Chapter 219: Stupid?

Hot Recommendations:

Is Wang Baoqiang stupid?

Stupid.

Throughout films and TV dramas, in the audience's perception.

Wang Baoqiang is the archetype of the "foolish character."

From A World Without Thieves to Shibing Tujiji to Tai Jing, many believed he won audience affection by simply playing himself as a fool.

Yet many have wondered: there are plenty of foolish people—why is only Wang Baoqiang successful?

From a grassroots extra to today's top star—can "fools have luck" alone achieve this?

In fact, he has real acting skill.

For example, in Mr. Tree, Wang Baoqiang's scene of smoking went viral across short-video platforms.

The film mainly tells the story of a man named "Tree."

Tree began as a normal person, but after a series of misfortunes, reality drove him mad.

The film employed surrealistic cinematography; though it was a niche movie, its box office was destined to be low.

But it became Wang Baoqiang's most explosive performance, where his profound acting revealed to us so much.

Family love, friendship, romance, and the complexities of human relations—this is a soul-shaking masterpiece.

It was this film that earned him frequent international awards and even made him Best Actor.

In fact, look back at his first film, Blind Well.

His performance in the film clearly shows his fame wasn't just luck.

It was his decade-long dedication, and his genuine acting talent.

People say "heaven gave him his meal"—that's exactly this kind of person.

Many know about Wang Baoqiang's childhood visit to Shaolin Temple.

Years later, a reporter asked:

You were so young—why were you so Zhi Zhuo about going to Shaolin Temple?

Wang Baoqiang replied:

"My family was poor; I wanted to earn money for them, so I wouldn't have to spend their money when I built a house and got married later."

Also, in my family—my uncle, my grandfather, my father, my uncle, and my older brother—all inherited deafness.

Only my hearing is fine; I thought my fate must be different from theirs, so I wanted to fight for it."

While training at Shaolin Temple, he was the most diligent one.

After joining the Warrior Monk Troupe, he had to perform to earn extra income.

He bought himself a camera to film his martial arts movements.

He gave his photos to his fellow monks.

And every time, he told them:

"Be sure to keep these photos—maybe one day I'll become a big star."

At fourteen, he went alone to Jingcheng, waiting every day outside Beijing Film Studio for a chance to be chosen as an extra.

He never made plans or evaluations:

He wasn't tall, and he wasn't good-looking—how could he possibly become a movie star?

But Director Li Yang picked him from a sea of extras to play the naive rural boy in Blind Well.

This "stupidity" also ran through Wang Baoqiang's early roles.

In 2017, Wang Baoqiang's first directorial debut, Big Trouble in Tianzhu, was released.

It received terrible reviews, but fortunately, it grossed over 700 million yuan.

Wang Baoqiang accepted the Golden Broom Award's Most Disappointing Director Award—the award no one had dared to claim for nine years.

To many, this might seem extremely embarrassing.

But "it's precious to know oneself"—only by facing one's shortcomings can one make greater progress.

Besides, the film didn't lose money; for Wang Baoqiang at that stage, turning heat into profit was the way forward.

And merely standing on the award stage proves his inner strength…

So when Cheng Chen saw on TV last life that the little brother who followed him around had become famous, he truly felt happy for him.

Of course, at that time their statuses were worlds apart, and he never deliberately sought to flatter Wang Baoqiang.

Just as in this life, after he became famous, Wang Baoqiang never came to "ride his coattails."

But if there's a chance to collaborate, Cheng Chen has no objection to giving this former little brother a hand.

When Wang Baoqiang arrived, he looked flustered and said:

"T-that taxi… had some trouble on the way; I—I didn't have my phone, couldn't notify you."

"S-sorry, Big… Boss Cheng, I'm late."

If someone else gave this excuse, Cheng Chen might have doubted it.

But since Wang Baoqiang said it, Cheng Chen had no suspicion—he smiled and said:

"Come in, sit down, rest a bit. Then tell us your understanding of the role Wang Bao—everyone else has spoken; only you're left."

"Role understanding? Oh, oh, okay!"

Wang Baoqiang politely greeted everyone in the room, then sat down to listen to Cheng Chen.

He placed his hands neatly on the table, back straight as a rod, as obedient as a schoolboy.

Seeing this, Cheng Chen smiled helplessly and said:

"Don't be nervous—just tell us your understanding of the role. Just now, Zheng Ge and Bo Ge used constellations to describe their characters—what about you?"

