Chapter 1317: Major Events in Life

A long time ago, when Zhao Fusheng was still a nobody, he once had a conversation with Tan Kaixuan. At that time, Tan Kaixuan was already the golden touch of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, and many people regarded his words as mottos.

And Tan Kaixuan had one most classic saying that Zhao Fusheng remembered clearly: he said, 'What the law does not prohibit is permitted; under the law and above the rules—that is the principle of doing business.'

At that time, Zhao Fusheng didn't understand and thought he was right.

But now, Zhao Fusheng realized that if he had truly done as Tan Kaixuan said, his business might never have reached where it is today.

Nowadays, people boast about Kerouac's glory as a symbol of the Beat Generation, yet they also hope he would return to a world of norms and order. They want to treat his autobiographical novel as a performance and then endow him with a shy and introverted soul. But Kerouac might be more beat than people imagine; he lacks true self-control, and his language and stories twitch discordantly like a mentally disabled person unable to control his expressions. People are infected by the leaps in his writing and the occasional glimpses of insight, attracted by a scoundrel's verbal confessions, believing that moral beauty remains resilient amidst desolation. But that is not the case.

Whether in life or in business, if one has no persistence or principles, the final outcome will not be satisfactory.

Once our society begins to tolerate certain ugly behaviors, it means that the entire society is developing in an unpredictable direction.

Apart from Zhao Fusheng, no one knows that this is not a joke but a real occurrence.

…

…

Having found a backer for Future Film and Television, Zhao Fusheng was in a good mood. Watching Old Jiang's new film officially start recruiting actors, he felt even more delighted.

People, I suppose, have this psychology: seeing others suffer, especially when they themselves have escaped a disaster, always brings a sense of relief.

Fan Baobao had been in a good mood lately. After all, her wedding was approaching. The girl was in a state of waiting to be married, and even though she knew it was just a formality, she was still very happy.

Even Fan Beibei, the little one, looked much more pleasing to her eyes.

Occasionally, when Fan Beibei, who was about to start elementary school, got into trouble, Fan Baobao would just laugh it off. She even promised Fan Beibei on Children's Day that by mid-June, she wouldn't have to go to school anymore.

Such is the art of Chinese speech: truth is a matter of the lips. Sometimes, how one understands a thing depends on how the speaker says it.

For example, although Fan Baobao told her sister she didn't have to go to school, she didn't tell Fan Beibei that on September 1st, she would officially start elementary school at the Peking University Affiliated Primary School.

This is a sad story.

Zhao Fusheng didn't point it out. He felt it was a matter between the two sisters, and he'd better not interfere. Perhaps this was just the way Fan Baobao and Fan Beibei interacted.

"Brother, I'm on vacation now. Can you take me out to play?"

Staying at home, Fan Beibei finally had a chance to make her request to Zhao Fusheng. Clearly, the little girl was quite resentful that Zhao Fusheng hadn't been able to stay home with her.

"Uh..." Zhao Fusheng hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to agree, but if he agreed rashly, it would be hard to explain to Fan Baobao.

Just then, Fan Baobao spoke up: "It's okay. Play with her for a few days. In a few days, send her back to Ninghai."

What?

Fan Beibei was stunned. She stared at her sister in disbelief, never expecting that her sister's idea of a vacation meant sending her back to Ninghai.

Although she missed home, Fan Beibei knew very well that going home basically meant being under her mother's control. At seven or eight years old, she wasn't stupid; she could already sense what life would be like at home versus here.

It had nothing to do with material things; it was purely a matter of freedom.

For example, in the capital, Miss Fan Er knew that apart from her sister occasionally disciplining her, everyone else doted on her endlessly. Whether it was Dong Chenxi or Zheng Yao, though they were strong women in business, in front of Fan Beibei, they were like big sisters next door. Not to mention Zhao Fusheng, her quasi-brother-in-law, who almost spoiled the little girl rotten.

But back in Ninghai, she would definitely be disciplined by her mother, Li Yuan.

Li Yuan had an old-fashioned mindset. In her view, while daughters should be cherished, they shouldn't develop bad habits. Although the family was well-off now, she didn't want her daughter to become a useless person who had everything done for her. Instead, she should work hard to learn new things.

Last year, Li Yuan had signed Fan Beibei up for several tutoring classes, and the little girl had a miserable summer vacation.

"Brother..."

