Ever since Lu Ze started selling in this market of actors and actresses known as Hengdian, his meals while working with the crew had become much better. Three meat-dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup to go along with it — this bento was at least seven-eight yuan.
After Yang Dan left, the landlord issued the room next to him to an old man. Moreover, the latter was not even an extra. He was a security guard at the factory near the film city. On top of that, he worked the night shift, leaving for work before Lu Ze came back home and returning after Lu Ze had woken up. Therefore, the two had not interacted much at all.
After Yang Dan left, Lu Ze had been taking care of his meals. He was male after all and only knew a few dishes. After a while, thinking about what to have for dinner became an annoying problem for him. So, after he got off work, he would ask the manager if any food was left, so that he could take it back with him and warm it up for dinner.
Just as Lu Ze was savoring his meal, Zeng Long walked over and sat on the stool across Lu Ze.
"Oh, big brother Zeng! Not so busy today? Are you here for the crew, or did you want to see me? Have you had lunch, or not? Zhang-er, isn't there another box? Get one for me, alright?"
Lu Ze had his head buried in the box with his mouth stuffed with food, and his lips were glistening with oil. Seeing Zeng Long, he warmly greeted him without forgetting to eat another mouthful from the chopsticks.
Once the manager gave another lunch box to Zeng Long, the latter tore it open and ate a bit before speaking, "See you, my foot! Are you a girl? Why would I want to see you? I'm here because the crew had an opening for another supporting role. I'm just here to introduce the guy."
Zeng Long was also the mediator between Lu Ze and other production crews so both of them knew each other well. He was frivolous, and his conduct was a bit improper. Lu Ze's relation with him was pretty good. Otherwise, a regular special wouldn't have dared speak to him like this.
"Then why have you come to me? I'm telling you that if you're going to ask me to go for a massage or look for chicks, I won't go."
Pushing the remaining dish into the rice compartment and taking the last bites, Lu Ze took out a cigarette from his bag without raising his head and handed it over to Zeng Long. He then first lit his cigarette and took out another for himself.
Zeng Long took a gander around. Seeing that nobody seemed to have paid attention to Lu Ze's words just now, he faked anger and said, "The f*ck are you saying? When did I invite you to look for chicks?"
"Don't try to fool me! At the end of last month, didn't you ask me to accompany you for a massage? When I declined, you went to showers with Old Song and a few others. Don't try to hide anything. I've got four chicks living in my courtyard, and I've got a pretty good relationship with all of them."
"Really? You're in charge of the business, huh? How much for a one night's full course?"
Seeing Zeng Long's eyes going green with envy, Lu Ze threw away the chopsticks with a grin and said, "I am not looking for any chick. A girl was asking to live together, but I declined. Is it worth the money I would have to spend? Alright, alright, tell me what's going on?"
When it came to working, Zeng Long was somewhat serious, no longer acting like migrant labor.
"I can introduce you to a job… a big job!"
"Alright! With this small body of mine, any work you're introducing will be a big job. Just tell me how many days and what I will have to do, no worries!"
"This time, it's a tremendous job. There will be an audition — a supporting role for the entire play!"
Lu Ze had just eaten the remaining rice directly from the lunch box. Hearing these words, he almost spurted out the rice onto Zeng Long's face. With his face visibly moved, he asked," Which production team? What is the play?"
"Don't you have a little body? Do you think working two day-roles is a big job? If that's the case, carry on, and I'll look for someone else."
"No, I can do it! I'm more than happy to do a big job! Before my 180 centimeters tall body and 70 kilogram figure, who could have a bigger body than mine? Don't joke, Big Brother Zeng! Tell me, what do I have to do?"
Zeng Long held the end of the cigarette with his thumb and forefinger as he vigorously took the last puff before forcefully throwing the cigarette butt on the ground. With an excited face, he said, "This is also my first time getting such a big screening job. Guo Mingde! You know that, right?"
Lu Ze's mind short-circuited as soon as he heard this name. He initially thought his role ought to be a supporting lead for some small production team. However, with the entry of this name, it could not be that small.
