Chapter 1954: Casual Chat

Sometimes, living is all about face.

It's not that we're vain, but sometimes we have no choice.

Take Zhao Fusheng, for example. He doesn't really care about those things, but the people around him do. In their eyes, Zhao Fusheng's face must not be trampled.

Take Jiang Wenli, for instance. She had originally made up her mind that if the person who came was Ye Jing or some other high-ranking member of Future Group, she would make a scene.

But when Zhao Fusheng showed up, Miss Jiang happily boarded the flight back to the capital.

Because in her view, as the boss of Future Group with tens of billions in assets, Zhao Fusheng coming to see her in person was itself a sign that he valued her and gave her face.

One must know when to appreciate favors, especially when others value you. Don't play the game of being arrogant because of your talent; that's childish and boring.

For those in power, they value a person because that person has something worth valuing.

But if the value that person shows doesn't satisfy the superior, then it's not impossible to find someone else to value.

There aren't that many unique geniuses in this world.

At least, most of us aren't.

Zhao Fusheng knew some of Jiang Wen's thoughts but didn't call him out on them. As long as he was happy.

……

……

After the crew's dinner, the staff dispersed, and the core creative team naturally gathered together.

At their age, they naturally wouldn't go to bars or such places. They found a tea room in Jinli, and the group drank tea and chatted, which suited them well.

"Brother Fa, thank you."

Cherie Chung's personality had always been open and generous, which was why she could become friends with many people. Even after many years, she still had that outspoken temper.

But this temper didn't conflict with her tactful way of handling people, which was quite impressive.

After thanking Fa, Cherie Chung turned to Zhao Fusheng and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for giving me this opportunity."

Clearly, she knew very well why she was here.

It wasn't that she didn't care about Jiang Wen's feelings, but she understood that even if she flattered him, he might not care. It was better to be straightforward.

Sure enough, Jiang Wen's expression remained calm. He was always straightforward. If Cherie Chung had tried to cozy up to him, Old Jiang might not have been receptive.

After all, in Old Jiang's dictionary, 'nothing for nothing' meant ulterior motives.

This was the result of Zhao Fusheng's years of teaching by example.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, those so-called clever people were often the most detestable.

They always liked to add icing on the cake, keeping themselves invincible. When trouble came, they were often the first to turn and run.

Rather than keeping such people around to disgust oneself, it was better to keep them at a distance early on.

"You're welcome, Hong Gu."

Hearing Cherie Chung's words, Zhao Fusheng smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Fa recommended you, and you're suitable for the role. Director Jiang said so. I just provide the money; I have no objections."

Although that wasn't the truth, Zhao Fusheng still had to say it that way.

This was the art of speaking, a matter of linguistic skill.

Sure enough, Cherie Chung laughed upon hearing this and said to Zhao Fusheng, "I've heard from Ten Jr. that Mr. Zhao is a very interesting person. Now that I've met you, I find you even more interesting than he said."

The 'Ten Jr.' she referred to was naturally Leslie Cheung.

Though outsiders called him 'Brother' or 'Rong Shao,'

those close to him called him 'Ten Jr.'

Because Leslie Cheung was the tenth child in his family.

Zhao Fusheng was momentarily stunned, then remembered that Leslie Cheung was known as Hong Kong's 'friend to women,' closely connected with many female stars in the industry. Given his sexual orientation, everyone treated him as a good girlfriend.

And Cherie Chung, having collaborated with Leslie Cheung on several classic films, knowing about him from him was only natural.

"That guy always likes to exaggerate."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "I'm not as he says. Ask the director and Teacher Ge; my public image isn't that great."

Then he winked at Cherie Chung: "Don't forget, Hong Gu, I'm a capitalist."

Everyone was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Clearly, he was making a self-deprecating joke.

"By the way, Hong Gu, I have a question I've always wanted to ask you." Zhao Fusheng suddenly remembered something and smiled at Cherie Chung.

"Please go ahead, Mr. Zhao."

Cherie Chung was a bit surprised but nodded.

After all, he was a real boss; she couldn't avoid his question.

Even Ge You, Jiang Wen, and Fa and his wife looked at Zhao Fusheng curiously, all wondering what question he had for Cherie Chung.

With a chuckle, Zhao Fusheng spoke under everyone's gaze: "In 'Once a Thief,' you, Brother Fa, and Brother Leslie all had romantic scenes. In your opinion, who was more handsome, the two of them?"

Holy crap!

