Chapter 1004: Warming Up

After reading the emails, Zhao Fusheng recalled what his father had said and began searching online for news about the stock market.

After a while, the expression on his face grew increasingly grim.

Shocking!

At this moment, Zhao Fusheng could only use these four words to describe the current state of the domestic stock market.

He couldn't understand what mindset those investors, or so-called experts, were using to trade stocks. Couldn't they see that under the current circumstances, the invisible hand of market regulation that economists talked about had already failed?

Everyone was touting the revival of the stock market. Some even shouted slogans about building the largest financial center in the Far East, surpassing Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Where did their confidence come from?

Zhao Fusheng really couldn't understand. These people seemed to think that stock trading was like picking up money—buy any stock at random and you'd make a fortune.

They say the onlooker sees the game best while the player is blind. From an outsider's perspective, Zhao Fusheng felt that under such circumstances, everyone needed a big stick to hit them hard on the head and wake them up.

Or, pouring a bucket of ice water over them from head to toe would also do.

Because at this time, the Chinese stock market really needed to cool down.

It was like before Japan's economic bubble burst—they were arrogantly unimaginable. Japanese products sold worldwide, and they claimed they could buy up the whole world. Both the stock market and the real estate market were overpriced. Once the bubble burst, the Japanese seemed to learn their lesson. No matter what policies the government introduced, they followed one principle: never borrow money from banks, and live within their means.

Another example is the Germans. After the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, many Germans tried to bottom-fish, but ended up catching a falling knife halfway down.

From then on, Germans were almost terrified of the internet industry.

It must be said that suffering losses and learning lessons is sometimes an important reason for people to keep improving.

"It seems I really can't let Dad speculate in stocks back home," Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself in front of the computer.

He trusted his father's character. Old Zhao was the type to keep his word—once he said he would clear his positions, he would definitely do so.

But the problem was whether he would be fooled by others.

That was crucial, because his father was too sentimental.

Thinking this, Zhao Fusheng decided that when he had the chance, he must have a good talk with his father about the stock market.

Just then, Fan Baobao pushed the door and walked in.

"Why are you here?" Zhao Fusheng looked at her curiously. "Aren't you watching cartoons with Beibei?"

"Hmph!"

Fan Baobao snorted in annoyance. "That annoying girl hates me. She said I look down on the little animals she likes..."

Zhao Fusheng helplessly rolled his eyes. He dared not get involved in the war between the two sisters.

There was no way around it—both were dear to him, and taking sides would be bad.

The most important thing was that Fan Baobao always wanted to grab her sister and give her a good scolding, but in the end, she would happily go back to her.

After it happened many times, Zhao Fusheng simply stopped saying anything.

"What's that expression?" Seeing Zhao Fusheng's reaction, Fan Baobao was clearly dissatisfied and glared at him.

Zhao Fusheng looked innocent. "I didn't do anything, okay?"

He really felt wronged, but seeing Fan Baobao's expression, he sighed and conceded, "Alright, alright, it's my fault, okay?"

Fan Baobao gave a coquettish snort and sat down beside Zhao Fusheng.

At their stage, feelings went without saying. Childhood sweethearts were already enviable, let alone Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao, who had been through so much together. For each other, they were not just lovers but also a source of support.

"Something on your mind?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Fan Baobao and asked softly.

He knew this girl too well. If she didn't have something on her mind, she wouldn't be like this.

"Sometimes I wonder, if I didn't have you, what would I be like now?" Fan Baobao suddenly said.

Zhao Fusheng was startled. In his mind, he recalled Fan Baobao's appearance in her previous life—starting out as a pure image, becoming popular, then being labeled a vase, and finally marrying some actor from Taiwan.

He didn't know whether Fan Baobao was happy or not at that time, because back then, the distance between them was too great.

"If it weren't for you, maybe I would have shot commercials, then worked hard for a few years, had a chance to sign with an agency, play some small roles. The company would promote me, and I might become famous. Then, like a slave..."

Fan Baobao rested her head on Zhao Fusheng's shoulder and murmured softly, "Sometimes I think, you're really too good to me."

She was telling the truth. Zhao Fusheng's kindness to her made others green with envy.

He not only gave her various advertising and film resources, but also solved her contract issues, and even Huayi had to show him face.

