Chapter 1710: The Cocktail Party

Zhao Fusheng ended up going to Lee Boo-jin's evening party alone.

Simply because Fan Beibei didn't want to be separated from Song Qian; she felt that going to that kind of place was not as good as following Song Qian to eat at the SM company cafeteria.

The wonder of human connection lies in this.

Some people, even after spending a lifetime together, remain strangers, while others, even after just one meeting, feel like old friends.

Zhao Fusheng had no prejudice; since Fan Beibei liked Song Qian, he let her go.

As for singers or artists, although Zhao Fusheng didn't really appreciate that circle, he knew that Korea was quite different from China.

In the Korean entertainment industry, actors have a relatively higher status, while singers are much lower.

For example, in Korea, an idol singer wanting to become an actor has to go through a very difficult process.

In China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, there aren't as many constraints.

There is no clear boundary or distinction between actors and singers.

To be precise, in China, it's all about popularity. As long as you have popularity, the agency will package you. It doesn't matter whether it's singing, acting, or variety shows; there are plenty of opportunities.

What's more interesting is that cross-industry work has become a norm in China. Once you make a name in one field, you inevitably try your hand at another.

For example, if a talent show singer becomes hugely popular, then you'll see that person in many movies, TV dramas, and even variety shows afterward.

Neither the audience nor the artists themselves think there's anything wrong with that. Once you're famous, you should develop in all directions.

Just like Zhao Yanzi, a performance major, who became famous overnight with 'My Fair Princess.' In the first season it was fine, but in the second season, she blatantly started singing on stage and even released an album.

It was clearly a way to rip off fans' money!

But fans still bought it—that's the true state of the Chinese entertainment industry.

The good thing about Song Qian is that she is Chinese. This made Zhao Fusheng have no prejudice against her. If she were Korean, he definitely wouldn't have allowed Fan Beibei to associate with her.

Zhao Fusheng never denied this.

He was a complete xenophobe.

Anyway, he didn't plan to send Fan Beibei abroad to study. After all, abroad, she wouldn't enjoy the treatment of having study buddies, and even if she got sick, the school wouldn't assign more than twenty students to take care of her.

……

……

"Chairman, the cocktail party is about to start."

Zhao Fusheng had just finished a call with Wu Sijie, instructing him not to let Fan Beibei eat at the SM company cafeteria but to take her, Song Qian, and the others out to eat, when Park Sun-young walked in and said to Zhao Fusheng.

"Let's go."

Zhao Fusheng nodded and walked out first.

As the two left the room, Chen Zhen and the others immediately followed.

For them, Zhao Fusheng's safety was the most important thing.

They took the elevator downstairs. When they arrived at the banquet hall, Lee Boo-jin was already waiting in person at the entrance.

"Sister Boo-jin, you're too polite."

Zhao Fusheng looked at the elaborately dressed Lee Boo-jin and said with a smile, "I can't bear this honor."

He was, of course, teasing Lee Boo-jin for coming to the entrance to greet him.

Lee Boo-jin rolled her eyes and gave Zhao Fusheng a dirty look. "Stop flattering yourself!"

"What? Sister Boo-jin, aren't you here to welcome me?" Zhao Fusheng immediately put on a sad expression. "If you say that, I'll be upset."

"If I said I was welcoming you, would you believe it?"

Lee Boo-jin smiled charmingly, revealing an enigmatic smile. "As the host, I naturally have to welcome every guest. When you have time, I'll invite you to dinner alone, and then I'll definitely welcome you in person."

"Ahem..."

Zhao Fusheng felt a bit awkward, and Lee Boo-jin herself also felt awkward after saying that. They both decisively changed the subject.

The words just spoken seemed harmless, but upon closer thought, it seemed like Lee Boo-jin was flirting with Zhao Fusheng.

That was strange!

Both were smart people. Although Lee Boo-jin was now single, Zhao Fusheng had no interest at all in this 'noona' who was much older than him.

What a joke! This was the eldest princess of Samsung, Lee Kun-hee's eldest daughter. If there were any emotional entanglement between them, it would be an earthquake-level event.

Zhao Fusheng would never do that, even if it killed him.

"Please come in."

The awkward atmosphere didn't last long. Lee Boo-jin soon had someone escort Zhao Fusheng and Park Sun-young inside, while Chen Zhen and the others stayed outside the banquet hall.

The guests here today were all of extraordinary status. Samsung had implemented strict security measures, and as bodyguards, Chen Zhen and the others naturally couldn't be allowed in.

Park Sun-young followed behind Zhao Fusheng into the banquet hall.