"Constellations? What are constellations?"

Wang Baoqiang stood up, looking utterly confused.

Uh…

Cheng Chen forgot this dumb kid knew nothing at all.

"What I mean is, describe your understanding of the character Wang Bao in your own words—how do you plan to portray him?"

Wang Baoqiang nodded and said:

"Well, I think Wang Bao is… just very simple.

He's a lot like Yuan Fengming from the role I played in 'Blind Mine,' but he's much more outgoing than Yuan Fengming.

Wang Bao is naturally simple, lively, and enthusiastic—he likes doing things that interest him and make him happy.

He's full of novel ideas, loves new things, and never forgets to experience and take photos wherever he goes.

And he's utterly immersed in the moment—fun-loving, energetic… that's it."

After speaking, Wang Baoqiang looked at Cheng Chen with slight unease.

For Wang Baoqiang, landing this role and playing the second male lead was uncertain—was it Cheng Chen's favoritism, or recognition of his talent?

So when Cheng Chen informed him, he came with the mindset of just helping out his "big brother."

But he soon regretted it—he had seen 'Crazy Stone.'

He knew the public's evaluation of it: a massive hit with both audiences and critics, the perfect state for a film.

He also knew 'Lost in Thailand' was made by the same original team behind 'Crazy Stone.'

He, Wang Baoqiang, was an unexpected intruder—what if his performance dragged down the entire crew?

What if 'Lost in Thailand''s box office failed to match 'Crazy Stone'? He'd blame himself.

So he carried a burden, and pressure.

"Not bad. I can tell you prepared."

Wang Baoqiang's understanding was merely average, but from his words, Cheng Chen noticed he had studied the role extensively.

He might lack expression, but that didn't matter—Wang Baoqiang was a talent-plus-effort type.

Once he joined the set, his performance would be far better than it was now.

"Alright, that's it for today's meeting. Niang Director will arrange things as usual.

You coordinate with Qingya on pre-production matters—setting up the crew, casting actors—all expenses to be consolidated under Qingya."

Cheng Chen said as he left.

"Understood, Boss Cheng."

"B… Boss Cheng, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Just as Cheng Chen was about to turn away, a weak voice came from behind—it was Wang Baoqiang.

Cheng Chen glanced at him in surprise, then checked the time, and said:

"Do you have anything else to do today?"

Wang Baoqiang lifted his script and said:

"I'll study the script when I get home."

"Hmm, then you're free—come with me. Whatever you want to say, tell me on the way."

"Okay!"

Cheng Chen left in such a hurry because he still had to rush to the set of 'Wulin Waizhuan.'

Yes, he was making a cameo in 'Wulin Waizhuan.'

Yeah, that unfortunate Ji Wuming.

This was the result of Director Shang Jing's strong invitation—apparently to accommodate Cheng Chen's schedule.

Director Shang had left all scenes featuring Ji Wuming blank, waiting for Cheng Chen's return.

Ji Wuming and Bai Zhantang were both feared figures in the underworld of 'Wulin Waizhuan.'

Though equally renowned, their martial styles and personalities were completely opposite.

Both were thieves, but while Bai Zhantang had a strong thief's nature,

Ji Wuming was more like a ruthless bandit, a fugitive with no mercy.

Bai Zhantang broke ties with Ji Wuming because the latter used any means necessary—murder and robbery.

Bai Zhantang only liked stealing—he didn't want to kill; he was a man with principles.

He and Ji Wuming were never on the same path—different Dao, no alliance.

Ji Wuming was too bloodthirsty; once they turned against each other, every meeting meant life or death…

Though both Bai and Ji were among the elite of their generation, ranking among the top two,

Ji Wuming far surpassed Old Bai—even by a whole tier.

Like Ouyang Chun and Zhan Zhao in 'The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants.'

Though the Northern Hero and Southern Hero were equally famed, Ouyang Chun utterly crushed Zhan Zhao in strength.

Ji Wuming in 'Wulin Waizhuan' was an extremely important character.

To the people of Tongfu Inn, Ji Wuming was a pivotal presence.

Without Ji Wuming, there would be no Tongfu Inn.

In the eighth chapter, the story explains how the Tongfu Inn crew came together.

And Ji Wuming was the thread connecting all the staff of Tongfu Inn.

But in the eighth chapter, Ji Wuming was injured by Bai Zhantang and others, lost his memory, and was sent to Jingcheng.

