Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 597 A Troublesome Kid? Ma Xun Saves 'Qiu Ya'!
As is well known, boxed lunches are provided on film sets.

However, those who have never played a minor role don't know that the boxed meals served on film sets are registered.

For extras, the meal would definitely be the most basic boxed lunch from the crew, usually just a meat dish.

A little higher up, they're called foreground actors in the industry.

Although they are called actors, they may not actually be actors.

Foreground actors, well, that means they're in the shot, they're part of the scene, you get the idea?
In other words, they only show their faces but have no lines, no acting, and can just stand there.

This needs at least two dishes.

Moving up the ranks, you can be called an actor, or in the industry, a "contributing actor".

It is crucial to understand that this kind of "special appointment" is not something that can be obtained casually; an ordinary person must undergo training or take an exam.

Some people are amazing; they don't need training, they're self-taught, and then they pass the exam in no time. Well then, you're an actor.

But most of them don't work.

This kind of exam exists in Hengdian, and the content is almost identical to the exams for Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama.

That's right, there are also recitations and skits, and you can only become a featured performer if you pass the selection process.

Of course, this also means there will be words.

The meals provided to these featured extras are actually similar to the quality of their work. Some production crews are poor, so everyone eats the same thing. If the production crew is wealthy, then the meals for featured extras are about the same as those for the crew's contracted actors.

Next up are the lead actors' lunch boxes, which need no further explanation; the standard is definitely the highest.

As for big stars not liking boxed lunches... well, our production team has to prepare them for them. If they want to eat what they like, then they can choose for themselves. Of course, some big stars also need to manage their physique, and a nutritionist will plan their meals. That's their business.

Don't underestimate the importance of the film crew's boxed lunches. Not only are there different levels of service, but they also represent a significant expense for the crew.

It's like in a restaurant, if the chef misses a little detail, it can cost a lot of money.

Let's leave that aside.

Ma Xun has been in the industry for two lifetimes, so he knows the situation on set like the back of his hand.

So when he saw that the meals were being served, Wang Zhi, like the other extras, went to get the same level of boxed lunch.

He had already formed a certain judgment in his mind.

Why make yourself suffer like this?

When Ma Xun leaned closer, it wasn't that he wanted to ask Wang Zhi for a bite to eat.

However, Wang Zhi didn't think that way. She subconsciously made a protective gesture towards her food and then said, "I didn't wrong myself."

Ma Xun was amused by Wang Zhi's action.

Thinking back to when they first met, Wang Zhi was just a little girl. Although she was already a beautiful girl back then, things are different now.

It has visibly grown bigger.

cough cough...

"You didn't make yourself suffer? I seem to remember you got into the Central Academy of Drama. Even if you're just an extra, you don't have to eat this. Show your identity as an actor, you can at least eat better."

The detail that Ma Xun noticed was really useful.

Wang Zhi's face flushed red, and she retorted, "What's it to you?!"

She's a bit spoiled.

Ma Xun inexplicably liked you even more. "I didn't mean to interfere, I just think you're acting really strange. Oh, right... I think I heard something, it's..."

The drawn-out tone startled Wang Zhi, who asked, "What did you hear?"

Ma Xun gave her a mischievous smile and said, "I think I heard that you became a village official after graduating from university. Can a village official still play minor roles?"

As soon as he said that, Wang Zhi's attitude changed completely.

"You, you mustn't, you mustn't... Oh dear, you did this on purpose?"

He was clearly terrified and obviously didn't want Ma Xun to tell anyone.

Okay, Ma Xun naturally understood that he had caught her red-handed.

"Actually, there are no regulations that prohibit you from earning extra money."

Ma Xun's words are correct; after all, some civil servants later took on part-time jobs as Didi drivers.

However, after the news broke, he could no longer run away.

Wang Zhi was just a village official. She had studied acting, so it wouldn't be a problem for her to take on minor roles and earn some pocket money.

However, it is clear that this matter is best carried out in secrecy.

"I, I just..."

"Are you going to tell me that there are impoverished households in the village where you are the village official? What are you doing...?"

"No, there are poor places around the capital, but not to that extent."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"I... I don't have much money."

"Ha ha……"

Once Ma Xun got to this point, there was basically no need to ask any more questions.

Moreover, Wang Zhi looks quite cute.

However, there was clearly something wrong with the expression on her face.

She looked like she was about to cry.

Ma Xun couldn't figure it out for a moment, so he could only say, "Why didn't you come to find me?"

He didn't mean to praise Wang Zhi, but it's hard to explain for the moment.

But given the current situation, Ma Xun had no way to explain it. Oh well, he might as well ask.

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhi replied defiantly, "I won't look for you!"

Ma Xun was even more curious, "Why?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi blushed and, without looking at him, said, "Why... humph."

Not much, but it's about the same as saying it.

Ma Xun finally understood. "Oh, you've heard a lot of rumors in the industry?"

It's obviously just those rumors about him.

Wang Zhi couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Since you already know so much, I don't need to say anything more. Anyway, I am... well, never mind! I'm not saying anything more!"

I felt embarrassed at the end.

Ma Xun couldn't help but laugh and said, "Maybe the rumors are false."

"Really?" Wang Zhi asked him reflexively upon hearing this, and more importantly, there was an expectant look on her face.

Ma Xun laughed and said, "The rumors are definitely true, haha..."

