Chapter 13: The King of Witty Remarks and the Little Prince of Witty Remarks

The BMW sped along, and before long, it brought Qi Hui and the other two to the main gate of the *Lurker* film set.

The car couldn't drive inside, so Ling Xiaosu got out and led Qi Hui and the other man in.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, the security guards let them pass quickly, without even asking a single question.

"Oh my? Teacher Ling." At this moment, a voice called out from behind.

Qi Hui and the other two turned to look and discovered two people: a lean, middle-aged man and a slightly chubby, fair-skinned man.

"Yo, Deputy Director Li." Ling Xiaosu greeted him with a chuckle: "Are you out looking for actors?"

"That's right." The lean Deputy Director Li introduced with a smile: "My friend, Zhang Guofeng."

"He worked his way up from an extra; he's done extra work, bit parts, and special guest roles. He's helped me a few times, so this time he's getting a small supporting role."

Ling Xiaosu pointed to the two people behind him and introduced them: "Qi Hui, my junior fellow student, Beijing Film Academy Class of '05."

"Zhang Ruoyun, also my junior fellow student, Beijing Film Academy Class of '07."

Zhang Ruoyun nodded, acknowledging the introduction.

"Hello, hello." Qi Hui greeted them with a smile, enthusiastically shaking hands with Deputy Director Li and Zhang Guofeng:

"Comrade... Zhang, hello. I've also played special guest and bit parts before; let's grab a drink together if there's an opportunity."

Zhang Guofeng was flattered; this was a proud son of the Performance Academy, yet he was so approachable?

"Eh, eh, eh... Teacher Qi, you are too kind. It's my honor, my honor." Zhang Guofeng said repeatedly, his voice carrying a thick southern accent.

Qi Hui chuckled and couldn't help but size him up: "What role are you playing this time?"

"The section chief of the Archives Section, Sheng Xiang." Zhang Guofeng replied.

Qi Hui said with some regret: "My senior brother recommended me for the role of Xie Ruolin from the Dangtong Bureau, but unfortunately, we don't have any scenes together."

"I'll find you for a drink when I have the chance."

"Goodbye, Teacher Qi." Zhang Guofeng waved his hand, still looking flattered.

Deputy Director Li waved his hand and led Zhang Guofeng toward the film set.

"Old Zhang, you're quite lucky." Deputy Director Li laughed: "A top student from the Performance Academy thinks so highly of you, and he's from the '05 Beijing Film Academy performance class, too."

"You don't know yet, do you? Their class produced a big star named Yang Mi, the one who played Tang Xuejian in *Sword Legend 3*..."

"Ah... hehe, heh..." Zhang Guofeng smiled somewhat unnaturally; he always felt that the way that person looked at him was a bit off.

But the other party's behavior was perfectly normal; with Deputy Director Li's introduction and their shared experience of struggling in the industry, wanting to make a friend was reasonable.

But he still felt something was wrong.

There was no reason for it; it was just intuition.

Zhang Guofeng shook his head, hoping he was just overthinking it.

On the other side.

Ling Xiaosu asked curiously: "Junior brother, why were you so enthusiastic toward a small supporting actor?"

"Being kind to others, I've always been like this." Qi Hui said with a smile.

Hearing this, Ling Xiaosu nodded: "That's true."

The first time he met Qi Hui, he had been infected by this kid's enthusiasm.

However, Ling Xiaosu didn't notice that a glint flashed in Qi Hui's eyes.

That Zhang Guofeng was a wanted criminal who had been on the run for nearly ten years!

He was the "lurker" hiding within the *Lurker* film crew.

Don't think he's pitiful for having run for ten years; this man colluded with others to hold an officer's family hostage at knifepoint, seized an officer's service weapon, and even attacked the officer.

It caused one officer to suffer a spinal injury, leaving him nearly paralyzed.

How could such a thug be let off the hook?

Qi Hui had originally wanted to ask for his phone number, but upon second thought, being too eager would easily arouse the other party's suspicion, so he gave up.

Qi Hui didn't remember what the man looked like, but he did remember the character he played: Sheng Xiang, the section chief of the Archives Section.

The chubby guy who was subjected to brutal interrogation by Li Ya—played by Zu Feng—and was eventually finished off by a single shot from Li Ya, the poor wretch.

Of course, there was no rush; let's ignore Zhang Guofeng for now.

Since he already knew who he was, all it would take was a phone call, and the law enforcement authorities would have plenty of ways to bring this man to justice.

"Let's go, I'll take you... no, I'll take you to see the director for an audition." Ling Xiaosu said.

Zhang Ruoyun wasn't playing Xie Ruolin; he didn't have the time.

