Chapter 0613 Words from the Heart

"Go ahead, what do you want from me?" Zhao Fusheng asked Zheng Yao.

Knowing Zheng Yao as he did, if there was nothing urgent, she definitely wouldn't have called him.

"It's like this: the company has recently received proposals from several film and television production companies, asking if we're interested in investing in film and TV dramas." Zheng Yao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng frowned: "Film and TV dramas?"

"Yes." Zheng Yao explained: "I'm still hesitating about whether to get involved."

Actually, Zhao Fusheng knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. After all, as a major advertising company now on the rise in the industry, it was impossible for film and television producers not to notice Future Advertising.

Thinking this, Zhao Fusheng smiled: "You decide for yourself. I don't interfere. I'm just the major shareholder, not the general manager."

Zheng Yao was speechless. Zhao Fusheng's words made her nervous. She opened her mouth but didn't know how to explain, because no matter what she said, her own words seemed problematic somehow. She just didn't know what was wrong and felt at a loss.

"Don't overthink it. I'm speaking from the heart." Zhao Fusheng said calmly. "Since I've entrusted the company to you for management, how you run it is your business. If we make money, I take the biggest share; if we lose money, I also take the biggest hit. So no matter what decision you make, I can only choose to support it."

As he spoke, he laughed: "Don't forget, if I veto your decisions, wouldn't that mean I'd have to manage Future Advertising myself?"

Zheng Yao sighed helplessly. She felt that this phone call was completely unnecessary. This guy was simply a hands-off boss, utterly exasperating.

"Fine, I'll decide on my own then." Zheng Yao decided to ignore Zhao Fusheng and said grumpily.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't offended. He hung up the phone and continued with his own business.

As for Zheng Yao mentioning that someone was looking for Future Advertising to invest in film and TV dramas, he believed she would definitely make a decision. After all, Zheng Yao was no longer the ignorant novice she once was. After so long navigating the business world, she had been tempered quite well.

Beijing at this time was actually far less developed than it would later become. Although the reform and opening-up had been going on for a while, the real takeoff still needed a few more years.

Sometimes Zhao Fusheng thought that if it were his previous life, he probably wouldn't have felt this way. Because back then, he was busy every day—busy looking for a job, busy running errands—without any time to stop and look at the scenery around him. Perhaps that was the helplessness of life.

At dinner time, Fan Baobao returned home. As soon as she entered, she complained about being exhausted.

"What's wrong? Were you very tired today?" Zhao Fusheng asked softly.

Fan Baobao nodded vigorously: "Don't even mention it. I rehearsed all day, and my throat feels like it's about to explode."

"Why have you been having so much homework lately?" Zhao Fusheng frowned. He had originally thought Fan Baobao should be quite relaxed, but now it seemed she was even busier.

Fan Baobao shook her head helplessly: "National Day is coming soon. I don't know what's gotten into the school."

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. There was nothing to be done about that. Some things really weren't within his power to change.

After dinner, the two sat together on the sofa watching TV. To be precise, Fan Baobao watched TV while Zhao Fusheng sat there reading a book.

There were washed fruits on the coffee table. They fed each other, enjoying themselves immensely.

"You know what? I heard that several girls from our department were chosen by directors." Fan Baobao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: "Isn't that normal? Directors come to schools to cast roles precisely to pick newcomers, right?"

"No, I heard that they have improper relationships with the directors..." Fan Baobao whispered.

"Ah?"

Zhao Fusheng frowned upon hearing this, then sighed.

He had always hoped Fan Baobao wouldn't know about certain dark sides of the entertainment industry, but in the end, there was no helping it. Some things were beyond his control.

"What do you think?" After a pause, Zhao Fusheng asked Fan Baobao.

Fan Baobao shook her head: "I just think they're not worth it..."

She lacked nothing in food and clothing now. Both Zhao's parents and Li Yuan had told her that if being an actress didn't make her happy, she could simply come home and help with the family business. So Fan Baobao detested this kind of潜规则 from the bottom of her heart.

Hearing Fan Baobao's words, Zhao Fusheng said calmly: "It's not just a matter of worth. We can be despicable, we can be shameless—that's human instinct. But what sets us apart from beasts is that we can use complex means to achieve personal goals. This is very normal. Although everyone shouts 'friendship first, competition second,' beneath the feet of the successful lie the bones of countless failures. As the saying goes, 'a single general's success costs ten thousand lives.' This truth will never change."

"The survival of the fittest is the law of the jungle. The difference between humans and beasts is that we must have our own bottom line in everything we do. It is the first measure of whether a person has教养 and whether their existence is necessary. I know many people around you are灌输 ideas that success justifies any means and that the process doesn't matter. But I truly hope you understand: if your success comes at the cost of losing yourself, then that success is actually a form of failure."

Zhao Fusheng spoke sincerely. He hoped Fan Baobao could understand his good intentions, because in this world, no one else would tell her these truths.

Fan Baobao remained silent the whole time. While Zhao Fusheng spoke, she sat there listening to every word.

After Zhao Fusheng finished, she looked up at him and said: "Have you wanted to tell me for a long time that this circle is not clean?"

Zhao Fusheng gently shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and said: "I worry about you."

"I understand." Fan Baobao nodded. "Although you've never said it, I know you really don't like me entering this circle, right?"

They had known each other for so long that they understood each other almost without secrets.

Although Zhao Fusheng hadn't shown it clearly, Fan Baobao still sensed it.

A smile suddenly bloomed on Fan Baobao's stunningly beautiful face. It had to be said, this girl had a face that could break any man's defenses. A ridiculous thought popped into Zhao Fusheng's mind: if it weren't for him, Fan Baobao would also become hugely popular in the entertainment industry, just like in her previous life.

But back then, was she truly happy?

The answer was obvious.