Chapter 1380: The Director Who Came Knocking

The greatest advantage of being the boss is that you can just talk without having to move your legs.

Just like now, Zhao Fusheng only had to tell Ye Jing that they were ready to start filming "Lurking"; the rest—whether it was the script or the project approval—would be handled by others. All he had to do was sit in his office and wait for the results.

This was probably why so many people were willing to climb up the ladder, even if it meant risking everything.

In this world, it is never the profession that is dirty, but the human heart.

It's just that we have been hypocritically unwilling to admit this fact all along.

The approval for "Lurking" passed the review quickly. Apart from Ye Jing's connections, the subject matter of a mainstream-themed TV series also had an advantage. After all, compared to those sensitive film and television works, the authorities were happy to see content like "Lurking."

Although it was somewhat unclear why Future Films had recently taken such an interest in mainstream-themed works, in the current environment, such a well-behaved company was undoubtedly worth paying attention to.

Thus, for no apparent reason, many of Future Group's projects related to film, television, and entertainment, including Future Advertising, unexpectedly received considerable favor.

At first, Zheng Yao thought it was because of Xue Yuanfang, but Xue Yuanfang was even more surprised than she was.

Zhao Fusheng, however, was not surprised. The people at the top were neither crazy nor stupid; they had their own considerations.

Zhao Fusheng had never intended to stand in opposition to the authorities. As for joining the ranks of so-called public intellectuals and elites, he would rather die than do so. In his view, those people were essentially well-fed and bored, enjoying the benefits of the state while turning around to curse their benefactors.

After all, before becoming public intellectuals, weren't they all well-fed and well-off within the system?

Even if not, each of them had made a fortune during the lawless early years of the 1980s and 1990s. Now that they had money, they put on an air of 'the world is drunk while I alone am sober.' Who were they trying to fool?

…

…

But Zhao Fusheng still hadn't expected that he had underestimated Future Film and Television's current influence in the film and television circle.

After the news of the official selection of the male lead for Lurk was announced, he received countless phone calls.

The content was only one: hoping to get this role.

In the original timeline, this role belonged to Sun Yanwang. Zhao Fusheng wasn't exactly a fan of his—though the guy's acting was indeed good, Zhao Fusheng regarded him purely as a bystander. After his rebirth, he had met him a few times, and during the filming of Conquer, Zhao Fusheng had also eaten at a meal arranged by Zhao Baogang.

At first, Zhao Fusheng thought about just letting him play it, but after much deliberation, he gave up the idea.

Previously, in everyone's eyes, he had been very good at selecting roles, which had already surprised many. If he kept doing that now, it would be like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken.

Most importantly, given Zhao Fusheng's current status, personally selecting someone to play a role would be giving that person too much face. And Zhao Fusheng didn't intend to give that face to anyone.

As the old saying goes: I'm not your father, so why should I be so good to you?

"Fusheng, do you have time recently? Let's get together."

Zhao Fusheng could refuse other people's calls, but he couldn't refuse Sister Feihong's.

In a villa in the western suburbs of the capital.

"The owner here is a friend of mine. His ancestors were chefs in the imperial palace. Usually, not many people come here. Occasionally, he cooks a few tables, and whoever has time has to book in advance."

Zhao Baogang enthusiastically introduced the place where they were dining today to Zhao Fusheng, with Brother Yanwang, looking meek, beside him.

That's right, although it was Sister Feihong who had contacted Zhao Fusheng, the one hosting the meal was Zhao Baogang, the great director of Xinbaoyuan.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't surprised. After all, by now, he was no longer the young man who had first entered the capital, but the chairman of a large comprehensive group. His status was different. Those who used to chat and laugh with him as equals could no longer maintain that mindset.

Only Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen, these two old friends, could still remain calm. As for the others in the Beijing circle, even if they didn't say it out loud, they knew very well in their hearts that they were no longer on the same level.

Status, rank, and class—though no one ever spoke of them openly, many times, without saying a word, just by sitting there, you knew that the other person was on a level you couldn't reach.

"Director Zhao, you've gone to so much trouble."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Zhao Baogang.

Then he turned to look at Yu Feihong: "Sis, you've lost weight again. How's the filming going? Smoothly?"

Earlier, Yu Feihong had secured investment from Zhao Fusheng to shoot her film *Love in the Afterlife*, for which she had halted all other work. Apart from being busy with the charity foundation, she spent most of her time on this film.

