Chapter 71: Full of Confidence

Sitting in the taxi back to school, Zheng Yao cautiously glanced at Zhao Fusheng's expression, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Maybe we should withdraw from the bidding?"

In her view, this so-called bidding was probably just a gimmick cooked up by Zhu Yushi. Perhaps he had already arranged everything with some well-known advertising agency, and the whole process would be a mere formality. Companies like Future Advertising were just pawns for his publicity stunt.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head gently. "No need. We'll participate."

"Participate?" Zheng Yao didn't quite understand Zhao Fusheng's intention. To her, it was clearly a farce with a predetermined outcome—why bother taking part?

Zhao Fusheng's expression was calm as he looked at Zheng Yao. "I told you, since Zhu Yushi chose a different path, he must be prepared to pay the price for it."

Zheng Yao was taken aback. She sensed a chill in Zhao Fusheng's eyes.

Or rather, she clearly felt that when Zhao Fusheng said these words, his attitude was very serious, yet devoid of any emotion.

In other words, he wasn't angry about being deceived by Zhu Yushi, nor was he upset about being underestimated. In fact, Zhao Fusheng's reaction seemed more like one of great confidence.

Actually, Zheng Yao's perception was not wrong.

At this moment, Zhao Fusheng was indeed in a state of great confidence, because he knew very well that in the field of advertising, he possessed strengths that others simply did not have.

In other words, no matter what tricks Zhu Yushi played, as long as he was willing, he could force him to lower his proud head.

Originally, Zhao Fusheng had planned to cooperate with him in a gentle manner. After all, Zhu Yushi was a legendary figure in China's business world, and forging a good relationship might not be a bad thing. But now, Zhao Fusheng realized that in the other's eyes, he might not hold such a high status.

Sometimes we habitually think that in others' eyes, we should be regarded as friends or equal partners.

But in reality, you may treat someone as a friend, but they may not see you as a brother.

It is often this difference in perception that leads to miscommunication, and subsequently to various conflicts and problems.

Now Zhao Fusheng faced such an issue. He thought he could negotiate with Zhu Yushi on equal terms, but in fact, the man had neither him nor Future Advertising in his eyes.

But that's okay!

Since he didn't take us seriously, we'll make sure he remembers us.

Sometimes, it's not only friends who leave a deep impression; an enemy can do the same.

Turning his head to look at the city receding outside the taxi window, a cold smile curled at the corner of Zhao Fusheng's mouth. Ten years from now, most of the old buildings in this city would be demolished. As the iron-and-concrete monsters rampaged, the entire city would develop toward becoming a modern metropolis. By then, he believed Zhu Yushi would know what the four characters 'Future Advertising'—or rather, the three characters 'Zhao Fusheng'—meant.

"I'll give you the proposal later. We'll attend Zhu Yushi's bid invitation meeting," Zhao Fusheng said calmly to Zheng Yao. "I recall there's a copyright protection law, isn't there?"

Having carefully studied the differences between this world and the one he originally came from, Zhao Fusheng was startled to find that the biggest difference was the earlier emergence of copyright laws here.

The state's protection of patents had reached an astonishing level. Any work—be it a novel, film, song, advertising proposal, or product—as long as you could prove its originality, was strictly protected by law.

Zhao Fusheng was very pleased and delighted by this. He suddenly looked forward to seeing the expression on Zhu Yushi's face when he saw his proposal.

"Well, right, I'm planning to register a company and hire a few more people." Zheng Yao suddenly suggested to Zhao Fusheng. Now that the company had gained recognition through the advertisement for Runshengyuan Qingzui Hantang Tablets, it no longer seemed appropriate to keep a tiny office like before.

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly: "No need to rush. Let's wait until we secure this deal."

In his view, Zheng Yao's idea was a bit too hasty, or rather, not calm enough.

A company's strength has never been determined by the size of its office or the number of its employees. What truly decides the rise and fall of an advertising company has always been creativity.

After graduating from university back then, Zhao Fusheng had been starting businesses outside, drifting in Beijing, venturing into Shanghai, and heading south to Guangzhou. He had tried almost every industry that could make money. Naturally, he had come across countless so-called successful people, listening to them talk eloquently and maneuver strategically. But years later, what left the deepest impression in his mind was a business management course he had overheard while trying to pick up girls at the Shanghai Institute of Finance and Economics.

That day, the speaker was an alumnus who had graduated from the finance college only a few years earlier. Since the school was not a key institution like a 985 or 211 university, whenever it produced a successful alumnus, it naturally went all out to promote him. Hundreds of people sat in the auditorium, the boys full of envy, the girls shy and demure, their eyes all fixed tightly on the man standing on the podium.

At that moment, Zhao Fusheng seemed to understand a little what true success meant.

When studying, one might amaze the crowd on the football field or sing a song at a singing competition and receive loud cheers, but after the cheers, everything eventually returns to calm.

But that day, that man merely stood there and flashed a smile, and it caused an uproar. Especially the girls nearby, who wished they could rush up and hug and kiss that senior, who was said to have graduated only five years ago and already had a net worth exceeding one billion.

And if Zhao Fusheng's sources were correct, when that man left the school, there were at least two so-called campus beauties sitting in his car.

The victor is king, the loser is a bandit.

These were the eight words Zhao Fusheng had summarized from that man's so-called success experience.

So Zhao Fusheng wasn't really bothered by Zhu Yushi's tactics, because the other party's approach was actually what a truly mature businessman would use.

In business, act as a businessman. Since the other party was willing to solve the problem using business methods, Zhao Fusheng was equally willing to respond in the same way.

"Are you that confident?"

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Zheng Yao asked in confusion.

She really didn't understand. Future Advertising was at best a child who had just learned to speak, while the other advertising companies Zhu Yushi had contacted were all large firms that had proven their capabilities before. In other words, if not for the success of the Qingzui Hantang Tablets advertisement this time, Future Advertising might not even have had a chance to compete.

It's simple: people are realistic. If you have no strength, why would they bother with you?

"Wait and see." Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao.

No matter what he said now, he figured others would think he was just being stubborn. The only thing that could prove himself was the facts.

Zhao Fusheng understood this principle well, because in his previous life he had seen too many such things. Before things were truly settled, people often went through all kinds of entanglements and doubts, until the end, when the results were laid before them, they would believe.

"Alright, suit yourself." Zheng Yao nodded, but inside she was still somewhat uncertain. However, since Zhao Fusheng insisted, as a partner, she had no choice.

But in her heart, Zheng Yao had already decided to send Qin Wentao and Bai Jie to the capital for that bidding meeting, while she herself would stay behind to contact new advertisers. That way, even if the bid for Brain Gold failed, they would still have new business coming in, and at least Zhao Fusheng wouldn't lose too much face.

If Zhao Fusheng knew what Zheng Yao was thinking, he would definitely shake his head with a bitter smile. Sometimes life is like this: the more you tell the truth, the more others think you're just putting up a front to save face.

But in reality, true strong ones never bother with putting up a front, because strength crushes everything.