Chapter 2

Zheng Baozhu was afraid that this man, who looked so much like Qu Zhi, might bring her trouble, so she quickly closed the picture and exited Weibo.

After finishing breakfast, she hailed a car to the Film and Television City.

The driver was a middle-aged man whose hairline was receding. When Zheng Baozhu got into the car, he was adjusting his precious hair in the rearview mirror.

The two briefly confirmed the ride and the driver started the car.

City A's Film and Television City was not the largest or most famous in the country, but it was close to Zheng Baozhu and had a highway, making the drive very smooth.

The driver seemed to enjoy the freedom of driving at a high speed and played music to boost his mood.

He was listening to a music radio station, and presently, the radio station was playing Su Mingmei's [Chu].

This was the theme song of the movie [Spring is No More]. When the male lead first meets the female lead, this song plays in the background. [Chu] was the annual hit song back then, winning numerous awards and playing everywhere. After Su Mingmei's suicide, the popularity soared even more.

Even today, nearly twenty years later, the radio station was still playing this song.

"...Raise your head and take a look, is this the feeling of first love?" Zheng Baozhu softly hummed along with the music flowing from the radio. The driver deliberately glanced up at the rearview mirror and asked, "Young lady, do you also like Su Mingmei's songs?"

Zheng Baozhu smiled and replied, "Yes, this song is very famous."

"That's right," the driver became even more enthusiastic when talking about this topic, "Back then, Su Mingmei was popular throughout the country. Everyone, from elderly men and women in their seventies to little kids, loved her."

Zheng Baozhu chuckled and asked, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

"I'm not exaggerating at all. Because of Su Mingmei, my first love broke up with me!" the driver said proudly.

"Oh? Was it because you liked Su Mingmei too much and made her jealous?"

"No, back then, we managed to get only one ticket to Su Mingmei's fan meeting... But luckily, I won the bet," the driver said, sounding quite pleased with himself.

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

So, Mr. Driver, you broke up with your girlfriend based on your own skills.

"Ah, it's just a pity that good things don't last. How could she not see the bigger picture and end her life?" the driver sighed and shook his head.

Zheng Baozhu didn't say anything further, and the driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, exclaiming, "Are you going to the Film and Television City? Are you a celebrity?"

"No, not at all," Zheng Baozhu shook her head, "I haven't even made my debut yet. I just want to gain some experience by visiting."

"I'm sure you'll make it. Has anyone ever told you that you look like Su Mingmei?"

Zheng Baozhu feigned embarrassment and covered her face, "Well, I've heard people say that."

"That's right! When you got in the car just now, I immediately thought of Su Mingmei when I saw your eyes!" the driver became even more excited, "Your eyebrows, eyes, and even your face, the more I look at you, the more you resemble Su Mingmei!"

"Is that so? Hahaha."

The driver and Zheng Baozhu chatted quite well. When he dropped her off, he even said confidently that she would definitely become famous in the future.

But he didn't charge her a penny for the fare.

After getting out of the car, Zheng Baozhu went to check the house she had rented. Although she didn't plan to stay there, she wanted to have a place to rest in case she had to do any late-night shoots. The houses around the Film and Television City were quite ordinary. Zheng Baozhu, although she was only somewhat satisfied with it, chose the most expensive one. The landlord had replaced all the household items with new ones, and after checking everything, she followed the strategies she had researched and went to the Actor Service Department to apply for her actor's pass.

Getting an actor's pass wasn't difficult; she just had to take a general knowledge exam and undergo a short training session. After receiving her actor's pass, Zheng Baozhu joined a group chat managed by an administrator. If there were any casting calls for extras, the administrators would post them in the group chat.

Casting calls were usually posted in advance, the messages in the group chat were from the previous day. Since she was already here, Zheng Baozhu decided to go to the Actor Service Department, where she heard that one could "pick up leftovers".

The term "picking up leftovers" was mentioned when she was getting her pass, as explained by some experienced extras. If someone didn't show up for a shoot, there was a chance for others to "pick up the leftovers" and be a substitute.

The Actor Service Department was crowded with people from both genders. When Zheng Baozhu approached, everyone couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. Zheng Baozhu pretended to tidy her hair and stood outside without going in.

After standing for less than two minutes, a sturdy big brother rushed over in a hurry. When he saw Zheng Baozhu at the entrance, he paused for a moment and hesitated for a few seconds before approaching her and striking up a conversation, "Miss, are you here to be an extra?"

Zheng Baozhu nodded, "Yes."

"Well, that's great. I need a few more people. Come with me later," the big brother said and shouted towards the inside, "I need five extras, any males will do!"

People quickly gathered; Zheng Baozhu followed the group and got on the production team's van. She felt a mix of excitement and anticipation.

The big brother was curious as he looked at Zheng Baozhu beside him, "I have to ask, with your looks, you could easily become an internet celebrity. Why did you choose to be an extra instead?"

Zheng Baozhu replied, "I don't want to be an internet celebrity. I want to be a legitimate actor."

The big brother laughed, "Being an extra is tough, and it's hard to make progress. Look how many people are coming and going here everyday. Who didn't start with dreams? But as time goes on, either they give up or become a slacker by just hanging around on set."

Zheng Baozhu smiled at him, "Big brother, today is my first day here. Don't dampen my spirits."

The big brother also smiled, "Alright, later on, you'll play a foreground role. Do you know what a foreground role is?"

"Yes." Zheng Baozhu had heard about it during the training. Extras were categorized into different levels. The background extras were the most common; the better ones were called foreground extras; and the best ones were featured extras. A foreground role meant standing in front of the scene, possibly having camera shots or even lines, and the pay was relatively higher, but it also required specific appearance and height criteria.

