Chapter 1233 The Spring Festival of 2005 was very uneventful.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng also understood that whether in Hong Kong or the mainland, it was now a money-driven society. But he had to admit that even though money was powerful, sometimes connections, background, or status could still determine many things.

Money can only provide timely help, but it cannot add splendor to perfection.

This statement actually makes a lot of sense.

Of course, some might say that when one reaches the level of the two 'Daddy Mas,' everything can be easily resolved. Haven't you seen how Wang Sicong has become addicted to bashing female celebrities, yet no one dares to do anything to him?

Heh.

If he were really that awesome, why wouldn't Sicong dare to bash people outside the entertainment circle?

Some things are not worth arguing about, because many matters are not as simple as they seem. The result may appear beautiful to many, but how complicated the process is, probably only those involved truly know.

It's like how Master Ma only says he comes from an ordinary family, but never tells you that his father has connections with the Chaoshan Chamber of Commerce. Similarly, Big Wang won't mention that when he was selling corn, his father was the director of the Liucheng Railway Bureau and his father-in-law was the deputy secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee.

Successful people always like to show their best side to everyone, always hoping that later generations will believe their success is self-made, relying on so-called chicken soup for the soul.

But in fact, if chicken soup could lead to success, why would anyone need to strive?

"When do you plan to go back?" Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng. Originally, according to plan, she intended to return to the capital after the seventh day of the first lunar month, but now it seemed her man had no intention of leaving.

"No rush for now." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Fan Baobao, "There's still a month until the Spring Festival. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Fan Baobao rolled her eyes, too lazy to bother with him.

She was just asking casually; in fact, she didn't like leaving home either. She spent so little time at home throughout the year that sometimes she felt she might as well quit the entertainment industry and stay home with her family.

But the thought of being stuck at home at such a young age for the rest of her life was unbearable.

Fortunately, Zhao Fusheng didn't mind, so she was quite content.

"By the way, are you going to the high school reunion in a few days?" Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng.

"No."

Zhao Fusheng shook his head decisively. Now that his identity was no longer a secret, his high school classmates already knew about his company. To be honest, Zhao Fusheng had little interest in class reunions nowadays.

Heaven is very unfair, giving everyone different lives and experiences. Some are brilliant, some ordinary, but regardless, everyone must go through birth, aging, sickness, and death.

It's truly ridiculous: whether born rich or poor, in high positions or ordinary, despite enjoying different material lives, in essence, everyone is the same.

From birth to death, from youth to old age, this is an inevitable process.

The only difference is that at the moment of leaving the world, when we look back on our lives, some can proudly say they have seen many sights others haven't and enjoyed pleasures others haven't. Others can only sigh silently, because their lives have been unremarkable.

For Zhao Fusheng, his high school days—or more precisely, his youth—had completely disappeared the moment he was reborn.

Most people's youth is not filled with absurd and clichéd abortions, car accidents, studying abroad, or unrequited first loves like in movies and TV shows. Although there may be longing and attempts at romance, most people's lives are about continuous growth and the helplessness and compromises of life.

The trivial troubles of life, the constraints of family, and the words of those around you are the required courses of growing up. Some say secret love is a one-person chaos, but growth is even more so.

Zhao Fusheng could even be sure that even though they had graduated from college, most of his high school classmates still hadn't grown up. When they gathered and chatted, they mostly complained about how unsatisfactory their lives were, how unrecognized their talents were by their bosses, and how their parents didn't understand their choices.

To be fair, Zhao Fusheng didn't dislike these people; he just really had nothing in common with them.

Now, despite having achieved some success, the more he did, the clearer Zhao Fusheng became that he couldn't take the wrong path. Unlike people like Xue Yuanfang, he had no advantages except for the foresight in his mind.

So Zhao Fusheng was cautious, carefully weaving his network. Hell, if he had a father who was a billionaire or an uncle who would one day reach the top, he could be arrogant and unscrupulous too.

Steal business?

One phone call and you'd be shut down in minutes.

