Chapter 1550: Opportunity Knocks

Perhaps because he now had a daughter, Zhao Fusheng felt that his mindset had changed somewhat.

“The company’s various plans need to be launched as soon as possible.”

Sitting in the Future Group conference room, Zhao Fusheng said seriously.

In today’s meeting, all the heads of Future Group’s subsidiaries were present, along with department directors—it was a high-level company meeting.

Zhao Fusheng, as chairman, naturally had to attend.

“Yes, Chairman.”

Zheng Yao nodded, taking Zhao Fusheng’s words as important instructions to be carried out.

Next, Zhao Fusheng listened to reports from the heads of each subsidiary on the company’s status, mainly regarding the specific implementation process after separation from the group.

Zhao Fusheng understood clearly that once they began operating independently, the subsidiaries would become business entities rather than partners as they were now.

But since he wanted to make Future Group bigger and stronger, this was an inevitable process.

“Future Advertising must proceed steadily,” Zhao Fusheng told the head of Future Advertising. “We are no longer challengers in the industry but rule-setters. Under these circumstances, there’s no need to compete for anything.”

“Yes.”

The successor recommended by Zheng Yao was an old employee who had started out with Zhao Fusheng and the others in Ninghai, and he knew Zhao Fusheng’s temperament well. He nodded and said, “Rest assured, Chairman. We plan to use the north as our base and expand nationwide.”

“That’s good.”

Zhao Fusheng nodded, then looked at Dong Chenxi: “We’ll talk about Future Investment later. I have a plan in mind recently.”

Dong Chenxi naturally knew he was referring to the plan to acquire Marvel and nodded to indicate she understood.

After a few more exchanges, Zhao Fusheng checked the time and left the conference room.

Dong Chenxi and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly.

“Is the chairman…” a senior executive asked, puzzled, thinking Zhao Fusheng was displeased.

Someone nearby explained in a low voice, “The chairman probably went back to see the little princess.”

“Oh…”

The man suddenly understood.

Now, throughout Future Group, Zhao Fusheng’s daughter was called the little princess. This little one, named Zhao Siyu, though less than a month old, had already become a billionaire with assets exceeding five billion RMB.

Calling her a princess was not an exaggeration at all.

Dong Chenxi, Zheng Yao, and the others had grown accustomed to Zhao Fusheng’s behavior and didn’t mind his departure. Everyone continued with their work reports.

…

…

The next day, Dong Chenxi was called to the hospital by Zhao Fusheng.

There was no help for it—Fan Baobao still had some time before she could be discharged.

“Are you really planning to acquire Marvel?”

Dong Chenxi, not one to stand on ceremony, asked him directly.

She had gathered a lot of information on Marvel recently, which showed that Marvel’s current financial situation was extremely poor. The company had been surviving by selling off the rights to its superhero characters, and even its most popular rights were nearly all sold.

Some predicted that within a year, the company would officially declare bankruptcy.

A company like that, and Zhao Fusheng wanted to acquire it? Was the guy crazy?

Zhao Fusheng smiled at this, unconcerned, looking completely relaxed.

“Go on…”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Dong Chenxi.

Dong Chenxi sighed: “You’ve already guessed what I’m going to say, haven’t you?”

Zhao Fusheng smiled without speaking.

“Although Marvel is in trouble right now, I have to admit your insight is sharp,” Dong Chenxi said to Zhao Fusheng. “I looked at the data. Marvel holds a very important position in the comic book market in the US and globally. The rights to their superhero characters are indeed very attractive to us.”

Dong Chenxi was no longer the naive young person she once was. As the general manager of Future Investment, she had a large team of advisors who provided her with various opinions to help her make the best decisions.

Take Zhao Fusheng’s plan for Marvel, for example. Although Dong Chenxi had been somewhat puzzled at first, after analysis by her team, she now thought it might be a good opportunity.

What defines the shrewdest businessmen? Simply put, they are those who stay ahead of everyone else.

Why is Buffett called the Oracle of Omaha?

The reason is simple: he dared to invest in Coca-Cola when everyone else was pessimistic about it.

Time proved his choice was right.

And so the legend of the Oracle was born.

Many might see this tycoon’s success as luck, but in Zhao Fusheng’s view, luck was only part of the reason. More importantly, he had the courage to make that choice at that moment.

After all, anyone who chooses to take a risk needs courage.

Whether rich or poor, at the moment of choice, it’s the same.

“Prepare the funds as soon as possible and start registering an offshore company,” Zhao Fusheng said to Dong Chenxi.

“In such a hurry?”

Dong Chenxi looked at him in surprise.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “To be honest, I’m worried that delays may cause trouble.”

This was no joke. Zhao Fusheng knew very well how ambitious Disney was. Once Disney started approaching Marvel, he didn’t think he would have a chance to compete with them.

After all, all he could offer Marvel was financial support.

And Disney—that was a Hollywood giant.

As the saying goes, there is no harm without comparison. Unless Marvel’s leaders were fools, they would know which choice was most beneficial for them.

“You’re worried about Disney?” Dong Chenxi, no fool, quickly realized what Zhao Fusheng was concerned about.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, didn’t beat around the bush, and explained the Marvel situation to Dong Chenxi, finally saying, “To be honest, I’m afraid Marvel might make a move before we do!”

Hearing Zhao Fusheng’s words, Dong Chenxi’s expression turned serious.

She knew all too well Disney’s influence and position in Hollywood, and she understood that Zhao Fusheng was right. If Disney really got involved, Zhao Fusheng’s plan might very well fall through.

That was something Dong Chenxi absolutely could not tolerate!

“I’ll start preparations right away,” Dong Chenxi said, taking a deep breath.

Time is money, especially in investment. Wasting time is like committing a crime.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded. He was pleased to see Dong Chenxi so motivated.

…

…

Dong Chenxi moved quickly. Within two days, she had completed the formation of a new investment company and notified Zhou Jianmin.

Zhou Jianmin had also finished assembling the funds, with $300 million already deposited into the new company’s account.

“If this gets out, it’s bound to shock a lot of people.”

Xue Yuanfang sat with Zhao Fusheng, along with Zhou Jianmin, who had just received the news.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. Xue Yuanfang was right—a Chinese investment group acquiring Marvel would certainly be a big news story.

“How confident are you?” Xue Yuanfang had invested 30 million of his own this time.

“I don’t know,” Zhao Fusheng shook his head. “It depends on whether Marvel’s top management wants to sell and whether Disney has any plans.”

Xue Yuanfang and Zhou Jianmin exchanged glances. Both could tell that Zhao Fusheng didn’t seem entirely sure of success.

But that was actually a good thing. If Zhao Fusheng had confidently told them the plan would definitely succeed, they would have been less inclined to believe him.

In business, there’s never a 100% guarantee of profit.

Both Xue Yuanfang and Zhou Jianmin understood this well.

So Zhao Fusheng’s display of tension and anxiety actually made them more reassured.