Chapter 09 is not intentional

Bao Xiaosan squinted as he peered through a thumb-sized telescope

This scene was a complete mess, right in broad daylight and in front of so many people, with blood flying everywhere, yet there was not a single onlooker. Qiu Di noticed the leading man, who was still wearing a uniform similar to that of a security guard. He whispered, "Look, what kind of play is this?"

Guan Qianjiao casually replied, "What do you think?"

Indeed, when fellow villagers meet, there is no anxiety in idle chatter. It turned out that Bao Xiaosan got involved with a couple, both speaking with the Henan dialect, which felt particularly familiar. They discussed how much stock the family had, what the prices were, and when they could make a delivery. As the conversation progressed, Bao Xiaosan expressed a desire to take a look, and the couple had no doubts at all. They said, look, this is the price, mainly for plastic, with the intact packaging being damaged by wood. It costs 0.23 yuan each, while the others are sold by the ton.

"Why are you being so fierce?" Geng Baolei asked sternly

The security guard was taken aback, probably not expecting such a direct approach. Just when Geng Baolei thought things were going to fall through, the money was snatched away by the security guard, who sternly told him: "Just say it's the crew moving things."

Guan Qianjiao ignored him, but Bao Xiaosan would not let this opportunity to be alone and close the distance slip by. He racked his brains and continued to strike up a conversation: "The flavor of the lamb offal this morning was quite good."

The vendor selling sheep offal spoke slowly while ladling soup, not even lifting his eyes. This scene startled Qiu Di and the others, and Qiu Di pointed at the camera hanging from Guan Qianjiao's chest, causing Guan Qianjiao to awkwardly stuff it into her bag

A large earthen enclosure, which should have been the place where livestock were kept in this town years ago, still has several remnants of fences. However, it has now completely turned into a garbage dump, almost entirely filled with takeout boxes and chopsticks, a scene of white mixed with filth, interspersed with colorful packaging from various snacks.

It is quite chaotic; the streets are ready for work, with some people having breakfast at the stalls, yet no one is joining in the commotion. There are even some who calmly continue eating, not lifting their eyelids at all.

Those who are pitiable must have their faults; regardless of how charming she may be, it is likely that Bao Xiaosan has engaged in such behavior frequently

The couple pointed to a few places, probably busy making breakfast and unable to entertain. They let them look around freely, not worried about theft. The two turned their backs, went around a pile of junk, and Bao Xiaosan held her phone, pressing the shutter continuously. With a flick of her hand, she pulled it back, and the display already showed a dozen photos taken. Guan Qianjiao was taking pictures but curiously asked: "What are these well-preserved plastic bottles for?"

Feeling quite gloomy, Bao Xiaosan was undoubtedly more distressed than Guan Qianjiao, who seemed to be in high spirits as if she had done something commendable. A few steps away, Bao Xiaosan suddenly stopped without warning and quietly pointed behind her. When Guan Qianjiao turned around, that ragged woman had already rudely grabbed the girl, snatched away the money, and without hesitation, slapped her, saying: "What a little girl, wearing new clothes."

What the hell, is this a place you can come to? And you even dare to steal and take pictures. Someone stomped on the fat one.

"If you can't fly in, just sneak in. I refuse to believe that in such a vast place, there isn't a backdoor to escape. Even the great Microsoft has left so many backdoors," Qiu Di said with a smile.

Oh..." Bao Xiaosan looked around and shook his head: "It's spacious here, not really smelly, far from the basement we lived in. That place had all sorts of smells, you couldn't tell the difference between spring, summer, autumn, and winter; it smelled the same all year round.

San Er was delighted and followed along eagerly, wanting to find a topic to discuss, yet lacking experience in doing so. However, he could not hold back his tongue and after a long pause finally said: "The weather is nice today"

The two hurried along the city wall, and Geng Baolei pressed on, saying: "It's not open hours; we can't get in."

So you should be careful. Guan Qianjiao said, among them, Geng Baolei is the most timid. She looked at Qiu Di and asked, "Are you afraid too?"

It's nothing, next time I'll take you to... your family.

"Just collecting scrap, in such a big town, how could there not be a place like this?" Bao Xiaosan said nonchalantly, noticing that Guan Qianjiao was in a daze. He explained, "My parents are scrap collectors, and I grew up in this environment; I am very familiar with it."

How do you know?" Guan Qianjiao was taken aback for a moment

Several harsh voices with a frontier accent shouted from behind the garrison hotel building, as if something had happened

Run... run..." Moreover, some people were kicking the two who had been beaten badly.

