I'm really good at this.

Both of them became interested.

Does this child need their help?

I just took on a job recently, only two days ago.

"What, do you need people or something? Isn't that a war movie? If you're looking for extras, I can introduce you to a casting director, a decent one."

"No," Zhang Hong sighed, "I just noticed that neither of you has started a new drama yet, so I wanted to borrow the production crew for a bit."

As he spoke, he took out the script and handed a copy to each of them—since they were his own people, he didn't intend to hide anything from them.

The two directors exchanged a glance, deeply moved.

After all, this was the most important script, and Zhang Hong was willing to let them see it because of his trust in them.

But after watching it, they had different opinions.

Liu Yishou lit a cigarette, squinted his eyes, thought for a moment, and slowly said, "Xiao Hong, wouldn't it be better to make this script into a movie?"

"I've considered it, but I really know nothing about film. And this project is rather unique; I don't have the budget, but I want to do my best, so..." Zhang Hong took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle. "I'd like to invite both of you to join my production team!"

Liu Yishou took a drag of his cigarette: "My price is going to be very high."

Zhang Hong laughed and said, "Uncle Liu, please be lenient with me~ I'll just be available whenever you need me to film next time."

"Joining is no problem either. How much money do you need? I'll bring my own investment to join the team." Liu Yishou said calmly.

Zhang Hong knew he meant to help him, but he still refused: "Uncle Liu, if you say something like that, I won't dare to contact you again. Besides, I've already raised over 20 million, which is enough for me."

Zhang Hong understood this deeply: too much gratitude was not a good thing.

"Alright, since you've put it that way," Liu Yishou stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Sun Zheng. "What do you say?"

"It's not like it's our first time working together, so it doesn't matter. Plus, I can see how Xiao Hong acts." Sun Zheng smiled. "I'll join."

Zhang Hong was overjoyed: "Thank you so much!"

Now that they're on his side, he didn't need to be polite anymore: "There's one more thing I need your help with. Well... Uncle Liu, Uncle Sun, do you know any male actors who are really struggling but have a certain level of fame?"

Zhang Hong gestured with his hands to indicate the name: "The kind of actor who has good acting skills and a good career, but is inexplicably blamed and suppressed or sidelined for some reason."

Just like those unfortunate men who were accused of domestic violence and infidelity in their past lives, only to find out in the end that it was the woman who cheated on them and then turned around and accused them.

Liu Yishou stroked the stubble on his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "You know what, there really is one."

He turned around and said, "Old Sun, do you still remember that Lu Yibo?"

Sun Zheng frowned slightly: "That Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival double award winner? Is that appropriate?"

Zhang Hong became interested: "What's going on? A double Best Actor? I've never heard of him."

"That guy was unlucky too." Liu Yishou took a swig of fruit beer and laughed. "He was already a double Best Actor winner in his thirties, married a celebrity wife, and made a lot of money in the stock market. He was quite successful."

As a result, his wife posted on Weibo accusing him of domestic violence and infidelity, and he was severely criticized. Then his new movie was boycotted, investors suffered huge losses, and several more of his movies subsequently flopped, becoming box office poison. In the past two years, the US stock market has experienced frequent circuit breakers, and he has lost everything. It is said that he had to sell several houses to barely pay off his debts. Now, no one is offering him acting roles, and it is rumored that he is doing live streaming as a minor internet celebrity. He is truly pitiful.

The only thing that might benefit him is that someone leaked a video of him cheating on his wife before they were divorced. Then a doctor revealed that he had previously undergone medical examinations, meaning that the person who actually cheated and abused him was his ex-wife.

Liu Yishou shrugged: "Although I don't know why he didn't say anything, everyone online is quite sympathetic. But, you know how the internet is, Xiao Hong... After everyone has vented and felt sorry for him, it's over. What he has lost can never be regained, but nobody cares anyway."

Zhang Hong sighed.

He used to be one of those keyboard warriors, and he thought of several actors from his past life.

For example, "You're so sexy," "Day and Night Chase," and "Girlfriend to Man."

The entertainment industry is truly disgusting.

Fortunately, I've only met good people along the way.

"Then it's him. Uncle Liu, Uncle Sun, you two get ready, and we'll go see him tomorrow." Zhang Hong raised his glass. "Thank you for your help."

Liu Yishou and Sun Zheng also raised their glasses.

The three exchanged a knowing smile, their understanding unspoken.

............

Somewhere in Yuancheng County, below the Xijiang River.

Lu Yibo, who had just woken up in his self-built house, raised his left foot and scratched his right leg. He then lay on the bed in a daze for a while before going to the bathroom to wash up.

After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he looked at the handsome but listless guy in the mirror, his expression still blank.

This is a man who has been defeated by reality.

Back in his bedroom, he sat down at his computer and opened the live streaming software and his own live stream room.

He glanced at the dejected man in the camera, then at the more than a thousand followers in the live stream.

With a blank expression, he opened the live stream.

"Here we go again, Brother Bo."

"What are we selling today? Brother Bo, how about we tell you some inside stories about the entertainment industry? That'll definitely get a lot of attention!"

"This is my first time here. The anchor looks a lot like an actor from before."

