Chapter 1873: Refusal

It's a poor parent who doesn't worry about their child.

Regarding Zhang Guoli's actions today, and even the things he had done and would do for his son in the past and future, Zhao Fusheng did not feel any contempt.

In his previous life, he hadn't felt much. But in this life, after becoming a father himself, Zhao Fusheng knew very well that even if his daughter committed a grave mistake, he, as her father, would stand in front of her.

He believed Zhang Guoli probably felt the same way.

No matter what mistake his son had made, he was still his son. How could a father ignore his son's fate?

So, even knowing he might lose face today, Zhang Guoli still came and spoke to Zhao Fusheng.

Despite being refused by Zhao Fusheng, Zhang Guoli gave a bitter smile and nodded helplessly: "I understand, I understand."

Clearly, he knew that his son's behavior must have greatly displeased Zhao Fusheng.

Zhang Guoli had heard before that Zhao Fusheng disliked negative news about artists, and that he basically wouldn't use artists with a tainted past in future film and television projects.

"Fusheng, how about giving Zhang Mo a chance?"

Seeing Zhang Guoli's state, Ye Jing felt a bit sympathetic and tried to persuade.

Zhao Fusheng frowned: "Why should I give him a chance?"

"Well..."

Ye Jing was taken aback; clearly, Zhao Fusheng's tone was off.

Having known Zhao Fusheng for so long, he rarely heard him speak in such a tone, but when he did, it meant he was in a bad mood.

"Everyone must be responsible for what they have done."

Zhao Fusheng glanced at Zhang Guoli, then at Ye Jing and the others, and said calmly: "I don't know the truth about Zhang Mo's incident, but if I'm not mistaken, that girl who was beaten probably can't find any acting roles now, right?"

"Well..."

Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent.

Zhao Fusheng sneered, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

He had learned about this matter once when he overheard Fan Baobao and Zhou Yun chatting. Actually, it wasn't that complicated—just the usual messy affairs of the entertainment circle.

Zhang Mo's girlfriend had acted in a drama during her freshman year, which involved a certain Professor Huang. As for whether anything actually happened between them, no one knew except the parties involved.

However, after Zhang Mo's assault incident was exposed, the girl also sued the professor, turning the matter into a murky legal dispute.

Afterward, the girl lay low for several years, married a man in finance, and years later made a comeback by starring in several TV dramas.

But by then, Zhang Mo had already been exposed for drug-related offenses twice and sentenced to six months in prison.

The vicissitudes of life are often so inexplicable.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng didn't think the girl was a good person; he simply disliked Zhang Mo.

"Teacher Zhang, both you and Teacher Deng are actors I like and respect. I can also understand your protective feelings toward your son."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Zhang Guoli seriously and said: "But I'm sorry, I cannot accept him as an actor in my company's productions. If it were you or Teacher Deng, I would have no objections. But as for Zhang Mo, I think we'd better forget it."

Zhang Guoli was stunned, then gave a bitter smile.

At his age and with his experience, as a leading figure of the old Shanghai school in the film and television circle, he could naturally tell that Zhao Fusheng's words were sincere.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng approved of him, but it was clear that Zhang Mo's actions had greatly displeased Zhao Fusheng.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng get up and leave, Wang Zhongjun and the others quickly saw him to the door.

Zhao Fusheng got into the car and left directly.

Ye Jing and the others stayed behind. Zhang Guoli sighed.

"You..."

Ye Jing walked over to Zhang Guoli, shook his head helplessly, and said: "Let me be honest. Fusheng has no prejudice against you or Deng Jie. He's not the type to turn his back on people. But Zhang Mo's incident left a very bad impression on him."

"That brat!"

Zhang Guoli smiled bitterly; he naturally understood what Ye Jing meant.

In fact, Zhang Guoli also knew that he was nothing significant to Zhao Fusheng. Even the Wang brothers were nothing in his eyes now.

After all, Ye Jing was now an undisputed big shot in the Beijing circle, yet he was only the general manager of a subsidiary under Zhao Fusheng.

If Zhao Fusheng were truly dissatisfied with him and wanted to deal with him,

even many of those present, who were old friends of many years, would probably choose to remain silent.

The reason was simple: no one would risk their own future to offend a super-rich man.

"Alright."

Ye Jing smiled: "Fusheng didn't say he would blacklist him. Just find him other opportunities later."

"I understand."

Zhang Guoli nodded, and the matter was dropped.

Ye Jing's meaning was clear: Future Film and Television would not blacklist Zhang Mo, so Zhang Guoli had nothing to worry about.

