Chapter 2151: Life Is a Series of Choices

Everyone has something they need to protect.

Kim Byung-wook was furious to defend his dignity as a director, while Lee Ju-young had to stop him to protect her job.

But none of this had anything to do with Zhao Fusheng.

Everyone has their own life—the little people have their pursuits, and the big shots have their troubles.

Zhao Fusheng didn't like to meddle in others' lives, nor did he care what a bunch of Koreans thought.

He couldn't even look after his own countrymen, so why would he bother about the Koreans' well-being?

"Xiao Song, are all the members of your group minors?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Song Qian's teammates, his face full of surprise, then asked in astonishment, "And why is there a guy?"

There was no helping it—the little girls before him were clearly just kids. Besides Song Qian, there was Choi Jin-ri, whom he'd met before, then two who were under eighteen, and the other one was unmistakably a boy.

"Ahem, sir, Xiao A is a girl. Her name is Amber Liu, and she's a Chinese American. This is Jung Soo-jung, this is Luna, and this is Sulli—you've met her."

Song Qian quickly began introducing them to Zhao Fusheng.

She pointed especially at the teammate Zhao Fusheng had mistaken for a boy.

Upon hearing she was a Chinese American, Zhao Fusheng's expression changed, and he quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry."

"It's okay."

The girl named Amber Liu said in somewhat stiff Chinese, "My Chinese isn't very good. I grew up in America."

"That's fine. Take your time learning."

Zhao Fusheng smiled at her words, quite satisfied.

It was an attitude—willing to speak Chinese showed at least that she had some recognition of China.

Turning to Choi Jin-ri, whose stage name was Sulli, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said, "Hello!"

"Hello."

Unexpectedly, Choi Jin-ri's Chinese, though a bit stiff, was quite fluent.

Zhao Fusheng was surprised and looked at her in amazement: "Little girl, you know Chinese?"

"She pestered me and learned it over half a year."

Song Qian said with a smile, "She's always wanted to thank you in person."

She was referring, of course, to what had happened before. After all, if not for Zhao Fusheng, young Choi Jin-ri would have suffered an unimaginable tragedy.

"Thank you."

Choi Jin-ri bowed to Zhao Fusheng again, speaking sincerely.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "No need to be polite. Take care from now on. I have high hopes for you."

Anyway, this girl was actually not bad. Zhao Fusheng had a natural fondness for all things beautiful.

"What's going on over there?"

Zhao Fusheng heard the commotion from Kim Byung-wook's side, smiled, and asked Song Qian.

Song Qian smiled wryly: "That director doesn't want to leave. He feels insulted."

"Insulted?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Why would I insult him? Is he worth my insult?"

"Well, he probably didn't expect that."

Song Qian said helplessly.

There was no helping it—Zhao Fusheng's status was far above that director's.

It was like a tiger not caring whether it made an ant sad.

Zhao Fusheng wouldn't go out of his way to consider a common music director's feelings.

To be honest, that would be too boring.

"Don't worry about him."

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly and said to Song Qian, "The members of your group are really young."

Then he blinked: "You're the oldest."

Song Qian was speechless.

There was no helping it—Zhao Fusheng was telling the truth. She was indeed the oldest in the group.

Come to think of it, f(x) was a bit unusual. The oldest and the youngest were seven years apart. Song Qian was born in '87, while the two youngest, Choi Jin-ri and Jung Soo-jung, were born in '94.

This was rare in the Korean idol scene.

You see, an idol's career is extremely short. They might be popular for only a few years. Generally, if an idol group doesn't become famous within five years, they're disbanded or shelved.

Debuting at Song Qian's age was practically unheard of.

"We all call her V-mom."

Choi Jin-ri, no, Choi Sulli explained to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

"V-mom?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback.

Then he realized that Song Qian had introduced herself earlier—her stage name in Korea was Victoria, starting with V.

He glanced at Song Qian and nodded: "Indeed, compared to them, you're old enough to be a mom."

"Sir!"

Song Qian immediately exploded!

She had thought Zhao Fusheng was the serious type who wouldn't joke around, but he actually had this side to him.

"Alright, alright."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and said with a smile, "Just kidding. Should we stay here or go somewhere else?"

To be honest, Kim Byung-wook's racket over there was really annoying Zhao Fusheng.

He couldn't understand the guy—you're hired to do a job, and now you're still getting paid but don't have to work, so why are you yelling?

Just then, Song Qian's phone rang, and a group of people came rushing over.

"Chairman Zhao, Chairman Zhao."

Lee Soo-man walked over quickly, speaking in a Korean-accented English.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and looked at him: "Mr. Lee Soo-man, long time no see."

"Yes, whew... long time no see... whew..."

Lee Soo-man was panting heavily, clearly very anxious.

Zhao Fusheng could understand that—if he were in Lee's shoes, he'd probably act just as flustered.

Posture is something you put on.

Sometimes, if you strike a lofty pose, people think you're too arrogant.

But conversely, if you lower your stance, it can change others' impression of you.

This was very important.

At least now, Zhao Fusheng was quite satisfied with Lee Soo-man's posture, knowing he was showing submission and begging for mercy.

Often, when you reach a certain level, you don't really care about petty gains. What you truly care about is face.

Take Zhao Fusheng, for example.

The profits from SM Entertainment meant nothing to him.

Others might care, but in Zhao Fusheng's business empire, those profits weren't that important.

What mattered was Lee Soo-man's current attitude.

"Chairman Zhao, what brings you here today?"

After catching his breath, Lee Soo-man looked at Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Clearly, he was asking knowingly.

But that was fine. Zhao Fusheng didn't mind. He glanced at Lee Soo-man indifferently and said, "Mr. Lee Soo-man, how is it? Is the position of SM representative comfortable?"

As soon as he said this, Lee Soo-man's face changed instantly.

Zhao Fusheng spoke in English, which Lee Soo-man understood.

Not only him, but everyone around who knew English also had their expressions shift dramatically.

Even among Song Qian's teammates, the two girls who understood English changed their expressions.

What to do? Having heard this, would Teacher Lee Soo-man hold a grudge?

The two girls looked at Song Qian, frantically seeking help.

Song Qian didn't understand English and had no idea what they were saying, but seeing everyone's grim faces, she knew this was troublesome.

With a flash of inspiration, she said to Lee Soo-man, "Teacher Lee Soo-man, there's a problem that needs your attention."

"What is it?"

Lee Soo-man was overjoyed and turned to Song Qian decisively.

He silently noted Song Qian's tactfulness.

"It's like this—we were filming an MV, and now sir wants us to accompany him for a walk..."

Song Qian then recounted what had just happened to Lee Soo-man.

Lee Soo-man frowned, then his gaze swept over Zhao Fusheng's face, and he made a decision in his heart.