Chapter 2119: Then Let's Meet

Zhao Fusheng had never actually thought about changing the development process of Marvel.

For many things, especially industries he didn't understand, the best way to make money was to let the professionals handle it while he followed behind.

For example, with Facebook, even though Zhao Fusheng knew Mark Zuckerberg liked to play tricks and had even secretly ousted Sean Parker, he still chose to side with Zuckerberg.

The reason was simple: Zhao Fusheng clearly knew that only under Zuckerberg's leadership could Facebook truly develop.

If someone else were put in charge of Facebook, the company might not achieve the brilliant success he remembered.

Given that, Zhao Fusheng saw no need to take risks.

By the same logic, Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige were undoubtedly the keys to Marvel's rise.

So, although Zhao Fusheng had been reprimanding them, in truth, he never thought of firing them; on the contrary, he would give unreserved support to their plans.

After all, in Zhao Fusheng's memory, it was precisely because of them that Marvel achieved a true revival.

But for safety's sake, Zhao Fusheng still wanted to offer some suggestions.

After all, Marvel was now his company, and some things were better said upfront.

"I understand what you mean."

After a long while, Kevin Feige slowly spoke, looking at Zhao Fusheng and said seriously, "Rest assured, I will put the company's interests in the most important position."

The implication was that he had understood Zhao Fusheng's requirements and agreed to the decision.

It made sense—any film company makes movies to earn money, and in Hollywood, actors' salaries were indeed very high.

If the situation Zhao Fusheng described actually occurred, it would be unacceptable for Marvel.

So Kevin Feige naturally accepted Zhao Fusheng's suggestion without hesitation.

To him, Zhao Fusheng's words were not wrong.

He didn't need to refute them.

Zhao Fusheng smiled with satisfaction, pleased with Kevin Feige's attitude.

"To be honest, I've always thought Marvel's superheroes are more interesting than DC's." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Kevin Feige.

Kevin Feige chuckled, but inwardly he was unimpressed.

If the speaker were an American, he might believe it, but coming from Zhao Fusheng, Kevin Feige wouldn't buy it for a second—after all, this guy was an Easterner.

How much could an Easterner know about American superhero comics?

It was just random talk.

Seeing his expression, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said no more.

Some things couldn't be explained; he couldn't exactly tell the other that he had been cultivated by watching all those Marvel movies in his past life.

After all, Marvel's marketing was so good that it had turned the Marvel brand into the epitome of superheroes.

In this regard, DC undoubtedly needed to learn from Marvel.

"Mr. Zhao, since that's the case, when do we contact Disney?" Jon Favreau looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly asked.

Clearly, that was what he cared about.

Zhao Fusheng laughed upon hearing this: "No, not we, but I."

"Huh?"

Kevin Feige and Jon Favreau were both startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng in confusion, completely unsure what he meant.

Was he going back on his word?

Zhao Fusheng certainly didn't intend to renege, but he had his own ideas.

"You two are professional managers and the future heads of Marvel."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, giving them a reassurance, and then said, "My negotiations with Disney are purely business, exchanges between investors, so you don't need to worry about that."

"Uh..." Kevin Feige hesitated, about to speak, but Jon Favreau nudged him and shook his head slightly, signaling him to keep quiet.

Kevin Feige trusted his old friend of many years.

Favreau didn't speak much usually, seeming taciturn, but he was actually the most clear-headed.

He was a man of few words in normal times, but someone who could make the decisive call at critical moments.

That was why the two had been able to cooperate for so many years.

Just now, even though Zhao Fusheng had been reprimanding them, Jon Favreau had turned the situation around in an instant—on that alone, Kevin Feige knew he was no match for Jon Favreau.

Since he told him not to speak anymore, so be it.

With that thought, Kevin Feige decisively chose to shut up.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, his gaze shifting between the two, giving Jon Favreau a meaningful look, and finally nodded, seemingly satisfied with their reactions.

To be honest, he hadn't known before that there was such a dynamic between these two.

