Chapter 0789 Unresolved Resentment

Zhao Fusheng wasn't joking; what he said to Liu Shaomei came straight from the heart.

Zhao Fusheng had never really felt much fondness or aversion toward the entertainment industry. After all, he was no longer a hotheaded teenager who judged an entire circle by one or two incidents.

While the affair between Liu Shaomei and Lin Hai was infuriating enough to make one curse, the problem was that without the almost universally accepted rules in this circle, how would they have dared to do such a thing?

To put it bluntly, if Liu Shaomei hadn't drunk too much today, this matter might have just blown over. A woman trying to climb the ladder in the film and television industry, cheated out of tens of thousands of yuan and her body—that's hardly news, is it?

Either she'd accept her bad luck, or once the matter came to light, Gao Qun, to smooth things over, might casually toss her a minor role to get rid of her—this was also common.

In fact, after learning about this, Gao Qun had thought the same way.

Whether Lin Hai was using his name or not, this matter involved the reputation of the crew, and he had to do it.

But Zhao Fusheng's choice was to call the police.

"Why?"

That was Gao Qun's question to Zhao Fusheng when they returned to the hotel that evening.

He didn't quite understand. Zhao Fusheng had already scolded Liu Shaomei in the hotel, yet he still chose to call the police. Didn't he realize that once this was exposed, it would be bad for both the crew and Liu Shaomei herself?

"Wrong is wrong. Since it's wrong, one must accept punishment," Zhao Fusheng said calmly, his expression serene, as if he didn't know what impact the exposure of this matter would have on the entire TV series.

"Well..." Gao Qun's expression shifted, and finally he let out a heavy sigh.

"Let things take their course," Zhao Fusheng said placidly. "If any reporters come for interviews, Director Gao, remember to omit Liu Shaomei's name. Also, issue a gag order on the set to try not to expose her."

Gao Qun nodded: "I understand. It's just that I feel quite embarrassed about this whole thing."

"Those who are pitiable often have their hateful aspects." Zhao Fusheng sighed heavily, then gave a wry smile. "You definitely didn't call the police, did you?"

He wasn't stupid; Gao Qun clearly hadn't called the police just now. If he had, how could he have returned to the hotel so quickly?

"As for Liu Shaomei, I returned her money." Gao Qun showed a hint of apology upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's words. "The crew has also dispersed. From now on, even if the media interviews her, she won't be exposed. At most, it'll just be rumors floating around."

"That's it?" Zhao Fusheng's face darkened slightly. Clearly, he didn't think this was an appropriate way to handle it.

"I also gave Lin Hai a beating and handed him over to the police." Gao Qun gritted his teeth. "That bastard cheated people out of money and sex. If I didn't have him arrested, I'd be letting Liu Shaomei down."

He was genuinely angry. Lin Hai had actually used his name to swindle money and women. If this got exposed, wouldn't his reputation be ruined by that bastard?

Zhao Fusheng nodded, finally satisfied.

"How is Liu Shaomei's mood?" Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and asked Gao Qun.

This was crucial. The woman might have blurted out the truth while drunk, but he was afraid that once she sobered up, she might cause more trouble.

"Her?" Gao Qun sneered. "She was truly drunk at first, but she sobered up later. She was just acting out of desperation."

To be honest, from start to finish, neither Gao Qun nor Zhao Fusheng had any pity for Liu Shaomei beyond a trace of sympathy. The reason they reached a consensus on handling this matter was largely because Lin Hai dared to do such disgusting things under their names.

As for Liu Shaomei, a girl who was bent on becoming a star and didn't care about anything else, why should they feel sorry for her?

Helping her conceal her real name was already the utmost they could do.

The world is realistic. Everyone's choices may seem influenced by the social environment, but in the end, it comes down to themselves.

All those who talk about being forced or whatever are just making excuses for their own lack of resolve.

Zhao Fusheng didn't ask about this matter anymore. He left early the next morning because he felt uncomfortable. He looked down on Liu Shaomei's degradation, and likewise, he looked down on Lin Hai's lies.

