Chapter 1827: Seizing by Trickery and Force

What appeared before Zhao Fusheng was a very ugly fellow.

He wore a pair of glasses, and when he smiled, he revealed a mouthful of buckteeth, his face covered in pockmarks.

“Hello, Teacher Jiang.”

The pockmarked man saw Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen enter and quickly stood up.

“Hello, you must be Xiaoning.”

Jiang Wen nodded and said to the pockmarked man, “Where’s Old Zhang? Hasn’t he arrived yet?”

“Director Zhang is on the way; he just called,” said the pockmarked man surnamed Ning, smiling at Jiang Wen.

“This is my friend, here to keep me company.”

Jiang Wen introduced him to Zhao Fusheng and said, “This is Ning Wanchen, a friend of Director Zhang Yuan, and a screenwriter.”

“Oh, hello.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and greeted Ning Wanchen, nodding.

“Hello, hello.”

Since Zhao Fusheng hadn’t introduced himself, Ning Wanchen didn’t ask further and invited Jiang Wen and Zhao Fusheng to sit down.

On the way, Jiang Wen had already told Zhao Fusheng the situation: he and Director Zhang Yuan were friends, and Zhang Yuan had called him, saying he had a good script and wanted to find investors, asking if Jiang Wen was interested.

In plain terms, the other party had asked Zhang Yuan for help, hoping Jiang Wen could introduce them to Future Film and Television.

After all, Future Film and Television was now one of the most prominent star enterprises in China’s film and television circle.

Whether in terms of past achievements or the strength of its backers, Future Film and Television had a well-known reputation throughout the entire Chinese film and television industry.

Not to mention that the current head, Ye Jing, was himself one of the big shots in the Beijing circle.

Also, when Ye Jing was in the US participating in the production of Iron Man, Jiang Wen was the one managing the company in the capital, which was why people came knocking on Jiang Wen’s door.

No one was a fool; Jiang Wen was on good terms with the big boss behind Future Film and Television, and now he was starting to get involved in company management—this was clearly the rhythm of officially entering Future Film and Television’s management.

Under such circumstances, if someone had a good script and a good relationship with Jiang Wen, they would naturally seek him out, hoping to gain support.

Soon, Director Zhang Yuan also arrived. When he saw Zhao Fusheng, he was slightly surprised.

“Why are you here?”

“Just dropping by.”

Zhao Fusheng and Zhang Yuan were not meeting for the first time. Zhang was an outstanding figure among the sixth-generation directors. When Zhao Fusheng was still active in the film and television circle, he had met him a few times, but they weren’t familiar back then. Later, as Zhao Fusheng’s business grew bigger and bigger, they naturally lost contact.

More importantly, Zhao Fusheng had a very poor impression of Zhang Yuan; the man used drugs, which in Zhao Fusheng’s view was undoubtedly the type of person one should not associate with.

Zhao Fusheng was very clear-cut about such things: you could be greedy for money or lustful—that was a personal hobby—but you must not touch things you shouldn’t; that was a matter of principle.

Zhang Yuan was also a smart man; he knew Zhao Fusheng’s identity but did not expose it.

He wasn’t stupid. Since the other party had come as Jiang Wen’s friend, it was clear he didn’t want trouble. Exposing him would be completely unnecessary.

Everyone took their seats according to host and guest. The waiter brought the wine and dishes and then left the private room. As for Jiang Wen’s agent and Zhao Fusheng’s bodyguards, they naturally didn’t come in either.

“Xiaoning is a good screenwriter.”

Zhang Yuan, as the introducer, said to Jiang Wen.

Of course, this was also said for Zhao Fusheng’s benefit, since Zhao Fusheng was the true owner of Future Film and Television.

“Is that so?”

Jiang Wen raised an eyebrow and asked casually, “What scripts have you written before?”

This was a test.

“I used to be an editor at the Rongshu website, and I wrote…” Ning Wanchen began introducing his background, and finally, he stated his purpose.

“I recently wrote a script…” As he spoke, Ning Wanchen took out a script and handed it to Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen nodded, took it but didn’t look at it; instead, he handed it to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng didn’t stand on ceremony; he took the script and began reading.

“The Legend of the Wulin.”

That was the name of the script.

In his memory, this should be Ning Wanchen’s breakthrough work—or rather, with this sitcom, he made several actors famous.

Years later, among these actors, at least two would become A-listers.

Even the other actors would carve out a place for themselves in the entertainment industry.

One had to admit that every character in this show had its own unique traits, which was very impressive.

Take Tong Xiangyu, played by Yan Ni, for example: a widow’s doorstep is rife with gossip, and she, a widow who had only seen her husband as a child, was bound to have no shortage of trouble.

