Chapter 10: A Farce Everywhere

"Where have you been taken advantage of, sir?" Hao Laiyun was still puzzled.

It is quite simple, three shots. The first, a line of people walking by, lasting eight seconds. The second, a hero flying down from the city wall. The third, as if chopping vegetables, he knocks down a squad of brave soldiers to the ground, lasting nineteen seconds. The assistant director mentioned that the key is the third shot; the deaths need to be a bit creative and innovative. Don't just have them spitting blood and collapsing; it should be so unrealistic that even the elderly would find it hard to believe. Now, let me assign how they should die.

Indeed, the meat dumpling was put down from the vehicle, bouncing along as it came up, and it happily tucked a cigarette behind its ear

"So we are not in a hurry, are we? The production team spends tens of thousands a day, and the investment is meticulously managed. Who will be responsible for the delay of one day?" The assistant director rolled up his sleeves, ready to take action, but not to fight. He pointed at Hao Laiyun's nose and said, "I give you thirty minutes to gather thirty extras of similar height; otherwise, our collaboration ends here. Don't expect me to bring anyone else in."

What do you want to do? As soon as Geng Baole realized that something was amiss, he grabbed hold of him

What a grand city it is

Ah? Upon seeing the several-meter-high city wall, Qiu Di was so frightened that he lost his tongue. Hao Laiyun, however, did not care about anything else and pulled Qiu Di along, shouting: "Guide us, guide us! This one has both an excellent image and temperament; we have put in a great deal of effort to cultivate him."

The two individuals found themselves at an impasse, unable to resolve the matter, and have temporarily set it aside

What do you mean? Geng Baolei is confused

Today ended early, and we had dinner quite early. Guan Qianjiao was busy organizing the photos collected by several people, while Qiu Di briefly mentioned the situation at the film base. Seeing Guan Qianjiao so occupied, Bao Xiaosan kept bothering her, so they simply brought everyone out.

Upon hearing this, Hao Laiyun explained with a smile, "It's really unfortunate; the Southern Film Studio is also here for location shooting. They are in a hurry and will leave in two days, so we have already given the people to them"

"Well performed, give me another one." Bao Xiaosan handed a cigarette to Rou Dun, who foolishly accepted it. Xiaosan's mischievous intentions surfaced as he seriously remarked: "But it's still not that good. Look at how beautiful this scene is... but no one is wearing clothes. If you want to perform well, you can't wear clothes..."

"I really didn't install it," Geng Baolei emphasized, warning that if one enters without permission, they will suffer the consequences

Geng Baolei smiled and corrected, "The vision is still insufficient; renting a venue and charging admission fees are the most basic business tactics"

They turned a corner and encountered each other, the distance too close. A crowd surged forward, cornering Qiu Di and Geng Baolei. Startled, Qiu Di and Geng Baolei raised their hands in surrender, explaining: "Uncle from Haolaiwu, we just came to have some fun, we haven't done anything at all"

The mistress, that wicked person, quickly dressed herself, picked up the clothes of the chubby one, and ran away. There were so many people eating on the street, and she was choked, staring wide-eyed, unable to utter that expletive. After a while, there was a burst of loud laughter, and someone took advantage of the chaos to shout: "Chubby, how many cigarettes are you planning to earn?"

This subtle gesture made Guan Qianjiao smile knowingly at him, a smile that was quite sweet and pure, leaving Qiu Di pondering for quite some time.

The mistress held a pack of cigarettes and incited: "You should take off your clothes and perform. If you do it well, I'll give you a pack of cigarettes directly... Hurry up, so many people are waiting to watch. In a while, everyone will give you cigarettes."

"The stunning girl... your brother is feeling frisky, running around the street bare-bottomed, hurry and take a look..."

Hmm? The plot design of this story is a bit unclear to me

The tone was too harsh, and it seemed there was a misunderstanding. Qiu Di said: "We really didn't pretend; we just came in through the back door to have some fun."

Indeed, understanding well, in the blink of an eye, the meatball was staring intently at the phone screen, with its mouth already glistening with drool.

