Chapter 2347: The Meeting

People are not all the same.

Wu Sijie was well aware that compared to Dong Chenxi, his position in Zhao Fusheng's heart was definitely not the same.

To put it bluntly, Zhao Fusheng would go to war with Huayuan Real Estate and mobilize tens of billions of funds to deal with Cheng Zhi for the sake of Dong Chenxi and Zheng Yao.

But if the roles were reversed, Wu Sijie knew that Zhao Fusheng might not necessarily fall out with the Korean chaebols on his account.

Moreover, he was different from Liang Jingyu, who had been operating in Korea for many years, ever since he first came to set up Hanxing Investment. At the very least, Liang Jingyu was more familiar with Korea than he was.

As for himself, he was a parachuted appointee.

From that perspective, he was inherently at a disadvantage.

So Wu Sijie sought advice from Dong Chenxi on how to establish a foothold in Korea.

As one of the people who knew Zhao Fusheng best, Dong Chenxi undoubtedly had the authority to speak on this matter.

As it turned out, Dong Chenxi's advice was correct.

According to her, Zhao Fusheng's business in Korea was more about laying out a strategic plan.

To put it bluntly, a wily rabbit has three burrows; Korea was one of Zhao Fusheng's fallback options.

Therefore, as the person in charge, Wu Sijie didn't need to do anything earth-shattering. As long as he did his own job well, he would have fulfilled the task Zhao Fusheng had given him.

Zhao Fusheng was indeed quite satisfied with this.

Wu Sijie was capable, no doubt, but the problem was that Hanxing Investment in Seoul was not operating on home turf.

In Korea, the chaebols were powerful, with intricate and deeply entrenched networks of relationships.

To put it bluntly, people in such a place were not to be trusted.

If Zhao Fusheng were to trust Korean partners the way he trusted his people back home, he would never agree to it.

Even with Lee Boo-jin, despite their good personal relationship, Zhao Fusheng would not trust her in business.

Because no matter what, her surname was Lee, and she was the eldest princess of Samsung.

The concept of closeness and distance, though sometimes intangible, you have to admit it does exist.

"Chairman, something might happen at Lee Boo-jin's wedding this time."

At that moment, Wu Sijie said to Zhao Fusheng in a low voice.

"What? Isn't she marrying an actor?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He had sent people to inquire; the actor named Jung Woo-sung was a movie star, quite famous in Korea.

Back when he came to Korea with Jiang Wen, he seemed to have met the guy.

Of course, it was just a passing acquaintance.

But from what Wu Sijie was implying, it seemed there were other issues involved.

"He is an actor."

Wu Sijie explained to Zhao Fusheng: "But that actor is an artist under CJ. Recently, due to some inheritance issues after Mr. Lee Meng-hee's death, Samsung and CJ have been having a falling out."

"What does Lee Kun-hee say?"

Zhao Fusheng cut straight to the most critical question.

The attitudes of others didn't matter; what mattered was Lee Kun-hee's attitude.

No matter how capable Lee Jae-hyun was or how strong the support from the Son family, as long as Lee Kun-hee was still alive, they couldn't stir up much trouble.

Besides, according to the agreement back then, Samsung and CJ Group had swapped shares, and now the two sides were already deeply intertwined. To defeat Samsung and seize the initiative, relying solely on Lee Jae-hyun's family was definitely not enough.

"What, has someone contacted you?"

Zhao Fusheng thought of something and asked Wu Sijie.

Obviously, if no one had contacted him, Wu Sijie wouldn't have brought this up.

It seemed very likely that someone from CJ had reached out to him, hoping he could use Hanxing Investment's influence, and even further contact the Future Group headquarters, to lend a hand.

People are always like that, never satisfied at any time.

Sighing inwardly, Zhao Fusheng looked at Wu Sijie: "What do you think?"

Clearly, he intended to hear the opinion of his former secretary.

After all, Wu Sijie was now the helm of Hanxing Investment.

Wu Sijie naturally understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning. After thinking for a moment, he said to Zhao Fusheng: "Chairman, I think it's better for us to stay out of it."

"Oh?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback.

He was somewhat surprised, not expecting Wu Sijie to think that way.

