Huayu 1995

Chapter 3: Everyone else left, Wang Gang stayed behind.
However, it is not easy to run a teacher training program.

At the very least, you need a venue and equipment; you can't teach people how to take the art exam in the open on a main street.

It's too low-class and no one would be willing to pay to attend your training course.

Therefore, before engaging in education and training, one must first find a way to make a living.

Su Chao's choice was to sing in nightclubs.

He had this idea when he was having dinner with Lü Bu.

Na Ying, Han Hong, Sun Yue, Sha Bao Liang, Sun Nan, Zhang Chu, Zhou Xun, Huang Bo, Wu Xiubo, Yang Kun, and many others have all worked in nightclubs. Some did well, some did poorly, but as long as you have the skills, you will never lack money.

Take Wu Xiubo, for example. As a top star, he earned over 30,000 yuan a month at his peak.

Lü Bu had personally witnessed his stage performance.

This guy, dressed in a custom-made Hong Kong performance outfit, exuded a melancholic and decadent aura, earning him the nickname "dandy gentleman," and attracted a large number of wealthy women to shower him with flowers.

Female executives of foreign companies often book out entire venues to listen to her sing, and they like to request songs such as "Dancing Girl" and "Silent Ending".

Tips can easily amount to a hundred dollars.

Su Chao didn't aspire to be a top star; he just needed to accumulate initial capital.

Moreover, singing in a karaoke bar is also a form of training.

It was 1995, and the music scene and record industry had not yet declined. With his golden touch, Su Chao certainly wouldn't give up on pursuing a music career.

Karaoke bars, records, OSTs...

Once you've accumulated enough capital and fame, it will be easier to get other things.

Just look at Richie Jen. He looks so bad, but he was able to play roles like Chu Liuxiang and Yang Guo because he sings well.

Of course, the extras still have to run.

This is one of the least demanding professions. The income is low, but there are opportunities to meet big stars or directors, which allows you to showcase your talents.

What if you get incredibly lucky and get noticed by a famous director?

Su Chao will not give up any opportunity to make money. Time waits for no one. Since God has given him a second chance, he must seize every second.

Roll it up now so you won't have to roll it up again later.

The next day, Su Chao and Lü Bu secretly went to the entrance of the Beijing Film Studio to wait.

The scene was packed with a huge crowd.

Under the hazy morning light, everyone's face was filled with anticipation. They either chatted in small groups or stood alone, waiting silently.

A minibus drove up, and before it had even come to a complete stop, a crowd of people surrounded it.

They were all enthusiastically promoting themselves, as eager as fallen young women wandering in alleyways.

"Ten people over 1.6 meters tall, please!"

In just a few dozen seconds, a carload of people were taken away.

Su Chao and Lü Bu, however, were left behind.

"Why? Aren't we both 1.6 meters tall?"

For Su Chao, being an extra was a first-time experience.

"We're too conspicuous, too tall, we won't look good in photos?"

Someone nearby answered him.

"Hey, Xiaodong, when did you get back?"

Lu Bu was overjoyed when he saw the newcomer.

It was obvious that this was someone he knew.

Su Chao also knows him.

This... isn't that Guo Xiaodong?

If his being in the same class as Huang Xiaoming and Zhao Yanzi wasn't impressive enough, then his collaboration with Hao Lei in the drama "Summer Palace," which caused Deng Chao to break down, is probably known to everyone.

So many people envy this kid.

In addition, he also starred alongside Ma Sichun in "Dad, I'm Pregnant with Your Child".

"Who came back last night?"

While Su Chao was sizing up Guo Xiaodong, Guo Xiaodong was also sizing him up.

Damn it, I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've already been seeing other men behind my back, Lü Bu.

"The guy I met yesterday is a really nice person."

Because Su Chao insisted that his martial arts skills not be revealed, Lü Bu did not mention that Su Chao had saved him.

"Hello, my name is Guo Xiaodong."

Guo Xiaodong and Su Chao shook hands.

"Su Chao."

As they spoke, Su Chao handed over a cigarette, and also offered one to Lü Bu.

"thanks, thanks……"

Guo Xiaodong was somewhat flustered. "Brother, you're being a little too generous."

There were smokers at the Beijing Film Studio as well.

But most people just take out the cigarettes they didn't finish yesterday, light them, take a couple of puffs, and then quickly put them out.

They wouldn't let anyone off the hook until their fingernails were burned, giving no one a chance to pick up the cigarette butts.

Some people even share a single cigarette.

We took turns eating, it was all wet and disgusting.

Why aren't you smoking?

Lu Bu lit a match for Guo Xiaodong, intending to make the most of it, only to discover that Su Chao hadn't lit one for himself.

Smoking...is harmful to your health!

Su Chao doesn't smoke, but he had some cigarettes on him because he had been warmed by kindness many times along the way. "..."

The two of them suddenly felt that the smell of smoke was a bit pungent.

Making new friends is certainly fun, but the situation changed from two people waiting idly to three people waiting idly together.

It's almost eight o'clock.

