Chapter 1042: The Difference Between Smart People and Ordinary People

“Do you think Ono will accept our offer?” Sitting in the office, Zhao Fusheng asked Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi thought for a moment and laughed: “To be honest, I can’t guarantee it.”

She was telling the truth. For one thing, Zhao Fusheng’s minimum offer was eighty million, and her own opening price to Masao Ono would certainly be no less than one hundred million.

Such a price was unprecedented among domestic internet companies.

The fear was that Masao Ono’s resolve to acquire Xiaonei.com might not be as firm as they thought.

In business, even with things in black and white, people still back out, let alone without a signed contract. Anyway, until the money was in the account, Dong Chenxi absolutely dared not claim a hundred percent certainty.

Zhao Fusheng understood this too, so he smiled and said to Dong Chenxi: “In that case, let’s add some fuel to the fire for Ono.”

Dong Chenxi frowned slightly, puzzled: “Add fuel to the fire?”

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “Contact James and say I have something to discuss with him.”

James?

Hearing that name, Dong Chenxi immediately became unsettled. She stared at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: “You’re not really planning to sell Xiaonei.com to Sequoia Capital, are you?”

Then she shook her head again: “Impossible. If you wanted to, you would have contacted him long ago.”

After answering her own question, Dong Chenxi sat there, deep in thought. Zhao Fusheng smiled and said nothing, just watching her.

After a long while, Dong Chenxi suddenly looked up, staring at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: “Kill two birds with one stone?”

“Oh? Kill two birds with one stone?” Zhao Fusheng asked with interest. Clearly, he was curious whether Dong Chenxi could guess his thoughts.

“Simple. Meeting James can both warn Masao Ono by striking the grass to startle the snake, and also allow you to discuss with James the shares of Shanda Technology we hold, right?” Dong Chenxi’s eyes lit up as she looked at Zhao Fusheng, full of expectation.

Clearly, even though she thought her guess was too absurd, if it were true, it would actually make sense.

As the controller of Future Investment, although she didn’t know why Zhao Fusheng made such decisions, Dong Chenxi was well aware that from start to finish, Zhao Fusheng had never considered holding Shanda Technology shares long-term. The only stocks he truly intended to hold long-term were NetEase and Tencent Technology.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng had already planned to sell off Shanda Technology shares as quickly as possible after its listing.

Since he intended to sell the shares, he naturally needed a suitable buyer.

Among them, Sequoia Capital was undoubtedly a very good buyer.

James had previously shown interest in buying Future Investment’s Shanda Technology shares and had several times secretly instructed other funds with cooperative relationships with Sequoia Capital to inquire about it.

In other words, if Zhao Fusheng wanted to sell Shanda Technology shares, James would be very willing to meet and negotiate with him.

Although Dong Chenxi didn’t quite understand why Zhao Fusheng was unwilling to continue cooperating with Chen Tianqiao, since the boss had such intentions, as one of his most trusted managers, she had to formulate a strategy accordingly.

This confrontation with Masao Ono, representing SoftBank Asia, was clearly a very good opportunity. And Dong Chenxi was sure that even knowing he would be used by Zhao Fusheng, James would still be willing to cause some trouble for Masao Ono.

After all, when Sequoia Capital tried to enter the Japanese market, it was squeezed out by the SoftBank Group.

Dong Chenxi didn’t believe the Americans would easily forget that grudge.

It’s often said that women hold grudges, but that statement isn’t entirely correct.

The real grudge-holders are businessmen. Any businessman, though they may shake hands with former competitors for profit, will not hesitate to kick their former enemies when they’re down if given the chance, even the slightest possibility.

Businessmen rarely provide timely help.

But kicking someone when they’re down is almost every businessman’s instinct.

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. He really hadn’t expected Dong Chenxi to see through his thoughts.

He was indeed planning exactly as Dong Chenxi had said.

From start to finish, Zhao Fusheng had no intention of holding Shanda Technology shares long-term, and Sequoia Capital’s involvement gave him hope of selling.

Though he hadn’t shown it, Zhao Fusheng had long planned to have a good talk with James.

This appearance of Masao Ono gave Zhao Fusheng the opportunity and excuse.

