“Brother, I'm sorry, let's not fall out over these little things and delay the shooting schedule. If you're still upset, you can scold me a couple more times. I was stupid...didn't understand the meaning of the brothers yesterday. So today I'll apologize to everyone. I...”
Li Yan hadn't finished speaking when he was patted on the head again by one of them. The force wasn't light and he shrank back with a frown but didn't dare retaliate.
One of the men, sturdy and thickset in military costume, grabbed Li Yan's ear and said,
“We guys all got off work yesterday but you asked us to work overtime and shoot an extra scene. We did as told but you didn't show an ounce of gratitude and even played dumb with us. You feel wronged? We feel wronged too!
The few of us contract actors and crew only get a fixed wage per month. Working more means more tiredness and no benefit for us, yet you curl your lips. Curling your lips!
You're making a monkey out of us, aren't you!”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to hit Li Yan's head again.
“That's enough. If you hit him again I'll call security.”
A pleasant voice sounded behind the burly man.
The voice was pleasing, the tone calm, but the warning in it was unmistakable.
“None of your f**king business...Oh, Teacher Qin, sorry, blocking your way. My bad, we were just fooling around, good buddies, right, little Li?”
Ferocious just a second ago, at the sight of Qin Wei, he was all smiles immediately.
With an arm around Li Yan's neck, he beamed at Qin Wei.
Li Yan's expression shifted again and again before he finally managed a smile, “Teacher Qin, they were joking with me. Please go ahead...the shoot is what matters...”
Qin Wei sized up the four actors. All she saw was humility and respect. Had she not witnessed them bullying someone, she would have believed it.
Finally, her gaze settled on Li Yan's pathetic doe eyes.
“The hot weather makes people irritable easily. I'll treat the whole crew to herbal snow lotus. You, come with me to get the money.”
Qin Wei tapped Li Yan's shoulder and headed into the main hall first.
Her assistant, Li Liang, didn't leave immediately. Without a word, she just looked at the burly man. Sensing it, he let go of Li Yan and allowed him to follow the lead actress's assistant away.
Li Yan heaved a sigh of relief and jogged to catch up with Qin Wei.
The equipment in the main hall was still undergoing final checks. The staff had brought over tables and chairs to a shaded area for Qin Wei to sit. After she sat down, Qin Wei said to him,
“So you don't want me to stand up for you? I can't do much else, but getting rid of some extras isn't impossible.”
No one in the crew knew about their acquaintance, let alone that Li Yan used to work at the TV station. Qin Wei didn't acknowledge him just now at the door because he kept hinting for her to leave instead of saving him.
Li Yan sighed. Seeing no one around, he said to her,
“Teacher Qin may not know this, but there are all kinds of people among extras. Although the Actors Association has mandated reforms in recent years which improved things compared to before, it's just treating the symptoms and not the root cause. The bar is low and quality varied. Truly, you see all sorts. A clean costume is worth fighting over, while other kinds of taking advantage are commonplace. Some even...forget it, not worth mentioning.
Of course one can't generalize. There are those driven here by life to make ends meet, and those chasing dreams. Anyway, getting rid of these few and bringing in others would be like a blind box draw. Can't say what you'd get.”
Li Yan scratched his head. “It's also my fault. I wasn't firm enough passing on the director's message. So they hinted for me to treat them to a meal after work...I didn't get the hint and just said thanks for their hard work then left...”
Qin Wei said indignantly, “That's still no reason to hit your head! If I don't catch them next time, I won't be polite!”
I'll knock their dog heads fiercely!
Li Yan quickly waved his hands. “Teacher Qin, I appreciate your kindness, but there's no need. They're local snakes. We have to get along to shoot smoothly and not fuss over them. Things like this happen in crews. Production assistants fight with extras. Extras scuffle with contract actors. Production assistants scold fans. Contract actors cheat fans...
Most lead actors see it but don't get involved, Boss Ke and Teacher Sun Dan are the same. It can't be managed...
Teacher Qin, I can handle it myself. I'll be mixing in crews for years. I can endure this much grievance. Our relationship is one thing. Please just treat me equally. Shooting takes a lot of energy. You really don't need to worry about these little things for me off camera...”
Having known Li Yan for some time, it was the first time he had said so much to her. It seemed he was serious. Qin Wei respected his wishes and said no more, only asking her assistant to give him money to buy drinks for the crew.
Following Qin Wei's instructions, Li Liang handed a thick stack of hundred yuan bills to Li Yan. Li Yan hesitated, then said to Qin Wei,
“Teacher Qin, there are only 30 plus people in Group A. Five hundred yuan is way more than enough. This is too much.”
Qin Wei impatiently waved her hand.
“Take it first. We're in the same group. I'll be asking you to help out often later. Don't come to me for running errands money then!”
From her understanding, the little nobody wasn't stingy about treating others. He must be truly broke.
Li Yan gritted his teeth. He did earn little since coming here and his savings were nearly gone. Otherwise he wouldn't have played dumb in front of those contract actors. So he said thanks, took the money from the assistant, and only kept half, returning the rest to Li Liang.
“Sis, he only took three thousand plus. There's still over six thousand left...”
Li Liang silently counted and looked at Qin Wei.
“Keep what's left for now, along with what Teacher Qiao gave. Use it to treat Group A to snacks and drinks every so often. I'll leave this to you.”
“Sis, wasn't Teacher Qiao's intention for you to keep some? You're spending it all and not upset?”
“Can't stay stagnant. Gotta spend what's meant to be spent...”
As Qin Wei spoke, she looked at Li Yan jogging away and sighed, pointing at him to ask Li Liang,
“Don't you think he's as much of a coward as me?”
Li Liang: “?”
Seemingly not expecting an answer, Qin Wei muttered,
“I think I understand Teacher Qiao's anger now. It is quite infuriating when your friends are bullied like that...”
Li Liang: “You've only just realized Teacher Qiao's care for you??????? Sis, you're so slow on the uptake. Can this hospital cure you?”
Qin Wei: “?”
Li Liang wanted to say more but was interrupted by a crew member emerging from the hall.
“Teacher Qin, we're ready. Can you come in now?”
“Sure! We'll be right there!”
Before Qin Wei could respond, Li Liang already answered and started pushing Qin Wei's shoulder towards the main hall of the Pepper Room.
“We'll slowly chat about Teacher Qiao's affection for you later. I must spell it out clearly to you.
Don't think about anything else now. Leave it all to us. Li Yao Brother just called and said to make you feel fully supported so focus on acting. Even if the sky falls we'll hold it up for you.
Qin Wei was pushed into the main hall by her. The elaborate, meticulous decor inside made her nerves, which she had just steadied, fray a little again.
From variety show figurant to stage singing contestant to all kinds of livestreams, commercials and short dramas, she was long past camera shyness.
This path was walked step-by-step. She had come this far. She had to believe every step before wasn't in vain.
"Sis Sis Sis!"
A little white train dressed in ancient costume suddenly scurried out from behind the throne, crying and calling her while stumbling towards her.
"I almost forgot my first scene is with Douzi Brother. Brother, why are you crying again <(ToT)>?"
The composure she had just regained seemed to crumble again. Qin Wei turned to Li Liang,
"Li Liang, Li Liang, look, the sky is falling..."
