Chapter 1654: A Small Favor

"I wonder if President Ren has something to discuss with me?"

Zhao Fusheng did not beat around the bush, but asked President Ren directly.

The other party was a seasoned veteran; there was no point in him circling around with such a person.

Often, negotiations require a certain strategy and skill.

When facing a novice or someone inexperienced, you might use some tricks to probe their background or test their thoughts—that's understandable.

But if it's a battle-hardened old hand, playing tricks in front of them is like showing off one's skill with an axe before Lu Ban—utterly pointless, and it will only reveal your own weaknesses.

This is no joke, but a fact.

Take someone like President Ren, who has navigated the business world for twenty years. He has seen all kinds of storms and encountered countless people and events. If Zhao Fusheng tried to put on airs or play tricks in front of him, it would not only be meaningless but would also make him look down on Zhao.

That being the case, it was better to be straightforward and put the matter on the table.

As it turned out, Zhao Fusheng's thinking was correct.

After hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, President Ren was momentarily startled, then laughed.

"Fusheng, you're a straightforward person," President Ren said, looking at Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

"Not necessarily," Zhao Fusheng smiled, looking indifferent. "As for me, what I say depends on who I'm talking to. Someone like you, President Ren, to be honest, I trust you and am willing to cooperate with you."

This was the truth. At the very least, President Ren was quite good in terms of personal credibility and character, and compared to some others, he was something of a gold-lettered signboard.

"Interesting!"

President Ren smiled and looked at Zhao Fusheng. "To be honest, I came this time to ask for your help."

"Ask for my help?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, somewhat surprised and somewhat unexpected, but he did not speak immediately. Instead, he picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, and then silently set it down.

He was considering, or rather, trying to recall—in his memory, had Huawei encountered any difficulties at this time?

To be honest, in Zhao Fusheng's impression, Huawei's development had always been smooth sailing. It hadn't encountered any major problems, and even when trouble later arose, the state was there to shield it.

For a company like that, President Ren would actually seek him out, and even ask for help—no matter how Zhao Fusheng thought about it, it felt strange.

"President Ren, I think you'd better speak frankly."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Fusheng looked at President Ren and said sincerely to the old man, "Although this is our first meeting, I have long admired your reputation, not to mention the connection with Brother Yuanfang. If there's anything I can help with, just say the word. Where I can help, I certainly will. If I can't, I'll do my best. How about that?"

Things having come to this, he could only say that.

As for agreeing to President Ren's request outright, Zhao Fusheng certainly wouldn't do that. What a joke—he wasn't crazy. No matter who or what it was, agreeing rashly would be asking for trouble.

Whether in business or in life, the first thing a person must understand is to act within their means. One should not do things beyond their capabilities, nor rashly promise things outside their scope.

Otherwise, the price paid would be unbearable.

"I heard that your company recently reached a cooperation agreement with Samsung Group?" President Ren looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked slowly.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Yes, I suppose that shouldn't be a secret, should it?"

The cooperation between Future Investment and Samsung Group had already been announced publicly; it was no secret at all. Zhao Fusheng was not surprised that President Ren brought it up.

"I wonder if you could help make an introduction. I think we might be able to reach a cooperation agreement with Samsung Electronics."

President Ren looked at Zhao Fusheng and said slowly.

Zhao Fusheng was startled and looked at President Ren with some surprise. He hadn't expected that the other party had set his sights on Samsung.

"Mobile phones? Computers?"

Zhao Fusheng speculated inwardly. Clearly, the only products from Samsung that could attract President Ren were these two.

But on his face, he remained composed and smiled at President Ren. "I'm really not clear on this matter. How about this: I'll have my people contact Samsung and inquire about it. What do you think?"

He wouldn't easily agree to the other party's request. What a joke—although he admired President Ren, he wouldn't take the risk of acting as a go-between for him.

He didn't have President Ren's boldness, nor did he want to put himself in jeopardy.

As if he had anticipated Zhao Fusheng's reaction, President Ren smiled and nodded. "Good, as long as you're willing to help, I'm already very grateful."

Samsung Electronics' technological level was naturally more advanced than domestic companies, which was why Huawei wanted to cooperate with Samsung. The previous attempts had not gone smoothly, but this time Future Group's cooperation agreement with Samsung gave him hope, so he took the initiative to contact Zhao Fusheng.

As for Xue Yuanfang, he was just an intermediary.

After all, Huawei did have some connections in the capital.

……

……

President Ren had a very good attitude. Even though Zhao Fusheng didn't give him a definite answer, he wasn't angry and continued chatting amiably with Zhao Fusheng.

After chatting for a while longer, Xue Yuanfang suggested that everyone have a meal together.

Zhao Fusheng and President Ren naturally had no objections, and they enjoyed a pleasant meal.

Perhaps because he was getting on in years, President Ren took his leave after the meal.

"What's going on? How did he find you?"

Zhao Fusheng sat in the car and asked Xue Yuanfang curiously.

Xue Yuanfang had been drinking, so Zhao Fusheng didn't let him drive and instead personally drove him home.

"Connections, I guess."

Because of the alcohol, Xue Yuanfang's cheeks were slightly red. He shook his head helplessly. "You know, families like ours always have all sorts of inexplicable connections."

Zhao Fusheng nodded; he wasn't surprised. China is a society of personal relationships. Wherever there are people, there are various networks and circles.

Not just domestically—it's the same abroad.

Only the naive believe in so-called fair and just democracy.

In this era, class solidification has long since changed our lives without us even realizing it.

Many times, you think you see everything clearly, but in fact, it's only the tip of the iceberg.

"What, are you planning to help Huawei?"

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng was silent, Xue Yuanfang asked curiously.

He knew that Zhao Fusheng had never been keen on political matters, and had even warned him before to try not to involve Future Group in such affairs.

Even in his cooperation with the Xue family, Zhao Fusheng had been very cautious.

And now, he was actually planning to help Huawei—was there some inside story?

"Help him? What for?"

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I said, I'm just passing on a message. If they're not willing to cooperate, I certainly won't get involved."

This was his true feeling. No matter how much he admired President Ren's character, he was sure that they were not the same kind of people.

Men of different paths cannot take counsel together.

Zhao Fusheng understood this principle.

He admired the other man, but that didn't mean he would live like him.

He couldn't bear to have his precious daughter taken hostage.

Admittedly, this was somewhat selfish, but Zhao Fusheng was just an ordinary person, without such lofty ideals.

Perhaps this might make him look bad in many people's eyes, but for Zhao Fusheng, this was what he truly thought.

And Xue Yuanfang naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant. He glanced at Zhao Fusheng, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing more.

He knew very well that with Zhao Fusheng's personality, saying this to him meant that he had already made up his mind.

Or rather, Zhao Fusheng's purpose in saying this was to convey the message to President Ren and Huawei through him.

Helping was fine, but if it required Zhao Fusheng to fight tooth and nail against others, then sorry—he would not put himself and Future Group in a dangerous position.