Chapter 2142: Rejection!

In fact, it wasn't just Zhao Fusheng who was hesitating; even Liang Jingyu and the others were also hesitating now.

Because according to the information they had obtained, the overall situation of Hanjin Shipping was actually not bad, except that its shareholding structure was somewhat troublesome, with Korean Air holding over thirty percent of the shares.

As a result of this hesitation, Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie quickly appeared before Zhao Fusheng.

"You've come together. Have a seat."

Zhao Fusheng was also a bit surprised to see them, smiled, and asked them to sit down.

"Chairman, we have news that Hanjin Shipping intends to spin off from the Hanjin Group," Wu Sijie said to Zhao Fusheng after sitting down.

"I see."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. No wonder Lee Boo-jin had approached him; it seemed she was interested in the spun-off Hanjin Shipping.

"To be honest, Hanjin Shipping's operating condition is still pretty good right now."

Wu Sijie began to brief Zhao Fusheng on the situation of Hanjin Shipping.

Liang Jingyu supplemented from the side. Clearly, the two had done their homework before coming and had looked into the company's status.

Zhao Fusheng listened and nodded.

At that moment, Liu Yiming walked in.

In his hands, he held a stack of documents.

"Chairman, this was sent over by Miss Dong, the materials the domestic strategic planning office was asked to collect earlier," Liu Yiming placed the documents in front of Zhao Fusheng and introduced.

"Mm."

Zhao Fusheng nodded, motioned for Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu to stop, and took the documents Liu Yiming handed him, beginning to read.

Liu Yiming smiled slightly at Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu, then withdrew from the room and stood guard at the door.

For him, this was a major matter that didn't require his opinion; he just needed to do his job as a secretary well. As for the rest, those big shots would decide.

A small person cannot lack ambition, but must have self-awareness, knowing what they can do, what they need to do, and what they don't need to do.

Zhao Fusheng silently read the documents, his expression growing increasingly serious.

After a long while, Zhao Fusheng looked up and handed the documents in his hand to Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie: "Take a look."

Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled, but still nodded and took the documents to read.

Moments later, their expressions also changed.

The content of these documents was actually quite simple: from the aspects of profits and the current state of major companies, it comprehensively analyzed the development of the global ocean shipping industry using a data model approach.

To put it more bluntly, the people from the Future Group's strategic planning headquarters had treated the world's shipping industry as a strategic game.

And the conclusion they ultimately reached was—

Not optimistic!

At the latest by the end of the year, the ocean shipping industry worldwide would be affected by the financial crisis and begin to enter a trough.

In other words, although the shipping industry currently seems to be developing well and companies are expanding, if the impact of the economic crisis extends to the shipping industry, then within at most a year, the entire industry will be affected.

Of course, if the economic crisis ends quickly, this impact would be almost negligible and need not be considered at all.

But Zhao Fusheng knew that was impossible.

Because Zhao Fusheng knew that this economic crisis would last for several years and deal a heavy blow to global economic development.

If that were the case, it would mean that Hanjin Shipping's development plan was a joke!

"This... is this true?"

Liang Jingyu looked up after a long while, staring at Zhao Fusheng, his voice trembling slightly as he asked.

He really couldn't believe it. If this were true, wouldn't it mean that many shipping companies worldwide would fall into trouble?

"It shouldn't be wrong."

Zhao Fusheng nodded and said to Liang Jingyu, "If that's the case, not only should we not invest in Hanjin Shipping, but we also need to adjust our investment direction in South Korea as soon as possible."

"Yes," Liang Jingyu immediately nodded.

"And Samsung..." Wu Sijie hesitated, then asked Zhao Fusheng.

After all, this matter was proposed by Lee Boo-jin. If the Future Group made no move, they would still need to give Lee Boo-jin an explanation.

"Heh, I'll handle it."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to them, "Don't leak this news, lest others say we are worrying unnecessarily."

"Okay."

Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu nodded, not thinking much of it.

Their thinking was actually very clear: since Zhao Fusheng said he would explain to Lee Boo-jin, he would definitely meet with her.

...

...

As it turned out, they were right.

After Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu left, Zhao Fusheng sat in the room thinking for a long time, and finally dialed Lee Boo-jin's number.

"Sister Boo-jin, I think we need to meet."

Zhao Fusheng said to Lee Boo-jin straightforwardly.

Lee Boo-jin was startled, not expecting Zhao Fusheng to say that.

After hesitating for less than a few seconds, Lee Boo-jin finally nodded: "Okay."

Since Zhao Fusheng was taking the initiative to meet her, he must have formed an opinion on the matter she had proposed earlier.

Although the speed surprised Lee Boo-jin a bit—she had originally thought Zhao Fusheng would take at least until next month to make a decision.

Unexpectedly, this guy was so quick, reaching a decision in less than a week.

The two chose not to meet outside but set the location at the Shilla Hotel.

"I'll send a car to pick you up."

Lee Boo-jin thought for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

More than two hours later, at the Shilla Hotel.

"Have you decided?"

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Lee Boo-jin asked with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yes, Sister Boo-jin, I don't plan to invest in Hanjin Shipping."

"Huh?"

Lee Boo-jin was momentarily stunned, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "What did you say?"

"I said, I don't plan to invest in Hanjin Shipping."

Zhao Fusheng said calmly, "And I also suggest that you, Sister Boo-jin, not invest in this company."

"Why?"

After a moment of shock, Lee Boo-jin did not react with anger or anything like that.

Many people think that in such a situation, Lee Boo-jin would be furious and loudly question Zhao Fusheng.

But that's just what happens in TV dramas.

A true businessperson doesn't get angry over such things.

She would only care about why Zhao Fusheng made this decision, especially since, after all, Zhao Fusheng had always had a good relationship with her.

Even just a week ago, when she mentioned this project during their meeting, his reaction at the time was one of interest, not disinterest in the company.

But now, Zhao Fusheng was clearly resolute in his decision not to invest in Hanjin Shipping.

So, Lee Boo-jin was very curious about what had happened in this one week.

After all, Lee Boo-jin was genuinely interested in knowing what could make Zhao Fusheng firm up his resolve and change his mind.

Hearing Lee Boo-jin's words, Zhao Fusheng chuckled and didn't hide anything from her, saying frankly, "Our company's internal discussions concluded that the prospects of investing in the shipping industry are not as good as investing in the internet industry."

"Ah?"

Upon hearing this answer, Lee Boo-jin was stunned for a moment.

What kind of answer was that?

Looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, Lee Boo-jin asked, "Fusheng, are you joking with me?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Do I look like someone who likes to joke?"

Lee Boo-jin furrowed her delicate brows but said nothing.

She could naturally see that Zhao Fusheng was not joking; moreover, Lee Boo-jin could clearly feel that Zhao Fusheng's attitude was very resolute.

It was the kind of resolve that wouldn't be easily shaken.

She had encountered many opponents in the business world, and there were many people like Zhao Fusheng.

But the problem was that those people were all seasoned veterans who had faced her father as opponents.

Pick any one of them at random, and none were under fifty.

"Sister Boo-jin."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Lee Boo-jin sincerely and said, "I know you want to prove your abilities, but I think Hanjin Shipping might really not be a good choice."

Then, he smiled and said, "If you trust me, we could later cooperate to set up a private equity fund to invest in some projects. How about that?"

Lee Boo-jin's eyes lit up at this; obviously, Zhao Fusheng bringing this up again made her quite tempted.

After all, Zhao Fusheng's investment track record was evident to all!