Chapter 0198: The Boss's Suggestion

We always think naively, but when we experience the bloody reality and are covered in wounds, looking back, we were indeed very naive.

Zhao Fusheng used to enjoy reading magazines that introduced two physical theories: the Fermi Paradox and the Parallel Worlds Theory. The former can be summed up in one sentence: there are countless galaxies in the universe, each with countless stars, so there should be many extraterrestrial life forms. But these life forms often destroy their entire civilization before developing interstellar travel capabilities.

The latter, the Parallel Worlds Theory, is a serious physical theory. It is related to a famous time travel paradox, the 'Grandfather Paradox.'

The so-called Grandfather Paradox goes like this: suppose you have the ability to time travel, you go back in time and kill your great-grandfather when he was a child. This leads to a paradox—if you kill your great-grandfather, you would not be born, you would not go back in time, and you could not kill your great-grandfather.

The Parallel Worlds Theory provides an ideal answer to this paradox: the universe you return to is no longer the universe you left. The universe splits with every tiny change, splitting into countless universes every millisecond. When you time travel, you go from Universe One to Universe Two (or Three, or even Four...), killing your great-grandfather in Universe Two, while your great-grandfather in Universe One remains alive.

This theory can indeed explain some physical problems, not just fictional time travel issues. But because the idea of such splitting is too terrifying, few people take it seriously.

But Zhao Fusheng can now be sure that parallel universes do exist.

Otherwise, how else could he explain his current situation?

"I understand. I'll take care of this matter." Zhao Fusheng nodded to Zheng Yao, then looked at Tang Yu: "Director Tang, I'll need your guidance from now on."

Tang Yu smiled and waved her hand: "You're too kind, too kind. From now on, I'm your subordinate."

After seeing off Tang Yu and Bai Jie, only Zhao Fusheng and Zheng Yao remained in the office. Seeing Zhao Fusheng looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated, Zheng Yao frowned: "What? Do you have something to say?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded slightly: "Indeed, there's something I want to discuss with you."

Zheng Yao paused for a moment, then nodded: "Have a seat. Let's talk slowly."

She knew very well that although Zhao Fusheng was the company's behind-the-scenes big boss, he had never expressed opinions about her management of the company. Even regarding the private matter Li Jianguo had stirred up, she was technically responsible since she had brought him in, but Zhao Fusheng still said nothing.

But now, Zhao Fusheng clearly wanted to talk to her.

"Is there a problem?" After sitting down, Zheng Yao asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled bitterly: "Don't you think the company's Planning Department and Creative Department have somewhat overlapping functions?"

Zheng Yao was taken aback, then shook her head: "How is that possible? I set up the departments according to the standard configuration of an advertising agency. I..."

Before she could finish, Zhao Fusheng waved his hand to interrupt her: "But the problem is, we're not yet a standard advertising agency. Which advertising agency has a Creative Department full of interns, with me as the only formal designer?"

Zheng Yao was dumbfounded, standing there for a long time without saying a word.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "As for our Creative Department, I think it can be completely merged into the Planning Department, with Tang Yu taking overall responsibility, while Qin Wentao focuses on creative collection and other matters."

"Is that appropriate?" Zheng Yao hesitated and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "There's no such thing as appropriate or inappropriate. Running a company requires this. If a department shouldn't be set up, what's the use of setting it up? Keep those who can stay, let go those who can't. The camp is made of iron, the soldiers are flowing water. Do you expect anyone to work in our company for a lifetime?"

Zheng Yao smiled bitterly. She really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to have such boldness and say such things.

In fact, if it weren't for the current workload requiring many hands, Zhao Fusheng would have even considered layoffs.

An advertising agency has never been the kind of enterprise that needs a large number of employees.

"Alright, I'll discuss it with HR and finance later." Zheng Yao nodded. Upon careful thought, Zhao Fusheng's words made a lot of sense. She had indeed been too hasty before, always thinking about expanding the company's scale while forgetting the principle that going too far is as bad as falling short.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, let out a long breath, and said to Zheng Yao: "As for Wang Jinghua, I'll go see her tomorrow. Give her some time to adjust."

"Huh?" Zheng Yao frowned, clearly not understanding Zhao Fusheng's meaning.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "She is the mainland agent Andy Lau just signed. Since Andy Lau promised us that this endorsement would not charge a fee, we have to tell Wang Jinghua about it. What do you think her reaction will be?"

Zheng Yao thought of her meeting with Wang Jinghua, the impression that shrewd woman had left on her, and couldn't help but laugh: "I guess her face must be ashen right now."

"Yes, and don't forget, Zhou Feifei is also an artist under her. Now that even Andy Lau is endorsing for free, what about Zhou Feifei? Charge money? When the charity donation news comes out, what will Zhou Feifei become? Someone whose consciousness can't even match a Hong Kong superstar? So, Wang Jinghua will definitely be furious when she hears this news." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said: "Give her two days to adjust. Once her emotions stabilize, she'll probably be able to sit down and talk with us."

Zheng Yao nodded: "In that case, I'll send someone to see Andy Lau first and sign the contract. After all, it's better to have it in hand."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and had no objection to her cautious approach. After all, his agreement with the Heavenly King was only verbal. If the other party backed out under Wang Jinghua's persuasion, there would be nothing he could do. Although he knew that the man was not one to break promises casually, Zhao Fusheng still agreed with Zheng Yao's suggestion.

Promises are often unreliable. Business is business. Relying on a person's character to do business might mostly encounter good people, but as long as one or two bad apples appear occasionally, it can ruin everything.

On this point, a certain basketball club owner named Cuban later learned this lesson from DeAndre Jordan—not everyone is like the German veteran.

Zhao Fusheng certainly didn't want to be like Cuban, being played for a fool and still feeling smug about it.