Chapter 1335: Each Sticks to His Own Opinion

Lan Xiaolong was now very angry, very frustrated!

In fact, if he hadn't known full well that he couldn't afford to offend Zhao Fusheng, he might have stormed off right then, because in his view, Zhao Fusheng's words just now clearly showed that he looked down on his work.

Literary men are sensitive, not only sharp-minded but even somewhat pretentious, because they always live in their own world.

Someone like Lan Xiaolong was even more so. He was deeply proud of his story, and although he knew that his work couldn't be perfect and satisfy everyone, he still disliked hearing people say his work was bad.

This principle was simple, and it was the same for ordinary people.

"Teacher Lan, don't mind," Zhao Fusheng said with a smile to Lan Xiaolong. "I didn't mean anything else, just sharing my opinion."

Lan Xiaolong was taken aback. He could see that Zhao Fusheng didn't seem to be joking; his tone and manner were very sincere. In other words, he wasn't speaking to him as an investor.

Respect is mutual. Zhao Fusheng respected Lan Xiaolong, and Lan Xiaolong could feel it, so naturally he respected Zhao Fusheng in return.

"Chairman, if you have something to say, just say it directly," Lan Xiaolong said after a moment's hesitation.

Since a big boss like him had lowered his stance so much, he couldn't be too tough either; he might as well listen.

"It's like this: I'm very satisfied with your script. But there's a problem—have you considered that after we invest in filming this drama, what if it fails the censorship review? Also, if the drama airs and the audience doesn't understand this period of history and reacts poorly, what then?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Lan Xiaolong and asked bluntly, without mincing words.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Lan Xiaolong was startled, somewhat surprised, but still shook his head confidently. "I think it's impossible. 'Soldiers' Sortie' has already proven that military-themed TV dramas have a market."

Clearly, he was still basking in his previous success, which made him so confident that his new drama would be recognized by the market.

Zhao Fusheng sighed helplessly. "Teacher Lan, you probably haven't realized that this drama and your previous one are different in subject matter."

Lan Xiaolong was taken aback, and then heard Zhao Fusheng continue: "Your previous work was about modern military camps. In simple terms, you were promoting the image of soldiers in the new era, so the authorities naturally gave it the green light. But this new drama—you know what it's about. I admit, the story of the Expeditionary Force is touching; even reading your script, I can imagine how our predecessors fought bravely and sacrificed for the country. But the problem is, if it's filmed like this, do you think, whether in terms of passing censorship or promotional efforts, TV stations will care as much as they did for 'Soldiers' Sortie'?"

Zhao Fusheng's words grew harsh, and by the end, he was no longer polite.

After all, for him, although he liked Lan Xiaolong's work, that didn't mean he would allow Lan Xiaolong to risk tens of millions of his funds.

So Zhao Fusheng had to crush Lan Xiaolong's confidence now.

Or to be more precise, he had to make him face reality.

Sure enough, Zhao Fusheng's words struck Lan Xiaolong's psychological defenses like heavy blows, making his expression increasingly grim.

Lan Xiaolong was undoubtedly a very proud man, but in front of Zhao Fusheng, he couldn't be proud at all, because whether in wealth or talent, he was nothing compared to Zhao Fusheng.

"Chairman, I understand what you mean," Lan Xiaolong said after a long pause, looking up at Zhao Fusheng. "But I think the path I've taken is not wrong. The heroes of that era, the little people of that era, should be remembered. I believe in myself, not in this path. I believe I can walk this path successfully, not that this path will fulfill me."

Zhao Fusheng sighed softly and was silent for a long time before looking at Lan Xiaolong and slowly saying, "I know what you mean, but believe me, you should know how big the gap between ideals and reality is."

At this point, both of them knew that the other was quite knowledgeable, so Lan Xiaolong stopped beating around the bush and directly asked Zhao Fusheng, "Chairman Zhao, do you mean to give up on this script?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Not give up. What I mean is, we film the drama now, but temporarily don't consider selling the rights or airing it. When the time is right, we'll release it. What do you think?"

Lan Xiaolong fell into silence.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's proposal didn't meet his expectations. In Lan Xiaolong's mind, 'My Chief and My Regiment' was his masterpiece after 'Soldiers' Sortie'. If this drama succeeded, he would immediately become a top screenwriter in the military-themed TV drama industry.

You see, although screenwriters in China had low status, top screenwriters still had a market.

Investors were in it for business. As long as the work could bring returns, even a screenwriter would be treated with respect. Lan Xiaolong, having been immersed in this industry for a long time, naturally understood this.

Instead, Zhao Fusheng's current attitude made him somewhat puzzled.

You see, in Lan Xiaolong's view, given how popular 'Soldiers' Sortie' was, when he, the screenwriter, came up with a new drama, Future Films should at least be eager to invest. But now, whether it was Ye Jing or Zhao Fusheng, they both seemed hesitant to speak.

If it were someone else, Lan Xiaolong would have been furious and walked away, but these two were clearly not the type to act without reason.

Therefore, Lan Xiaolong was now somewhat shaken inside.

People are like that; sometimes, due to their surroundings or other people, they waver in what they hold dear inside. This wavering isn't necessarily good or bad, as it's all human thought. What truly determines whether something is good or bad often depends on the outcome.

Many people like to say that the result doesn't matter, only the process matters. In fact, Zhao Fusheng thought that such people should go play in the men's football team, because no matter the process, they'd still lose.

After all, zero to three—you'd do just as well.

"Chairman Zhao, could you let me think it over?" After a long silence, Lan Xiaolong looked up and asked Zhao Fusheng. This matter was too important; he really needed some time and space to think it through carefully.

Zhao Fusheng didn't pressure him. He smiled and nodded gently. "Sure, it's only right that you think it over carefully."

When Lan Xiaolong left Future Films, he looked worried and seemed in a bad mood. At that moment, Zhao Fusheng's mood wasn't exactly cheerful either.