Chapter 1517 Small Fry

Zhao Fusheng was never particularly picky about hotpot. Since Ning Hao had chosen the place, they would just eat.

With over 160 people, they simply booked the entire first and second floors of the hotpot restaurant.

Of course, the first floor was for the regular staff, while the second floor was for the film crew's actors and directors.

At Zhao Fusheng's table, besides Ning Hao and Huang Bo, there were also several main actors like Xu Zheng, as well as Jiu Kong and Rong Xiang from Taiwan.

"This is Jiu Kong, who plays Li Fala."

"This is Rong Xiang..."

"This is..."

Ning Hao introduced everyone to Zhao Fusheng one by one, since these people were relatively unfamiliar to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng didn't put on airs; he shook hands with each of them in turn.

Among these people, Huang Bo had met Zhao Fusheng before, but the rest, including Xu Zheng, were meeting the legendary boss of Future Group for the first time.

Especially the few artists from Taiwan, who looked at Zhao Fusheng with a mix of respect and curiosity.

You see, when they came to the mainland to develop their careers, they often had to pay respects to some big company or build a good relationship with a certain agent in advance.

Simply put, they needed to know who in this circle could be offended and who could not.

And Future Film was undoubtedly near the top of the list of those who could not be offended.

As for Zhao Fusheng?

To quote a mainland artist that Jiu Kong knew: "That's not someone we can reach. With a casual word, he can make someone like Ye Jing obediently come before him. And Ye Jing is the one who can decide life and death for people like us."

But unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng actually showed up today.

"Chairman, hello."

Jiu Kong greeted Zhao Fusheng respectfully.

"Hello." Zhao Fusheng smiled. "I've seen your variety show. It's very interesting."

"You... you've seen my show?" Jiu Kong was quite surprised. You see, at this time, not many people had seen variety shows from Taiwan; most preferred Korean variety shows.

Shows like "X-Man" and "Love Letter" were quite popular in China. As for Taiwanese variety shows, probably only "Kangxi Coming" was the most well-known.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Mm, your performance on 'The Big Stove' was very interesting, but playing the clown must be tough, right?"

As a comedian, Jiu Kong naturally had to constantly play funny, bullied roles on the variety show that made him famous.

Zhao Fusheng understood this well. Although he didn't know how mainland comedians lived in his previous life, he had once had contact with Korean comedians, whose status was even lower than those in Taiwan. Some even struggled to make ends meet, which was truly pitiful.

"It's okay, it's okay." Jiu Kong was a bit surprised. He had originally thought that a big shot like Zhao Fusheng wouldn't know a small fry like him, but unexpectedly, not only did the man not act superior, he was quite kind to him.

"There are still many opportunities on the mainland."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Jiu Kong, "If you want to develop long-term on the mainland, you might consider Future Film."

Then he said to the producer Old Chen beside him, "Old Chen, would there be any problem with the company signing Jiu Kong?"

Old Chen thought for a moment before replying, "Not much of a problem. The cross-strait policies are good now, and Jiu Kong himself has no issues. It just depends on his personal willingness."

"How about it? Willing?" Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Jiu Kong.

"Willing, willing, of course I'm willing!"

Jiu Kong nodded hurriedly. As a solo artist, having the chance to sign with a mainland company, especially a big one like Future Film, was something he was a million percent willing to do.

For Jiu Kong, to survive, he had done many jobs back in Taiwan. Simply put, he was a true comedian, a clown-style performer.

He was dedicated, performed with great effort, played thugs at a top level, and like Hong Dula, belonged to the category of the insulted and the injured on the show, an indispensable actor for maintaining the watchability of "The Big Stove."

More interestingly, on the show, he was very funny.

In private, he was universally acknowledged as a good person.

That was also why Zhao Fusheng was willing to sign him.

To put it bluntly, he was a good actor and a good person.

"Then it's settled." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Jiu Kong.

Thus, the entire "Crazy Racer" crew turned into a film staffed by Future Film's own people. Although it might seem like they were promoting their own, in Zhao Fusheng's view, it was harmless.

As a reincarnator, he could afford this little privilege.

"Bro!"

Just as they were talking, Wang Qiang ran over. He had previously promised Zhao Fusheng to make a cameo in this film, playing the brother-in-law in the dumb thief duo. Hearing that Zhao Fusheng was treating everyone to a meal, he also came.

Just as he was about to sit next to Zhao Fusheng, Zhao Fusheng gave him no good face and kicked him in the leg: "Get lost, sit over there. This is Old Xu's seat."

That's right, although he only had a cameo role, Xu Zheng was invited to be the assistant director of this film. This was Zhao Fusheng's hint to Ye Jing.

Xu Zheng had always been a man with ideas.

This was probably something only Zhao Fusheng knew.

A few years later, Xu Zheng would start directing his own films.

Coincidentally, the Chinese film and television industry began to rise at that time, box office revenues soared, and Xu Zheng's films were of good quality, quickly making him one of the most successful commercial film directors in the country.

A decade later, a film like "Dying to Survive" would firmly establish his status.

Transitioning from a handsome young actor to a powerhouse performer, from actor to director, Xu Zheng's path was nearly perfect.

Of course, that was a long time later. For now, he was just an actor who had grown tired of TV dramas and was striving to become a film actor.

As for directing, it was just an interest.

Mm, an interest.

Now that Zhao Fusheng had given him this opportunity, Xu Zheng was naturally very happy.

But he also knew that his skills were insufficient, so most of the time, he was diligently learning.

Seeing that a few people around were surprised by his attitude toward Wang Qiang, Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: "It's nothing. Xiao Qiang is a sworn brother my wife recognized. We've known each other for a long time; he's like a younger brother to me."

Everyone suddenly understood, and their evaluation of Wang Qiang was redefined.

Who would have thought this guy had such connections!

And the clever ones had already thought of the widely publicized incident of Wang Qiang hitting someone. No wonder he dared to throw a punch, and Future Group's stance was so tough. So that was the reason.

"Then I'll go sit downstairs." Wang Qiang grinned, not angry, nodded to Zhao Fusheng, and ran downstairs to mingle with the extras.

Although this guy was now a minor celebrity, he had no sense of being a star, which was a bit of an oddball.

Zhao Fusheng ignored him and said to Jiu Kong, Ning Hao, and the others, "Let's eat and drink. Don't mind him."

Everyone smiled, understanding his temperament, and raised their glasses.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked Xu Zheng about whether he was comfortable at the company, if he had any ideas, and what his career plans were. Such questions flattered Brother Shanzheng, since this was a genuine big shot showing him such concern, clearly giving him face and valuing him.

Those who could survive in the entertainment industry were all sharp. Brother Shanzheng could naturally see that Zhao Fusheng seemed very concerned about him.

But he didn't overthink it. First, he wasn't a woman, and Chairman Zhao had a good reputation in the industry; he wasn't the type rumored to be fond of women.

Second, he knew he was nothing in front of this man. Even if Zhao Fusheng wanted to do something, he had no power to resist.

Under such circumstances, the man wouldn't have any other thoughts about him.

In life, one must have self-awareness.