Guan Qianjiao pointed at him, pursing her lips with a warning expression. San'er instantly turned cheerful, saying: "Jiao, your delicate fingers are truly beautiful."

She was puzzled; yes, it was strange. A child suddenly ran out from behind the building, bouncing and playing with a stick, and right after that, another one appeared.

The curtain on the prologue has fallen, and the official performance has begun. There are several production teams, with large buses, medium-sized buses, and small vans continuously filling with people. Of course, this is the treatment for extras and supporting roles, while the main actors and crew are transported in dedicated vehicles. Starting from 7:00, various vehicles set off in grand procession towards the film and television base, raising a cloud of yellow dust on the dry road, creating a truly spectacular scene

"San Er, if you continue like this, you might end up finishing your internship without being hired by Haman Company. Didn't Boss Xie Jifeng say it? Trust money, not contracts." Guan Qianjiao continued walking, inevitably worrying about Bao Xiaosan's future. With his current situation, it is likely that no reputable company would have the courage to accept him

Guan Qianjiao stared at Bao Xiaosan in admiration, feeling astonished; it seemed that he had anticipated the unimaginable.

Qiu Di felt a faint sense of foreboding; in impoverished mountains and treacherous waters, one encounters unscrupulous people. If the unscrupulous are not frightening enough, then the wealthy unscrupulous are certainly enough to instill fear. Just now, after brutally beating a group of paparazzi, there were bloodstains and shoes scattered everywhere. Without even a glance, Qi Lianbao got into the car and drove away. At that moment, a dog from an unknown household began to chase after the bloodstains to lick them.

"I am not someone you should worry about, but I must admit I am a bit concerned about you," said Qiu Di, his eyes deep and intense, with starry pupils and sharp brows, causing Guan Qianjiao to feel as if she had been scorched, prompting her to quickly avert her gaze. Only the oblivious Bao Xiaosan interjected, leaning closer to Guan Qianjiao and saying, "It's fine, Jiao. When it comes to fighting, we are amateurs in espionage, but we are professionals in combat. Our hometown is near the Shaolin Temple."

What are you going to do? asked Bao Xiaosan

This place is truly democratic, there are actually no police here, Bao Xiaosan exclaimed excitedly, while Guan Qianjiao ignored her, knowing that this person's worldview had long been destroyed and his perspective was different from others

Oh, that's good. Tomorrow, I will be in a group with Xiao San." Geng Baolei said

Located in Zhumadian

Yes, Xinyang is not far from your hometown

Xiao San shrugged, while Qian Jiao wore a distressed expression. In her anger, she exclaimed: "What the hell, how can this be?"

Returning from the street, standing on the second floor of a small residential building, it seems that the shadows in his heart have not yet dissipated. Qiu Di is gathering his equipment: a rugged smartphone with an embedded high-definition camera that can take photos at any time, reportedly capable of exposing up to forty times per second, making it an absolute tool for covert photography. Geng Baole is fiddling with his watch, which is also a device for covert photography and recording; just pressing a button makes it operational. There are also devices resembling lighters and buttons, and upon receiving them, Qiu Di begins to suspect whether Harman is perhaps rooted in the entertainment industry, given the abundance of covert photography tools.

Wow, this place is fierce. Geng Baolei exclaimed, those bowl-sized fists and palm-sized hands strike with force, each blow landing with a resounding impact

This task cannot be accomplished by one person; it is best suited for a couple, with one handling internal matters and the other managing external affairs, which makes it more convenient. Involving two or three generations is even better, with roles for sorting, distributing, and selling. Oh my, what a complete industrial chain that is.

Two twenty-yuan banknotes, he said: "I will go in and take a look, without saying anything. If someone rushes me, I will just leave"

"It's boring, let's go into the city and take a look," said Qiu Di

"Oh, you seem to understand a bit? By the way, do you study art?" Qiu Di asked

Qiu Di and Geng Baolei then went downstairs, but the two had already exited the alley. Geng Baolei occasionally glanced sideways at Qiu Di, likely still haunted by the previous incident. Suddenly, Qiu Di slapped him on the shoulder, startling him. Turning his head, Qiu Di smiled and asked, "Don't be afraid, we are not here to invade a celebrity's privacy, we definitely won't get beaten up."