The character shaped by books since childhood is likely to accompany one for a lifetime. Bao Xiaosan, who has been drifting with his parents since a young age, has become so accustomed to it that he rarely finds peace. Before he could finish discussing his grand plans, he discovered a new target: the Sichuan hot pot restaurant that had cost them several hundred yuan. Bao Xiaosan had already inquired about it; the owner is a tall, burly man named Hu Lei. As usual, he came to dispose of the ash and garbage.

"What is the problem? It's quite good." said Geng Baolei

"Sure, just like that. Ah oh ah oh..." The meatball made a hip-swaying move, instantly causing Qiu Di and Geng Baolei to burst into laughter.

It has only been a few days since the child from the Erguai family learned to let people go.

There are still people shouting: "Alright, first rise to prominence, then become famous, oh dear, this exposure | is complete, I must become a star"

In the evening, three individuals emerged from Yangweiba Alley.

Oh. I can do this too. The meatball is so dedicated, as soon as he took off his coat, he came out bare-chested. Just as Qiu Di was about to stop him, this guy loosened his belt, and his pants were already thrown away. Bao Xiaosan pointed at the street, and he really ran out into the street completely naked, making gestures of "ah oh ah oh"

"Pull the steel wire, and fall to death on the city wall." The deputy guide said

The person over there was taken away, and on this side, Geng Baolei also heard about his own demise; he was kicked and the flying knife was pinned to the wall.

More than twenty people arrived again, and after selecting thirty based on their height, two teams were formed. In the blink of an eye, Geng Baolei and Qiu Di changed into ancient military uniforms with insignias, brandishing prop swords that made a clattering sound. However, they were too light. The assistant director gathered everyone and announced that it was time to start the scene

What do you want to say? Geng Baolei is not foolish; he understands the doubts in Qiu Dixin's heart

The one who is cursing is Hao Laiyun, the short and stocky man with a mustache, who appears to be part of the management at the film studio. As soon as Qiu Di and Geng Baolei see him, they quickly slip into a narrow alley. Hao Laiyun seems to have noticed and chases after them, but they are too quick for him. He curses in frustration

Finally, there is a somewhat sophisticated ideal. Geng Baolei listened, feeling both amused and exasperated, and hurriedly left. Bao Xiaosan chased after him, eagerly discussing grand plans for wealth.

Bao Xiaosan, with his head lowered, walked away. He squatted by the roadside, fiddling with his phone, the one he used himself, which hadn't been turned on for a long time. At this moment, it powered on, and he waved his hand, calling out: "Rou Dun, come on, let's watch a good movie. If you perform well, I'll send you some cigarettes"

No, I just can't stand their family, they have taken advantage of us for several hundred... We must get back at them, otherwise I will feel frustrated just looking at them. Let me tell you... Bao Xiaosan is a bit mischievous, but not foolish; sometimes, a little cleverness is even smarter than great wisdom. Just like that, when the crooked path was mentioned, Qiu Di and Geng Baolei stared at each other in disbelief.

When Qiu Di stood up, he was able to intimidate Bao Xiaosan. Bao Xiaosan scratched his head, and after a while, he finally understood. He looked at Geng Baolei, who was staring at him, and suddenly had an epiphany, saying thoughtfully: "Qiu Di makes a valid point; I should do something significant"

Therefore, theory and practice are two different matters. Large companies, especially private ones, may not necessarily adapt well to local conditions in smaller places. This is no joke; if you bring Disney to China, it won't be dismantled by the urban management, but sooner or later, it will be overwhelmed by the taxation and regulatory pressures from the local government. Qiu Di said seriously, having worked in both large and small companies for more than a day, he has gained some insights on this matter

"Can you play dead?" Hao Laiyun asked

"Anyone can talk about strategy on paper, but what you mentioned is something we won't even touch in our next life." Qiu Di shook his head, while Geng Baolei smiled without offering an explanation. However, Qiu Di soon raised another question, whispering, "Have you noticed that there seems to be a problem with the management here?"

