The film and television city starts from the courtyard

Zhao Shucheng didn't care about Shanli's doubts, after all, it was the first time the two had met and neither of them had presented any outstanding works before.

"I have a lot of confidence in myself and in my work."

Shanli laughed and said, "Really? You're very confident. I don't just judge people by their appearance. I sell the artwork, not the person."

“I understand. So you can take a look at my script outline and part of the script first. If you think it’s suitable, we can discuss the next steps.”

"here?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Of course not. I brought the script with me. You can take a look when you get back. If you're satisfied, we can contact each other again later."

Sanli nodded and said, "Okay, I'll take it back and take a look."

After accepting the script, Shanli didn't leave immediately. She chatted with Zhao Shucheng for a while longer before they parted ways.

After Zhao Shucheng parted ways with her, he received a call from Luo Shuquan, who was drinking with Zuo Yongbang and asked Zhao Shucheng to join him.

When they arrived, they saw Zuo Yongbang drinking and saying with emotion, "You know, people are so different. I met Mi Qi again, but I've become poor and destitute, while you're getting married to Yang Jingjing. It's really unpredictable how things turn out."

Zhao Shucheng was stunned when he heard this and asked, "Shuquan and Yang Jingjing are getting married? How come I didn't know?"

“I just told him that I originally wanted to wait until you arrived before telling you.”

Luo Shuquan smiled shyly. He hadn't expected that Yang Jingjing would agree to marry him so soon after they got back together. He felt like he was in a dream.

Zuo Yongbang asked, "Xiaobai, how's it going on your end? I heard from Shuquan that you went to meet with some producer, didn't you?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "It should be pretty good. I did go to see the producer, and the talks went quite well."

"Who is that person? Could it be a man?"

"Of course not, she's a woman, and a very charming one at that. Mature and elegant, dignified and worldly, yet childlike, wild, and charmingly innocent, she possesses a magical combination of qualities."

"Xiaobai, are you here to discuss work or go on a blind date?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Of course we were talking about work, but I felt that the way she looked at me was strange."

"Xiaobai, you can't be foolish. You already have three around you. What will you do if another one comes?"

Zuo Yongbang added, "Yeah, Xiaobai, three women make a drama, and you're already the center of it all. If another one comes along, are we going to have to start a whole new show? Don't say I didn't warn you; if Mo Xiaomin and the others find out, you'll be in big trouble."

"Of course I know, but we had a very comfortable conversation. Although it was all very polite and courteous small talk, the feeling was hard to describe."

"So you think she likes you?"

"I wouldn't call it liking, but rather appreciating it."

Zhao Shucheng hadn't expected his first meeting with Shanli to have such an effect. Especially since Shanli didn't shy away from sharing her personal information, such as her divorce three years ago and the job she currently does.

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, let's take it one step at a time."

Zuo Yongbang looked at Zhao Shucheng and asked, "You're not thinking of using this as a starting point, are you?"

"Isn't this bad?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"Isn't that shameless?"

"Just tell me, will it work or not?"

"I may be capable, but that's not the kind of person I am."

Luo Shuquan was completely confused by the conversation between Zhao Shucheng and Zuo Yongbang, and asked, "Wait, what are you talking about? I don't understand anything."

"The meaning is simple: since Shanli has feelings for Xiaobai, and Xiaobai also wants to attract investment, we'll approach it from this angle to gain an opportunity."

Before Zhao Shucheng could say anything, Luo Shuquan exclaimed with sudden realization, "So Xiaobai is planning to sell herself?"

"You're the one who's selling yourself! Do you think I'm that low?"

"Then what do you mean?" Luo Shuquan said excitedly, "You two have a working relationship, it's purely a professional one, but now you're going to sell your body, what is that if not prostitution?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Shuquan, are you drunk? Who am I? Gu Xiaobai. Would I sell myself for my career?"

"As for!"

Seeing Zhao Shucheng about to stand up in anger, Zuo Yongbang and Luo Shuquan quickly said, "Alright, just kidding."

Zuo Yongbang waited until Zhao Shucheng sat down and said, "Xiaobai, honestly, what do you think? Actually, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. After all, a man who is good-looking and capable can have both; it's not a crime."

