Chapter 2087: I Want to Mooch a Meal

There's a saying: to take, you must first give. It means if you want to get something from others, you must first learn to give something to them.

In plain terms, if you want benefits from someone without letting them benefit, why would they help you?

Even among friends, this holds true.

And that's exactly how Zhao Fusheng planned to treat Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, and the others.

Regardless of personal relationships, with clear interests laid out, would they get on board?

"Has the listing date been set?"

Since he'd made up his mind, Zhao Fusheng naturally cared about the listing.

Ye Jing nodded: "June. Will you go for the bell-ringing?"

"No."

Zhao Fusheng refused outright: "You and Zheng Yao go, along with Old Jiang, Feihong, Xu Zheng, and Ning Hao. That's enough."

The bell-ringing ceremony, as the start of a company's official listing, was undoubtedly a significant event.

Those who could attend this ceremony were certainly of high status in the company.

The people Zhao Fusheng named naturally meant they would be the core strength after the film company's listing.

Ye Jing and Zheng Yao represented top management, Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong represented the artists, and Xu Zheng and Ning Hao represented directors and screenwriters.

Such a lineup was enough to show Zhao Fusheng's stance.

As for Zhao Fusheng himself?

He had never been interested in such occasions.

To him, it was a boring affair.

A crowd standing around, saying a bunch of formalities, then ringing the bell to list and start reaping wealth.

Meaningless!

Given the time, Zhao Fusheng would rather sit on the sofa, watching the numbers on the TV or computer screen grow.

That meant his total wealth had increased again.

Wasn't that joy more satisfying than standing there?

"Okay, no problem."

Ye Jing nodded, having no other thoughts.

He also knew that Zhao Fusheng had never been interested in such public appearances or dealing with the media.

"Have your people make a plan for the share subscription. Not just them, but all signed artists. But there should be differentiation, understand?"

Zhao Fusheng said to Ye Jing.

For a high-quality stock like Future Films, once listed, it would surely trigger a rush. Though there might not be price limits, a rise of at least ten or even twenty percent was not a problem.

In such a situation, having the chance to get internal shares would surely make every artist happy.

"Don't worry, I have it under control." Ye Jing said with a smile.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng was talking about.

People are selfish creatures; they worry more about inequality than scarcity.

Often, if no one gets any benefit, it might be fine. But if some get it and others don't, discontent naturally arises.

Conversely, if someone gets more through their own ability, a truly smart person knows what to do.

As Zhao Fusheng said, Xu Zheng and Ning Hao got more internal shares for their good performance. For all the signed artists, directors, and screenwriters of Future Films, that meant they too had a chance.

If they could achieve what Ning Hao and Xu Zheng did, would that generous chairman give them more?

That was a question everyone would consider.

...

...

Would Zhao Fusheng?

The answer was yes.

Generous rewards bring brave men; Zhao Fusheng had always believed this.

In his view, friendship was one thing, but interests were another.

For example, Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen might stay with Future Films out of friendship.

But would Xu Zheng?

Certainly not!

When Xu Zheng became a big director and a Best Actor winner,

ambition would naturally arise in his heart.

Then he would face many choices, and all kinds of external voices would whisper in his ear, offering advice.

At that point, you couldn't bind him with just friendship.

Not to mention feelings; even contracts could be torn up.

Like the legendary four returnees from Korea; at least a few of them technically breached their contracts when they returned to China.

But with Korea and China being far apart, plus various nationalist sentiments and claims of slave contracts, fans worked hard to whitewash their idols, portraying them as innocent little flowers.

Thus, there were no negative consequences.

But in reality, it wasn't that simple.

For one, when they signed their debut contracts, they had a choice.

Either debut and sign that slave contract,

or choose not to debut. The company couldn't force them to sign.

But those few did sign.

Knowing it was a slave contract, they signed. With the company's promotion and packaging, they gained popularity and became big stars. Then they couldn't take it anymore and walked away.

What was there to criticize?

Why wasn't Han Geng criticized? Because he really suffered in Korea back then.

At that time, Korea discriminated against foreign artists. After debuting in Korea, he could only perform wearing a mask and appear on just two variety shows. The rest of the time, he didn't even get a chance to appear.

Under such circumstances, facing all kinds of oppression, he couldn't take it anymore and left Korea.