The dishes in the boxed meals, along with the quality, variety, price, and quantity, provide a direct reflection of the number of crew members in the film studio base on that day, as well as the business details such as the operators' income and expenses.

"You walk with a horse stance; at first glance, it's obvious you are someone who drives a cart, so of course, it won't do." said a fellow extra.

How about starting a scrap processing factory?" Bao Xiaosan exclaimed excitedly, while Geng Baolei's face turned sour. He explained, "We won't just collect scraps; we will gather waste from several provinces for deep processing. It will definitely be profitable.

Hao Laiyun's nickname "Hao Laiwu" is certainly not without reason; at the very least, he is the leader among the extras. This production team is quite influential, pulling someone from the crowd, and in a hurry, even dragging the security personnel responsible for maintaining order. Before long, a group of people was gathered, hastily making their way to the filming location. Along the way, he spotted those two sneaky individuals wandering around the film city and shouted, "Stop... catch them."

"That’s not right. The film and television base is developed by Huaxin International Travel, and it is managed by the Northwest Film and Entertainment Co., Ltd., which is their subsidiary. However, the surrounding area has nothing to do with them. Just look at the town; there are no vehicles with this company’s logo, only two shabby inns that clearly look like they were built by local peasants. There’s no grandeur, no proper conditions. And the most critical aspect is dining; aside from small private shops, it’s just boxed meals. With such a large industry, how can there be so many mouths to feed, yet they let such a big business go to waste?" said Qiu Di.

Indeed, this varies by situation. For second- and third-tier small companies and actors, coming here to shoot outdoor scenes, they certainly do not fear being filmed; in fact, they would welcome some gossip. However, they are not qualified enough... The true first-tier stars, their outings are comparable to those of foreign dignitaries, and their private lives are kept strictly confidential. Even if the films they take on are subpar, they still achieve great box office success. Before anything is released, the confidentiality measures are undoubtedly stringent. Let alone us second-rate individuals, even professional paparazzi might struggle to uncover any information. "Geng Baolei said, having received some artistic training, he is slightly better than Qiu Di.

"By the way, just don't misunderstand him." Geng Baolei said earnestly

Stop! The director has called out, and everyone is excited. This is great; just as Qiu Di has gotten up, the director shouts again: "The action of falling against the city wall was good, do it again."

At this moment, Qiu Di was chasing after Bao Xiaosan, occasionally slapping him from behind. This was too damaging, to the point that he felt guilty. Meanwhile, Bao Xiaosan was running desperately, making a wide turn and throwing the meat dumpling over the wall of the Sichuan hotpot restaurant. By this time, the chaos inside the restaurant was already audible, with laughter, shouting, and calls echoing continuously. Many rough men were shouting at the top of their lungs:

This is reassuring; it's just a performance for the dead, nothing could be simpler than this

Then you say, could it be that we received news in advance that a certain big brand or a major production is coming here to shoot, prompting us to set up an ambush here to dig for some insider information? I have heard that about half of the business companies have similar operations. Qiu Di said, if this is the reason, then he can understand it easily

Hao Laiyun's cola is tilted, and he is chatting directly with that deputy director. Look, I didn't deceive you, our people here may not be highly educated, but their quality is quite good. Just look at this expression, the professional level is not that impressive either

As soon as the play began, after several attempts, Hao Laiyun was worried about making another mistake. The martial arts director praised Qiu Di's skills, saying he handled the knife quite well, and Geng Baolei stood out with his unique technique, demonstrating how to stab with a chilling precision. The knife shot out... Immediately cutting to the next scene, the character was shown with the knife stuck to his clothing, as if it were embedded in his chest. Geng Baolei, wearing the knife outfit, pressed himself against the wall, his eyes wide open, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, a perfect portrayal of someone who could not close their eyes in death. The next scene cut immediately, showing the knife again stuck to his clothing, as if it were embedded in his chest. Geng Baolei, wearing the knife outfit, pressed himself against the wall, his eyes wide open, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, a perfect portrayal of someone who could not close their eyes in death

"Film and television production bases seem to be quite profitable, right? Just renting out the venues and the library should suffice," Qiu Di inquired.

