Chapter 2306 Entanglement

These days, never take others for fools.

Because the more you think you're clever enough to fool everyone, the more likely you'll become a laughingstock in the eyes of others.

You see, in this era of diverse information, no matter what tricks you use, you might deceive people for a while, but you can never fool them forever.

When the secret is revealed, the one who loses face is definitely yourself.

Zhao Fusheng didn't want to be that kind of person, so he felt there was no need to deliberately deceive Xue Yuanfang.

Just call a spade a spade.

Someone approached me.

Zhao Fusheng said to Xue Yuanfang.

Oh?

Xue Yuanfang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, yet found it only natural.

After all, as one of the top executives of Future Group, he naturally knew about Zhao Fusheng's recent moves.

Under such circumstances, it would be strange if no one approached Zhao Fusheng.

Money moves hearts—this saying holds true no matter the time.

Especially for those who love wealth.

Xue Yuanfang was no exception.

However, he believed that a gentleman loves money but obtains it in a proper way.

Therefore, Xue Yuanfang was unwilling to engage in acts of extortion, because he felt doing so would make him seem low-class.

He was a real man through and through—how could he do something so tasteless and vulgar?

A true man knows what to do and what not to do.

Alright.

Actually, it was because Zhao Fusheng had cooperated with him very pleasantly before, and there had been no discord over the years. In Xue Yuanfang's view, he didn't need to make money that way.

Besides, having known Zhao Fusheng for so many years, if he really needed help, he believed Zhao Fusheng would definitely assist him.

He was quite confident about this.

"What, don't you find it strange?"

Zhao Fusheng glanced at Xue Yuanfang and asked with a smile.

Xue Yuanfang shrugged: "Nothing strange about it. As long as they're not idiots, they naturally won't miss this opportunity."

Zhao Fusheng was stunned.

Come to think of it, what this guy said was indeed true.

"So, what are your plans?"

Xue Yuanfang asked Zhao Fusheng.

"Any suggestions?"

Zhao Fusheng didn't answer his question but instead asked with a smile.

"Me?"

Xue Yuanfang thought for a moment and remained silent for a long time.

Clearly, he was hesitating.

After all, this matter was no small thing.

It was no exaggeration to say that once he gave Zhao Fusheng advice, it would mean this matter was connected to the Xue family.

In other words, this responsibility was a bit heavy, and Xue Yuanfang might not be able to bear it.

After all, Future Group was not some obscure company with few assets.

All the subsidiaries under Future Group combined had an absolutely staggering influence.

As for total assets, needless to say, a conservative estimate would certainly be over a hundred billion RMB.

Moreover, this was without counting Future Investment and Hanxing Investment.

Therefore, even Xue Yuanfang had to tread carefully in this matter.

"So, are you interested?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Xue Yuanfang and asked with a smile.

"What, you don't want to cooperate with them?"

Xue Yuanfang raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

He had originally thought that Zhao Fusheng might choose to compromise and cooperate with them.

But clearly, Zhao Fusheng seemed to have other plans.

"You know me."

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "The thing I dislike most is being threatened."

"They threatened you!"

Xue Yuanfang's expression suddenly changed, his entire demeanor turning serious, like a drawn sword, sharp and imposing.

After all, Zhao Fusheng was now his partner and also had many collaborations with the Xue family.

Those people could talk to Zhao Fusheng, but if they threatened him, it was as if they didn't take Xue Yuanfang seriously, and Xue Yuanfang would never allow that.

This was a matter of principle.

It was like two children fighting; casual quarrels were fine, but if one parent personally joined in and started cursing, that was intolerable.

Especially for Xue Yuanfang.

He had originally been the most useless playboy in the Xue family; frankly, in the family's eyes, as long as he idled away his days without causing trouble, that was his greatest contribution.

But now, thanks to his cooperation with Zhao Fusheng, his status in the family had soared, making him one of the most promising members of the third generation.

Under these circumstances, Future Group represented Xue Yuanfang's face.

That was why, when Sina offended Zhao Fusheng, Xue Yuanfang had flown into a rage.

And now, someone was openly threatening Zhao Fusheng; Xue Yuanfang could not tolerate it no matter what!

Seeing his reaction, Zhao Fusheng knew he must have misunderstood.

Although he hoped Xue Yuanfang would teach the people behind Jiang Ning a lesson, Zhao Fusheng also knew it was unnecessary to play the villain.

One was one, two was two.

No matter what, the truth was there; whatever he said was useless.

Besides, slandering others behind their backs was not Zhao Fusheng's style.

"Don't overthink it."

Zhao Fusheng explained to Xue Yuanfang: "It's not as dramatic as you think."

"Ah?"

Xue Yuanfang was taken aback: "What's going on?"

Zhao Fusheng felt a bit awkward but still told Xue Yuanfang about his meeting with Jiang Ning.

After a while, Xue Yuanfang's expression was quite amusing.

"You mean, she was seducing you?"

Xue Yuanfang said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng sighed: "Obviously, what do you think she meant?"

"Hahaha!"

Xue Yuanfang could no longer hold back; he was beside himself, laughing uncontrollably as he bent over.

To be honest, if the other party had directly threatened Zhao Fusheng, using violence or coercion, Xue Yuanfang would have immediately called someone to settle the score.

But instead, they sent a beautiful woman to seduce Zhao Fusheng!

Now that was interesting!

In fact, Xue Yuanfang had heard of Jiang Ning's name before.

After all, he was now a legend in the capital's playboy circles and naturally had a group of younger followers.

He had heard of some well-known figures from other circles.

The concept of circles runs through the five-thousand-year history of China.

Officials have their circles, novelists have theirs, people of all walks of life have their own circles, and even actors have circles that belong to them.

