Chapter 0910 Official Signing

"Do you really think Huayi is promising?" Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng on the way out.

In fact, even she hadn't known exactly what relationship Zhao Fusheng had with Shanda Technology until today, when Zhao Fusheng finally admitted that he now held nearly thirteen percent of Shanda's shares.

In other words, based on the current valuation alone, Zhao Fusheng's initial investment of four million had at least multiplied tenfold.

That was even higher than the total value of Future Advertising.

Indeed, as Future Advertising had developed to this point, Zheng Yao couldn't guarantee that the company's total value had reached a hundred million; at most, it was just tens of millions.

After all, while advertising was profitable, it was far behind the rapidly changing prices of the internet.

Most importantly, advertising was a physical industry, while the internet industry was virtual, making it hard to compare their pros and cons.

But Zheng Yao never expected that Zhao Fusheng would think so highly of Huayi Brothers, willing to exchange his Shanda Technology shares for Huayi Brothers shares.

Hearing Zheng Yao's question, Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly: "Curious, aren't you?"

"Hmm, are you planning to pave the way for Chenxi and the others?" Zheng Yao asked curiously. In her view, that was the most reasonable explanation; otherwise, Zhao Fusheng had no reason to approach Huayi Brothers instead of investing in Future Film.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng gave Zheng Yao a strange look, then laughed: "Since when did you become so nosy?"

"It's not nosiness, I'm just curious." Zheng Yao couldn't be bothered to acknowledge his obvious jab and said to Zhao Fusheng, "Although Huayi is doing well now, the existence of Wang Jinghua and the various factions within Huayi have always been a big problem in my eyes, especially Wang Jinghua. After what happened with Baobao last time, I think it's only a matter of time before Huayi and Wang Jinghua part ways. When that happens and so many stars leave, do you think Huayi can still be as formidable as it is now?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded. He had to admit that Zheng Yao's analysis was quite good and basically aligned with most people's thinking.

But she had overlooked a very important issue.

"Do you know what matters most in the entertainment industry?" Zhao Fusheng suddenly asked Zheng Yao.

Hearing this question, Zheng Yao was visibly startled. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "Connections? Background?"

In her view, without connections and background, it was very difficult for a star to establish a foothold in the entertainment industry, let alone make a name for themselves.

After all, there were so many actors now, and producers could use just about anyone.

Unless they were top-tier stars, ordinary actors were pretty much the same in the eyes of producers.

That was why Wang Jinghua held such a high status; she had a large number of stars under her control, meaning her resources and connections were highly influential.

"That way of thinking used to be correct," Zhao Fusheng said calmly. "But in the future, it might not be."

"Times have changed. It used to be about talent and connections; in the future, it will be about looks and money." Zhao Fusheng's voice carried a hint of melancholy, as if tinged with a touch of sorrow, but Zheng Yao could tell he was serious.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng was indeed serious, because the entertainment industry was rapidly moving toward an era where capital reigned supreme, and the power of money was gradually eroding the circle.

Or rather, not just the entertainment industry—the entire society was heading in that direction.

After saying those few words, Zhao Fusheng fell silent, and Zheng Yao didn't press further. Regardless, Zhao Fusheng was the company's owner, and all Zheng Yao could do was follow his instructions while ensuring the company ran smoothly.

A week later, Wang Zhongjun sent word that he agreed to Zhao Fusheng's request, willing to exchange ten percent of Huayi Brothers' equity for five percent of Shanda Technology's equity. However, they would only pay twelve million in cash.

After much deliberation, Zhao Fusheng agreed to Wang Zhongjun's terms.

Although the cash amount was somewhat small, combined with the advertising planning fee he had previously received for the Mercedes-Benz sedan, it should be enough to complete the plan he had in mind.

Before signing, he first called Chen Tianqiao to inform him of his intention to transfer the shares. Chen Tianqiao was quite surprised, thinking Zhao Fusheng planned to cooperate with someone else. But after Zhao Fusheng explained the whole story, Chen Tianqiao was utterly baffled.

It was hard for Chen Tianqiao to understand why Zhao Fusheng would exchange shares in the thriving Shanda Technology for shares in Huayi Brothers.

