Chapter 1951: A Favor to Ask

One doesn't go to the Temple of the Three Treasures without a reason—this saying applies not only to visiting someone's home.

Clearly, Brother Fa's approach to chat about the history of Hong Kong cinema wasn't a casual move but had an ulterior motive.

Glancing at the smiling Brother Fa, Zhao Fusheng gave a faint smile.

Brother Fa is very well-informed.

Heh.

Brother Fa shook his head: "There are no secrets in this crew. Just like Miss Jiang, isn't she also waiting for an explanation?"

Who was he? After decades of ups and downs, at his peak, all of Hong Kong's investors begged him to star in their films; in his lows, he was called 'Box Office Poison' and couldn't even sign autographs on the street.

Brother Fa saw the entertainment industry's affairs all too clearly.

Everyone has something they need; it's just a matter of each taking what they want.

Just like when he himself starred in 'A Better Tomorrow'—wasn't that also a stroke of luck?

After all, in the mid-1980s, John Woo was frustrated and down on his luck in Taiwan, gritting his teeth and rushing back to Hong Kong to make a police-action film.

Initially, the film's lead wasn't Brother Fa or Ti Lung.

One was past his prime, the other wanted to move from the small screen to the big screen—neither had box office appeal in the film circle.

This wasn't slander; it was fact.

At that time, although Brother Fa had become hugely popular for playing Xu Wenqiang and was called 'Handsome Fa,' his films flopped one after another—he was practically a benchmark for measuring a film's quality.

The standard was simple: any film starring Brother Fa was sure to bomb at the box office.

Conversely, nine times out of ten, it would be a hit.

The original lead of 'A Better Tomorrow' was the then-young heartthrob Leslie Cheung.

In fact, when John Woo invited Leslie Cheung, he told him he was the lead, and Brother Fa and Ti Lung were just supporting him.

But then...

As filming progressed, the lead became Mark Gor, and poor Leslie Cheung was reduced to a third-tier supporting role.

Needless to say, the film was a massive hit after release, and its impact on several people was extraordinary.

John Woo leaped to fame as a renowned director, his 'violent aesthetics' making him hugely popular, even breaking into Hollywood and driving MGM into bankruptcy.

As for Ti Lung, he blossomed anew, successfully reviving his career's second spring.

Leslie also completed his transformation from idol to actor, no longer labeled a 'little fresh meat.'

And Brother Fa himself—needless to say—his name 'God Fa' was renowned across Hong Kong.

Trench coats and toothpicks became the standard gear for many young people trying to look cool.

Now, Brother Fa was well aware that if he could leave a good impression on Zhao Fusheng, it would greatly benefit his development in the mainland.

After hearing Brother Fa's words, Zhao Fusheng smiled but said nothing.

Hit the nail on the head.

That was the essence of Brother Fa's remark.

The reason Jiang Wenli stayed on set despite knowing Jiang Wen disliked her was not because of Jiang Wen, but because she needed an explanation from Future Films.

And his own arrival here was probably exactly what she had hoped to see.

No, to be precise, it was an unexpected surprise.

They probably all thought Ye Jing would show up, but unexpectedly, he came instead.

But Zhao Fusheng wasn't sure what Brother Fa wanted from him or what he wanted to discuss.

Of course, this wasn't the place to talk, so Zhao Fusheng didn't ask further and changed the subject.

Brother Fa, being sharp, also didn't press on. They chatted about some amusing incidents on set and gossip from the Hong Kong entertainment circle—after all, Brother Fa had been in Hong Kong for years; he knew many tidbits but simply didn't speak of them.

When Jiang Wen finished filming his scene and an assistant came to call Brother Fa, he finally left.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhao Fusheng narrowed his eyes and began to ponder.

Something's off!

Very off!

Instinct told Zhao Fusheng that Brother Fa wasn't the type to casually chat with him for no reason.

And he even brought up Jiang Wenli—could it be that he had someone in mind for the role of the county magistrate's wife?

To be honest, Zhao Fusheng didn't think it was a very important role, but Old Jiang was a perfectionist who wanted his film to be flawless.

Add to that three Best Actor winners sharing the screen, a budget of 150 million, and a script written by the billionaire Zhao Fusheng himself.

Just these gimmicks alone were enough to make actresses flock to the project.

To be honest, people are egoists—that's why we admire heroes, because they truly sacrifice for others.

In the entertainment industry, for fame and fortune, everyone has to pay a price that ordinary people can't imagine.

But Zhao Fusheng couldn't figure out who Brother Fa could recommend to him.

After all, Brother Fa was famously henpecked in Hong Kong's entertainment circle; his wife followed him wherever he filmed, and he wasn't the type to fool around.

