Chapter 1109: Fracture!

How hard was Zhao Fusheng's heart?

Probably not long ago, the batch of old employees of Future Advertising that Zhao Fusheng directly fired with a single order would give Tong Zhenbang a clear answer.

These people had been in the company for quite some time, but because they were just coasting along and failing to deliver results, Zhao Fusheng directly ordered Zheng Yao to fire them.

The reason was simple: those who muddle through their days in the office, eating and waiting for death, had no right to stay in the Future Group.

It was worth noting that among them were many old retainers who had been with the company since Binzhou, but even so, Zhao Fusheng still had Zheng Yao give them three months' salary and then dismissed them.

For Zhao Fusheng, doing business was never something that could be done with mercy, let alone when the person in front of him was no pushover.

Since Tong Zhenbang, as the mastermind of the entire criminal organization, had been sent to the country to handle money laundering, Zhao Fusheng had never underestimated his opponent.

Time is eternal; the development of all things requires time to brew.

People with impatient temperaments generally find it hard to develop well.

The reason is simple: such people often exhaust their energy prematurely when real effort is needed. In contrast, those with steady temperaments can plan before acting and achieve success in one go.

Tong Zhenbang was undoubtedly a very patient person. Zhao Fusheng could even believe that if he showed the slightest flaw, Tong Zhenbang would follow the clues to uncover his relationship with Chen Shijie and dig up more.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng didn't dare to gamble, so he could only act tougher.

"Mr. Tong, I think you might have misunderstood. I'm not asking for your help." Zhao Fusheng looked at Tong Zhenbang, smiled, and said with a relaxed expression, "I'm just telling you my plan. Whether to participate is your own business."

Tong Zhenbang was taken aback, raised an eyebrow, and his expression froze as he looked at Zhao Fusheng.

Clearly, he really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be so tough.

This guy was clearly taking the attitude of 'you can get on board if you want, but if you don't, I'm not taking you along.'

"I need to think about this," Tong Zhenbang said slowly after a long silence.

As he spoke, he pointed to the materials Zhao Fusheng had given him and said, "Can I keep this?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "Of course, it was prepared for you anyway."

Tong Zhenbang nodded. Although he was tempted by Zhao Fusheng's proposal, he really had no confidence, so he said he needed to think it over.

Most importantly, he had to discuss it thoroughly with the boss behind him.

Zhao Fusheng understood this, which was why he agreed.

For him, he hadn't planned to accomplish everything today anyway. The purpose of showing up here was merely to bait Tong Zhenbang.

Playing a long game to catch a big fish—that was Zhao Fusheng's real goal.

After all, according to what Chen Shijie had said earlier, Tong Zhenbang was the criminal organization's mastermind, the one in the spotlight. The real decision-maker was the hidden boss, a man named Mr. Li.

Mr. Li was very mysterious; even Chen Shijie had never seen him. He was said to be the most enigmatic person in the entire organization.

And Tong Zhenbang was merely Mr. Li's agent in the spotlight.

Zhao Fusheng's plan was clear: if he had the chance, he would very much like to reel in that big fish.

Of course, whether he could get his wish depended on whether the other party was greedy enough.

"To be honest, Chairman Zhao, I really admire your foresight," Tong Zhenbang said with a smile. "Being able to recognize the business opportunities in the internet industry early on and enter it—your foresight is far superior to most people's."

This was his heartfelt opinion. Although he wasn't very knowledgeable in this area, Tong Zhenbang had recently read the materials Xiao Bao had given him and learned about the rise of the Future Group. He fully felt that this young man was a capable person, or rather, that Zhao Fusheng's sensitivity to business opportunities far exceeded that of many others.

With the serious matters already discussed, Zhao Fusheng naturally relaxed his posture. Since the other party was praising him, he had to express his gratitude. With a light laugh, Zhao Fusheng said to Tong Zhenbang, "Mr. Tong, you flatter me. I don't have any special talent; it's just a matter of luck."

Being humble never hurt anyone—Zhao Fusheng firmly believed that.

Tong Zhenbang smiled: "Humility is a virtue, but excessive humility is arrogance."

Clearly, he was good at conversation. Setting aside their identities, Zhao Fusheng even felt that Tong Zhenbang was actually well-suited for business.

After all, doing business required being adept at socializing and being tactful, and Tong Zhenbang undoubtedly possessed such qualities.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng was no less than him. The skill of saying what suits the occasion—speaking human words to humans and ghost words to ghosts—Zhao Fusheng had mastered it thoroughly after decades of experience in his previous life.

In short, this was a clash between two old foxes.

You flatter me, I flatter you—in short, neither gets anything substantial from the other's mouth.

