Chapter 0984: People Are Different

Both being clever, they could often guess each other's intentions with just a glance, as the saying goes, after confirming the look, they happened to be the right match.

Both Zhao Fusheng and Chen Tianqiao knew that after the banquet the previous night, it would be difficult for them to return to the state of seamless cooperation they once had.

Thus, when leaving Shanghai, Zhao Fusheng merely called Chen Tianqiao to say goodbye.

As for Chen Tianqiao, his response was as calm as an ancient well, but the hypocritical sourness was palpable to Zhao Fusheng even through the phone receiver, nauseating.

Indeed, Boss Chen was now riding high, eager to let the whole world know of his success.

Zhao Fusheng had nothing to say to that; he couldn't very well tell Boss Chen that a certain big shot he had aligned himself with would soon see his empire crumble, and that Boss Chen himself would have to reluctantly withdraw from the domestic business scene and switch to investing.

Life is much like the sky above; when you stand under a tree and look up, you find the sky always fragmented into small pieces by the dense leaves. Great joy and great sorrow, great ups and downs—that is life.

Well, other people's lives.

Zhao Fusheng had experienced too many great joys and sorrows, too many ups and downs; now he just wanted some stability.

The atmosphere in Shenzhen and Shanghai were largely two different concepts.

Or to be more precise, it was the feeling that Shengda Technology and Tencent Technology gave off—they were inherently different.

It was said that a company's leader's temperament often determined the company's temperament. Zhao Fusheng hadn't understood this before, but now he was beginning to grasp it.

Boss Ma before him was still that somewhat shy Pony Ma; in fact, after welcoming Zhao Fusheng, he even discussed with him whether he minded the company being listed in Hong Kong.

"This is my thinking: barring any surprises, the IPO should be concluded soon, and we can list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by mid-year," Pony Ma said enthusiastically to Zhao Fusheng. "This will facilitate the company's financing and is also beneficial for the company's development."

Zhao Fusheng had no objections to this and smiled. "You're the boss; you call the shots. As long as you can maintain control over the company, I fully support you."

He paused and then laughed. "Honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing Tencent take off rapidly after listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange."

This was his true feeling.

His thoughts toward Tencent and Shengda were different. The former's influence was too great; retaining equity in Tencent was not only a symbol of status for him but also helped promote his own enterprises.

And Pony Ma, compared to Chen Tianqiao, had a bit more human touch.

"By the way, there's an auction in Hong Kong in a few days. Are you interested in coming along with me?" Ma Huateng, after chatting about company matters for a while, suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback but quickly understood: attending the auction was a pretext; the real purpose was to participate in the listing negotiations.

Since the other party was being so courteous, he naturally had to cooperate. He nodded. "Sure, but I happen to have something to attend to—I need to go back to my hometown for my sister's wedding. Miss Dong is more interested in this; let her go."

Ma Huateng glanced at Zhao Fusheng impassively, but inwardly he was pondering Zhao Fusheng's intentions.

After all, he knew very well that Dong Chenxi was merely Zhao Fusheng's proxy.

As if reading Ma Huateng's thoughts, Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Miss Dong and I were college classmates, and to be honest, I think she and I are both satisfied with the company's current state."

That said, if Ma Huateng still didn't understand what Zhao Fusheng was implying, he would truly be a pig.

"Thank you."

Pony Ma said sincerely to Zhao Fusheng. Currently, within the company's board, there was fierce debate over whether to list and where to list. Even he couldn't suppress everyone's opinions.

Zhao Fusheng's support was undoubtedly crucial, as he represented an undilutable five percent stake, and more importantly, these five percent shares were Class A in company voting.

Though Zhao Fusheng spoke lightly, he was thinking that he needed to notify Zhang Qian and Dong Chenxi to modify his itinerary.

The subsequent events proceeded as planned: touring the company headquarters, the annual cocktail party. Ma Huateng even prominently introduced Dong Chenxi as one of Tencent's earliest investors and the general manager of Future Investment Fund.

For a time, Dong Chenxi's reputation soared, as not everyone had such foresight.

Three days later, Ma Huateng and Dong Chenxi's group departed for Hong Kong, while Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian boarded a flight to Binzhou.

Unfortunately, there were no flights from Ninghai to Shenzhen. To save time, Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian had to first go to Binzhou and then take a train back to Ninghai.

Fortunately, they had called ahead. Pony Ma in Shenzhen helped book first-class tickets. Zhao Fusheng was always at ease and content when spending others' money for his own enjoyment.

