Chapter 1085: Everyone Is Changing

Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao had a pleasant chat with Wang Qiang and the others, but they didn't stay long. After all, the crew still had to shoot; they couldn't disrupt the normal filming just because they were visiting.

"Want to take a look?" Jiang Wen said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

As the producer, he naturally had the authority to stay. In fact, Jiang Wen held most of the power on set, including over the filming itself.

"Forget it, I wouldn't understand anyway," Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Baobao and I will head back to the hotel first. After you finish shooting and wrap up, I'll treat everyone to dinner tonight."

"Why go for dinner? You've got nothing to do back there, so just watch for a while," Jiang Wen pulled Zhao Fusheng to keep him from leaving. "Besides, Baobao rarely comes by. I'm thinking of having her make a cameo. What do you think?"

Cameo?

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then shrugged. "I don't mind. Go ask her."

Jiang Wen didn't stand on ceremony. He turned to ask Fan Baobao, and she quickly agreed to make a cameo as a nurse in the scene.

This was quite normal. Usually, in film and television productions, if a friend of an actor came to visit, the crew would arrange some role for them to cameo—partly to express gratitude, and partly to use the opportunity for publicity.

Although Fan Baobao wasn't a well-known actress, she was at least an advertising star. Besides, given her relationship with Jiang Wen, Old Jiang would naturally want to give her some screen time.

Seeing Fan Baobao being led away for makeup, Zhao Fusheng, with nothing to do, decided to find a place to sit and watch the fun.

"Brother Zhao, have a seat." Zhu Yuchen, seeing Zhao Fusheng looking for a chair, quickly brought one over.

"Thanks." Zhao Fusheng was a bit surprised but didn't stand on ceremony; he took the chair and sat down.

"You don't have a scene?" Zhao Fusheng asked Zhu Yuchen casually, with a smile.

"No, this scene is Wang Qiang's." Zhu Yuchen replied respectfully.

He naturally didn't know Zhao Fusheng's true identity, but given Zhao Fusheng's friendship with Jiang Wen and his influence in Future Advertising and Future Film, Zhu Yuchen dared not be anything but cautious.

"How are things on set?" Zhao Fusheng asked nonchalantly.

It wasn't that he looked down on anyone, but the entire cast of *Soldiers' Sortie* had no big-name actors. Besides Jiang Wen, Zhao Fusheng didn't know anyone else. Even Zhang Yi was still just a shy young man at this point.

At this time, this group was more like a bunch of unknown newcomers brought together to shoot a main-theme TV series with an uncertain future.

"Fortunately, everyone is new here, and Teacher Jiang has high prestige, so we get along well." Zhu Yuchen said politely.

He had no choice either; no one knew better than him how much influence this person had. It was said that this drama was personally negotiated by him with the People's Art Theatre, and rumors at the company also held that this Teacher Zhao had considerable influence, even able to sway Boss Bai's decisions.

As a signed artist of Future Film and Television, how could Zhu Yuchen dare to disrespect Zhao Fusheng?

Zhao Fusheng nodded and said nothing more, instead looking around the set with interest.

It was evident that Jiang Wen had put thought into polishing this scene; it should be a specially built house. As the comeback work for Future Film and Television, the production of "Soldiers Assault" had to be rigorous—this was something Jiang Wen knew well.

When Director Zhang made "Red Sorghum" back in the day, he spent money to secretly plant a field of sorghum with the help of the original author. Chen Kaige, who made films that people couldn't understand, and who was stubborn, built a city to realize his Tang Dynasty dream.

Regardless of the quality of the films, their respect for cinema alone was far better than those so-called variety show movies or those who turned TV dramas into films by playing the nostalgia card.

Not to mention those halfway directors or actor-directors who only rely on so-called nostalgia marketing to exploit audiences.

Any film or TV drama is like a newborn child, embodying the creator's hard work. And once the work is released, it's like the child leaving the parents' protection—whether in dress or speech, it reflects the parents' upbringing.

In other words, whether the child was raised with care by its parents, the audience can tell at a glance.

Well, of course, if your neighbor's surname is Wang, that's a different story.

And clearly, Jiang Wen was a devoted parent; he didn't want people to associate "Soldiers Assault" with his name and label it as a half-hearted effort.

After a while, Zhu Yuchen was called away by the makeup artist, and the person beside Zhao Fusheng changed to Zhang Guoqiang.

"Hmm, Brother Zhang, have we met?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and asked, seeing Zhang Guoqiang sneak another glance at him.

Zhang Guoqiang gave a wry smile and said to Zhao Fusheng, "I worked at Huayi for a while before and saw you there."

