Chapter Forty-Seven: This Truly Isn't About Living Off Others

In truth, in Ma Pingdong’s eyes, Wang Lei’s departure to the frontier was simply his wife being unreasonable. The theater, which had been developing so well, was now left in the hands of others, and though Ma Pingdong often visited during his spare time to keep an eye on things, it was never quite convenient.

Ma Pingdong knew his wife’s temperament well; arguing with her was pointless, and might even prove counterproductive. So, for once, he simply gave her the cold shoulder over the matter of Wang Lei. Li Weihong, for her part, understood that her husband was angry—something that rarely happened. The always gentle “Saint Ma” showing displeasure was a sight she had seen only a handful of times over the years. Realizing she was somewhat in the wrong, Li Weihong finally relented concerning Wang Lei, otherwise he would never have succeeded so often in winning over the Provincial Sports Administration with his charm.

Ma Pingdong kept a close watch on Dream Three Theater, especially now that it had become a sensation. Their new play, “Charlotte’s Troubles,” was wildly popular; though the actors were still green and could hardly compare with the veterans of the stage, the clever plot and witty humor made it a big hit with younger audiences.

Online, many who had seen the play began to spread the word, and even a few second- and third-tier celebrity actors, after attending a performance, publicly praised Dream Three Theater and the group of “Beijing Drifters” alike.

With Dream Three Theater in the spotlight, “Charlotte’s Troubles” soon caught the attention of several film production companies. The leading actors began receiving offers, and some shrewd talent agencies were quick to set their sights on these rising stars.

A number of film companies approached Dream Three Theater, but all negotiations ultimately went through Ma Pingdong. Recognizing his authority in the music world, these companies set aside any thoughts of taking advantage and entered into proper discussions.

In the industry, Ma Pingdong was considered someone you simply couldn’t afford to offend. He was known for his even temper and discretion—rarely expressing opinions or criticizing others. Such a person didn’t make enemies, and his connections were formidable. Most entertainment companies warned their people: someone like Ma Pingdong should only ever be supported, never provoked.

Despite the attractive terms offered by the film companies, Ma Pingdong was in no rush to hand over the script’s rights. The money was secondary; he wanted to look out for the “dream chasers” of Dream Three Theater. Thanks to “Charlotte’s Troubles,” they were finally making a name for themselves. Some were preparing to sign with agencies and embark on true acting careers, but none of the main actors had made a clear statement yet. Zhang San and “Li Si” even held equity in the theater—they and Wang Lei were, in effect, partners. Then there was Professor Cui from the Film Academy, who had devoted himself wholeheartedly to supporting Dream Three Theater; it wouldn’t be right if, in the end, he was left with nothing.

While Ma Pingdong was still weighing his options, a call from his daughter threw another complication his way. Ma Dongmei began by complaining about her mother, then proceeded to present her father with a new dilemma.

The team had no commercial sponsorship, the coaching staff was understaffed, and training equipment was lacking—Wang Lei had always made sure to explain every difficulty he faced to Ma Dongmei.

In the East, especially among East Asian men, there is often a strong streak of patriarchy. Within the traditional moral framework, a man’s duty is to resolve all of life’s challenges, returning home each day with a smile. Yet real life is full of helplessness, and truly harmonious families are those that face life’s troubles together.

Wang Lei could have chosen to shoulder everything alone and only share good news with Ma Dongmei. But he knew that, despite her boisterous exterior, she was sensitive at heart. If kept in the dark, she would worry endlessly about how the man she loved was living each day—whether he was warm, well-fed, or being mistreated.

So Wang Lei preferred to lay his troubles before her. This way, not only did he feel lighter, but Ma Dongmei would know that things weren’t as dire as she might fear.

Long-distance relationships often fall apart due to poor communication; distance can magnify not only longing but also suspicion.

Upon learning of Wang Lei’s difficulties, Ma Pingdong took the initiative. He thought highly of his prospective son-in-law; at the very least, the young man was steady and unpretentious. Even when Li Weihong drove him away, Wang Lei hadn’t shown much defiance. This suggested either a deep love for Ma Dongmei or a remarkably composed nature.

Ma Pingdong first discussed the situation with the people at Dream Three Theater and also with Professor Cui. In truth, he could have used his own connections to find a sponsor for Wang Lei without involving the theater’s resources. But he worried that doing so would hurt Wang Lei’s pride—no one wants to feel like a kept man. By bringing in the script rights and the theater, it might be a bit more complicated, but at least it would look like Wang Lei had earned everything himself.

Wang Lei was genuinely surprised when he received Ma Pingdong’s call. He was more than willing to sell the script rights—he simply didn’t have the time or energy for “cross-industry management” any longer. But the news that a film company was willing to purchase half the shares of Dream Three Theater was unexpected.

He had no qualms about Ma Pingdong’s proposal: the film company would sponsor his basketball team and invest real money in Dream Three Theater. By any measure, Wang Lei was getting the better end of the deal.

He didn’t say it aloud, but Wang Lei knew that Ma Pingdong must have expended considerable personal influence to make this happen.

If this story were written as a 1990s youth romance, Wang Lei would now be angrily confronting Ma Dongmei, declaring that she had insulted him, breaking up with her in a fit of wounded pride, and after years of separation, their paths would cross again—drama, heartache, and so on.

But reality is always more subdued. Other than gratitude toward Ma Pingdong, all Wang Lei felt was deeper love for Ma Dongmei.

Of course, the film company didn’t walk away empty-handed. In exchange for their investment, they acquired not only a promising and marketable script, but also a stake in a thriving theater—and, perhaps most valuable of all, a favor from industry heavyweight Ma Pingdong. As for sponsoring the basketball team, the sum was negligible to a film company. These days, even a second-tier celebrity commands an eight-figure fee. Investing a seven-figure sum in total was, in truth, a bargain.