There were many people at the table. Since the main character had left, there was no need for the rest to stay. The big shots of the Beijing circle naturally left together, while the younger generation, like Ren Quan and Huang Xiaoming, gathered together.

"That guy... he's really something!"

Huang Xiaoming had just turned thirty this year. Last year, with "New Shanghai Bund," he successfully entered the ranks of first-tier male actors and was even selected as a torchbearer for this year's Olympics. His future looked bright.

Of course, he was also famous for his unreliable English phrase "not at all."

As for Ren Quan, he and Zhao Fusheng were from the same hometown. He was two years older than Huang Xiaoming, but compared to Huang's smooth career, Ren Quan was slightly less successful. However, he had a good business sense and had started investing in his own career early on, making him one of the most successful celebrities in side businesses.

Moreover, he had an excellent relationship with Li Bing; the two were old friends.

"Of course he's something."

Ren Quan, who was considering transitioning into business, had studied Zhao Fusheng more than Huang Xiaoming. He whispered: "Conservative estimates put his net worth at least ten billion US dollars, not counting his unlisted companies."

"Really?"

Huang Xiaoming gasped, staring at Ren Quan in surprise: "Quan Ge, you're not joking, are you?"

"Why would I joke with you?"

Ren Quan said helplessly: "You know, I'm planning to open a hotpot restaurant recently. The building I rented belongs to Future Real Estate. The entire building is their company's. Imagine how much that costs."

"Oh my god!"

Although Huang Xiaoming was ambitious about his career, he hadn't yet reached the point of starting his own company, nor did he have the assertiveness of "I don't want you to think, I want me to think." So he was quite surprised by Ren Quan's words.

His impression of Zhao Fusheng was that he was very rich, and that Future Film and Television had strong influence in the entertainment circle, even able to affect CCTV. That was all.

It wasn't that Huang Xiaoming was stupid; he just hadn't thought about it much.

Different trades are separated as by mountains. He was familiar with the entertainment circle, but when it came to the financial world, he really wasn't.

Moreover, Huang Xiaoming was self-aware. Even after becoming famous, he didn't venture into that area. Otherwise, given his relationship with Zhao Wei, how could he have missed the chance to profit from retail investors?

In that regard, Huang Xiaoming was quite decent.

"Speaking of which, we didn't know him back then. If we had, now..." Ren Quan sighed softly after watching Ye Jing and the others leave.

"What?"

Huang Xiaoming was puzzled.

Ren Quan shrugged: "Look at Teacher Jiang Wen, Teacher Yu Feihong, General Ye, and all those people from Future Film and Television. Which one of them is doing poorly now?"

Huang Xiaoming fell silent. Ren Quan wasn't wrong. In his memory, the earliest people to join Future Film and Television, or rather the earliest to follow Zhao Fusheng, were all doing very well now.

Or rather, it wasn't just doing well—these people had all become the top tier in the circle with Zhao Fusheng's help.

"What, are you thinking of jumping ship?" Huang Xiaoming asked after a moment of silence, seeing no one else around.

The two had a decent relationship at Huayi and occasionally joked around, so when Huang Xiaoming said this with a half-smile, it was mostly in jest.

"Jump ship?"

Ren Quan shook his head: "Adding flowers to brocade can never compare to sending charcoal in snowy weather. At their current level of development, even if we go over, we won't be taken seriously. Besides, President Wang has treated me well enough; I haven't thought about leaving."

"Me neither." Huang Xiaoming nodded: "So what do you mean?"

"Just do your best this time."

Ren Quan said to Huang Xiaoming: "I've missed my chance anyway, and I'm planning to transition. As for you, do your best this time. I think opportunities will come to you later."

"What?"

Huang Xiaoming was startled, looking at Ren Quan in surprise.

Ren Quan smiled but didn't say anything more. He had already given the hint. If Huang Xiaoming could catch on, then it would be a favor; if not, there was nothing he could do.

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't know that after he left, a young actor had decided, inspired by him, to give his best performance in "Bullet."

To him, it was just a small matter.

Leaving the restaurant and heading home by car, Zhao Fusheng sat in the car and dialed Jiang Wen's number.

"Do you know about Zhang Mo's incident?"

Zhao Fusheng asked directly.

Clearly, Zhang Guoli didn't have the nerve to approach him directly about this; it was obvious that he had communicated with Jiang Wen beforehand.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Jiang Wen nodded: "I know. What's wrong? You don't agree?"

"Yeah, find someone else."

Zhao Fusheng didn't waste words and said calmly.