Perhaps one day Zhao Fusheng could change all this, but that day was definitely not now. For now, he could only watch it all happen, vent his anger in a fit of rage, and ultimately walk away silently.

Out of sight, out of mind.

This old saying speaks many truths that are extremely practical.

Fortunately, no matter how weary the soul, there is always a place of rest.

And by Fan Baobao's side was where Zhao Fusheng could find respite.

Back in Beijing, he spent every day in close intimacy with Fan Baobao, and his mood finally improved.

As for the post-production and censorship of *Conquest*, those were matters for Ye Jing and Gao Qun to worry about; they had nothing to do with him.

Each does their own job.

"But are you really not coming to our company?"

Holding Fan Baobao in his arms, Zhao Fusheng stroked her smooth, fair skin and asked softly.

Fan Baobao shook her head: "I'm not going. If I go, you'll have to worry about finding resources for me."

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, then laughed, feeling quite delighted inside.

He naturally understood what Fan Baobao meant; the girl was wholeheartedly thinking about how not to cause him trouble.

Thinking this, Zhao Fusheng silently made a decision in his heart.

The next morning, Zhao Fusheng appeared in the office building of Huayi.

"Oh, Fusheng, you're a rare guest!" Seeing Zhao Fusheng enter, Wang Zhonglei said with a smile: "I heard you went to northern Hebei. Next time there's an opportunity like that, don't forget your big brother here."

Huayi Brothers were now striving to expand their influence in the film and television circle; such opportunities were not something the Wang brothers wanted to miss.

Zhao Fusheng laughed, nodded, and said noncommittally: "Alright, alright, next time there's a chance, I'll definitely give you a call."

After chatting idly for a while, Wang Zhonglei smiled and asked Zhao Fusheng: "What brings you here today? Something up?"

Zhao Fusheng's face beamed like a spring breeze; upon hearing this, he shook his head: "Nothing much. I was just running errands nearby, passed by, and thought I'd drop in to see you."

Wang Zhonglei's smile was quite bright, joking like an old friend: "That's rare. A busy man like you actually has time to come see me."

He meant it sincerely; Wang Zhonglei knew that his relationship with Zhao Fusheng wasn't that close. Zhao Fusheng's visit today must mean he had something to discuss.

Zhao Fusheng glanced at him, smiled, then nodded: "It's not really anything. I just wanted to ask, our girl Baobao is about to graduate. Does the company have any plans for her future development?"

Wang Zhonglei was startled; he suddenly felt that this seemed to be the real purpose of Zhao Fusheng's visit today.

Sitting up straight, Wang Zhonglei looked at Zhao Fusheng: "Fusheng, what do you mean..."

Clearly, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't come to the temple without a reason today.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly: "President Wang, don't misunderstand. I have no other intentions. I genuinely want to know the answer to this question, which is why I came to see you today."

He paused, then shrugged: "See, I didn't even go to Sister Hua, did I?"

At the mention of Wang Jinghua's name, Wang Zhonglei's expression froze, and his eyes narrowed instantly.

It was evident that he was very sensitive to this name; in fact, the moment Zhao Fusheng uttered it, his eyebrows twitched involuntarily.

Sighing silently to himself, Zhao Fusheng knew that the honeymoon period between Wang Jinghua and the Wang brothers seemed to have ended.

As the saying goes, 'How can others be allowed to snore beside one's bed?' For ambitious figures like the Wang brothers, Wang Jinghua's presence was like a fishbone stuck in their throats, to the point where they were on guard against each other.

After all, no one could tolerate the existence of an independent kingdom within their own company.

In business, especially big business, which magnate is open-minded enough to allow others to establish an independent kingdom under their command?

This is no joke; it's the truth.

Although when Huayi poached Wang Jinghua last year, both sides were all smiles, a year later, the Wang brothers had naturally noticed the crux of the problem.