Chapter 2109: Choice

There was only one phrase in his heart: WTF!

At that moment, Wu Jing's mind could only express his feelings with that one phrase.

He really hadn't expected it to be because of this reason.

"Well, it really is my fault."

Zhao Fusheng said apologetically, "So I was thinking, maybe you could sign with our company."

He paused and smiled, "To be honest, Future Films doesn't have any plans for action movies at the moment, but we're willing to take in a good actor like you."

Wu Jing sat there, a bit dazed.

He wondered what Zhou Xiaoou would do if he were here.

He'd probably tell him, "Say yes!"

Are you kidding?

That was Future Films, a major company about to list in Hong Kong, and now it was actively recruiting Wu Jing.

This was a stroke of luck you couldn't find even with a lantern.

But Wu Jing still didn't speak; he was thinking.

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng had given him plenty of face in this matter.

But the question was, should he join Future Films?

Would joining Future Films really be that suitable?

Wu Jing was a man with strong opinions and ideas; otherwise, he wouldn't have ventured into the Hong Kong film circle alone.

At that moment, he was truly torn.

Joining Future Films was undoubtedly a bright path ahead. With Future Films backing him, he would no longer have to struggle and search for resources like he did now.

But he also knew that once he joined Future Films, he might lose his autonomy in some matters.

That was beyond doubt; after all, they weren't running a charity. If he wanted benefits, he had to pay a corresponding price.

Having been in the entertainment circle for so many years, Wu Jing understood this principle well.

He wasn't Jiang Wen or Yu Feihong; he had no close relationship with Zhao Fusheng. To put it bluntly, no matter how much Zhao Fusheng valued him, when it came to interests, Wu Jing couldn't be sure that Zhao would stand by him.

With that thought, Wu Jing cautiously glanced at Zhao Fusheng and Yu Feihong: "Um, Mr. Zhao, are there any other options?"

Yu Feihong and Zhao Fusheng suddenly laughed.

"See? What did I tell you?" Zhao Fusheng said to Yu Feihong.

Yu Feihong shot him a helpless glare, took out her wallet, and pulled out a hundred-yuan bill.

"Here you go!"

She said to Zhao Fusheng in a resigned tone, looking speechless.

"What's this?"

Wu Jing was confused. What did this mean?

Yu Feihong smiled and explained to Wu Jing, "We made a bet before coming. He said you might not sign with our company, and I said that was impossible. Turns out, he knows you better."

Then she said to Zhao Fusheng, "Then let's do it your way."

Zhao Fusheng nodded and looked at Wu Jing: "Actually, I'm quite optimistic about your ideas on action films. Would there be a chance to collaborate?"

Collaborate?

Wu Jing was a bit surprised. Zhao Fusheng smiled and nodded, "Yes, if you ever want to try making an action movie again, I think we could work together then."

For Zhao Fusheng, no matter how great Wu Jing's future achievements might be, it didn't really matter to him. Even knowing that Wu Jing's films could gross billions, so what?

The success of those films came about under specific circumstances, by chance.

If he rashly altered Wu Jing's fate, the films might never come out.

In that case, not losing money would be lucky, let alone making a profit.

Many people think that if they traveled back in time, they could make a fortune by making movies or TV shows, or at least by buying lottery tickets or betting on sports. But the problem is, they probably don't realize that there are many contingencies in this world.

For example, Wu Jing's famous film 'Wolf Warrior 2' grossed billions!

Sounds impressive, right?

But the thing is, the backdrop of that film was that the entire Chinese film market had been bombarded with bad movies and was nearly saturated.

Audiences went to the cinema full of hope, only to find films made just to cash in.

Throughout the summer season, there wasn't a single good film that could compare with Wu Jing's.

Under those circumstances, how else could audiences vent their emotions?

Plus, the public opinion and national sentiment at the time were indeed focused on patriotism.

That's why this patriotic film succeeded.

Essentially, it was a film similar to those American superhero movies, just swapping American soldiers for Chinese Wolf Warriors.

A box office of one or even two billion was not surprising, but the extra success was really thanks to the competition's mediocrity.

So Zhao Fusheng wouldn't change Wu Jing's life trajectory or try to bring him into Future Films. He was who he was, and he had his own path to follow.

Of course, being friends was still fine.

"Alright, if I ever have a good script, I'll definitely contact you."

Wu Jing hesitated for about ten seconds, then made his choice.

...

...

Leaving the restaurant, Wu Jing wore a wry smile.

It left Zhou Xiaoou, who was with him, completely baffled.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Xiaoou asked Wu Jing, "Did Future Films want to sign you?"

Wu Jing shook his head: "No, I turned them down."

"Huh?"

Zhou Xiaoou's expression changed instantly. He looked at Wu Jing in disbelief: "Are you crazy? That's Future Films! Turning them down means you don't want to stay in this circle!"

Wu Jing gave a bitter smile and explained the situation, finally saying, "I think Mr. Zhao meant no harm."

Zhou Xiaoou nodded in agreement: "Of course. If he meant you harm, with your standing, you wouldn't be able to handle it."

He was telling the truth. Given Zhao Fusheng's status, if he wanted to scheme against Wu Jing, he wouldn't need to go through all this trouble. A simple phone call would suffice.

That was the gap, and it was a gap in hard power.

"Let it be."

Wu Jing thought for a moment and said to Zhou Xiaoou, "I'm planning to shoot a TV series."

"A TV series?"

Zhou Xiaoou was surprised: "Are you crazy? You're a film actor. Why would you shoot a TV series? TV series these days..."

"I'm going to shoot a military-themed TV series."

Wu Jing smiled and said, "I plan to experience military life. When I make an action film later, my protagonist will come from the military. Let me tell you, I have an idea..."

Listening to Wu Jing, Zhou Xiaoou's expression grew more and more animated.

He felt that his childhood friend had gone mad.

Could a patriotic film have a market?

...

...

"Of course it has a market."

Zhao Fusheng sat in the car, leaving with Yu Feihong.

Yu Feihong had just asked him why he was so optimistic about Wu Jing. Could the action films Wu Jing made really succeed?

"No matter the genre, a film's success depends on the timing."

Zhao Fusheng said to Yu Feihong with a smile, "Do you think our comedy films would have worked if we'd made them right after the reform and opening up?"

"Of course not. The public's mindset hadn't changed yet."

Yu Feihong shook her head.

Then she frowned slightly and looked at Zhao Fusheng: "You mean patriotic films will have a market in the future?"

Zhao Fusheng smiled.

He understood what Yu Feihong meant. In the minds of most filmmakers today, so-called patriotic films were like model operas or larger-than-life characters, more for official propaganda.

And for most filmmakers, they preferred to shoot what they wanted.

For example, a film like 'See the Great Master' was made out of respect and love for the country. No one asked for a fee or appearance money. A bunch of stars crowded on set eating box lunches willingly.

But later, the Nanchang Uprising was turned into an idol film, with the dignified commander of the Iron Army acting like a showy, immature youth.

Who would want to watch a film like that?

That was the awkward position of patriotic films.

If they were too serious, people found them stereotypical; if they were too idolized, people found them unrealistic.

But what Zhao Fusheng was optimistic about was that Wu Jing could forge a different path.