Indeed, there is no need to be this tense, right? The room and dining arrangements are both tense. Geng Baolei also realized that none of the supporting facilities are up to par.

Do not worry... Please wait, I will find it for you right away. Half the town is here... Just wait a moment... I will be there shortly, it won't take more than thirty minutes

Ah... Geng Baolei feigned a look of terror, pressing against the wall, wide-eyed, and refusing to close his eyes.

Every time visitors gaze upon it, they are filled with admiration. The Wengcheng itself is a historical site with a history of several hundred years. It is said that it was initially developed as a tourist attraction, but due to its desolation and the significant investment required, coupled with the local government's financial constraints, it was ultimately developed through investment attraction by Huaxin International Travel. After several years of effort, the current Northwest Film City was established on the site of the ancient fortress, which had been eroded by wind and sand.

Qiu Di returned with a bottle of wine he had just purchased. Seeing the eager look on Bao Xiaosan's face, he smiled and said, "Don't be ridiculous; with your physique, you can't possibly take on that fool."

Ah? The moment Qiu Di, who had just stood up while covering his backside, heard this, his face instantly turned sour

I mean, in such a desolate place where not even a bird would defecate, there are no secrets. For instance, this film studio can be set up for just a few dozen yuan

As filming commenced, a squad of patrolling soldiers passed beneath the city wall, and a clamor arose as someone attempted to breach the defenses. Suddenly, a robust swordsman in a fitted outfit descended from the wall, and the group surged forward to attack. With a swift slash to the left, he killed one, and with a thrust to the right, he dispatched another. A flying kick sent another adversary sprawling. He fought his way directly to Qiu Di, where the clash of blades echoed in slow motion. Accompanied by the wire, Qiu Di was lifted into the air, while the protagonist performed a one-handed lift. With a flick of the wire, he sent Qiu Di soaring towards the city wall, making it appear as though the protagonist had thrown the officer out. The clash of blades continued in slow motion, and with the wire, Qiu Di was suspended, while the protagonist maintained his one-handed grip, sending him flying towards the wall, creating the illusion that the protagonist had hurled the officer away.

"Why are you so foolish? What I mean is, we can actually do this business," said Bao Xiaosan.

Never expected the difficulty to be so great, with some dying from a single stab, others from a slash to the neck with blood splattering, some kicked to death several meters away, and others bleeding to death from a stab that punctured all seven orifices... When it was Qiu Di's turn, the assistant director took a glance and raised a hand to call out to the action designer: "This character looks good, let him exchange a few moves with the protagonist"

"Go eat shit, do you think I am praising you? There are so many things you cannot do, you are only fit to scavenge and beg... Don't mistake shamelessness for integrity, that is not honorable." Qiu Di seemed a bit angry, scolding Bao Xiaosan harshly for a few moments before walking away.

"Not installed," said Qiu Di.

Laughter echoed from the streets to the alleys, with the performers drinking and the crowd dining, along with the women of the town. Everywhere—on the streets, at the alley entrances, and by the windows—heads were visible, all amused by the excited hip movements of the meatball, laughing so hard they nearly fell over. Occasionally, someone would throw him cigarettes, and the more they threw, the more excited the meatball became, as if he were a star walking the red carpet, fully exposed to the gaze of the multitude.

Pointing to someone who is too young: "So, have you reached adulthood? Do you think we can form a team? I still need to order uniforms for them"

While speaking, Bao Xiaosan wrapped his arms around his coat, exposing his bare back, and pretended to loosen his belt, demonstrating for Rou Dun to learn.

This ideal, which can directly knock people down in the alley, left Geng Baolei speechless. Qiu Di smiled and said: "Understand this, Baolei, everyone has their own lofty ideals. Like a shepherd who says, 'Once I get rich, I won't let my son herd sheep anymore; I'll hire someone to do it.' Or like a scrap collector who says, 'When I have money, I'll contract this whole area, and all the scrap will belong to me; I won't let anyone else pick it up.' ... And then there's the dung beetle who says, 'When I have money, I'll take over all the nearby toilets; I can eat however I want.'"