With a chuckle, Geng Baolei and Qiu Di were amused to the point of laughter by the shameless antics of Bao Xiaosan. Guan Qianjiao felt a bit flushed and shot him a sharp glance, warning, "Don't go joining the fun"

After taking a round, it did not take long. When the two bid farewell, the scene changed again. The man was busy cooking, while the woman held one child in her arms and had two more at her feet. It seemed that she was also pregnant. As they walked a few steps, a slightly older little girl, biting her finger, gazed dreamily at Guan Qianjiao. Oh, Guan Qianjiao understood that her red outfit and sneakers must have made the beauty-loving little girl envious. However, this envy brought her more embarrassment and pity. She waved her hand, "Little sister, come here!"

In response to this, Qiu Di could only respond with a chuckle.

Our nature is quite similar as well said Geng Baolei

The journey was indeed not easy; the four city gates were two kilometers apart. Upon reaching a shaded entrance, there was a place for props and extras to come and go. Qiu Di pulled Geng Baolei, preparing to blend in there, but they were clearly unfamiliar faces and were stopped by two security guards at the gate. Before the guards could speak, they immediately fell silent, as Qiu Di was holding a pass.

The two individuals walked several laps in this twelve-story building, which is over fifty meters long. It is truly a pity that only the final decoration and lighting projects remain. It is unclear why this building has been abandoned; it has now become a refuge for a scrap collection business. The rooms on the first and second floors are almost filled with various types of sorted waste.

Stop ... ... Stop ... ...

... ...

During breakfast time, a commotion erupted in the street as several northern men wielding rubber sticks, clearly local roughnecks with unkempt hair, chased after two individuals who were desperately running away. One was thin and the other was plump, both clearly lacking in stamina, and it was evident that they were about to face dire consequences.

However, there is also something to see outside. A film crew is shooting not far from the city gate, making a martial arts film featuring aerial duels. However, the filming site is far less interesting than watching the movie. Two small cranes are hoisting two 'masters' who are engaging in combat in the air with extremely slow movements, dragging on like an old lady wrapping her feet, making onlookers wish to throw a stone to bring them down.

The question was directed at a small businessman selling miscellaneous items, who pointed towards the cinema and said, "That is where the acting takes place"

This is the backstage, all of it is real

The character of San Er is not particularly good, but he has no problem with fighting; I have seen it. He is quite formidable, having taken down a police officer with just a few punches and kicks. Geng Baolei said enviously, feeling deeply in this place that every talent must have its use.

paparazzi

Are you new here? You don't even know him... Qilianbao, the hotels, restaurants, and the vehicles over there are all managed by him. The owner of the lamb offal casually pointed, and it was precisely the row of delivery trucks at the edge of the town, each costing around 300,000.

"Then why don't you go pick up scraps?" Guan Qianjiao said irritably

"Whatever you arrange, I will do it." The mistress followed Guan Qianjiao eagerly, while Guan Qianjiao reminded the two of them to lock the door properly before taking the mistress away with her bag

As they spoke, the two who were beaten were left lying on the ground, wailing. The assailants searched back and forth, looking for phones, watches, and so on. The key item was the cameras, and there were not just one or two; in addition to the small ones on their bodies, two more individuals were brought in, and surprisingly, there were seven or eight cameras of various sizes.

As they exited the alley, the lively atmosphere had not yet faded when another minibus arrived. Nicknamed "Hollywood's Goods," the driver was shouting for the extras to get on board. Those boarding were pushing and shoving like sheep trying to break free from the herd. For those unable to get on, they simply climbed onto the roof of the vehicle. The few donkey carts heading to the film studio were also overcrowded, with the donkeys braying loudly in exhaustion. The donkey driver was shouting at the top of his lungs: "Pay up first, ten yuan per person! Hey, stop pushing! What if the donkey gets tired? We still have to shoot the film!" How strange it was, yet there was a hint of humor in it.

In sight, it appears close, but in reality, it is far away. After walking for more than twenty minutes, the dust in this arid land is frighteningly thick. The two of them got out of the car, almost as if they had rolled on the ground, their clothes changed color. The legendary Northwest is not as impressive as imagined; the city wall is a shade of dog urine yellow, and the iron gate is a color reminiscent of sheep dung. The city gate is tightly shut, as it is not open for tourism, and entry is completely prohibited.

"Stop talking nonsense... Let me arrange this. Starting today, Qiu Di, you and Bao Lei will visit the film studio in person, while San Er and I will go to the unfinished building in Zhenbei." Guan Qianjiao said while packing her things. When Bao Xiaosan saw that it was several kilometers away from the town, resembling a half-finished building left behind by a runaway developer, he wondered what significance this place held. Just as he was about to ask, Guan Qianjiao urged, "Follow the schedule; this is the company's arrangement."