After 8 PM, the number of group leaders selecting extras decreases significantly.

No, we have to take the initiative.

Su Chao stared at the small bus that came to recruit extras, and finally gave him an opportunity.

He quickly squeezed to the front, ignoring the group leader's shouts and curses, and yelled at a man sitting in the minibus: "Brother Li, long time no see! Why haven't you been making movies since you acted in 'Hippocampus Ballroom'?"

Is it really such a coincidence? Both Lü Bu and Guo Xiaodong were completely baffled.

My buddy's flirting skills are pretty bad.

First of all, you can't call him Brother Li, and you definitely can't say anything like "Seahorse Dance Hall." The more specific you are, the easier it is to give yourself away.

The other extras were also waiting to see Su Chao, this handsome guy, get a rude awakening.

However, to everyone's surprise, it happened.

Li Yu, who was sitting in the passenger seat, really looked over.

He didn't recognize Su Chao, but people knew his surname was Li and that he had acted in "Hippocampus Ballroom," so he couldn't act like a complete stranger and awkwardly waved to greet him.

"Brother, the three of us are all veteran extras, we're very experienced. We just happened to run into Brother Li Yu today, can you let us go up?"

Su Chao looked completely at ease.

"Okay, come up."

The group leader had just witnessed Su Chao and Li Yu talking, and Li Yu had responded, so he stopped interfering.

Li Yu is nothing special, but Li Yu's father is Li Baotian!
"go!"

Su Chao gave a greeting and was the first to squeeze onto the bus.

Lu Bu and Guo Xiaodong stared blankly at what had just happened, and they didn't come to their senses until they got into the car.

Meanwhile, Su Chao was already chatting with Li Yu.

"Where have you been these past two years?"

Su Chao acted as if he and Li Yu were really close.

"Sigh, don't even mention it, I went to take the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama."

Li Yu no longer doubted that Su Chao was trying to establish a false relationship.

After all, he hasn't officially debuted yet, and the role he played in "Hippocampus Cabaret" was so small that his name wasn't even listed in the cast.

"Getting into the Central Academy of Drama is great."

Su Chao suppressed a laugh. Who the hell would believe that Li Baotian's son took the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama four times before finally getting in?

Rumors circulated that he took the exam six times, from 1994 to 2000, but in fact he missed two years in between, so he "only" took it four times.

This guy is a potential customer for his training courses.

"Something unexpected happened, I didn't pass the exam this year!"

Li Yu had a lot of grievances to vent, but he couldn't bring himself to say them in front of so many people.

However, his own conditions were indeed too poor. He was not good-looking and short. Otherwise, the Central Academy of Drama would have had to give his parents some face.

"Oh dear, good things come to those who wait. Next time will definitely be fine. Brother Li, are you making a comeback? What are we planning to film today? 'Prime Minister Liu Luoguo'? Wow, that's a big production. I'm really riding your coattails..."

Su Chao certainly wouldn't let Li Yu off easily.

Despite Li Baotian's apparent lack of care for Li Yu, he is still his son, and there's no reason for him to simply abandon him.

Moreover, even if he really didn't care, others would still give him face and take care of Li Yu.

Otherwise, why would Li Yu be cast as Liu An in the Zhang Cheng Liu An series?

Su Chao and Li Yu chatted all the way. He wasn't some greenhorn who had just come out of the village to make his way in the world, so naturally he had plenty to talk about.

Along the way, he and Li Yu have almost become acquainted.

"Prime Minister Liu Luoguo" is indeed a grand production, but unfortunately, Su Chao and the other two were brought in as extras and could only do the work of extras.

Fortunately, they weren't originally supposed to show their faces, but when the group leader surnamed Chen was assigning tasks, he considered that Su Chao and Li Yu seemed to really know each other, so he arranged for the three of them to be in the foreground.

Wearing full armor in this sweltering heat must be incredibly uncomfortable.

However, a regular extra earns 30 yuan a day, while a background extra can earn 60 yuan.

"You soldiers, stand up straight, eyes looking straight ahead, don't look at the actors or the camera, understand?"

There were more than ten people playing the roles of guards, and Su Chao was placed in the most conspicuous position.

The lead actors walked past them, and the first scene was complete.

Su Chao ran a training class with others in his previous life, and through this exposure, he is no stranger to acting.

Sometimes when there aren't enough people, he has to step in.

Unfortunately, Su Chao wasn't given many opportunities to perform today.

After filming for a while, Wang Gang said he needed to rest; he was a bit overweight and couldn't stand the heat.

Li Baotian mocked him from the side, but he didn't back down.

The verbal battles on screen were already fierce, but the off-screen drama was about to get even more exciting.

In most cases, it was Wang Gang who would occasionally provoke "disputes," exchanging barbs with Li Baotian and indulging in verbal sparring.

For some reason, Su Chao couldn't help but laugh when he saw Wang Gang.

There's nothing we can do; he's been corrupted by the internet.

I can't help but think, "Everyone else go out, Wang Gang stays."

(End of this chapter)