Simplicity is a kind of wisdom of life

Doing a bit more happy work would result in a bit less unnecessary expenditures. Regard every matter as a happy experience. --Zhao Wei

When describing a person who is simple and pure, one would say that she is water-like. However, water isn't all that simple: it has three states, becoming vapor when encountering the hot and becoming ice when encountering the cold. Most of the other times, it's in liquid form: gentle, agile, and without impurities.

Zhao Wei is such a water-like woman. She laughs when she's happy, frowns when she's sad, neither hiding the feelings within, nor trying to control the stream of emotions. When it's lively, she enjoys chatting with friends while tasting tea; when it's tranquille, she would read "The Ballad of the Sad Caf�" by Carsonn McCullers. Yet in the disorderly entertainment circle, as an increasing number of people chooses to add quantity, price and weights onto themselves, she dusted it all off, and returned to the simple campus life.

When the topic of love came up, Zhao Wei liked the kind of love in [A Time to Love] and [The Longest Night in Shanghai], "Simple as it can be, helping each other pull through the hard times, it's makes people feel warm and cozy inside." In real life, she is more like Sun Shangxiang from [Red Cliff], with a bit of heroic spirit, a bit of sentimental spirit, and a lot of tender spirit.

When the origin of becoming an overnight sensation had gradually faded to the distance, and after experiencing the agonies of growing up, Zhao Wei has learned to face troubles with a smile. Being in the business for over a decade, Zhao Wei has been trained to possess a way of dealing with the world ? "When facing complicated situations, I will resort to my most simple emotions, do my own things, and won't try to explain myself."

This is the simplest philosophy of life from Zhao Wei. Just as water will always end up in the sea, dealing with matters in a simple manner is both the origin and destination of all issues.

What's your views on "happy expenditures"?
That's spending the least amount of money to gain the most amount of happiness. If I have the time, I would like to devote efforts to philanthropy, such as participating in charity auctions. Philanthropy can be done on either very big or very small scales, every single effort counts. Even if I was asked to appeal to the public, I don't believe that we have to put others under too much financial pressure, it's the thought that counts.

We heard that during your university years, you liked to search around for clothes at places such as the Silk Street Market, do you still enjoy searching for good deals in boutique stores?
Now I rarely go there. When I have the free time, I usually like to spend time with my family or read books, although sometimes I would go to small markets in foreign countries to shop around. The markets are not as bright-lit and generic as the department stores, and there's almost always surprises. I also bargain with them by asking questions such as "Would there be any discounts if I pay cash instead of using my credit card?" It's very interesting. I also like to buy books online, it's very convenient.

With a hectic career and a hectc life, how do one achieve simplifying the complicated, and uphold simpleness both in living life and in one's state of mind?
Regard every matter as a happy experience. Don't think about the outcome, rather, try to formulate small and specific goals, then realize them bit by bit. Also, enjoy each and every decision made.

What's your "simple" wisdom in life?
Some people think that simpleness means not using one's brain. I have the exact opposite view, the ability to take care of problems in a simple manner is definitely a wisdom of life. Don't think too much about things, many things have nothing to do with you. For example, when I shoot a movie, I would not think about the box office numbers, nor would I think of winning an award, because that would amplify the stress during shooting, and I would not be able to focus. When one devote oneself to do something, it will be simple.

Apart from working, what kind of special interests do you usually have?
I enjoy reading. Eileen Chang, Yan Geling, Wang Anyi, and Franz Kafka, I like them all. A few days ago, I had to get to an event, so my sister-in-law and I flew in from different cities to meet up there. As we were leaving the airport, bth of us hasd the exact same novel in our hands, Eileen Chang's "Little Reunion". I also like to do chores at home, the designs at my place are all done by myself.

Please provide a "Zhao-style" declaration for happy expenditure?
Doing a bit more happy works would result in a bit less unnecessary expenditures.

Do you have an experience where you didn't spend a lot of money but had bought a lot of happiness?
Once when I was in France, I walked into a small market, and saw a lot of pretty fabrics, some with European-style geometric shapes, and others with floral patterns, the price was quite inexpensive too. I bought many pieces, shipped them back home in a bundle, and transformed the fabrics into sofa coverings. Many of my friend that came to my place have all said that my sofa was beautiful, and asked where I bought it. I had a great sense of accomplishment, and in turn gave the unused fabric pieces to my friends.

Facing the current economic situation, are there any changes made to the direction and budget of your expenditures?
The financial sunami has not affected me greatly, as I'm not in the finance indutry, my film contracts for these past few years are still persistent.

Life Style / Issue 32 2009 No. 1459 / 2009.04.27
-Translated by Vicki Yan / Zhao Wei Net Family-