Fortunately, the Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei brothers were purely investing and had no intention of interfering in Shanda's operations or management, so Chen Tianqiao could rest assured.

Compared to the social climate twenty years later, the online atmosphere in China at the turn of the century was still quite good. There weren't so many paid knowledge projects; it was filled with a spirit of sharing and equality. Some veteran figures often frequented forums to post. Even two strangers would selflessly share the fruits of their thoughts.

It must be said that the period from 1999 to 2003 was rightly called the Bronze Age of the internet.

It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times.

At this time, the more people saw and thought, the more easily they became disillusioned, because the more they saw, the more they thought, and the clearer they understood, the more they found themselves without hope.

The result of seeing no hope was that everyone desperately wanted to escape reality, to escape this place.

People talk about the craze for going abroad, but in reality, some people went abroad because they had no choice—if they stayed, they didn't know what they could do.

In her previous life, Zheng Yao was that kind of person. With nothing to hold her in the country, she simply left.

Now, even though she was successful in her career, deep down she still felt a bit lost.

But fortunately, she had Zhao Fusheng above her to shoulder the burden.

…

…

Quietly, Zhao Fusheng transformed into a shareholder of Huayi Brothers.

Apart from a few people, no one knew about this deal, since it wasn't a listed company and shareholder changes didn't need to be publicly disclosed.

Even Wang Jinghua didn't know that Zhao Fusheng had become one of Huayi's owners.

So she couldn't understand why Huayi Brothers suddenly announced a strategic partnership with Future Advertising.

At the company meeting, Wang Jinghua raised objections. Not only her, but Ma Dajun also later approached Wang Zhonglei to express his dissatisfaction.

To be honest, if they had voiced their opinions before the contract was signed, perhaps Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei would have considered their feelings.

But since the contract was already signed and Zhao Fusheng had become a Huayi Brothers shareholder, Wang Zhonglei and Wang Zhongjun weren't fools—they knew what to say.

"Future Advertising is now a shareholder of Huayi Brothers. They're asking for cooperation, and my brother can't refuse," Wang Zhonglei said to Ma Dajun, giving him an answer that left him stunned.

"General Manager Zheng of Future Advertising acquired Huayi shares and demanded cooperation. To gain shareholder support, I had to compromise," was Wang Zhongjun's answer to Wang Jinghua.

Although the content differed, the meaning was the same.

…

"So, that's why you took me along?"

In the general manager's office of Future Advertising, Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng, who was drinking tea.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yes, isn't this good? Future Advertising can legitimately enter the film and television circle without worrying that people will think we've made enough in advertising and are now poaching in film and TV."

"What's the difference?" Zheng Yao frowned, clearly not understanding Zhao Fusheng's point.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "As you've seen with our own Future Film, aside from the few movie scripts I helped secure, the rest can only be TV series, and even then, it's hit or miss. When we proactively approach them, they don't accept our investment. Why? Simply because there are already too many people in this circle wanting a piece of the pie. Our money, on one hand, isn't enough to matter; on the other hand, they're unwilling to accept us."

"But Huayi is different. They're already part of this circle, and their connections in the film and TV industry are broader than ours. With this relationship, we can legitimately join in."

Zhao Fusheng patiently explained to Zheng Yao: "Most importantly, I'm optimistic about Huayi's future development prospects. Ten percent of the shares—neither too much nor too little—is enough."

Zheng Yao blinked, feeling completely unable to keep up with Zhao Fusheng's thinking. She guessed this was probably why he had managed to amass a fortune of over a hundred million in just a few years.

Even now, Zheng Yao still couldn't believe that the young man who had once smiled so brightly in front of her had, in the blink of an eye, become a billionaire, holding shares in more than four companies. And among these four, even the least valuable, Future Advertising, had an annual profit of over twenty million.

Indeed, when she learned this news, Zheng Yao was completely stunned.

"By the way, why did you tell me this?" Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng curiously.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I just didn't want you to think I was slacking off on planning and messing around outside."

Zheng Yao was taken aback, and her expression immediately turned embarrassed. Only now did she have to admit how unreliable her previous notion that Zhao Fusheng was neglecting his duties had been. His business had long since expanded beyond advertising into various fields. From this perspective, Future Advertising was just one link in Zhao Fusheng's many ventures.