"Not bad." Yu Feihong looked a bit tired; it was clear she hadn't rested well lately. After all, it wasn't easy for a woman to transition from actress to director.

Moreover, she was both the lead actress and the director of this film. It was exhausting not only mentally and physically but also because she had to attend to every detail. It would be strange if she weren't tired.

"Take care of yourself." Zhao Fusheng shook his head and said to Yu Feihong, "There's no rush with the film; no one's pushing you. At worst, when it's released, I'll ask Old Ye to give it some extra attention. Your health is the most important."

He meant what he said. *Love in the Afterlife* was an art film, and it was destined not to have great box office results in China. Even if it were submitted for international exhibitions, there was no hurry. Zhao Fusheng didn't want Yu Feihong to ruin her health over it.

"Don't worry, I'm not a child anymore." Yu Feihong felt a warmth in her heart. She could naturally tell whether Zhao Fusheng's words were sincere or not.

To be honest, sometimes she found it strange herself. Her acquaintance with Zhao Fusheng seemed like fate; somehow, the two had become like real siblings.

This relationship hadn't changed with Zhao Fusheng's rise in status and position. That, in itself, was no small feat.

"Feihong, you really don't look well," Zhao Baogang spoke up. "I have a wild ginseng at home that someone gave me; it's said to be quite old. I'll have someone send it to you later. You need to nourish yourself. In our line of work, even if it's not revolutionary work, health is still important. Don't wear yourself out."

Yu Feihong was taken aback and was about to refuse, but Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "Director Zhao is right. Sis, you really should pay attention. Ginseng is nutritious; it's best for you to replenish your strength."

Why refuse when someone offers a gift?

In Zhao Fusheng's view, it wouldn't be excessive for Zhao Baogang to give Yu Feihong a ginseng, or even a car.

After all, if Yan Wang landed the role in *Lurk*, it would be a huge opportunity for him. The returns Xinbaoyuan would reap would far exceed what he was giving now.

"Come, come, have a seat first."

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zhao Baogang's face lit up with joy.

In China, it had always been this way: if Zhao Fusheng had put on a distant attitude, refusing to eat or accept gifts, it would mean he had no interest in hearing what Zhao Baogang had to say.

But Zhao Fusheng not only came but also encouraged Yu Feihong to accept the gift, which meant there were things they could discuss.

"Everyone, sit down."

Zhao Fusheng nodded, waved his hand, and said to the Xinbaoyuan artists.

Today, Zhao Baogang hadn't hidden his intentions. He had directly told Yu Feihong over the phone that he hoped she could help invite Zhao Fusheng to dinner, so that Zhao Fusheng could meet the Xinbaoyuan artists and see if any of them could land roles in *Lurk*.

The reason for this was that everyone in the industry knew that Future Film had signed some artists, but most were film actors. The few TV actors, frankly, had very average images.

Zhu Yuchen was too young, and Wang Qiang was too ugly. They could play supporting roles or appear in ordinary TV dramas, but for a spy drama like *Lurk*, no one thought Future Film would play any tricks and cast their own male artist as the lead.

As for the Jiang Wen and Jiang Wu brothers, their status was too high for them to act in such a TV series.

This wasn't a joke; it was a fact.

TV actors were certainly less popular than film actors. Jiang Wen's status was such that even a cameo in a TV drama would make headlines. As for Jiang Wu, he was also striving to become a film actor and didn't think much of TV dramas.

As for actresses, Zhao Baogang had heard that Ye Jing had already spread the word: the female lead of *Lurk* was reserved by the boss for his own wife, and all other roles were open for fair competition.

Since Future Film focused on film and TV investment and production, and its signed artists were either established actors from the People's Art Theatre or young talents with insufficient status, and Zhao Fusheng himself had insisted on fair and open casting, Ye Jing simply didn't push any of his own people in.

It was precisely because of this that Zhao Baogang felt his artists might have a chance.

Although Xinbaoyuan had a solid position in the capital's TV and film circle and had plenty of roles for its artists, not everyone had the potential to become an overnight sensation. Take Yan Wang, for example. His role in *Conquest* had made him popular for a while, and the several TV dramas he later starred in were decent. But the problem was that his image had been typecast by *Conquest*, which was definitely not good news for an actor.

Zhao Baogang genuinely wanted to promote Yan Wang, so he was anxious. This time, he felt that *Lurk* might bring some change for Sun Honglei.

This was definitely a rare opportunity!