Therefore, there was no need for an audition.

Little Zhang ignored Ling Xiaosu's words and instead curiously looked around; although the timing was similar, there were still many differences between the *Snow Leopard* crew and the *Lurker* crew.

While walking toward the set, Ling Xiaosu did his homework for Qi Hui, introducing *Lurker* and the character Xie Ruolin.

This drama tells the story of a Nationalist secret agent, Yu Zecheng, who changes his faith, becomes a fighter for our Party, and then fights on the secret front for our Party.

Ling Xiaosu thought Qi Hui didn't know, but in fact, Qi Hui had binged this show several times before.

No choice, there were too many classic scenes: the Studebaker car, the Jade Buddha, the basic principles of audio recording.

And every single witty remark from Station Chief Wu Jingzhong was impressive.

For example: [Time is like a wild donkey; once it starts running, it doesn't stop.]

[You've got wrinkles now, just like my prostate, which is always rebelling.]

[Emei Peak, and a solo photo at that, quite romantic in temperament...]

Xie Ruolin had plenty of witty remarks, too.

Like: [Your mouth is full of principles, but your heart is full of business.]

[Now there are two gold bars in front of you; tell me which one is noble and which one is filthy?]

[If you can't kill me with one shot, and I come back to life, we'll just keep doing business, as long as the price is fair.]

One of these two could be called the King of Witty Remarks, and the other the Little Prince of Witty Remarks.

It wasn't just Xie Ruolin and Station Chief Wu; every character in this show was brilliant.

For example, the incompetent operations captain Ma Kui, Ma Kui's wife, and Secretary Hong, who was truly in love with Ma Kui's wife.

And Li Ya, who kept getting slapped, as well as Secretary Dakang... ahem, Intelligence Section Chief Lu Qiaoshan, played by Mr. Wu Gang.

And that's not even counting the lurker, Sheng Xiang.

Ling Xiaosu talked while Qi Hui and Zhang Ruoyun listened, and the three of them walked toward the director.

While talking, the three had already reached the perimeter of the set where filming was taking place.

Director Jiang Wei was also the screenwriter for this show; he majored in history as an undergraduate and directing for his master's.

The span was a bit wide, but it was precisely because of this that the script he wrote fit various historical facts, embodying a rare sense of realism.

It made people feel as if his drama had actually happened.

When the three of them arrived, Director Jiang Wei was directing the shoot.

But the content of this scene... Qi Hui took two looks and couldn't help but have a strange expression on his face.

The scene being filmed wasn't a male scene, but a female one.

Well, a scene of catching an affair.

The Station Chief's wife and Cui Ping, played by Yao Chen, were chasing after Ma Kui's wife to beat her.

The reason was that Ma Kui had already sacrificed his life, and the Station Chief had taken advantage of the absence of others to "kick the widow's door"—of course, it was just work.

But as luck would have it, the Station Chief's wife and Cui Ping happened to see it when they came over.

Then it was three women fighting; poor Mrs. Ma had just lost her husband and was tragically beaten up again.

As it turned out... Cui Ping discovered that Mrs. Ma really was cheating.

But it wasn't with the Station Chief; it was with the Station Chief's secretary, Secretary Hong.

And Secretary Hong, hiding in the wardrobe of Ma Kui's bedroom, was caught red-handed.

The late Ma Kui had become a "Green Kui."

Qi Hui couldn't help but laugh, unable to resist making a snide remark: "A world-famous painting: Comrade Ma Kui is in Poland."

"Eh? This little comrade, what do you mean by 'Comrade Ma Kui is in Poland'?" At this moment, a questioning voice came from not far away.

Qi Hui turned his head to look and discovered an amiable middle-aged to elderly man sitting in a chair, looking at Qi Hui with a smile.

Actor Feng Enhe.

This time he was playing the secret agent boss Wu Jingzhong, Station Chief Wu.

Besides this role, he had shaped many classic characters; he had even appeared in *The Great Decisive Battle: Liaoshen Campaign*.

He was the one who played the column commander who lost his position while attacking Jinzhou and failed to report it to his superiors.

Fortunately, Marshal Luo stepped in to handle it, and before the handling, he had recaptured the position; otherwise, he would have been done for.

So... he was a genuine Northern Number One Chief.

Beside him was Li Dakang... ahem, Wu Gang, who was reading the script.

"World-famous painting?" Director Jiang Wei, not far away, and Wu Gang were equally confused.

Ling Xiaosu and Zhang Ruoyun were also somewhat puzzled; they both knew Ma Kui was a major character in the show.

The operations captain of the Tianjin Station, who had caused quite a bit of trouble for the male lead, Yu Zecheng.

But what did this have to do with Poland?