2001 Media Godfather

Chapter 52: A Pessimistic View of Human Nature
Chu An had also drunk too much last night under the relentless pressure from everyone, and didn't get up until almost noon.

I called Lu Mingze, Lin Wanchen, and Actor Zou, and we arranged to meet at a small restaurant on the back street of the guesthouse for mutton soup.

After a hangover, a bowl of hot mutton soup is the perfect comfort food.

After eating and drinking their fill, none of them wanted to move, so they slumped in their chairs, basking in the warm winter sun.

Many people think that celebrities and directors sitting together must be incredibly sophisticated and dignified. That's complete nonsense! They're no different from ordinary drunkards, their conversations equally vulgar and obscene.

For example, actor Zou mentioned that in his previous military drama, a promising new actor was watching porn on his laptop while snuggled in bed.

This made everyone laugh. Lin Wanchen, because her sister wasn't there, was also quite relaxed. "That actor was really good. He looked simple-minded, like a passerby, but he was very expressive. But that's not the point!" She smiled at Zou Qingsong, "Teacher Qingsong's notebook... has some good stuff!"

Zou Qingsong immediately realized he had let something slip and quickly denied it, saying, "It's someone else's CD, it has nothing to do with me!"

Lin Wanchen wouldn't let it go, "Don't be nervous! It's a good thing that there's something there, it means they didn't do that kind of thing with couples on set."

Couples on set are nothing new. From twenty years ago to twenty years later, it has always been a unique phenomenon in this industry and has never disappeared.

During filming, due to long-term seclusion, emotional dependence, or physical needs, coupled with a group of romantic souls who developed feelings for each other on set, it was easy for things to escalate and they became temporary partners.

Moreover, it's not just the actors who experience this; it's the same for actors and actors, and for actors and crew members. After filming wraps up, everyone goes their separate ways.

So Lin Wanchen was right, watching porn is better than finding someone to live with.

He knew a certain A-list male actor who played the emperor both on and off screen, and was the lead actress, supporting actress, and extra in the drama. He was the groom every night.

"Teacher Qingsong is someone who can uphold the bottom line."

Zou Qingsong was unmoved, his eyes widening, "What bottom line? That group needs to have women in it too!"

Okay, his last film was an all-male production, with no women in it, just a bunch of grown men filming together for over half a year.

After a few laughs, Lu Mingze finally got down to business and asked Chu An, "Are you going to Shengjing with me after the New Year, or are you leaving now?"

Chu An said, "Wait for me for a week. The sooner I go, the sooner I can settle in."

He has decided to go to Shengjing with Lu Mingze to attend high school, where it will be easier to get into art schools.

Moreover, he was no longer able to return to Ningyuan No. 1 Middle School to study normally.

After playing the male lead for two or three months at school, the way his teachers and classmates looked at him changed, but some things can never be undone.

Things will be a little better once we get to Shengjing.

Upon hearing this, Lu Mingze said, "Then I'll wait for you to go back together."

Before the Lunar New Year, Director Lu didn't have much work and needed to take some time to relax. Returning to Shengjing was just a matter of organizing the studio's accounts, submitting a report to the investors of "With You," and paying taxes—that was it.

Chu An sold "The Best" at 20% of its original price as a package deal back then, and now that I think about it, it was a real rip-off!
Is a week enough?

Chu An replied without hesitation, "Enough! We probably won't even need it!"

A week is just for dealing with family matters.

But the Chu family is really doing fine right now.

The small department store that was initially opened to solve the family's financial problems has been open for three months. Thanks to the film crew, business is booming, with a daily turnover of over a thousand yuan.

This was even before Chu Ning had obtained a tobacco license.

However, plans can change quickly. Now that Chu An has money, the business of that shop seems insignificant.

Now, my older sister, Chu Ning, employs a store manager and a store employee, which makes her life much easier.

She made it clear that she would go back to repeat her senior year and then take the college entrance exam in September of the following year when the new semester starts.

However, if she actually gets accepted, she'll be a year behind Chu An, becoming his junior.

It's frustrating to think about. Sometimes, once the money issue is resolved, most problems cease to be problems.

The only thing that troubled Chu An was his troublesome father, who had been gone for almost four months without any news.

Chu An was puzzled. Shouldn't he be able to watch "The Best of Us"? Seeing that his son is now the male lead, why isn't he coming back?

Even if he didn't see the TV series, shouldn't he have called to let us know he's safe after three or four months?
There was no news at all, as if Chu An and Chu Ning had never been born.

What? Could something have happened?
Haha, I think too much.

Chu Jianguo is over 1.9 meters tall. Before joining the agricultural machinery factory, he participated in the Vietnam War and served as a reconnaissance soldier.