Jiang Wen nearly spat out his tea, staring at Zhao Fusheng in surprise. When had this guy become so gossipy?

Even Ge You looked at Zhao Fusheng with some surprise.

As for the parties involved, Fa and Cherie Chung were already dumbfounded, their faces blank.

Fa's wife, on the other hand, smiled calmly, thought for a moment, and said, "I still think our Fa is the most handsome."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and waved his hand: "Fans' opinions don't count."

"……"

Fa's wife smiled wryly but didn't mind at all. She was originally Fa's fangirl, as everyone in the industry knew.

Marrying one's idol is the ultimate goal of every fangirl.

Of course, to achieve this goal, you first need a good family background, one so good that it's irresistible. Then you can't be too ugly yourself. That way, basically, there's no problem.

After all, wealthy and beautiful female fans have always been male stars' favorites.

"What, do you think my question is strange?"

Zhao Fusheng blinked, looking at everyone: "Aren't you curious?"

"Well..." Ge You hesitated and didn't speak. That was his way; with people he wasn't familiar with, he didn't joke around. Though he was funny on screen, in real life, Ge You wasn't very funny and was somewhat reserved.

As for Jiang Wen, he looked curious; the guy was just a gossipy tabloid reporter.

Fa smiled awkwardly, then said, "Hong Gu, I'm also quite curious."

The film 'Once a Thief' was directed by John Woo.

Before making this film, Director John Woo was disheartened with gunfight films. His just-completed 'The Killer' had suffered a double blow in box office and reviews.

It was at this time that Fa and Brother Leslie together persuaded John Woo to direct this film, promising that they would only act if he directed, and that salary and everything else could be negotiated. They also jointly invited their good partner Cherie Chung.

When 'Once a Thief' was released in 1991, it was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, becoming a classic of the heist genre and also the most romantic of John Woo's gunfight films.

The film was free-spirited and dazzling, not only visually stunning but also rich in narrative layers. Besides the exciting gunfights and confrontations, the depiction of romantic relationships was also delicate. The star charisma of Fa, Leslie Cheung, and Cherie Chung shone through, making the film unforgettable.

'Once a Thief' expressed a flowing beauty, whether in stealing treasures and paintings, Fa's waltz in a wheelchair, or all the fight scenes, all filled with a sense of motion.

And this was precisely John Woo's strength: the movement of characters, the movement of editing, the movement of the camera. The aesthetic pleasure these artistic languages brought to the audience far outweighed the plot of five big-time thieves' love and hate.

Watching 'Once a Thief,' one couldn't help but be slightly touched by the friendship and love within. The sight of Ah Zhan, Bo Zai Gao, and Hong Dou speeding through the streets of Paris in a red Ferrari was so joyful, so carefree, so dazzlingly bright. The youthful faces of Fa, Brother Leslie, and Hong Gu were radiant.

This film was hailed as a representative work of Hong Kong's New Wave cinema.

Zhao Fusheng even clearly remembered Leslie Cheung's character Ah Zhan asking Fa's character Bo Zai Gao after being injured: "I don't understand why you treat your brothers better than the woman you love?"

Bo Zai Gao replied: "If I like a flower, I don't have to pick it. If I like the wind, do I ask it to stop? If I like the clouds, do I ask them to float down and hold me?"

To be honest, at that time, Zhao Fusheng thought this was the most beautiful kind of emotion.

Loyalty to brothers, and for the woman he loved, still love, but if she couldn't stay, then let her pass like the wind, like the clouds.

It was said that the film was originally a tragedy but became a comedy because it was released during the Chinese New Year season.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng preferred the happy ending, especially with the music 'The Wind Blows On': Brother Leslie's stunningly handsome entrance; Fa's funny parachute landing; Brother Leslie and Fa elegantly crossing the infrared laser array using the reflection of a wine glass; Hong Gu blowing out birthday candles with a face full of cream...

The past is like smoke, the past is like a shadow. We have to sail toward tomorrow while reminiscing about the past, watching helplessly as the faint smoke gradually dissipates. Year after year, time passes. What is unforgettable is the annual remembrance of the beauty that has passed.

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng's love for this film even surpassed that for 'A Better Tomorrow,' because in his view, the dramatic scenes in that film were slightly weaker.

And 'Once a Thief' was the true peak.

Of course, he was even more curious: in Cherie Chung's heart at that time, who was more handsome—the peerlessly elegant Leslie Cheung or the tall and handsome Fa?