Classmates and fellow townsmen naturally band together, and some people even form a small circle after getting to know each other through a play.

For example, the group from the 1996 acting class of the Central Academy of Drama is a circle. Although it's not exactly an alliance of interests, at least they usually look out for each other and are willing to help old classmates when something comes up.

Of course, circles in the entertainment industry often change. For instance, right after graduation, everyone is young and not yet top stars, far from the point where a single move affects the whole situation. Once they achieve success and have their own friends, their circles naturally change.

After all, time is the easiest thing to change a person.

The same goes for the idle rich.

However, for someone like Xue Yuanfang, who is a high-level member of the idle rich, it's not easy to change his circle.

Unless the old patriarchs of the two families change, generally speaking, who hangs out with whom remains largely unchanged.

For example, most of the people around Xue Yuanfang are children of his family's patriarch or his uncle's faction. Since their elders are together, the younger generation naturally must stand united.

From a certain perspective, Xue Yuanfang knew the people behind Jiang Ning, but he wasn't familiar with them.

Because they weren't close.

At most, they would see each other often, greet each other with a smile, and that was it.

Well water and river water do not interfere with each other—that describes their relationship.

"Jiang Ning is a beauty."

After laughing for a while, Xue Yuanfang said to Zhao Fusheng, "If you like her, I think you can give it a try."

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes, feeling like ignoring this bastard.

This guy was just gloating.

What beauty!

Damn!

If he really did something with that Jiang Ning, she would probably make exorbitant demands and make his life miserable.

Zhao Fusheng was well aware of this.

He didn't think he had the charm to make a woman like Jiang Ning fall for him at first sight.

That was pure fantasy.

Zhao Fusheng still had self-awareness.

"Haha, look at you, I was just joking. Why are you reacting so strongly?"

Xue Yuanfang continued to tease Zhao Fusheng, shrugging, "I think you can actually consider this."

"Consider what?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned, looking at Xue Yuanfang in confusion.

"Not the makeup party. I'm not saying you should consider Jiang Ning; I'm saying you should consider bringing in some investors with status."

Xue Yuanfang said seriously to Zhao Fusheng, "At the very least, I think if you plan to list the Future Group's company, you'll inevitably have to deal with such people. Of course, I mean listing domestically."

Zhao Fusheng didn't speak; he naturally understood what Xue Yuanfang meant.

The Future Group's plate was too big, too big for Xue Yuanfang alone to handle.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Fusheng said, "I'll think about it some more."

Xue Yuanfang nodded: "Alright, I'll go back and discuss it with my family too."

Then he said to Zhao Fusheng, "But don't worry, even if we give them shares, they'll have to pay a sufficient price. Trying to get something for nothing is pure fantasy!"

He knew the character of those people all too well.

What those people liked most was to get something for nothing—not spending a cent, relying on some connections, and waiting to get dry shares and benefits.

In Xue Yuanfang's view, this kind of behavior was very low-class.

A gentleman loves wealth but obtains it in a proper way.

In Xue Yuanfang's worldview, people of his status, even if they wanted to make money, shouldn't use such predatory methods.

To use a common saying in the capital, that's called losing face!

On this point, Zhao Fusheng shared the same understanding.

"Tell me, how can those guys be so shameless?"

As he was leaving, Xue Yuanfang suddenly asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said, "Actually, they probably don't understand what true elites are."

Huh?

Xue Yuanfang was taken aback.

"Do you know about aristocratic families?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Xue Yuanfang.

Xue Yuanfang nodded.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

In fact, nowadays, including the Xue family, many large families in China are striving to become aristocratic families that have been passed down for hundreds of years or even longer.

But unfortunately, this is not easy to achieve.

Zhao Fusheng said calmly, "In their view, so-called aristocratic families mean accumulating enough wealth and power. But in reality, true aristocratic families are those that can act on behalf of heaven to protect the people and pass on the torch of civilization. That is the responsibility and duty of the world."

Zhao Fusheng didn't elaborate further. Acting on behalf of heaven to protect the people goes without saying—it includes ensuring they are well-fed, warmly clothed, living better, and free from suffering.

And passing on the torch of civilization encompasses everything: education, morality, thought, diet, culture, and every action.

In short, true elites lead a nation and a country forward, not stand on the backs of the entire nation and country, sucking blood in the name of public servants.

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Xue Yuanfang was silent for a long time.

He knew what Zhao Fusheng meant, but the problem was that some things, whether for him, Zhao Fusheng, or even his uncle, could not be changed.

Too cumbersome to manage.

Some things cannot be changed by one or two people.

It takes time and opportunity.

"I'm leaving."

Xue Yuanfang said nothing more and left directly.

Zhao Fusheng watched his back and shook his head helplessly.

He had been impulsive today, saying things he shouldn't have.

In the end, it was hard to accept!

After all, this was the empire he had built with hard work, and now someone wanted him to hand it over. It was impossible not to feel dissatisfied.

Zhao Fusheng's self-restraint hadn't reached the level of turning the other cheek.

…

…

"How did your talk with Xue Yuanfang go?"

Soon, Zheng Yao and Dong Chenxi came together.

They were naturally here about Zhao Fusheng's meeting with Xue Yuanfang.

After all, it concerned the company's future development.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly and said, "He's still hesitating."

"Hesitating?"

Zheng Yao frowned slightly, a bit surprised.

Dong Chenxi, on the other hand, seemed thoughtful.

It seemed she had vaguely guessed something.

"Don't rush."

Zhao Fusheng smiled at Zheng Yao and said, "Anyway, you're definitely going to retire, so why worry about so much?"

"You..."

Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng speechlessly.

She really couldn't understand how Zhao Fusheng could so easily make up his mind to give up the current situation and actually plan to retire.