Chapter 1863 Birthday

Zhao Fusheng hadn't lied to Masao Ono; he really was returning to the capital today.

Of course, the purpose wasn't to accompany his family, but because he indeed had matters to handle.

As for things in Hong Kong, he could leave them to Ma Xiaoyun and Dong Chenxi.

Regarding his cooperation with Ma Xiaoyun, Zhao Fusheng wasn't worried about him playing tricks, not to mention that Ma Xiaoyun couldn't find a more suitable partner than himself.

More importantly, Ma Xiaoyun was a Chinese businessman.

So-called reputation is given by others; good can be spoken of as bad, and bad as good, so compromise is the approach most businessmen choose—a middle ground.

As for occasional betrayal, needless to say, although foreigners always talk about the spirit of contract, what they like most is to tamper with contracts, nitpicking to cheat partners—they've done plenty of that.

But Chinese businessmen value reputation more than anyone else.

This might be the result of thousands of years of deeply ingrained Confucian thought.

After ending the meeting with Masao Ono, Zhao Fusheng packed up and really prepared to leave.

"You're leaving just like that?"

Dong Chenxi was still a bit worried; she felt uneasy about Zhao Fusheng's departure.

"Don't worry, there's no need to be concerned."

Zhao Fusheng saw things more clearly than she did.

"How about you meet Ma Xiaoyun again?" Dong Chenxi thought for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "No need. Even if we meet again, what we discuss won't differ from last time. Without a doubt, he and I both know each other's bottom lines."

He seemed unwilling to accept Dong Chenxi's suggestion, or rather, Zhao Fusheng had already made up his mind.

"Alas, I hope you're right."

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's firm attitude, Dong Chenxi couldn't say more and could only nod with a bitter smile.

"No one's life can be separated from the whole society. The people we meet, the thoughts that flash through our minds, the words others say at that moment—all can influence us. Perhaps at some time, someone's words have no effect on us, but at another time and place, our reaction might be strong."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Dong Chenxi: "Do you understand what I mean?"

"Ah?"

Dong Chenxi was somewhat bewildered; clearly, she didn't quite grasp the meaning of Zhao Fusheng's words.

"Times have changed."

Zhao Fusheng calmly explained: "Right now, apart from us, Ma Xiaoyun can't find a more suitable partner. For both him and me, this cooperation is a win-win."

Dong Chenxi nodded; she now understood Zhao Fusheng's words a bit better.

"Let's go."

Zhao Fusheng said to Dong Chenxi with a smile, then got into the car and left.

……

……

Facts proved that Zhao Fusheng's guess was correct.

At the shareholders' meeting the next day, when Ma Xiaoyun proposed the dual-class share structure, everyone was stunned.

"So this was his confidence?"

Masao Ono was greatly surprised, then thought about what would happen if this dual-class share structure were extended to the entire Alibaba Group.

At that time, no one would be able to shake Ma Xiaoyun and his team's say in the whole company.

"This guy really trusts Ma Xiaoyun."

Masao Ono and James exchanged a glance, the same thought involuntarily crossing their minds.

They had to admit that this time, Zhao Fusheng had won again.

But the reason he won wasn't because he was powerful or clever, but because he wasn't greedy.

Exactly!

It was precisely not being greedy!

Whether it was SoftBank or Sequoia Capital, both had ambitions for control of Alibaba, eager to become the largest shareholder and take over the company's operations.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't think that way; he simply wanted Alibaba's value to keep rising and his investment returns to increase—nothing more.

So Ma Xiaoyun and Zhao Fusheng hit it off immediately.

"I knew it! I knew it!"

Looking at the silent people in the meeting room, Ma Xiaoyun felt a surge of pride; he finally understood Zhao Fusheng's intention.

Before that, Zhao Fusheng had told him that once this plan was proposed, he wouldn't have to worry about trouble from SoftBank.

"Since that's the case, it seems we need to prepare for an IPO in the United States."

Ma Xiaoyun's gaze swept over the faces in the meeting room, and he silently made a decision.

For such smart people, they don't only see immediate gains or a single issue; they usually consider the layout three, five, or even several years ahead.

At that moment, Dong Chenxi exchanged a glance with Wu Sijie, who was representing Zhao Fusheng, and both saw a hint of shock in each other's eyes.