The three of them huddled together by the wall, and no one expected it to cause such a huge uproar. Angered, Qiu Di and Geng Baolei kept hitting Bao Xiaosan, who was grinning mischievously. As the restaurant became lively again, the three dared not linger. Taking advantage of the nightfall, they sneaked back to their lodging, tightly barricaded the door, packed their belongings, took turns sleeping while keeping watch, and remained ready to leave at any moment

This child is truly foolish, completely unable to remember people, only recognizing cigarettes; those who give cigarettes are all good people

Geng Baolei was smiling, and Bao Xiaosan vaguely understood. He asked unhappily, "Are you cursing me?"

... ...

"Pretend to be dead," Hao Laiyun emphasized

Is it feasible? Can he understand that matter? Geng Baolei began to doubt its feasibility

This piece of intelligence easily infiltrated the mobile phones of Qiu Di and Geng Baolei

When not making money, you lazy man, aren't you just basking in the sun by the south wall every day

Moreover, do not be deceived by the glamour of the performance; the reality on set can differ greatly from one's imagination, especially for those extra performers who earn a little money through short-term work. Just the other day, an extra by the wall, rubbing his feet, remarked: "Damn it, one shot, and we've walked back and forth fifteen times in one morning, and the director still says it's not good enough"

Talking to you uncultured people is just exhausting, making you act for a while, pretending to be dead... it could really wear you out, but I guess it's a bargain for you. If you're from out of town, don't even think about showing your face without paying. Hurry up. Hao Laiyun scolded and instructed as a group of people hurried to the scene

"What business?" Geng Baolei did not understand

Another beggar complained during a break in filming: "I'm dying of thirst, I've been in the sun all morning"

"Alright, just die with your eyes wide open, so stylish." The director shouted from behind the camera.

It is perhaps not surprising that private payments for releasing individuals occur here. Hao Laiyun is not concerned; with such a large operation, each production team requires crowd actors for their scenes. Here, one moment they are changing out of civilian clothes, and the next they need to switch to military uniforms. After the military uniforms, they might even need to don Mongolian attire. He is already too busy with his official duties.

Two people were filming as they walked, both holding their phones up. As they continued, they realized that this place was very open. Filming a television show and watching one are two different concepts. At the very least, when filming, there is no sound recorded, only physical actions, much like watching a foreign film without subtitles, which is completely incomprehensible. Moreover, since it is shot in separate scenes and not edited together, you probably wouldn't even grasp the meaning.

Not only do I not understand those who take stories, but I also do not comprehend the deeper meaning behind Harman's actions with a few individuals on this journey. Qiu Di, recalling this matter, asked Geng Baolei: "Baolei, there is really no secret in this; it can almost be filmed casually."

"Why not give it a try and see?" said Bao Xiaosan with a sly grin, tilting his head and adding, "Don't get into a fight with anyone. We are unfamiliar with this place, and if a fight breaks out, we will definitely be at a disadvantage."

On the bustling street, a dazzling silver gun caught the eye, while the beggar's expression was vividly lifelike, his entire body in tatters. The shoppers were dressed in tight-fitting outfits, showcasing standard Western attire, while the patrolling officers were clad in dark uniforms. The area was filled with an array of firearms, and several scenes from historical dramas were being filmed, leaving Qiu Di and Geng Baolei in awe.

This stage was finally passed amidst Qiu Di's limping and Geng Baolei's smug expression. The extras hold little status; after handing in their costumes, they were simply given their payment and meal tickets on site. The two felt honored to earn their first sum of money here, totaling two hundred and twenty yuan. Originally a round figure, it was reduced by eighty yuan as a commission fee deducted by the payer, Hao Laiyun

Rest assured, our intelligence may not be high, but his is even lower

The deputy director pointed to the group of extras, half of whom were older, and indignantly exclaimed: "I want thirty young and strong soldiers, and you give me thirty old, weak, sick, and disabled ones"

"Enough of the nonsense, let's go and find you something to do." Hao Laiyun waved his hand, leading the group. Seeing everyone with tense expressions, Geng Baolei nervously said, "What is it? We can't do anything at all."