Now it seemed that both Jon Favreau and Kevin Feige had been underestimated.

In his past life, they had brought Marvel to its peak; his earlier impressions had led him to misunderstand, thinking their abilities were lacking.

It might not have been a matter of ability, but rather that the idiots on Marvel's board didn't know how to use them, plunging the company into trouble.

"I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation."

Zhao Fusheng stood up, extended his hand to the two, and said with a smile.

"Let's hope so."

"As you wish."

The two also stood up and shook hands with Zhao Fusheng respectively.

But the words they spoke were somewhat different.

Kevin Feige said "Let's hope so," while Jon Favreau said "As you wish."

Clearly, the former still had some concerns, while the latter understood their current position.

Giving Jon Favreau an approving look, Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Yiming, see the two gentlemen out."

Liu Yiming quickly stood up and escorted the two fat men out of Zhao Fusheng's room.

As an assistant secretary, that was his job.

...

...

Soon, Liu Yiming returned to the room.

"They've left?"

Zhao Fusheng said with a smile.

"Yeah, both were quite happy." Liu Yiming shrugged: "Chairman, are those two fat guys really that impressive?"

He rarely saw Zhao Fusheng value two people so much, receiving them for so long and being so amiable.

In Liu Yiming's understanding, people who played such two-faced tricks should be shown the door directly.

He was now completely devoted to Zhao Fusheng. His sister Liu Yan had moved from Guangxian to Future Group and was now the company's unique host.

In Liu Yan's words, at Future Film, she didn't have to worry about encountering any underhanded dealings, and no one dared to hint at her.

Everyone knew her identity—she was the sister of Zhao Fusheng's assistant.

That identity alone was enough to secure her foothold in the film industry.

Thinking of this, Liu Yiming secretly decided that he would stay by Zhao Fusheng's side no matter what.

"Heh, do you think it's impressive that they built Marvel into a big success?"

Zhao Fusheng said casually with a smile.

Talented people should be given due respect.

Anyone who made money for him, Zhao Fusheng would treat with courtesy.

A smart boss knew how to treat subordinates with respect and understood the benefits of doing so.

The significance of treating subordinates with respect was to get what one wanted.

In other words, as a boss, if there was no benefit, why bother being courteous?

Like Liu Bei's three visits to the thatched cottage—why was he willing to go three times to invite Zhuge Liang? Simply because he couldn't gain the support of the largest group of scholars.

At that time, the most powerful strategists had chosen Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, while Liu Bei himself had no notable strategists.

Under such circumstances, Liu Bei had to treat subordinates with respect and put on a show.

"I understand."

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Liu Yiming smiled: "Looks like those two really have skills."

"Of course."

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Entrusting Marvel to their management is the most suitable arrangement."

Then he laughed: "If you could guarantee to build Marvel into a ten-billion-dollar enterprise in a few years, I could hand it over to you too."

"No, no way."

Liu Yiming shook his head like a rattle-drum: "You're joking, I don't have that ability."

He had enough self-awareness; he could handle secretarial work and attend to things, but if sent to the grassroots, he knew he'd only be at the level of a branch manager, and even then, not necessarily competent.

As for building Marvel into a ten-billion-dollar enterprise as Zhao Fusheng said, that was pure fantasy.

Ten billion US dollars!

That wasn't ten billion RMB!

Liu Yiming knew Zhao Fusheng definitely meant US dollars, not RMB.

That requirement was impossible even if he worked himself to death.

"Heh, you."

Zhao Fusheng laughed, pointing at Liu Yiming, but said nothing more.

To be honest, what he appreciated most about Liu Yiming was precisely this.

Liu Yiming might not be as capable as Wu Sijie, nor could he stand alone, but he had one commendable trait: he never boasted. He guaranteed what he could do, and what he couldn't, he wouldn't make empty promises like others.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, that was a very good quality.

Every boss likes such employees—not necessarily outstanding in ability, but loyal and honest.

Liu Yiming clearly met that requirement.