Chapter 0832: An Invitation

It's fine to seek fame and fortune in the secular sense, but the path to first-rate talent requires an unfeigned childlike heart.

Zhao Fusheng quite agreed with this point.

In his view, since one has desires in life, one cannot bypass the hurdle of fame and fortune, and if one cannot maintain one's original heart, one will eventually be burdened by them.

In Zhao Fusheng's eyes, everyone at today's table, including himself, was weighed down by fame and fortune.

So his earlier remarks were merely an emotional outburst.

These people simply couldn't understand what changes the development of the internet would bring to the world.

Throughout the entire meal, aside from that one remark, Zhao Fusheng didn't speak again. He just sat there silently eating and drinking, responding with vague grunts to the topics of conversation.

To be honest, he had no real interest in such meaningless gatherings.

Just listen to what these people say.

"I was almost astonished at how hopeful the film was, because I really can't confirm that there is so much hope in real life. But such an attempt is worthwhile and possible. Thinking that people can make changes is like imagining the light at the end of the tunnel."

"Whether it will really be so, I don't know. But making such a film at this special moment is still very beneficial, because the whole of America is filled with so much resentment and anger."

This was Gao Qun's reflection after watching an American film, spoken almost in a recitative manner.

Zhao Fusheng felt he was becoming numb.

No help for it—he couldn't understand.

At heart, Zhao Fusheng was no literary youth; he truly couldn't grasp such topics.

But there was no choice; humans are social animals and must interact with all kinds of people.

It's impossible to maintain one's integrity alone, unless Zhao Fusheng could steel himself to abandon everything and go into seclusion. Otherwise, living as he pleased was nothing but a pipe dream.

After eating and drinking their fill, the group of middle-aged men naturally moved on to a second round. Such dinners often had several stages: first everyone together, then small groups of close friends or those with business to discuss, and finally, individual pursuits.

As for Zhao Fusheng, he never participated in the next round. Most of the time, he went straight home after dinner.

Jiang Wen once joked that Zhao Fusheng was even more like an old man than himself, with a lifestyle so regular it left people speechless.

Zhao Fusheng made no comment on this. He never needed to explain his lifestyle to anyone, because there was no point.

Those who understood you would naturally know the reasons and motives for your actions; those who didn't wouldn't believe you even if you told them.

Just as Zhao Fusheng got into the car and told Zhang Qian to leave, a car suddenly stopped beside him. The window rolled down, revealing a face that surprised him.

"Fusheng, got a moment? Let's chat a bit." Liu Xiaoyao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then nodded: "Brother Liu, you pick the place. I'll follow."

"Good." Liu Xiaoyao didn't waste words. He instructed his driver to move, his car leading the way. Zhao Fusheng told Zhang Qian to follow behind, and the two cars drove off one after the other.

Soon, Liu Xiaoyao's car stopped in front of a teahouse. It was clear he was a regular; someone greeted him at the door and, without asking, led them to a quiet private room.

"Forgive me. I don't like drinking alcohol; I prefer tea, so I often come here." Liu Xiaoyao sat down and said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng's consistent principle toward such powerful and wealthy big shots was to keep a respectful distance.

It's often said that people of the same kind flock together. Actually, the same applies to interpersonal relationships. Why is the friendship between gentlemen as pure as water so praised? Probably because people deeply yearn for a friendship free from the exchange of interests.

But everyone knows clearly that the probability of such a thing happening is very, very low.

After all, everyone has their own interests. Once interests become entangled between people, it's hard to achieve absolute fairness and justice, and they might not even remain friends.

Zhao Fusheng didn't think he was qualified to sit on an equal footing with a big shot like Liu Xiaoyao before reaching a certain level. After all, a single word from him could wipe out all of Zhao Fusheng's current efforts.

This was no joke. No matter the time, the power of authority cannot be ignored. Some people always think that as long as they have money, they can do whatever they want, but that's just an illusion.

In any era, merchants are nothing but lambs to the slaughter for those in power. If the rulers deem it necessary, even the largest business empire can be destroyed at their whim.

"Brother Liu has such refined tastes..." Zhao Fusheng glanced cautiously at Liu Xiaoyao and said with a smile.

Liu Xiaoyao smiled. He seemed accustomed to Zhao Fusheng's cautious attitude. To be precise, he had seen too many talented young people like Zhao Fusheng. Perhaps Zhao Fusheng was a bit more outstanding, but not enough to make him take special notice.

"I'm looking for you today because I felt your remarks at the dinner table seemed to have more to say." Liu Xiaoyao smiled and directly stated his purpose: "I want to hear what you didn't finish."

Zhao Fusheng was stunned. He never expected that Liu Xiaoyao sought him out for this reason.

Looking at Liu Xiaoyao in bewilderment, Zhao Fusheng said: "Brother Liu, what do you mean?"

"That's right. I just want to know what you didn't say." Liu Xiaoyao said frankly: "My family is in the propaganda department, so I'm quite sensitive to this kind of content. Whether it's useful or not, I hope you can share your thoughts. Among the people I've met, not many understand the internet, and you're one of them."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Liu Xiaoyao in surprise. He could sense that the man was sincere in his attitude, as if he truly meant it.

In other words, judging by his decades of life experience across two lifetimes, Zhao Fusheng believed that Liu Xiaoyao had sought him out alone simply because he was interested in the remarks Zhao had made earlier at the dinner.

This man was really quite interesting.

With that assessment in mind, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help but laugh.

His previously tense mood unexpectedly relaxed a great deal. He suddenly felt that this might be an opportunity. Regardless of Liu Xiaoyao's influence within his family, if Zhao could instill some of his views into him, it might be a good thing for the future development of the internet.