Chapter 2022 The First Visitor

News of Zhao Fusheng's arrival in Seoul spread quickly.

Cheongdam-dong, the Lee family mansion.

Lee Maeng-hee and Lee Kun-hee sat facing each other, each with an elderly man in a suit standing behind them.

The brothers were playing Go.

“Brother, how could you make that move? You said you’d give me a handicap stone.”

Lee Kun-hee looked displeased.

Hearing this, Lee Maeng-hee chuckled: “Be reasonable. I did say I’d give you a stone, but that’s only at the end.”

Then he glanced at Lee Kun-hee: “Don’t think I didn’t notice you secretly took one of my stones.”

“Hahaha.”

The brothers both laughed.

After laughing, Lee Kun-hee waved his hand and sent the butler behind him out, and Lee Maeng-hee did the same.

“Zhao Fusheng has come to Korea.”

Lee Kun-hee said to Lee Maeng-hee.

“That kid, is he here to pick up scraps?” Lee Maeng-hee frowned, then shook his head: “I don’t think so.”

“Right.”

Lee Kun-hee clearly agreed with his brother: “That guy is a little fox. I’d believe he’s waiting for an opportunity, but as for him getting involved, I doubt it’s that easy.”

The brothers reached a consensus on this matter and laughed together.

“How’s your side coming along with the integration?”

Lee Maeng-hee suddenly asked Lee Kun-hee.

“Almost done.” Lee Kun-hee nodded: “The non-performing assets have been largely stripped out, and the core companies are all under control. What about CJ?”

“Almost done too. Those kids aren’t too stupid; they understand our intentions.” Lee Maeng-hee nodded.

He paused, then asked Lee Kun-hee: “But are you really sure Choi Tae-won and the others will take the bait?”

“Who knows?”

Lee Kun-hee shook his head: “Whether they take the bait or not, we lose nothing. If they don’t, we use this opportunity to restructure both groups. If they do, I’d like to see what tricks those guys can pull.”

Indeed, the so-called “internal strife” at Samsung and CJ was a smoke screen set up by these two old foxes.

To put it bluntly, they felt that both groups’ businesses had become bloated, with a pile of non-performing assets.

Since that was the case, it was time for reform.

But both groups had stood tall in Korea for years, with complex internal relationships, making reform no easy task.

Fortunately, the Lee family was large, and manpower was never in short supply.

After discussing, the two decisively set up this scheme.

By now, their goals were largely achieved, but unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng had arrived.

“What do you think he means?”

Lee Kun-hee asked his elder brother.

“Him?”

Lee Maeng-hee paused, then understood his brother meant Zhao Fusheng.

After a moment’s thought, he smiled: “From what I know of him, that guy might come knocking on our door.”

“Ah?”

This time, even Lee Kun-hee was stunned.

Come knocking?

He really hadn’t expected his brother to see Zhao Fusheng that way.

If that were the case, wouldn’t it mean Zhao Fusheng had come to Korea specifically to meet the two brothers?

Could it be that he had seen through their arrangements?

At that thought, Lee Kun-hee frowned.

…

…

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn’t know that his arrival in Seoul had set the Lee brothers guessing.

Picked up by Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie and taken to the company, he listened to their work reports on Hanxing Investment, met with a group of representatives from the Korean branch, and then rode to the Shilla Hotel.

The room had been booked in advance by the company.

“Chairman, please rest first. We’ve arranged a welcome banquet tonight for your arrival in Seoul.”

Liang Jingyu said to Zhao Fusheng at the door.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, not objecting to these arrangements.

It was normal; he would have done the same in their shoes.

“Alright, you two go back now.”

Zhao Fusheng said.

Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie took their leave. Zhao Fusheng returned to his room, took a shower, and sat down on the sofa to rest.

As for Liu Yiming and the others, they also rested.

Of course, two bodyguards were still stationed outside the door of the room.

This was Zhang Qian's arrangement. In his words, no matter where they went, Zhao Fusheng's safety was the top priority.