"How can I not know! Special Company! Military Movie Director! The top-class young revolutionary domestic movie director! Big brother Zeng… this…" Lu Ze gulped as his fist turned red from being clenched too hard. He panted like an old bull as he waited for Zeng Long's confirmation.
"Shhh! Lower your voice! It's him. I'm talking about him, him, him, alright? However, right now, the project has just been launched and hasn't been officially announced yet. They're still attracting investments and looking for actors!" Zeng Long hissed through his teeth. His suppressed manner was indeed quite scary. At the very least, it made Lu Ze's voice as feeble as possible. However, it also made his face turn beet red.
Guo Mingde! If he could play even a minor role under his direction, he would gladly do so! It would be critical for his future career. It might push him to new heights!
"Then tell me what's the name of the play too!"
"Calm down first. There are too many people here. I'm afraid it'll get leaked. After getting off work today, meet at the office. I'll give you the script for the audition. Don't worry! Oh right, can you speak Sichuanese?"
"I fooking can! I speak like a natural! Do ye even haf to ask? Why do ye want an actor fluent in Sichuanese?"
"Oh, ye dumbol really speak Sichuanese like a natural! Ye idiot would do great!"
Lu Ze could speak Sichuanese quite fluently. When he first came to Hengdian, a Sichuanese big brother was living in the courtyard, and he picked up some Sichuanese from the latter. Afterward, in the college student simulation course, he dated Kong Ling, a Sichuanese girl, for a long time. Hence. He was naturally quite fluent in Sichuanese. Outsiders would not be able to differentiate his voice, and even natives would not be able to tell the difference if they didn't hear carefully.
Lu Ze was jubilant. Although the skills he had acquired from the simulation course were wiped entirely from his memories, the oral prowess he'd gained was showing great merit!
Zeng Long stuffed the last bite and burped. Then, he patted Lu Ze's shoulder. "Then it's settled. Find me after work. I've got more matters to handle. See you later!"
"Let me see you off, big brother Zeng."
"Heh, when did you learn to be polite? See you off, my foot! Hold on…"
"What? Do you want me to see you off? I still have to shoot."
"I knew it, kid! You were just being polite! I'm having second thoughts on giving you the script! I just wanted to ask…" Zeng Long leaned in and whispered in Lu Ze's ear, "Those four chicks in your courtyard, can you choose the best-looking and ask… how much for one night, and see if you can make it somewhat cheaper? Remember to ask for me, farewell!"
After saying his piece, Zeng Long took his briefcase and vanished like smoke, leaving Lu Ze behind with a black face as if he had eaten a fly.
…
Since noon, Lu Ze had been constantly worrying about the possible gains and losses he may experience. Even during the shoot, he caused retakes, causing the director to be greatly dissatisfied. To his great luck, that scene was that of rivalry between the male lead and the supporting lead and not a battle scene. Therefore, the director merely cursed and could only allow retakes.
However, Lu Ze could not be blamed too much. His heart was really in his throat, constantly thinking about Guo Mingde's new play. He cared about it too much. It was the same feeling a student had when his mother had cooked red-braised-pork at home. He could not help but think about it all the time, salivating in his mind!
After the shooting ended in the evening, he apologized to the director and the main lead, took his coat, and bolted toward the union. Sprinting at full speed, with sweat running down all over his body, he opened the entrance of the union and rushed in.
"Big brother Zeng! Big brother Zeng! I'm here!"
"Alright, alright. I saw you way back. You looked like an idiot, and even your shoes were almost flung off. Who wouldn't see you? Come, follow me to my office."
Zeng Long's voice could be heard from the second floor. Lu Ze greeted the receptionist, who seemed to be getting ready to call the day, and then dashed to the second floor. He opened the door and found Zeng Long sitting across him, inviting him to enter.
"Close the door!"
"Peng!"
Lu Ze swung the door back, causing a crashing sound.
"Can't you relax a bit, geez! Have a seat! Here, the script, take a look!"
Lu Ze sat on the chair and gulped. He discovered that his hands began to tremble when he took the script slightly. His gaze went straight to the center of the cover page before he subconsciously read out the name of the drama out loud.
"I'm… Regiment Commander… Me, Regiment…?"