Chapter 2075: Recruiting Xu Shanzheng

Soon, Xu Shanzheng and Wang Qiang arrived at Future Film.

"Chairman."

"Bro."

The two greeted Zhao Fusheng respectively.

"Have a seat first."

Zhao Fusheng, after finishing the meeting, received them in Ye Jing's office.

"How is it? Been busy lately?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled and looked at Xu Shanzheng, asking.

"Not bad. The editing is basically done, and the review process is fine." Xu Shanzheng quickly replied.

"I'm okay..." Wang Qiang said with a grin.

"Get lost."

Zhao Fusheng glared at him without ceremony: "Go wander around on your own. I need to chat with Teacher Xu for a bit."

"Alright, I'm off."

Wang Qiang wasn't upset and got up to leave.

He was even quite happy.

Zhao Fusheng and he both felt this kind of conversation was normal.

Because in the eyes of Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao, Wang Qiang was a younger brother, family. When an older brother scolds his younger brother, he naturally says whatever he wants.

Wang Qiang didn't mind either; he had always regarded Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao as his older brother and sister.

In his view, someone like him could only become a star today thanks to Zhao Fusheng's help.

One must always repay kindness.

That was Wang Qiang's principle.

Besides, he knew very well that Future Film was like home to him.

Watching Wang Qiang leave, Zhao Fusheng said to Xu Shanzheng with a smile: "That kid is like a donkey; he won't move forward without a few kicks."

Xu Shanzheng gave a dry laugh, thinking to himself that was just Zhao's way.

He also knew this was incomparable. Wang Qiang was said to have known Zhao Fusheng before he was a billionaire; they were friends from humble beginnings.

Moreover, those in the circle familiar with the relationship between Wang Qiang and Fan Baobao knew that the kid truly regarded Fan Baobao as a sister. He had even dared to hit a reporter back then, clearly willing to give up his career as an artist just to teach the other a lesson.

For this reason alone, Xu Shanzheng knew that his and Wang Qiang's standing in Zhao Fusheng's heart was incomparable.

But he also understood, as his wife Xiao Taohong said, that he had other ways to solve the problem.

"Wang Qiang has great comedic talent. I think we can continue to collaborate."

Xu Shanzheng cautiously glanced at Zhao Fusheng's expression and spoke.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

He was curious why Xu Shanzheng thought that way.

"I think it's a matter of image."

Seeing that Zhao Fusheng seemed interested, Xu Shanzheng organized his words and explained: "Wang Qiang and I have a contrast in image. Audiences actually like that."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. In fact, in the original timeline, the reason their collaborations repeatedly succeeded was precisely because of this.

In Lost in Thailand, Wang Qiang turned the tables with his acting, and it was his performance that forced out another Xu Shanzheng, trapped in a middle-class predicament. Xu Shanzheng's features were very upright, lacking the natural advantage for comedy. Only by placing his image in an awkward predicament, creating a huge contrast in personality between his brows and helpless expressions and Wang Qiang's jumping and foolish antics, could a comedic effect combining audience imagination and secondary absorption be refined.

Actually, the later Detective Chinatown was the same.

Wang Qiang's image was that of a clown, but paired with a serious Liu Haoran, the effect was different.

"A very good idea."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and looked at Xu Shanzheng, saying calmly.

It had to be said, Xu Shanzheng was very smart.

At least, in Zhao Fusheng's view, he knew what he needed and how to show his maximum value in front of him.

If such a smart person didn't succeed, then no one could.

"Thank you, Chairman."

Since Xu Shanzheng was smart, he naturally knew what Zhao Fusheng meant.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng had agreed to his idea.

...

Found a new book called I'm One Step Ahead, pretty good.

...

After discussing these matters, they naturally talked about the movie.

"It's well made."

Zhao Fusheng said again: "I've seen some of the edited version. I think this film will be a huge hit during the Spring Festival this year."

"I hope your words come true."

Xu Shanzheng nodded with a bitter smile.

At this time, he was not as confident as he would be later.

Having just transitioned from actor to director, he urgently needed an opportunity to prove himself.

And this film Lost on Journey was Xu Shanzheng's first chance.

In his understanding, if the movie flopped at the box office, it wouldn't matter to Future Film, given their vast resources and Zhao Fusheng's wealth.

Wang Qiang also wouldn't care; with his connection to Zhao Fusheng, he would never be unable to find work in this circle.

If all else failed, he could also transition to administration and behind-the-scenes work like Yu Feihong and Jiang Wen.

Only he, as director and screenwriter, if Lost on Journey had really poor box office results, would find it hard to continue in this circle in the future.

