I am a Big Player
Chapter 678 - 669, Advancing smoothly to high positions_1

Chapter 678: 669, Advancing smoothly to high positions_1

(Cough cough, I forgot to use the pseudonym Lu Xiaotu yesterday, it’s been fixed.)

The next morning, when Zhao Fatty led Ren He and the others to the film set, both the director and the leading actor had not arrived yet, but Mr. Zhao and his group were already there.

This is the difference in treatment between the director, the extras, and the Group Head. Because they rely on others for their livelihood, they are always a notch below, and if you make the director wait for you, you really can’t act anymore.

Zhao Fatty suddenly noticed a very strange phenomenon on Mr. Zhao’s side: although Ren He had beaten the group into a frantic retreat yesterday, today, surprisingly, none of them had injuries on their faces except for Mr. Zhao, the Group Head who didn’t need to act and was punched in the face by Ren He. The others were unscathed, without a mark on their faces.

Zhao Fatty didn’t know that yesterday’s fight had already been witnessed by Director Li and others. He began to wonder if Ren He had considered that shooting would continue today when he struck, making sure the faces of the others were unharmed?

Otherwise, how could he explain Mr. Zhao’s half-swollen face that looked like that of a pig’s? He glanced at Ren He out of the corner of his eye and saw him looking quite cheerful without any sign of abnormality, but he couldn’t stop overthinking...

Mr. Zhao, with a face half as swollen as a steamed bun, looking at Ren He and Zhao Fatty with a sinister glare, didn’t utter any harsh words.

This actually surprised Ren He. They say that a barking dog never bites, and people like Mr. Zhao, who don’t say a single harsh word, are the ones who might be silently planning something big.

However, Ren He didn’t take it to heart. He wasn’t afraid of underhanded tactics during a shoot. With his current level of physical fitness, it wouldn’t be easy for someone to sabotage him. Zhao Fatty should be more worried than he was.

Moreover, Ren He was certain that the other party wouldn’t dare to make any significant moves. After all, the film set was backed by the investor. If the Group Head dared to ruin the film set’s production for personal reasons, even being a local big shot wouldn’t save him from the consequences.

Zhao Fatty muttered softly, "From now on, don’t drink any water offered by the film set, not even if it’s from me, because I can’t guarantee that the water I get is clean. Their favorite trick is to spike the water with laxatives and get you to drink it. If you spend the day running to the toilet more than a dozen times, you won’t be able to act. It’s the most subtle way villains sabotage someone’s future, and they’re experts at it."

Ah, Ren He nodded his head, acknowledging that this tactic was somewhat clever. It was discreet and could ruin his future, leaving him with no role to play. After all, the film set won’t wait for an extra to use the restroom.

But he couldn’t just stop drinking water, could he? Once the midday sun was up, it would be scorching. Even with his strong physique, how long could one last under the sun without water? And while it might work for a day, it surely couldn’t be done every day. Ren He didn’t need to ruin his health just to "experience life"...

Ren He hesitated for a moment and then said, "It’ll take about an hour just to get the props ready. I’m going to head back for a bit, I’ll be back in no more than 20 minutes."

Zhao Fatty agreed. A 20-minute delay wouldn’t cause any trouble. He figured Ren He was going to town to buy bottled water. A wise move, even if a bit troublesome; what’s a little inconvenience compared to one’s career?

Yet upon his return, Ren He’s hands were empty, aside from something that seemed to be in his pocket; he brought nothing else back.

Zhao Fatty asked in confusion, "Didn’t you go to buy water?"

Ren He replied as if it were obvious, "No, I didn’t."

"Then what did you do?" Zhao Fatty grew curious.

"Cough cough, nothing," Ren He clearly didn’t want to discuss this topic.

Zhao Fatty was a little doubtful; he felt as if Ren He was hiding something, but since Ren He was unwilling to talk about it, Zhao Fatty didn’t ask further.

At that moment, the assistant director came over and informed them that they would reshoot yesterday’s scene in the afternoon because the lead actor hadn’t returned from the hospital yet. It shouldn’t be a problem, but there had been a delay on the road.

No sooner had the assistant director mentioned the lead actor’s absence from the hospital than everyone instinctively looked at Ren He. However, Ren He showed no sign of embarrassment; he remained completely calm...

Most of the people present knew that Ren He and Zhao Fatty had fought with Mr. Zhao and others the previous night, and they were aware of the outcome. While they marveled at the fearlessness of the newcomer, they also marveled at the newbie extra’s incredibly high combat capability...

Zhao Fatty asked the assistant director, "So what are we shooting this morning?"

"We’ll start with the Imperial Guard receiving the imperial edict and then reshoot the scene where Lu Xiaotu is severely wounded against the wall after being stabbed by the lead actor’s horse spear", the assistant director said, "Lu Xiaotu won’t be wearing yesterday’s clothes; the set crew will bring a set of Imperial Guard military counselor’s armor for Lu Xiaotu to change into later."

Zhao Fatty was overjoyed upon hearing this. He was happy for Ren He. Yesterday, all three of them wore the same soldier armor, which still fell within the range of ordinary extras, but today was different. First off, the phrase "severely wounded" was significant—he was supposed to be stabbed to death yesterday!

And suddenly having Ren He change into the military counselor’s armor was a harbinger of a role upgrade. Combining the two, it was clear that there were more scenes in store!

Did they intend to keep Ren He with the crew? It was like an instant rise to heaven!

Ren He was curious and asked, "Director, why the sudden change?"

The assistant director glanced at him and said with a laugh, "You lucky kid, the director has improvised a bit. You’re getting three more shots. For the next month and a half, just show up at the set every day as scheduled, and we’ll pay you every day even if you’re not filming, according to the stunt man’s rate of 200 a day."

The others around envied him. Director Li was fostering this young man named Lu Xiaotu! It may only be 200 a day, amounting to just 6000 a month, but from now on, the young man’s status among the extras would be elevated, with limitless prospects!

What standing did Director Li have in the TV industry? He was second only to Zhang Ming, a regular in the golden prime time slot. If such a big shot really wanted to promote someone, it truly could be a dramatic rise. Who knew if Lu Xiaotu could become one of the future’s hottest actors?

Of course, this also depended on whether Lu Xiaotu had the drive to succeed.

The following morning was spent with the makeup team working on Ren He, and then filming his scene of being injured, leaning against the wall, and collapsing. Makeup took 30 minutes, but filming the scene only took five minutes, and they got it in one take.

Director Li watched from behind the main screen with some confusion. Although the young man’s acting had been flawless at other times yesterday, his kick at the lead actor was a major flaw, so everyone thought that the young man still had much room for improvement and was rather unpolished.

But today in this scene, there were no flaws. His fall, and his expressions, were almost perfectly powerful in their performance.

In the shot, this military counselor of the Imperial Guard, after sustaining severe injuries, didn’t struggle excessively nor fall too hastily; the rhythm was just right!

Director Li, stroking his chin and pondering, was intrigued.