Chapter 3: Alone, One Finds Joy

The long day finally ended.

Sitting on the group leader’s broken-down bread van, over a dozen people swayed back to their lodging.

Some things take immediate effect.

At Yu Hong’s gesture, Li Luo sat in the front passenger seat—previously reserved for Liu Er—for the first time, no longer crammed in the back with a bunch of rough men; the feeling was quite pleasant.

They arrived near Dazhi Street.

The broken-down bread van screeched to a sudden stop, sending everyone in the back tumbling.

No one complained.

One by one, the extras dragged their weary legs out of the vehicle.

“Xiao Luo.”

Yu Hong smiled, pulled out a Hongta Mountain cigarette, and expertly shook out two: “You did well today. With skills like that, you’ll have no shortage of work in the future.”

“Keep it up.”

“You might even become a Major Extra someday.”

Oh~

Here we go with the pie-in-the-sky talk!

The extras in Hengdian are strictly ranked.

Ordinary extras are just moving props—no real barriers, lowest status, least pay.

Above them are Foreground Extras.

This role requires some looks; Li Luo had landed a few Foreground opportunities before, fleeting as they were, but he’d still had screen time.

Then there are Minor, Medium, and Major Special Extras.

The higher up you go, the more you earn, and the more screen time you get.

Extras without formal training.

Unless your luck is off the charts, Major Extra is basically the peak of your career.

Someone like Baoqiang? Rare indeed.

You need both luck and skill.

Telling Li Luo he could become a Major Extra was already Yu Hong blowing smoke up his ass—this was only because Li Luo had decent looks and some martial ability.

Though extras were a dime a dozen in Hengdian.

Those with real skills were few, and group leaders needed a few capable hands to meet production demands reliably.

Only then would his own status rise.

Li Luo loosened the door handle, smiled, accepted the olive branch, and patted his chest to show loyalty.

Until the next opportunity came, Yu Hong was his lifeline; saying a few kind words cost nothing.

White silver was what mattered most.

This guy wasn’t bad.

He offered plenty of work, never arbitrarily cut wages, and paid promptly—by Hengdian standards, Yu Hong was already a good group leader.

After small talk, Li Luo opened the door and stepped out.

The broken-down bread van rumbled off.

He flicked his cigarette, sending the butt rolling to the ground, sparking a small burst of flame.

“Lo Ge.”

Three extras who hadn’t left yet approached with smiles.

Some were older, too proud to change their old habit.

They still used the old nickname.

Seeing the cigarettes offered, Li Luo took charge, pulling out his wrinkled Hongmei from his pocket: “Don’t call me that—you’re the elders. Smoke mine.”

All these guys lived in the same courtyard.

Everyone knew each other.

“Did Boss Yu hook you up with work?” the buzz-cut man said, licking his lips in envy: “You stole the show today, made an extra hundred bucks—you’re buying dinner!!!”

“Finally made it—hard-won!”

“You’ll land a speaking role soon—definitely worth celebrating.”

The other two chimed in, eyes gleaming.

They were all extras.

Who could help whom?

A few empty compliments could get you a free meal—worth it!

So young.

Why hoard money? Better to treat the brothers to a good meal.

Thinking this,

one of the bearded men swallowed hard.

“Hehe~”

Li Luo chuckled, casually lighting a cigarette—he didn’t inhale much; this stuff was unavoidable on set, so better to minimize lung exposure.

He didn’t respond.

Just stared blankly at them.

Treat us to dinner?

Dream on.

They were all at the bottom of the same food chain—should’ve supported each other. But many who barely scraped by themselves loved to bully and torment others, just for some twisted amusement.

As a newcomer, especially an eighteen-year-old greenhorn,

to others,

he was the perfect target.

When Li Luo first arrived, he’d fought several times—only then did the harassment stop.

When you need to stand your ground, you stand your ground.

Pretend to be a coward long enough,

you’ll become one for real!

A cold wind blew, freezing the smiles on the three men’s faces.

“Cough~”

The buzz-cut man cleared his throat, sneering: “It’s just dinner, right?”

“Hehe.”

Li Luo chuckled again.

Seeing this, the three could only slink away awkwardly.

They muttered under their breath, but dared not let him hear—old hands feared rookies; the memory of Li Luo grabbing one guy who tried to bully him and slapping him hard across the face was still fresh.

He stood 1.78 meters tall—not towering,

but definitely not short.

His family’s finances were decent, but every holiday, Li Luo always returned home to do farm work.

His clothes hid it, but he’d genuinely built a solid frame of muscle.

Most people couldn’t handle him.

“Pfft~”

Li Luo gave the three a contemptuous glance, tossed away the half-smoked cigarette, and strolled toward a nearby street stall selling stir-fried dishes for extras—sometimes he ate here.

Flames roared as smoked pork and crisp green beans flipped in the wok.

A rich aroma filled the air.

“Boss.”

Li Luo pulled up a plastic stool and waved: “Spicy pork intestines, minced garlic pork, stir-fried chicken—load up the chili, and two bottles of beer.”

“Hurry up!”

He hadn’t eaten since noon and was starving.

Today he’d earned over a hundred yuan.

Plus he’d gained the Golden Finger—he deserved a proper celebration.

So he ordered several hearty dishes.

A rare splurge.

Returning to eighteen, his appetite had returned too—he’d been eating everything with gusto, and these dishes would vanish clean.

“Got it!”

The owner came over with two beers: “Drink up, food’s coming.”

Her hips swayed.

With a touch of seductive charm.

“Thanks.”

Li Luo took the beer and nodded.

“Little brother, just come by often—more business for me,” said the thirty-something woman, her eyes crinkling into crescents; as she turned, she pressed her firm buttocks hard against Li Luo’s shoulder:

"What's with all the thanks~"

Feeling the astonishing elasticity, Li Luo’s heart raced.

Looking at the chef across the way vigorously swinging his spoon, he gulped down a large swallow of beer.

Given that his portion of food was always much larger than others’, he reluctantly forgave the young wife’s brazen groping.

There was no help for it—people had to bow to life.

He was good-looking.

That was just troublesome.

The pig intestines were tender and flavorful, the minced garlic pork fat but not greasy, the spicy chicken dry and delicious.

Sometimes, solitary joy is better than shared joy.

Li Luo enjoyed this meal immensely; after a gust-like devouring, the plates held only red chili peppers.

He lifted the bottle.

He sipped the beer with half-closed eyes.

【Indulge freely, greatly satisfying the appetite】

【Indulgence successful】

【Reward: Performance Experience +5】

"Pfft~"

A mouthful of beer sprayed onto the table, spraying white foam.

This reward came out of nowhere.

It was utterly unexpected.