Chapter 1868: A Flaw

"You guys are really something!"

Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng helplessly, full of admiration: "I've heard of actors juggling multiple productions, but this is the first time I've heard of a director juggling multiple productions..."

She really hadn't expected that Jiang Wen would simultaneously direct a film and a TV series, and that Zhao Fusheng and Ye Jing would actually support such an absurd thing without any objection.

When Zhao Fusheng came home and told her about it, Fan Baobao nearly laughed herself into a cramp.

This was just too unreliable!

"Well, anyway, 'Wulin' is a seasonal TV series, so there's no need to worry too much. Besides, isn't Sister Feihong there? She's been a film director too."

Zhao Fusheng looked completely indifferent.

He really didn't take this matter to heart. After all, that TV series 'Wulin' didn't really require much directorial skill; it relied entirely on the brilliance of the script and the actors' performances.

Fan Baobao rolled her eyes and couldn't be bothered to criticize Zhao Fusheng anymore.

That guy always did whatever he wanted, just like that.

Fan Baobao even secretly thought that even if this production lost money, Zhao Fusheng probably wouldn't care. After all, the speed at which he made money now far exceeded the speed at which he spent it.

That was his confidence.

By now, Fan Baobao had long understood that Zhao Fusheng had started a film company not because he thought the film industry was particularly profitable—how could it be more profitable than his investments in the internet?

In the end, it was for her.

To have a way to help her and the ability to protect her within this circle.

To be honest, just this sentiment alone was enough to move Fan Baobao deeply.

People don't live in this world as solitary animals. Certain paths may seem like personal choices, but in fact, they deeply involve the family members who truly care and love you. No matter the standpoint, this care is worth cherishing and protecting.

This is the most basic truth.

Fan Baobao hadn't fully understood it before, but since becoming a mother, she increasingly realized the status and importance of family.

So, no matter what decision Zhao Fusheng made, Fan Baobao naturally supported it fully. Even if she didn't think what he was doing was right, as long as it was her husband's decision, she wouldn't oppose it. At worst, they'd lose money; the most important thing was for the family to be happy together.

What is life?

Life is a process of realizing that you are not the protagonist of the world; life is a process of gradually understanding that there are things more important than your own success in this world.

"Don't worry."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Fan Baobao: "The 'Wulin' project is just a trial. To be honest, I think our domestic TV series really should learn from foreign models."

"Is that necessary?"

Fan Baobao asked in confusion: "I think it's fine now."

Zhao Fusheng sighed: "Fine? You don't know, Ye Jing is almost worried to death. Most of the current scripts are either about family trivialities or completely fabricated. There are hardly any high-quality TV series. Investments often run into millions or tens of millions. If they make money, fine; if they lose money..."

Fan Baobao fell silent. She naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant. Film and TV investments have long cycles and relatively low returns. As Zhao Fusheng said, if they make money, fine; if they lose money and can't sell the broadcasting rights, each production costs a lot.

Future Film and Television couldn't afford to keep losing money; there wasn't that much working capital to squander.

Moreover, as the boss's wife, she didn't want to see the company fail.

Thinking of this, she suddenly understood Zhao Fusheng's intention.

"You mean we need to cut costs?"

"It's not just costs."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Foreign TV series production costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode or even more, so they can produce good stuff. What about us? Tens of thousands of RMB per episode—what can we produce?"

This was his honest opinion. Too little investment, insufficient attention to screenwriters, and limited funds all spent on hiring big-name actors—these were all problems in China's TV series production industry.

To change this situation, they could only try bit by bit.

"That's true."

Fan Baobao nodded. She agreed with Zhao Fusheng's view on this.

Nowadays, domestic film and TV production was basically shoddy; there really weren't many high-quality TV series.

This wasn't something she said herself; she heard it from the old artists at the People's Art Theatre during their private chats. To be honest, Fan Baobao thought so too.

Although she didn't want to admit it, the gap was the gap, clearly there.

Not to mention Europe and America; even TV series production in Hong Kong was stronger than in mainland China. At least they knew what the audience wanted to watch.

In mainland China, besides policy censorship issues, more importantly, the practitioners themselves had misconceptions about the industry, only thinking about satisfying that kind of morbid curiosity, only wanting to show the ugly side of society.