But the others, heh...

Sometimes, people should have some shame.

...

...

Back home, Zhao Fusheng looked at the empty house and remembered that his family was all in Italy. He didn't even have anyone to eat with.

"Come on, have dinner with me."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly and said to Liu Yiming, who was beside him.

Liu Yiming suppressed a smile, nodded, and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Um, Chairman, I can have dinner with you, but can I make a call first?"

"What's up?"

Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

"Well, my parents are here. I promised them and Liu Yan I'd go home for dinner tonight."

Liu Yiming said innocently.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes and waved his hand: "Then you go too."

"No, I'll stay with you." Liu Yiming quickly shook his head.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand, picked up the phone, and dialed Zhang Qian's number.

"Where are you?"

"At the gym. What's up?"

"Any dinner plans tonight?"

"Having dinner with Yang Panpan. What's up?"

"Never mind."

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng's expression was quite interesting.

Valentine's Day wasn't even here yet, and he was already being force-fed dog food.

Thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng picked up the phone again and dialed Jiang Wen's number.

"Where are you?"

"At home. What's up?"

"Any dinner plans tonight?"

"Well, I do have one. Zheng Xiaolong invited me. Why, you want to come?"

"What's the occasion?"

"His birthday. Quite a few people will be there. You have something?"

Old Jiang was quite surprised to get Zhao Fusheng's call, completely unsure what he was up to.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Alright, I'll go too."

"You're going?"

Jiang Wen was taken aback: "Well, if you're coming, I'll give a heads-up first."

After all, Zhao Fusheng's status was unusual. If he showed up, it would be a great honor for Zheng Xiaolong.

The current Beijing circle was no longer the era when Zheng Xiaolong, Ma Dajun, and Wang Shuo ruled. Now, it was capital tycoons like the Wang brothers who called the shots.

Whoever had money was the boss!

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Alright, I'll head to your place now."

With that, he hung up.

Then he said to Liu Yiming: "Drop me off at Teacher Jiang's place, and you can go."

"But..."

Liu Yiming hesitated: "Chairman, this... this isn't appropriate, is it?"

"It's fine."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "Don't worry about it. Come on, take me."

Since he insisted, Liu Yiming had no choice but to follow Zhao Fusheng. The two went out, called the bodyguards, and the convoy headed toward Jiang Wen's home.

Familiar with the route and not the first time, the driver drove fast and steady.

Passing by Wangfujing, Zhao Fusheng suddenly had the car stop.

"Wait."

"What's wrong, Chairman?" Liu Yiming was puzzled, thinking Zhao Fusheng had remembered something important.

"Nothing, just a moment."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, got out, and headed toward the mall.

Baffled, Liu Yiming followed behind him.

Entering the mall, Zhao Fusheng went straight to a counter, bought a bunch of stuff, had the bodyguards and Liu Yiming carry it, and then left.

"Chairman, is this for Zheng Xiaolong?"

Looking at the items, Liu Yiming was a bit surprised.

It was the first time he'd seen Zhao Fusheng buy so many gifts. It seemed Director Zheng Xiaolong held a high place in Zhao Fusheng's heart.

Zhao Fusheng ignored him, busy sending a text on his phone.

The car soon stopped in Jiang Wen's residential compound.

"Off you go."

Zhao Fusheng got out and said to Liu Yiming: "Take my car back. I'll ride with Old Jiang later."

Then he pointed to the items in the car: "Take these home. They're for the elders."

"Huh?"

Liu Yiming was stunned and quickly shook his head: "That's not right, it's not appropriate."

After all, he was a subordinate; it wasn't right for the boss to buy him things.

"Just take them. They're not for you."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand, not wanting to argue: "Originally, since your parents are here, I should have treated them to a meal. But I figure if I did, you'd be uncomfortable, and they'd be uncomfortable too. So I won't bother them. Take the day after tomorrow off and spend some time with them here."

Then he smiled: "Consider it an employee benefit, got it?"

"This..."

Liu Yiming was truly speechless.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to the driver: "Keep the car with him for these two days, so he doesn't have to worry. I have other cars anyway."

"Yes, Chairman."

The driver quickly nodded in agreement.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and walked straight toward Jiang Wen's house.