Chapter 2340: Backing Down

Of course, even without cooperating with Son Masayoshi, Zhao Fusheng still admired the former world's richest man's abilities.

A wolf travels a thousand miles to eat meat; a dog travels a thousand miles to eat shit.

Gold shines wherever it goes.

A figure like Boss Sun would never lack supporters.

Soon, Zhao Fusheng heard the news: Son Masayoshi had raised another large sum of funds.

Still good at spinning tales.

When Zhao Fusheng learned of this, he muttered to himself.

What?

Chen Qiuyan, who was beside him, asked in confusion.

Nothing.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand; this remark was just his grumbling, no need to tell anyone.

Chen Qiuyan found it strange but didn't press further.

As a secretary, no matter how strange the boss's words, one must learn to act as if they didn't hear them.

A secretary who couldn't even do that would be utterly unqualified.

At that moment, they were already seated on the plane back home.

After all, matters in the US were settled; next, they naturally had to focus on domestic affairs.

Of course, that was the official version.

In truth, Zhao Fusheng simply missed home.

With his wife and children back home, he naturally didn't want to waste time in the US.

So, after ending his meeting with Son Masayoshi, Zhao Fusheng chose to return home.

Since there was nothing here requiring his attention, it was time to go home; staying abroad was too boring.

…

…

Back in China, Zhao Fusheng truly set aside all those messy affairs and spent his days with his child.

Fan Baobao and others advised him to go out for a walk when he had nothing to do.

But Zhao Fusheng refused them all.

In his own words, he was already financially free, so why should he still work so hard?

Once he said that, others found it hard to argue.

Just as he said, he was already financially free and truly didn't need to struggle anymore.

Thus, Zhao Fusheng continued his semi-retired life.

While he was so leisurely, others couldn't stand it.

Huayuan Real Estate was nearly being toyed with to death.

Even knowing someone was deliberately causing trouble, they had to repeatedly pour money into the stock market to support it, like a strategy of adding fuel to the fire.

And Ren Zhi, under immense pressure, was feeling terrible.

That bastard!

Ren Zhi stared angrily at the computer in front of him, helplessly wanting to curse.

He really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to choose such a boring way to get back at him.

They say a gentleman takes revenge, even if it takes ten years.

But the problem was, Zhao Fusheng's method of revenge was far from gentlemanly.

To put it bluntly, it was downright petty.

Relying on having more liquid capital, he recklessly stirred up trouble in the stock market.

Utterly shameless!

Thinking of this, Ren Zhi's anger surged.

To be honest, after so many years of ups and downs in business, he had never suffered such a loss, being suppressed like this.

Without even the strength to fight back!

This is utterly detestable!

"Chairman, the bank's representative has been contacted."

The secretary walked in and said softly to Ren Zhi.

Things had come to this point. To maintain the company's continued healthy development, he had to invite the bank to discuss a loan. Otherwise, the company's growth would face great difficulties in the future. This was probably the reason Zhao Fusheng had been persistently doing this all along.

His goal was to fundamentally cripple Huayuan Real Estate.

Soon, Ren Zhi appeared at a dinner party.

Glasses clinked, toasts were exchanged.

Of course, every word revolved around money.

When a company wants to get a loan from a bank—especially a real estate company—the room for manipulation is enormous.

This was especially true for a large real estate company like Huayuan Real Estate.

This was where Ren Zhi's confidence lay.

If you, Zhao Fusheng, had the guts, go ahead and fight the bank.

I can keep getting loans from the bank.

After all, it's the bank's money. Even if I lose, it doesn't matter.

Ren Zhi dismissed Zhao Fusheng's logic with contempt.

In Chinese business, not dealing with banks and relying solely on a company's own funds was something only fools would do.

Using bank loans to make money—that was what a true businessman should do.

...

...

Although Zhao Fusheng didn't know the specifics of Ren Zhi's recent frequent meetings with bank executives, he could guess.

"How's it going now?"

