Chapter 1493: The Hundred-Billion Box Office King

If comparing watching domestic New Year blockbusters to visiting a brothel, then *If You Are the One* is like that mature woman you see waving every time you pass by—skilled but lacking surprise. *Ip Man* sports a neat fringe and plays with revolutionary uniform temptation, beckoning you while teaching you prostate health knowledge; for extra money, you can call her sister *Fist of Legend* for a threesome. *Red Cliff* wears the least, legs spread, eyes full of liquid charm, but when she opens her mouth, you wonder, 'Isn't this chick from Thailand?'

As for the other flowers and grasses, they line up in a row.

At the very back, a young girl curls up on the sofa, humble and downcast, but when she lifts her head, her gaze is deadly. 'Alright, you it is.' After a bout of passion, you can't help but exclaim, 'Sister, you're amazing. This is more than just a fusion of East and West.'

This girl's name is *Crazy Racer*.

This was a summary Zhao Fusheng once heard from Tan Kaixuan during a casual chat in his previous life.

Tan Kaixuan, perhaps because business was always full of scheming, loved watching movies. Plus, with his special status, he often knew a lot of inside stories.

From Tan Kaixuan's account, Zhao Fusheng learned that a typical domestic blockbuster usually goes through subtle criticism from film critics, then a torrent of abuse from countless viewers and netizens, and finally, official box office statistics showing it made another hundred million. So, okay, let's do it again next year.

First, hype it up—must use the best director, big investment, aim straight for the Oscars.

Screenwriters, martial arts directors, art directors—all must be the most high-profile. Actors from the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan all come together for a lively co-production, constantly performing the 'I've always admired Teacher So-and-So' routine.

Then send it abroad for awards—whether it has a chance or not, the poster must first hang in Italy or France, costing 200,000 RMB per hang. When officially released, hold a ceremony; anyone who can sing comes, like butterflies or wolves and sheep. The creative team lines up, each face bearing four words: 'Restrained, Proud.' Then the film hits, and everyone passionately curses it while contributing to the box office.

And Ning Hao's films undoubtedly have the ability to break this pattern.

How to put it?

Ning Hao's films always have enough gimmicks to keep the audience glued to their seats until the very end.

Compared to the usual rush to leave as soon as the lights come on, this feels like a classical, elegant gentleman suddenly appearing at a steaming banquet reeking of foot odor.

'For the cast of this script, I still plan to use Huang Bo.'

Ning Hao looked at Zhao Fusheng and said softly, 'I find this actor easy to work with.'

Easy to work with?

Zhao Fusheng looked helpless, thinking to himself, that's the mighty hundred-billion box office king, and you sum him up with 'easy to work with.'

But on second thought, others might not have the right, but Ning Hao could indeed say that, after all, he was the one who made Huang Bo famous, and their relationship was clear.

Brother Shanzheng and Ning Hao were definitely Huang Bo's two benefactors; without their films, Huang Bo could never have achieved his later success.

And now, the hundred-billion box office king was just an actor who had become famous from one movie.

In fact, aside from *Crazy Stone*, he had never played a lead role.

'How about this: call him over, and I'll take a look.'

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Ning Hao.

Ning Hao didn't see anything wrong with that and nodded repeatedly, calling Huang Bo right in front of Zhao Fusheng.

After a while, Ning Hao put down the phone: 'He'll be here soon.'

Zhao Fusheng nodded and chatted casually with Ning Hao.

Of course, mainly about Huang Bo as a person.

From Ning Hao's mouth, Zhao Fusheng learned that Huang Bo had been a singer and a dance instructor before. In 2000, he starred in Guan Hu's TV movie *Go, Go*, his first film work, which won the 2001 Golden Rooster Award for Best TV Movie. This encouragement prompted Huang Bo to apply to the Beijing Film Academy.

In the following years, he appeared in TV series like *Big Foot Ma皇后*, *Black Hole*, *Dream of the Red Chamber* as minor roles; in *Black Hole*, his longest line was only twelve characters. Being from Qingdao, he often spoke with a thick Qingdao dialect in his roles.

In 2005, Huang Bo played the lead in the TV series *Survival of the Migrant Workers*, portraying the life of migrant workers drifting in Beijing.

After that, he was chosen by Ning Hao to star in *Crazy Stone* and became an overnight sensation.

'This guy has acting skills and is very smart. In today's internet terms, he has high emotional intelligence,' Ning Hao said to Zhao Fusheng, evaluating Huang Bo.

Zhao Fusheng smiled, deeply agreeing with Ning Hao's assessment.

Even in later years, Huang Bo's looks were often 'roasted,' but little did people know that this highly distinctive face, in an era of 'ugly men ruling,' became a box office guarantee, because just looking at his almost classic appearance and exaggerated body language could make audiences laugh uncontrollably.

And Huang Bo is very approachable, just like the characters he portrays on screen, always making the audience feel he's someone living right next to them.

Huang Bo becomes whatever he plays, constantly surprising, because his grassroots image and natural linguistic talent make his many dialect-speaking small-time characters especially memorable.

Moreover, not only does he have professional acting qualities, but he also exudes genuine simplicity from within. He has been a singer, show host, and dance choreographer, and later studied professional dubbing. These rich life experiences give him professional qualities superior to other new actors.

Zhao Fusheng felt that not signing such a person would be a terrible waste.

Over an hour later, Huang Bo hurried into the Future Group headquarters building.

To be honest, walking in here for the first time, Huang Bo was a bit nervous.

Although he was now a somewhat famous actor, compared to a behemoth like Future Group, he was still nothing.

It was probably like those top universities—whether you're a farmer or a vagrant, you can visit and read books inside, even audit classes.

At that time, no matter who you were, you'd feel a sacred sense that this place was like heaven.

But once you enter the library, a security guard will stop you and refuse entry.

And when there's a big shot visiting or a major event like a school anniversary, you'll find the gates tightly shut to you.

Only then do you realize that you and they are still from two different worlds.

That's the truth.

The same goes for celebrities.

Despite their glamorous appearance and seeming favor from capital, Huang Bo knew well that if those people got angry, a single word could take away everything he had.

So, after receiving Ning Hao's call, he had mentally prepared himself: today, no matter what the big shot said, he would obediently agree.

He was the fish on the chopping block; at this moment, he had no choice.

But he didn't know that Zhao Fusheng had already prepared a surprise for him.