I am a Big Player
Chapter 683 - 674, Big Boss_1

Chapter 683: 674, Big Boss_1

That night, right below Ren He’s little nest, Zhao Fatty insisted on treating Ren He to a drink at the Sichuan restaurant below. Initially, Zhao Fatty just wanted to remind Ren He to seize the opportunity, but as they drank more, he became a bit tipsy and started rambling about how Ren He must make something of himself to help out their struggling brothers.

"Do you know why I could become the Group Head at North Fort?" Zhao Fatty, his eyes bleary from drinking, said, "It’s because I have an uncle who’s the town head. I waved his influence around like a banner, and everyone was a bit wary of me. But what they don’t know is that our family doesn’t get along with my uncle’s family at all. That uncle has never cared about us, didn’t even come to my dad’s funeral."

"Afterward, Mr. Zhao and the others found out and wanted to squeeze me out, but I couldn’t leave, you know? I want to act, I truly want to act!" Zhao Fatty suddenly became serious, "I want to be a star, I want people everywhere to shout ’Zhao Mingke, Zhao Mingke, I want your autograph,’ not ’Zhao Fatty, Zhao Fatty, are you off to deal with another corpse?’"

Ren He chuckled, "You’ll have your chance. Stop drinking; too much alcohol can damage your brain."

Zhao Fatty laughed at himself, "People always mock the phrase ’fair-weather friends,’ as if these words are something disgraceful. True, those friends who drank and ate with you have all drifted away. There’s no deep friendship or life-and-death bond to speak of – they abandon you for their interests, without any hesitation. But," Zhao Fatty paused, "when you’re feeling down, sometimes only drinking and eating can comfort you. Actually, those who drink and eat with you aren’t your friends; the alcohol and meat are your everlasting companions."

Ren He laughed, "Pang, I didn’t expect you to be such a sage!"

Zhao Fatty suddenly wiped his face and said, "Xiaotu, you’re the most promising extra I’ve ever seen. Don’t worry about pulling me up. After all, the directors aren’t that easy to talk to. Don’t let me hold you back. I just hope you go as far as you can on this path. When you come back to our North Fort one day, tell me all about what you’ve seen. Tell me about the movies you’ve been in, how many actresses you’ve slept with, how many directors you’ve met, how many big shots you’ve dined with. By then, it’ll be as if I’ve really seen that world myself."

"You should see it yourself," Ren He said softly, but after Zhao Fatty finished speaking, he passed out on the table. Ren He and Jin Xiaolong exchanged smiles; they understood that Zhao Fatty only said all this because he considered them friends.

Ren He said to Jin Xiaolong with a smile, "You go on; I’ll carry him back to his place."

After settling the bill, Ren He hoisted Zhao Fatty onto his back and headed toward the north side of the town. Over the past month, Ren He had learned where Zhao Fatty lived.

Zhao Fatty’s house wasn’t as dirty and cluttered as one might imagine. On one wall of the living room hung photos of Zhao Fatty with every star that had visited North Fort, as if his dream of stardom was all displayed on that wall.

...

The next day, Zhao Fatty wobbled his mountain-like body into the set and, upon seeing Ren He, gave an awkward smile. "I had to trouble you to carry me back again. I didn’t spout any nonsense, did I?"

"You did," Ren He said with a chuckle.

Zhao Fatty immediately became anxious, "What did I say?"

Ren He laughed, "You said if you, Zhao Fatty, could land a role in Director Zhang’s crew, you’d go 2 months without eating meat!"

Jin Xiaolong, knowing that Ren He was just making it up, saw that Zhao Fatty obviously had no memory of last night, stared, and said, "Did I really say that? Two months without meat?"

But considering he wasn’t likely to land a role anyway, Zhao Fatty quickly cheered up, beaming with a smile. If he wasn’t getting a role, why worry unnecessarily!

After filming in the morning, Director Li, back in the town, pulled Ren He aside for a private talk, "Do you have any plans for the future?"

Ren He thought for a moment, "I should probably stay in North Fort for about two to three more months."

"Still as an extra?" Director Li looked at Ren He with a smile, "Come with me to the Capital, sign directly with my studio. I’ll arrange roles for you from now on, and you won’t have to trouble yourself finding plays through group heads like Zhao Fatty."

Originally, Director Li just wanted to have this teenager who went by the name Lu Xiaotu audition for his next film, but now he was considering signing him before anyone else discovered this hidden gem. Director Li felt that given the opportunity, this young man would surely have a place in the entertainment industry.

Previously, the climate in the entertainment circle wasn’t very good; oftentimes, many things were decided by just one or two people, like a stagnant pond. But now, the arrival of the capital behemoth Qinghe Group had suddenly revitalized the old atmosphere. Director Li, despite his apprehension of the brazen entry of Qinghe Group into the film and entertainment industry, always thought it was a good thing.

To be honest, he was a bit envious of Zhang Ming. Zhang Ming’s reputation had settled down, and now that he entered Qinghe Film and Television, he had shot to fame once again.

But while Zhang Ming had that luck to lean on a big tree, he himself was not necessarily so fortunate.

Ren He thought for a while and then smiled at Director Li, "Thanks for your kindness, Director Li, but I might not be able to focus all my energy on the film industry. So I appreciate your offer, but I might even quit acting altogether."

Director Li was taken aback. What did he mean? With such good conditions, such intuition, such good conditions, you say you’re not going to act anymore?

However, just at that moment, a long convoy charged into town from the outside, each vehicle emblazoned with the logo of Qinghe Film and Television. Director Li was momentarily stunned. Was Zhang Ming’s film crew coming?

He had previously heard that Zhang Ming was coming, and they were old friends planning to have a couple of drinks in this small town, but Director Li didn’t expect Zhang Ming to arrive so soon.

Director Li wanted to ask Ren He what was going on, but the convoy, which seemed to be going straight on, suddenly made a beeline towards him after seeing him. Director Li was amused. Did the Zhang Ming in the car spot him?

The convoy stopped in front of Director Li, who waited smilingly in front of it, and sure enough, it was Zhang Ming who got out.

Director Li walked over and embraced Zhang Ming, "Old pal, long time no see. What’s up, you’re planning to grab a few drinks with me?"

Zhang Ming laughed and embraced Director Li, "Sure, we can drink, but another day. The crew has just arrived here today and we need to get settled first. I came not for you, but for him!" Saying this, Zhang Ming nodded toward Ren He standing beside Director Li.

Director Li was confused. Zhang Ming knew this extra?! Could it be that he had some unknown background, maybe from the Central Academy of Drama? No wonder his acting is so good?!

But then he heard Zhang Ming say to Ren He cheerfully, "Now, big boss, stop hanging around in other people’s crews. Good stuff should stay in-house. If you want to act, let’s go back to our own crew."

Zhao Fatty, Martial Arts Director Liu, Jin Xiaolong, Director Li, and the others suddenly fell silent. What did Zhang Ming just call this guy?!