On the train to Hengdian.
Chen Feng and Liu Rui sat in the same row.
Both wore masks and whispered together.
Chen Feng decided to help Lin Zu with his busy schedule.
It was still a background role.
A gambler imprisoned in jail, also a famous Thousand Doors master.
The entire drama was a modern series with an anti-gambling theme.
Full of positive energy.
Lin Zu played a positive male supporting role in the drama.
The specific details weren't discussed much over the phone.
However, Lin Zu was a good friend; he negotiated a special guest price for Chen Feng's role.
It was already quite good.
Although Chen Feng had trended on the hot search during the live variety show What is an Actor, most of the online comments were negative.
Furthermore, there was no definitive conclusion yet on whether he was acting naturally or had superb acting skills.
Whether it was the Addict, the domestic abuser, or even that arrogant Actor, all could be seen as Chen Feng's true self.
Especially since Chen Feng currently wasn't signed with any company.
He could only be an extra.
...
A few hours later.
The journey, filled with a romantic atmosphere, ended.
With Liu Rui accompanying him along the way, the feeling was just different.
The two became friends after they had a relationship.
Although the order was reversed, the result remained the same.
Liu Rui greatly admired Chen Feng.
Even though he was still an extra.
Chen Feng also greatly admired Liu Rui.
No matter what, he was the one who took her first blood.
Therefore, the two admired each other.
The journey was not lonely.
Upon arriving in Hengdian.
They met Lin Zu, who had been anxiously waiting for them at the entrance of the film and television city.
After the three met.
Lin Zu laughed loudly and threw an arm around Chen Feng's shoulder: “A Feng, you’re really something. You’re even trending on the hot search, you’re amazing.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Chen Feng patted his shoulder and said with a smile: “Didn’t you see that the internet is full of people scolding me?”
“Haha, the more they scold, the more popular you get, I tell you. I even wish people would scold me, the key is that people don’t even know who I am.”
After speaking, he turned to look at Liu Rui with curiosity: “I’m just curious, how did you and A Feng meet?”
“We met through Director Zhuang.”
Liu Rui smiled slightly: “I didn’t expect him to be in the same dorm as you, Senior Brother.”
“The world is too small, too small.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Zu immediately pulled the two of them into the film and television city, saying as they walked: “I’m taking you to meet our Director.”
“Who is it?”
Chen Feng looked at him doubtfully.
“Do you know Mai Zijie?”
Chen Feng shook his head: “Never heard of him.”
“Then do you know Mai Dangxiong? Don’t tell me you only know McDonald’s.”
Chen Feng blinked: “Is he the Director who filmed ‘Pohao’?”
“That’s right, it’s him.”
Lin Zu immediately said excitedly: “Mai Zijie is a distant relative of Mai Dangxiong. He got into the industry through Mai Dangxiong’s connections, and now he’s a somewhat famous Director.”
“What works has he filmed?”
Chen Feng asked casually.
“No film or television works yet. But he has filmed several commercials that won the Golden Lion Award. You know, the Cannes Golden Lion Award, a very prestigious honor in the advertising industry.”
“Oh.” Chen Feng nodded.
“He is now officially starting to get involved in urban-themed film and television dramas. This work, just the script, took seven years to polish. It’s excellent, you’ll see in a bit.”
Liu Rui, who was beside them, suddenly asked: “Senior Brother, how did you get into his crew?”
“Through connections, of course.”
Lin Zu smiled mysteriously: “I’ll reveal the answer to you tonight. Now, let’s quickly go meet the Director. Although A Feng’s role is an extra, he is the soul of the drama. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t appear, but his name runs through the entire drama.”
“Oh, that’s very good.”
Liu Rui’s eyes lit up: “Generally, this kind of role makes it easy for the audience to remember the Actor.”
“Wait a minute.”
Chen Feng suddenly stopped, grabbed Lin Zu’s arm, and asked doubtfully: “Azu, tell me honestly, does your Director know you found me?”
“He… doesn’t know yet.”