What was originally thought to be a sure thing now raises some doubts. Geng Baolei asked with concern, "Qianjiao, this task is too dangerous. Did you see those who were just beaten?"

Heading north along North Town Street, upon leaving the town and passing the simple wall made of old wooden planks, barbed wire, and iron sheets, the scenery instantly transformed.

"In our customs, women are not considered people," explained Bao Xiaosan. Guo Qianjiao gave him a glance, prompting him to quickly amend his statement: "I’m not talking about you; it’s our customs. Women have no status at home. If a woman gives birth to several daughters and no sons, her status becomes even lower. If she dies, she cannot even be buried in the ancestral grave... Don’t pity them; the sorted garbage piled here is worth at least twenty thousand. This place is not worse than working in a big company in the capital!"

However, Bao Xiaosan is unclear about the intention behind this action; it is merely an unfinished building. This building is located behind a valley, and the main construction has already been completed. Moreover, considering its geographical location, the choice is quite good, at least unlike the two hotels in the town that awkwardly disrupt the layout of the ancient town.

... ...

Of course, once we package it, it will just be a few yuan for a drink, and our fellow villagers will collect it from all over the country

"Dare to retaliate?" Someone slapped the thin one across the face.

Guan Qianjiao suddenly laughed, bending over as she looked at Bao Xiaosan's serious expression, not knowing what was so funny. She laughed so hard that she had to hold her stomach, her whole body shaking. San'er also joined in the silly laughter, following suit...

Guan Qianjiao smiled silently; compared to the usual struggles of life, these few who often engage in self-deprecation seem more endearing than those who lament their fate. At the very least, their positive attitude towards life truly impresses her. Isn't it a miracle that someone like San'er can still be alive and so happy now?

Indeed, it was incredibly familiar. He stepped forward and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Come here, child"

A large one and a small one rushed over. She bent down to wipe the dirty face of the little girl, rummaging through her pocket. Before the bag could be taken out, Qianjiao had already stuffed it into the hands of the two children, smiling as she said: "Let Mama buy you new clothes."

At this moment, a tall and robust man dressed in spiked boots and riding pants stepped out of the pursuing vehicle. Someone pointed out the items to him, and he spat twice in the direction of the few individuals who had been cornered, displaying a demeanor of utter disdain

"That's different. They are tracking the movie stars who come here and the filming progress of the films, then they sell the photos. It's impossible for them not to get beaten up," said Guan Qianjiao.

Guan Qianjiao ignored him and walked quickly, while Bao Xiaosan followed behind, chattering incessantly: "... Really, why don't you believe it? My parents are in this business; they supported all five of us siblings. Since we were young, my parents said that this generation must suffer so that the next generation does not have to endure the same hardships. So they tirelessly supported my education, hoping I would become a knowledgeable person in the future. Who would have thought that after studying for over ten years, I still ended up struggling to make a living? ... In the village, those my age not only have built houses but also have several children already."

Oh? It seems that Guan Qianjiao has discovered a new world. Being here, Bao Xiaosan appears to feel no discomfort at all. She looked over in surprise and asked sympathetically, "Aren't you smelly?"

Guan Qianjiao was trying to capture this scene through the camera

It's about dividing the bottles

"Isn't the capital now cracking down on these underground rental houses?" Guan Qianjiao asked

"How is that possible? I am not a martial arts master; how could I fly in?" Geng Baolei found it difficult to believe.

The occurrence of this matter truly makes one feel uneasy; if caught stealing or filming, being beaten like this would be quite disastrous

... ... ''

Three little kids, dressed like Somali refugees, dirty and grimy, yet unafraid, one of them asked: "What are you doing? Collecting bottles?"

Indeed, in a landfill, do not expect such a place to have a waste treatment facility; it is simply layered with refuse, year after year. Even in such an open area, the stench is overwhelming. In the center of the site runs a road, likely a dirt path for the convenience of dumping waste, extending for three to five kilometers to the location that Qianjiao intends to visit

"If they don't want to hire, then so be it; it's not like there aren't other places to hang out... Oh, for instance, I've just discovered that this place is a treasure trove of good fortune." Bao Xiaosan said, suddenly stopping, looking at the buildings with bright eyes

There is no worse situation, only the worst. Shortly after, two police cars arrived. Instead of arresting the assailants, they took away the victims in the police cars, leaving the four onlookers blinking in disbelief, seriously suspecting that they had returned to the evil old society.

