Chapter 0853: Consolation?

The greatest moments in life are not in never falling, but in rising again after each fall.

So failure is actually not terrifying. Even if you fail ten or twenty times, as long as you can laugh last, it doesn't matter, because history is written by the victors, and the one who laughs last laughs best.

For this reason, Zhao Fusheng wasn't really bothered by the external advantage. In his view, it was just a business, and one that could be abandoned at any time. He didn't need to dwell on it too much.

Business, after all, is fine as long as there's money to be made.

After seeing Dong Guoxiang off, Zhao Fusheng returned to his room, casually took a book from the bookshelf, and started reading.

"We race through this eternal journey called life, running amidst hardships, reborn in setbacks, sorrow clinging to our bodies, pain scattered everywhere. We are tired, yet we cannot stop; we are bitter, yet we cannot avoid it."

It must be said that a book like *One Hundred Years of Solitude* is really only suitable for reading when one is calm and composed.

At the very least, Zhao Fusheng could be sure that if it were his previous life, he would absolutely not have the leisure to read this book. Even if he had the mood, he wouldn't have the time.

"What are you busy with?"

Just as Zhao Fusheng sat down to read for a while, the phone rang. It was that guy Jiang Wen.

"I'm at home reading. If you have something to say, say it. If it's about drinking, I'm not going." Zhao Fusheng didn't bother with pleasantries. He was never polite with Old Jiang, but Jiang Wen happened to respond well to that.

"Well, can you find time to check on Old Lou?" Jiang Wen didn't beat around the bush either, directly stating the reason to Zhao Fusheng.

It wasn't anything complicated. Lou Ye had been feeling down because of the ban on *Suzhou River* and had recently become somewhat depressed. Jiang Wen had originally planned to visit him himself, but he had to attend an event and wasn't in the capital, so he thought of Zhao Fusheng.

"No problem." Zhao Fusheng recalled the state of that guy when he last saw Lou Ye and had a bad feeling. So he tidied up and headed straight for Lou Ye's home.

Getting off at the entrance of Lou Ye's neighborhood, Zhao Fusheng spotted a small shop on the street with fruit that looked good, so he bought two catties, planning to say he brought them from Ninghai.

The neighborhood where Lou Ye lived had a gate with security. Zhao Fusheng originally intended to slip in with someone who had a pass, but two guards stopped him.

"Sorry, no entry without a pass." The guard was quite polite, looking serious and responsible.

"I'm here to visit a friend." Zhao Fusheng always respected people who were dedicated to their duties; they were just doing their job, not deliberately making things difficult for him.

"Which building, and what's the phone number?" The guard was quite vigilant.

Zhao Fusheng didn't dare waste words. He obediently took out his phone and dialed Lou Ye, afraid that if he waited any longer, these two guards might think he was a criminal with ill intentions and arrest him.

But after more than ten seconds, Zhao Fusheng's face stiffened.

The reason was simple: that bastard Lou Ye actually didn't answer the phone.

"Look, I really am here to visit a friend."

Looking at the two guards who were staring at him with strange expressions, Zhao Fusheng said with a wry smile.

But unfortunately, because Lou Ye didn't answer the phone, they simply didn't believe his story.

Zhao Fusheng could understand; after all, if it were him, he would also be suspicious. But the problem was, if he got taken to the police station because of this, it would be too embarrassing.

Just then, a surprised voice sounded behind Zhao Fusheng.

"Teacher Zhao, what are you doing here?"

Turning his head, Zhao Fusheng saw Nai An rolling down the car window with a surprised look, staring at him.

"Miss Nai, it's really great to run into you." Zhao Fusheng's anxious heart finally settled; at least he'd met an acquaintance, or he'd have been furious.

"Are you here to see Director Lou too?" Nai An had met Zhao Fusheng a few times before. Seeing him carrying fruit, she asked curiously.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yeah, Old Jiang called me."

"Good, I was just about to visit him. Let's go together." Nai An said with a smile.

The guard clearly recognized her, so he didn't make things difficult for Zhao Fusheng and let them both in.

"You've heard too, right?" Nai An asked Zhao Fusheng as she drove.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Old Jiang mentioned a bit."

"Sigh, this blow to him is just too heavy." Nai An sighed.

As someone who had always collaborated with and supported Lou Ye in making films, no one understood him better than her. He had originally set his heart on making a name for himself in the domestic film industry with *Suzhou River*, but things turned out contrary to his wishes, and he was even punished by the Film Bureau.

That kind of feeling was truly beyond words.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yeah, Old Lou wasn't in a good mood last time either."

When he was still in the capital, he had met with Lou Ye alone a few times. Back then, they had discussed this issue, but at that time Lou Ye hadn't yet been banned from making films for five years by the Bureau, so naturally he wasn't as dejected as now.

For a director, being forbidden to make films was undoubtedly more painful than death for Lou Ye.

Not everyone had Tian Zhuangzhuang's breadth of mind. Moreover, even Tian Zhuangzhuang—who knew the torment he endured deep down?

The car soon arrived at the downstairs of Lou Ye's building. Since it was on the first floor, Zhao Fusheng went straight over and rang the doorbell.

After a long while, the door finally opened, revealing Lou Ye's haggard face.

"Why are you here?" Seeing that it was Zhao Fusheng, Lou Ye was slightly surprised, then noticed Nai An behind him: "Oh, you're here."

From the way he addressed them, one could discern something. Zhao Fusheng didn't mind, after all, compared to their long-standing relationship, his own friendship with Lou Ye wasn't that close.

His coming today was more because Jiang Wen had asked him to.

"Have a seat. The place is a bit messy." Lou Ye said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng didn't stand on ceremony; he found a relatively clean spot and sat down.

Meanwhile, Nai An began tidying up the room for Lou Ye. Judging by her practiced manner, it wasn't the first time she'd done this.

"You're such a busy man, how do you have time to come see me?" Lou Ye glanced at Zhao Fusheng, then answered his own question: "Old Jiang called you, didn't he?"

He had only a few friends in his circle, and the one who could get Zhao Fusheng to come was probably Jiang Wen.

Zhao Fusheng didn't deny it; he nodded: "Old Jiang had to go out of town, so he asked me to come check on you. What's up, feeling down?"

Lou Ye frowned. For some reason, he didn't hear any comfort in Zhao Fusheng's words; instead, it sounded more like mockery.