Chapter 1381: A Great Man Does Not Bother with Trifles

Zhao Fusheng knew something about Xinbaoyuan.

Sun Honglei's career had not been smooth from the start. As for how he became famous and won Zhao Baogang's favor, there were too many details involved, and Zhao Fusheng had no interest in meddling.

But he was well aware that although the other party was a good actor, there was no way he could leave Xinbaoyuan.

Too many interests were at stake.

Most importantly, Zhao Fusheng did not know the contents of the contract between Sun Honglei and Xinbaoyuan.

This was normal. Generally, large companies had legal departments, and contracts with artists were strictly confidential. At the same time, the company's legal department would also act as the artist's lawyer to help them sign contracts.

Some might think, in that case, could the legal department collude with the company to deceive those artists?

Heh.

People who think that way probably don't understand the real state of the entertainment industry.

You see, in the entertainment industry, especially in those big companies, they don't need to play such underhanded tricks as pretending to advance while secretly retreating.

Just like those entertainment companies in South Korea, they plainly put the oppressive clauses in front of the artists: sign or not?

If you don't sign, get lost!

So those celebrities who complain about their agencies exploiting them after becoming famous are purely seeking sympathy. You see, any agency, before a star officially debuts, will lay the profit-sharing contract in front of you. Whether it's an 80-20 split or a 90-10 split, they won't resort to shady dual contracts; they'll tell you plainly, 'I'm going to exploit you.'

If you want to be a star, if you want to be famous, then sign. If not, then get out. That's how real it is.

So, for a star of Sun Honglei's caliber, though not the hottest now, Zhao Fusheng had no chance of poaching him.

Simply put, Xinbaoyuan had invested a lot of resources in Sun Honglei. Before recouping those investments, there was no way he could leave.

"Come, Feihong, try this dish. It's their specialty; everyone who's tried it says it's good."

"This one, the taste is also decent."

Everyone sat there. The waiter soon brought the dishes, but Zhao Baogang did not immediately state his purpose; instead, he kept urging Yu Feihong to eat.

Since the big shots didn't speak, the underlings naturally dared not open their mouths. They just chatted about gossip in the circle and occasionally told jokes.

Everyone in the entertainment industry was shrewd. Even Sun Honglei, who usually looked serious, knew how to tell a few jokes to amuse the crowd.

Since Zhao Baogang didn't speak, Zhao Fusheng was happy to play dumb, eating bite by bite and occasionally exchanging a few words with Yu Feihong or Zhao Baogang beside him.

Given his status, among those present, only Yu Feihong could chat with him without care. The others, even Zhao Baogang, spoke to Zhao Fusheng cautiously.

As for Sun Honglei and the others, needless to say, they were not qualified to communicate with Zhao Fusheng unless he initiated.

That was the rule, the gap in hierarchy and social standing.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, when everyone had almost finished eating, Zhao Baogang finally put down his chopsticks.

Seeing his action, everyone except Zhao Fusheng also stopped what they were doing.

But Zhao Fusheng didn't care and continued eating on his own, only stopping after a long while.

"Fusheng, how's the taste?"

Zhao Baogang didn't mind and asked Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and smiled slightly: "Not bad. I can bring my wife here next time."

This was the truth. The dishes at this restaurant were indeed tasty. Zhao Fusheng enjoyed them and decided in his heart to bring Fan Baobao and Fan Beibei here another day.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zhao Baogang smiled and nodded: "Alright, give me a call when you come, and I'll help you book a table."

"Then I'll trouble you." Zhao Fusheng smiled, uttering words of thanks, but anyone could see he was just being polite.

There was no helping it; at his level, this really didn't amount to much.

"You're welcome. We're old friends; these are things I should do." Zhao Baogang said to Zhao Fusheng with a beaming smile.

For him, if Zhao Fusheng was willing to eat his meal and accept these gestures, it meant he was willing to continue the conversation.

Otherwise, if the other party firmly refused him, Zhao Baogang knew he could do nothing about Zhao Fusheng.

The young man before him was no longer the novice who had first entered the capital. Trying to manipulate him—he, by himself, was not worthy.

In fact, not just him, but the entire entertainment circle in the capital might not be taken seriously by the other party.

After all, the other party's business had grown too big, seemingly beyond the scope of the entertainment industry.

If he were just a slightly wealthier person, Zhao Baogang might have had the desire to compare. But now, Zhao Fusheng had completely detached from the common masses. In the minds of people like Zhao Baogang, there was no longer any thought of competing with Zhao Fusheng.

New college graduates often think they are brilliant and believe they deserve to be valued. If they don't get an opportunity, they think the boss is blind. But in fact, they forget that if they keep their heads held high all day, only a crazy boss would give them a chance.

If you want to be the Buddha's dragon-elephant for sixty years, first be the oxen and horses of sentient beings for thirty years.

What Zhao Baogang did today truly impressed Zhao Fusheng.

Able to put on airs and also to lower himself—if such a person doesn't succeed, heaven and earth would find it hard to forgive.

"President Zhao, just say what you have to say. You said it yourself, we're old friends." Zhao Fusheng chuckled and said to Zhao Baogang.

Since the other party had lowered his posture so much, and he had come for Sister Feihong's sake, he couldn't be too harsh.

Zhao Fusheng's character had always been like this: he yielded to softness but not to hardness. If others respected him an inch, he respected them a foot. Since Zhao Baogang had put on such a show, he had to give some response.

Zhao Baogang breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. He knew that his performance today had finally moved Zhao Fusheng.

Actually, strictly speaking, Zhao Baogang didn't need to go this far. He was also one of the big shots in the Beijing circle; why did he have to go to such lengths?

In the end, doing this today was to give Zhao Fusheng face. Since he had given Zhao Fusheng enough face, Zhao Fusheng would naturally give him face in return.

"Fusheng, what do you think of Honglei's image?" Zhao Baogang looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly asked.

Zhao Fusheng glanced at Sun Honglei with a light smile and finally nodded: "Not bad. I've watched his previous few dramas; his acting has improved over the past two years."

Those familiar with Zhao Fusheng knew that this was a rare compliment from him.

Ordinarily, he was not someone who casually praised others.

At that moment, both Sun Honglei and Zhao Baogang breathed a sigh of relief, because Zhao Fusheng's words undoubtedly affirmed Sun Honglei's acting skills.

In other words, this matter could finally get to the point.

Zhao Baogang looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly said: "Fusheng, to an open man, no hidden words. Does Honglei have a chance for the drama 'Lurk'?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed. He was not at all surprised by Zhao Baogang's words. If the other party had gone to all this trouble to set up a Hongmen Banquet but asked for nothing, he would have found it strange. Now that Zhao Baogang had voluntarily brought up Sun Honglei's matter, it could be considered a frank confession.

At that moment, not only Zhao Baogang but also Sun Honglei looked at Zhao Fusheng with eager anticipation. He knew very well that this young man, several years his junior, was the one who truly decided his future.

"Not bad."

Zhao Fusheng said a seemingly inexplicable sentence, then looked at Zhao Baogang and slowly said: "Director Zhao, you really didn't have to do this. I've always valued friends. With our years of relationship, if you have something to say, just say it directly next time. No need to go through such a big circle."

Zhao Baogang immediately smiled upon hearing this, because he knew that Zhao Fusheng had agreed.

It was simple: if Zhao Fusheng was dissatisfied with Sun Honglei, he would have directly indicated that he didn't think he was suitable for the role. But now, Zhao Fusheng didn't object and even said 'don't let it happen again,' so Zhao Baogang knew the matter was settled.