Don't let his early forties fool you; even with his back not in great shape, his muscular physique is enough to take down most thugs.

Besides...

Although he hadn't met this father since transmigrating, based solely on Chu An's memories from when he was seventeen, he knew that Old Chu was indeed a good person, but also shrewd; it was good enough if others didn't suffer at his hands.

So, even though they were "lost" for four months, the two sisters were never worried.

But not being able to find them isn't a solution!

He joked with everyone, "If my dad doesn't come back soon, I'll have to put up a missing person ad." Everyone laughed; they knew a little about Chu An's family situation.

I'm also curious, what kind of father is this? He doesn't even come back when his son becomes famous?
After sitting for a while, everyone dispersed.

Actor Zou is leaving tomorrow. He doesn't have anything to do, unlike Xu Shu and Lin Wanxing whose schedules are packed.

In fact, by the time he reached his position, he had won two domestic TV drama awards, and the frequency of taking on roles had already decreased significantly.

However, since Tian Du sent him out as an envoy but he was detained for over a month, it's time for him to go back and give an explanation.

Lin Wanchen was leaving Ningyuan in the afternoon, and she and Lin Wanxing would go to Shengjing that evening to join the cast of an ancient costume martial arts drama.

All I can say is that these two siblings are really loyal; they've been waiting for a month already.

"I won't bring Wanxing to say goodbye, let's get together again after the New Year."

Chu An waved his hand, "Tell your young lady that she'll have to audition after the New Year. Don't think that pleasing the screenwriter will get you the role of Qiao Jingjing."

Lin Wanchen smiled speechlessly, "You should say it to her face. It will definitely inspire her potential for action scenes in her next movie."

Chu An smiled, waved, and was about to leave.

At this moment, Lin Wanchen remembered something and called out to Chu An, "By the way, I heard some news that you should be interested in."

"what news?"

Lin Wanchen: "Tiandu's opening drama for next year will be changed to a weekly broadcast."

Chu An raised an eyebrow. "They're moving pretty fast! The State Administration of Radio and Television hasn't even given a decision on weekly dramas yet, and they're already preparing?"

Chu Wanchen: "There's nothing I can do, it's because you and Director Lu earn too much!"

The profitability of "With You" is no secret; anyone who is interested can find out the general picture by asking around and doing some calculations.

A company the size of Tiandu might not earn as much as "With You" even after a year of making TV dramas.

How could I not be tempted?
Chu An sighed deeply, "There are still many smart people! Just watch, the competition in the weekly drama market will be extremely fierce in the next few years."

Lin Wanchen agreed with this assessment, but this time, she raised an eyebrow and asked sarcastically, "So, was your 2000 million yuan really worth it?"

He only found out at the wrap party last night that Lu Mingze and Chu An were so generous, giving out more than 2000 million yuan in red envelopes.

So he was very curious about Chu An's motives for spending 2000 million at once.
"I've noticed you're unusually bold. What if we can't keep you here?"

Chu An countered, "Do you think we can keep them?"

Lin Wanchen pondered for a moment, then replied seriously, "To be honest, I'm not sure. It's best to be pessimistic about human nature."

Chu An nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's really not a good idea to be loyal to someone just for a red envelope and give up the opportunity to pursue higher rewards!"

Lin Wanchen laughed, even more puzzled, "Then why are you trying to win people's hearts?"

He stated what he believed to be the right approach: "In my opinion, winning people's hearts is not wrong! Without this red envelope, if other companies come knocking on our door, for Ji Yinglai and his team, it's just a matter of changing bosses."

"Just like when I jumped from Tiandu to Director Lu's side."

"With this bonus, if someone tries to poach your talent, they will have to pay a higher moral cost."

“People will say that Director Lu treated them well, but they betrayed him. This is a hurdle for some people.”

"Therefore, I don't think there's anything wrong with giving red envelopes."

"But!" Lin Wanchen exclaimed, puzzled, "Isn't it unnecessary to give twenty million?"

"That's too much! And if the next film doesn't have 20 million, people will think that you, Chu An, and Director Lu, aren't being generous enough."

"By then, you won't be able to refuse! That's the principle of 'a small favor is appreciated, but an excessive one breeds resentment.' What do you think?"

Chu An grinned, "Next role? I'll give you a role too!"

"Huh?" Lin Wanchen was taken aback, unable to understand for a moment. "Why? Just to keep them here?"

"Tch!!" Chu An scoffed at Lin Wanchen's guess, exhaling a puff of white mist in the winter chill.

"Keep people here? That's just an excuse to get Director Lu to agree to spend money. You've already said you have a pessimistic view of human nature."

Looking directly at Lin Wanchen: "My purpose..."

"It's not about keeping people."

"Instead—it increases costs."

……

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(End of this chapter)