Chapter 1013: A Big Shot from the People's Art Theatre

Can money make you do whatever you want?

Yes.

That was Zhao Fusheng's only feeling after meeting and chatting with Yang Lixin.

Not that Captain Yang was anything special, but from Yang Lixin's mouth, Zhao Fusheng learned many things he hadn't known before.

After all, Yang Lixin had been in this circle for too long; he knew some things even better than Jiang Wen. Jiang Wen was a director, after all, and some dirty secrets only circulated among actors.

"Some investors are really out of line now, doing all sorts of messy things." Yang Lixin was clearly quite dissatisfied with this situation. He sighed and said, "That's why I don't like filming outside—it's too chaotic."

As an old-school actor, he had always been intolerant of such messy affairs.

"Don't be upset, Teacher Yang. This is only temporary." Zhao Fusheng smiled and comforted him. "I believe the mainstream of the film and television circle is still good. Most people are still pursuing art."

He could only say that, or else the conversation would hit a dead end.

After all, Yang Lixin had just made a casual remark. If Zhao Fusheng took the bait and joined in complaining, that wouldn't be appropriate.

Some things Yang Lixin could say, but Zhao Fusheng absolutely could not.

"Maybe. I hope it turns out as you wish." Yang Lixin smiled, clearly guessing Zhao Fusheng's intention. After all, they weren't close enough to speak freely about certain matters.

"By the way, I heard from Xiao Fan that you've been interested in stage plays lately?" After a couple of drinks, Yang Lixin finally brought up the main topic.

Zhao Fusheng nodded without beating around the bush. "Sort of. I've recently taken an interest in a stage play and bought the script."

"What's it about? Would you mind telling me?" Yang Lixin asked with interest.

As an actor specializing in stage plays, he was genuinely interested in this. If Zhao Fusheng had bought a TV script, he might not have been so attentive.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and introduced it. "It's like this: the play mainly tells the story of a soldier..."

Then he recounted the story of "Soldier Assault" from his memory.

He had to admit, Zhao Fusheng had a talent for storytelling. At least, the story he narrated so vividly made Yang Lixin listen very attentively. Yang Lixin even thought the story could be made into a TV series.

Of course, that was just his own idea, since the script was in Zhao Fusheng's hands.

"Teacher Yang, you're a professional. What do you think of this script?" To Yang Lixin's surprise, Zhao Fusheng didn't stay silent but earnestly asked for his opinion.

Yang Lixin was taken aback, then laughed. "Do you want the truth or pleasantries?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "The truth, of course. Please go ahead. I don't mind."

Yang Lixin was quite satisfied with his attitude. He nodded with a smile. "Alright, I'll speak frankly."

Then Yang Lixin said, "To be honest, I'm quite satisfied with this script. It's mainstream, with good content and positive energy. But don't you think it lacks some tension?"

Tension?

Zhao Fusheng was startled, then remembered something: he only recalled that "Soldier Assault" was adapted from a stage play, but forgot that it supposedly incorporated content from a certain novel.

If Yang Lixin hadn't brought it up, he would have forgotten.

No wonder the script Zhang Qian had brought back earlier felt off somehow.

"You're right, Teacher Yang. I overlooked that." Zhao Fusheng quickly said.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Fusheng said, "Teacher Yang, how about this: if you're willing, I'd like to invite the teachers from the People's Art Theatre to help stage this play. As for the script, I'd appreciate your extra effort. What do you think?"

Yang Lixin was stunned and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise. "What did you say? You want to hand this play over to the People's Art Theatre?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded gently. "That's right. I'd like to ask the teachers from the People's Art Theatre for help. Of course, I'll make sure everyone is compensated for their efforts. What do you think?"

Yang Lixin naturally agreed happily.

Without any hesitation, as soon as Zhao Fusheng finished his proposal, Yang Lixin nodded immediately.

Artists also need to eat.

Pursuing ideals is important, but people aren't machines. They need to eat and support their families. It would be a joke if an artist pursuing art let their family go hungry.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't surprised by Yang Lixin's attitude.

In fact, before the meeting, he had looked into the situation at the People's Art Theatre. Although it seemed okay, in reality, the theatre was struggling.