"That's Bo Ge himself! A double Best Actor winner! Awesome!"

Lu Yibo smiled and said, "It's not the real person, just someone who looks like me."

He moved the mouse around among the desktop icons, "Let's continue with Dota ranked matches today."

"Give me a break! You had a humiliating 0/32 double-damage Beastmaster run yesterday and had to end the stream, and you're doing it again today?"

"I bet five cents that when I log on, I'll find myself in a dark room."

While glancing at the comments, Lu Yibo logged into his account.

Once inside, it was indeed a small, dark room.

Lu Yibo chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Haha, so it really is a dark room!"

Then came the laughter of the few spectators.

They also occasionally give away one or two free glow sticks.

After broadcasting for half an hour, Lu Yibo lit a cigarette, and the next moment, the moderator blocked his room.

Facing the screen, Lu Yibo silently finished his cigarette and then continued to sit there blankly.

Knock knock knock—

Lu Yibo remained in a daze.

Knock knock knock—

Lu Yibo's eyes rolled, making him look slightly less like a corpse.

Did I order takeout?

He patted his face, and then slowly went to open the door, still wearing a T-shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops.

Upon opening the door, two somewhat familiar middle-aged men and a handsome young man stood outside.

And that handsome guy looks pretty familiar.

In a second, Lu Yibo remembered why they looked familiar.

The next moment, he slammed the door shut with lightning speed.

Outside the door, Zhang Hong opened his mouth, "What's going on? Is he feeling inferior because I'm too handsome?"

Liu Yishou smirked: "It's possible to feel inferior, but it's definitely not because of your appearance."

Sun Zheng turned off the live stream and put away his phone, sighing, "I never expected him to be so dejected. After experiencing such a setback, he really would have collapsed if he hadn't recovered."

As the three chatted, the door opened again.

Lu Yibo inside had changed into a fitted navy blue suit, and his hair was combed back. However, he had shaved his beard in a hurry, and there was still a little stubble on his face.

Zhang, Liu, and Sun: "..."

With a smile, Zhang Hong extended his hand: "Let's get acquainted. My name is Zhang Hong."

"Hello, hello. I've seen 'The Bloodstained Youth,' and you acted very well. I also really like 'The Fall of the Red Dust' and 'Mobile Suit Gundam.'"

After shaking hands, Lu Yibo stepped aside: "Come, come in and let's talk."

When everyone followed him into the living room, Zhang Hong looked around.

Although it's old, it looks quite clean.

After sitting down, Lu Yibo went to the refrigerator and got three bottles of purified water, saying with an embarrassed smile, "Sorry, I've been working out lately, so I'm really out of drinks."

After they sat down, Zhang Hong didn't exchange pleasantries but went straight to the point: "Actually, I didn't come here for anything big. I just wanted to ask you to come out of retirement. I have an important supporting role in my next drama, and I wonder if you'd be interested."

As he spoke, he pushed a rough outline of a script in front of Lu Yibo.

Lu Yibo didn't look at the script, but smiled and said, "Director Zhang, Director Liu, and Director Sun, thank you for coming to find me, but... I'm doing well with my live stream now, and I don't want to go back to filming and being so tired. If there's nothing else, I won't keep you for dinner. I can't leave my live stream; my fans will get impatient and start cursing."

Liu and Sun smiled but remained silent.

The three of them watched the entire live stream being shut down.

And if you really have no ideas, why bother changing into proper clothes, shaving, and getting your hair styled?

Zhang Hong smiled and stood up: "Then we won't disturb you any longer."

The three of them left.

Before leaving, Zhang Hong turned back and said, "We're filming a TV series. Although the investment isn't big, I think the role... is perfect for you."

"And... are you just going to accept your fate like this? Are you content with it?"

He pointed to the living room: "The script is over there. My contact information and address are written on it. Remember to contact me when you've thought it through."

Lu Yibo kept his head down and didn't say a word until they left.

I returned to the living room and sat down in a chair.

He stared blankly at the script.

After a long pause, he slowly stretched out his hand, stopped five centimeters from the script, and then withdrew it.

I lit a cigarette, and it burned quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, the sky gradually darkened.

By the light of the moon outside the window, it seemed as if a hand had once again paused on the script.

After a pause, that hand picked up the script.

............

On the plane back, Sun Zheng sighed, "This guy has completely lost his spirit, or maybe it's just his pride getting in the way. What do you guys think the outcome will be?"

"He's still not satisfied, he'll definitely contact us later." Liu Yishou wasn't too worried. He looked at Zhang Hong, "Xiao Hong, what are you going to do next?"

Zhang Hong removed his blindfold and laughed, "I'll go talk to Huaxia Heavy Industries about the venue. Uncle Liu, I'll leave the contact to you with Jixing Media. Props, costumes, extras, and all that stuff—I'll leave it to you to handle."

Liu Yishou wiped his face: "Tsk, I'm risking my old face for you, kid. Next time I need you for a movie, don't you dare not come!"

Zhang Hong nodded repeatedly: "Next time for sure, next time for sure."

PS: 1+ words update, all done!

(づ￣3￣)づ╭?～

I like it, I'm really good at it, I'm really good at it.