Luo Shuquan said, "I don't think so. That's not the point at all. Even if someone likes you, Xiaobai can't take advantage of their feelings for Mo Xiaomin. What kind of behavior is that? Of course, if you don't find it shameless, then disregard what I said."

Zhao Shucheng said, "You guys are all more excited than I am, the person involved, even though this is still far from certain. Can't I get investment just by relying on my talent?"

"The problem is, if you can't get investment, are you really going to invest your own money to make the film? Are you stupid?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Of course I never thought about investing my own money. After all, although I have a lot of faith in my script, it would be difficult for others to resist if I were to take all the credit. Besides, I don't want to be an independent filmmaker forever; I'm planning to grow and become a big and strong filmmaker."

"So, whether you like someone or not is completely unimportant; it will all disappear sooner or later. Love can be cultivated with anyone, but falling in love at first sight won't bring you millions, especially not in US dollars. What's important, what's the secret to doing everything, is your purpose. Once you've found your purpose, take the shortest path—it's that simple." Zhao Shucheng said, 'Teacher Zuo, are you trying to make me make a mistake?'

"Tch, you're not clean to begin with, it's just another one. Don't you have the confidence to handle it?"

Zhao Shucheng smiled without saying anything. After all, if it really came down to it, if Zhao Shucheng were the king of the game, no one else would stand a chance. Take Mi Qi, for example. If Zhao Shucheng hadn't been mindful of Zuo Yongbang, he would have made her his woman shortly after their breakup.

However, Zhao Shucheng was reluctant to do so because he knew very well that if he did, Shanli and Mo Xiaomin would run into each other frequently, and there would be a lot of contact at work, inevitably leading to some clashes and conflicts.

Zhao Shucheng didn't want his backyard to catch fire. The reason why Mo Xiaomin and Amy could get along peacefully was because they all had their own jobs and didn't have much interaction with each other, so there was no conflict.

However, if Shanli also becomes Zhao Shucheng's woman, and even if she has more work-related contact with Mo Xiaomin, it will be difficult to avoid conflicts, or even antagonism.

Zhao Shucheng came to these worlds to enjoy happiness, not to suffer, so naturally he couldn't have taken no precautions at all.

To Zhao Shucheng's surprise, even though he wasn't planning to take any action, Shanli took the initiative to contact him.

At first, Shanli asked Zhao Shucheng some questions about the script, and then she started to frequently ask him out. They didn't talk about work or anything serious, just chatted. Occasionally, she would ask Zhao Shucheng to go shopping with her and buy her clothes.

Zhao Shucheng had told Shanli more than once that he already had a girlfriend, and not just one, but Shanli seemed not to believe him at all.

Or perhaps Shanli already believed it, but she enjoyed spending time with Zhao Shucheng, so she pretended not to hear. As long as Zhao Shucheng's girlfriend didn't appear in front of her, she could comfortably act as if she didn't exist.

That day, Zhao Shucheng suddenly asked, "Shanli, I have a question that might be presumptuous, but I'd like to know why you chose to divorce him. Was it because you stopped loving him, or because he cheated on you?"

Shanli was caught off guard and paused for a moment before saying, "Xiaobai, don't you think you're meddling too much?"

"If it's inconvenient for you to say, that's fine. I just want to know what your true thoughts are."

Shanli hesitated for a moment, glanced at Zhao Shucheng, and said:
"I can't say whether I love her or not, but maybe I'm just not suited for marriage. When I was abroad, married women rarely went out to work. They thought it was normal to stay at home and take care of the children, and mainstream society also considered being a housewife a respectable profession."

As she spoke, Shanli glanced at Zhao Shucheng and said, "You don't think I'm making excuses for myself, do you?"

"Of course not. After all, the saying 'men are in charge of external affairs and women are in charge of internal affairs' is a traditional Chinese proverb, but it is more of a social division of labor. Each person's specific actions and thoughts are also related to their family."

Zhao Shucheng doesn't actually believe that men must be the breadwinners and women must stay at home, or that there's anything wrong with women working outside the home. Many people think that foreign countries are better, that they have gender equality, or that women can better pursue their careers, but they've never truly understood.