Fan Beibei turned to look at Zhao Fusheng, clearly hoping he could put in a word for her.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly, saying, "Beibei, I can't help it either. Your mom called me."

He wasn't lying about this. On this matter, Li Yuan shared the same view as Fan Baobao, and even called Zhao Fusheng herself, asking him to send Fan Beibei back.

Seeing this, Zhao Fusheng had no choice but to agree, letting the little girl go home for summer vacation.

In his opinion, Fan Baobao and Li Yuan's concerns were unnecessary.

With him around, Fan Beibei was destined to grow up like a little princess. As long as she didn't become a spoiled brat, she could study abroad when she grew up and do whatever she wanted upon returning—that was a normal life.

As for cultivating her various interests, that could wait until she was a bit older.

In a sense, only those who need to strive require cultivating various interests from a young age. Someone born with a silver spoon doesn't need to consider so much.

More importantly, it should depend on the child's own interests.

But Zhao Fusheng couldn't explain this reasoning to Li Yuan or Fan Baobao, so he could only let them torment the poor little girl. Since it wouldn't do any harm, he let them be.

But before that, Zhao Fusheng still planned to take Fan Beibei out to have some fun for a few days, since she would soon be returning to Ninghai.

……

……

A few days later, after seeing off the reluctant Fan Beibei, Zhao Fusheng finally enjoyed a real honeymoon with Fan Baobao.

Because she was preparing for the wedding and then planning to have a child, Fan Baobao didn't intend to take on any acting roles for the next two years. She had already informed the People's Art Theatre that she would take a leave of absence after the New Year.

Originally, the People's Art Theatre had some objections, as it was unusual for a young actress to take leave so casually, which would surely displease the higher-ups.

But when they heard it was Fan Baobao, they immediately shut their mouths.

After all, the People's Art Theatre had several cooperative projects with Future Group, bringing in considerable annual income. Only a fool would cause trouble for their own cash cow.

As for Future Film and Future Advertising, there was no need to mention them. Fan Baobao's current status was no secret among the top management. If their own boss's wife wanted to rest, who would dare to object?

So in the past few days, Fan Baobao simply dragged Zhao Fusheng around the capital to look at wedding dresses at bridal shops, torturing Zhao Fusheng to the point of ecstasy and agony.

Yes, that was exactly the feeling.

Accompanying a woman shopping is a terrible thing, but accompanying a woman to choose a wedding dress is undoubtedly the happiest and most terrible thing in the world.

Just think about it: every time you watch the woman you love appear before you in a beautiful wedding dress, and just when you think this is her most beautiful side and gently nod, she wrinkles her nose, shakes her head, says there's something better, and turns around to change into another one—what kind of feeling is that?

"You have no idea, sixteen sets in total! In one afternoon, she changed into sixteen wedding dresses!"

Zhao Fusheng, nearly driven mad by the ordeal, pulled Jiang Wen aside during dinner to vent, looking utterly speechless.

In his previous life, his own wedding hadn't been this troublesome. Because it was in a small city like Ninghai, they had just muddled through it. Unlike now, although only a few tables of friends were invited, Fan Baobao still regarded this matter as more important than anything else.

Jiang Wen, with the air of someone who had been through it, smiled and said to Zhao Fusheng, "You, this is just the beginning. Just wait—have you set up the new house? If not, just wait for your Fan Baobao to give you a lesson."

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then laughed: "That's not something I need to worry about. She thinks there's no need, so we'll just redecorate the house we're living in now."

This was true, because Fan Baobao had told Zhao Fusheng that they were both the type to constantly rush around, so buying and decorating a new house would be pointless; it would be better to just redecorate their current one.

Zhao Fusheng thought it over and nodded in agreement.

He was an easygoing person, not too demanding about material things. In Zhao Fusheng's view, as long as he and Fan Baobao were together, staying in a hotel was the same as staying at home.

Home only exists when you're with family; otherwise, if family members are separated, it can't be called a home.

"By the way, 'The Sun Also Rises' has officially been greenlit. I'm preparing to form the crew. Do you have any recommendations?" Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng, taking a sip of wine.

Clearly, although Future Film couldn't invest in this film, Old Jiang still hoped to compensate his old friend Zhao Fusheng in other ways.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng thought Old Jiang was too kind.

To be honest, the way he was acting made Zhao Fusheng reluctant to see the look on his face after the movie was finished.