Chapter 0362: A Slight Tremor

Whether in history books or time-travel novels, Zhao Fusheng always found that there were some people who could win others over with just a word or two, or even by merely standing there, causing heroes and gallants to rush forward crying and begging to be taken in.

But unfortunately, since his rebirth, Zhao Fusheng had yet to encounter such a talent.

The people around him were either content with the status quo or satisfied with small gains. The only one who wanted to do something, Tan Kaixuan, was a wild horse that would gallop away if not carefully watched.

As for Zheng Yao and Dong Chenxi, their abilities were limited. It was good enough if they could manage their own affairs well. Zhao Fusheng didn't expect them to achieve great things in the future.

But the most frustrating was his father in front of him.

"What did you say, Dad? You plan to lease the entire Hualian Department Store?"

Zhao Fusheng stared at his father in shock. He had originally come to discuss leasing a storefront on the first floor. According to his plan, he would bring up Tan Kaixuan—since his parents knew Tan's family was wealthy—and say that Tan Kaixuan's father wanted to test the waters in Ninghai.

But he had barely sat down and hadn't even gotten to the main topic when his father gave him a surprise.

"Your Uncle Chen and I have discussed it. Since the mall's situation is stable now, I plan to expand the scale," Zhao's father said seriously, looking at his son.

"And the money?" Zhao Fusheng frowned.

That was the key issue. Without money, everything was illusory. Saying they wanted to expand was meaningless without sufficient capital investment.

After all, leasing someone else's property required real money.

"The bank has already agreed to provide a loan, and the government is offering a three-year tax exemption policy," Zhao's father said with a slight smile.

What?

Zhao Fusheng was instantly unsettled, staring at his father in disbelief. Who was the reborn one here? He himself had to worry about projects when starting a business, but his father was effortlessly surpassing him, his career growing bigger and bigger, even with the government's help.

This was practically a protagonist template!

Sighing, Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Since that's the case, you can decide on your own."

It seemed his father didn't need his help. Zhao Fusheng could only say that opportunities were sometimes unpredictable. In his previous life, his father had become ordinary after being laid off, but now, it seemed he might have a chance to become a rich second generation.

"Oh, by the way, you said you had something to discuss with me today?" Zhao's father smiled happily and then asked his son.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Yeah, do you remember Tan Kaixuan from our dorm?"

"Ah, the one from Shanghai whose family is in business, right?" Zhao's father said.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "That's him. His father wants to open a fast-food restaurant in Ninghai and has his eye on a store in our mall. I thought I'd help ask about the rent and such."

Hearing this, Zhao's father didn't find it strange. He smiled and said, "Tell him to come over. I'll definitely give him a discount on the rent. It seems the only stores left in the mall are at the south gate; the rest have been rented out."

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Alright, with your word, that's enough. I'm just helping him ask."

He didn't plan to tell his parents about his own business yet, so this was just a heads-up to his father, to prevent him from wondering when Tan Kaixuan and he came over.

After saying goodbye to his father, he went to the finance department to greet his mother, then returned to school. As for Fan Beibei, she naturally went home with Li Yuan.

When he got back to the dorm, Wang Zhen and Wen Yu were playing games, while Tan Kaixuan was lying on his bed writing something.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng come in, the others looked up. Wen Yu said, "Qin Wentao was looking for you."

"Huh?"

Zhao Fusheng was momentarily stunned, then nodded in confusion. Qin Wentao had his phone number, so why come to the dorm to find him?

But when he pulled out his phone, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help twitching his mouth.

The battery was dead...

He quickly grabbed the charger and plugged in his phone. As soon as it powered on, Zhao Fusheng saw a flood of text messages—from Qin Wentao, Zheng Yao, and a few from Dong Chenxi, all saying the same thing: call back as soon as possible.

Borrowing a phone from Tan Kaixuan, Zhao Fusheng went downstairs and dialed Zheng Yao's number.

"You were looking for me?"

The call was quickly answered, and Zhao Fusheng asked curiously.

Zheng Yao's tone carried obvious helplessness. "My great designer, where did you disappear to at such a critical moment?"

"What's the matter?" Zhao Fusheng asked.

Zheng Yao said, "Here's the thing: the Seventh Pharmaceutical Factory has investigated and found that their deputy marketing manager took money from someone and deliberately created that plan to trip us up. Now that person has been arrested, and that advertising company is about to be forced to close. They still want us to do their advertising plan. What do you think? Should we take it?"

Since this was a big matter, Zheng Yao naturally had to consult Zhao Fusheng, the boss.

After thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Politely decline. Say we're not planning to take on any TV ads for now."

"What?" Hearing this answer, Zheng Yao was completely stunned. "You're not serious, are you?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course I'm serious."

"Why?"

"Because there's no need. We have a reputation now, and the Aipu ad will keep your team busy for a whole year. There's no need to consider anything else. Besides, you know how state-owned enterprises are—they always want to spend less and get more done, and they're always trying to take advantage. There are plenty of ad agencies; we don't need to cater to these big shots."

Zhao Fusheng rattled off a long list of reasons to Zheng Yao. In short, the Future Advertising couldn't take on the Seventh Pharmaceutical Factory's ad.

"Alright, I understand." Zheng Yao nodded and said nothing more. Zhao Fusheng was the major shareholder and the company's chief ad designer. Since he said not to take it, there was no need to.

Hanging up, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly. Even such a small matter required his input. Zheng Yao was sometimes too cautious.

Probably Cheng Gong's appearance had given her some other ideas, but Zhao Fusheng couldn't explain such things. If she could figure it out on her own, they could continue cooperating; if not, there was nothing he could do.

Just as he was about to turn and go upstairs, his phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, Zhao Fusheng blinked: What's this?

Yu Feihong—why would she call him?