The beginning of the film's plot unfolded when Lü Shouyi, portrayed by Zhang Yang, found Cheng Yong.
He asked Cheng Yong to bring him a drug called "Gleevac" from India to treat leukemia. While referred to as bringing medicine, it was essentially smuggling.
This Indian generic drug had similar efficacy but was nearly twenty times cheaper than domestic alternatives.
Although Cheng Yong had connections in this area due to selling Indian aphrodisiacs, he wasn't foolish. He knew that such a lucrative venture must have problems and that it was a crime punishable by imprisonment. He flatly refused.
Lü Shouyi, however, was persistent and left him his phone number, stating he was waiting for the medicine to save his life.
All the setup was exceptionally smooth.
The sense of anticipation was immediately heightened.
Precisely at this moment.
Cheng Yong, needing over a hundred thousand yuan for his father's medical expenses, returned to his shop only to find it locked by the landlord due to rent issues. Cheng Yong was finally pushed to the brink; he wavered.
The camera shifted to another storyline.
Patients with leukemia gathered outside the pharmaceutical company, protesting the exorbitant drug prices. Mr. Zhao, the representative of the company's China region, gave a firm response, stating the drug pricing was reasonable and legal, leading to a confrontation.
Meanwhile, Lü Shouyi was calmly eating his boxed lunch nearby, having witnessed such scenes many times.
Up to this point.
All the groundwork had been laid.
The plot returned to the main theme.
"Cheng Yong, motivated, began smuggling contraband drugs, but what he did was beneficial for some patients?"
"As expected of Jiangnan; his understanding of human nature is unparalleled. He could even think of such an angle!"
"I initially thought it was a boring documentary-style film, but I didn't expect it to be so dramatic!"
"I'm already filled with anticipation for the rest of the plot!"
"The acting in this drama is a major highlight. Several main actors have delivered astonishing performances so far!"
Initially, everyone assumed this drama was just a niche film reflecting society.
Such niche films are usually quite boring, as leukemia is a disease many ordinary people don't understand, making it difficult to empathize with.
However, Jiangnan, from an ordinary person's perspective, first developed the characters and then began telling the story.
After Cheng Yong went to India, he learned that the profit margin for the special drug was not just twenty times, but even fifty times. He was instantly overwhelmed by the excessive profit.
At this moment, he was still purely a businessman.
"You want to be a savior?" the pharmaceutical company boss asked him.
"Hahaha, I don't want to be a savior; I want to make money..." Cheng Yong's words revealed his true feelings at the time.
"Life is money!"
Cheng Yong's determined gaze.
Sent chills down the audience's spines.
This was the shock brought by the veteran actors' performances!
A simple small plot, with a sudden burst of acting, allowed the audience to deeply immerse themselves in the character's inner world!
...
The medicine was brought back.
With Lü Shouyi's help, methods for selling were also found.
Sihui, the group leader of the patient QQ group, whose daughter also had leukemia, gathered many other patient group leaders.
This scene, where everyone removed their masks, also drew gasps of admiration from many viewers.
The masks in this drama had two meanings: medically, it was because patients couldn't tolerate a sterile environment; more importantly, it was symbolic. Removing the masks meant trust.
"Watching them remove their masks made my heart ache."
"Illness is heartless; I hope Cheng Yong can help them."
"Heh, individual strength is limited. He can help a few dozen people, but he can't help everyone. Moreover, Cheng Yong's motives weren't pure; he was just making money."
It was as if the film was responding to the audience's doubts.
When Cheng Yong and the pastor had their scene, Lü Shouyi's words not only convinced the pastor but also many viewers watching the film.
"Is there anything wrong with breaking the law to save lives?"
Was this act wrong?
Indeed, it was wrong because it was illegal.
But there was also a good aspect: while breaking the law, it was also saving lives, saving the poor who couldn't afford the special medicine.
However.
The moment the next character appeared.
A collective gasp echoed through the cinema.
"Holy cow, Zhang Qingyun!"
"Hahaha, this blond guy is played by Zhang Qingyun!"
"It seems he has really joined Jiangnan's team, but he only seems to be playing supporting roles."
"What's wrong with supporting roles? Brother Ma made the most correct choice of his life. None of the characters he played before are memorable. At least his roles as the Second Boss and Zhen Zhibing had their own characteristics and a very wide range, allowing me to re-recognize him!"
"Brother Ma is playing another blond character this time; he's probably the comedic relief in the drama!"
Zhang Qingyun's fame was immense; after all, he was a former top star. A lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and coupled with his appearances in several of Jiangnan's works.
Now with blond hair and a plain outfit, at the moment of his appearance, not many viewers could recognize him immediately, much like Zhang Yang.
"Brother Ma's acting range is getting wider!"
This statement wasn't a mockery but a genuine compliment.
Whether it was the transformative role of the Second Boss or the Dragon Knight Zhen Zhibing, Zhang Qingyun's acting range has broadened since joining Jiangnan's team. And with the shedding of his inhibitions, his public appeal is gradually returning.
...
The movie continued.
A fast-paced montage with comedic elements depicted Cheng Yong's path to making money.
After earning money, his father successfully underwent surgery, and he gained the confidence to ask for his son from his ex-wife.
Selling contraband drugs not only made him money but also earned him banners from patients. Patients regarded him as a savior, a treatment he would never receive even after selling Indian aphrodisiacs for ten thousand years.
Cheng Yong achieved both fame and fortune.
However, success attracts attention.
The pharmaceutical company noticed someone selling fake drugs.
At this point, Cheng Yong had not yet realized the approaching danger.
As the plot progressed.
The characters of several supporting actors gradually became more fleshed out.
The manager of Sihui's bar asked her to dance, and Cheng Yong threw money at the manager to have her perform a striptease on stage.
Sihui cheered wildly from below the stage, tears welling up in her eyes, releasing the grievances she had suffered in the past.
She was a dancer in a nightclub and also a mother to a daughter with leukemia.
To earn money for her daughter's treatment, she willingly sacrificed her dignity to please the customers.
Watching Sihui cry, the audience also felt a pang of sadness.
Cheng Yong drove Sihui home. Sihui didn't refuse, and they were both adults. She knew what Cheng Yong wanted, but she didn't refuse. It wasn't just because she wanted to buy medicine from Cheng Yong; perhaps she had some good feelings towards Cheng Yong, but she still harbored a degree of disdain and disappointment.
This is how Jiangnan's works are. The supporting characters are portrayed vividly; they have their own emotions, their own pursuits, and their own helplessness. These vivid supporting characters are the foundation of a good story.
Similarly, he can not only write a good story but also evoke audience resonance and emotions from the perspective of human nature!