As Korea's top chaebol family, the Samsung Lee family's appeal was undeniable. Even rival families wouldn't completely disregard face, so today's party hosted by Lee Boo-jin attracted many guests.

"It's really lively."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Park Sun-young beside him.

Park Sun-young was momentarily stunned, not understanding, so she just smiled at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head, knowing she didn't get his meaning, and smiled without saying more.

After all, she wasn't Chinese and didn't understand the depth of the Chinese language. If Wu Sijie were here, he would surely know that Zhao Fusheng's remark just now wasn't necessarily a compliment.

"President Zhao, hello."

Just then, a voice sounded. Zhao Fusheng turned around and saw Lee Jae-yong smiling at him.

Seeing Lee Jae-yong approach, Park Sun-young politely nodded to him and stepped aside.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled lightly and was quite polite to the Samsung crown prince: "Hello, President Lee."

"You're too kind." Lee Jae-yong gave a slight bow, appearing very respectful toward Zhao Fusheng.

Although he hadn't liked Zhao Fusheng before, the benefits Twitter brought to the Lee family were evident. As long as Lee Jae-yong wasn't an idiot, he knew his father had made the right bet again.

Thus, Zhao Fusheng's status in the Lee family had naturally risen.

Of course, not as a subordinate, but as a partner.

An important partner naturally required careful treatment.

This was no joke; cooperation between the strong yields more benefits. Both Lee Jae-yong and Lee Kun-hee understood this well.

What Lee Jae-yong cared more about was that the Twitter deal was negotiated in China by Lee Boo-jin and himself. Although Lee Boo-jin was the intermediary, he, Lee Jae-yong, also played a significant role.

This was undoubtedly important to Samsung's shareholders.

The reason was simple: it proved the capability of the Lee family's heir.

Lee Jae-yong was no fool. Although his sister Lee Boo-jin had been won over by him, that didn't mean his position as heir within the Lee family was rock-solid.

None of the Lees were easy to deal with. Lee Jae-yong not only had to guard against his second sister Lee Seo-hyun but also couldn't let his guard down against his eldest sister Lee Boo-jin.

For him, family and business were the same; if he wasn't careful, someone could easily take advantage.

"President Lee, what have you been busy with lately?"

Zhao Fusheng casually took a drink from a waiter, took a sip, and spoke to Lee Jae-yong in English.

Lee Jae-yong's Chinese was mediocre; perhaps due to the Korean tongue, it always sounded awkward, so Zhao Fusheng simply spoke English with him.

"Nothing much."

Lee Jae-yong smiled. "As you know, I'm mainly in charge of Samsung Electronics."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. As the largest subsidiary under the Samsung Group, Samsung Electronics being under Lee Jae-yong's charge itself proved Lee Kun-hee's regard for him.

Of course, it could also be understood as the elder Lee grooming his successor.

"Chairman Zhao, if you don't mind, I can introduce a few friends to you." Lee Jae-yong suggested to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

As Samsung's heir, standing here talking with Zhao Fusheng naturally drew the attention of others in the banquet hall. Zhao Fusheng had already noticed several people looking their way, and if not for Lee Jae-yong's presence, they would probably have come over to inquire.

"Sure."

Zhao Fusheng nodded to Lee Jae-yong. "I don't mind getting to know some of Korea's young elites."

When he said this, his tone was inevitably patronizing, but both Lee Jae-yong and Zhao Fusheng himself found it natural.

Zhao Fusheng found it natural because of his mental age, while Lee Jae-yong found it natural because, in his view, Zhao Fusheng was already someone who could negotiate with his father, so calling others young elites was perfectly normal.

In a country that measures social status by wealth, someone of Zhao Fusheng's caliber in Korea was already qualified to converse with the heads of chaebol families.

After all, he was truly a rich man.

And an ultra-rich one at that!

"Alright, please follow me."

Upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, a smile appeared on Lee Jae-yong's face.

For him, introducing Zhao Fusheng to the heirs of other chaebol families was not only a display of his network but also a good way to strengthen his relationship with Zhao Fusheng.

Human interaction is often mutually beneficial. Zhao Fusheng hoped to expand his network in Korea through Lee Jae-yong, while Lee Jae-yong also needed to use Zhao Fusheng to demonstrate his power to those around him.

After all, with Hanxing Investment, or rather Future Group, being a very important partner of Samsung, if Lee Jae-yong, as the heir, appeared distant from Zhao Fusheng, it would send a bad signal to the outside world.

As Lee Kun-hee's successor, Lee Jae-yong certainly knew what was the best choice for himself.