Chapter 0420: Seeing a Mountain Is Not a Mountain

What is the dirtiest thing in the world?

The answers to this question are varied, as opinions differ from person to person. For Zhao Fusheng, in his view, there are two answers to this question.

One is the entertainment industry, and the other is people.

And celebrities cover both.

Those in the entertainment industry are all people. On the surface, so-called stars are glamorous, but some things in this industry are so disgusting that people don't even want to talk about them.

Zhao Fusheng had read some novels where many people who are reborn like to get into the entertainment industry. On one hand, it's to enjoy the wonderful feeling under the spotlight; on the other hand, it's naturally for that universally known 'happiness.'

Zhao Fusheng was very practical; he just wanted to make money.

Of course, he didn't plan to bet his entire fortune on the entertainment industry. In fact, no boss would stake everything on the entertainment industry, not even the Wang brothers of Huayi.

Capital itself is an undeniable force in the film and television market, especially in big productions.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't think he was a god. Even with his foreknowledge, he couldn't guarantee that the scripts he wrote would be blockbusters.

The clearest truth: Oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges, but those grown north of it become bitter trifoliate oranges.

Zhao Fusheng knew that producing films and TV shows was like shaking dice at a gambling table—once you place your bet, you can't take it back. No one can guarantee a win.

He was not a god, and even if he were, he wouldn't be that particular god with the surname Gao.

As for luck, even heaven can't explain it. So Zhao Fusheng had no intention of independently investing in any film or TV project. His goal was to follow trends and hitch a ride.

That scenario of making money, then betting independently and hitting jackpot after jackpot? Ha, probably just a novelist's daydream. Do they really think readers' IQs develop as slowly as their chests?

Trying to hog all the gains in the entertainment industry?

Do they really think everyone else is an idiot?

As for writing scripts for others to film, Zhao Fusheng hadn't given it much thought either.

'Infernal Affairs' and 'Devils on the Doorstep' were pure coincidences. Both Andy Lau and Jiang Wen had their own pursuits, so they paid him a decent fee for the scripts. But even so, they made it clear that he couldn't be too involved in the filming.

For most people, a script is just a foundation for a film, not that important. This is a trend in the overall environment, not something any single person can decide.

Zhao Fusheng knew well that, as described in some novels, he could write a script, someone would pay for it, willingly bet on the box office with him, the film would become a huge hit, and then a crowd of people would come waving checks as if they were desperate for a father figure, wanting to buy his scripts...

That's what making movies is really like, isn't it?

...

...

"In short, we don't sign artists, we don't produce films or TV shows. We only invest in suitable scripts, understand?" Zhao Fusheng summarized to Zheng Yao.

Zheng Yao blinked. Although she only half-understood what Zhao Fusheng had said, she seemed to grasp his meaning: the company would base itself in the media circle but not delve too deep.

"As long as we make money, right?" After a moment's thought, Zheng Yao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then laughed: "Exactly, as long as we make money, whether it's films or TV shows, it's all the same."

To be honest, he had never been involved in this industry. An advertising company is part of the media circle, and he could guide Zheng Yao with his past life's experience and insight. But when it came to investing in the film and TV industry, Zhao Fusheng was a hundred percent sure that while he could judge some scripts based on his foreknowledge, for works he hadn't seen, it would come down to luck.

Since it's about getting rich by luck, there's no reason not to share the risk.

The master of Chinese studies, Wang Guowei, once said that those who achieve great things must go through three realms: 'Last night the west wind withered the green trees. Alone I climb the high tower, gazing at the end of the road under the sky.' That's the first realm.

The second realm: 'My belt grows loose, yet I regret not; for her I pine and grow thin.'

As for the third realm, the highest: 'I search for her a thousand times in the crowd, and suddenly, turning back, I find her where the lanterns are dim.'

These three realms were later summarized by a director who liked to turn films into TV series in a martial arts movie. But that director, who could drive investors to ruin, summed it up in just nine words.

"See yourself, see the world, see all beings."

Of course, this has the same effect as Wang Guowei's summary.

Zhao Fusheng felt that he was still at the first stage. All he could do was take care of himself.

After seeing Zheng Yao off, Zhao Fusheng lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. It wasn't because he was too excited to sleep, but because he was thinking about how to make the future path more stable.

Life is probably like this: once you get something, you always want more.

Zhao Fusheng admitted that he was a discontented person, because only by being discontented can one keep moving forward.

Nothing happened that night.

The next day, Zhao Fusheng went to Future Advertising's company in Binzhou. Of course, he went not as the company's boss, but as the company's chief advertising designer.

In fact, even within the entire company, only those who were involved in the company's founding and a few senior managers knew who he really was.

But even these people didn't know that Zhao Fusheng was the real big boss of the company.

One skilled in battle achieves no great fame.

One skilled in defense hides beneath the ninefold earth.

In Zhao Fusheng's mind, the less famous he was, the better.

One can be high-profile in work, but it's better to keep a low profile in personal conduct.

"Have you heard? That designer is here."

"Really?"

"Really. Didn't you see Assistant Dong accompanying him personally?"

"Seems like it. I remember someone mentioned that Assistant Dong is actually that designer's assistant..."

Many in the company were buzzing with discussion. Everyone knew that Future Advertising's current development was all thanks to that mysterious designer, Lucifer. Although he rarely planned a project now, every time he did, it became a big story in the industry.

But everyone was curious about who this person really was. Since the company was established in Binzhou, it seemed he had never even visited once.

If Zhao Fusheng knew that some people had equated him with a hermit, he would definitely force a bitter smile.

He wasn't deliberately playing low-key or pretending to be mysterious; he was just lazy.

In plain terms, Zhao Fusheng felt that as an advertising planner, he sold creativity and had no need to stay in the company all day.