Chapter 1704: Pleading for Mercy

Lee Byung-hun never imagined that such a major blow would befall him, all because of a meal.

With Hanxing Investment, Samsung's Chinese partner, and the events of today, if Lee Byung-hun still couldn't figure it out, he would truly be a pig.

Although the JoongAng Ilbo seemed to hold a transcendent position in the Korean media, in fact, its founding was supported by Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul.

In other words, Samsung had great influence over this newspaper.

If most of the Korean media really blacklisted him, things might blow up.

So, he called Kim Young-min of SM Entertainment to ask about the mysterious Chinese man's background.

And the answer he got from Kim Young-min made Lee Byung-hun's soul flee in terror!

"Representative Lee, if I were you, I would go to the Walkerhill Hotel right now and kneel to apologize to Chairman Zhao. If he's in a good mood, you might survive. Otherwise, even retiring won't be easy!"

Kim Young-min's words echoed in Lee Byung-hun's mind like a morning bell or evening drum.

He realized that this time, he had truly provoked someone he shouldn't have.

"Representative, what's wrong?"

A few confidants looked at each other, none understanding what was happening to Lee Byung-hun.

"It's nothing."

Lee Byung-hun struggled to stand up and waved at the others: "I've thought it through."

"Huh?"

The others were puzzled, dumbfounded, completely unable to understand what Lee Byung-hun was talking about.

"It turns out I provoked someone I shouldn't have."

He laughed self-deprecatingly, shook his head, and waved at them: "You can leave now."

By now, he roughly understood how to resolve this.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was morning. Lee Byung-hun sat in his car, parked at the entrance of the Walkerhill Hotel.

"Teacher Ahn Sung-ki, thank you."

Lee Byung-hun said to Ahn Sung-ki sitting beside him. Last night, he had urgently sought help from many contacts in his circle, finally begging Ahn Sung-ki to intervene.

Although Ahn Sung-ki really disliked this matter, in Korea, sometimes personal favors are hard to refuse.

More importantly, Ahn Sung-ki also felt that Zhao Fusheng's intention might not be to completely destroy Lee Byung-hun.

As the saying goes, old but not dead is a thief. How could a sly old fox like Ahn Sung-ki fail to see Zhao Fusheng's intent to kill the chicken to scare the monkey?

"You don't need to thank me. I'm just doing it as a favor for someone."

Ahn Sung-ki glanced at Lee Byung-hun indifferently and said calmly: "I will convey your message to Chairman Zhao. Whether he will see you, I don't know."

Lee Byung-hun nodded repeatedly: "That's fine, that's fine. Just conveying the message is enough."

By now, he had no room to bargain. Only by gaining forgiveness from Chairman Zhao could he have a chance to survive.

...

...

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't know all this. He had merely given a casual order; how his subordinates handled it was up to them.

For Zhao Fusheng, as a superior, it would be too exhausting to constantly worry about the fate of those beneath him.

"Mr. Ahn Sung-ki is here."

Zhao Fusheng was playing with Fan Beibei in the room when Wu Sijie said to him.

"Please, come in."

Zhao Fusheng looked up, smiled, and said: "It seems he's a lobbyist sent by Lee Byung-hun."

"Not necessarily."

Wu Sijie shook his head, not agreeing with Zhao Fusheng.

"Oh?"

Zhao Fusheng was startled: "What's the matter?"

Wu Sijie replied: "Teacher Ahn Sung-ki didn't bring him along. He seems to have come alone, and from his manner, he didn't mention Lee Byung-hun's intentions."

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "You're overthinking. It's probably that Lee Byung-hun doesn't dare to come up himself."

That was true. To Lee Byung-hun, he must be like a tiger, so of course he wouldn't dare face him directly.

"Please bring Mr. Ahn Sung-ki up."

Zhao Fusheng nodded to Wu Sijie with a smile.

Wu Sijie nodded, turned, and went out, soon bringing Ahn Sung-ki before Zhao Fusheng.

"Mr. Ahn Sung-ki, long time no see."

"Hello, Chairman Zhao."

Ahn Sung-ki bowed to Zhao Fusheng.

The two conversed in English, so there was no language barrier.

"Please, sit."

Zhao Fusheng pointed to the sofa, inviting Ahn Sung-ki to sit.

"Mr. Ahn Sung-ki looks younger and younger." Zhao Fusheng laughed: "I watched your film from last year; it was really good."

Ahn Sung-ki, known as Korea's Liang Chaowei, was truly an outstanding actor.

It was said that Korea had three top actors, but in Zhao Fusheng's view, all three fell slightly short compared to Ahn Sung-ki.