Could it be an old friend of his?

...

...

Such doubts persisted until evening.

Since the boss had arrived, the crew naturally had to have a dinner together. The main group drove from the desolate outskirts into the city, found a restaurant, and ate authentic Xichuan hotpot.

Xichuan hotpot has a long history. As for the taste, for an outsider like Zhao Fusheng, it could be summed up in one word.

Spicy!

Very spicy!!

Extremely spicy!!!

"It's too spicy!"

Liu Yiming said to Zhao Fusheng while eating hotpot.

Last time they came to Jincheng, they had been traveling all the way, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew, without any chance to enjoy the local cuisine.

"Just eat yours."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and smiled. "I've figured it out. Among my assistants, you're the one who consumes the most food."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Zhao Fusheng's previous assistants, whether Wu Sijie or Zhang Qian, were all handsome types. Only Liu Yiming didn't fit the word 'handsome' at all; he looked like a round ball.

"Chairman, that's not fair. It's okay that I'm fat. If something happens, I can be your cushion," Liu Yiming said with a naive smile.

Everyone smiled. It had to be said, this guy was really amusing.

After the meal, they took a car back to the set. Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen sat in the same car.

"What's going on? It seems like you called me just to get me here."

Zhao Fusheng said to Jiang Wen with a smile.

By now, it was clear that this matter wasn't easy to resolve, otherwise Jiang Wen wouldn't have specifically called him.

"Originally, Ye Jing could have come, but I thought you'd have more clout," Jiang Wen said frankly to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "I understand. I'll talk to Jiang Wenli later."

"That woman is not simple. Be careful," Jiang Wen said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. "Not simple depends on who you compare her to."

This was true. Although Ms. Jiang was known in the industry for her capability and skill, as Zhao Fusheng said, it depended on the comparison.

In front of Zhao Fusheng, she really wasn't up to par.

Strictly speaking, Zhao Fusheng didn't really like Jiang Wenli. Her acting was undeniable, but her reputation? Well, it was just so-so.

She was the one who led the blacklisting of Zhang Jingchu.

It wasn't that Ms. Zhang was entirely blameless, but Ms. Jiang's practice of putting all the blame on other women while glossing over her own husband's faults was truly contemptible.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, shortly after Zhao Fusheng got up, Liu Yiming knocked and entered to report that Jiang Wenli had arrived.

"That was quick."

Zhao Fusheng muttered to himself, then said to Liu Yiming, "Ask her to wait for me in the coffee shop downstairs."

"Yes, Chairman."

Liu Yiming quickly nodded and went out to inform Jiang Wenli.

Upon hearing that Zhao Fusheng wanted to meet her in the coffee shop, Jiang Wenli frowned slightly but still smiled and nodded.

Soon, Zhao Fusheng, accompanied by Liu Yiming, entered the coffee shop.

The coffee shop was nearly empty. Jiang Wenli, accompanied by her assistant, sat in a corner quietly sipping coffee.

"Chairman Zhao, we meet again."

Jiang Wenli said to Zhao Fusheng with a smile.

They had met once before, at a gathering a long time ago.

"Yes, Sister Jiang, you look as radiant as ever."

Zhao Fusheng said with a smile.

No matter what he thought inside, on the surface, he maintained sufficient politeness toward everyone.

Sitting down opposite Jiang Wenli, Zhao Fusheng looked at her and said, "Sister Jiang, you really haven't changed at all. After all these years, you're still so beautiful."

Everyone loves to hear nice words, especially when they come from someone like Zhao Fusheng; it was even more pleasing.

Jiang Wenli's smile was so wide she couldn't close her mouth. She said to Zhao Fusheng, "Chairman Zhao, you're so good at flattering. Did many girls like you before?"

"No, no," Zhao Fusheng waved his hand repeatedly. "Sister Jiang, don't say that. If my wife finds out, I'll be in trouble."

"Haha."

Jiang Wenli laughed, and the two chatted pleasantly.

She was no pushover either. Back in her film academy days, she was a social butterfly, and her ex-boyfriend was Wang Anquan, the current boyfriend of Yu Nan.

And Jiang Wenli herself was a formidable character who had seen many men.

Now just over thirty, she was at the most alluring age for a woman. To be honest, facing a man like Zhao Fusheng, it was impossible not to be tempted.

But she knew well that there was nearly a ten-year age gap between them, and some things weren't so simple.

Flirting with a man was a technical skill, not easy at all.

Since that was the case, it was better to talk about something practical.

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Jiang Wenli chuckled. "To be honest, I didn't expect Jiang Wen to be dissatisfied with me."

Hearing this, Zhao Fusheng's eyes narrowed. He knew the main topic had arrived.