Chapter 1172: Keep Digging the Pit

If it is determined that something cannot be possessed for long, one should keep it at a distance, preferably not even look at it. Because once seen, it cannot be forgotten, and even if obtained by all means, it will eventually be lost. And losing is the most painful thing in the world.

For Tong Zhenbang, having walked in darkness for too long, he now desperately craves a stable life and a respectable identity, which he believes is also what Mr. Li wants.

At the very least, neither of them wants to continue their former life.

After all, they have already made enough money; the remaining matter is how to enjoy the rest of their lives peacefully.

Clearly, in Tong Zhenbang's view, the investments Zhao Fusheng is now making suit his and Mr. Li's requirements, since these are all legitimate businesses, and the return on investment, judging from Zhao Fusheng's early dividend settlements, is quite good.

In other words, when the time comes, he could take this opportunity to stay in the country openly and legitimately.

Therefore, Tong Zhenbang now increasingly wants to meet Zhao Fusheng.

"Let's go, see Zhao Fusheng."

After going downstairs, Tong Zhenbang sat in the car and thought for a long time, then finally gritted his teeth and instructed the driver, Chen Shijie.

Chen Shijie nodded and silently started the car.

Xiao Bao, sitting in the passenger seat, was somewhat surprised by Tong Zhenbang's order. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again.

He naturally had no right to question the boss's decision. In fact, Xiao Bao knew well that with his own intelligence, he was no match for Tong Zhenbang; whatever he could think of, Tong Zhenbang had probably already considered.

As for Chen Shijie, although he didn't know what Tong Zhenbang had discussed with Dong Chenxi in her office, seeing Tong Zhenbang so eager to meet Zhao Fusheng now, he felt that perhaps his old classmate had really driven Tong Zhenbang crazy.

Zhao Fusheng's residence was no longer a secret in the eyes of Tong Zhenbang and his men.

"Chairman Zhao, this is Tong Zhenbang." The car stopped outside the gate of Zhao Fusheng's residential complex, and Tong Zhenbang dialed Zhao Fusheng's number.

"Mr. Tong?" Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. "Something up?"

He was reading at home and had originally planned to visit Jiang Wen, who had just become a father, but it seemed he wouldn't be able to make it today.

Zhao Fusheng was unaware that Tong Zhenbang had returned to the capital.

His principle was clear: no matter what Tong Zhenbang was plotting, he was now playing a long game to catch a big fish.

But he still hadn't expected Tong Zhenbang, just back in the capital, to come see him here.

"It's like this: I'm now near Chairman Zhao's residential complex. Do you have time? Let's meet," Tong Zhenbang said politely to Zhao Fusheng.

When he needed something from someone, he wouldn't be stingy with his goodwill.

It is often said that our universities have cultivated batch after batch of refined egoists. Actually, this statement is somewhat biased. It's not just universities; the current social climate is like this.

In the 1970s and 1980s, people's thinking was still simple. It was still okay in the early 1990s, but ten years later, the term 'egoism' has become a motto for many. Another ten years on, the word 'selfishness' has become a label for many.

Each sweeps the snow from his own doorstep, and if a man is not selfish, heaven will destroy him—this is the true portrayal of many people.

Zhao Fusheng was not at all surprised by Tong Zhenbang's behavior; after all, he had helped him make money. But he was curious why Tong Zhenbang was so eager to see him.

Putting down the phone, Zhao Fusheng called Dong Chenxi.

"What's going on? Tong Zhenbang wants to see me?" Zhao Fusheng asked Dong Chenxi directly.

Dong Chenxi was in a meeting with Zheng Yao. Seeing that the caller was Zhao Fusheng, she apologized to Zheng Yao, pointed at the phone, and mouthed silently, "Chairman."

Zheng Yao was taken aback, then nodded, signaling Dong Chenxi to take the call outside.

Dong Chenxi went outside and, lowering her voice, told Zhao Fusheng about Tong Zhenbang's visit that day. Finally, she said, "This guy probably couldn't sit still anymore, so he wanted to go directly to you."

Zhao Fusheng was stunned on the other end of the line for a long time before coming to his senses. "You mean, he proactively brought out the money without waiting for you to propose the dividend settlement?"

"Yes," Dong Chenxi said helplessly. "To be honest, if I didn't know their background, I would really think these people are the most suitable investors."

Zhao Fusheng burst out laughing. But on second thought, what Dong Chenxi said made sense. After all, where could you find such well-behaved and sensible investors who voluntarily deliver money to your doorstep?

Thinking of this, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help but smile and say to Dong Chenxi, "How about this: you find some time to show Tong Zhenbang our investment plan, so he won't keep being suspicious, understand?"

