Chapter 0754: Old Man

In truth, Zhao Fusheng still admired people like Lou Ye deep down, because that guy was truly someone who could endure all hardships for the sake of artistic pursuit.

But if he were to live his own life like that, he really couldn't do it.

It wasn't that Zhao Fusheng was a hypocrite; rather, everyone has their own likes and dislikes in life. Lou Ye's lifestyle was his own choice, but not one that Zhao Fusheng liked.

Simply put, he could cheer them on, but if they tried to drag him into their circle, Zhao Fusheng would turn and leave without a second word.

He was not that kind of idealist.

"For this film, I think it's best to shoot it like this..."

"What do you think of my idea?"

A group of directors and screenwriters gathered together, and naturally their conversation revolved around the same topics. Zhao Fusheng even felt that these people were sometimes too dull, completely unaware of how to enjoy life's pleasures.

But perhaps that was just the difference in their lifestyles. Even Zhao Fusheng had to admit that deep down, he felt fortunate and proud to witness this scene.

After all, years later, most of the people sitting in this room today would have to make choices under the weight of life's pressures.

Some left the industry, some chose to yield to the market, and only a few truly persisted to the end.

Soon, the dinner party came to an end. After all, a bunch of artistic youths gathered together could only talk about so much. Each had their own pursuits, and no one could convince the other.

Zhao Fusheng said goodbye to the talkative Lou Ye and turned around to see Jiang Wen standing there waiting for him, and beside him was a visibly nervous Li Yang.

That's right, on the face of this man in his early forties, there was now a look of hesitation.

Frowning slightly, Zhao Fusheng walked over. If he still couldn't figure out what was going on at this point, he would be too slow.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

Zhao Fusheng deliberately looked at Jiang Wen and said.

Jiang Wen smiled: "There's something I need to discuss with you."

He paused, then smiled: "Not me, it's Brother Li Yang."

Li Yang was born in 1959, four years older than Jiang Wen.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and looked at Li Yang: "In that case, let's go have some tea."

He didn't plan to drink anymore; just find a place to chat. Zhao Fusheng didn't like discussing business at the dinner table.

Li Yang and Jiang Wen exchanged a glance and nodded: "Alright, let's go have some tea."

Jiang Wen's assistant had been waiting outside. Zhao Fusheng and Li Yang didn't stand on ceremony and directly got into Jiang Wen's car.

...

...

When the first ray of morning sunlight streamed into the room, Zhao Fusheng's eyelids twitched slightly, and his consciousness gradually awakened. According to his usual habit, he would get up to wash up, but the fatigue from his body made him slowly open his eyes yet unwilling to move. He simply turned over and changed his position.

"Lazy pig, time to get up."

Fan Baobao's voice sounded. Zhao Fusheng opened his eyes and looked at her: "How did I get back yesterday?"

Regarding yesterday's memories, he only remembered that he had gone to have tea with Li Yang and Jiang Wen, and then Li Yang gave him a script, hoping he would take a look.

Zhao Fusheng didn't open it on the spot, only promised to read it carefully after returning home. But he had already understood why Jiang Wen had introduced Director Li Yang to him—it seemed like another person seeking investment.

Then came some casual chatting. Jiang Wen and Li Yang turned out to be quite familiar with each other. Zhao Fusheng had no idea how they had met, but they chatted so enthusiastically that he was bored to the point of counting the patterns on the table.

Later, the two old men, in high spirits from their conversation, suddenly decided to go drinking. Zhao Fusheng initially wanted to refuse, but was sandwiched between Jiang Wen and Li Yang. Outnumbered, he had no choice but to follow them to a bar.

That's right, Jiang Wen said he wanted to show Li Yang the local bar culture. Though Zhao Fusheng really wanted to complain—what bar culture was there in China at this time?

As it turned out, Zhao Fusheng underestimated how crazy two frenzied old men could be when they went wild.

The three of them went to the bar and drank for a while. As they drank, Jiang Wen and Li Yang, for some unknown reason, started drinking bomb shots.

What are bomb shots?

So-called bomb shots involve placing a small glass inside a large glass and drinking two types of alcohol together.

The bomb shots in the bar were simple: just a mix of beer and whiskey, arranged in two rows.

Zhao Fusheng watched helplessly as Jiang Wen and Li Yang downed two rounds in a row.

By the end, the two were so drunk they were slurring their words.

Zhao Fusheng originally planned to drag them away, but the damn bar owner, perhaps recognizing Jiang Wen, brought out so-called "slippery drinks."

Slippery drinks, as the name implies, are large pint glasses filled with various mixed drinks, such as Margarita, Cuba Libre, Singapore Sling, Irish Mist, and so on. A variety of classic slippery drinks were laid out in two full rows, all in those large pint glasses.

The last image in Zhao Fusheng's memory was Li Yang grabbing him and Jiang Wen and shouting, "Whoever doesn't drink isn't a man."

And then, there was no 'and then,' because Zhao Fusheng didn't remember what happened next.

But what he didn't expect was that when he woke up in the morning, he was at home. What was going on?

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, Fan Baobao's face flushed slightly, as if recalling something. Then she glared at him: "How else would you have gotten back? I picked you up, of course."

"Huh?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: "You?"

"Yes, and Wang Qiang. He happened to be back from the set yesterday." Fan Baobao replied.

"Then where is he?"

Zhao Fusheng was a bit puzzled. If that was the case, why hadn't Wang Qiang shown up?

"He didn't stay home last night. After dropping you off, he took Old Jiang back and ended up staying at his place." Fan Baobao said.

Last night, when Zhao Fusheng and the others went drinking, Jiang Wen's assistant had been waiting outside. Later, when they got drunk, the bar manager naturally informed the assistant to come in and pick them up.

How could a young assistant move three grown men? Coincidentally, she had called Zhao Fusheng, and the assistant explained the situation. That was when Fan Baobao brought Wang Qiang over.

After clumsily carrying Zhao Fusheng back, Wang Qiang immediately went with Jiang Wen's assistant to take the other two home, and ended up staying at Jiang Wen's place.

"I see..." Zhao Fusheng nodded and didn't ask further.

But then he noticed a certain spot on Fan Baobao's neck, and his brow instantly furrowed...