Chapter 0905: All Hearts Are Greedy

From a certain perspective, Zhao Fusheng felt that he and Wang Zhonglei were the same kind of people—both had set making money as their life goal. However, there would always be a gap between one's ambition and one's achievements. Some people's ambitions far exceeded their accomplishments, like Zhao Fusheng in his previous life.

And some people were only one step away from their goal.

For example, Wang Zhonglei at present.

Zhao Fusheng had to admit that Wang Zhonglei had a good business sense. Although the internet sector was currently in a downturn, if he persisted, there was still a good chance.

To be precise, it was about finding the right investment project.

"President Wang, if I may be blunt, what do you think is the development trend of the internet now?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Wang Zhonglei.

Wang Zhonglei was taken aback, furrowed his brow, and after a moment of deliberation, replied to Zhao Fusheng, "I feel it should be moving toward entertainment."

"Be more specific." Zhao Fusheng was clearly not satisfied with this answer.

"To be honest, I personally feel that the internet is still in the technical stage, still far from ordinary people's lives. But I think the overall trend should be toward entertainment. Maybe one day, we can all sit at home and watch movies and TV shows on our computers," Wang Zhonglei said with a smile, then shook his head. "My brother says I'm daydreaming, but I really believe that computers have the potential to enter every household."

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, not expecting Wang Zhonglei to have such insight.

After all, although many people were optimistic about the internet, few had thought about the direction of entertainment. Zhao Fusheng knew very well that the entertainment-oriented internet was indeed a future development trend.

At least in Zhao Fusheng's memory, twenty years later, the internet had become a focal point in most people's lives. People used their phones to watch movies and videos, check on friends, and send WeChat messages. Even on the subway or bus, everyone had their heads down, constantly tapping on their screens.

But that scene was probably unimaginable to people now, after all, the internet was still too far removed from ordinary people's lives.

"Uh, did I say something wrong?" Wang Zhonglei asked curiously, seeing that Zhao Fusheng was silent.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and gently shook his head. "No, I think what you said makes a lot of sense."

"Really?" Wang Zhonglei's eyes lit up. Even someone like him felt quite excited to receive such recognition.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "To be honest, I also think the future development of the internet might exceed our imagination."

Then, looking at Wang Zhonglei with a half-smile, he said, "President Wang, are you planning to invest in the internet?"

Wang Zhonglei laughed and nodded. "Yes, money sitting idle is useless. Only by spending it can you continue to make money."

Zhao Fusheng didn't believe him at all. Wang Zhonglei was a pure businessman; friendship meant nothing in his eyes. Only profit mattered.

Coming to him out of the blue, talking about the internet with a sentimental air—ha, no matter how Zhao Fusheng thought about it, he found it ridiculous.

But regardless, there was no conflict of interest between the Wang brothers and himself for now, so there was no need to keep them at arm's length.

"If President Wang is interested, you could invest in Shengda Technology," Zhao Fusheng suggested after a moment.

"Shengda Technology?"

Wang Zhonglei frowned. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't recall much about it.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "It's the company I invested in. Its valuation has now exceeded five hundred million RMB."

Hearing this, Wang Zhonglei was stunned.

If he remembered correctly, when Jiang Wen or someone mentioned it during a meal, they said Zhao Fusheng had invested no more than five million RMB in that company for a little over ten percent stake.

That meant Zhao Fusheng's five million had turned into fifty million?

At that thought, Wang Zhonglei's eyes lit up. Zhao Fusheng before him suddenly seemed like a golden money-dispensing boy. With such a high return on investment, President Wang felt he had to get a piece of the action.

"Fusheng, do you mean you want me to join in?" Wang Zhonglei looked at Zhao Fusheng eagerly, as if waiting for him to nod.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "I can't say for sure. You know, internet companies are risky. They might be thriving today and collapse like dominoes tomorrow. Although Shengda's prospects are good now, I can't guarantee it will make money."

Pausing, as if hesitating or struggling, Zhao Fusheng sighed. "And to be honest, I really hate to part with my shares. After all, it's a lot of money."

Wang Zhonglei nodded vigorously. "You're right. The internet sector is indeed too risky."

As a seasoned investor who had followed the internet since its entry into China, Wang Zhonglei knew well that the internet bubble was huge. A company could rise rapidly today on a concept and fall into despair tomorrow over a trivial matter. Moreover, internet companies were essentially money-burning machines; those with insufficient funds couldn't afford to play.

An investment of five million like Zhao Fusheng's was nothing in the internet world. A valuation exceeding five hundred million was nothing short of a miracle.

That was why Wang Zhonglei's heart raced. As a thorough businessman, he didn't want to miss a money-making opportunity.

"President Wang, how about this: you discuss it with your brother, and if you're willing to invest, we can have a good talk," Zhao Fusheng said to Wang Zhonglei with a smile.

Wang Zhonglei was startled. Instinct told him that what Zhao Fusheng said was very important.

The reason was simple: if Zhao Fusheng intended to let him invest, there would be no need to mention Wang Zhongjun. After all, Wang Zhonglei had already stated that he was only planning to invest privately for fun.

But now, judging by Zhao Fusheng's demeanor, he clearly intended to cooperate with the Wang brothers.

Cooperation and letting him invest were two completely different concepts.

Wang Zhonglei understood this, but he also knew that the former could bring him greater benefits, while the latter was at most a tip Zhao Fusheng gave him out of their good relationship.