Chapter 15: Liqun has a strong kick, it can settle things

In the middle of the set, Ling Xiaosu was slightly taken aback.

The slick, greasy way Qi Hui was acting made him unable to react for a moment.

It was hard to get used to someone who looked as handsome as Leon Lai acting like a pot-bellied, greasy, and mercenary middle-aged businessman.

But Ling Xiaosu quickly recovered, realizing he was failing to keep up with the scene.

His mouth twitched involuntarily; luckily the director called out, otherwise he would have made a fool of himself.

Ling Xiaosu didn't know that Qi Hui was performing beyond his usual standard, a performance that could be called his true self.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to act so well.

"Little Qi, how about signing the contract now?" Director Jiang Wei said with a chuckle. "If you want, the role of Xie Ruolin is yours."

"Many thanks, Director." Qi Hui nodded and agreed immediately.

Seeing this, the casting director immediately took the documents out of his bag.

There were many supporting actors in the crew, so naturally, they printed extra copies of contracts to make signing at any time convenient.

"You have a total of 30 scenes; how does 5,000 per scene sound?" Jiang Wei said.

He was very fair, offering a market rate.

Xie Ruolin was only a minor supporting role, and his screen time didn't even rank in the top ten of the entire production.

Before Qi Hui could speak, Ling Xiaosu said, "That's too low, Director."

"My junior brother only has two months; after two months, he is going to be the male lead."

Qi Hui gave Ling Xiaosu a grateful look; this senior brother was truly great, someone worth knowing!

"Oh?" Director Jiang Wei and the casting director both looked at Qi Hui with some surprise. Wasn't he a newcomer?

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Wei said, "Fine, let's make it 8,000 per scene, for a total of 240,000... hmm, 4 doesn't sound good, let's make it 250,000."

"No problem." Upon hearing this, Qi Hui agreed immediately.

The casting director drafted the contract on the spot, and Qi Hui signed his name and added his bank account number.

The initial payment of 80,000 would arrive within five working days, and the rest would be wired in two installments.

Qi Hui had pocketed another income of several tens of thousands.

He couldn't help but feel a bit emotional; the entertainment industry was indeed full of hot money—this was much faster than working in construction.

Construction was not only bitter, but the clients would also drag their feet on paying the project funds every day.

Not only did they drag it out, but they also made the construction team pay for the workers' wages and material costs upfront.

Just thinking about it made one's teeth itch with anger!

However, since Senior Brother Ling and the director were so supportive, Qi Hui couldn't just take the benefits without giving back.

He couldn't be a slacker!

After thinking for a moment, Qi Hui said, "Director, there is something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

The sudden remark made everyone in the room freeze.

Qi Hui said slowly, "There is an A-level wanted criminal in our crew who has been on the run for over ten years."

"What?!"

Hearing this, everyone present was horrified.

On the set, filming continued.

"Idiots, two idiots who belong in a museum!" Wu Jingzhong, played by Feng Enhe, cursed at his wife and Cuiping:

"I went there to work, not to mess around!"

The executive director nodded; as expected of a veteran actor, this performance was rock solid.

"Teacher Sun, get ready to enter the scene," the executive director called out.

Sun Honglei, waiting "outside the door," waited for the signal. As Feng Enhe finished his last line, he pushed the door open and entered:

"Station Chief, I'm here."

"Ah... good." Wu Jingzhong nodded, the anger on his face slightly receding.

Yu Zecheng saw his wife and asked in surprise, "Why are you here too?"

"Cut!"

But at this moment, the executive director suddenly called for a stop.

Sun Honglei was slightly stunned; he hadn't made a mistake.

"Teacher Yao, your emotions are a bit off," the executive director shouted.

Sun Honglei understood; it was Yao Chen who had the problem.

"Sorry, my fault," Yao Chen said, raising her hand. "How about we take a break?"

As she spoke, without waiting for the executive director's reply, she walked off the set and sat down.

She gave Director Jiang Wei some face, but as for the executive director... he wasn't qualified enough.

On the scene, only the executive director and the three actors were left looking at each other.

