Chapter 0667 Mother and Son

After chatting with his mother for a long time, Zhao Fusheng finally managed to cheer her up. Seeing that she had given up interrogating him and turned to watch her favorite TV dramas, he let out a long sigh of relief.

Sometimes you feel comfortable, smooth, and happy talking to someone, sharing many common points. It might not be because you are the same kind of people, but because the other person is smarter than you and knows how to go along with your conversation.

In simple terms, they know how to talk, making you feel at home.

But the problem is, either you don't do this at all, or you have to keep doing it consistently. Otherwise, you'll find that this person changes very quickly.

For example, if a guy is especially nice to a girl for a period and then suddenly the girl finds him becoming cold, it's highly likely that the girl was just one of his targets. He either has a new target or found some issue and gave up.

Of course, conversely, this also tells us never to do things just to please others that you cannot sustain in the long run. Otherwise, when one day you are exhausted and can no longer do it, others will not thank you for your previous efforts; instead, they will think all your past efforts were hypocritical.

In this era, for Zhao Fusheng, it was a huge arena, and the most terrifying thing in the arena was undoubtedly the state, the sword of Damocles.

Apart from the state, there were also fierce big shots like wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards hiding in the concrete jungle. Zhao Fusheng was like an ignorant youth wearing only underpants and holding a wooden stick, with no relatives to turn to.

At this moment, he absolutely could not use the stick to attack others, because the consequence would be being torn to pieces by the beasts swarming in an instant.

Zhao Fusheng could only quietly hide himself, like an observer, lurking in a corner, watching those beasts tear at each other.

The only thing he was smarter than these beasts about was knowing where the water source was, when it would rain, and when a storm would come.

Therefore, Zhao Fusheng only needed to quietly find a piece of land of his own, slowly build his home, and when the day came that he could stand up, he would make everyone take notice, even the state would not easily touch him.

As for now, whether it was playing coward or playing the grandson, surviving well was the most important thing.

Throughout history, those who truly survived were not the strong but the clever.

It is said that one force can overcome ten skills, but don't forget, no matter how strong you are, if you don't have enough to eat, you'll still get beaten.

Zhao Fusheng did not want to be beaten; he just wanted to live well and happily.

Dad was not coming home tonight; Zhao Fusheng had learned from his mother that, according to her, Dad had basically agreed to Zhao Fusheng's suggestion and had discussed it with Chen Hai and others, planning to negotiate with the municipal party committee according to Zhao Fusheng's plan.

"Son, do you think someone is deliberately trying to mess with your dad?" Zhao's mother asked while watching TV.

Ever since she learned that her son had great achievements in advertising planning, she stubbornly believed that he must be a genius; otherwise, how could he have written so many creative advertising plans?

Since he was a genius, he could surely discern who was bad and who was good.

Facts proved that Mom was overthinking.

But Zhao Fusheng, relying on his two lifetimes of life experience, pondered for a moment and said to his mother, "Mom, for Dad, this is actually an opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Zhao's mother was puzzled. Obviously, she didn't understand how this big problem that could almost bankrupt their family could be a good opportunity for her husband in her son's eyes.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: "Mom, think about it. If we do this project well, we will own two prime commercial locations in the city center—Qiu Lin Company and Wanda Commercial Building. How big could Dad's business become?"

"Hmm, that's true..." Zhao Ma nodded thoughtfully.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's words had sunk in.

But then she frowned: "According to you, this isn't really an opportunity. Your father's business has been growing bigger and bigger anyway."

She was an ordinary housewife, true, but she wasn't stupid. Their own Wanda Commercial Plaza was doing better and better. According to her husband's original plan, they were going to expand into other markets next year. Now, with this incident, perhaps the expansion plan would be canceled.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "It's different. Our family's business before was just a major taxpayer to those officials in charge. But after this incident, my dad essentially solved a big problem for the city. How do you think those officials will view our company now?"

"How will they view it?" Zhao Ma looked at her son strangely, not understanding what he meant.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly. His mother really was insensitive to politics.

With a sigh, he explained to her the principle that doing a hundred good deeds for a leader is not as good as doing one bad deed with him.

"Mom, that's how officialdom works. Giving a leader ten gifts is not as good as wiping his ass once," Zhao Fusheng said seriously. "The reason my dad was able to build a relationship with that mayor before was because he needed political achievements to shine. But this time, as you saw, when we had trouble, he didn't say a word. Why? Because this matter is also a political achievement. But for those officials, if they can solve a problem left by their predecessor, that's an achievement. If they can't, they lose nothing. Do you understand?"

"None of those officials are good people. They just want to use our family as a stepping stone," Zhao Ma said indignantly after Zhao Fusheng's explanation.

Zhao Fusheng sighed but said nothing.

Doing business in China has always been like this. Since ancient times, Chinese merchants have never held a high status; in short, they are the moneybags of those in power. When short of money, they just pick a few merchants to slaughter, and everything is settled.

Although modern government is much more civilized, in reality, the common people have their own scales when it comes to understanding the relationship between officials and merchants.

"Once your dad has saved up enough money, we'll emigrate..." Mom muttered, clearly quite fixated on going abroad.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Mom, don't let your imagination run wild. Emigrate? You think life abroad is so great? Without money, you can't even take a step there."

He wasn't joking. Many Chinese people think the moon is rounder abroad, but in reality, immigrant life isn't as rosy as imagined. Not to mention the high costs, just the customs, language, and food are enough to deter many.

Most people are misled by movies and some biased propaganda, believing life abroad is more comfortable, even washing dishes is better than at home.

In fact, there are poor people abroad too, and their lives are worse than those at home.

"Then I'll just stay home," Mother said, blinking, looking resigned after hearing Zhao Fusheng's words.

Clearly, her son's words had scared her a bit.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Don't overthink it. Just enjoy life with Dad from now on. Baby and I will work hard, and later you can take your grandchildren traveling around the world—how great is that?"

"That's good, that's good."

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Mom's face lit up with joy. She hadn't paid much attention to most of what her son said, but those last few words struck her as golden advice.

"Everything else is empty. You two getting married soon and giving me a grandson—that's the real deal!" Mom said earnestly, instructing Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, not expecting his casual remark to be taken seriously by his mother.

Thinking about the future nagging to get married and have kids, Zhao Fusheng suddenly felt his prospects weren't so bright.