In the office of Future Investment, Zhao Fusheng asked Dong Chenxi.

"Not bad."

Dong Chenxi shrugged, looking at the documents in her hand without raising her head, and asked Zhao Fusheng, "Aren't you at home watching the kids? How come you have time to come to the company?"

Hearing her words, Zhao Fusheng felt a bit awkward.

"Well, I thought you've been working hard lately, so I came to show my appreciation and take you out to eat."

"Heh..."

Dong Chenxi gave him a look that said 'figure it out yourself' and remained silent.

This guy always liked to beat around the bush.

"Haha, what's with you?"

Zhao Fusheng said helplessly to Dong Chenxi, "If you see through it but don't call it out, we can still be friends. If you call everything out, how can we chat? You'll kill the conversation."

Dong Chenxi couldn't even be bothered to mock him.

"I say, boss, if you have something to say, say it. If not, just leave. I'm still reading documents here."

Dong Chenxi said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Alright, alright, let's talk business then."

"That's more like it."

Dong Chenxi nodded: "Go ahead, are you planning to back off?"

She was referring, of course, to Huayuan Real Estate.

Zhao Fusheng grunted: "Stop it."

"Did someone put pressure on you?"

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Dong Chenxi's brows furrowed slightly as she asked.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, not intending to hide it from her, and said, "The old man on their side sent word for us to back off."

Dong Chenxi's expression immediately changed.

The old man on Ren Zhi's side was no ordinary figure—a true heavyweight. Since someone like that had spoken, as Zhao Fusheng said, they had to stop.

That was the rule!

And he was the one who made the rules.

Minor skirmishes were fine, but when it came to fundamental interests, disobedient children would have to be spanked.

Zhao Fusheng certainly didn't want to be on that kind of person's radar.

If that really happened, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Zhao Fusheng was just a small-time nobody.

He was afraid of death, very afraid.

Going out of his way to help others—that was something Zhao Fusheng neither dared nor was willing to do.

So he came to find Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi also understood what Zhao Fusheng meant and quickly agreed to his decision.

…

…

Ren Zhi knew nothing of Zhao Fusheng's decision; he was still busy raising funds.

What happened next caught Ren Zhi off guard.

Future Investment had actually backed off!

Soon, he learned that his father-in-law had stepped in and passed word to Zhao Fusheng's side, telling them to stop.

So Ren Zhi stormed back home in a rage.

He naturally didn't dare lose his temper with his father-in-law; instead, he confronted his wife.

"Why?"

Ren Zhi asked his wife in confusion, "Did Dad intervene?"

His wife nodded: "He told me to tell you to stop making a scene. It's not good for you or for us."

With that, she turned and walked out the door without another word.

Leaving Ren Zhi standing there, silently lost in thought.

If there was anyone in the world who could make Ren Zhi tread carefully, it was his father-in-law.

That man was truly someone standing at the pinnacle of power.

The fact that he had warned him about this matter made Ren Zhi quickly adjust his attitude.

He could ignore what others said and stubbornly stick to his own views.

But when it came to his father-in-law's words, he had to listen obediently.

Because he knew very well that without the old man, he would be nothing.

"Looks like that guy really can't be messed with."

Ren Zhi muttered to himself, sitting in his study.

Then he decisively picked up the phone and instructed his secretary: "Prepare a generous gift and send it to Future Group, to Ms. Zheng Yao. Remember, it must be generous!"

The secretary was stunned on the other end. What did this mean?

Yesterday he was trying to get a loan from the bank to defeat them, and today he's sending gifts—was he admitting defeat?

But it was the boss's order, and he had no choice. After confirming that Ren Zhi wasn't being sarcastic, the secretary promptly caved and prepared a gift for Zheng Yao as instructed.

Soon, Zhao Fusheng received a call from Zheng Yao.

"Ren Zhi sent me a gift, saying it's an apology."

Zheng Yao laughed at Zhao Fusheng: "What's this, did you push him to the edge?"