Serving both as the innkeeper of Tongfu Inn and the heiress of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, she had been pampered and lived a life of luxury since childhood. She married down to the leader of the Mount Heng Sect, only to become a widow, and from then on had to shoulder the responsibility of caring for her underage sister-in-law. As the saying goes, the elder sister-in-law is like a mother; she had been striving to be a good sister-in-law and early childhood educator. At the same time, as the innkeeper, she had to wholeheartedly support the people around her.

Could she adapt to such a life? Could she bear such responsibilities?

In the world of martial arts, how should a weak woman without the strength to truss a chicken conduct herself?

A woman whose doorstep is never free of gossip—how does she pursue her love for Bai Zhantang?

But it wasn't simply about pursuing love. This widow was no ordinary widow; every day she dreamed that Bai Zhantang would one day spray on Aifeidike and return to her side, so she would no longer be called a widow.

Then there was the waiter Bai Zhantang, who knew acupressure and martial arts, originally a thief trying to reform, but in truth as timid as a mouse.

The odd-job girl Guo Furong, who prided herself on her martial arts, roamed the jianghu recklessly, always itching for a fight. Though the daughter of a great hero, her skills were mediocre—a textbook野蛮女友.

The cook Li Dazui, who spent his days fantasizing about learning martial arts and becoming a hero.

The accountant Lü Xiucai, who never stopped quoting Confucius, was in fact a useless scholar, weak as a chicken, yet somehow stumbled into the title of "Guanzhong Hero."

The boarder Zhu Wushuang, though a martial arts expert from the Sunflower School, was actually a weak woman often bullied, beautiful but unloved.

The mischievous girl Mo Xiaobei, rumored in the jianghu to be a she-devil, was really just a little brat who played truant and only wanted to eat sugar-coated hawthorns.

Two constables, one Old Xing and one Xiao Liu, who daily clamored about cracking big cases, were actually two muddled fools just coasting along...

Every character in this show has their own unique charm—that much has to be admitted.

But the problem was, Zhao Fusheng really disliked Ning Wanchen.

"We're buying this script."

Zhao Fusheng looked at the script for a while, then raised his head and suddenly spoke.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Buy it?"

Jiang Wen, Ning Wanchen, and Zhang Yuan were all stunned, staring at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, never expecting him to say such a thing.

Ning Wanchen in particular looked at Zhao Fusheng as if he were absurd.

Was this guy crazy?

"Wait, you want to buy this script?"

Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng, somewhat astonished.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. Though he didn't understand why this sitcom, which should have appeared around 2005, hadn't been filmed yet, since the script had come to him, he couldn't let it slip by.

As for Ning Wanchen—ha, just give him some money.

It was just a script; even if Ning Wanchen was somewhat famous now, the price wouldn't be too outrageous.

"I'm not selling!"

At that moment, Ning Wanchen's voice rang out, exceptionally firm.

Having painstakingly written the script and found a director himself, Ning Wanchen knew very well that if this show succeeded, the returns would be substantial.

There was no way he would agree to sell the script now.

Not even if the person before him was a high-level executive from Future Films!

He wasn't stupid. When Zhang Yuan greeted Zhao Fusheng, he could clearly sense that the two knew each other.

Given that, this person was most likely from Future Films' management.

After all, it was said that many in Future Films' management came from the Beijing circle.

This guy in front of him was probably one of them, otherwise he wouldn't be so arrogant, not even stating his name after entering, just sitting there.

He hadn't even stood up to greet Zhang Yuan when he came in.

In fact, Ning Wanchen was fairly smart, and his deductions were reasonable.

If he hadn't mistaken Zhao Fusheng's identity, his response could be considered nearly perfect.

But unfortunately, the person he encountered was Zhao Fusheng.

Or rather, at this moment, even Zhang Yuan's face turned grim after hearing Ning Wanchen's words.

This guy really didn't know his place!

"Heh..."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, ignoring Ning Wanchen's words, and turned to Jiang Wen: "You handle the negotiations. I'll wait in the car."

Jiang Wen hesitated, looking at Zhao Fusheng with a hint of consultation.

"You can offer a bit more on price, but we must buy the script. Later, just list him as a screenwriter." Zhao Fusheng said flatly. "I'm leaving now. You have half an hour. If you can't reach an agreement, then we'll do it my way."

Clearly, he was giving Jiang Wen only half an hour to negotiate nicely with Ning Wanchen. If Ning Wanchen didn't appreciate it, then Zhao Fusheng wouldn't be polite.

Watching Zhao Fusheng leave, Jiang Wen looked at Ning Wanchen and gave a bitter smile.

"Xiao Ning, this script of yours has eighty episodes. How about I give you ten thousand per episode?" Jiang Wen's opening remark stunned Ning Wanchen.

What was going on?

"Teacher Jiang, this is my script. I said I won't sell it. I..." Ning Wanchen opened his mouth to say more, but Zhang Yuan suddenly interjected: "I agree. That's already a lot."

"Huh?"

Ning Wanchen was dumbfounded. What was happening? Why was even Zhang Yuan saying that?

Could it be that their attitudes were all because of the man who had just left?