It's worth noting that the traditional male-dominated, female-dominated lifestyle is more prevalent abroad, and people there tend to accept this way of life more readily. However, some women, limited by their family's financial situation, are forced to work outside the home, becoming full-time mothers, specifically in appliqué work.

Of course, to be a full-time housewife, the family needs to have a relatively high economic foundation; otherwise, even eating is a problem, so how could they let you stay at home as a full-time housewife?

In contrast, the situation in China is somewhat different. Rural areas are a special case and not included in this discussion, but dual-income households are more common in cities. Even if some families are financially able to afford it, the wives are more willing to have their own careers.

This is actually determined by the national conditions. Divorce is more secure abroad. If you don't have a job, you can get alimony and child support. But in China, many wealthy people try every means to make their wives leave with nothing. Naturally, no one dares to pin their future on the kindness of their partner.

Shanli was surprised by Zhao Shucheng's words. She nodded and said, "I didn't expect you to know about life abroad. Maybe I'm just the kind of person who's naturally restless. I don't agree that women should become full-time housewives and settle down after marriage, giving up all their previous ideals, ambitions, and pursuits."

Zhao Shucheng asked, "So you broke up with them because they wouldn't let you work?"

"No, unmarried women think that marriage is their final destination, but marriage is just the beginning. Some people can go all the way, while others can't move forward in the second half, and I am unfortunately the latter."

Zhao Shucheng said, "So now that you have your own career, you feel that you are not suitable for marriage?"

"Not really, it's just that I hadn't met the right person before, so it's not too late now."

Looking into Shanli's eyes, Zhao Shucheng said earnestly, "Shanli, I may have to disappoint you. I'm not a good person, nor am I particularly devoted. Being with me won't give you any status, and it won't lead to anything."

"I don't care. I've come to terms with it now. We should enjoy life while we can. Who can predict what will happen in the future?"

"I think we all need to calm down and not act impulsively and ruin the rest of our lives."

With that, Zhao Shucheng stood up, said goodbye to Shanli, and left in a hurry.

Zhao Shucheng really didn't know how to face Shanli. If she were a complete stranger, it wouldn't be so bad, but her face was so connected to him. So Zhao Shucheng found it really hard to refuse Shanli's request, even though he knew the person in front of him wasn't her, he still couldn't bear to refuse.

Shanli didn't expect Zhao Shucheng to have this attitude, but she wasn't unhappy. On the contrary, she felt that he respected her and was even more worthy of her affection.

She wasn't entirely idle; through her connections, she learned that Zhao Shucheng did indeed have a girlfriend, a minor celebrity. However, she had recently offended someone and was effectively blacklisted.

Looking back now, Shanli realized that Zhao Shucheng wanted to start his own project so he could find a way out for his girlfriend. This made Shanli feel even more that Zhao Shucheng was a loyal and righteous person. Even though some people said that Zhao Shucheng's girlfriend had other people, it didn't stop her from thinking that Zhao Shucheng was responsible.

That day, while Zhao Shucheng was perfecting the script, he received a call from Shanli, who asked him to meet her.

Unlike last time in a coffee shop, this time it was in a more private restaurant room.

"Sanly!"

"Xiaobai, you're here!"

Zhao Shucheng asked, "Shanli, you called me out because the script has been finalized?"

Sanli shook her head and said, "No, I also have a script here. I'd like to ask your opinion on whether it's suitable for filming, or if it has any chance of winning an award."

Zhao Shucheng opened the script, glanced at it, shook his head, and said, "To be honest, I'm not optimistic about this script. Although it seems very humanistic, this kind of script would have been a favorite of major film festivals ten or twenty years ago. But times have changed. Scripts about hardship aren't popular anymore. There have been too many similar films before, so it doesn't have as much appeal."

After hearing this, Shanli nodded and said, "That's about what I was thinking, so I also think the script you gave me before was pretty good. I'm going to invest in this script, but I also have a request."

Zhao Shucheng asked, "What are your requirements? You're not going to assign me the lead role, are you? That won't do. Although producers can interfere with the production team, this film is very important to me, and I need to have absolute control." (End of Chapter)