Lin Zu scratched his head awkwardly.
Chen Feng had an ‘as expected’ expression, shaking his head helplessly: “I’m not trying to discourage you, but you really should have mentioned my name first, otherwise I might make a wasted trip. Then you’ll have to reimburse me for the travel expenses.”
“Why would it be a wasted trip?”
Liu Rui looked at him doubtfully.
“Isn’t it simple?”
Chen Feng shrugged: “My current labels are all bad guys, like Addict, domestic abuser, pervert, triad boss—anyway, my reputation isn’t great. If you were the Director, would you rashly use me to cameo such a soul character?”
Liu Rui: “…”
That was a problem.
Liu Rui looked at Lin Zu.
Lin Zu, however, smiled and punched Chen Feng: “You’re overthinking it, I think you’re just a professional bad guy now. Come on, let’s meet the Director first. Even if it doesn’t work out, staying here is much better than being in Yan Film Academy. Let’s go, quickly.”
After speaking, he pulled Chen Feng along without question.
Ten-odd minutes later.
After passing at least seven or eight film crews’ shooting locations, the three finally arrived at a real-life shooting location for an urban drama.
They were filming inside.
Lin Zu pointed to a long-haired middle-aged man watching the monitor in the distance and whispered: “That’s Mai Zijie, Director Mai.”
Chen Feng glanced over.
Around forty years old.
With a full beard, a very rugged appearance.
A classic Director’s attire.
He was intently watching the monitor.
A moment later, a ‘cut’ ended the current shooting segment.
Lin Zu immediately ran over, saying without looking back: “I’ll go say hello first, wait for me.”
Then he ran off.
Chen Feng looked around, observing everything.
Hengdian World Studios was truly vast.
There must be at least two hundred thousand extras here.
There were many people gathered around each crew, all waiting for God to provide.
Therefore, without connections, it was truly as difficult as ascending to heaven to gain a foothold in this industry.
In his memory, Lin Zu’s family didn’t seem to have much background.
Where did he get the connections to hook up with a Director like Mai Zijie?
And even play the male supporting role.
In the distance.
After Lin Zu whispered a few words to Mai Zijie, Mai Zijie turned his head to look around and quickly spotted the two of them.
Not bad!
Mai Zijie stood up.
And actually came over with Lin Zu.
Chen Feng was somewhat surprised.
Was he that respectful of talent?
The result proved that he was overthinking.
Mai Zijie came over for Liu Rui.
Although Liu Rui was also there to cameo a role, due to her connections with Zhuang Chengwen and Song Guohui, plus her title as the 2023 Yan Film Academy flower, she was very eye-catching.
Therefore, as soon as Mai Zijie came over, he shook hands with Liu Rui: “Miss Liu, a pleasure to meet you. Three months ago, when I was in Yan Film Academy for business, I heard about you from Teacher Song Guohui.”
“Director Mai, you’re too kind.”
Liu Rui quickly responded humbly.
“Hehe, it’s actually a waste of Miss Liu’s talent to have her cameo a small role. If possible, I would like to tailor a classical xianxia drama for Miss Liu to try.”
Liu Rui smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons: “That would truly be too kind, Director Mai. However, I might not be able to do it now. It’s not false modesty, but I truly can’t handle it yet.”
“Hehe, Miss Liu, I have a very accurate eye for people.”
Mai Zijie finally let go of Liu Rui’s hand and said with a smile: “In less than two years, I guarantee you’ll rise.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Director Mai.”
“Don’t be modest, don’t be modest. Just don’t decline when I look for you then.”
“I won’t, Director Mai. You think so highly of me, how could I decline?”
...
The two were exchanging pleasantries.
Chen Feng, standing by, secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.
Having connections was truly good.
Song Guohui was just a very ordinary old teacher in the industry, but his connections could make Liu Rui popular with everyone.
So, how could ordinary people ever make a name for themselves?
At this moment, Mai Zijie finally turned to look at Chen Feng.
His gaze carried a scrutinizing quality.