Chapter 1982: Picking the Peach

"Director Chen, may I ask what brings you here today?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Director Chen and asked with a smile.

He was a bit puzzled. Logically, since he had already sponsored several national teams, the people from the General Administration of Sport shouldn't normally come knocking.

After all, he was contributing to the country's sports cause.

As it turned out, Zhao Fusheng had underestimated the shamelessness of certain bureaucrats.

"Well, there is indeed something that requires your help, Chairman Zhao."

Director Chen smiled at this. Although he hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be so direct, he didn't mind. In his view and that of those behind him, a company was just a company. Faced with a behemoth like the Sports Administration, an official institution, even if Zhao Fusheng had objections, he would have to swallow them, unless he no longer wanted to use sponsorship for advertising.

Frowning slightly, though somewhat baffled, Zhao Fusheng still nodded: "Please go ahead, Director Chen. If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best."

Regardless of their intentions, with the Olympics approaching, Zhao Fusheng thought he would agree even if they came to ask for favors, for the sake of the Olympics.

After all, winning glory for the country was more important.

Director Chen exchanged glances with the others, and they all saw a hint of joy in each other's eyes.

Clearly, Chairman Zhao was a very smart man.

"Well, Chairman Zhao."

At this point, Team Leader Zhou from the diving team slowly spoke up: "I heard your company has sponsored several events?"

"Yes."

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, a bit puzzled, but still nodded: "Events like cycling and beach volleyball are niche, unpopular sports. What's the matter?"

He wasn't surprised they knew this; after all, the Sports Administration was the direct superior of all sports teams, and sponsorships would certainly be reported upward.

Zhao Fusheng had never intended to hide it from the Administration.

"Ahem, well, Chairman Zhao, have you considered that these events have little hope of winning gold and attract very little attention?"

At this, President Jiang from the Badminton Association spoke up.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and smiled: "I'm well aware of that."

That was true. In fact, no one knew better than Zhao Fusheng how difficult niche sports were in China.

Although China was known as a sports powerhouse, in reality, the events we excelled at were always the same few, and they relied on the national system.

Take table tennis, for example. Outside of China, its popularity in other parts of the world was actually not very high.

Conversely, in globally renowned sports like football, basketball, or track and field, the performance of China and even Asia was disastrous.

Occasionally, one or two exceptions would be quickly elevated to the heavens by the Chinese people.

But in truth, those who truly understood sports knew that there was still a long way to go.

Of course, diving and badminton were exceptions.

Both were traditional strengths of China.

But the waters ran deep, with all kinds of scandals that were simply speechless...

Zhao Fusheng could tolerate athletes making money, as they had little security after retirement, and it was normal to cash in while they could.

But the problem was that in both the diving and badminton teams, some people even used championships as their shield.

For instance, a certain badminton men's singles champion known for his foul language, always flaunting his dominance, like 'Super Dan' and such.

But in reality, he was so despicable that one couldn't even be bothered to complain.

Even so, the badminton team's leadership still fawned over him, as if as long as he won championships, it didn't matter if his private life was improper or he was mired in negative news.

Zhao Fusheng truly detested this behavior.

But there was no help for it. In China, where championships were everything, as long as you won gold, any behavior could be forgiven.

That was the reality.

Outside of China, no one tied sports achievements to athletes' treatment.

Though reluctant to admit it, Zhao Fusheng had to say that the championship-only mentality had trapped China's sports development in a vicious cycle.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't understand what these people wanted from him today.

"To be frank, Chairman Zhao, what do you think of the performance of China's badminton and diving teams?" Director Chen slowly began, looking at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was startled but nodded: "Champion teams, absolute champion teams."

Then he looked at them: "But even if you're looking for sponsors, I think both badminton and diving teams shouldn't lack sponsors, right?"

That was his honest thought.

Given the historical achievements of these two teams, sponsors would be lining up at the door.

There was no reason for them to come to him personally.

"Chairman Zhao is indeed a smart man."

