Chapter 1302: Barbecue

Everyone has their own path, and every path is correct. The misfortune of people lies in their unwillingness to walk their own path, always wanting to take the one that seems glamorous to others.

Zhang Tao actually didn't tell Zhao Fusheng that the money for his study abroad was scraped together by selling his family's house.

Many people don't understand why Chinese people place such importance on education. Actually, the reason is simple: in books there are beauties like jade, and in books there are houses of gold. After thousands of years of dissemination, this principle has long become the motto of the vast majority of Chinese parents.

Letting children study changes the fate of the family.

In China at the turn of the millennium, this was no longer news.

Zhang Tao's parents were no exception.

But although they were working-class, they understood better than others that if their son wanted to succeed, the best shortcut was not to get into a domestic university, but to study abroad.

So when the opportunity came, Zhang Tao's parents gritted their teeth and sold their only apartment to let him study abroad.

Zhang Tao naturally understood and was grateful for his parents' decision. So in these years in Korea, he truly never slackened off.

It's often said that opportunities favor the prepared mind, but for many people, they may prepare their whole lives and never meet the right opportunity.

Luck is always a mysterious thing.

To be honest, Zhang Tao never expected to meet someone like Zhao Fusheng, just as Zhao Fusheng never expected to casually travel in Korea and run into someone like Zhang Tao.

"What, am I wrong?"

Seeing Zhao Fusheng silent, Zhang Tao hesitated and asked cautiously.

Zhao Fusheng laughed and waved his hand: "No, it's not that you're wrong, it's my problem."

He really hadn't expected Zhang Tao to be so observant.

Of course, his appreciation for Zhang Tao was limited to that. After all, they had just met, and Zhao Fusheng only thought this young man was decent.

He wasn't crazy enough to try to recruit every decent young man he met. Besides, he wasn't a chosen one, nor did he have any kingly aura.

"I plan to stay here for a few days. If you have nothing to do, just accompany us," Zhao Fusheng said to Zhang Tao after thinking.

Zhang Tao quickly nodded. For him, this part-time job was a rare good opportunity. One more day meant 500,000 more Korean won. Only a fool would refuse.

In these years abroad, Zhang Tao had long grown accustomed to being deferential. He also knew that his family had sacrificed to support his studies. Though things were tough now, his future would surely be better.

The Korean meal portions were small, and soon they finished. Hu Donghai wiped his mouth but said nothing.

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Tao hesitated and whispered to Zhao Fusheng: "Boss, how about we go out for some barbecue?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "Sure, lead the way. I'll treat everyone to barbecue."

Not to mention Hu Donghai and the others, even Zhao Fusheng himself wasn't full. Koreans really liked to put on a show. The dishes looked good, but when actually eaten, they didn't fill you up.

They went downstairs to the lobby. As they were about to leave, four people approached—two adults, a boy and a girl.

The children were young, held by the adults' hands. They seemed somewhat flustered.

"Bastard!"

As they passed by, Zhao Fusheng clearly heard Zhang Tao mutter in Chinese.

"What's going on?"

After leaving the lobby, Zhao Fusheng asked Zhang Tao curiously.

Zhang Tao paused, his face shifting between emotions for a moment, then shook his head: "Nothing. Let's go, boss."

Zhao Fusheng frowned. Since Zhang Tao didn't want to say, he didn't press further. He nodded and followed Zhang Tao to the barbecue restaurant.

Barbecue restaurants were everywhere in Korea, many on the streets. As they walked, Zhang Tao asked: "Boss, should we eat Hanwoo or imported beef?"

"Uh, what's the difference?" Zhao Fusheng was a bit puzzled. He had heard of Hanwoo in his previous life but never understood the distinction.

Zhang Tao smiled and explained: "Koreans emphasize 'sin-to-bul-i,' meaning body and land are one. They believe that what's produced in one's birthplace best suits one's constitution. So they love eating locally produced food, especially beef. In Korea, imported beef is actually less valuable than domestic beef."

Zhao Fusheng was speechless: "So they have that quirk."

"Exactly. Top-grade Hanwoo is quite expensive. Ordinary Koreans can't afford it often," Zhang Tao said, clearly not agreeing with this Korean preference.

"Alright, let's go try some Hanwoo," Zhao Fusheng declared with a wave of his hand.

In his previous life, he had heard about Korean barbecue. Now he'd taste the real thing.

Without further ado, they found a nicely decorated barbecue restaurant and went in. Zhang Tao originally ordered ten servings of beef. Zhao Fusheng found it odd—there were only six of them, why order ten servings?

But when it was served, he was stunned.

"This is ten servings?" Zhao Fusheng stared at Zhang Tao in amazement. "This meat... seems like only about three liang?"

Zhang Tao nodded: "In Korea, one serving of barbecue is three liang. I figured six men could manage three jin of meat."

"Let's see how it goes," Zhao Fusheng said noncommittally.

With Hu Donghai and the other three, plus himself and Zhang Tao, three jin might not be enough.

But Zhang Tao had been thorough. Besides the ten servings of beef, he ordered plenty of other things—pork belly and such. When everything arrived, the table was full.

"Eat up, eat your fill," Zhao Fusheng laughed, urging everyone.

Two hours later, including Zhao Fusheng himself, they all had greasy faces.

"Not bad," Zhao Fusheng smacked his lips and said to Zhang Tao. "No wonder Koreans like it."

Zhang Tao gave a wry smile: "Boss, this meal must have cost several thousand."

They had ordered all Hanwoo. As Zhao Fusheng said, since they were eating, they might as well have the best. Otherwise, they'd go back not even knowing what Korean barbecue tasted like—that would be more embarrassing.

Hu Donghai and the others remained silent. They were bodyguards. As Zhang Qian put it, they should be ready to take a bullet or a knife for Zhao Fusheng at critical moments. But usually, unless Zhao Fusheng asked or it involved security, they didn't need to speak.

"The amount of money doesn't matter. What matters is eating happily," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile, pulling out his wallet and handing Zhang Tao a bank card. "The password is six ones. Go pay the bill."

Zhang Tao nodded, took the card, and left. Hu Donghai stood up to follow, but Zhao Fusheng shook his head, stopping him.

Hu Donghai was startled but obeyed, staying put in the private room.

His intention was simple: they barely knew Zhang Tao. Letting him take Zhao Fusheng's card, knowing the password, was risky. If the guy pulled something, Hu Donghai wanted to be there.

Zhao Fusheng stopped Hu Donghai for a simple reason: he wanted to test Zhang Tao too.

The card didn't have much money—180 million Korean won. If Zhang Tao did something wrong for that amount, not to mention whether Zhao Fusheng could find him, he would lose much more.

People often say the human heart can't withstand testing, but that's for close ones. The reason is simple: the closer someone is, the more you need to communicate your thoughts. Otherwise, if you don't understand each other over time, misunderstandings easily arise, leading to irreparable consequences.

But with strangers, necessary caution is essential. Testing a person's character and integrity is perfectly normal, whether in business or official circles.

Zhao Fusheng was curious to see how Zhang Tao would perform.

He hadn't expected Zhang Tao to be so observant.

Zhao Fusheng was looking forward to seeing what kind of performance Zhang Tao would put on.