Chapter 1964: Birthday

Life must go on.

It's the same for everyone.

For Zhao Fusheng, it was no different.

With the Olympics just around the corner, slogans promoting the Games were everywhere you went.

On the streets, crowds in Olympic shirts were a common sight.

In the wake of the Wenchuan earthquake, the Olympics became a crucial occasion for the Chinese people to rally their national pride.

Zhao Fusheng could now roughly understand why a certain athlete became a target of public criticism after withdrawing mid-race.

Because this was the capital.

Because this was an Olympics held on Chinese soil.

Even if he had announced his injury beforehand and stated he couldn't compete, the public wouldn't have been so furious.

But instead, one of China's proudest athletes concealed his injury and, amid the eager anticipation of millions, ran just a few steps before withdrawing.

Any Chinese person would find that hard to accept.

Of course, this hadn't happened yet.

Many still looked forward to that person's performance on the Olympic stage.

At Future Group, everything was going smoothly.

Jiang Wen, after securing additional funding, had stepped on the gas and reportedly planned to finish filming before the end of the year.

Zhao Fusheng had serious doubts about that.

That guy made movies entirely on a whim; when he was in high spirits, he might shoot for two months straight, but if his mood soured, he could just as easily put the crew on hiatus for half a year.

After all, with Wong Kar-wai setting a precedent, everyone believed that good work took time.

"Chairman, do you have any other arrangements?"

Sitting in the car, Liu Yiming asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng glanced at him. "What's up?"

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back. Today is Xiaoyan's birthday, and I promised to celebrate with her."

Liu Yiming explained to Zhao Fusheng.

Recently, under the company's arrangements, Liu Yan had started getting involved in the entertainment scene in the capital. Ye Jing had even specifically asked to place her in a few productions at Huayi Brothers.

No matter what, getting her face out there was the first step.

As for Future Film, the company didn't have any suitable roles for her at the moment, which was why they had to ask Wang Zhonglei for help.

To that end, Ye Jing had specifically warned Wang Zhonglei to keep his pants zipped and not flirt with the girl just because she was pretty—she was the sister of Zhao Fusheng's secretary, and someone Zhao Fusheng personally looked after.

Wang Zhonglei naturally didn't dare to slack off, so he quietly arranged for Liu Yan to join a few productions at Huayi.

According to Liu Yiming, a production had wrapped today, coinciding with Liu Yan's birthday. After attending the wrap party, she would head back.

When it came to birthdays, Liu Yan preferred to spend them with family.

Though she was beautiful, sexy, and outwardly graceful, she was actually quite shy with strangers.

"You rascal, why didn't you say earlier that it was your sister's birthday? I didn't even prepare a gift."

Zhao Fusheng glared at Liu Yiming, thought for a moment, and said, "I've been meaning to introduce her to Baobao. How about this: ask her if she'd mind my wife and me joining her birthday celebration."

"Chairman, that's too much of an honor."

Liu Yiming was startled, then looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, waving his hands repeatedly.

He wasn't unhappy; he was simply overwhelmed.

After all, this was his boss.

For his boss and his wife to personally attend his sister's birthday—what an honor that was!

Given Zhao Fusheng's current status, the number of people he would personally celebrate a birthday with could be counted on one hand.

Let alone bringing his wife, Fan Baobao, along.

Throughout the entire company, only a few veterans who had worked with the chairman since Future Group was still an advertising studio enjoyed such treatment.

After all, these people were not only Zhao Fusheng's subordinates but also mutual friends of the couple.

So when Zhao Fusheng said those words, Liu Yiming was deeply moved.

It was said that a scholar would die for one who appreciates him, and a woman would adorn herself for one who delights in her.

For anyone, being valued by others felt truly wonderful.

……

……

The place where Liu Yan was dining was a nice restaurant.

Though she had joined the production late, with her striking looks and likable personality, she quickly fit in. Within just half a month, she had become a beloved presence on set.

"Xiao Liu, have a drink."

"Yeah, come on, one drink."

Some male actors in the production were egging her on to drink.

Liu Yan looked troubled and shook her head. "I don't drink."

"Oh, come on, how can you be an actress and not drink?"

"Exactly, come on, have one."

A group of men, especially middle-aged and older ones, couldn't help but tease such a beautiful woman.

They might have known they had no chance with Liu Yan, but that didn't stop them.

Liu Yan kept smiling but firmly declined their offers.

The atmosphere at the table naturally stiffened a bit.

Seeing this, Liu Yan's agent frowned and quietly called her out.

"This isn't the attitude you should show, nor the way you should handle things. Frankly, I'm a bit disappointed."

The agent was a woman in her forties.

"I'm new to the company, just like you, but I think our approaches are different."

The agent looked at Liu Yan. "I'm very dissatisfied with your current state. You're a newcomer. If you don't seize every opportunity to work hard, do you expect the company to keep handing you resources?"

Such words from an agent were quite harsh. An agent didn't hold the power of life and death over an artist, but they could report to the company's management.

Liu Yan kept her head down and said nothing.

The agent frowned. Silence didn't mean compliance; it was a form of silent resistance.

The agent was there to solve problems, not to vent anger.

Seeing Liu Yan's attitude, she let out a breath, glanced at the lively scene inside, and said bitterly, "Xiaoyan, don't blame me for being harsh. As an artist, especially a female one, you'll face many such dinners. You can't just say you don't drink every time, can you?"

"You know, the company went out of its way to get you into this production by contacting Huayi. Now that you've finally integrated into the team, you're making everyone awkward over a little drinking. If your reputation suffers, who will dare to hire you?"

The agent continued earnestly, "Don't worry, I'm here. They won't dare to do anything."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.

In the entertainment industry, such dinner parties were unavoidable.

As an artist, especially a female one, she would inevitably encounter men driven by lust. They might not have the guts to do anything truly bad, but they had plenty of ways to be disgusting.

The agent's meaning was that Liu Yan should just go along, have a few drinks, and leave the rest to her.

But clearly, Liu Yan was unwilling.

Even at Guangxian, she had never suffered such indignities.

Wang Changtian, though seemingly easygoing, was very protective of his people.

"You..."

The agent sighed, shot Liu Yan a glare, and said nothing more.

Clearly, since Liu Yan was so insistent, there was nothing more she could say.

Just then, Liu Yan's phone rang. She glanced at the message and her expression changed slightly.

"What's wrong?"

The agent asked curiously.

"My brother wants to have dinner with me tonight," Liu Yan said softly to the agent.

"It's your birthday today, right?"

The agent thought for a moment and said, "How about this: go in, have a drink, then say your family needs you and leave early."

After all, as Liu Yan's agent, she was on her side.

"Thank you, sis."

Liu Yan quickly bowed to show her gratitude.

Regardless, the other party was considering things from her perspective.

Even if she didn't fully agree with the methods, it didn't mean Liu Yan didn't appreciate kindness.

But she had her principles.

Some things were best left undone.