Good guy!
They tricked Wang Zhi.

"I'm not talking to you anymore!" Qiuya was angry.

Ma Xun didn't care. Anyway, although Wang Zhi's portrayal of Qiu Ya did leave a good impression on him, according to the fate of this girl in the original timeline, she would eventually play Qiu Ya.

Just don't interfere too much.

So Ma Xun decided to go take care of his business, but he could chat with Qiu Ya for a bit longer.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, a group leader shouted from the other side.

"Stop eating, hurry up and get ready. The director said our crew has to move locations, the filming schedule has changed, and this scene has been moved up..."

Goodness, the group leader has such an air of authority!

Ma Xun couldn't help but want to do something, but Wang Zhi pulled him back.

"..." The two looked at each other without saying a word, but Ma Xun already understood what Wang Zhi meant.

Bridges are bridges, roads are roads. You go your way, and I'll cross my narrow bridge.

Well, that should be it.

Never mind then. Ma Xun was never a helpful person to begin with; he was just happy to pry into other people's lives.

Ma Xun's principle is that helping others must come with a benefit; if there's no benefit in helping others, then this matter...

I won't think about it anymore, I'll get down to business.

The two parted ways just like that. Little did Ma Xun know that Wang Zhi, while quickly shoveling rice into her mouth, couldn't help but glance at his back a few more times.

Just those few glances...

"No, I mean, who is that guy?"

"Oh, someone I knew before."

"He looks to be over thirty. You and him..."

"There's nothing between us."

The group leader came over, seemingly looking for trouble with Wang Zhi.

Wang Zhi didn't say much, especially about Ma Xun.

And so, a wicked smile inexplicably appeared on the group leader's face.

……

Let's build a film set in this film city.

This was a very easy matter. As soon as Ma Xun said something, the people at the film studio were delighted, and they even contacted Teacher Zhang Guoli immediately.

Then, Mr. Zhang Guoli said that everyone should talk face-to-face.

That means letting Ma Xun stay here for a while.

Originally, Ma Xun's time was very tight, but since this place was not far from the capital, many things could be handled remotely.

Let's stay here for a while then.

Summer is approaching.

Compared to the skyscrapers of Beijing, looking at these green hills and clear waters is quite interesting.

Treat it as a trip.

Ma Xun was in a good mood, strolling among the mountains and rivers.

When you get tired, just turn back and watch the filming.

Unexpectedly, as they approached the film studio, they heard a strange sound coming from the grove.

"You're a village official, huh... You don't want me to tell the villagers about your bit part role, do you?"

"you……"

what?
When Ma Xun heard this, he felt a strange sense of familiarity... It seemed like he used to do this... Cough cough, no, no.

The key is that woman's voice; it's clearly Qiu Ya's!

Go check it out.

Ma Xun had long legs and big strides, and he entered the forest in no time.

Following the sound, they quickly found a man and a woman.

The woman is Qiuya, and the man... seems to be a group leader.

At this moment, the gang leader was planning to do something wicked.

And judging from his expression, he seems pretty excited.

Qiuya was on the verge of being defeated. Although she had learned martial arts, she was, after all, a woman.

"Fuck you!"

Ma Xun's shout startled the group leader.

They must have been scared out of their wits.

In the blink of an eye, Qiuya seized the opportunity and executed a move called "Rabbit Kicks Eagle"!
what! !

The group leader screamed and was kicked several meters away. Seeing this, he didn't dare to linger.

He staggered away and ran off.

Qiuya also realized what was happening and looked at Ma Xun.

She was initially frightened, but now she blushed, and in the end...

Awooooo!

"What, what happened?"

Ma Xun was at a loss for what to do, because the girl threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

What really happened?
……

The sound of running water came from the bathroom in the hotel.

Qiuya came with Ma Xun.

At that moment, warm water droplets sprayed from the showerhead and landed on her delicate skin.

It feels indescribably comfortable.

This feeling was unprecedented. She had practiced martial arts since she was a child, then dance, and later took the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama, wanting to become an actress.

Unfortunately, there were no good resources available.

In fact, the employment rate of film and television schools has never been very good.

If a family doesn't have any resources, and one has to rely entirely on oneself, many film school graduates won't be able to act.

Many went behind the scenes, and many others went to advertising companies.

Of course, those with family connections have more options.

At the very least, you can try to get into a prestigious institution like the Beijing People's Art Theatre or the National Theatre of China.

Maybe their parents work at that company; a simple greeting would be enough.

Wang Zhi had nothing he wanted.

Finally, the teacher took pity on her and offered her a position as a village official, which she gritted her teeth and accepted.

But this village official...

We really don't have much money.

And now... even a small group leader can bully her.

Thinking of this, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing again.

But at that moment, they heard Ma Xun's words outside.

"I'm not trying to preach, but I have to tell you."

Do you think only people with great power and money would create rules about money?
Even a group leader like that might not seem like a big shot, but he can still manage hundreds of people, and that's power.

Believe it or not, there are many people who dare to shout "blacklist you" at minor actors.
They even shouted it more frequently than the big shots.

This is what is meant by "It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings."

Forget it, I won't waste my breath.

You can go to sleep now that you've washed up.

After he finished speaking, there was a loud bang as the door slammed shut.

That sound made Qiuya's heart tremble... Could it be that I misunderstood him?

(End of this chapter)