This kind of thinking is like the news; you never see what's behind the news.

Although it might seem fine now, over time, the damage to the entire industry would be unimaginable.

Fan Baobao always remembered what an old senior from the People's Art Theatre once said: "Don't treat the audience as fools. If you, as an actor or producer, treat the audience as fools, then in the end, once the audience discovers this fact, they will completely abandon us."

She didn't know how far film and TV would develop in the future, but Fan Baobao thought the senior was right.

If an actor can't even take their work seriously, what meaning is there in their existence?

"Alright, don't think too much. You won't have many opportunities to act in the future." Zhao Fusheng suddenly smiled and said to Fan Baobao: "But I think you could try being a director, like Sister Feihong. What do you think?"

"Me? A director?"

Fan Baobao was startled, a bit flustered, then shook her head: "How could I? Don't joke around."

"Why not?"

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "It's not something impossible. You can learn first, and when the time is right, give it a try."

In his view, it was no big deal. In the later era, a bunch of actors and singers could do it; why couldn't his wife?

"Alright, alright, we'll talk about it later, later."

But Fan Baobao didn't take it to heart; she just thought Zhao Fusheng was comforting her.

After all, she wasn't Zhao Fusheng; she hadn't experienced that era when even variety shows could be made into movies to make money, and whether singers, actors, or even cross-talk performers could all become directors and actors.

In a lifetime, life and death are fated, wealth and honor are in heaven's hands. Some people can do what they are willing to do, some can do what they like to do, some can only do what they should do, and some can only do what others think they should do.

Very fortunate, and also very unfortunate.

But that's fate.

Fan Baobao's fortune lay in meeting Zhao Fusheng, so no matter what she wanted to do, Zhao Fusheng could be her solid support.

And Zhao Fusheng's fortune lay in seizing fate by the throat and changing his own destiny.

...

...

The news of 'Bullets' was undoubtedly the most shocking news in the entertainment industry recently.

Three Best Actor winners joining forces—just this gimmick alone was enough to shake everyone!

Especially since Jiang Wen had also invited Carina Lau and others, and news of other artists joining the crew came one after another. Soon, almost everyone across the strait knew that such a big-budget production was about to start filming.

In fact, Jiang Wen was still a bit hasty. At the very least, it would have been more appropriate to wait until everyone's schedules were free before officially starting filming, rather than announcing an April Fools' Day start like now.

But it was okay; it was April Fools' Day...

"Um, you'd better come to the company."

On March 1st, Zhao Fusheng received a call from Ye Jing asking him to come to the company.

Although a bit puzzled, Zhao Fusheng still went.

"What's up?"

Sitting in the office, Zhao Fusheng asked Ye Jing.

"Well, it seems we can't start filming on April 1st." Ye Jing smiled wryly and said to Zhao Fusheng: "The actors' schedules are fine, but the outdoor set can't be completed."

Zhao Fusheng frowned: "What did you say?"

"In Western Sichuan, only simple sets have been built so far. Although there's still a month, if we start filming, the time won't be enough."

Ye Jing explained helplessly to Zhao Fusheng.

To be honest, he hadn't expected things to turn out like this either.

"..."

Zhao Fusheng didn't feel like saying anything. He was truly speechless. A bunch of veterans hadn't thought of this.

"So what do we do?"

Zhao Fusheng asked Ye Jing.

"Old Jiang and I discussed it; we can shoot some exterior scenes first." Ye Jing hesitated and said to Zhao Fusheng: "But the cost might increase a bit."

It was unavoidable. If they had to shoot exterior scenes first, the expenses for the crew would be a huge sum.

"If it increases, it increases. Aren't Huayi and the others looking to invest?"

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Ye Jing: "Just make the budget a bit larger."

"Alright."

Ye Jing nodded. What Zhao Fusheng said was a solution. They had originally planned to let other companies invest in this production, so this was actually a good opportunity.

As for the rest, Zhao Fusheng didn't have the patience to bother with it.

But judging by the situation, Jiang Wen would have time to stay with 'Wulin' and finish up the remaining work.

Overall, this situation had both advantages and disadvantages.

"By the way, what do you think? Should we discuss 'Wulin' with CCTV?" Ye Jing suddenly remembered something and asked Zhao Fusheng.