Just as Zhao Fusheng was about to take his leave, thinking the timing was about right, the door to the room was pushed open, and Zhang Qian and Chen Shijie walked in, but Xiao Bao was nowhere to be seen. Chen Shijie looked somewhat disheveled, with even a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

Tong Zhenbang frowned: "Where's Baozi?"

He knew Xiao Bao's temperament; he wouldn't just vanish for no reason, so Tong Zhenbang looked at Chen Shijie.

Chen Shijie wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said in a low voice: "He went to the hospital."

"Hospital?"

Tong Zhenbang was taken aback, looking at Chen Shijie with considerable surprise: "What happened? Why did he go to the hospital?"

Then his gaze shifted to Zhang Qian, clearly sensing that this must have something to do with him.

Zhang Qian shrugged: "I told you, I'm heavy-handed."

"Baozi's hand is broken," Chen Shijie said, still with a poker face, pausing for a moment before adding: "This brother held back; otherwise, both of us would be down."

Hearing this, Tong Zhenbang drew in a sharp breath, glancing in surprise at Chen Shijie, then at Zhang Qian.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm terribly sorry," Zhao Fusheng quickly interjected. "Mr. Tong, I really apologize. My brother here was out of line. How about this: I'll cover the medical expenses for that brother. Also, I see this friend is injured too; why don't you go to the hospital for a check-up? I'll take care of it."

At that moment, Tong Zhenbang nearly ground his teeth to dust!

Did he think I'm some pauper, in need of his paltry medical fees?

But he also knew this wasn't the time to fall out. Just a moment ago, when Xiao Bao and the others left, Zhao Fusheng had already warned them to be careful, only Tong Zhenbang hadn't taken his words to heart, intending to let Xiao Bao and Chen Shijie test the mettle of Zhao Fusheng's bodyguard.

As it turned out, there are some people in this world you simply don't mess with.

"We're outmatched, no need for your concern," Chen Shijie said coldly at that point.

Then, looking at Zhang Qian, he added: "When Baozi's injury heals, we two brothers will swallow our pride and ask for another lesson from this brother. But next time, let's do it out in the wild, not in a ring."

Zhang Qian shrugged but said nothing.

Clearly, he couldn't care less.

Hearing his bodyguard speak so boldly, Tong Zhenbang's expression softened slightly. Zhao Fusheng, quick to read the room, stood up: "Mr. Tong, I have matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you further."

After all, having beaten the other's bodyguard like that, staying any longer would be inappropriate.

Tong Zhenbang nodded: "I'll call you again, Chairman Zhao."

At this point, there was indeed no way to continue the conversation.

After personally escorting Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Qian to the elevator, Tong Zhenbang turned back with a dark face and looked at Chen Shijie: "A-Jie, what exactly happened?"

Chen Shijie gave a bitter smile: "Boss, that guy is simply inhuman."

"What do you mean?" Tong Zhenbang was baffled, a bit confused. Hadn't Chen Shijie just said he'd seek another lesson from that guy? Why was he putting on such an expression now?

Chen Shijie said with a wry grin: "I was just talking tough. To be honest, if it really came to a fight, I'm afraid even if Baozi and I both went at him together, we'd still get taken down."

For a moment, Tong Zhenbang was dumbfounded.

"Both together?" Staring at Chen Shijie in surprise, Tong Zhenbang asked: "Are you saying the two of you fought him one on two?"

Chen Shijie nodded: "At first, Baozi went in alone, but the other guy was completely at ease. It was clear Baozi couldn't beat him..."

"Then how did you two get injured?" Tong Zhenbang asked, puzzled. Since the other was so strong, why did the sparring turn into a heavy-handed beating?

Chen Shijie hesitated but still explained: "Unable to win, Baozi got anxious and started cursing the other's family. Then that guy changed like a different person—cold and terrifying—and began to hit hard. I originally went in to break it up, but he took me on too."

Tong Zhenbang was speechless. He knew Xiao Bao's temper; when his anger flared, he really dared to curse anyone. But clearly, this time Xiao Bao had touched a nerve with the other party.

And what's more, Chen Shijie and Xiao Bao had been two against one, yet still ended up thoroughly beaten. Even if he wanted to save face, he couldn't very well bring it up.

With that thought, Tong Zhenbang narrowed his eyes. He increasingly felt that this Zhao Fusheng was no simple character.

Would an ordinary person be able to recruit such a master?

Thinking this, Tong Zhenbang looked at Chen Shijie and asked slowly: "A-Jie, could you tell what style he uses?"

Chen Shijie nodded: "I think he's like Mr. Chachai—he's been in the military. That guy, like us, has killed before."

At these words, Tong Zhenbang's body stiffened, and his expression quickly turned serious.