Chapter 1117: Taking Sides Is an Art

Future Group, Chairman's Office.

Zheng Yao casually pulled a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, took one out, and lit it. From the way she held the cigarette, it was clear she didn't smoke often—her movements were clumsy, but it seemed this wasn't her first time.

Taking a drag, Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng: "So, what do you think? Is my idea feasible?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly but didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "When did you start smoking?"

"Sometimes when the pressure gets too much, I have one," Zheng Yao waved her hand. "That's a minor issue. Tell me, is my plan workable? What if we approach SoftBank while also reaching out to Ma Xiaoyun?"

Zhao Fusheng was silent for nearly a minute. He knew well that the reason for Zheng Yao's immense pressure was largely due to him. After all, for a woman to helm a company as large as Future Group without any pressure was impossible.

The more praise you receive, the more slander you endure—that saying held true.

Generally speaking, beautiful girls carry an innate pride, whether in their attitude toward others or in their actions, it shows in every gesture. Zheng Yao was no exception.

But now, she had long since learned to hide that pride, not letting anyone see what was truly on her mind.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng silently sighed and said to Zheng Yao, "If you want to try, go ahead."

Either way, Future Group wouldn't lose anything. Failure would just be a waste of some effort; success would bring decent returns.

"Alright, I understand." Zheng Yao nodded.

"We've covered the internet. What about real estate?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Zheng Yao, puzzled.

He remembered clearly that he had never discussed the future prospects of the domestic real estate industry with Zheng Yao. In fact, aside from buying a few buildings, Zhao Fusheng had never considered developing the real estate sector—mainly because the waters were too deep.

"I think we can acquire land in several major domestic cities," Zheng Yao organized her thoughts and said to Zhao Fusheng. "The strategic research department consulted some data and believes that within five years at most, the real estate market will see an explosion."

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly. Of course he knew that, but the problem was that the real estate industry wasn't something you could just enter with money. It involved countless relationships and complexities.

Sighing, he was about to speak when a flash of insight struck him. He frowned and suddenly looked at Zheng Yao: "Did Xue Yuanfang put you up to this?"

Clearly, without someone behind the scenes, Zheng Yao wouldn't have suddenly made such a decision.

Zheng Yao smiled wryly and nodded: "Yes."

Zhao Fusheng fell silent.

He knew exactly why Xue Yuanfang had brought this up to Zheng Yao—it was clearly a test for him.

But perhaps Xue thought this was a way to probe him, not realizing that Zhao Fusheng didn't actually mind having closer ties with the Xue family.

After all, for the next twenty years or more, if Future Group wanted to develop long-term in China, hitching itself to the Xue family's big ship wasn't a bad choice.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng didn't want to become someone else's cash cow. Mutual benefit and cooperation were the best approach.

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng looked up and smiled slightly: "We can set up a real estate company, but we'll only do low-rent housing."

"What do you mean?"

Zheng Yao was utterly confused, clearly not understanding Zhao Fusheng's intention.

So-called low-rent housing refers to government-provided social security housing for families that meet the minimum living standard for urban residents and have housing difficulties, through rent subsidies or in-kind allocation. The allocation of low-rent housing is mainly through rent subsidies, supplemented by in-kind allocation and rent reduction.

If a real estate company focuses on low-rent housing, there would be virtually no profit.

"Literally," Zhao Fusheng explained to Zheng Yao. "Tell Xue Yuanfang that we don't have to limit ourselves to big cities. If needed, we can also invest in building low-rent housing in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area, mainly to give back to society."

He had conveyed his message; whether they understood was beyond his concern.

But he believed the Xue family had plenty of smart people who would grasp his intent.

Zheng Yao nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."

After a pause, she added, "By the way, Xue Yuanfang mentioned earlier whether we should consider entering the food and beverage industry. He has some connections that could pull strings at the Food and Drug Administration."

Frowning, Zhao Fusheng said, "How come I didn't know about this?"

He had never heard Xue Yuanfang or Ye Jing mention having connections at the Food and Drug Administration.

"I'm not sure either. He just said someone was recently transferred there," Zheng Yao shook her head and said to Zhao Fusheng. "Should I call him over so you two can talk?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. He really wasn't clear on this matter.

After thinking for a moment, he said to Zheng Yao, "You go back first. I'll look into the information and then decide."

Zheng Yao nodded and left Zhao Fusheng's office.

Watching her leave, Zhao Fusheng turned on his computer and began searching for information.

After a long while, he stared at the data on the screen, silent for a long time.

The State Food and Drug Administration is a direct agency under the State Council responsible for comprehensive supervision of food, health products, and cosmetics safety, and for the regulation of pharmaceuticals. It oversees the research, production, distribution, and use of drugs (including traditional Chinese medicines, herbal pieces, proprietary Chinese medicines, chemical raw materials and their preparations, antibiotics, biochemical drugs, biological products, diagnostic drugs, radioactive drugs, narcotics, toxic drugs, psychotropic substances, medical devices, sanitary materials, pharmaceutical packaging materials, etc.) through administrative and technical supervision. It is also responsible for comprehensive supervision of food, health products, and cosmetics safety, organizing coordination, and legally investigating major accidents, as well as approving health products.

Of course, everything related to food, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and the like falls under their jurisdiction.

"It seems the Xue family plans to make a move using the Sanlu melamine incident," Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself, stroking his chin as he sat in front of the computer.

Although he wasn't a government insider and didn't understand the intricacies, the fact that the Xue family hadn't acted immediately after learning about the Sanlu incident clearly meant they were up to something.

Zhao Fusheng couldn't fathom this level of maneuvering and didn't want to get involved. He had said what needed to be said and given the necessary warnings. Whatever moves the Xue family made next were their own business.

There was no way Zhao Fusheng would charge into battle for them.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng pulled out his phone and dialed Zheng Yao.

"We're not getting into the food and beverage industry," Zhao Fusheng said firmly. "As for investment projects, we can consider them, but not under the group's name. Use the Future Investment Fund instead, and every project must be approved by me. Understand?"

Though a bit baffled, Zheng Yao nodded and said she would remember.

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng let out a long breath and shook his head helplessly. He used to think that billionaires spent their days enjoying life, but now that he was at that level, he realized that enjoying life was a luxury. Every family has its own troubles, and everyone in their position has their own difficulties.

Life isn't easy—cherish it and move on.