Foreground roles were hard to come by, but Zheng Baozhu not only picked up a leftover opportunity today but also got a foreground role. She felt lucky.

The van finally stopped on a Republican era street set. When they were still in the van, the big brother had already informed them that it was a Republican era spy film, and today they would be playing pedestrians on the street. Zheng Baozhu went to the costume department to get her costume. It was a red cheongsam, and when she put it on, the costume department couldn't help but take a few more glances at her.

The extras' costumes were very ordinary and this red cheongsam had been worn by many people before. Although it looked perfectly fine, it was rather unremarkable. However, when Zheng Baozhu put it on, the cheongsam instantly looked very expensive, as if it had been tailor-made for a wealthy family's young lady.

After getting her look ready, Zheng Baozhu waited until the director arrived on set to start filming. When the director saw Zheng Baozhu approaching, he pulled the assistant director aside and asked, "Where did you find this girl?"

The assistant director replied, "She's from the Actor Service Department."

The director patted his shoulder, "She's quite good. I even doubted that the costume she wore wasn't from our production."

"Oh, who knows. I saw her at the Actor Service Department. I'm not sure if she came to be an extra."

Especially with the costume she was wearing, she looked like a rich family's young lady trying out a different lifestyle by pursuing acting.

"Take a closer look, doesn't she resemble Su Mingmei a bit?"

After hearing his words, the assistant director nodded, "Yes, indeed."

"But she seems more radiant than Su Mingmei," People from that era often carried a melancholic air, "That girl, yes, you, come here, let me tell you something," the director beckoned Zheng Baozhu and approached her, "You'll be the foreground for this shot. Stand in front of that stall, look around casually, then casually ask the shop owner about the price of something. Understand?"

Zheng Baozhu nodded, "Got it!"

Zheng Baozhu confidently stood at the designated spot indicated by the director. This shot would be filmed from here, and then the female lead would walk past from the side.

When the female lead arrived, Zheng Baozhu intentionally turned her head and took a glance. The female lead was also wearing a cheongsam but looked much more refined than her. The female lead's cover identity was a popular singer, but in reality, she was a hidden contact for the Communist Party.

When Zheng Baozhu looked at the female lead, the female lead also happened to notice her, and her eyebrows furrowed.

"Who hired these extras?" the female lead asked, her voice sounding displeased, "How did they find these people? How can someone so ugly be a foreground?"

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

There was a moment of silence on set. The assistant director, who selected Zheng Baozhu, weakly asked, "Is... is she ugly?"

"Isn't she? What's wrong with your eyes?"

Being called ugly once again, Zheng Baozhu couldn't bear it anymore, "That's enough. Don't keep fixating on calling me ugly. You are also a woman. I can see that you don't want to be insulted either, but don't come up and insult others based on their appearance."

The female lead sneered, "Insult? Oh, so now people can't speak the truth anymore, huh?"

"Hmph!" Zheng Baozhu's temper flared up too, "Isn't covering up people's mouth your expertise, Sun Jing? Don't think that changing your appearance would make me not recognize you. Weren't you the one reporting netizens on Weibo? If your acting isn't good, can't the audience say the truth?"

"Who are you calling a bad actor?!" Sun Jing despised being called a bad actor the most. Now her voice rose by eight degrees, "Director Liu, if you use this extra, then I won't act!"

"Settle down, settle down. We'll change the cast," the director wanted to calm the situation and had to replace Zheng Baozhu, "Xiao Gao, take her to return the costume and find a replacement."

"No need for you to escort me. I'll go by myself!" Zheng Baozhu scoffed inwardly and promptly left.

After Zheng Baozhu left, the set quickly regained order. The director looked at Xiao Gao next to him and complained in a low voice, "What were you thinking, bringing such a beautiful extra? Are you trying to stir up trouble? Who will the audience be focused on, the lead or her?"

Xiao Gao: "..."

Director, that's not what you said earlier.

"Well, what kind of extra should I bring then?" Sun Jing's outburst left Xiao Gao bewildered.

The director said, "Are you dumb? Find someone good-looking but not as good-looking as Sun Jing. Understand?"

"Understood, understood."

Xiao Gao went to find another extra. On the way, he saw Zheng Baozhu walking ahead, looking frustrated. He called out, "Hey, miss. I'm sorry about what happened today."

Zheng Baozhu turned and looked at him, "It's not your fault. It's just my bad luck."

She had thought her luck was good, but it turned out that misfortune had been waiting for her here!

Xiao Gao felt a little guilty and took out his phone. He said, "Let me recommend a foreground extra standby group to you. Add it yourself, and they will occasionally send casting notices."

"Sure, thank you, big brother," Zheng Baozhu also took out her phone and scanned the group QR code. Joining the group required approval, so Xiao Gao sent a message to the group owner, asking them to approve Zheng Baozhu, "They will approve you once they see the message, but foreground roles are competitive, and you have to be quick."

"Okay, got it."

"I'll give you a ride since I'm heading out anyway. It would take you a while if you go on your own."

"Thank you, big brother."

After leaving the set, Zheng Baozhu hailed a car and returned to Starlight Farm.

She had been busy all day, but it seemed like it was all in vain. However, she did join a group, so it wasn't a complete waste. Feeling content with herself, Zheng Baozhu walked into the hotel and saw a tall figure standing at the front desk, checking in.

The figure looked a bit familiar.

"Miss Baozhu, you're back!" Xiao Yu, the front desk attendant, exclaimed happily, "This gentleman is your friend!"

"My friend?" Zheng Baozhu looked at the figure in doubt.

The man turned around and happened to meet her gaze.

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