In the directing profession, one could still be called a young director at forty.

But for a non-professional director like him, making a name was definitely not easy.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. To be honest, seeing Xu Shanzheng like this, he really wanted to laugh.

No help for it; this guy was a true master in later years.

Uncle Shanzheng was definitely a pillar in the Chinese comedy circle.

"Don't worry."

Zhao Fusheng stood up and patted Xu Shanzheng on the shoulder: "Old Xu, I have an idea. Are you interested in opening a studio?"

"Studio?"

Xu Shanzheng was taken aback.

Zhao Fusheng nodded and explained to him: "As you know, Ning Hao now collaborates with the company in a studio model. When filming, he not only gets director's fees but also box office shares."

Then he looked at Xu Shanzheng: "I have faith in you. You can do it too."

For a moment, Xu Shanzheng's mind was a bit chaotic.

In a sense, if it weren't for the fact that he was in the Future Film general manager's office, and the speaker was Zhao Fusheng—a man worth tens of billions of dollars, though unknown on the Forbes list, everyone in the circle knew he had more money than could be counted—

Xu Shanzheng would have thought he had run into a con artist.

But!

The person who said those words was Zhao Fusheng.

In Xu Shanzheng's impression, this boss had always treated him fairly well.

Moreover, it was rumored in the circle that Ning Hao's success was indeed due to Zhao Fusheng's support.

Ning Hao had even said publicly that as long as Zhao Fusheng remained a major shareholder of Future Film, he would never leave the company.

That showed how good their relationship was.

"Thank you, Chairman."

Xu Shanzheng bowed to Zhao Fusheng.

He knew very well that Zhao Fusheng was giving him an opportunity.

"I'll inform Ye Jing later."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Xu Shanzheng: "Do you have time for lunch? I'll treat you and Wang Qiang to a meal."

"Sure, sure."

Xu Shanzheng quickly nodded.

Are you kidding? Someone of Zhao Fusheng's status inviting him to dinner was a blessing you couldn't find with a lantern.

If word got out, countless people would envy him. Only a fool would refuse.

The two walked out of the office. Zhao Fusheng called Wang Qiang, who was with Ye Jing. Hearing they were going to eat, he naturally had no objections.

Ye Jing also called Yu Feihong, and the group left Future Film.

There weren't many people at the meal—just Zhao Fusheng, Ye Jing, Yu Feihong, plus Wang Qiang and Xu Shanzheng. During the meal, Xu Shanzheng's wife Xiao Taohong called. After seeking Zhao Fusheng's opinion, Xiao Taohong was also invited.

Zhao Fusheng had a strong impression of this former athlete turned actress.

"Hello, Chairman Zhao."

Xiao Taohong was very polite when meeting Zhao Fusheng.

"You're too kind."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, pointed at Xu Shanzheng, then at Xiao Taohong: "I've seen the works of you two before."

"Really?"

Xiao Taohong and Xu Shanzheng were both surprised.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "My wife really liked them. Back when I had just started my business and she was still studying, she would always mention them to me."

This was the truth. Back then, the drama The Legend of the Piggy, starring Xu Shanzheng and Xiao Taohong, was indeed very popular in China.

Speaking of this, one had to admire a certain person.

Fan Xiaotian.

This guy was a very peculiar existence.

In an era without Yu Ma and Guo Xiaosi, he devised a type of TV drama.

The significance of this type of drama was that it had no inherent meaning; its reason for existence was to be criticized by the audience.

Yes.

How did his writing team come about?

They simply found a few writers, without any ideas or outlines, sat around chatting, came up with various gags, then placed those gags and inserted plot into them.

As for logic, it didn't exist.

All they cared about was one word: fun! The audience enjoyed it, laughed heartily, and then, that was it.

Without exaggeration, Xu Shanzheng and Xiao Taohong were definitely among the earliest actors of cheesy dramas in China.

In this regard, even Zhao Fusheng had to admire them.

And the meal with Xiao Taohong and Xu Shanzheng opened Zhao Fusheng's eyes.

He finally understood why so many couples in the entertainment industry were oddballs—they barely saw each other all year. Those who flaunted their love were just fooling around; those who showed off their acting were the real deal. You win an award on stage, I sit in the audience crying like a mess. Finally, we schedule a hookup for next Monday, and the whole country gets excited.

In those harmonious and happy couples, one person always has to make sacrifices—one outside, one inside. That's what makes a home.

Like Jiang Wen and Zhou Yun. If Zhou Yun hadn't given up her acting career, they probably wouldn't have such a harmonious life now.

Life always requires some trade-offs.