"Oh?"

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised: "Then you don't know Fan Baobao?"

"By the time I got there, she had already left." Zhang Guoqiang explained to Zhao Fusheng.

"Then how do you know me?" Zhao Fusheng asked curiously. "It can't be..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he looked at Zhang Guoqiang in surprise: "Are you an artist under Wang Jinghua?"

"Mm, Sister Hua manages me," Zhang Guoqiang said honestly. "I saw you once when you went to see Boss Wang."

Hearing this, Zhao Fusheng understood. He had indeed gone to see Wang Zhonglei a few times before, of course, all for work-related matters.

"It's nothing, don't misunderstand. Boss Wang and I are friends. Although I had some misunderstandings with Sister Hua before, it won't affect you." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Zhang Guoqiang, "As they say, fellow townsmen meeting fellow townsmen, tears well up in both eyes. Rest assured, we won't be enemies."

Zhang Guoqiang wasn't stupid either; he immediately grasped Zhao Fusheng's meaning and nodded repeatedly: "That's good, that's good."

Watching him leave with relief, Zhao Fusheng gave a wry smile. He could understand, after all, Zhang Guoqiang was just an ordinary actor drifting from Ninghai to the capital.

In the end, whether it was Wang Jinghua or himself, neither was someone Zhang Guoqiang could afford to offend.

Such was perhaps the tragedy of a small figure.

Unable to control his own fate, nor to decide which side to stand on, most of the time he had to go with the flow, following the path set by the strong.

For the sake of life, it was understandable.

…

…

Although it was a cameo scene, Jiang Wen still had strict demands on Fan Baobao. He made her reshoot if her expression was off, if her makeup was too youthful, if her movements were not precise. This one scene took nearly two hours to shoot.

Even Zhao Fusheng, just watching the actors repeat their performances from the sidelines, frowned. Old Jiang was making a TV series as seriously as a movie—it was terrifying.

But he could finally understand why Jiang Wen was able to produce good works.

After all, if a person is serious about everything they do, it shows they truly love it. Clearly, Jiang Wen's passion for film and television exceeded the ordinary.

Although his girlfriend was being tortured a bit, Zhao Fusheng saw that Fan Baobao looked as if she relished it, knowing she didn't find anything wrong with Jiang Wen's methods. Naturally, he said nothing more and silently watched from there.

After a long while, Jiang Wen finally nodded with satisfaction, waved his hand, and said, "Cut. Next scene."

At that moment, Zhao Fusheng felt as relieved as Fan Baobao.

Seeing the crew preparing for the next scene, Zhao Fusheng stood up and said to Fan Baobao, who was coming over to remove her makeup, "Should we head back now?"

He thought Fan Baobao was tired from shooting so long and should rest at the hotel.

But Fan Baobao shook her head: "Not yet. Let's stay and watch for a while."

"Watch for a while?"

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then smiled and nodded: "Alright, let's stay a bit then."

Though he didn't know the reason, Fan Baobao must have her own. Since he had nothing to do anyway, he'd stay with her.

"I think this drama might become a hit," Fan Baobao suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng while sitting on a chair.

Zhao Fusheng was startled by her words and looked at her in surprise: "What makes you think that?"

Although he knew that "Soldiers Assault" was bound to be a hit, Zhao Fusheng didn't expect Fan Baobao, like himself a reborn person, to have such insight.

When did this girl become so prescient?

Fan Baobao smiled faintly and said, "Nowadays, many young people, especially men, can probably be divided into four types.

First: those who loved the wrong person, their hearts full of scars.

Second: those who made the wrong mistake, their hearts full of regret.

Third: those who have tasted all the bitterness of life and can't find anyone to trust.

Last: those who feel utterly frustrated and even begin to doubt life."

Zhao Fusheng blinked and suddenly laughed. He had to admit, Fan Baobao's summary, though seemingly absurd, actually made some sense.

Hit the nail on the head!

"See, I'm right, aren't I?" Fan Baobao glanced triumphantly at Zhao Fusheng and smiled.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Right, but why do you think 'Soldiers Assault' will be a hit?"

"Simple. The young people in this drama don't belong to the four types I just mentioned," Fan Baobao spread her hands and said seriously. "Whether it's the character Wang Qiang created, or the ones Zhu Yuchen, Zhang Yi, and the others created, they are all young people striving to live. Honestly, there's a power in them that makes me feel, even just from reading the script, that I should live well, live seriously."

Zhao Fusheng was silent for a long time. At that moment, he was truly happy for Fan Baobao.