Chapter 2088: Who Is He?

For a boss dealing with subordinates, the most basic tactic is to combine kindness with authority.

Relying solely on methods like 251 cannot keep a company invincible.

For Zhao Fusheng, Liu Yiming was his confidant, his most trusted secretary. Giving him some face and looking out for him at this moment was a mere gesture for himself, but for Liu Yiming, it was enough to make him proud in front of his parents.

If you give others face, they will do their utmost for you.

Zhao Fusheng had always believed this.

Only after watching Zhao Fusheng enter Jiang Wen's place did Liu Yiming drive away.

Zhao Fusheng, meanwhile, knocked on Old Jiang's door.

“Why are you here so fast?”

Seeing Zhao Fusheng, Old Jiang was somewhat surprised and asked in confusion.

“I was nearby.”

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: “Are there many people today?”

“Of course.” Jiang Wen nodded: “Old Zheng helped a lot of people back in the day. It's not often he has a birthday, so there are bound to be plenty of people.”

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: “I think a lot of them are just here to join the fun.”

“Who knows.” Jiang Wen didn't care and said, “Wait for me a moment, I'll wash my face.”

Zhao Fusheng couldn't be bothered to say more and sat down on the sofa in Jiang Wen's house.

“Where's your wife?”

Noticing Zhou Yun wasn't home, Zhao Fusheng asked in surprise.

“She went back to her parents' place.” Jiang Wen said: “She said I've been bad-tempered lately…”

Zhao Fusheng laughed. Old Jiang never had a clear understanding of his own temper.

“By the way, what made you want to go with me?”

While tidying up, Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng curiously.

He was genuinely curious. Generally speaking, given Zhao Fusheng's current status, he rarely attended such events because there was no one of equal standing.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng's attendance would be a tremendous honor for Zheng Xiaolong.

“Don't even mention it.”

Zhao Fusheng helplessly recounted how he couldn't even find someone to eat with, and finally said with some resignation: “I originally wanted you to join me for a meal, but it happened to coincide with Zheng Xiaolong's event, so I just planned to go and join the fun.”

“…”

Jiang Wen was speechless. No one would have thought Zhao Fusheng would be in such a situation.

But why did he particularly want to laugh?

Of course, schadenfreude couldn't be shown too obviously, or Zhao Fusheng would likely blow up.

Fortunately, he was washing his face, so Zhao Fusheng couldn't see his expression.

“Hurry up, I'm waiting for you.”

Zhao Fusheng looked at his phone for a while and urged impatiently.

Jiang Wen was speechless again but quickly finished getting ready, and the two left together.

…

…

In a strict sense, Zheng Xiaolong had not been a core big shot in the Beijing circle in recent years.

There was a lot of depth to this, and in a way, it reflected the changes of the entire era.

The Beijing circle is a broad term.

The year 1985 was destined to be recorded in the history of the Beijing circle.

Two meetings that year have influenced the entire entertainment industry landscape to this day. One was between artist Ma Dajun and emerging writer Wang Shuo, and the other between Wang Shuo and director Qin Daying from the Xi'an Film Studio.

The latter laid the creative foundation of the Beijing circle, while the former determined its lifespan in the history of literature and art.

That year, Qin Daying was studying at the Beijing Film Academy. During summer break, he went out to shoot a film, and a friend mentioned Wang Shuo, hoping they could meet. The reason for introducing Wang Shuo to Qin Daying was that they shared the same background: children of military大院.

Back in the capital, Qin Daying had a meal with Wang Shuo at the Phoenix Restaurant. At that time, Teacher Wang was still fresh-faced, wearing a leather jacket and a purple wool hat, looking particularly shy. At the dinner, he brought a draft of a novel called "Floating Above the Sea." Not long after, the novel was published in "Contemporary."

After that meal, Qin Daying and Wang Shuo became very close friends. It was fate, after all, since both came from the大院. This important background not only fostered their friendship but also involved the entire foundation of the Beijing circle.

During the growth of the Beijing circle, the "大院" was always an undeniable factor.

