed, Fan Baobao now knew that her pairing with Zhao Fusheng would eventually face criticism.

There was no help for it; her man was just too successful.

She was different from other actresses who might marry into wealth for money or marry older men.

But she and Zhao Fusheng had been childhood sweethearts. Their friends knew this, but the outside world didn't.

Like that actress who sold the 'good wife' persona and married one of the so-called 'Four Young Masters of Beijing.' Her husband went bankrupt, and she had to return to acting to support the family, yet she was still criticized by the public.

Fan Baobao could even imagine the criticism and attacks she would face if her relationship with Zhao Fusheng were exposed.

They say gossip is fearsome. Even if Fan Baobao didn't care herself, her relatives, friends, sister, and children would have to face it. Of course, she had to consider her family.

With that thought, Fan Baobao nodded and looked at Zheng Yao: "Okay, I'll go."

"Great."

Zheng Yao smiled with satisfaction: "Don't worry about safety. The security company will send people, and Xue Yuanfang has also arranged for personnel."

She thought for a moment and said to Fan Baobao: "Dong Chenxi and I will be there too. The three of us will sit together."

"Ah?"

Fan Baobao was startled and looked at Yu Feihong: "Sister, aren't you coming?"

"I'm not going."

Yu Feihong smiled: "Tomorrow I'm going to Xichuan with the second batch of supplies raised by the foundation."

That was her nature; she preferred doing over talking.

In Sister Feihong's view, the disaster relief gala didn't need her as a celebrity, but Xichuan needed her as the head of the foundation.

And she was anxious. She had built so many schools in Xichuan before; she wondered if they had saved any students.

A sense of responsibility can really change a person sometimes.

Yu Feihong felt that if Zhao Fusheng hadn't insisted on her involvement in the foundation's charity work, her life might have been comfortable, but certainly not as fulfilling as it was now.

Fan Baobao also knew Yu Feihong's temperament. She was always stubborn, much like Zhao Fusheng. The two were alike in that once they decided something, they would stick to it without hesitation.

Since she didn't plan to attend the disaster relief gala but instead wanted to volunteer in the disaster area, there was no point in Fan Baobao saying anything.

"Be sure to stay safe." Fan Baobao carefully instructed Yu Feihong.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Yu Feihong said to Fan Baobao with a smile.