Chapter 0683 Don't Panic

Life is like passing five checkpoints and slaying six generals; from the moment we are born, we keep breaking through barriers.

Only, some people have more barriers to pass, and the road is harder.

There's no help for it; that's life. Many times we can't decide our birth and background; we can only fight with our own hands.

Zhao Fusheng never thought studying was a bad thing. Those who say studying is useless are mostly idiots who haven't studied much. You see, studying itself is a process of increasing one's wisdom. In other words, the more you read, the more you understand, and the easier it is to stand firm in this society.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng didn't mean bookworms who only know how to study mechanically, but those who truly apply the knowledge from books to real life.

Even the great leader said that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. Anyone who only reads without practicing is engaging in a very foolish behavior.

All gifts from fate have already been secretly priced.

Zhao Fusheng never thought that inexplicably getting this chance to live life over again was an easy and pleasant thing. Although his life now seemed beautiful—earning a lot of money, smooth love life, happy family—Zhao Fusheng knew clearly that there was a pair of eyes watching him from the unseen.

Though it sounds somewhat idealistic, Zhao Fusheng didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Being a person, perhaps one cannot be weak, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't live kindly. Protecting oneself from harm is a basic principle of being human; likewise, not harming others and helping those in need is also a principle.

"You act really well."

Zhao Fusheng, not knowing how to comfort Miss Zhou, was silent for a long while before suddenly saying to Zhou Xun.

This was the only thing he could think of to comfort Miss Zhou. After all, he wasn't a psychologist and didn't know how to counsel a woman who was somewhat immersed in her role.

"What's good?" Miss Zhou looked up, staring at Zhao Fusheng's acting, and asked.

Zhao Fusheng blinked: "Uh, I just really like it. I've seen Jiang Wen act, and I've seen Ge You act, but I think you're about the same as them."

Miss Zhou was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You really know how to talk."

If Zhao Fusheng had cited other examples, Miss Zhou might have thought he was fooling her. But the two examples he gave, whether Jiang Wen or Ge You, were both people she considered actors who relied on their acting skills.

Because they are not stars; they are actors.

A so-called star must have a distinct label, so that when people think of that label, they associate it with that person.

For example, when we mention Chow Yun-fat, our first impression is Brother Mark or God of Gamblers Gao Jin; older people might also remember the elegant Xu Wenqiang.

Jackie Chan goes without saying—his life-risking action films, no one else can do them. Stephen Chow's slapstick comedy, Andy Lau's handsomeness, Tony Leung's melancholy, Michelle Yeoh's tough-girl image...

These are all their labels as stars. The more distinct the image, the more obvious the label, and naturally, the more popular they become.

For instance, Jackie Chan, though opinions about him vary, is undeniably very dedicated in the action film genre. Even in his later film *The Foreigner*, which he couldn't do as much action in, he still incorporated many action elements. Because he knows that the reason audiences go to the cinema for him is the word 'action film.'

As an actor, however, one must avoid being labeled by others, adapting oneself to every role rather than letting the role adapt to oneself.

Whether it's a good role or a bad role, it's the same.

Among actresses of her generation, Miss Zhou is undoubtedly outstanding. The most obvious example is in *The Message*; although Li Bingbing tried very hard, unfortunately, she met Miss Zhou.

When a hardworking actor meets an actor with natural talent who also works hard, there is only one outcome.

Seeing that Miss Zhou's mood had eased considerably, Zhao Fusheng nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you're okay. Hurry up and pack up to go back; I haven't eaten yet."

Miss Zhou was speechless for a moment. This guy always made it hard to feel grateful toward him.

Zhao Fusheng ignored her, got up on his own, helped Miss Zhou gather her things, and the two went straight back to the hotel.

"Seriously, do you really think I acted well?"

Miss Zhou asked Zhao Fusheng as they walked.

Zhao Fusheng nodded honestly: "Of course. Believe it or not, in a few years, directors from Hong Kong and Taiwan will come looking for you to act."

Zhou Xun was very surprised, looking at Zhao Fusheng with obvious disbelief.

Shrugging, Zhao Fusheng said nothing more. Time would prove everything, or rather, some things were bound to happen sooner or later.

In fact, before 2009, mainland directors had always been inferior to Hong Kong directors.

Zhao Fusheng had checked some data earlier; at that time, the highest-grossing film on the mainland box office chart was *The Flag Flying*, which barely exceeded 100 million yuan.

In Zhao Fusheng's memory, in the original timeline, until 2008, among the top twenty domestic films, besides twelve Hollywood films, of the remaining eight, five were directed by Hong Kong directors, and only two by mainland directors. And those two directors were Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige.

In other words, whether in this life or the previous one, before 2009, only the top mainland directors could compete with Hong Kong directors at the box office.

It was also for this reason that domestic actors all took pride in collaborating with Hong Kong directors.

Zhao Fusheng remembered that it would take about ten years for this situation to change. With the emergence of a large number of high-grossing films, the domestic film market would usher in an opportunity for vigorous development.

In the film industry, there was an unwritten rule: whoever gets the box office gets the say.

Previously, Hong Kong directors had the advantage at the box office, so producers listened to them. Now that mainland directors were starting to show their power, producers naturally favored mainland directors, so Hong Kong directors lost favor.

Of course, that was in the previous life. Zhao Fusheng wasn't entirely sure if history would still develop in that direction in this life.

But regardless, Zhao Fusheng was certain that Miss Zhou was still Miss Zhou, still a gifted talent that any director would be willing to work with.

…

…

Many times, people cannot be fully responsible for every action they take and often cause unnecessary harm.

Life is a process of constant acceptance. Accepting that we are ordinary people, accepting that the world is more cruel than we imagine, accepting that unfair things happen all the time, accepting that our efforts often exceed our gains, accepting that we may never realize our dreams. Acceptance is not compromise, but gradually recognizing one thing: our current life is the most suitable life for us.

Everyone has ambition, but no matter what, being practical does no harm.

You can't earn a thousand yuan a month but live a three-thousand-yuan lifestyle, and then set your heart on pursuing a girl who requires ten thousand yuan a month to support.

People who live like that are not grounded.

After sending Miss Zhou back to her room, Zhao Fusheng did not stay in her room as most crew members had hoped, but directly turned and left.

The next day, he no longer went to the set to watch the filming.

When Lou Ye asked why, Zhao Fusheng's answer was simple.

"Both the actors and the plot are very good. Honestly, this film is likely to be banned again, but I think its overseas sales will definitely be good," Zhao Fusheng said seriously to Lou Ye.

He knew that Lou Ye was actually very confident in the film's quality, but deep down, he was uncertain about the rest. Otherwise, he wouldn't always be trying to drag Zhao Fusheng into it.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Lou Ye gave a bitter smile, lit a cigarette, took deep drags, and remained silent for a long time.