The surrounding effects, who doesn't know about them? The restaurant and tourism sectors are significant sources of income, " said Qiu Di.

"Bottles can be found throughout the four seasons," Qiu Di said with a smile

The mistress was taken out under the pretext of drinking. Upon hearing that the two of them actually appeared on camera and earned over two hundred, his mind began to race. He pulled on Geng Baolei and said, "I say, today I also discovered a great opportunity. That unfinished building, a family collecting scrap, the sorting of it, just the plastic bottles alone should be worth around ten to twenty thousand."

Another pointed at a man with a beard: "Look at him, he refuses to shave his beard, dressed in a soldier's uniform, yet still has the demeanor of a ragpicker"

It is possible that even a single valuable piece of insider information could create a sensational effect. However, it seems unlikely. The act of secretly filming appears quite professional, and our equipment is not up to par. We certainly cannot resort to face-to-face tactics like Bao Xiaosan to shoot under someone's skirt, can we?

Bao Xiaosan held a phone, playing a video, and handed it to Rou Dun. "Yeah, ah oh ah oh," the sound of Yami Die echoed. Qiu Di and Geng Baolei exchanged glances, barely able to contain their laughter, letting the foolish one watch the performance, not knowing what the outcome would be

What intrigued the two individuals even more was the dining scene. Three large trucks were parked by the city wall, and the entire cargo area was filled with foam boxes containing boxed meals, ready to eat on the spot and leave immediately after. The two wandered around as extras for quite a while, beginning to understand why Guan Qianjiao insisted on having them come to see it in person, even specifically mentioning the dining arrangements.

"Then how will I die?" Qiu Di asked excitedly, with curiosity.

Walking slowly through the brick archways, the earthen walls, the wooden taverns, and the traditional signboards, the ancient style makes visitors feel as if they have traversed a gateway through time. It is not only the scenery; the filming of films and television dramas has infused this place with vitality

"It is possible, but he doesn't seem foolish to that extent," Qiu Di said

Upon hearing this, it was clear that there had been a sudden change in the production team. Hao Laiyun hurriedly ran towards the city wall, where a long-haired assistant director wearing sunglasses approached him in a fit of anger, reprimanding Hao Laiyun without hesitation.

Indeed, Brother Qiu is clever. Without this business, can you manage? I might find someone. At most, we can bribe those in charge of the film studio, and then this rundown place will belong to us.

Not only that, if it is developed into a brand, for instance, forming a cultural industry, establishing training bases here, developing tourism products, or even investing in film and television productions through venues, costumes, and architecture, and even going public, then the sources of revenue will be even broader. Do you know Disney? A cartoon of Mickey Mouse has conquered the entire world

I said it's good to come here, are you trying to deceive us? If you want us to leave, just say so clearly. If you don't want us to come back, say it plainly as well. Is there really such a way to deceive people?

Here it comes again, causing trouble, the phone is ringing, and someone is shouting directly:

Calling Hollywood ... ... Calling Hollywood ... ...

Upon seeing the deputy director's outburst, Hao Laiyun noticed that the entire crew was looking at him unfavorably. He hurriedly went to find someone, as these crew members were the fortune bringers of the entire town. It was best not to provoke them; one should avoid causing trouble whenever possible. In a circle where reputation is passed along, damaging one's credibility could make business quite difficult.

Shout louder, call for the bed. Again, someone is shouting encouragement

It is estimated that this is the inventory for Bao Xiaosan's consolation, which was finished in a few minutes. Bao Xiaosan asked the dazed Rou Dun: "Can you perform?"

... ...

Geng Baolei chuckled, unable to refute it; this is the national condition, absolutely genuine.

Thud... He crashed into the city wall, and Qiu Di let out a yelp, his backside stinging from the impact, grimacing as he was set down.