She thought this was Zhao Fusheng's doing.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Nothing to do with me. I guess he figured things out."

"Ah?"

Zheng Yao was slightly surprised.

She hadn't expected this to be Ren Zhi's own idea.

Then she realized she had underestimated these big shots.

After all, he was a legitimate big businessman; if he didn't know how to make amends when backing down, he'd be too foolish.

"Accept it."

Zhao Fusheng said with a smile: "Ren Zhi is a smart man after all."

Zheng Yao naturally understood what he meant, nodded, and said no more.

Hanging up the phone, Zhao Fusheng showed a satisfied smile.

Since Ren Zhi chose to bow his head and admit defeat, he naturally wouldn't pursue it further.

Moreover, since the old man had stepped in, he had to give face.

As the saying goes, the common people don't fight with officials—Zhao Fusheng understood this well.

Unless he was crazy, he would definitely keep within certain limits; otherwise, if he really pushed Ren Zhi too far and the latter used official power against him, it would become a troublesome matter.

So Zhao Fusheng certainly wouldn't allow that to happen.

He never intended to completely destroy Huayuan Real Estate.

At least, not now.

…

…

A couple of days later, Xue Yuanfang came to visit in person.

"You're pretty ruthless, aren't you?"

Xue Yuanfang said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "I don't like hearing that. I didn't do anything."

"Hah, as if I'd believe you."

Xue Yuanfang didn't believe a word Zhao Fusheng said.

With the stock price of Huayuan Real Estate fluctuating so wildly recently, Xue Yuanfang certainly didn't believe there was no behind-the-scenes manipulation by Zhao Fusheng.

He knew Zhao Fusheng too well—this guy was the type to quietly dig a pit for someone, then bury them without mercy.

Regarding this matter, Xue Yuanfang could even bet that if Old Man Wang hadn't stepped in, Zhao Fusheng might have driven Ren Zhi to bankruptcy.

"You and I are familiar, but I'll still sue you for defamation."

Zhao Fusheng said to Xue Yuanfang seriously: "Future Investment has no interest in Huayuan Real Estate. Of course, all our operations in the financial market are conducted in compliance with national laws and regulations, right?"

Holy crap!

Looking at him, Xue Yuanfang felt a chill run down his spine.

This guy was too ruthless!

"So, did you come to sound me out?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Xue Yuanfang casually.

After all, it was Xue Yuanfang who had called him to convey the Wang family's intentions, and now he was playing dumb—how hypocritical.

Xue Yuanfang shrugged: "Their side told me to let you know that this matter ends here. What you've earned is yours, and from now on, we'll keep our distance."

Then he smiled: "To be honest, the younger generation of the Wang family really admires you. After all, Ren Zhi has always been arrogant."

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback; he hadn't expected there to be more to the story.

But he had no interest in such boring gossip. He shook his head and said nothing more.

"By the way, what are you planning next?"

Xue Yuanfang asked Zhao Fusheng: "Is Future Investment interested in the domestic..."

"Hold on."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand directly, not giving Xue Yuanfang a chance to continue: "Impossible. Future Investment won't focus its main efforts on the financial market."

What a joke!

Even if Zhao Fusheng had water in his brain, he wouldn't let his company get involved in the domestic financial market.

Occasionally taking a bite out of Huayuan Real Estate was one thing, but if he actually entered the market, he'd likely be taken for a ride.

Zhao Fusheng really didn't dare to overestimate the competence of certain people.

"Alright."

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's reaction, Xue Yuanfang knew there was no need to continue.

Because no matter what he said, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't be interested.

"I knew it."

Xue Yuanfang said frankly to Zhao Fusheng: "I told them you definitely wouldn't be interested, but they wouldn't believe me."

He was acting on someone else's request; otherwise, given his personality, he definitely wouldn't have come to ask Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, understanding Xue Yuanfang's position—after all, everyone has times when they have no choice.

Especially in his position, often many things couldn't be done as he pleased.

Even Zhao Fusheng could understand that.