Chapter 779: The Male Lead

After convincing Ye Jing, the rest became much simpler. Ye Jing took the initiative to approach Future Advertising. Dong Chenxi was just worrying about the review process, and now it was like a pillow arriving just as she felt drowsy, so she naturally agreed readily.

As for the profits they gave up, that was less important.

The purpose of doing business is to make money. Rather than losing money after finishing a film that can't pass review and air, it's better to give up some profit and at least ensure a profit.

As for Jiang Wen, he had no objections. After all, if Zhao Fusheng, Yu Feihong, and Ye Jing all agreed on something, his opposition would be useless.

Besides, that guy was recently scouting locations in the northwest, reportedly for a film directed by Lu Chuan, with him as the lead. He had no mind to bother with matters here.

A month later, after Zhao Fusheng finalized the cooperation with Gao Qun, Gao Qun waited another full month. It wasn't until June that he received definite news.

It must be said that the month Gao Qun endured was sheer torment. It was like a man walking in the desert, having gone three or four days without water, only to find a bottle of water tied to a rope, constantly swinging before his eyes. The feeling of something within reach yet always distant was truly agonizing.

But it had to be admitted that Gao Qun, who would become a renowned director in Zhao Fusheng's previous life, had real skill. Throughout that month, no matter how anxious he was inside, he never brought it up to Zhao Fusheng. Even when Zhao Fusheng called to ask about the script and roles, Gao Qun remained calm.

In truth, Gao Qun was terrified. He feared someone would snatch this project from him, that in the end he'd only be the screenwriter while someone else took the director's chair. Even though the contract was signed, he still had no peace of mind.

Because he was just an ordinary small-time director, not on the same level as capital.

To put it bluntly, if Future Advertising and Phoenix Film pulled any tricks, Gao Qun didn't think he had the ability to resist.

But fortunately, Zhao Fusheng wasn't that kind of person. A month later, the crew could finally be formally assembled.

"Director Gao, the funds are in place. As for the specific personnel, you'll need to recruit them," Zhao Fusheng said to Gao Qun in the Future Advertising conference room.

"No problem. I have some crew from when I shot TV series before; I can bring them over," Gao Qun replied with a smile.

He had that confidence, after all, he was a director.

"That's best. As for the actors..."

Zhao Fusheng was about to speak when his phone rang. Glancing at the number, he found it odd but nodded to Gao Qun and the others, then stepped out of the conference room.

"Brother Ye, what's up?" Zhao Fusheng asked into the phone.

The person on the other end was naturally Ye Jing. Hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, he said directly, "Has the male lead for 'Conquest' been decided?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback. "No, the director and I were just discussing it."

"How about this: do me a favor. A friend of mine has a company with an actor who has solid acting skills, trained in stage drama. What do you think?" Ye Jing said bluntly.

Zhao Fusheng frowned. He remembered clearly that the male lead of 'Conquest' was Yan Wang Sun Honglei. If they replaced him with someone else, what if they couldn't pull off that domineering aura?

"Well..." Zhao Fusheng hesitated, not immediately agreeing to Ye Jing.

The male lead of a drama was too important. If it were any other role, he might have agreed on the spot, but this was the lead. It wouldn't be right not to discuss it with Gao Qun.

Seeing Zhao Fusheng's hesitation, Ye Jing didn't mind. He smiled and said, "How about this: take some time this afternoon, bring the director, and we'll meet the guy. What do you say?"

"Alright, I'll tell Gao Qun later," Zhao Fusheng quickly agreed.

Back in the conference room, Zhao Fusheng mentioned the male lead to Gao Qun. Gao Qun had no objections. It was normal for investors to insert actors into a TV series. Zhao Fusheng, who only asked for a supporting actress and even felt a bit embarrassed, was a rare case.

"Don't worry, if you're not satisfied, I definitely won't agree," Zhao Fusheng explained the situation to Gao Qun and concluded.

Gao Qun was always straightforward, and after dealing with him for so long, Zhao Fusheng knew how to communicate with him.

From a psychological perspective, it's normal to speak differently to different people. You have to adopt a communication style that matches the person you're dealing with; otherwise, it's like talking to a brick wall, and cooperation is impossible.

The matter of the actor's role was set aside for now. Next, they discussed other aspects, including props, lighting, cinematography, and other departments. Gao Qun said they needed to wait until the crew was assembled for a unified discussion.

"In that case, I'll give you half a month to set up the crew. Half a month from now, I want everything ready," Dong Chenxi, as the representative of the main investor, made the final call.

A twenty-episode TV series with a total investment of nearly six million yuan was already a big-budget production. Although Phoenix Film had invested two million, Future Advertising had put in four million.

Dong Chenxi absolutely would not allow any possibility of failure in this project.

After the meeting, Zhao Fusheng briefly greeted Dong Chenxi and then took Gao Qun straight to the place agreed with Ye Jing.

On the way, Zhao Fusheng said to Gao Qun, "When we get there, no matter what, let the guy do a screen test first. If he's no good, then you can speak up. Okay?"

His thinking was simple: whoever could get Ye Jing to help lobby for this male lead must be a big shot in the Beijing circle. They didn't have to give in, but they had to show respect. They couldn't just refuse outright; they had to go through the motions.

Although Zhao Fusheng himself hated this kind of hypocritical socializing, there was no choice. Everyone had to live and continue working in this society. Today someone might ask for his help, and tomorrow he might need theirs. They'd cross paths often; it was just social niceties.

Gao Qun smiled and nodded. "Fusheng, don't worry. I know what to do."

He wasn't stupid. A journalism graduate who had come this far—if Gao Qun had been completely rigid, he would have been devoured long ago, leaving not even a trace.

But both he and Zhao Fusheng were curious: who was the actor Ye Jing recommended?

But both he and Zhao Fusheng were curious: who was the actor Ye Jing recommended?