After all, in Zhao Fusheng’s view, the enemy of an enemy has a chance to become a friend.

He believed James thought the same.

“So, am I right?” Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng, smiling.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded lightly: “Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking. I’m just not sure if James will cooperate with us.”

“No big problem.” Dong Chenxi laughed: “James will certainly be happy to see SoftBank suffer a hidden loss. After all, the恩怨 between Sequoia and SoftBank isn’t just a day or two old.”

Clearly, she had done her homework.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and didn’t continue discussing the matter. For him, the biggest gain today wasn’t the chance to trick Masao Ono or SoftBank, but Dong Chenxi’s growth.

Sometimes, friends are like that. Perhaps your blood relatives disappoint you time and again, but your friends rarely do.

Zhao Fusheng had also wondered why this was the case.

After thinking for a long time, he finally understood: the relationship with relatives is something everyone is born with—from parents, grandparents, and grandparents on both sides.

In the end, it’s not something one can decide.

But friends, or rather, true friends, are chosen by oneself.

Though sometimes one’s judgment fails, most of the time it’s fairly accurate.

“Are you very happy?”

Noticing the change in Zhao Fusheng’s mood, Dong Chenxi asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “I really am very happy, because you’ve improved to a level that surprises me. To be honest, this plan of mine was improvised, and I originally thought you might not understand it.”

Rolling her eyes at Zhao Fusheng, Dong Chenxi said: “Don’t treat me like a fool. Actually, to be honest, I know your thinking is quite mature, but no matter what you think, there are some things I want to say to you.”

“Go ahead.” Zhao Fusheng gestured for her to speak.

Clearly, she had been holding these words in for a long time.

“Actually, working by your side has always been very stressful. You have to know, you’re just too outstanding.” Dong Chenxi looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly began: “We’ve discussed it privately. Sometimes, being by your side is very hard—not that we don’t make money like others, but because we find that no matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to keep up with your pace.”

Zhao Fusheng frowned. He really hadn’t noticed this before.

Sometimes, people unconsciously overlook the feelings of those around them—a problem common among most entrepreneurs.

Zhao Fusheng was no exception. He had never thought that he would bring such pressure to those around him.

Now, Dong Chenxi’s words clearly represented not just her own feelings but the feelings of many around him.

“We’re not saying you’re bad, but sometimes we feel a bit tired. Not being able to guess your thoughts is really uncomfortable.” Dong Chenxi said to Zhao Fusheng with a bitter smile.

Her meaning was simple: she wasn’t complaining about Zhao Fusheng, but expressing a helplessness about not keeping up with his pace.

Anyone would feel the same.

“So, are you very happy today?” Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi nodded: “Yes, because at least today, I’m not passively following behind you; I can finally guess your thoughts.”

It was clear she was genuinely happy.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I just think you’re too smart, so you probably don’t understand what it’s like to move forward in confusion. You’ve never been like a headless fly bumping around. Sometimes your ideas and creativity are brilliant, but the people around you aren’t necessarily that smart.”

Finally, Dong Chenxi hesitated but still said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng raised his eyebrows slightly, wanting to laugh but unable to.

Dong Chenxi was right. For geniuses, most of the time, doing things means identifying a direction, strictly executing, and working hard toward that direction, eventually succeeding.

But the problem was, he wasn’t a genius.

Others didn’t know, but Zhao Fusheng himself was well aware that he was no so-called genius. The situations Dong Chenxi mentioned—confusion, not knowing what to do—had happened to him more often than she imagined.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng knew that without the trump card of foresight, he really couldn’t be called a genius.

People are probably like this: they need to go through some things to understand the true meaning of life.

Like himself now, without the life experience of his previous life, Zhao Fusheng really couldn’t guarantee what he would be like now.

Perhaps this is life.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” Seeing Zhao Fusheng silent, Dong Chenxi couldn’t help asking.

After all, in their relationship, Zhao Fusheng was the dominant one. What she said was, in a sense, somewhat abrupt.

Zhao Fusheng gently shook his head and waved his hand: “It’s not your fault.”

She hadn’t said anything wrong, so he had no reason to blame anyone.

Zhao Fusheng understood that much.