Why? "Qiu Di" was taken aback.

Alright, thank you

"You guessed it right," Guan Qianjiao said with a smile, turning back to give Bao Xiaosan a masked smile.

It seems to be called something like dog day ... ... dog meat ... ...

"Come on, the first and the books still claim that the average savings have exceeded 400,000, and that we are collectively moving towards a moderately prosperous society? Look at my temperament, don't you think that's nonsense?" Bao Xiaosan set an example and directly refuted it.

Qiu Di pulled the stunned Geng Baolei and swiftly slipped inside

Ah... when Bao Xiaosan heard the familiar accent, he let out a ghostly cry and then warmly said: "Fellow townsman, where are you from"

"This is how special effects are created. Now, the main focus of the shoot is to have the desert as the background. Once we edit it, it will become a thrilling scene of swords clashing and hearts racing," said Geng Baolei

At this moment, another team could not smile. Qiu Di and Geng Baolei arrived late, missing the peak hour by an hour, and only managed to take a cart used for transporting props to the venue. They couldn't expect to ride for free, as they had to buy the driver two packs of cigarettes.

"Is there intelligence in the trash?" Bao Xiaosan asked curiously

Bang! The first person chasing from behind hurled a rubber baton as a concealed weapon, striking the thin man squarely in the lower back. The thin man fell to the ground with a thud, and the others immediately began to stomp on him like cockroaches, kicking and stomping with great force. The thin man cried out in agony. As a car turned the corner from across the street and charged forward, the fat man lost his nerve, being grabbed by the two people behind him, and then there were loud slaps... The crisp sounds rang out like firecrackers, with slaps landing continuously. As another car turned the corner from across the street and charged forward, the fat man lost his nerve again, being pulled by the two people behind him, and then there were loud slaps... The crisp sounds rang out like firecrackers, with slaps landing continuously.

Early in the morning by the street, Bao Xiaosan, drinking sheep offal soup, stretched his neck like a mouse sniffing cheese, both lewd and excited, invigorated.

Oh right... it's these people from the team. They get beaten up as soon as they arrive. Are they just asking for it? Even after being beaten, they still come back...

This is truly painful to watch, remarked Qiu Di.

Puff... Guan Qianjiao was struck by lightning, charred on the outside and soft on the inside

Guan Qianjiao is being overly sensitive, discussing gourmet food in such a foul-smelling environment; it is truly remarkable that this person is not at all repulsed.

Do you understand Feng Shui? Qianjiao was taken aback.

Qiu Di and Geng Baolei exchanged glances and both smiled

"Yes, I won't go." Bao Xiaosan said honestly

When fellow villagers meet, their eyes shine brightly. The three children immediately feel a sense of familiarity, guiding the two into the courtyard surrounded by the circular building. Oh my, it was as if they had encountered Transformers, leaving the two in awe.

"Use your artistic mind to think of a way to get in," Qiu Di said with a smile

"I don't understand," said Bao Xiaosan, shaking her head. "What I mean is, this is a good place to make money. Do you believe me? There are people living here, and they are a family."

I have never been to Xinyang

"Our ideals as Henan people, you may not have heard of them, flattening the Himalayas, tiling the Great Wall, begging across the seas, collecting scraps from all corners of the world..." Bao Xiao was shaking his head and speaking, clearly expressing a sense of admiration for the pioneers from his hometown. Guan Qianjiao found it both amusing and exasperating, and to be honest, these ideals are indeed quite ambitious

"Indeed, I am studying music at the conservatory, specializing in orchestration. Our school is involved in film and television production, which can be quite tedious, as we work on one scene at a time. The key lies in the post-production editing. What appears chaotic on set is actually very quiet when filmed, with only the accompanying sounds of wind and weapons," said Geng Baolei with a smile.

Two people embraced a large woven bag, filled with flattened bottles, cardboard, glass bottles, torn clothes, and even foam plastic, all sorted and stacked several people high. A child called out for an adult to come out. When Guan Qianjiao was about to prepare, Bao Xiaosan hushed him, signaling him to handle it.

"Uncle, who is that? So impressive?" Qiu Di asked softly

In this place, Qianjiao no longer believes it; upon arriving here, the household waste has been largely replaced by construction debris, making it so foul that it hardly seems like a place suitable for habitation.