The funding from above was meager, yet there were strict rules about actors going out to film. This resulted in most of the theatre's actors having to live on meager salaries.

So the question was: what was the current state of the entertainment industry? Anyone with a bit of sense knew. Older actors might be fine, but could the young ones endure it?

The answer was obvious.

That was also why Fan Baobao was liked by many seniors at the People's Art Theatre. Young actors as unflappable as she was were rare there now.

It wasn't that those young actors were bad; they had no choice—they had to eat.

Therefore, when Zhao Fusheng made his proposal, Yang Lixin was very pleased. After all, even the People's Art Theatre itself was willing to perform such a mainstream-themed play.

Moreover, there was now compensation.

As for whether anyone would criticize this, that wasn't within Yang Lixin's consideration. With his seniority and his position as head of the performance team, once he decided, it was basically settled.

"Alright, I'll have someone contact you later."

As he was leaving, Zhao Fusheng said to Yang Lixin.

Yang Lixin nodded, then hesitated before speaking. "Xiao Zhao, if you don't mind me asking, do you have the authority to make decisions at Future Film?"

This question was crucial. He knew a bit about Zhao Fusheng's background, but not much, so he was still worried.

After all, Zhao Fusheng had just said that the main investor for this play was Future Film.

In other words, if they disagreed, then all their discussion today would be in vain.

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and told him frankly, "To be honest, Teacher Yang, I'm a major shareholder of Future Film."

Yang Lixin was stunned and couldn't speak for a long time. After a while, he looked deeply at Zhao Fusheng and said softly, "How awe-inspiring, how awe-inspiring."

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's identity surprised and shocked him.

After all, Zhao Fusheng was too young.

But on second thought, it wasn't a big deal. Zhao Fusheng was practically one of their own at the People's Art Theatre. With this connection, many things could be discussed more easily through Fan Baobao.

Who says honest people have no cunning? The more honest a person seems, the more they understand things; they just don't bother to say it.

After seeing Yang Lixin off, Zhao Fusheng returned to the car.

Zhang Qian and another person were waiting for him.

"Did it work?" Bai Jie, sitting in the passenger seat, asked expectantly.

"Sort of," Zhao Fusheng said slowly. "The People's Art Theatre likes to keep to itself, so they probably don't know about our situation. I just wonder if Yang Lixin will look into it after he gets back."

Indeed, while talking with Yang Lixin, Zhao Fusheng had cleverly avoided mentioning that Future Film had recently been "blacklisted."

Of course, Zhao Fusheng didn't plan to hide it forever. Fan Baobao still had to work at the People's Art Theatre, and Zhao Fusheng himself had to do business in Beijing. If he got a reputation as a liar, that would be too embarrassing.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng couldn't afford that.

So he never intended to deceive Yang Lixin. But some things Yang Lixin would have to find out on his own; otherwise, the next steps would be hard to negotiate.

When he got home, Fan Baobao hadn't finished work yet. Zhao Fusheng sat on the sofa, thinking about how to handle this matter well.

He had to both respect the People's Art Theatre's dignity and ensure Future Film benefited.

Originally, this was Bai Jie's job, but the problem was that Bai Jie represented the investors, naturally putting her at odds with the actors' side. So many things had to be said by Zhao Fusheng himself.

When Fan Baobao came home in the evening, she was all smiles. "How did it go with our team leader today?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Pretty well. Teacher Yang is very talkative."

"That's good. He praised you when he got back." Fan Baobao said happily. For her, praise for Zhao Fusheng made her happier than praise for herself.

"Really? Maybe I'm just universally liked." Zhao Fusheng said with a smile, not finding it surprising. After all, he was essentially offering money to the People's Art Theatre. Such opportunities were rare, so of course Yang Lixin would praise him.

"Shameless. I find you getting thicker-skinned by the day." Fan Baobao scratched her cheek with her finger and made a face at Zhao Fusheng.

Hearing that, Zhao Fusheng laughed. "That's not right. It's not being thick-skinned; it's called growing up."

Fan Baobao blinked and suddenly felt that her boyfriend's shamelessness was utterly infuriating.

But why did she like him more and more?