Chapter 1751 The Reclusive Crown Prince

Zhao Fusheng was a man of strong opinions.

Such a person is not easily swayed, and by the same token, every decision he makes is carefully considered.

Just like now, after soliciting opinions from many people, Zhao Fusheng did not make an immediate decision. This was because he knew very well that his decision would, to a large extent, determine the course of the Samsung heir struggle in the coming years.

Under these circumstances, Zhao Fusheng had to be cautious.

"What are you thinking?"

Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng casually during dinner.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "I still haven't made up my mind."

"Actually, you don't need to overthink it."

Fan Baobao suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng: "I think, at worst, you could go see him and hear what he has to say."

Then she added with a smile: "After all, this is China. What can Li Mengxi do about it?"

Hearing this, Zhao Fusheng also laughed.

Fan Baobao was not wrong at all. This was China, the capital. Even if Li Mengxi tried any tricks, he couldn't do anything to Zhao Fusheng.

With that thought, he finally made up his mind.

Standing up, Zhao Fusheng walked to the side and dialed Zheng Yao's phone.

"Made up your mind?"

Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Reply to them. I agree to meet with Li Mengxi."

Then he added: "Also, leak the news to Samsung."

Ah?

Zheng Yao was puzzled upon hearing this. Logically, shouldn't such matters be kept from Samsung?

Why would Zhao Fusheng intend to leak the news to Samsung?

"Don't worry about it. Lee Kun-hee will understand my intentions," Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

Since that old fox Lee Kun-hee had wanted to test him earlier, he should have been mentally prepared for Zhao Fusheng's counterattack.

As Fan Baobao said, even if Zhao Fusheng and Li Mengxi didn't reach a cooperation agreement, it could still give Lee Kun-hee a surprise.

"Okay, I understand."

Zheng Yao nodded and didn't ask further.

Zhao Fusheng had his own considerations in doing things. As a subordinate and friend, her role was to fill in the gaps, not to instruct him on how to act.

Soon, feedback came from Li Mengxi's side: they were very willing to meet with Zhao Fusheng.

"It seems he really is running out of time."

Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself in his office.

Things were exactly as Wu Sijie had guessed: Li Mengxi's health must have taken a serious turn.

……

……

The meeting place was chosen in a siheyuan in the capital.

Since coming to China for refuge, Li Mengxi had been living there.

When Zhao Fusheng arrived, there were more than a dozen Audi cars parked at the entrance, and several bodyguards standing guard.

Clearly, this was CJ Group's security team.

"Chairman..."

Zhang Qian, who was following Zhao Fusheng, glanced at the group of CJ bodyguards at the door and said solemnly: "I think we should also demand entry."

In his view, why should only CJ people handle security? Since Zhao Fusheng himself was here, Future Group certainly had the right to jointly provide protection.

"Forget it, no need."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head and said to Zhang Qian: "You stay outside with the men and keep in touch at all times, understand?"

But Zhang Qian unexpectedly refused: "I need to accompany you personally."

Whatever Li Mengxi was up to, Zhang Qian felt he had to go in with Zhao Fusheng.

That way, if anything happened, he could look after Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng looked helpless. He really wanted to tell Zhang Qian that this wasn't a movie and there was no need to be so tense, but Zhang Qian had a look that said 'if you don't agree, I won't let you in,' so he had to nod.

As agreed beforehand, each side would bring two people. Originally, Zhao Fusheng's side was Zheng Yao and Wu Sijie, but now it became Zheng Yao and Zhang Qian.

Stepping into the siheyuan, Zhao Fusheng was startled by the decoration before him.

If owning a siheyuan in such a prime location in the capital was a symbol of being a tycoon, then Li Mengxi's siheyuan decoration was definitely the fighter jet among tycoons.

Outrageously lavish!

Exactly!

That was the word!

Conservatively estimated, just the decoration alone would cost at least several million RMB, and that was a conservative estimate.

"Welcome."

An aged voice sounded from across Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng looked up and saw Li Mengxi appear before him.

He had seen his image in materials before, and comparing the two, Zhao Fusheng found that Li Mengxi had indeed lost some weight.

More importantly, his mental state was very poor—a kind of extreme fatigue, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Generally, only people who are ill and unwell show such reactions.

