Huayu: Starting with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

The man with the buzz cut looked to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He wasn't very tall, just over 1.7 meters. He was dark-skinned and muscular, with a square face and small but bright eyes.

He was wearing a faded old T-shirt, his pants had a patch on the knee, and he wore a pair of army green rubber-soled shoes with mud spots on them.

Chen Mo noticed him because of his walking posture.

His steps were very steady.

The way he walks makes it seem like he's constantly trying to find his balance.

Only those who have practiced martial arts have this kind of gait.

It doesn't look like just a fancy move; it's the kind of skill that comes from real practice, like practicing stances and kicking.

Chen Mo glanced at it a couple more times.

The man with the buzz cut was going from shop to shop on the street, striking up conversations with each one.

He walked up to the door of a talent agency, peeked out and asked something. The person inside waved him away, and he walked on to the next agency.

He wasn't annoyed by the rejection; he even had a smile on his face.

Then he walked to the entrance of the film and television company that the police had just investigated.

There was one employee left standing at the door, a man in his thirties, squatting on the steps smoking, looking worried, probably concerned about whether he would still get his salary after the boss and manager were taken away.

The man with the buzz cut walked up and asked a question very seriously.

"Brother, do you guys hire actors for this project?"

The employee was already annoyed. Hearing this, he looked up at him and saw his attire and dark face. He didn't even bother to say anything more and just waved his hand away like he was shooing away a fly.

"No hire, go away."

The man with the buzz cut wasn't annoyed. He nodded, turned around, and left.

After taking two steps, he turned back and asked another question.

"Then do you know which move?"

The employee ignored him, squatted on the steps, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and could only think about his meager salary.

The man with the buzz cut put his hands in his pockets and continued walking.

Chen Mo stared at his back for a few seconds.

Then he started walking and chased after him.

"Hey, bro."

The man with the buzz cut turned around.

Let's see the wealth of people one by one.

The man with the buzz cut did have bright eyes, a clear, clean kind of brightness, like water just drawn from a well, so clear you could see right to the bottom.

"What's your name?" Chen Mo asked.

"Wang Bao".

His voice had a heavy Hebei accent; it wasn't loud, but he enunciated each word clearly.

"Have you practiced martial arts?"

Wang Bao was taken aback, probably not expecting the other party to ask this question right away.

"I've trained. I entered the Shaolin Temple when I was eight years old, studied there for six years, and then came out."

"Shaolin Temple?"

"The authentic Shaolin Temple on Mount Song."

Wang Bao puffed out his chest as he spoke.

"It's not the kind of thing where they teach tourists to do horse stance for photos at tourist attractions. They actually live in the temple and practice there. They practice in the summer and the winter, all year round without interruption."

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat.

Six years at Shaolin Temple, that's no joke.

The training of Shaolin monks at Songshan Mountain involves everything from basic skills to routines to actual combat, day after day, year after year. Those who can endure six years without running away have that tenacity ingrained in their bones.

"How long have you been in Hengdian?" Chen Mo asked again.

"It's been almost two years."

"Always playing minor roles?"

Wang Bao showed no embarrassment; he nodded and smiled.

That smile was genuine, without a trace of bitterness.

"I'm fine with being an extra, as long as I can act, I'm not picky."

"How much money did you make?"

"Not much. If I run a full month, I can earn two or three thousand. I send half of it home because my mom isn't in good health."

Chen Mo remained silent for a second.

What do you want to do in the future?

"To be an actor."

Wang Bao's eyes lit up even more when he said those three words.

"I want to earn money to build a house back home so my mom can live in an apartment building and won't have to use a heated kang anymore."

Chen Mo looked at him without saying a word for a long time.

During his conversation with Wang Bao, he could sense the other man's superficial simplicity and honesty.

"Come with me, let's go to a more spacious place over there."

Wang Bao didn't ask why, and followed him to an open space nearby.

This open space is a small square at the entrance of the Ming and Qing Palace Scenic Area. It is surrounded by extras in theatrical costumes and tourists, and there are quite a few people around.

"Let me see you throw a couple of punches," Chen Mo said.

Wang Bao looked around.

