Chapter 1986: An Honest Man

“Cancel the contracts.”

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment, then said to Zheng Yao, “Check how many of our advertising campaigns are signed with him, and cancel them all.”

Things having come to this, rather than waiting for defeat, it was better to make a clean break.

This was the only solution Zhao Fusheng could think of.

To be honest, barring any surprises, once the Olympics officially began, any talk of canceling contracts would inevitably spark discussion, and everyone would be curious about what was really going on.

Even Liu Xiang and his team would pin the blame on Future Advertising.

“Impacting an athlete’s Olympic preparations.”

Zhao Fusheng knew very well that once that label was attached, it would be no small trouble.

“Alright, I’ll arrange it right away.”

At this point, Zheng Yao no longer doubted Zhao Fusheng’s opinion.

Are you kidding?

The documents clearly stated that Liu Xiang’s injury was actually quite serious, but they had always publicly claimed it was fine.

In short, Liu Xiang and his team were putting on an act for the whole world.

Thinking of this, Zheng Yao couldn’t help but curse.

If Zhao Fusheng hadn’t warned her and she hadn’t noticed something was off, if something went wrong during the Olympics, it would have been a disaster.

“I’m totally convinced.”

Zheng Yao put away the documents and said to Zhao Fusheng, “Tell me, how can people be so shameless?”

Zhao Fusheng was very calm and waved his hand. “It’s normal. The interests are right there.”

That was the truth.

Too many interests were tied to Liu Xiang.

Maybe at the very beginning, he was a wind-chasing youth chasing dreams, only wanting to win glory for his country.

But as time went on, he had changed.

“People change.”

Zhao Fusheng said flatly, but said nothing more.

Watching Zheng Yao leave his office, Zhao Fusheng sighed.

He didn’t care how Zheng Yao had gotten the information; it was probably by using money to pave the way.

This approach, though not in line with most people’s thinking, was admittedly the most normal method.

If they didn’t do this, the ones who would suffer losses were Future Advertising and the advertisers behind it.

As for Liu Xiang and his team?

Hmph, aside from bearing the blame, they wouldn’t suffer any financial losses.

After all, he had legitimately participated in the competition, just failed to finish.

Moreover, afterward, by crafting a tragic hero image, he could easily hold on until the next Olympics.

Incidentally, this guy withdrew from the competition again at the next Olympics.

Ah, people are really hard to judge.

…

…

A few days later, a bombshell news broke in the advertising circle.

Multiple products under Future Advertising announced the termination of contracts with Liu Xiang.

And after that, they changed their product endorsers.

Not only that, but the new endorsers were almost all artists from Future Film and Television.

Outside rumors said that this was a decision made by Future Group Chairman Zhao Fusheng to promote Future Film and Television’s artists and help the company build momentum for its listing.

After the news broke, public opinion was in an uproar.

No one expected things to turn out like this.

What was going on?

Was Zhao Fusheng really planning to do that?

“Are you kidding me?”

Ye Jing rushed straight to the company headquarters. He had found it strange earlier when Zheng Yao had Future Film and Television’s artists take over endorsements, and now, after hearing the outside news, he was even more shocked.

After all, this was no small matter.

If it was really as the news speculated, didn’t that mean Future Film and Television’s listing would happen within a year or two?

Or even sooner?

“What are you thinking?”

Zhao Fusheng shook his head in exasperation. “It’s not what you think, okay?”

It wasn’t just Ye Jing; everyone outside was now guessing what he wanted to do, and no one was paying attention to the contract terminations anymore.

“Then what’s really going on?”

Ye Jing asked, puzzled.

He was genuinely confused. Future Film and Television had been developing smoothly, and then suddenly Zheng Yao pulled this move, handing over endorsements originally belonging to Liu Xiang to several Future Film and Television artists.

Although it was good for the company, Ye Jing still needed to know the reason.

After explaining the whole story, Zhao Fusheng said helplessly, “I didn’t expect Zheng Yao to divert attention by pinning it on me.”

“Pfft!”

Ye Jing couldn’t help it and burst out laughing.

“Hahaha, you finally got a taste of your own medicine.”

Ye Jing laughed wildly, pointing at Zhao Fusheng. “Even you have to take the blame sometimes.”

That was his honest feeling.

Zhao Fusheng always seemed to have everything under control, rarely making mistakes. And indeed, that was the case.

From the start of his career until now, Zhao Fusheng had hardly ever made a mistake.

