Chapter 11: Indeed, He Steal the Spotlight

Wen smiled bitterly, scratching his head a bit awkwardly.

Tao Feifei sized up Qi Hui from head to toe, shocked by Qi Hui's performance just now.

Aren't you a fresh drama graduate who just left school? How do you even know about explosives?

"Quick, all extras, bring over all the grenades on your persons!" Director Chen's urgent voice rang out.

Du Dao also shouted repeatedly: "Props, safety officers, come over, check immediately!"

"Everyone else stay put, do not crowd over."

This sentence was superfluous; no one would crowd near explosives.

Those extras holding grenades trembled a bit, hearts anxious, yet carefully carrying the grenades toward the two directors.

These are not real bombs or explosives; they are props made for acting.

The safety of this thing is not guaranteed at all; no one knows under what circumstances it will explode.

Grenades used for acting should all be effect charges; under normal circumstances, they only smoke and do not explode.

What explodes are the pre-buried explosion points; their safety is extremely high.

But now... the extras trembled, fearing this thing would explode on them.

Even Yu Zhen, the professional in anti-Japanese war films, carefully retreated toward the rear.

Seeing this, Qi Hui also put down the wooden-handled grenade in his hand and slowly retreated behind everyone.

"Qi Hui, come check together." Director Chen called out to Qi Hui.

After all, he was the first to discover the problem, showing great ability; handling it together could resolve it quickly without affecting the shooting schedule.

Qi Hui shrugged, stepped forward to help check together.

"He also knows these things?" Zhang Jian said in shock, looking at Zhang Ruoyun with some confusion.

Zhang Ruoyun scratched his head: "I'm not clear either; he never showed this before..."

Zhang Jian silently took a drag of his cigarette; it was different from what he thought—that kid was not a useless waste.

Boom boom boom!

In the distance, several grenades thrown by Qi Hui and Director Chen exploded with a booming sound.

Fortunately, the power was not great; only some black smoke and gunpowder fumes rolled up.

The few people threw a few more randomly and found they no longer exploded, but smoked white like normal prop grenades.

"Alright, that's enough." Director Chen sighed with relief and said gratefully: "Thank you, Qi Hui."

Others were working; Qi Hui was the one he had pulled over to save time.

"Safety is no small matter; it's what should be done." Qi Hui said with a smile.

Chen Haowei and Du Yuming exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

Not arrogant or impetuous; this is not like a young person fresh out of school.

When he first graduated, he was so arrogant; thinking back now, he almost wanted to slap his past self.

"Good, good..." Chen Haowei nodded; he was a talent.

"Let's work first." Du Yuming said: "We'll talk about anything else later."

"Alright." Chen Haowei nodded, grabbed the microphone and shouted: "Everyone to position, prepare to shoot."

At the command, extras and actors began to take their positions step by step.

Du Yuming then stepped out; he does not direct war scenes; this is Chen Haowei's home turf.

"Producer Zhang." Du Yuming came to Zhang Jian's side and asked with a smile:

"That kid Qi Hui is good; how about giving him a supporting role?"

Qi Hui helped the crew greatly; he should be rewarded.

If not for him, the crew might have caused an accident because of those grenades.

Zhang Ruoyun's eyes lit up: "Dad, I think Du Dao is right."

Zhang Jian glared at Zhang Ruoyun, then pondered slightly and said slowly: "Let's finish watching this scene first; see his acting."

"Dad, don't worry." Zhang Ruoyun patted his chest: "My senior brother's acting is very good."

Du Yuming then tapped his cigarette pack, took out a cigarette, and lit it calmly.

In the adult world, those who understand, understand.

Without explicit agreement, that means refusal.

Moreover, how can one play a supporting role after playing an extra?

Besides, what acting can be seen from an extra with only a few shots?

On the other side, the assistant director nodded to Chen Haowei.

"Very good." Chen Haowei picked up the microphone: "Snow Leopard, Scene 37, Take 2, action!"

The clapperboard struck; filming officially began.

The cameraman held the camera to shoot; the shaky visual sense increased the tension and grimness of the battlefield.

Yu Zhen squatted among the extras and bit players, speaking lines, boosting morale, preparing to fight to the death against the opposing "Japanese devils."

Soon, Krupp, carrying the emblem and Tao Feifei's student character, rushed into the battlefield, also bringing comfort supplies.

Fighting resumed; Krupp "died miserably" on the spot, scaring Zhou Wen and Chen Yi into trembling.