"Heh, don't worry. With me here, even if you take some risks now, it'll be fine."

Thinking Wu Sijie was worried about his presence and afraid to take risks, Zhao Fusheng specifically added an explanation.

Unexpectedly, Wu Sijie still shook his head: "Chairman, it's not that I'm afraid to take risks. I just think that no matter how much Lee Jae-hyun and the others stir things up, including Lee Jae-yong and Lee Seo-hyun, they won't be able to make waves. We've seen it before, how the Lee Kun-hee brothers eliminated the destabilizing elements within Samsung and CJ."

After hearing his words, Zhao Fusheng nodded in satisfaction.

Wu Sijie had indeed grown over the years.

At the very least, if this had been in the past, his first reaction would have been to take a risk and try, after all, if he could gain profits, they would be substantial.

But now, he was considering so many factors.

This only showed that environment and time could indeed change a person, making them go from nothing to something, from weak to strong.

From ignorance to understanding.

"What, Chairman, am I wrong?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng silent, Wu Sijie hesitated and asked.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and waved his hand: "No, you're right."

Then he looked at Wu Sijie seriously and said: "Your thinking is correct. We are outsiders in Korea. The reason we have this situation now is that we previously exploited the contradictions among various forces and gained benefits. They are probably unhappy about it deep down."

Wu Sijie nodded in agreement.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant. Hanxing Investment's initial entry into Korea was because Zhao Fusheng planned to invest in some industries there.

The subsequent development took advantage of the contradictions between Samsung and CJ Group, and later, the Lee Kun-hee brothers tricked the Lotte Group and other chaebols, creating opportunities for Zhao Fusheng.

Now, with Lee Meng-hee's death and Lee Kun-hee's health deteriorating, many people were already dissatisfied with Hanxing Investment's position in Korea.

At this time, if they rashly got involved in the struggle between Samsung and CJ Group, they might be caught by the other side and suffer a loss.

If that happened, Wu Sijie could be sure that even Samsung, their current partner, might turn against them.

...

...

The motorcade soon arrived at an apartment building.

This time, Zhao Fusheng chose not to stay at a hotel but had Wu Sijie arrange an apartment in advance.

The entire apartment building was staffed by their people.

"Please rest first. We'll talk later."

Wu Sijie said respectfully to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Okay, I need to visit Lee Boo-jin tonight."

"No problem, I'll arrange it right away."

Although he didn't know why Zhao Fusheng was doing this, Wu Sijie still agreed.

This was not a difficult matter at all.

Even if Lee Boo-jin was getting married in a week, as long as Zhao Fusheng wanted to see her, she would definitely have time.

After all, that was Zhao Fusheng.

One of the super-rich who could be counted among the top in all of Asia now.

What Lee Boo-jin was most proud of was not being the eldest princess of Samsung, but that she could declare to the outside world that she and Zhao Fusheng were very good friends.

Zhao Fusheng watched Wu Sijie leave, then returned to his room.

He washed up, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep.

When he woke again, it was already past five in the afternoon.

"There's a phone call for you, from Ms. Lee Boo-jin."

Chen Qiuyan, as Zhao Fusheng's secretary, had come along this time.

She walked in with the phone and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and took the phone.

"What's up, want to see me tonight?"

Lee Boo-jin's hearty voice sounded on the other end of the line. It seemed she was in a good mood lately; even her voice carried a hint of happiness.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Yeah, how about it, Sister Boo-jin, do you have time?"

"Of course."

Lee Boo-jin nodded: "Then shall I await you at the Shilla Hotel?"

"Sure."

Zhao Fusheng naturally had no objections.

After all, there were only so many high-end venues in Seoul suitable for a meeting between people of their status.

Neither Lee Boo-jin nor Zhao Fusheng were the type to like being ostentatious.

So the Shilla Hotel was undoubtedly the most suitable place.

Soon, after setting a time, Zhao Fusheng put down the phone.

"Make preparations; we're going to the Shilla Hotel tonight."

Zhao Fusheng instructed Chen Qiuyan.

Chen Qiuyan quickly nodded in agreement, turned around, and went out to make arrangements.

Zhao Fusheng's security work here was also handled by Future Security.