Then an earthquake in Jingcheng collapsed the Ministry of Justice Prison, and Ji Wuming escaped in the chaos.

Although Ji Wuming still did not remember who he was, he came unconsciously to Tongfu Inn.

Because Tongfu Inn held great meaning for Ji Wuming.

The Wulin Waizhuan had eighty episodes, and Ji Wuming's episode was particularly entertaining.

More entertaining than other episodes.

Because the conflict in the story did not come from outside, but from within.

Ji Wuming, a man who had lost himself, came to Tongfu Inn to rediscover his identity.

This was the greatest dramatic conflict of the episode, but the Ji Wuming here was, in fact, two people.

One was a ruthless bandit god; the other was a pitiful soul who had lost himself.

Thus, in the TV version's twenty-ninth episode, the foolish Ji Wuming and Licentiate Lv delivered a scene destined to be etched into television history.

"You can call yourself Ji Wuming; I can also call myself Ji Wuming.

So I am you, you are me, I am myself.

If you want to kill me, it is I who want to kill myself…"

And this dialogue, after the TV series aired, became a learning video played by many philosophy teachers in class.

And this time, Cheng Chen went to Pinggu Feilong Film and Television Base to act in this episode: Ji Wuming's Death.

From the plot's perspective, no matter what, Ji Wuming was destined to die.

Because Ji Wuming sought to reclaim himself, but his true self was a merciless bandit.

If Ji Wuming recovered his memories, he would kill everyone at Tongfu Inn.

So he could only die while still lost.

And Licentiate Lv became the key to Ji Wuming's death.

Because he had always been looked down upon, he sought to prove "knowledge is power."

Licentiate Lv trapped Ji Wuming with the question: "Who am I?"

"You can call yourself Ji Wuming; I can also call myself Ji Wuming.

So I am you, you are me, I am myself; if you want to kill me, it is I who want to kill myself."

In the end, Ji Wuming shot himself in the crown of his head and died.

Sitting in the car, Wang Baoqiang opened his mouth several times but held back; Cheng Chen pretended not to notice.

He knew what Wang Baoqiang was thinking—though this kid seemed dull and clumsy, his self-respect was extremely strong.

It is said that children from the countryside grow up early; it's not that he was lacking in confidence.

He was just bad at expressing himself, or afraid, relatively introverted and shy. Sensitive.

Such people often develop a people-pleasing personality.

In both work and life, they constantly felt dissatisfied.

They rarely cared about material things, but needed material things to gain others' approval.

This dissatisfaction mostly referred to their mindset.

It manifested in love as well.

If they met a girl they liked, they dared not confess.

Yet they still hoped to attract her attention…

Wang Baoqiang's self-respect was torn: was Cheng Chen helping him only because of their past friendship?

Previously, Cheng Chen had given him his phone number, telling him to call if he ever needed help.

But Wang Baoqiang had never called once—was it because he had no troubles?

Of course not; over the past one or two years, he had faced too many miserable setbacks.

Yet from beginning to end, he had never thought of asking Cheng Chen for help.

Now that Cheng Chen had found him, he was first excited, then now conflicted…

Wang Baoqiang wanted to speak but dared not; Cheng Chen simply ignored him.

Thus, the two rode in silence all the way to the film and television base.

"Director Shang, long time no see."

Cheng Chen greeted Shang Jing.

"I see you online every day,"

Shang Jing said with a smile.

"Director Shang, you still have time to go online? Looks like you're not filming seriously."

Cheng Chen said with a laugh.

They often joked like this; Cheng Chen knew Shang Jing would never misunderstand.

"Haha, you'll find out soon. Come on, let's go try on the costumes first."

"Alright. Oh, by the way, Director Shang, this is Bao Qiang—he worked with Director Feng.

In A World Without Thieves, he played the lead role—the one who portrayed Sha Gen."

Cheng Chen introduced Wang Baoqiang to Shang Jing.

"I thought you looked familiar—I didn't realize it was you! You played Sha Gen extremely well!"

"Thank you, Director Shang."

Although Bao Qiang had never heard of Shang Jing, seeing how respectfully Cheng Chen treated him, he dared not be careless and quickly spoke politely.

"By the way, Director Shang."

Cheng Chen seemed to remember something and said:

"Is there any role suitable for him? Let him make a cameo too."

"Hmm, let me think... Got it! Tong Xiangyu's younger brother, Tong Shitou!"