Chapter 0515 Shameless

Momentum, sometimes, is really effective.

It's often said that the fierce fear the reckless, the reckless fear the impulsive, and the impulsive fear those who have nothing to lose—this is all about momentum.

Cao Gui, in war, advised his lord: 'At the first drum, morale rises; at the second, it flags; at the third, it is exhausted.' That too is about momentum.

Just like Zhao Fusheng now, standing there with an air of superiority, coldly staring at everyone in the room, coupled with his height and demeanor, everyone instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

After all, the last person who spoke had a wine bottle thrown at him, nearly smashing his head.

If this place were filled with burly men, Zhao Fusheng's actions would surely have gotten him beaten to a pulp. But today, those seated here were not men known for fighting; they were a bunch of pen-pushers, scheming all day in their offices.

In other words, as the saying goes, 'Scholars may rebel, but three years won't see success,' precisely because these people can only shout slogans and lack real ability.

Just like now, intimidated by Zhao Fusheng, everyone felt a bit daunted, and someone, after hesitating for a few seconds, was the first to head for the door.

Soon, only Bai Jie, Dong Chenxi, Zhao Fusheng, and Duan Xu remained in the room.

“You two, get out too,” Zhao Fusheng ordered Bai Jie and Dong Chenxi without turning his head.

Though he disliked cleaning up others' messes, they were his people. Even if he had to scold them, it would be after the matter was settled, not for that bastard Duan Xu to bully.

Bai Jie opened her mouth to speak, but Dong Chenxi cautiously tugged at her clothes and shook her head gently.

She knew Zhao Fusheng better than Bai Jie did, and could tell he was in a bad mood. Since he wanted to negotiate with Duan Xu, there must be things he didn't want others to overhear.

The two women left the room. The music had long since stopped. Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly at Duan Xu. “Director Duan, I presume? First meeting. I’m Zhao Fusheng.”

“Oh?” Duan Xu, now recovered from his initial shock, looked at Zhao Fusheng. “You’re from Future Advertising?”

“Well, sort of,” Zhao Fusheng nodded. He wouldn’t tell him he was the real boss of Future Advertising, but he needed an identity.

“Heh, I never expected Future Advertising to have such tactics,” Duan Xu sneered. “Do you know who you’ve provoked?”

He was now certain that this guy wasn’t some big playboy; otherwise, he wouldn’t be wasting words and would have just thrown a punch.

So Duan Xu began to show his fangs.

Zhao Fusheng looked at Duan Xu and shook his head helplessly. He had once thought that in this life, he wouldn’t need too much sorrow or too much joy—just live each day earnestly, take every step steadily, and be himself. If it rained, he’d retreat indoors, watch every moment a brilliant rainbow appeared, lie on the floor as a meteor streaked overhead, close his kind eyes warmly, and make a sincere wish.

But unfortunately, there were always some bastards who made him break his composure, like Duan Xu before him.

Perhaps the greatest skill of this mortal world is to erase the unruliness of the wild, grind down the pride of the arrogant, and extinguish the solitary defiance of the rebellious.

For Zhao Fusheng, this was a sad story—a story of wanting to be a good man but never getting what he sought.

“Director Duan, to an honest man, no need for beating around the bush. What do you want?” Zhao Fusheng asked calmly.

Duan Xu was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this guy to be so direct.

Though it was the year 2000 and social mores had changed, with people increasingly using material things to communicate and bond, Duan Xu had never encountered someone like Zhao Fusheng, who cut straight to the chase and asked what he wanted.

But now that they were alone, Duan Xu was fearless. He chuckled at Zhao Fusheng. “Didn’t expect you to be so sensible.”

Zhao Fusheng couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries. He walked over to a sofa, sat down, put his hand in his pocket, and stared coldly at Duan Xu. “You went to all this trouble harassing our company’s employees because you want something. Now you can name it.”

Duan Xu laughed heartily. “Good, a straightforward man. Then I won’t beat around the bush.”

“Two million, one price. I guarantee that no one will obstruct your Future Advertising’s ads on CCTV for a year. Also…” Duan Xu winked and snickered. “Those two outside—they have to spend a week with me.”

“Both? Together?” Zhao Fusheng was startled, looking at Duan Xu in surprise. “Your appetite seems a bit big.”

“Heh, those two are beauties—each has her own charm,” Duan Xu said with a grin. “I don’t know why, but I think if you trade them for a year of CCTV ads, you’re getting a good deal, aren’t you?”

In his eyes, Zhao Fusheng was probably the head of Future Advertising’s Beijing office, and Bai Jie and Dong Chenxi were just tools for public relations.

Zhao Fusheng stared coldly at Duan Xu, his face full of contempt.

Truly, a dog cannot change its habit of eating shit. He had this same demeanor in his past life, and still now. Such people probably never change, not in a thousand or ten thousand years.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng looked at Duan Xu seriously. “Director Duan, how about this: I can add more money, but let’s forget about the people.”

“Heh, do I look like someone who lacks money?” Duan Xu raised his head, smug. “Young man, in my position, there’s a line of people every day begging to treat me to dinner and give me money. To be honest, the price I offered you is already out of consideration for those two beauties.”

“And let me tell you, if you don’t agree…” Duan Xu’s face turned sinister. “Don’t blame me for being rude! I can guarantee that from now on, any ad your Future Advertising produces won’t air on CCTV!”

Zhao Fusheng frowned. Seeing this, Duan Xu thought his threat had worked and snickered. “What’s the big deal? They’re just two women. You can give them extra compensation later. Don’t worry—once we get to know each other, I won’t let you lose out.”

But Zhao Fusheng gently shook his head, gave Duan Xu a deep look, and said slowly, “No, it’s not that I can’t get over it. I’m just thinking—should I report you now, or tomorrow?”

With that, Zhao Fusheng stood up and looked at Duan Xu with pity, as if looking at a dead man.