Chapter 0863 Old Jiang's New Film

Many people think that lowering their bottom line can get them something in return, but that's not the case. Your bottom line determines what you have. Once you lower your principled bottom line, you will soon lose some things you regard as principles, and then you will lose even more. Usually, what you get back by lowering your bottom line is no longer what you originally wanted. The bottom line can fluctuate, but don't keep lowering it; principles differ for everyone, but you must have them.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, one should not compromise out of loneliness, because settling has always been a trap. So he was unwilling to settle, because Zhao Fusheng felt that such a life held no real joy.

"Old Jiang, that film isn't for you."

After thinking it over, Zhao Fusheng still felt he should be honest with Jiang Wen. After all, the outside world didn't know the script content of Leslie Cheung's new film, but he knew very well that the subject matter of this film was too sensitive.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Wen was taken aback. He had only heard that Future Film was collaborating with Leslie Cheung on a new film, but he didn't know the specifics.

The source of the news was actually quite simple. When Leslie Cheung had inquired about Future Film earlier, he inadvertently let slip that he might collaborate with them on a film, so many people began to pay attention to the matter.

There was no help for it—he was Leslie Cheung.

As the saying goes, a man's reputation is like a tree's shadow, and Leslie Cheung was exactly that kind of person. That's why Jiang Wen's interest was piqued, and he took the initiative to contact Zhao Fusheng to ask about the film.

"This film is pretty much like that earlier one, 'Happy Together.'" Zhao Fusheng gritted his teeth and said solemnly.

He believed that after hearing this, Jiang Wen would understand what was going on.

Sure enough, Old Jiang on the other end of the phone paused, remained silent for a long time, and finally said, "Holy shit! Is your company crazy? A film like this, even if it's made, it won't be released."

But then he paused and answered his own question: "You never intended to release it on the mainland from the start, did you?"

Zhao Fusheng chuckled but said nothing.

"Alright, I get it." Old Jiang was a smart man; he naturally knew what 'Happy Together' was about, and with Zhao Fusheng's words, he understood Future Film's intentions.

"That's good. If there's a good film later, I'll save it for you." Zhao Fusheng laughed.

Opportunities to show off in front of Old Jiang like this were rare.

Jiang Wen snorted, too lazy to bother with Zhao Fusheng, and simply hung up the phone.

As it turned out, for a big shot like Jiang Wen, there were few secrets in the film industry that he couldn't uncover.

A few days later, Jiang Wen invited Zhao Fusheng out and sat across from him, staring.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Puzzled by Jiang Wen's stare, Zhao Fusheng asked in confusion.

"I'm just curious how you managed to fool Leslie Cheung." Jiang Wen rubbed his chin, looking strange.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes: "What do you mean 'fool'? I moved him with emotion and reason, and convinced him with my sincerity."

"Come off it, I know you too well." Jiang Wen was unmoved, looking at Zhao Fusheng and said, "You didn't take advantage of his coming out to trick him into taking that film, did you?"

It had to be said that Jiang Wen, sometimes like the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, could inadvertently guess the truth.

But unfortunately, the person he was facing was Zhao Fusheng. When it came to the thickness of his skin, Zhao Fusheng felt that after countless blows, his face was as thick as the walls of the Forbidden City.

So Zhao Fusheng pretended not to hear Jiang Wen's words, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then said, "Actually, it's simple. He liked the story and wanted to act in it. And since the film rights to the story are in Future Film's hands, naturally we had to collaborate."

Jiang Wen was taken aback, then fell into thought. Though he didn't want to admit it, Zhao Fusheng's words forced him to believe.

Because they were the same kind of person, Jiang Wen knew very well that the situation Zhao Fusheng described could happen to him, and it could also happen to Leslie Cheung.

"By the way, did you need something from me?" Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen strangely. He didn't believe that Jiang Wen would invite him out for tea for no reason.

"It's like this. I'm planning to act in a film called 'The Missing Gun.'" Jiang Wen looked at Zhao Fusheng and slowly spoke.

Zhao Fusheng was startled. At first, he didn't react, but then he remembered that he knew about this film.

"Who's the director?"

To confirm his doubts, Zhao Fusheng still asked.

"Lu Chuan." Jiang Wen answered quickly. "He adapted a script from a novel. I like it and plan to act in it."

"And then?"

Zhao Fusheng asked in confusion. He didn't understand why Jiang Wen had called him out if that was the case.

Jiang Wen blinked a few times to make his expression look more sincere, then said to Zhao Fusheng, "I mean, I want Phoenix Film to invest. What do you think?"

"Hmm..."

Hearing Jiang Wen's words, Zhao Fusheng didn't answer immediately but began to ponder.

Jiang Wen thought he was considering his proposal, but in reality, Zhao Fusheng was trying to recall the news he had seen about 'The Missing Gun' in his previous life.

As he remembered, it was a film with a distinctive style, full of strong hormonal elements throughout, giving a strong sense of Jiang Wen's style. There were rumors that during the filming, Jiang Wen, as the lead actor and producer, sidelined the director and screenwriter Lu Chuan.

In fact, the then-young Lu Chuan was even said to have been reduced to tears.

The rumors might be true or false, but Zhao Fusheng clearly remembered reading a report that after the film was made, a U.S. distribution company bought the overseas rights for a price that should have been over ten million.

Based on that alone, it seemed worth a try.

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng looked at Jiang Wen: "Old Jiang, what's the budget for this film?"

"Budget?" Jiang Wen looked blank at Zhao Fusheng's words: "What's that?"

Holy shit!

Zhao Fusheng was nearly scared to death by Old Jiang's words. He looked at him speechlessly: "When you make a film, don't you do a budget?"

Jiang Wen shrugged: "I do, but I think it's useless. Who knows how much money making a film will cost? Anyway, I think as long as it's good for the film, spending a bit more is fine."

"Heh..."

Zhao Fusheng suddenly felt that his own level was far too different from that of the guy in front of him.

"Since that's the case, let's not invest in this film." Zhao Fusheng glanced at the unperturbed Jiang Wen and said flatly.

The next moment, Comrade Jiang Wen decisively chickened out.