Director Chen smiled but said no more.

Clearly, he wasn't the one responsible for negotiating with Zhao Fusheng this time.

"I think, if you're choosing sponsors, the badminton and diving teams would be more suitable than the beach volleyball and cycling teams, wouldn't they?"

President Jiang and Team Leader Zhou exchanged glances, then looked up at Zhao Fusheng.

"What?"

Zhao Fusheng was stunned.

Not only him, but Liu Yiming beside him was also stunned. They stared at each other in disbelief.

No one had expected these people to come for this.

So, they were planning to snatch away the sponsors?

After thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng could only come to that conclusion, as he could think of no other description.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng looked at Director Chen: "Director Chen, are they joking?"

"Well..."

Director Chen hemmed and hawed, then smiled at Zhao Fusheng: "That's your company's own business. In principle, we hope that people from all walks of life will support the development of sports."

He paused and laughed: "Especially events that win glory for the country, haha!"

So that was it.

Zhao Fusheng was a shrewd man.

As they say, a word to the wise is enough.

Since they had spelled it out so clearly, if Zhao Fusheng still didn't understand their intention, he would be an idiot.

Obviously, the Administration's stance was to act as an introducer, neither supporting nor opposing.

But the problem was, that attitude itself implied something.

What did 'winning glory for the country' mean?

At this time, winning glory for the country naturally referred to athletes who won medals, especially gold medals.

That was the truth. Even silver and bronze medals didn't count for much in many people's eyes; only champions were remembered.

Especially for leaders in various fields.

Champions!

As long as you won a championship, you got a house and a car. As for other rankings, sorry...

Under these circumstances, advantageous events like badminton and diving undoubtedly garnered more attention and were more likely to produce results than events like beach volleyball.

That was the truth, and even Zhao Fusheng had to admit it.

But the problem was, he really disliked this feeling.

Being directed to do something or following others' arrangements was not a comfortable experience for Zhao Fusheng.

"Winning glory for the country?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed, glanced at the leaders, but said nothing.

It seemed their understanding of the term 'winning glory for the country' differed from his.

"Yes, I think Chairman Zhao is well aware of our diving team's achievements." Team Leader Zhou said confidently: "In this Olympics, we will definitely achieve even better results."

"And our badminton team goes without saying—it's a perennial champion."

President Jiang also said with confidence.

Of course they were confident. Both teams had performed excellently in previous Olympics and world competitions. The diving team, in particular, had dominated the world for years, earning the title 'Dream Team.'

Under these circumstances, they believed Zhao Fusheng couldn't possibly not know how to choose.

Although changing sponsored teams so close to the Olympics seemed somewhat heartless, they heard that Future Group had invested a lot in sponsorships. They felt there was no need to give such a big cake to teams that couldn't even win medals.

Competitive sports were inherently cruel.

Though all were national teams, their statuses differed.

For example, the beach volleyball team could only rent an apartment by the seaside for training, and even their court was self-renovated.

But the diving and badminton teams had their own training facilities.

Not to mention their standing in the leaders' hearts.

To put it bluntly, it was like the difference between a biological child and a stepchild.

They couldn't imagine what Zhao Fusheng had to hesitate about.

"Chairman..."

Liu Yiming looked at Zhao Fusheng. To be honest, although he hadn't expected such a request, from a commercial perspective, what these people said made some sense.

After all, those events had too little attention and little hope of winning medals. Sponsoring them for advertising was less effective than sponsoring top teams like diving and badminton.

At the very least, if they won championships, it would be a form of publicity.

"Heh..."

Zhao Fusheng laughed, a relaxed laugh.

Director Chen and the others were baffled, not understanding what Zhao Fusheng was laughing about.

Under these circumstances, what was there to hesitate about?

Shouldn't a smart person just agree directly?

"Director Chen, what do you think I should choose?"

Zhao Fusheng suddenly asked Director Chen.

Director Chen was taken aback. What did that mean?