"Thank you for your compliment."

Ahn Sung-ki smiled: "I didn't know you were in Korea, otherwise I would have visited you sooner."

"I'm here on a family trip, so I didn't want to disturb too many people." Zhao Fusheng said with a smile.

That was true. If not for the incident with Lee Byung-hun, Zhao Fusheng certainly wouldn't have alerted anyone.

Come quietly, leave quietly—that was Zhao Fusheng's plan.

But unexpectedly, that idiot Lee Byung-hun dared to provoke him; he was practically asking for death!

However, Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised that Lee Byung-hun could enlist Ahn Sung-ki. It seemed the guy still had some influence and connections in Korea, otherwise he couldn't have gotten Ahn Sung-ki to come as a lobbyist.

"May I ask why Teacher Ahn Sung-ki has come to see me today?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Ahn Sung-ki and asked slowly.

Ahn Sung-ki smiled wryly: "Chairman Zhao, you're asking knowingly. There's a Chinese saying: 'Before a true person, don't speak false words.' I think I won't beat around the bush."

Then, he dropped his smile and said to Zhao Fusheng: "I want to know how Lee Byung-hun offended you."

He paused and quickly explained: "Of course, I'm not blaming you. I just want to know if there's any room for compromise."

He wasn't stupid. He knew very well the relative importance of Zhao Fusheng and Lee Byung-hun. There was no need to offend a big shot like Zhao Fusheng for a man like Lee Byung-hun, who was already on the decline and would be finished even if he escaped this storm.

So, he was only asking, not really intending to act as a mediator.

He also knew he didn't have that much face with Zhao Fusheng.

Perhaps in all of Korea, those with such influence could be counted on one hand.

"Heh, it's nothing."

Zhao Fusheng laughed, shook his head, and said to Ahn Sung-ki: "Mr. Lee Byung-hun may have overestimated his own status."

Ahn Sung-ki remained silent. He had learned the whole story from Lee Byung-hun. Though he found Lee's behavior contemptible, he knew this matter could be taken seriously or lightly.

The key was whether Zhao Fusheng was willing to let Lee Byung-hun off.

"He's outside, hoping to see you. Would Chairman Zhao be willing to meet him?" Ahn Sung-ki asked Zhao Fusheng.

He then added: "Rest assured, Chairman Zhao. I'm just relaying his message. The decision is yours."

"Meet him?"

Zhao Fusheng sat there, smiled, and nodded lightly: "Since Teacher Ahn Sung-ki has spoken, I'll see him."

Ahn Sung-ki was overjoyed. Regardless, Zhao Fusheng had given him face. Word would spread that Ahn Sung-ki had preserved Lee Byung-hun's dignity before a Chinese tycoon, and everyone would thank him.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Ahn Sung-ki said to Zhao Fusheng.

His task of relaying the message was done. He had never liked the things Lee Byung-hun did, but this time, a request from his senior left him no choice but to step in.

Now that the task was complete, he naturally wanted to leave.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and had Wu Sijie escort Ahn Sung-ki downstairs.

And also to call up that great actor Lee Byung-hun.

Lee Byung-hun was downstairs, extremely nervous, his face full of worry.

He wasn't stupid. By now, if he couldn't gain Chairman Zhao's forgiveness, a thunderous blow awaited him.

Even if those connected to Chairman Zhao stopped, his enemies, who had watched his rise and remained hidden in the shadows, would not let him go.

After all, in the Korean entertainment industry, due to the small market, even actors from the same company sometimes competed.

Not to mention that BH Entertainment had been too successful in the past two years. Lee Byung-hun himself admitted he had become complacent.

And now, he was completely sober!

"Teacher Ahn Sung-ki, how did it go?"

Seeing Ahn Sung-ki appear, Lee Byung-hun quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Chairman Zhao has agreed to see you."

Ahn Sung-ki glanced at Lee Byung-hun and said flatly: "Take care of yourself."

Then he left directly, without any intention of continuing the conversation.

Lee Byung-hun looked up and saw Wu Sijie looking at him with a half-smile.

It was him!

Lee Byung-hun suddenly recalled last night's events. If he remembered correctly, this man had been standing at the shop entrance last night.

It seemed he was Chairman Zhao's trusted aide.

"Hello."

Lee Byung-hun bowed to Wu Sijie in greeting.

Wu Sijie nodded: "Follow me."

Then he turned and walked toward the elevator. Lee Byung-hun quickly followed, knowing that his future survival in the film industry depended on the success of this meeting.

He just didn't know if the mysterious Chairman Zhao would give him a chance to live.