Chapter 0707 Another Year

For children, the adult world is hard to understand, because in their eyes, adults are always too hypocritical—clearly wanting something in their hearts, yet always liking to hide it.

Zhao Fusheng deeply agreed with this, but that didn't stop him from educating Fan Beibei, especially when the little girl pretended to be mature and sighed with emotion. At only four years old, she spoke with an old-fashioned air; if Zhao Fusheng didn't straighten her out, who would?

Of course, as for the two instigators, cough cough, he wouldn't say anything, after all, the deterrent power of his own mother and Li Yuan was too great; he didn't want to be taught a lesson.

Days passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was the Spring Festival.

At that time, people still valued the concept of 'year' very much. No matter where they were, rich or poor, as long as they could, they would travel thousands of miles back to their hometowns to have a reunion dinner with their parents and loved ones.

The Spring Festival in the north, though very cold, always had an unforgettable flavor.

From the morning of New Year's Eve, Zhao's mother and Li Yuan were busy in the kitchen. Fan Baobao also went to help the two mothers, picking vegetables and such.

Zhao's father went to the shopping mall. He had bought out all the shares of Hou Liangping and others, though it meant taking on another loan. But no matter what, the mall now completely belonged to their family.

Zhao Fusheng had no comment on his father spending three million to buy back the shares of Hou Liangping and others. Everyone has their own principles of conduct. He knew very well that reaching this point was already the limit of what his father could do.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng could be sure that if Hou Liangping and others hadn't betrayed him first, his father might have honestly followed the original agreement and given them shares, even if he knew there was a way to force them out.

Zhao Fusheng didn't think his father was foolish. In his eyes, having such a father was his pride.

A person really can't live without any principles or bottom lines, because if a person doesn't even have the most basic reverence, then when they do things, they will truly act without restraint.

In other words, even Zhao Fusheng himself had his own bottom line in his heart. Some things are not done not because one can't, but because one mustn't. Just like some money, you can't earn it even if it kills you.

Not everyone is Lenovo; some people still want to be Huawei.

Another good thing was that good news finally came from Andy Lau.

The box office of *Infernal Affairs* peaked during the Spring Festival, quickly exceeding 60 million Hong Kong dollars. Not only did it bring Zhao Fusheng a considerable share of the profits, but it also made Lin Jianle determined to turn the film into a series.

Therefore, although Zhao Fusheng's asking price was a bit high, he still gritted his teeth and agreed.

In fact, it wasn't that he cared about the price, but that he felt uncomfortable. On one hand, as one of Hong Kong's top ten tycoons, he couldn't do anything about Zhao Fusheng, a mere screenwriter. On the other hand, he felt that being manipulated was very unpleasant.

At first, Lin Jianle thought about solving the problem through some means, or simply dropping Zhao Fusheng and finding someone else to start filming, but Andy Lau talked him out of it.

The reason was simple: on one hand, Zhao Fusheng was the original author, which naturally gave him an advantage. Unless Media Asia, including Andy Lau himself, didn't want to explore the mainland market in the future, doing so would tell everyone that they were untrustworthy. Then who would dare to cooperate with them?

More importantly, Andy Lau directly told Lin Jianle that Zhao Fusheng was not an unknown figure. He was someone in the domestic advertising industry. If pushed too hard, he had some ability to cause trouble for Media Asia's artists.

Moreover, Media Asia had influence in Hong Kong, but on the mainland, Lin Jianle's reputation might not be effective.

In short, according to Andy Lau, Media Asia agreed to Zhao Fusheng's request: two million for the exclusive rights to the *Infernal Affairs* film series, but with one condition—Zhao Fusheng had to guarantee that he would not write similar scripts in the future.

After all, this type of dual-protagonist police thriller wasn't hard to write. If Zhao Fusheng wanted, he could easily write a script similar to *Infernal Affairs*.

Hearing this request, Zhao Fusheng almost laughed out loud. He quickly said that he had no interest in writing the same type of film.

"Brother Hua, rest assured, writing scripts is just a hobby for me. I have no interest in this circle," Zhao Fusheng said to Andy Lau.

…

…

When Zhao Fusheng said this, Fan Baobao was right beside him. Perhaps because they didn't want Fan Beibei to disturb their time alone, Zhao's mother and Li Yuan took Fan Beibei home after the Spring Festival.

"Are you really not planning to enter the entertainment industry?" Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng with a conflicted expression. Clearly, she didn't quite understand his decision.

Zhao Fusheng smiled slightly: "What, you think I'm lying to him?"

"It's not that I think you're lying, but I find it a pity." Fan Baobao hesitated for a moment, then honestly expressed her feelings: "I think if you don't enter the entertainment industry, it's a waste of your talent."

Talent...

Zhao Fusheng was speechless. He really didn't see where his talent lay.

But he also knew that he couldn't explain these things to Fan Baobao. He smiled and shook his head: "I still prefer doing business and advertising planning. At least I don't have to be managed by so many people."

Fan Baobao fell silent upon hearing this. She knew very well that what Zhao Fusheng said was absolutely correct.

At the very least, after experiencing so many filming sets herself, she fully understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

No matter how famous an actor is, they are nothing in front of capital.

Fan Baobao once didn't quite understand this, but whether shooting commercials or films and TV dramas, even as an extra, she had seen many truths of the circle. Sometimes, an actress who was nothing—neither in acting skills nor appearance as good as her—could still land an important role. Only upon inquiring did she learn that the person was placed there by the investors.

What's more, Fan Baobao had heard from Yu Feihong that some investors would bluntly tell actresses: either sleep with them or get lost.

Fan Baobao was grateful that she had Zhao Fusheng to protect her. At least whether shooting commercials or being an extra, she had never encountered such dirty dealings.

At that moment, Fan Baobao felt that she was truly lucky to have met such a good man.

"Thank you, Fusheng," Fan Baobao said earnestly to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng frowned and glanced at her: "My wallet is on the sofa. Go get it yourself."

Huh?

Fan Baobao was stunned for a moment, then glared fiercely at Zhao Fusheng.

This guy—he's sleeping on the sofa tonight!