But this time, he had been “set up” by Zheng Yao.

“Go ahead and laugh, just don’t choke.”

Zhao Fusheng looked at Ye Jing laughing hysterically and waved his hand helplessly.

Was this guy really that happy?

But he had to admit that this time, even though he knew the truth, he couldn’t explain it to outsiders.

The reason was simple: it involved how Future Advertising had secretly learned about Liu Xiang’s injury.

So Zhao Fusheng had no choice but to accept the blame.

“But seriously, you need to start preparing for the listing soon.”

After Ye Jing finished laughing, Zhao Fusheng looked at him seriously.

Generally, the process from company formation to listing is very lengthy.

Especially for joint-stock companies.

In Zhao Fusheng’s view, given Future Group’s current situation, listing Future Film and Television on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange might not be a bad idea.

At the very least, it would not only raise substantial funds for the company but also promote Future Film and Television’s development.

Ye Jing naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant and became serious. “Hong Kong Stock Exchange?”

“Mm.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded. “After thinking it over, I think that’s the most suitable place.”

“Then let’s give it a try.”

Ye Jing said solemnly.

By now, he understood Zhao Fusheng’s thinking.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng wanted to build Future Film and Television into a company on the level of the major Hollywood studios.

Honestly, this made Ye Jing look forward to the day Future Film and Television would list and rise.

“By the way, Marvel has news that they plan to release Iron Man 2 next year. What do you think?”

Ye Jing suddenly remembered something and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Iron Man 1 had been a huge success in Hollywood, bringing Marvel enormous returns both in box office and reputation.

It was no exaggeration to say that this film had completely lifted them out of their previous困境.

Even Disney was closely watching Marvel’s moves.

As for the investment tycoons on Wall Street, they had been secretly contacting Kevin Feige, all hoping to get a seat on Marvel’s board.

Ye Jing had also received the news, which was why he brought it up to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly, then smiled. “Let them be.”

Let them be?

Ye Jing was a bit surprised.

He had thought Zhao Fusheng would fight to keep Marvel’s shares.

“Marvel is a decent cake, but not so delicious that I’d go to any lengths for it.” Zhao Fusheng smiled and explained to Ye Jing. “Since Disney wants a piece, let them know I’m willing to share.”

“Okay.”

Ye Jing nodded.

He paid more attention to what was happening with Marvel.

After all, Chinese filmmakers had always dreamed of Hollywood, and Ye Jing was no exception.

But previously, they had no chance to enter that market. Now that they finally had Marvel as a bridgehead, Ye Jing naturally cared a lot.

And the more he cared, the more he realized how difficult it was for Chinese film companies to enter the American market.

So he increasingly felt that Zhao Fusheng’s foresight in acquiring Marvel shares was remarkable.

In other words, anyone else might have missed this opportunity.

But Zhao Fusheng had spotted it and seized it.

That was truly impressive!

“By the way, remember, no matter what Kevin Feige does, don’t interfere, understand?” Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and said to Ye Jing.

If he remembered correctly, after the Iron Man series, Marvel had made movies like The Incredible Hulk, which bombed at the box office and lost a lot of money.

At the time, there were rumors that it even nearly affected Marvel’s acquisition.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng didn’t know the specifics, but that didn’t stop him from telling Ye Jing to sit back and watch.

“Ah, okay, I understand.”

Although Ye Jing didn’t know why, he nodded anyway.

He hadn’t understood at first, but once Dong Chenxi mentioned it to him, Ye Jing felt he had grasped Zhao Fusheng’s thinking.

At the time, Ye Jing didn’t understand why Zhao Fusheng allowed Kevin Feige to interact with outsiders.

Then Dong Chenxi told him not to be fooled by Wall Street’s apparent interest in Marvel, or even Disney’s posture of wanting to acquire Marvel.

Those Americans cared most about profit.

Once they found that Marvel couldn’t bring them more profits, or saw signs of decline, they would abandon Marvel without hesitation.

At that point, Marvel might even fall into the abyss.

So, in Ye Jing’s view, Zhao Fusheng was now luring the snake out of its hole, waiting to see Marvel stumble, and then take it over in one fell swoop.

But in fact, Zhao Fusheng had no such intention.

Marvel’s rise was inevitable in the internet age, and all Zhao Fusheng had to do was play his cards right and get a piece of the pie.

As for the conspiracies Ye Jing imagined, Zhao Fusheng maintained that he had always been an upright and honest man.