Global Film Emperor

Chapter 24 Stings in Ordinary Days

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Lu Ze didn't stand on ceremony at all. After all, they had been neighbors for over a year and were quite familiar with each other. Besides, Lu Ze was the kind of person who would make do with whatever he could find, and his cooking skills were really not that great. When there was something delicious to eat, no one could stop him.

After putting on his slippers, Lu Ze turned off the TV, went into the east room and glanced inside. There was braised ribbonfish, sweet and sour pork ribs, braised prawns, stir-fried green peppers and eggs, and a bowl of tomato and egg drop soup. No wonder Lu Ze's room smelled so good.

Yang Dan sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up a piece of food and put it in her mouth, glanced at Lu Ze and said, "Sit down, are you used to being a big shot? Do I have to serve you?"

"The food is really good today. Four dishes and a soup for one person? That's quite something. Is it your birthday today, Dan-jie?"

Lu Ze climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed) with a smile, shook off the remaining water in his wine glass, bit open the bottle cap with his teeth, poured himself a glass, and acted as if they were old friends.

I'm leaving tomorrow.

Upon hearing Yang Dan's words, Lu Ze froze for a moment, but recovered in less than a second, still smiling as he raised his glass and clinked it with Yang Dan's.

"Moving away? Consider this our farewell dinner? Okay, thank you so much for taking care of me over the past year, Sister Dan. I wish you all the best in your future acting career."

"I told them I was going home, back to Beihai. I've bought the ticket; the train leaves at around 2 PM tomorrow."

After gulping down a full two ounces of broth, Lu Ze exhaled and picked up a piece of food, asking, "Not acting anymore?"

"No more acting."

"Because of Erfeizi?"

"That's partly the reason. Hengdian is too tough. I spent three years as a drifter in Hengdian, and I've had enough of that kind of life."

Lu Ze took out a cigarette pack from his pocket, handed one to Yang Dan, lit it for her, and then lit his own cigarette. The two sat silently on the kang (a heated brick bed), puffing away, each lost in their own thoughts.

“I haven’t received a single job for over a month. Erfeizi is sabotaging me behind my back. For almost two months, I haven’t earned a single penny. I can’t live like this anymore. I’m scared.”

It's true that female migrant workers in Hengdian don't earn much money. Unlike men, they don't have many expenses besides food and lodging. They have to pay more attention to taking care of themselves, making themselves younger and more beautiful, so they can get more roles.

Their expenses are much higher than men's. They spend almost two-thirds or even three-quarters of their salary on skincare products every month. So Lu Ze knew that Yang Dan, who hadn't worked for more than a month, was at her wits' end.

Lu Ze didn't say anything, silently finished his cigarette and extinguished it in the ashtray. If she was just short of money for this month, Lu Ze wouldn't mind helping her out, but she might not have any work in the future, so how could anyone help her?
Yang Dan filled her glass to the brim and downed it in one gulp. The liquor was strong, making Yang Dan look somewhat pained. Her fair and slender fingers were adorned with bright red manicures that shone with an alluring charm.

If you don't go to Hengdian, you won't know how much pressure these female extras are under. Yes, they come here to suffer because they want to become famous, but is it wrong to want to become famous and make money?
"Lu Ze".

"Ok?"

"You have no idea how heartbroken I was. Really, ever since I was a teenager, I've dreamed of being a star. Making money was secondary. I just wanted to experience the feeling of having my shows on TV and my name in the media. But I can't do it. I've had this dream for over ten years. When I rejected Fatty Er, I knew it was over, and it was time to wake up from this dream."

"It's not your fault, really, Sister Dan."

"I know it's not my fault. He wants to sleep with me, so I have to willingly bend over and do whatever I want? Why should I? But I didn't expect it to turn out like this. When I went to wait for work, no one paid any attention to me. I was so desperate that I pushed my way forward like a man, but what did I get? They treated me like I wasn't there! They ignored me! You know that!"

Yang Dan had drunk too much, and her shouts and curses were somewhat hysterical. Her anger overshadowed the vulnerability that women are naturally prone to, even as tears were welling up in her eyes.

She took another swig of wine, then stretched out her beautiful hand, making a fist with one hand, pressing her thumb out to stick out her little finger, her face full of mockery.

"Just a bunch of gang leaders, just one gang leader and he's got me wrapped around his little finger. He's such a small fry, and I'm not going to give in to his demands! I've been working for three years and I'm broke, but I'll accept it! You want to sleep with me? Go to hell!"

Lu Ze immediately stopped Yang Dan from drinking any more wine. She was already too restless to sit still, and drinking any more would likely cause an accident.

"Leave me alone. I'm going to drink more today. I'm tired, so tired, you know that? Lu Ze, my dream is shattered! Do you know what's the most tragic thing? It's the complete lack of hope! I've worked so hard for so long! I've given so much! But when you look up, it's all dark! Not a glimmer of light! Not a single ray of hope! Do you know how desperate I am?!"

"Sister Dan, stop drinking. There are neighbors here. They've all worked a long day and are quite tired. Keep your voice down."

"I won't! I'm leaving tomorrow anyway, and I won't contact anyone. What am I afraid of? Let them curse! Being tired is their problem, what does it have to do with me? I'll just shout!"

After saying that, she even started singing a folk song, acting like a complete madwoman.

Only after she finished singing did she open her bewildered eyes and stare at Lu Ze. Lu Ze was certain he would never forget that expression, and he was speechless under her gaze.

"Lu Ze, I know I'm like an immature child. I'm already twenty-six, but I'm not as mature as you, a twenty-four-year-old young man. Now that I'm out of here, how long can you keep this up?"

