On the way back, Lu Ze pondered over getting an acting certificate and enrolling in the union as an official member. He did not currently have an acting certificate because extras did not need it, and the union did not have so many crappy roles for extras as well, so almost all the extras in Hengdian did not have an acting certificate.
He was considering what the director said because he previously had no use for an acting certificate and did not have a single proper role to show for it. However, he had one now.
He could not lie his way through the actor's union about the roles he had done. If somebody cross-checked your information and found out that he was merely an extra trying to fool everybody, his acting career would be finished! There was even a possibility that people would look for trouble with him later on.
Earlier, the director promised that Lu Ze's role in his movie would not be that of a simple extra, but a true side character. Thereupon, he could look for a guild for roles, and the guild would introduce him to crews according to his roles.
Seeing the situation in this manner, Lu Ze did not need to ponder anymore. He had the system; he was destined not to remain a mere extra throughout his whole life. As long as he seized the opportunities, he could certainly stay ahead of the curve, so becoming an official member was indispensable.
It was just past two in the noon, so Lu Ze headed directly to the Hengdian Actors' Union in town. The lunch break was already over, so he went to the photo studio at the side first and asked for a 1x1 photo. The boss generously edited his photo too — from his tired and dirty appearance of returning directly from the set, he was made a bit fairer. His smile also looked dashing, making him look handsome and confident.
Then, he went to the office, and politely asked for an application form from the union employee. After filling in his basic information, the name of the drama, and his achievements before pasting the 1x1 photo with the glue stick on the form, he handed it over to the employee.
"Is there anything else I have to do, or can I go?"
"You can go now. No problem! Come back to collect your certificate after seven working days."
"Alright, sorry for the trouble. Thanks!"
Upon returning home, Lu Ze glanced at the door across from his. Yang Dan had yet to return, so he fried some vegetables, drank a bottle of beer, washed his body from the water basin, and returned to his room before entering the course.
…
Time flew by, and a month quickly passed. Lu Ze was still idling around, working under Liu Le. However, his recent roles had changed a lot since he now had fame.
Because of "Sino Japanese War Legends" he had earned infamy amongst the hotshots of extras in Hengdian. Everybody knew that there was a guy under Liu Le who could act well, and so, he was often borrowed from the latter.
One day it was some war drama, then some spy drama the next day, and some short urban film on another day. Although all these were low budget films, Lu Ze's remuneration was not inadequate. His roles gradually became increasingly significant. In this short one month, his salary had already crossed the ten thousand yuan mark. Every job basically fetched him two thousand yuan, and it was not even tiring. The work was indeed quite jublious.
In addition, the union also introduced him to two scripts, both of which were war dramas. One role was that of a field reporter, and one was some squad commander, both having a lot of scenes involving him. In this manner, his acting experience kept building up, and his profile in the union became increasingly more influential.
On this particular day, Lu Ze transferred a full ten thousand yuan to his home after getting off work. After the transfer process was complete, he called Li Yumei.
"Hello? Mom, I just transferred ten thousand yuan. Did you get the message?"
"Got it, I got it. Why so much money this month, son? Do you have enough to spend? There is no such need over here, so you don't have to suffer needlessly over there."
"This money is not for you, it's all for little Nan so you won't feel troubled when spending on her. Tuition fees cost five thousand, the accommodation for four costs a thousand and two hundred, and further adding the costs of books and other things, seven thousand is far from enough! Also, can't you let her buy a few clothes? She's going to the capital to study. If she wears old, torn clothes, won't she have trouble making friends?"
Li Yumei thought for a moment but still felt somewhat vexed as she muttered in a soft voice, "Why do I need a four-person room? Isn't an eight-person room better? You still have to get married, no? If you spend everything now, how will you afford a house later?"
"Why are you so crazy about money? Your son is doing quite well in Hengdian. I can make ten thousand yuan per month, and I'll surely make even more later on. You don't have to worry so much about money; I'll take care of everything. How's the foot washer I gave to dad? Does he like it?"
Just as the two were chatting, a rebuking voice came from his mother's side. Then, a commotion as if birds flying off could be heard.
"Hello? Brother! How's it going?"
"I just got off work and am just about to head home. What's going on with you these days?"
Lu Nan didn't fail everybody's expectations, getting the first choice she filled in the application. All the children in the Lu family were smart, and she was no different. When she passed the entrance and was accepted in the capital's law university, the family held celebration feasts for three days straight as it was a feat that brought honor to their ancestors.
"My classmates have also passed the entrance, so we're going to get dinner together as our farewell party. I've gotten fatter after eating so much these past few days!"
This girl had a carefree temperament. From her childhood, she had been strongly influenced by her big brother. As Lu Yumei looked at her sitting on the kitchen slab, giddily talking on the phone, she helplessly shook her head.
"Lu Nan, I'm telling you, there is no problem in going to the farewell party, but don't touch any alcohol! If I find out, I'll come back and skin you!"
"I know, brother! How would I dare? I promise I'll only eat dinner and won't drink a single drop of alcohol. Oh right, brother, can I ask you for a favor?"
"What is it, spit it out! Don't dawdle!"
Lu Ze was quite strict on the surface with this little sister of his as they were six years apart in age. Moreover, Lu Nan was quite naughty from her childhood and never forgot to give him an opportunity to sort her out. It was to the extent that she was a little traumatized when it came to her elder brother.
Those in the Lu family didn't hit women, but his little sister was no woman. Lu Nan remembered that she almost set the house on fire once from playing with firecrackers, causing him to drag her by her pigtails and kick her on the ground as she rolled about.
"I just want to ask if you can see me off at the capital when I go away?"
"Nonsense, why won't I? Just this? Don't you have to register on the 17th of August? I'll come home by the 15th."
"There's no need! My classmates have also selected the capital, so we'll go together. We can just meet in the capital, alright?"
"Alright! Give the phone to mom, and we'll discuss more when the time comes."
After chatting with Li Yumei a little more, Lu Ze hung up and went to the supermarket nearby. He bought cigarettes and looked at the seven thousand yuan remaining in his bank card. After pondering for a moment, he silently headed back home.
He still lacked money… he lacked a lot of money.
Upon returning home, he saw Yang Dan opening her lock as he opened the corridor's gate. She probably just returned after buying vegetables.
"Sister Dan, why are you back so early today?"
Yang Dan pushed the door open and hung the key on the interior doorknob. Looking at Lu Ze, she somewhat unnaturally smiled and faintly nodded before entering her apartment. Lu Ze didn't know what happened to her. Although his intuition told him that there was something up, he didn't ask for any details. Suddenly asking about somebody's private life would only offend them.
He unlocked his apartment, threw his bag on the bed, and switched on the tv. Then, he put the recently bought pirated disc in and lit a cigarette as he watched for a while. Meanwhile, sizzling sounds came from the kitchen next door. A few moments later, a rich aroma entered his apartment, causing his belly to let out gurgling sounds.
However, since Yang Dan did not seem like she was in a good mood today, he did not want to go over and eat together. He planned to finish this episode before cooking for himself.
Knock, knock, knock!
Before he could finish his episode, he heard several knocks coming from his door.
"Sister Dan, is something the matter?"
"You haven't eaten, right? Wanna join your sis for a few drinks?"
"..."