It was just that he was now in charge of the Supervision Department; otherwise, he would have come in person long ago.

By evening, Liu Yiming came to inform Zhao Fusheng that the banquet was about to begin.

"Chairman, you need to prepare."

Liu Yiming knocked on the door and said to Zhao Fusheng.

"Mm, got it."

Zhao Fusheng nodded.

But just as he finished getting ready and was about to head out, there came a knock at the door.

"Go see who it is."

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly and asked Liu Yiming.

It should be someone they knew; otherwise, the bodyguards at the door wouldn't have allowed the person to knock.

Soon, Liu Yiming returned.

"Chairman, it's Ms. Lee Boo-jin." Liu Yiming said to Zhao Fusheng.

"Her?"

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. He really hadn't expected Lee Boo-jin to come see him.

But on second thought, it made sense—this was her home turf. She probably already knew when Hanxing Investment booked the rooms.

She just didn't know exactly when he would arrive.

"Please, come in."

After a moment's consideration, Zhao Fusheng instructed Liu Yiming.

Regardless, he would eventually have to meet with the Lee family of Samsung. Since this eldest princess of Samsung had come to visit him, there must be a reason.

Zhao Fusheng was also curious about what she could say to persuade him.

After all, no matter what, Zhao Fusheng really didn't think Lee Boo-jin could win in the second-generation competition between Samsung and CJ.

The reason was simple: she had no external support.

On the other hand, although Lee Jae-yong was only average in ability, Zhao Fusheng felt he had what it took to contend with Lee Jae-hyun.

But that was just his personal feeling; it might not be right.

Maybe she had some hidden cards up her sleeve.

Soon, Lee Boo-jin, led by Liu Yiming, arrived at Zhao Fusheng's room.

Liu Yiming bowed and left, and the director accompanying Lee Boo-jin also withdrew.

"Sister Boo-jin, your information network is quite impressive."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, glanced at his watch, and then said, "I've only been in Korea for a few hours, and you already know."

Lee Boo-jin was quite frank: "When Hanxing Investment booked the rooms, someone notified me. I knew it must be you coming; otherwise, Representative Liang and Representative Wu wouldn't have come to drop someone off in person."

That was true. Given Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie's current status in Korea, unless someone from Future Group headquarters came, they wouldn't both show up at the Shilla Hotel together.

And even within Future Group, there were no more than three people qualified to have them both go to the airport to pick up.

Dong Chenxi, Zheng Yao, plus Chairman Zhao Fusheng.

When the staff reported that Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie were accompanying a man, it could only be Zhao Fusheng.

So, upon receiving the news, Lee Boo-jin rushed to the Shilla Hotel immediately.

She had something to discuss with Zhao Fusheng.

"Impressive."

After hearing Lee Boo-jin's words, Zhao Fusheng gave a thumbs up. Truly worthy of being the eldest daughter of Samsung.

He had only heard before that Samsung was the most influential chaebol in South Korea; now it seemed the reputation was well-deserved.

At the very least, in China, no company could achieve what Samsung had, and in other countries, it was almost impossible to wield such influence.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng only thought this to himself; he certainly wouldn't point it out in front of Lee Boo-jin.

"I feel like you're mocking me?"

Lee Boo-jin was sharp; she caught something off in Zhao Fusheng's expression and shot him a glare.

She was a beautiful woman, the kind that exuded an intellectual charm. In that moment, she seemed particularly alluring.

Zhao Fusheng felt a bit awkward and gave an uneasy smile: "Sister Boo-jin, let's get down to business. Is there something you need from me?"

"You know perfectly well."

Lee Boo-jin rolled her eyes at Zhao Fusheng in exasperation.

She had figured it out: this guy was exactly as her father had said—a complete fox. The most dangerous thing about dealing with him was that you could never see through his cards, but he could see through yours anytime.

Just like now, Lee Boo-jin was well aware that Zhao Fusheng's audacious move to stay at the Shilla Hotel was itself a signal.

And she was the first to step into the game.