Chapter 1344 Old Jiang's Worry

After seeing off Hong Sanmao, Jiang Wen and Zhao Fusheng left together.

Unexpectedly, Old Jiang didn't take his own car; instead, he had his assistant follow behind in the car while he himself got into Zhao Fusheng's car.

Something on your mind?

Seeing Jiang Wen's move, Zhao Fusheng found it strange and asked in surprise.

Jiang Wen didn't beat around the bush either. Smiling, he said to Hu Donghai in the driver's seat, "Old Hu, let's go."

Hu Donghai looked at Zhao Fusheng, and only when Zhao Fusheng nodded did he start the car.

"You have something on your mind." As the car started, Zhao Fusheng didn't stand on ceremony and asked Jiang Wen. He knew Jiang Wen well; the guy wouldn't have come to his car for no reason.

Ever since Zhou Yun gave birth to his son, Jiang Wen had become like a henpecked husband, constantly hovering around his wife and child. Except when filming, he was basically nowhere to be seen.

For a gathering like today's, if he hadn't owed Hong Sanmao a favor, Jiang Wen wouldn't have organized it at all.

"Just a bit curious." Jiang Wen didn't waste words and asked Zhao Fusheng, "I noticed you think highly of that Wu Jing."

He had known Zhao Fusheng for quite a while, but this was the first time he'd seen him treat someone so warmly.

Of course, to be more precise, Jiang Wen felt that Zhao Fusheng seemed to be making an investment.

Jiang Wen and Zhao Fusheng had a good relationship, so he had seen quite a few of Zhao Fusheng's reactions when interacting with others. In his impression, Zhao Fusheng wasn't the type to casually give out his business card.

In fact, Jiang Wen had once asked Zhao Fusheng why he was always so aloof. Zhao Fusheng's answer was: 'The people you dislike are those whose flaws you magnify; the people you like are those whose virtues you magnify.'

In short, in Zhao Fusheng's mind, if he didn't intend to have a deep relationship with someone, he would truly keep them at arm's length.

So his move today genuinely surprised Jiang Wen.

Hearing Jiang Wen's words, Zhao Fusheng smiled and said directly, "I think highly of him."

"Who?"

Jiang Wen was taken aback, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "Wu Jing?!"

Clearly, he couldn't understand Zhao Fusheng's words at all. In Jiang Wen's view, that was just an ordinary mainland action actor, not famous in the mainland, so he had to go to Hong Kong to make a living.

How did he become an actor with potential in Zhao Fusheng's eyes?

To be honest, if Zhao Fusheng hadn't been so enthusiastic just now, Jiang Wen wouldn't have given such an actor a second glance.

It wasn't that he was arrogant, but because the gap in status between them was too wide, there was simply no comparison.

"Mm, he's a man with ideas and real kung fu." Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen and said, "Think about it, in domestic action films now, especially commercial action films, are there any new-generation actors?"

Jiang Wen was about to refute Zhao Fusheng, but opening his mouth, he suddenly found that he really couldn't argue against his words.

Whether it was Jet Li or Jackie Chan, they were both getting old. The rest, like Zhao Wenzhuo, all developed in Hong Kong and weren't mainland-born actors.

Counting them down, there really weren't any outstanding young action actors in the mainland.

Shaking his head, after thinking for a moment, Jiang Wen still couldn't agree with Zhao Fusheng's idea and said, "Even so, you don't have to go this far, do you?"

You see, Zhao Fusheng's approach was tantamount to telling others directly that this young man was under his protection, and if anyone had other ideas, they should be careful.

He chuckled softly. "Anyway, he's a promising talent. A mainlander making a living in Hong Kong must have a hard time. I might not be able to help much, but at least I can ensure he won't be bullied."

Jiang Wen was silent. As a fellow actor, he naturally understood that venturing into unfamiliar territory would not be smooth sailing. They might face difficulties or even get beaten up.

With that thought, Jiang Wen sighed and stopped dwelling on the issue. He knew that since Zhao Fusheng had done this, he must have his reasons.

"You came all the way to ask me about this?" Zhao Fusheng smiled at Jiang Wen. "Since when did you care so much about me?"

Jiang Wen shot him a glare. "Get lost. That's not what I'm asking. That's a trivial matter. What I mean is, what do you think of Hong Sanmao?"

"His character, or something else?" Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked back.

Jiang Wen was taken aback, then laughed. "Tell me both."

"He's a decent person," Zhao Fusheng shrugged. "As a friend, he wouldn't betray you. As a collaborator on a film, he's a good partner. But if we're talking about hiring him into the company, forget it."

"What, you don't think highly of him?" Jiang Wen clearly didn't understand what Zhao Fusheng meant.

"It's not that I don't think highly of him," Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "He's old; his box office appeal is definitely lacking. To stand out, he'd need a great script. And there's another issue: he's an ambitious man. Back in Hong Kong, he's tried going independent before. The reason he's bowing to me now is to establish himself on the mainland. So I can cooperate with him and invest in his films, but as for letting him into Future Films, don't even mention it."

Jiang Wen stood there stunned, unable to speak for a long time.

He had to admit that Zhao Fusheng's analysis of Hong Sanmao seemed to make sense.

"You should be glad it's him who approached you," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile. "If Hong Kong directors like Peter Chan come to you, remember, never let them collaborate with us."

"Why?" Jiang Wen asked, puzzled.

Zhao Fusheng blinked. "Art is the inevitable path for scumbags and sluts. Whether it's artistic youth, middle-aged, or old-timers... think of Xu Zhimo, Zhang Ailing, Hu Lancheng, Xiao Jun, Xiao Hong, Bing Xin—they're all classic examples."

He paused, adding in his mind a certain veteran cadre and a certain yuppie uncle.

"What does that have to do with Peter Chan?" Jiang Wen asked, bewildered.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "A man who lives with his girlfriend for years without giving her a wedding—in my book, that's a scumbag."

This wasn't slander but fact, because Peter Chan was exactly that kind of man. Although Zhao Fusheng didn't care much for Sandra Ng either, Peter Chan really wasn't great.

Sensing that Zhao Fusheng's words came from the heart, Jiang Wen blinked and said nothing more.

But he already knew that Zhao Fusheng's words had completely blocked Hong Sanmao's path into Future Films.

On second thought, Jiang Wen could understand Zhao Fusheng's decision. After all, as he said, Hong Sanmao was a good actor but definitely not a good subordinate.

There was really no need to keep such a person in the company.

"By the way, how's your film coming along?" Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and asked Jiang Wen with a smile.

He was very much looking forward to the legendary film that had swindled Yang Shoucheng. Of course, what Zhao Fusheng anticipated was Yang Shoucheng's tearful expression.

"Pretty good," Jiang Wen said confidently. "This time I plan to combine commercial and artistic elements..."

Whenever this guy talked about movies, he became more talkative than usual. He rambled on about lighting and set design, things Zhao Fusheng couldn't understand at all.

Helplessly, although he had written a few scripts based on his memories and had dealt with the industry quite a bit, when it came to very professional parts, Zhao Fusheng had to admit he was still a layman. He could fool outsiders, but in front of an insider like Jiang Wen, he was just a hopeless amateur.

Fortunately, Zhao Fusheng didn't hide it. He admitted what he knew and what he didn't. Jiang Wen didn't mind; he just wanted to share his thoughts with someone.

Finally, when Jiang Wen finished, Zhao Fusheng let out a long breath. Watching the smug Old Jiang get out of the car, he suddenly felt a bit sorry for Yang Shoucheng—that guy had probably been swindled out of thirty million just like this.