It was this background that brought Wang Shuo together with the then deputy director of the Capital Television Art Center. That person was Zheng Xiaolong.

Zheng Xiaolong was born in the General Logistics Department大院 in Beijing, and his father was the propaganda minister of that department. He joined the army as a youth, then worked as a reporter at the Capital People's Broadcasting Station. After the college entrance examination was reinstated, he was admitted to the Peking University branch campus.

Four years later, he graduated and returned to his original unit. The radio station was converted into a television bureau, and a television art center was added. He joined as an editor. Because he was capable and hardworking, he was promoted to deputy director in charge of production two years later.

At that time, there were very few TV dramas nationwide, and the masses were eagerly waiting. To enrich people's lives, the Beijing Television Center decided to produce one high-quality work each year.

As soon as he joined the unit, Zheng Xiaolong participated in several major works. Among them was a script he personally wrote, which was an adaptation of Wang Shuo's debut work, "The Stewardess."

When they were in the大院, Wang Shuo from the General Staff Training Department often went to the General Logistics Department auditorium to watch movies. In 1984, he submitted "The Stewardess," which he had revised nine times, to "Contemporary," and it became an instant hit.

After reading it, Zheng Xiaolong sought him out. At that time, mainstream TV dramas were about epics, with revolutionary heroes as protagonists. The leadership didn't think highly of the novel, saying it was meaningless.

Zheng Xiaolong argued, "Isn't beautiful human love meaningful? Shouldn't it be praised?"

In the end, the TV drama was successfully broadcast.

And so, Wang Shuo and Zheng Xiaolong formed a solid revolutionary friendship. Plus, Zheng Xiaolong's wife was an editor at "People's Literature" and was very familiar with the writer circle, and Wang Shuo was an emerging writer, so their interactions became even closer.

During the same period, Zheng Xiaolong, now promoted to deputy director of the center, promoted two children from ordinary families. One was Ma Dajun, and the other was Zhao Baogang.

For this alone, Zheng Xiaolong was a leading figure in the Beijing circle.

Even Zhao Fusheng, when he first started Future Film, had dealings with Zheng Xiaolong.

But later, as their statuses and circles differed, they interacted less.

Nevertheless, no matter how important capital becomes today, Zheng Xiaolong still holds significant influence in the Beijing circle.

Circles have always been about huddling together for warmth, and the entertainment industry is no different.

Of course, at Zhao Fusheng's level, he didn't need to consider this issue.

He only needed to think about how to make himself happier.

…

…

Jiang Wen had already called ahead to inform that Zhao Fusheng was coming.

Though somewhat surprised, Zheng Xiaolong still came to the door to greet him personally.

Regardless, given Zhao Fusheng's current status and position, coming in person to wish him a happy birthday was a tremendous honor.

If word got out, the name Zheng Xiaolong would still feel like the big brother of the Beijing circle.

“Welcome, welcome Chairman Zhao.”

Seeing Zhao Fusheng, Zheng Xiaolong quickly said with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: “Teacher Zheng, you're too kind. Wishing you many happy returns.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

Zheng Xiaolong quickly cupped his hands.

Though he didn't understand Zhao Fusheng's intentions, it was a good thing that he came to support him.

This old hand knew exactly what to do in any situation.

He was clear about how to maximize his own interests and gain the most benefits.

As for Zhao Fusheng, just from Zheng Xiaolong's posture, he knew there must be something going on.

But he was only here to freeload a meal today and didn't intend to be an uninvited guest.

He would just play dumb, as a favor to Zheng Xiaolong.

As the group entered the restaurant, it caused a stir.

“Who's that?”

“Don't know. Teacher Zheng went out to greet him personally.”

“Look, Jiang Wen is following behind him.”

“Never seen him before.”

A new face appearing in an unfamiliar environment naturally aroused everyone's curiosity, and they started discussing.

Those who recognized Zhao Fusheng quickly stood up, bowed, and greeted him.

“You're here.”

“Long time no see.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded to them.

This only made those people more curious—who exactly was this?