Chapter 0775: Happy Cooperation

Zhao Fusheng lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, sighed, and said helplessly, "This isn't right. How can you be like this?"

Fan Baobao cast him a charming sidelong glance. "Boss, if there's anything else you're not satisfied with, please speak up."

"Ahem..."

With a dry cough, Zhao Fusheng looked at her somewhat guiltily. "What else do you want to do?"

There was no way around it—only the ox gets tired from plowing, never the field. He had struggled for an hour, exhausted and panting, while she only needed a few minutes of rest to be radiant again. There was simply no comparison.

"Look at you, I'm just trying to thank you." Fan Baobao's cheeks flushed slightly, and her finger traced a circle on Zhao Fusheng's chest. "Fusheng, tell me, can I act well?"

Clearly, the girl was a bit lacking in confidence.

After all, she was just a newcomer. Most of the roles she had played before were minor extras. Now, suddenly hearing Zhao Fusheng say she would become the female second lead, she still felt a bit uncertain.

Zhao Fusheng smiled gently, stroked Fan Baobao's hair, and said softly, "Silly girl, don't worry. It's not a very important role anyway; the focus isn't on you."

His words were half true and half false. The truth was that Fan Baobao indeed didn't have much significant screen time. The false part was that this character, as one of the few female roles in the entire show, actually had quite a substantial part.

Zhao Fusheng knew very well that the reason Fan Baobao was so hesitant was simply a lack of self-confidence. After all, acting wasn't a simple matter, and just because he was the producer didn't guarantee that even if she performed poorly, there would be no problems.

After all, even if the director said nothing out of respect for him, once the TV series aired, the audience's eyes would be sharp.

Reputation was something invisible, but for an actor, once they lost their reputation, it wouldn't be long before their path to acting was blocked.

"Really?"

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Fan Baobao immediately lifted her head, her eyes full of surprise. "You're not lying to me?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed and nodded. "I've read the script. Would I lie to you? Really, it's a police and gangster film, mainly about a gangster. If you act, you'd only play the mistress..."

"Ah?"

Fan Baobao was even more bewildered, looking at Zhao Fusheng speechlessly. "You want me to play someone's mistress?"

"Come on, it's just a role. Wasn't Sister Feihong the same in 'Hand in Hand'?" Zhao Fusheng said, looking at Fan Baobao helplessly.

Speaking of which, this wasn't Zhao Fusheng talking nonsense. In 1998, Director Yang Yang of the TV series 'Hand in Hand' found Teacher Cheng at the Film Academy. Yu Feihong was supposed to play Xia Xiaoxue in the script, but given her age, experience, and feel at the time, playing Wang Chun was more suitable. At that time, she was studying in the United States and flew back to China for over ten hours. As a result, everything went as she wished. Wang Chun made her famous overnight.

That might have been the first third party on Chinese screens that wasn't hated. Afterward, she seemed unable to surpass that role. Whenever the audience mentioned her, they inevitably brought up Wang Chun from 'Hand in Hand.' After 'Hand in Hand' became popular, her film offers increased dramatically, and for a while, she made four or five films a year.

That was also why Yu Feihong later approached Zhao Fusheng, wanting to collaborate with him.

As an actor, no one wanted to consistently maintain a single image.

Fan Baobao knew about this too. When Zhao Fusheng brought it up, she felt much more relieved, but there was still some worry on her face.

"Alright, it's okay. You still have me." Patting Fan Baobao's head, Zhao Fusheng comforted her.

"Mm."

Fan Baobao nodded softly. Just as Zhao Fusheng had said, with him around, she had nothing to worry about.

...

...

It had to be said, Zhao Fusheng's judgment of Gao Qun was quite accurate. As someone determined to stay on the path of directing for a while longer, Gao Qun couldn't refuse the olive branch from Future Advertising.

The next morning, Gao Qun contacted Dong Chenxi.

Subsequently, he learned that this matter was under Zhao Fusheng's charge.

In a private room at a teahouse near the Central Academy of Drama.

"Teacher Fusheng, last time I failed to recognize your worth. My apologies." Gao Qun said politely to Zhao Fusheng.

He had his own connections in the industry and had naturally made inquiries. Zhao Fusheng's name was hardly a secret, so Gao Qun learned that the guy had worked as a screenwriter and was on good terms with Jiang Wen.

Most importantly, because of this connection, in Gao Qun's view, Zhao Fusheng was half an insider.

"Director Gao, you're too kind. I'm just lending a hand."

Zhao Fusheng naturally didn't mind Gao Qun's attitude and said with a smile.

"No, no, no. To still be willing to help raise funds for an art film at a time like this, Teacher Fusheng deserves respect." Gao Qun beamed, as if Zhao Fusheng were a kindred spirit.

Shaking his head helplessly, Zhao Fusheng hadn't expected the guy to have an artistic streak in him.

After the pleasantries, it was time to get down to business. Zhao Fusheng and Gao Qun were here today for the real matter.

"Regarding the suggestion you made earlier, I agree in principle." Gao Qun said to Zhao Fusheng. "I accept your company's investment."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. This was not unexpected. Gao Qun wasn't stupid. Under these circumstances, if he still insisted on his artistic ideals, he would be too foolish. Not everyone was like Lou Ye.

"I hope we have a pleasant cooperation." Zhao Fusheng said to Gao Qun with a smile.

"But I hope there won't be any constraints on the investment..." Gao Qun hesitated and then said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng laughed. He could understand Gao Qun's point. After all, he had dealt with Jiang Wen and knew that every director had ambitions regarding the funds for making a film.

To be precise, every director wished for unlimited shooting funds, hoping investors would let them spend money freely to shoot whatever they wanted.

That was probably human nature.

"Director, forgive my frankness, but I may not be able to meet that requirement." Zhao Fusheng looked at Gao Qun and said bluntly.

Are you kidding? Even if this was a good script, even if he knew the film would be a hit, the problem was that Zhao Fusheng wasn't running a charity. How could he let Gao Qun squander the money he had earned through hard work?

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Gao Qun's brows furrowed immediately. Instinct told him that this cooperation might not be as easy as he had thought.