Chapter 150 Our Duty

Fu Yingzhou paused after speaking, waiting for Shi Shi's reply. His little grass was very clever, but she lacked guidance in this area.

“It’s a question,” Shi Shi said firmly.

"Tell me more about it."

"Your path has been smoother than others, which is certainly due to the influence of your elders, but it is also due to your own vision, hard work, and opportunities. However, in the eyes of others, they only want to see what they want to see! If you want to steadily advance further, you must produce solid results to silence the public. After all, reputation is very important in politics."

"You got it right, here's a kiss for you."

Shi Shi giggled and pushed Fu Yingzhou away: "Stop fooling around!"

"Crossing the river and then dismantling the bridge!"

Shi Shi has figured it out. Liu Xinlang lacks political achievements, and the Peking Opera community lacks support. Liu Xinlang needs an insider to open a breach, and the Peking Opera community needs connections with higher-ups to overcome its predicament.

And she was the key to breaking the deadlock. Be a qualified matchmaker!

After she shared her thoughts, Fu Yingzhou was happy for her: "Yes, you must make this happen. Both sides will thank you. Instead of asking for favors, it's better to use the leverage you have to make an exchange."

"only……"

Shi Shi looked at him in confusion: "But what?"

“Every activity of the Ministry of Culture requires substantial funding. The Peking Opera community is like a farmer who has been parched for a long time. Once you bring them hope for rain, if all the talk is loud but the action is weak, no one will appreciate your efforts. After all, having hope and then being disappointed is a very painful thing.”

After analyzing the drawbacks, Fu Yingzhou said to her, "Xiaocao, if this matter succeeds, at most both parties will owe you a favor. But if it fails, no one will remember your kindness."

Shi Shi knew perfectly well that this was a thankless and arduous task. But she had her reasons for doing it.

Firstly, she needs to build her own network within the entertainment industry, instead of always relying on her aunt and uncle for help. Relying on others is ultimately unsustainable. And given her short time in the industry, she's too inexperienced in this area.

Secondly...

“I live here, and every scene I pass through is a gift from the country. I don’t have the ability to do politics to benefit the people or contribute to the prosperity of the country. But I can still promote traditional culture and prevent the art left by my ancestors from disappearing before my eyes.”

"It is simply our duty."

Even in her previous life, no matter how bad things were, Shi Shi would always save a little bit of her monthly salary. At first, it was 30 or 50 yuan a month, then 200 or 1000 yuan.

After saving this money, she would anonymously donate it to Project Hope. Even though she hated that orphanage, she couldn't deny that its dilapidated roof held memories of her childhood.

She wasn't a good person. She just hoped that one day, that money could illuminate someone's path when they first came into this world, even if it was just a glimmer of light.

Fu Yingzhou felt that Shi Shi was a very contradictory person. She possessed both the profit-driven and indifferent nature of a businesswoman, and the free-spirited and unconventional nature of an artist.

When you feel that her heart is like a wall, she is still willing to care for you in every possible way.

Just when you think she's only busy with worldly affairs and chasing after money, her deep sense of patriotism and love for her country will leave you deeply moved.

A contradictory yet captivating woman.

"The Spring Festival Gala is also under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture. Liu Xinlang has been kicked out this time." He finished speaking with a sarcastic smile.

"The reason isn't a lack of ability or experience. It's that the person he lost to is retiring. They kicked him out because he's still young and has a long road ahead. They've been doing this work of promoting traditional culture every year." At this point, Fu Yingzhou's expression turned into a wry smile.

"But China has a history of five thousand years, and its traditional culture is so rich. There are too many monks and not enough porridge, so the expenses for each item become very tight."

"Can't the government allocate additional funds?" Shi Shi asked curiously, not quite understanding these things.

Fu Yingzhou shook his head: "If the finance department were so easy to talk to and willing to allocate more funds, I would definitely fight tooth and nail for it in our bureau. The amount of money allocated each year is always limited. Our country is so big, the shortfall is always much greater than you can imagine."

Fu Yingzhou works at the Veterans Affairs Department, where the resettlement and welfare benefits for veterans now amount to a considerable sum each year.

Shi Shi nodded: "Then I'll contact Brother Hai Chao now, and we'll work out a basic plan for promoting Peking Opera culture. It wouldn't be right to go to see Liu Xinlang empty-handed. Wouldn't that be embarrassing for you?"

"Would I embarrass you? Besides, with such an outstanding girlfriend, who wouldn't envy me? You heartless little thing, you're just trying to pin a label on me."

"How could I possibly label you like that? You are now my most important connection, and I would love to put you on a pedestal and enshrine you on the wall."

Her words were obsequious, and her expression was sincere. But Fu Yingzhou felt something was off. It wasn't until Shishi quietly slipped out of the room that he realized what was going on.

What else could be displayed on the wall after being flogged? Fu Yingzhou muttered, both amused and annoyed, "This little girl is indirectly insulting me." Just then, his phone rang; it was an urgent notification from the bureau. Fu Yingzhou hurriedly left and threw himself into his work.

Shi Shi found Hai Chao and told him the news. After careful consideration, Jiang Hai Chao told Shi Shi.

"The current predicament is not just for Peking Opera, but for the entire opera world. I need to find my senior master before I start writing the plan."

"oh?"

"I forgot to tell you, my eldest uncle is the chairman of the Chinese Opera Association. Carnation."

Shishi was drinking when she suddenly spat out a mouthful of water.

Huh? Carnations?

"What, you know him?"

There is no such flower as a carnation in this world, and Jiang Haichao will never get Shishi's jokes.

She quickly waved her hand: "I don't know you, I'm just shocked that you have such a relationship with me."

"Ah, the entire Peking Opera world is one family. People like my dad, my second uncle, and my senior master have already made it big. They still have food to eat. It's always the lower-level disciples who have it tough."

"Thank you so much this time. My dad will be so happy when he finds out."

"Let's not stand on ceremony between us siblings; you're the one who said that."

"Okay, everything you've done will be remembered. The script for 'Peace Wish' has been polished. I'll start casting soon, and we'll prepare to start filming after the New Year."

Shishi nodded, indicating that she understood: "Don't worry, I will definitely be on time for the crew."

"If you're not busy, you can join the team anytime. I've already witnessed your songwriting efficiency. You don't need to be on call every day. Don't worry, no one is going to take your place as music director."

"That would be perfect!"

The two chatted about the soundtrack for "Peace Wish" for a while, and then Shi Shi went home.

However, she went back to Yiyuan. Kong Pan needed to see her about something.