Of this, Zhao Fusheng was quite certain.

"You must be Mr. Zhao Fusheng?"

Li Mengxi greeted Zhao Fusheng in pure Beijing dialect.

"Hello, Mr. Li."

Zhao Fusheng also smiled.

He wasn't surprised that Li Mengxi could speak Chinese. Having lived in the capital for so long, if he was willing to learn, it wouldn't be a problem.

Of course, although he spoke well, one could still tell he was a foreigner.

"Please, come inside."

Li Mengxi glanced at Zheng Yao and Zhang Qian and nodded slightly. Apparently, he had done his homework and knew their identities.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, not surprised at all.

Just as he had Wu Sijie secretly investigate Li Mengxi, CJ would certainly mobilize their network to investigate him.

This was common practice in business competition.

Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory; it was inevitable.

If they had made contact rashly, it would have been the most unwise move. Neither Li Mengxi nor Zhao Fusheng would choose to meet under such circumstances.

Since both were willing to meet, it meant they understood each other's intentions.

The group took their seats as host and guest.

Zheng Yao sat beside Zhao Fusheng, while Zhang Qian did not sit but stood behind Zhao Fusheng.

"Chairman Li, is there something specific you wanted to see me about?"

After sitting down, Zhao Fusheng got straight to the point without any pleasantries.

He knew very well that Li Mengxi must have some agenda. There was no reason for him to proactively seek out Zhao Fusheng and lower his posture to request a meeting without some ulterior motive. Zhao Fusheng would never believe otherwise.

These days, unsolicited favors are either fraudulent or predatory.

The reasoning might be blunt, but it was true.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng knew there was no need to beat around the bush with Li Mengxi, because no matter how eloquently he spoke, the core topic would inevitably be Samsung.

In other words, without Samsung, if Zhao Fusheng were not a shareholder and partner of Samsung, Li Mengxi would never have approached him.

With this realization, Zhao Fusheng felt the negotiation wasn't so difficult after all.

Many things are like this: seemingly tangled, but once you unravel the main thread, you find that most problems are not that complicated.

Just like now, Zhao Fusheng went straight to the point. Logically, Li Mengxi might have been surprised, but his expression was calm, as if he hadn't been startled by Zhao Fusheng's words.

Or rather, he seemed to have anticipated that Zhao Fusheng would get straight to the point as soon as he entered.

"Chairman Zhao, I think we have a lot in common to discuss."

Li Mengxi looked at Zhao Fusheng and said with a smile: "About my younger brother, about Samsung Group, isn't that so?"

Faced with his frankness, Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "Actually, not really. To be honest, I'm not very interested."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Mengxi's smile froze.

He really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to say that.

Based on the analysis by him and his advisors, Zhao Fusheng should be very interested in Samsung's shares, otherwise he wouldn't have exchanged Twitter shares for Samsung shares. But now, judging by his attitude, he clearly didn't care.

Could it be that he was playing hard to get?

"Chairman Li, I'm speaking from the heart."

Seeing Li Mengxi's expression, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said calmly: "Others may see Samsung's shares as very valuable, but to me, it's just a business deal. As a senior in the business world, Chairman Li, you should understand the definition of business better than I do, shouldn't you?"

Hearing this, Li Mengxi's expression immediately changed.

He finally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

He had seen through his thoughts.

Or more precisely, this guy was waiting to see the price.

If he could offer terms satisfactory to Zhao Fusheng, he seemed willing to cooperate!

That was the meaning Li Mengxi read from Zhao Fusheng's words.

Although Zhao Fusheng hadn't said it explicitly, Li Mengxi, with his years of experience in life's ups and downs, had enough confidence that this was exactly what Zhao Fusheng meant.

"Chairman Zhao, can I take your words as your stance?"

Li Mengxi looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked slowly, word by word.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, showing no sign of panic despite Li Mengxi's serious expression. In his view, this guy was just bluffing.

Just a fallen prince, relying on his wife's family's influence and Lee Kun-hee's reluctance to act against him, always thinking about a comeback. It was really tough for him.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't say that out loud.

As the saying goes, you don't slap someone in the face or expose their shortcomings. Since he was already in such a state, there was no need to rub salt in his wounds.