But Wu Sijie had also arranged for local bodyguards in Korea on his end.

The two teams had a clear division of labor: the security team from Hanxing Investment handled perimeter security, while the team from Future Security was responsible for Zhao Fusheng's personal safety.

After all, his status was different; any mishap would be beyond what these people could bear.

To be honest, the more a society like Korea's, the more useful Zhao Fusheng's status as a wealthy man became.

After all, Koreans believed in winner-takes-all. In their view, the victor is king, the loser a bandit.

To Koreans, a successful person like Zhao Fusheng was practically an object of worship.

So, upon learning that the person they were to protect was the chairman of Future Group, the big shot who could cooperate with the Samsung Lee family, the Korean security team was incredibly excited.

Some even felt they should strive to perform well, hoping to catch the eye of that big shot and perhaps become someone above others, like Director Park Sun-young of Hanxing Investment.

…

…

Seeing Lee Boo-jin again, Zhao Fusheng could clearly feel that she was indeed very happy.

"Long time no see."

Lee Boo-jin gave Zhao Fusheng a light hug.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Yeah, I didn't expect that the next time we meet, I'd hear you're getting married."

Glancing at Jung Woo-sung standing beside her, Zhao Fusheng said with a smile: "I hope you don't choose the wrong person this time, Sister Boo-jin."

Jung Woo-sung felt a chill inside.

He had heard before that Zhao Fusheng and Lee Boo-jin had a good relationship, but he never expected they could speak to each other like this.

"I hope so. He treats me well, and I'm very satisfied."

Lee Boo-jin shrugged and gently pushed Zhao Fusheng's shoulder: "You, don't scare him."

She could understand why Jung Woo-sung was so nervous.

Not to mention him, even her younger brother Lee Jae-yong looked helpless when mentioning Zhao Fusheng.

After all, this guy was someone who could be compared to her own father.

"It's okay, I'm fine."

Unexpectedly, Jung Woo-sung said softly to Lee Boo-jin.

Then, he said to Zhao Fusheng: "Mr. Zhao, please have a seat. I'll go make arrangements."

With that, he stood up and left the room.

Neither humble nor pushy.

That was Zhao Fusheng's impression of this man.

"What do you think?"

Lee Boo-jin asked Zhao Fusheng casually.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Not bad."

"The most painful thing for people is to choose marriage at an age when they don't understand love, and then, at an age when they do understand love, meet someone they can't be with."

Lee Boo-jin looked at Zhao Fusheng and said calmly: "Some feelings are like that—taking a step forward is not allowed, but stepping back is hard to bear. Some people love but cannot have, some have but do not cherish, some forget but cannot let go, some let go but cannot forget."

Zhao Fusheng was startled.

He gave Lee Boo-jin a meaningful look but said nothing.

"How have you been lately? I heard you're planning to retire?"

Lee Boo-jin smiled and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yeah, I'm a bit tired. I don't plan to keep running the physical businesses anymore. I'll take the companies public and hand them over to others to manage."

He didn't hide his plans from Lee Boo-jin.

Lee Boo-jin hesitated for a moment, then said to Zhao Fusheng: "Do you think I could join in?"

"Oh? What, Sister Boo-jin wants to be a shareholder in Future Group's subsidiaries?"

Zhao Fusheng was a bit surprised at first, then laughed.

Lee Boo-jin nodded: "Yeah, consider it an investment. I have faith in your judgment."

"To be honest, I don't even plan to keep many shares myself."

Zhao Fusheng said frankly: "I'll let go of management rights for Future Advertising, Future Real Estate, and Future Film and Television. But as for Future Technology, Sister Boo-jin might consider investing. I'll keep shares in that company and remain the major shareholder."

Saying this much was already giving Lee Boo-jin face; if it were someone else, Zhao Fusheng certainly wouldn't have said such things.

Hearing his words, Lee Boo-jin's delicate brows furrowed slightly, then she broke into a smile: "Alright, I'll listen to you."

When it came to business, if it were anyone else, Lee Boo-jin might have entertained the idea of competing with them.

But with Zhao Fusheng, she quickly extinguished that thought of comparison.

Are you kidding? This guy was simply a monster.

Comparing with him was less practical than doing something useful.