"I'll go talk to her," Sun Honglei said to those present.

Producer Ju Chunlei once revealed that Yao Chen had cheated four times—twice before marriage and twice during.

One of the times during her marriage was with Sun Honglei while filming *Lurk*, though this was never clearly confirmed and remained mere hearsay.

The other time was with the photographer Cao Yu, who later became her husband.

Although it was hearsay, Yao Chen and Sun Honglei's relationship was indeed quite good now.

Outside the set, Sun Honglei sat down next to Yao Chen: "Why such a big mistake? Not in the right state?"

"Bad mood," Yao Chen said, reaching out to touch Sun Honglei's jacket, fishing a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, taking one, and lighting it herself.

"Hoo~" With a long exhale, white smoke drifted out, and Yao Chen let out a long sigh.

Sun Honglei thought for a moment and asked, "Are those two who came today your junior brothers?"

He was from the Central Academy of Drama, and Yao Chen was from the Beijing Film Academy.

"Little Zhang doesn't count," Yao Chen replied. "The other one."

Sun Honglei also lit a cigarette, puzzled: "What did he do to you?"

That young man was handsome, sunny and cheerful, humorous, and spoke well; there was nothing uncomfortable about him, was there?

Yao Chen skillfully flicked the ash and said, "My Old Ling gave him two roles in a row."

Sun Honglei stopped talking; your Old Ling gave you even more roles.

"Pull yourself together, we still have to work," Sun Honglei said, then stubbed out the cigarette that was still more than half full and stood up to leave.

The other party was a married woman; he could interact with her for work, but he still needed to be mindful of the impact.

In the room, Ling Xiaosu, Jiang Wei, and the others had their expressions change drastically.

"Wanted criminal?"

"What's going on?"

"Fuck? This is that outrageous?"

"Brother, tell us quickly!"

Facing the four people's anxiety, Qi Hui pursed his lips and took out a pack of Liqun cigarettes to share with them.

Liqun had a strong kick; it could help settle things.

The four silently lit their cigarettes and took a deep drag, their emotions settling down a bit.

Seeing them calm down, Qi Hui tapped off the ash and explained how the fugitive Ji Shiguang had been hiding under the alias Zhang Guofeng.

Hearing this, the casting director gasped in a mouthful of cold... secondhand smoke, his face full of shock.

Before signing the contract with Qi Hui, he had just signed a contract with Zhang Guofeng.

The other party didn't have many scenes, just a few shots, but he had been personally recommended by Assistant Director Li.

He had even chatted a few times with that kind-looking fatty, never expecting him to be a brutal wanted criminal involved in hijacking, robbery, and assault.

Although he was only an accomplice, it was still very dangerous!

"Little Qi, what do you plan to do?" Director Jiang Wei asked in a deep voice while puffing on his Liqun.

He realized this was a great opportunity to promote *Lurk*.

"Director, this is your territory, so of course I'll listen to you," Qi Hui said with a chuckle.

Ling Xiaosu and Zhang Ruoyun looked at each other, feeling surprised by Qi Hui; this was a prime opportunity to become famous.

Just giving it away to someone else?

"You kid, you're definitely going to be famous in the future," Jiang Wei said, feeling happy and laughing.

Being so tactful, it would be hard not to be famous.

After thinking, Jiang Wei said, "I am the director; my reputation relies on my work. I'll leave this kind of exposure opportunity to you actors."

"You handle it, and let me know if you need any help."

In truth, it wasn't realistic for him to hog the credit; Ling Xiaosu wouldn't agree to it.

Rather than having a conflict, it was better to go with the flow and leave it to the trio of Qi, Ling, and Zhang.

Anyway, no matter how it was handled, the reputation of *Lurk* would be spread, so he wouldn't lose out either way.

"Director is generous!" Ling Xiaosu chuckled and gave a thumbs up.

Qi Hui looked at Little Zhang and Old Ling and said, "Senior brother, junior brother, we are going to join forces to catch a wanted criminal this time!"

"Hehe... coming here was the right choice!" Zhang Ruoyun rubbed his hands together; far from being afraid, he was instead eager to give it a try.