Having a lot of money isn't scary; when power and money combine, the energy released can destroy any resistance.

As an ordinary person, if you want to live better, you have to work hard to make money. And once you've made money, if you want to live peacefully, you have to strive to climb up.

These are the so-called trendsetters.

They are actually a pitiful bunch, desperately trying to change their fate, climbing from the bottom of society to the top of destiny. But some manage to stand firm, while others only get a glimpse of the view before being blown down by the storm.

The one who once trafficked planes was like that, and even some billionaires are the same.

Of course, Zhao Fusheng hasn't reached that level yet. Although his wealth might seem unattainable to ordinary people, he knows well that he still has a long way to go to catch up with those at the very top.

This isn't Hong Kong in the 1970s or 1980s, where having a billion or eight hundred million could make you claim to be a tycoon.

…

…

In the early 2000s, the northern Spring Festival had no ban on fireworks and firecrackers. So from the start of the lunar year, the festive atmosphere grew stronger. There were more and more people on the streets, and those working or studying away from home all chose to return around this time for family reunions.

Many people work hard all year just to bring joy to their families at this time.

Zhao Fusheng wasn't very busy, except on New Year's Eve when he received and made a lot of calls, mainly for New Year's greetings or discussing company matters.

In fact, not only him, but also Father Zhao and Fan Baobao were very busy at this time.

Humans are social animals. Once connected to the outside world, they inevitably face all kinds of social engagements. Even if you don't like it, there's nothing you can do, because it's normal courtesy that no one can avoid.

Things in the capital had been calm lately, with no major incidents.

"A World Without Thieves" was officially released on New Year's Day, instantly igniting the Spring Festival box office. The combination of Old Jiang and Sister Feihong was very topical and attractive, and with many celebrity cameos, it met the audience's expectations for movies. The content was relatively mainstream, so it naturally became a hit.

Of course, as a result, attention from both inside and outside the industry toward Future Film and Television immediately increased.

After all, several consecutive films and TV dramas had succeeded, meaning the company had the capability to independently produce films and TV shows.

In short, a company that can make actors popular, let investors make money, and help peers get rich—who wouldn't want to be their partner?

Following the prosperous and shunning the poor is normal; doing the opposite is called gambling in the entertainment or business world. After all, investing in a declining power is not easy, and not everyone has the skill and luck to make a comeback.

"By the way, I heard Sister Feihong has taken on many roles recently?" On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, while the two families were eating yuanxiao, Fan Baobao casually asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded: "She's planning to launch a public welfare助学 campaign and is short on funds."

Fan Baobao smiled, but upon reflection, it was very much in line with Yu Feihong's current personality.

Ever since Sister Feihong was led by Zhao Fusheng onto the 'road of no return' of public welfare, her acting career had completely derailed. Most of her time was spent on charity work; unless she was short on money, she rarely participated in commercial activities. Even company-arranged commercial events, she would skip if possible.

Fortunately, she had a good relationship with Ye Jing, and the whole company knew that the boss, Zhao Fusheng, treated her like a real sister, so no one criticized her.

Recently, Sister Feihong planned to launch a public welfare助学 campaign but found insufficient funds. So she took advantage of the popularity of "A World Without Thieves" to take on several roles.

"I want to act too." Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng pitifully, blinking her eyes: "I'm so bored at home..."

Zhao Fusheng looked at her speechlessly: "So, should we let Aunt Li and my mom handle the wedding?"

During the Spring Festival, the two families had agreed to hold the wedding for Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao in August. As the bride-to-be, Fan Baobao was supposed to personally take care of her own wedding.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Fan Baobao recalled the bizarre wedding procedures proposed by Li Yuan and Mother Zhao, and immediately snapped out of it. She shook her head like a rattle drum and said repeatedly, "No, no, no, I'll do it myself. I'll do it."

No way in hell! She wasn't going to wear a red mandarin jacket and bow for the ceremony; she wanted to wear a wedding dress and walk the red carpet!