……

……

In this era, taking a train from Binzhou to Ninghai was quite slow.

How slow?

Heh, from the moment Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian boarded the train to their arrival in Ninghai, it took a full eight hours.

Indeed, the slow green train stopped at almost every station, a true test of patience. Those with a quick temper simply couldn't bear it.

But fortunately, Zhao Fusheng wasn't the impatient type. He had Zhang Qian buy some snacks and side dishes, and the two of them enjoyed a rare moment of leisure in the soft sleeper compartment.

"How are things with you and Yang Panpan?"

While eating peanuts, Zhao Fusheng casually asked Zhang Qian.

After all, Zhang Qian was like a block of wood; if he didn't ask, the guy would never bring it up.

Zhao Fusheng sometimes worried about how dull this guy must make his girlfriend feel. After all, who wouldn't get annoyed spending all day with a taciturn person who barely utters a word?

And Zhang Qian, upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, immediately blushed.

"Just friends," Zhang Qian replied sullenly after a long while.

Zhao Fusheng was almost infuriated. A relationship that was just one thin layer away from being revealed, and this guy called it 'just friends,' despite Yang Panpan's shy demeanor.

"Wait, you've been living together for so long, and you tell me you're just friends?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Zhang Qian helplessly. "Are you testing my IQ, you know?"

Zhang Qian remained silent. If it were anyone else prying into his privacy like this, he would have thrown them out. But since it was Zhao Fusheng, his boss, he could only resist the 'oppression' with silence.

"Look at you, doing it again," Zhao Fusheng said with resignation. Whenever Zhang Qian didn't want to talk, he would put on this act, making people itch with frustration but unable to do anything.

This was probably one of his skills.

A long journey with two people, especially if they didn't speak, was really boring. That's why Zhao Fusheng was teasing Zhang Qian out of sheer boredom.

In his view, Zhang Qian's personality was too dull and needed some development.

Of course, Zhang Qian understood his intention and knew how to deal with this lonely guy Zhao Fusheng.

In a sense, the two of them were engaging in a battle of wits.

Fortunately, the boring journey didn't last too long. When they woke up, it was already midnight.

"Going home?" Zhang Qian asked Zhao Fusheng as they left the train station.

"Forget it, let's find a hotel first," Zhao Fusheng shook his head. It was already past midnight; going home and disturbing his parents wasn't appropriate.

Zhang Qian nodded, and the two of them, pulling their luggage, found a hotel near the train station and checked in.

The next morning, they got up and tidied up. Zhang Qian returned to the welfare institute, while Zhao Fusheng, carrying his luggage, went home.

"Brother, why are you back?"

Fan Beibei looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, completely unaware that her brother, who wasn't home last night, had suddenly appeared early in the morning.

She was now six years old and would start elementary school next year. Naturally, she was no longer the little girl who knew nothing. She understood that her brother and sister had jobs elsewhere and couldn't be with her all the time like when she was little. So Fan Beibei cherished every opportunity to meet Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao.

"Because brother missed Beibei," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile, picking up the little girl and pressing her against his cheek. "Did Beibei miss brother?"

"Yes, I miss you every day," Fan Beibei said sweetly, making Zhao Fusheng happy and cheerful.

Zhao's father had left early in the morning, so only Zhao's mother was at home. Seeing her son return, she was naturally delighted.

"How many days can you stay this time?" Zhao's mother asked.

"About a week. I need to go back before the New Year," Zhao Fusheng replied. "By the way, has Dad arranged things?"

"It's all settled. The hotel is also arranged," Zhao's mother waved her hand.

Zhao's father's business was growing bigger and bigger. Not long ago, he had purchased a hotel in the city, renamed it Wanda Hotel, for entertaining clients and company use.

Zhao Fusheng had heard about it by chance from Fan Baobao. He hadn't paid much attention at first, but later remembered and decided to use it for Xiaoya's wedding.

After all, this hotel had originally been of a decent standard in Ninghai. Now that it had become a Wanda property, it was even more famous. Holding the wedding banquet here would be quite prestigious.

"Alright, I'll go check it out this afternoon," Zhao Fusheng said to his mother after thinking it over.

Regardless, since he had arranged it, he had to make sure everything was perfect. Zhao Fusheng didn't want any mishaps at the last moment, as it would not only embarrass Xiaoya but also the welfare institute and himself.