There were quite a few people, and several extras passing by were already watching them.

But Wang Bao did not hesitate at all.

He took two steps back, stood still, with his feet shoulder-width apart and his hands clenched into fists at his waist.

Then he moved.

A set of Shaolin Long Fist was executed with great force and power.

When you throw a punch, the power of your body comes from your feet to your waist to your shoulders to your fist, one link after another, and each punch carries a clear force and direction.

When finishing the stance, it was steady and firm, with the feet remaining completely still.

Several passersby stopped to take a look, and one of the extras dressed as a eunuch even clapped twice.

Wang Bao withdrew his fist, turned to look at Chen Mo, his face not flushed at all, and his breathing was very even.

Chen Mo noticed an even more important detail.

Wang Bao didn't look left or right once from beginning to end.

With so many people watching him, some clapping and some whispering, he didn't glance at them once; his attention remained focused on his fists the entire time.

This detail was more important to Chen Mo than the punch itself.

He studied at the Central Academy of Drama for four years. There was a course called "Liberating One's Nature," which was a foundational course for the entire acting department. The core of the course was one word: daring.

Daring to do anything in front of everyone, without stage fright, shyness, or caring about other people's opinions.

Many students with formal training fail to pass this hurdle even after four years of study.

Wang Bao, a rural boy who had never taken an acting class, stood in front of a group of strangers and performed a set of boxing moves. His eyes were only on his fists, and the world around him had nothing to do with him.

This kind of thing can't be taught; it's innate.

Chen Mo quickly went through the basic requirements for the character Feng Yuxiu in his mind.

You need to have a real foundation in martial arts, and you must be proficient in all kinds of techniques, including Southern and Northern styles of kung fu, as well as staff fighting and grappling.

Wang Bao, having spent six years at Shaolin Temple, possesses solid fundamental skills, so he passes this test.

She's not stage-frightened and can relax in front of the camera.

The set of punches just now is the best proof, and this point has been passed.

Age: 24 or 25 years old. Feng Yuxiu is set as a young martial arts fanatic in his early twenties, which matches the character's description.

His physique is dark, strong, and muscular, a result of his martial arts background, giving him an imposing presence.

And most importantly, the eyes.

Feng Yuxiu is a martial arts fanatic, someone who can go mad for martial arts. This kind of role requires the actor to have a stubborn look in their eyes.

Wang Bao's eyes have that kind of spirit.

He was rejected and chased away like flies all the way, but his eyes always shone brightly, so brightly that it made people's hearts ache.

That kind of brightness comes from a stubbornness that leads one to pursue a path to the bitter end.

Such people are a minority and anomalies in today's society.

But it is precisely these "outliers" who are often more able to persevere and stay true to their original aspirations.

Chen Mo was already about 70-80% confident.

The remaining two or three points will be decided by Xu Zhinian and the director.

But he can take this person there first.

"Wang Bao," Chen Mo called to him.

"Why."

"You want to act, right?"

"I want to! I dream about it! I want to make a lot of money and build a big house!"

"Okay, I have a role I'm looking for. Your qualifications are a good fit for the role. I can't guarantee you'll get the part, but I can help you get an audition."

Wang Bao was stunned.

He stood there, his hands hanging at his sides, his dark face filled with disbelief.

"real?"

"real."

"Who...who are you?"

Chen Mo smiled.

"My name is Chen Mo."

Wang Bao's eyes widened in surprise.

"Chen...Chen Mo? I don't know you, why are you being so nice to me?"

"It's fine if you don't know me. I'm more afraid you'll know me."

Chen Mo smiled, not annoyed at all.

"I work on a film crew. We've been on hiatus for a while because we can't find any actors. It's almost Chinese New Year, and we're worried about getting back to work for a few more days to get paid. That's when I saw that you seem to fit the bill for our film crew, so I thought I'd recommend you."

"If you're lucky enough to be selected, we can start work sooner and earn more money!"

Chen Mo made up a plausible excuse to get away with it.

He did not want other factors to affect Wang Bao.

Wang Bao didn't think much of it when he heard it.

Following behind Chen Mo, they went to the film set.