Chapter 0786: The Wrap Party

The meaning of a wrap party is simple: it marks the end of the filming of the TV series *Conquest*. After nearly two months of hard work, the crew members could finally take a good break and rest. Of course, some might leave here and immediately join a new crew, but that didn't matter; what mattered was that the current work was about to end.

As for the subsequent editing and promotion, those were not the concern of the cast and crew; that was up to director Gao Qun and the production company Future Advertising. Whether it would be accepted by the audience and what the ratings would be would at most become a memory for these people years later.

"I was part of that hit TV series back then; during the filming..." Such words would be on many people's lips ten years later.

If they still remained in this industry.

Director Gao Qun, on the other hand, had been quite irritable lately. After all, this work was significant to him. With such a large investment, if it failed, Gao Qun would be unable to make any moves in the directing industry for at least a few years. No investor was a fool; they wouldn't throw their money away for him to waste.

As for the lead actor Sun Honglei, he didn't feel much. After all, he had the backing of a big company like Xinbao. To put it bluntly, if Gao Qun failed, investors would certainly not invest in him again, but Sun Honglei was different. If this show didn't work out, he could wait to star in Zhao Baogang's new show.

Apart from them, the assistant director Lin Hai seemed to be in a bad mood lately. Several staff members had been chewed out by him for mistakes.

But none of this had anything to do with Zhao Fusheng. Although nominally he represented the production company Future Advertising, in fact, he was like an outsider. Despite Jiang Wen's words having touched him deeply, in Zhao Fusheng's eyes, this was just a business deal.

Doing business, after all, involved gains and losses. Although everyone hoped their business would bring in a fortune daily, that was clearly unrealistic.

For Zhao Fusheng, *Conquest* was just a business deal, except he knew in advance that this deal would certainly bring him considerable profit. That was all.

After two months of hard work, even he was quite exhausted.

"This time, we should really have a good celebration," Zhao Fusheng said to Gao Qun.

Gao Qun's mood seemed to have improved with the wrap. Hearing Zhao Fusheng's suggestion, he smiled and said, "Sure, as long as you, the producer, don't mind spending money, I'm fine with it."

That was true. Zhao Fusheng was nominally the one in charge of money on the crew. Any expenses required his signature. Whether it was purchasing supplies or paying for rent and meals, everything was done under Zhao Fusheng's leadership. Gao Qun's remark was naturally a tease at Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "No problem, consider it a farewell party for everyone."

The director and the producer were the two biggest figures on the crew. Once Zhao Fusheng and Gao Qun agreed on something, even the lead actor Sun Honglei wouldn't object. So the location of the wrap party was set at the most luxurious Kaiyue Hotel in Shijiazhuang.

Zhao Fusheng generously booked the eighth-floor banquet hall of the Kaiyue Hotel. Over a hundred people from the crew, from lighting and sound technicians to extras with a few lines, all attended the wrap party. As Zhao Fusheng put it, since they had come, they were part of the team; how could they leave without a drink?

The party was lively. Zhao Fusheng, as the representative of the production company, and Gao Qun each went on stage to thank all the cast and crew for their efforts, and then announced the start of the banquet.

The atmosphere at the banquet was naturally very lively. After all, everyone had been busy for so long and could finally relax, so they were bound to be happy.

Of course, many were chatting privately, seemingly inquiring about any new projects.

After all, most of the people present were ordinary workers in this circle, living from one crew to another.

That was their job, just as Zhao Fusheng's job was one advertising campaign after another.

Zhao Fusheng didn't drink much. In fact, aside from unavoidable drinking occasions, he rarely drank now. It wasn't that he couldn't; rather, he felt that drinking harmed the body. A few sips were fine, but drinking too much only made oneself suffer.

This principle, many probably didn't understand. They always thought that alcohol was a way to express emotions, but in reality, whether getting drunk was uncomfortable or not, only the drunk person knew.

"Teacher Zhao, I, I'd like to toast you..."

At that moment, a young girl walked over, holding a glass, and said to Zhao Fusheng.

It was obvious that she was already a bit unsteady on her feet, as if she had drunk quite a bit.

Frowning slightly, Zhao Fusheng looked at her. He had some impression of this girl. Her name was Liu Shaomei, from northern Jiangsu, about the same age as him. She had studied dance and once wanted to apply to the Central Academy of Drama, but failed three years in a row. Somehow, she later learned makeup and became a makeup artist for the *Conquest* crew.

But being a makeup artist wasn't all the same.

Generally, there were two types: one waited in the makeup room, and the other followed the crew for touch-ups. The latter were usually very busy, sometimes so busy they didn't have time to chat. The former were relatively more relaxed and sometimes chatted with the actors, since aside from early morning makeup, they had plenty of free time.

Liu Shaomei belonged to the latter, or more precisely, she was an assistant to the on-set makeup artist, responsible for carrying and handing over items.

At least, in Zhao Fusheng's impression, this girl was always busy on set, either being directed to do this and that or being scolded by the assistant director.

Sighing softly to himself, Zhao Fusheng understood that it wasn't easy for young people just entering society to survive in the workplace.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng raised his glass and clinked it with Liu Shaomei's: "Xiaomei, you've worked hard these two months. I hope you'll become an even more professional makeup artist in the future."

"Huh?"

Liu Shaomei was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

Not far from them, assistant director Lin Hai, seeing Zhao Fusheng and Liu Shaomei clinking glasses, turned pale instantly.