"I"

"I hope you become famous, really, I swear on my conscience, I hope you become famous! You work harder than me, you put in more effort than me. I saw you being scolded by the director that day, I saw you crying and crying in the street. Don't blame me for being a coward, I admit I really don't dare to stand up for you, and I don't have the ability to stand up for you, but you have to believe me! I hope you do well, I'm waiting for you to be on TV, waiting for your news to be all over the media, so I can brag to others, you! Lu Ze! You're my neighbor, we're both wandering souls in a foreign land, we don't know anyone else except each other, we can only find warmth in each other's company at the dinner table, I really hope, really hope you become famous."

She was asleep, tears still on her face. Lu Ze looked at her for a long time, then picked up the remaining half bottle of baijiu and drank it all in one go, followed by two bottles of beer.

After finishing his rice, he tidied the table, washed the dishes and chopsticks, and started making the bed. The blanket still smelled of her. After covering himself with the blanket, Lu Ze went to her dressing table, picked and chose, and finally found the makeup remover.

Lu Ze poured some makeup remover onto a cotton pad and gently helped her remove her makeup. He was very gentle, slow, and very careful. Finally, he used a warm, damp towel to wipe her face clean.

Holding the washbasin, Lu Ze walked to the door and was about to turn off the light when she asked, whether she was talking in her sleep or awake, "Lu Ze."

"Ok?"

"If I leave, will you hate me?"

"As long as you're doing well, that's all that matters."

"Here, take this too. I can't take it with me; I have too much stuff."

Lu Ze glanced at his room. There were quilts, electric blankets, kettles, washbasins, and even half a bottle of shower gel left. His room was originally quite spacious, but now Yang Dan had piled it up like a pigsty.

"Sister Dan, just throw away these things you don't want. I don't need them either. In the end, I'll have to throw them away." Lu Ze waved his hand and advised with a bitter face.

Yang Dan glared at him, as if she were about to hit him: "I'm willing!"

Around noon, everything was packed up. Lu Ze hadn't taken any jobs today and was preparing to see her off.

The girl had a lot of stuff; even though she left a lot of things with Lu Ze, it still filled three large suitcases and a large duffel bag.

"I said, how are you going to carry all this? Who's going to pick you up over there? Look how tired I am, all sweaty."

She booked a ride-hailing car, and Lu Ze helped stuff each of her suitcases, each weighing seventy or eighty pounds, into the car, panting heavily with his hands on his hips.

"My friends are coming to pick me up when I get home. One of them is the same age as you. Want me to introduce you? They're all my friends, and they're all pretty good."

"No need, thank you."

Upon arriving at Yiwu Railway Station, Lu Ze bought platform tickets. The two of them looked like they were going home for the Chinese New Year, and they had the most bags and packages in the waiting room.

Tickets were checked at 2:17.

Lu Ze helped carry the luggage to the platform. As the train entered the platform, a gentle breeze stirred up her hair, making it fly in the air.

They found carriage number 12, but didn't rush to get on.

Yang Dan looked at Lu Ze with a smile on her lips, as if the hysterical breakdown she experienced last night was an illusion, and she seemed to be in a good mood.

"I'm leaving?"

Give me a call when you get home, and let's keep in touch.

"How about a hug?"

Lu Ze did not refuse. After giving him a hug, he carried the luggage and put it into the carriage door.

The train conductor blew a whistle on the platform and began waving a flag; the train was about to depart.
"Come in a little further, the door is about to close."

The train conductor wanted Yang Dan to move back a bit so the doors could close, but Yang Dan, not knowing where she got the courage, suddenly grabbed the train door and shouted at Lu Ze, who was still looking at her.

"Lu Ze! I'm giving you a chance! You can quit being an extra! Buy a ticket for tomorrow and come to my house! Be my man! I don't want your house! I don't want your car! I just want us to have dinner together every night! I don't want anything! Are you willing to come with me?"

Lu Ze froze, remaining frozen for a long time. The train conductor tried to pull Yang Dan away, but Yang Dan clung tightly to the train door, waiting expectantly for his reply, until he didn't say a word.

"Actually, I was just kidding! Act well! You have to become a big star! I'll be watching you on TV every day from now on! Bye!"

After saying that, she quickly opened the car door and disappeared from Lu Ze's sight. The train slowly started moving, and Lu Ze kept staring at the glass of that door.

Just as carriage number 12 was about to depart, she suddenly appeared at the door at the very back of the carriage, her face streaked with tears, pounding on the glass and shouting, "I'm telling the truth! I'm telling the truth! It's true! Lu Ze! Did you hear me! I'm telling the truth!"

Unfortunately, the train was too loud, and Lu Ze didn't "hear" what she was saying.

She left on August 4, 2016. It was a sunny day, but in Lu Ze's memory, it rained heavily that day.

"."

I originally planned to dedicate a lot of space to Yang Dan, detailing her change in mindset, and I envisioned a terrible ending. But as I write this, I can't bear to continue. I like girls with this kind of personality, even though she does have many flaws.

Secondly, I'm afraid of deeply hurting the feelings of all the readers, and I'm also afraid of hurting my own heart. So it's better to give her the right to choose her life again, let her leave this quagmire, and find a life that suits her.

As for Lu Ze, he was destined not to be with Yang Dan because he couldn't afford to support her. He had to support his family and himself, so how could he support Yang Dan? Therefore, no matter how loudly Yang Dan cried out, he wouldn't hear her.

And if he really did leave with Yang Dan, then that's a whole different story.

Thank you all for your support. Please give me some votes. Thank you. No insults directed at the author in the comments section.

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(End of this chapter)