Dong Chenxi was taken aback. She opened her mouth to refuse, then immediately understood Zhao Fusheng's intention. She sighed and said, "You're planning to bury him deep in the pit, aren't you?"

She wasn't stupid. Zhao Fusheng had gone to such lengths—settling dividends early and showing Tong Zhenbang the investment plan. If he wasn't plotting against him, Dong Chenxi wouldn't believe it even if she were beaten to death.

She knew Zhao Fusheng too well. This guy was the type who seemed all smiles and harmless on the surface, but when it came to scheming against people, he was the most ruthless.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily. "You don't understand. People like him are too clever, so we just need to plant a seed."

Dong Chenxi was a bit surprised but had to admit that Zhao Fusheng's words were very true.

Against a broad backdrop, doing small things is actually easy and easily overlooked. The seeds sown at such a time have a chance to sprout quietly and grow slowly.

Anyone with a bit of foresight could see that in this era, taking shortcuts had no future.

This was the best of times and the worst of times. Those who could go with the historical tide would thrive; those who couldn't keep up would feel out of place in this new era.

That was why smart men like Mr. Li and Tong Zhenbang were eager to shed their former identities and clean up their act.

And Zhao Fusheng was precisely using this to lure them into the trap.

You see, human thoughts are the most troublesome thing because you never know what you'll want next. You think you're as tough as a rock, but there will always be one or two thoughts or events that hit your weak spot. No matter how hard the rock, it will crumble into a pile of sand. A person's toughness depends on how many weak spots they have. If they have none at all, they truly become a rock, and such a life seems meaningless.

Unaffected by joy or sorrow, untouched by anger or grief, unyielding to fear, unbending to force, knowing neither awe nor the taste of infatuation—living like a stone, is that really interesting?

Only after experiencing the intermingling of joy and sorrow does one understand reason. Constantly positioning oneself through various setbacks—such a life also seems somewhat miserable.

So people always like to enjoy life, enjoy wealth and honor, because that seems to satisfy some inner longing.

Whether it's Zhao Fusheng or Tong Zhenbang, they are actually the same.

Only, their definitions of happiness differ, and their ways of obtaining happiness are also different.

…

…

After getting a sense of the situation, Zhao Fusheng called Zhang Qian, dressed himself, and went out. At the entrance of the residential area, he saw Tong Zhenbang waiting for him, accompanied by Chen Shijie, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and Xiao Bao, whose arm had been broken by Zhang Qian last time.

Seeing Zhang Qian following Zhao Fusheng, Xiao Bao snorted but didn't dare to provoke him. He knew that even if he and Chen Shijie teamed up, they might not be a match for this man. Rather than humiliate himself, it was better to behave.

Seeing Xiao Bao's demeanor, Zhang Qian smiled disdainfully and ignored him entirely.

The only way to deal with such villains was to be tougher and more vicious than them, so they wouldn't dare to mess with you.

Zhao Fusheng naturally wouldn't bother with such trivial matters. In his view, dealing with a mindless killer like Xiao Bao was simple—just one bullet would do.

What was truly hard to handle was an old fox like Tong Zhenbang.

"Mr. Tong, you've come all this way in such a hurry. I'm quite surprised," Zhao Fusheng said politely, shaking hands with Tong Zhenbang.

Tong Zhenbang didn't believe Zhao Fusheng's words at all. There was no way this guy hadn't called Dong Chenxi.

But since Zhao Fusheng didn't mention it, he had to play dumb. Chuckling, Tong Zhenbang said with a smile, "Chairman Zhao, you're the one who surprised me. When I heard from Miss Dong that you were going to settle dividends early, I rushed over without stopping. To be honest, Chairman Zhao, the surprise you've given me is huge!"

He meant it. The news of early dividend settlement shocked Tong Zhenbang no less than learning that Zhao Fusheng had invested in NetEase stock.

That was one of the reasons he had hurried to see Zhao Fusheng. Tong Zhenbang had to personally verify the truth of this matter.

"What, Mr. Tong finds it strange?" Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily, looking unconcerned. "This is part of my plan. If I make money, of course I share it with my investors."

Then he looked at Tong Zhenbang. "Or does Mr. Tong hope I keep everything from you?"

Tong Zhenbang smiled bitterly. He knew Zhao Fusheng wouldn't be polite with him, but there was nothing he could do. The other party held the upper hand, and he needed a favor. As the saying goes, one has to bow one's head under low eaves. Even he had to endure it. In the past, if a businessman like Zhao Fusheng dared to speak to him like that, he would have had Xiao Bao break his head in no time.

With that thought, Tong Zhenbang looked at Zhao Fusheng, a smile spreading across his face. "Chairman Zhao, could we speak privately?"

Zhao Fusheng sneered inwardly. It seemed this guy was finally ready to talk business.