After all, if Zhao Fusheng hadn't signed his contract with Future Films, Fan Baobao could be sure that Wang Jinghua wouldn't easily give up using her as leverage.

As an artist, no matter how popular, as long as the contract is in place, one is naturally suppressed by the agency.

Of course, for some celebrities, after they become famous, the company may appropriately relax management, such as allowing artists to have their own privacy space, or even giving them some shares. But if anyone thinks they can be arrogant and reckless because of this, they are greatly mistaken.

One only hears about certain artists throwing tantrums on set or at show venues; has anyone ever seen an artist dare to clash with their own agency?

Either pay to settle the matter and leave, or be shelved until the contract ends. Do they really think that being a little famous gives them the right to act superior?

Heh, in the entertainment industry, the one thing never lacking is artists.

This is true both domestically and abroad, actually.

It's better domestically; in South Korea, agencies and managers occasionally even hit those idols, regardless of gender. When they see their manager, it's like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Why think so much? Isn't it only right that I'm good to you?" Zhao Fusheng stroked Fan Baobao's hair and said with a smile, "Don't forget, I promised to be your agent."

Fan Baobao was stunned, then recalled their earlier joke, shot Zhao Fusheng a glare, but said nothing.

For her, the reason she had these feelings today was simply because she saw the family together harmoniously, which sparked such thoughts.

Without Zhao Fusheng, what would she have become?

Zhao Fusheng sometimes thought about this question too, but he dared not dwell on it, because he knew very well that the wheel of fate had already turned when he came into this world anew.

The only thing he could do was to seize the present.

…

…

Zhao's mother and Li Yuan had prepared a large table of dishes, as sumptuous as the New Year's feast.

At the end of dinner, Fan Baobao rubbed her round belly: "Wuwu, I'll have to exercise again when I get back. I must have gained at least a few pounds."

"A little plump is good." Zhao's mother looked at Fan Baobao with concern: "Look at you, child, how thin you've become!"

"Exactly, you need to eat more when you're out, don't skip meals." Li Yuan also unceremoniously joined in scolding her.

Fan Baobao decisively chose to shut up.

At times like this, mothers are impossible to reason with; Fan Baobao wasn't that foolish.

Zhao Fusheng remained silent on the side; he too felt a bit stuffed, but since the one who spoke out had already been thoroughly criticized, it was better for him to keep quiet.

While the two mothers went to the kitchen to wash dishes and Fan Baobao went to help, Zhao Fusheng gave his father a meaningful look.

Zhao's father was startled but quietly nodded and followed Zhao Fusheng to the balcony.

"Something on your mind?"

Looking at his son curiously, Zhao's father asked in confusion.

In his view, Zhao Fusheng must have something to discuss with him; otherwise, why be so mysterious?

"The domestic stock market is likely to crash." Zhao Fusheng said bluntly to his father.

"What?"

Zhao's father was taken aback, his eyes instantly widening in disbelief as he looked at Zhao Fusheng: "Son, are you joking with me?"

He found it hard to understand how Zhao Fusheng could claim the stock market was about to crash.

Everyone around him was telling him that the stock market could make money; many had even invested large sums. How could it suddenly be about to crash according to Zhao Fusheng?

If it weren't his own precious son speaking, Zhao's father's first reaction would be to think the person was crazy.

"I'm not joking." Zhao Fusheng said seriously, "I analyzed it. And Dad, don't you think the stock market is a bit overheated right now?"

Zhao's father fell silent. If it were a few years ago, he might not have understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning, but now, having done more business, he gradually understood a principle.

If everyone is optimistic about something, then nine times out of ten, something will go wrong.

Similarly, if everyone thinks something can make money, then it basically won't make money.

Business opportunities are never for the masses.

"If you plan to invest, or if the company has money to invest, I suggest you invest it with Tan Kaixuan. He's doing private equity now with good results; many domestic companies have investments with him." Zhao Fusheng said sincerely to his father, genuinely worried that his father might fall into the stock market trap.

It's often said that entering a noble family is as deep as the sea, but entering the stock market is truly as deep as the sea. Even if you have a mine at home, you can't withstand being repeatedly harvested like leeks in the stock market.

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Zhao's father fell into deep thought. To be honest, he suddenly felt that he could no longer see through his son.

This kid seemed to have too many secrets, making it impossible to figure out what he was really up to.