Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

However, Liu Xiang was not worried. With Ding Haifeng's abilities, he would make a name for himself in the entertainment industry of the 1990s sooner or later.

These are not his concerns. His primary goal now is to portray Wu Song well, acquire the system's skills, gain a foothold in this unfamiliar time and space, and make a name for himself.

The van swayed and rattled along the bumpy cement road, like an old ox, finally making its way back to the hotel where the Water Margin film crew was staying. Just as Liu Xiang got out, she saw Ding Haifeng call out to Guo Baochang and Zhang Shaolin, who were heading towards the conference room.

Liu Xiang stood not far away, watching Ding Haifeng talk to the two directors. His expression was remarkably calm, without a trace of resentment. Instead, he smiled and patted Zhang Shaolin on the shoulder, saying something that made Zhang Shaolin laugh as well.

It's obvious without even listening that Ding Haifeng is voluntarily withdrawing.

Liu Xiang felt as if she had taken a sip of unsweetened osmanthus-flavored taro, a bittersweet taste. But more than anything, she felt admiration. These days, there aren't many people who can lose so gracefully and with such dignity.

If it were some petty actors, they might have tripped them up behind their backs or even gossiped about them.

Sure enough, not long after, Zhang Shaolin walked towards him with a rare smile on his face, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. He patted Liu Xiang's shoulder firmly, with the expectation of an elder: "Liu Xiang, the role of Wu Song is yours. Perform well, don't embarrass me. This is a major production for CCTV, the whole country is watching."

Guo Baochang also walked over, his face no longer showing the disdain he had for extras, but rather a more serious expression, even a hint of appreciation. He looked Liu Xiang up and down, pursed his lips, and his tone softened considerably: "Kid, you're pretty good. But don't get cocky. If you let the team down after you join, if you can't portray the ruthlessness of Wu Song, I'll be the first to replace you. Don't blame me then."

Liu Xiang grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. Sunlight shone on his face, making him look exceptionally energetic: "Don't worry, Director Guo, I guarantee I won't let you down! My portrayal of Wu Song will absolutely be a hit with the audience!"

The news spread quickly throughout the film crew, like it had wings, flying from the conference room to the cafeteria, and then from the cafeteria to the actors' dormitory.

Liu Xiang, the security guard who came all the way from the north, has won the role of Wu Song!

At first, some staff members murmured among themselves, saying how could an unknown extra be entrusted with such an important role? Wu Song is the top character in "Water Margin", and so many viewers are watching! But after someone embellished the story of Liu Xiang at the zoo, where a tiger took the initiative to rub against him and even snored with its eyes half-closed, everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Liu Xiang.

I feel admiration, envy, and a bit of awe.

After all, not everyone has the guts to face a fully grown Siberian tiger head-on and pet it like a pet cat. It's the king of beasts; one bite can break a person's arm. Liu Xiang, that kid, is incredibly brave!

Liu Xiang suddenly became a "celebrity" on set, with people greeting him wherever he went. In the mornings, if he bumped into a stagehand downstairs at the dormitory, the stagehand would enthusiastically offer him a cigarette; at lunchtime, when he went to the cafeteria, the lady serving the food would give him extra scoops of braised pork, smiling and saying, "Teacher Liu, eat more, so you'll have the strength to play Wu Song! Fighting a tiger is hard work!"

Liu Xiang held a full bowl of braised pork, beaming from ear to ear, feeling incredibly happy.

This treatment was a world of difference compared to when he was a security guard at the Beijing Film Studio. Back then, he was lucky to even have a steamed bun, let alone braised pork. Sometimes he would wait all day without getting a single extra's job, forced to eat dry, hard buns and drink tap water while watching others enjoy themselves.

That evening, Kang Honglei, as if he'd won the lottery, patted his chest and declared he'd treat everyone to a celebration. He put his arm around Liu Xiang's shoulder, his voice booming throughout the entire hallway: "Come on! Liu Xiang, we have to have a couple of drinks tonight! My judgment is absolutely spot on! I knew you were destined for greatness from the start, and see? I was right!"

Liu Xiang nodded with a smile, feeling warm inside. He patted Kang Honglei's arm and pointed in the direction of Ding Haifeng's dormitory: "Absolutely! But Director Kang, you have to bring Brother Ding along. Such an important matter can't be done without him."

Kang Honglei paused for a moment, then patted Liu Xiang on the shoulder, his eyes showing approval: "Good job. Just for that, this drink was worth it!"

When Ding Haifeng received the invitation, he was packing his luggage. His luggage was simple: a military green canvas bag containing a few changes of clothes and a few books. Upon hearing that they were going to have barbecue, he laughed heartily, his voice showing no sign of disappointment: "Sure! Perfect timing, I'd also like to have a drink with you two. Consider it a farewell dinner for me, and a celebration for you too."

Around 7 PM, the three rode the film crew's old bicycles, wobbling along the old streets of Wuxi. Ding Haifeng and Kang Honglei pedaled erratically, attracting the attention of passersby. Liu Xiang, on the other hand, rode steadily backwards; after all, she had often used them for transportation during her time at martial arts school and knew the routes very well.

The three chatted and laughed all the way, and soon arrived at Nanchang Street Night Market, the most famous street for barbecue skewers in Wuxi.

In the 1990s, Nanchang Street didn't have so many trendy shops; it was just a traditional street full of everyday life. The bluestone pavement was worn smooth and shiny by time, but it was slippery to walk on, so you had to be careful not to slip and fall.

Red lanterns hung from the shops on both sides, with the words "Wuxi Braised Pork Ribs" and "Shrimp Wontons" printed on them, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The shouts of vendors rose and fell, one wave after another, creating a lively symphony of the bustling city.

"Old Wuxi-style braised pork ribs! Freshly cooked! Rich but not greasy, the aroma is irresistible!"

"Sweet and sticky taro with osmanthus flavor! The girls all love it!"

"Lamb skewers! Lamb skewers! Authentic Xinjiang lamb skewers! 50 cents a skewer! Money back guarantee if you don't like it!"

The air was filled with the aroma of cumin, chili, and roasted lamb, along with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus-flavored taro and the pungent smell of fried stinky tofu. The various smells mixed together, yet they didn't seem out of place at all, making people's stomachs rumble and even their mouths water.

The three found an open-air stall. The stall owner, an uncle surnamed Wang, was shirtless, wearing an greasy apron. He was twirling the skewers in his hands like a juggler, flipping them up and down, dazzling the eyes. The charcoal in the grill crackled and popped, and the leaping flames made Uncle Wang's face turn bright red.

"Boss, give me twenty skewers of lamb, ten skewers of grilled cartilage, two grilled eggplants, a plate of salted peanuts, and a plate of smashed cucumber!" Kang Honglei's voice was loud, and as soon as he shouted, several tables around looked over with curious eyes that seemed to be watching a spectacle.