The Common Man's Return in Chinese Entertainment

"Little chick, what time is it?"

"1:30."

"Damn, this kind of extra work is inhuman. I have to get up at 3 a.m., join the crew at 6 a.m., and film until after 1 a.m., and I only get 100 yuan a day."

"This is only because of our little chicks; Director Luo gave us a high price. Everyone else only gets between 20 and 50."

"The pay for extras in China is too low. When I was filming at Xiao Rizi, the daily wage for extras was about 5000 to 10000 yen. The working hours were fixed, usually 8 to 10 hours, and overtime pay was given if the hours were exceeded."

What is the exchange rate for the Japanese yen?

"100 yen is about 6 yuan."

"Six yuan... Holy crap, even if it's 5000 yen, that's at least three or four hundred a day, and you could easily earn over ten thousand a month as an extra?"

"No, no, no, as I said before, there aren't necessarily scenes to act in every day. Plus, the cost of living is high there. What I mean is that the pay for extras in China is very low."

"There's no other way. There are so many people in China. If you don't do it, there are plenty of others who will. Even so, you still have to rely on scrambling and connections."

"Are you dressed yet? If you are, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

"Alright, alright, let's go."

"Are you coming tomorrow?"

"Come on, although it's tough, a hundred dollars a day is a lot compared to those who do odd jobs. Besides, since we've entered this industry, becoming famous and making money definitely won't be easy. Just consider it training."

"That's right. The minimum wage in Beijing is only a little over 400 yuan now. We've earned a week's wages in just one day. That's quite a lot."

"I also want to observe the situation of the Chinese film crew more. After all, I have lived in China for so many years and I am not familiar with many things in China."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingxu smiled and glanced at the three of them. Sure enough, those who can make it in the entertainment industry can endure hardship. "Alright, let's just grab something to eat and then go back to sleep."

"Are you getting up this early again tomorrow?"

"right."

"Then remember to call us, little chick."

"no problem."

......

7 PM on October 7th.

After changing her clothes, Zhu Yawen sighed, "Holy crap, it's finally over."

Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Let's go, let's have a good meal today, and then go back and get a good night's sleep."

"Let's go, let's go! I feel like I've lost at least five pounds these past few days. Today I only want to eat meat, not vegetables."

Luo Jin chimed in with a complaint, "I also want to eat meat. Every day it's just cabbage and radish, or radish and cabbage. This is the first time I've ever felt like throwing up from eating so many vegetables."

Seeing that Lu Fang Sheng, though not speaking, had subconsciously swallowed, Ji Qing Xu burst into laughter.

Hearing Ji Qingxu's laughter, Zhu Yawen said, "Little Chicken, should we invite Director Luo over? She's been taking good care of us these past few days. Don't worry, the three of us will treat you."

Ji Qingxu smiled and shook her head. "She doesn't have time. This film has been in production and she has a lot of things to do. I just made an appointment with her."

"Okay then, let's go, I want to eat barbecue, lamb skewers, beef skewers... my mouth is watering."

Upon hearing the names of the dishes announced by Zhu Yawen, Ji Qingxu and the others subconsciously quickened their pace.

......

"Damn it, a bunch of noobs."

After throwing the three of them onto the bed, Ji Qingxu let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking at the three people lying unconscious on the bed, Ji Qingxu shook his head with a look of disgust.

The four of us had some drinks while eating barbecue. Ji Qingxu was planning to have some beer, but Zhu Yawen insisted on drinking baijiu (Chinese liquor), saying that drinking some baijiu would help her sleep better that night.

So the four of them drank two bottles of baijiu (Chinese liquor), then a case of beer, and that was the end of it.

Isn't it said that everyone in the entertainment industry has a huge capacity for sex?

Why are the guys in my dorm such bad drinkers?

Noticing that he was soaking wet, Ji Qingxu took his toiletries and headed to the bathroom.

......

"Eight hundred soldiers rushed up the north slope, artillerymen ran side by side to the north..."

"Zhu Yawen, what's wrong with you? Do you have a stone in your mouth?"

"Teacher, I accidentally fell off the bed last night."

"...Your face is a little swollen, but did you hurt your head?"

"Hahaha! ×N"

Hearing the laughter of the crowd and seeing Zhu Yawen looking at him with a resentful expression, Ji Qingxu chuckled.

Because he had to attend early morning classes at six o'clock, and after running around as an extra for a week, plus having drunk some alcohol last night, when Ji Qingxu got up at five o'clock in the morning, none of the three people in the dormitory were awake. Lu Fangsheng and Luo Jin woke up groggily after Ji Qingxu nudged them a few times, but Zhu Yawen remained lying in bed without waking up, so Ji Qingxu used some "physical" wake-up techniques.

After morning class, on their way to the cafeteria, Zhu Yawen touched her cheek and complained, "Little Chicken, could you please not slap my face next time? I make a living with my face."

"Haha, okay, next time I'll hit somewhere else, don't blame me. I called you several times and you didn't wake up, I thought something had happened to you."

"I was just too tired, and I also drank too much last night."

"Damn, I don't even want to talk about the three of you. Your alcohol tolerance is terrible. Luckily, I'm in good health, otherwise you would have all been sleeping on the street last night."

"Hehe, Chicken Bro, you've worked hard. Tonight it's my treat, let's have a good meal together."

"I'll treat you tomorrow."

"I'll treat you the day after tomorrow."

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."

"Don't mention it, make yourself at home."

"We need to replenish our energy these next few days."

"That's right."

After breakfast, the group returned to their dormitory. They saw Ji Qingxu take out a thick notebook and head outside. Zhu Yawen, who was standing next to him, quickly called out, "Wait for Xiaoji, let's go together."

Ji Qingxu smiled and said, "I need to see the homeroom teacher about something. See you in the classroom later."

"Looking for the homeroom teacher? Something wrong?"

Noticing that Luo Jin and Lu Fang-sheng were looking over curiously, Ji Qingxu smiled and shook the script in his hand, "Didn't I tell you I'm going to a film set at the end of the month?"

Holy crap!

"What?"

"Filming?"

"I think I told you that, didn't I?"

Seeing Ji Qingxu's "confused" expression and noticing the smile on his face, Zhu Yawen pounced on him, "Damn it, you guys can tolerate this? Look at this jerk deliberately showing off in front of us."

"Hahaha!"

After the four of them joked around for a while, Ji Qingxu said with a smile, "Alright, alright, it's getting late. I'll go ask the homeroom teacher for leave first. We can talk about any questions we have during dinner tonight."

"Alright, I'll let you off the hook for now. Just confess honestly tonight, and I'll treat you leniently."

"No problem, I'm off. See you in the classroom later."

Once Ji Qingxu left the dormitory, the dormitory immediately fell silent.

Zhu Yawen exclaimed, "Little Chicken is really amazing. It's only the beginning of the school year and she's already landed a role."

Luo Jin glanced at Ji Qingxu's bed and said, "Whether it's looks or figure, Xiao Ji is the best in our class, and he's also far ahead of us in terms of professional skills. I'm a little surprised that he can go out to film so early, but I think it's normal."

Lu Fang-sheng nodded in agreement, saying, "If Xiao Ji's looks and figure were still around, she would have been discovered by a talent scout long ago and taken to a management company for intensive training."

"Let's go, let's hurry to the classroom. We need to work hard too. Since Xiaoji has made a good start, as the best dormitory in the Class of 02, we can't let them down."

The three of them quickly picked up their textbooks and headed outside.

......