No one expected that Zhao Fusheng had really called it.

Or rather, his grasp of these people's thoughts was incredibly accurate.

"Impressive!"

"Truly impressive!"

Both Dong Chenxi and Wu Sijie had similar thoughts.

When Zhao Fusheng received Dong Chenxi's call, it was already evening that day, and he was on the train back to the capital.

"That's it then."

After listening to Dong Chenxi, Zhao Fusheng said to her, "What happens next is Ma Xiaoyun's business; we won't get involved."

"Okay."

Dong Chenxi nodded, naturally having no objection to Zhao Fusheng's words.

"By the way, why are you going back?"

Dong Chenxi then remembered something and casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

"My dad's birthday..."

Zhao Fusheng's answer left Dong Chenxi speechless.

……

……

At different ages, people's mindsets and ways of handling things change, especially regarding birthdays.

When we are twenty, in the prime of youth, birthdays are always spent with a large group, receiving gifts and blessings, often partying all night.

By the time we reach thirty, we usually no longer like the atmosphere of revelry; having settled down, we often spend birthdays amid busyness.

At forty, birthdays just mean we've grown another year older; both inwardly and outwardly, we become more aged and mature, perhaps sitting there occasionally recalling our past times.

Life is really like that.

For Zhao Dad, this feeling was even more pronounced.

In recent years, he felt as if he were dreaming. Ten years ago, he was an ordinary worker on the verge of being laid off, and now he had become a boss worth hundreds of millions, and his son had become the most mysterious young wealthy man in China.

To be honest, if not for the large villa he woke up to every morning and his granddaughter toddling toward him, he would have thought he was dreaming.

But this dream was so real.

"Son, I want to thank you."

After the family had eaten, the father and son stood on the balcony, looking at the stars outside the window, and Zhao Dad suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng looked puzzled: "What are you thanking me for? I should thank you; without you, I wouldn't exist."

"You little rascal!"

Zhao Dad glared at Zhao Fusheng and said irritably, "Stop talking nonsense. You're a father yourself; how can you still be so unserious?"

"Even if I'm a grandfather, you're still my dad. What's wrong with that..." Zhao Fusheng said nonchalantly.

"You always have a retort."

Zhao Dad laughed. Although he had scolded his son, he felt quite pleased inside.

They say parents hope their children become dragons. Now, for him and Zhao Mom, there were really no regrets, given how successful Zhao Fusheng was.

With a happy family and a thriving career, such a life was something Zhao Dad and Zhao Mom had never even dared to hope for.

Living in a large villa in the capital, dealing with business worth hundreds of millions, to be honest, if Zhao Fusheng weren't still so filial, they would have doubted whether he was still their son.

"Dad, you should retire in a few years."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and suddenly said to Zhao Dad.

"Retire?"

Zhao Dad was taken aback: "What do you have in mind?"

He didn't think much else, just assuming his son wanted to merge Wanda into his Future Group.

In Zhao Dad's view, that was only natural. Although his company couldn't compare with his son's in scale—completely different—his business was his son's business, wasn't it?

He had only one son; no matter how big the enterprise, it would eventually be inherited by Zhao Fusheng.

"It's not that I have something in mind."

Seeing his father's expression, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said, "I think you can gradually step back from management. You might also consider changing the legal representative. From now on, you can just hold shares and be a shareholder—that's fine."

This was his honest opinion, and he had considered it for a long time before telling his father.

His father was getting older day by day. Zhao Fusheng didn't know if his father enjoyed doing business and competing in the business world, but he didn't want his father to work too hard.

At this age, with his own child, he hoped his father could enjoy the joy of playing with grandchildren at home, rather than continuing to scheme with others in the marketplace.

"What, you want me to retire?"

Zhao Dad was startled, then understood Zhao Fusheng's meaning, and said with a smile, "Your dad isn't so old that he can't move yet."

"Who said you're old?"

Zhao Fusheng felt helpless and shook his head: "I think, since the child is growing up, if you and Mom have nothing else to do, you could help us take care of the kids, travel around, and enjoy life—isn't that good?"

He paused and said seriously, "You don't want your grandchildren to have no one to look after them, do you?"

Zhao Dad's expression changed slightly; clearly, Zhao Fusheng's last few words had moved him.