And the soldiers of the 19th Route Army gradually began to be unable to hold back; bullets exhausted, grenades distributed; Chen Zhenglun, the company commander played by Yu Zhen, issued a final order, swearing to die with the position.

Finally, the soldiers fixed bayonets, preparing for hand-to-hand combat, prepared to fight to the last man.

Just then, the rumble of artillery fire rang out; countless shells flew from the rear, blowing the little devils into pieces.

"Artillery, it's our artillery." Chen Zhenglun, in shock, carried the feeling of surviving a disaster, yet also a bit of regret.

And from the rear, the Central Army in grass-yellow uniforms came in a steady stream.

The well-equipped and high-spirited Central Army rapidly filled the positions of the 19th Route Army.

Qi Hui wore a crisp military uniform, his face smeared with black ash, his white gloves also dirty.

"Tang De, commander of the 1st Battalion, 521st Regiment, 261st Brigade, 87th Division of the Army, reporting for reinforcement as ordered." Qi Hui rendered a sharp military salute and spoke with a ringing, powerful voice.

At this moment, Tang De, who had arrived like a god descending from heaven to save the day, became the focus of all eyes; every soldier silently rendered him a salute of attention.

Gratitude, relief, and satisfaction—they had not fought a bloody battle in vain.

Their efforts had not been in vain; they had not allowed the enemy to advance a single step.

The photographer's lens swept over the exhausted yet unyielding 19th Route Army after a fierce battle.

It also swept over Zhou Wen and Chen Yi huddled together in a corner, trembling, unnoticed by anyone.

Damn, I was definitely upstaged... Wen Zhang felt deeply depressed in his heart.

Qi Hui, with a heavy and solemn expression and a grave tone, said: "Comrades, you have worked hard; we have arrived too late..."

"Not too late; we have arrived just in time." Chen Zhenglun felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders.

Afterwards, the two reported their respective units and completed the handover of defensive duties.

Chen Zhenglun insisted on staying to fight the Japanese together, because more than half of his battalion's brothers lay buried here.

"Good, Battalion Commander Chen, let us fight side by side and kill more little Japanese!" Tang De agreed to his request and solemnly returned the military salute.

"Thank you, Battalion Commander!" Chen Zhenglun saluted, formally accepting Tang De's command for this battle.

"Cut! Very good, perfect." Chen Haowei shouted; the clapperboard snapped shut, and this scene was officially finished filming.

Yu Zhen pressed his lips together and involuntarily glanced at Qi Hui; looking so youthful, could he really handle all of his scenes?

This kid has some skills!

He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, debuted in films in '99, and spent the following years mixing it up in a theater troupe.

I wouldn't dare call his acting first-rate, but it's not bad either; yet the result...

Yu Zhen sized up Qi Hui; were current graduates this impressive?

On the other side, Du Yuming and Chen Haowei approached Zhang Jian.

Seeing the two arrive together, Zhang Jian knew exactly why they had come.

It was trouble caused by that kid, Qi Hui.

Zhang Ruoyun smiled and said, "Dad, wasn't my senior brother's performance excellent?"

"Indeed excellent," Chen Haowei said with a chuckle: "Producer, look at this role..."

"The role has already been cast; there is no way to change the actor," Zhang Jian said.

He admitted Qi Hui had some skills, but he simply did not like him.

As for the reason... there was no reason; he simply did not like him.

"Old Zhang, this is a bit improper, isn't it?" Chen Haowei frowned.

"Dad, you weren't saying that just now?" Zhang Ruoyun couldn't help but speak angrily.

Du Yuming held him back: "Listen to what your father says; your father is not that kind of person; how could he be ungrateful?"

Zhang Jian's face twitched, feeling an urge to curse.

This old Du had backed him into a corner.

At this moment, Qi Hui changed back into his own clothes and walked over slowly.

Everyone's gaze turned to Zhang Jian; what would he say?

"Heh heh, Qi Hui, your performance was excellent," Zhang Jian said with a chuckle.

"Uncle Zhang is too modest," Qi Hui smiled and nodded.

Zhang Jian also chuckled and said, "I have a friend who is currently filming; how about I recommend you to their production team?"

"They happen to be short of a lead role..."

Forget about my own production team; it's too small to accommodate a big shot like Qi Hui.

Ding-ling-ling~

Before the words had fully faded, Qi Hui's phone rang.

Picking it up to look, he found it was a call from Ling Xiaosu.