He plays Feng Yuxiu, and his girlfriend is a fairy-like beauty.

Ye Mo stayed at home for two days.

On the first day, he slept until noon, scrolled through his phone for a while, watched a few episodes of a TV series, ordered takeout, ate, and went back to sleep.

The next day, he simply couldn't stay in bed any longer.

"Let's go out for a walk," he told himself.

Hengdian World Studios is not far from the rented room, about a 20-minute walk.

Ye Mo changed into a faded black T-shirt, jeans, and a hat, and went out.

……

The entrance to the Ming and Qing Palace remains unchanged.

The group leader shouted through a megaphone, and the extras rushed forward in a swarm.

Ye Mo stood to the side and watched for a while, feeling a little dazed.

A few months ago, he was one of these people, squatting in the corner eating his boxed lunch, and pushing his way up whenever he heard "they want corpses."

What now?

He walked over to see if there was anything to do.

A group leader glanced at him and asked, "What have you acted in?"

"I played Feng Yuxiu in 'Kung Fu Jungle'," Ye Mo said.

The group leader looked him up and down: "Oh, the one from the promotional video?"

They clearly still knew Ye Mo.

Then he flipped through his notebook, "There's a period drama set in the Republican era today, we need a few extras, no lines, 81 days, meals included, wanna come?"

Ye Mo was taken aback: "Just... a passerby?"

"Otherwise what?" the group leader said impatiently. "You're not some big star. You're lucky if there are any passersby. Are you coming or not? If not, I'll find someone else."

"Come here," Ye Mo said.

Anyway, I'm just idling around.

But he squatted there all morning and couldn't even get a job from a passerby.

The group leader wanted familiar faces. Although Ye Mo's face had appeared in the promotional video, no one would recognize him in Hengdian.

Even if someone recognizes him—"Hey, aren't you Feng Yuxiu?"

That's all I said, and then I went about my business.

There are no connections, no company, and no agent.

Want to take on jobs? Just wait.

Ye Mo squatted in the corner, a cigarette dangling from his lips, watching the extras come and go, and sighed.

"This is the second time this has ever happened," he muttered to himself.

The first time was when he had just transmigrated, and nobody knew him.

People recognize him now, but he still can't get any work.

"Never mind." He put away his cigarette, stood up, and patted his pants.

He thought of Chen Desheng.

They introduced him to Lu Yang and did him such a big favor, but he hasn't properly thanked them yet.

Treating someone to a meal isn't too much to ask, is it?

……

Chen Desheng's crew is filming a Republican-era spy drama in the western part of Hengdian.

When Ye Mo arrived, the film set was bustling with activity.

He peered into the doorway and was stopped by the stagehand.

"What do you do?"

"I'm looking for Director Chen."

Do you have an appointment?

"No, just say Ye Mo is looking for him."

The stagehand glanced at him, then went inside to report, still somewhat doubtful.

He came out in less than a minute, his attitude completely changed: "Director Chen invites you in, this way please."

Ye Mo followed him inside and saw Chen Desheng sitting behind the monitor, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand.

"Director Chen."

Chen Desheng looked up and smiled: "What brings you here?"

"I was just killing time, so I thought I'd drop by and see you." Ye Mo squatted down. "Did I disturb you?"

"What are you interrupting? We just finished filming a scene." Chen Desheng put down the walkie-talkie, looked him up and down, and said, "I heard you're doing well working for Lu Yang?"

"It's alright, I didn't embarrass you."

"That's good." Chen Desheng smiled. "Lu Yang called me and said you brought his character Ding Xiu to life. Do you know what he said? 'Old Chen, I'm not giving this treasure back.'"

Ye Mo scratched his head: "Director Lu is exaggerating."

"He doesn't praise people easily," Chen Desheng patted him on the shoulder. "So, what brings you here?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to treat you to a meal," Ye Mo said. "You've helped me so much, I've never had a chance to thank you."

Chen Desheng looked at him and smiled: "Okay, tonight then. I finish work early, around seven o'clock."

"Okay." Ye Mo stood up. "Then I won't keep you any longer. See you tonight."

"Wait a minute," Chen Desheng called out to him, "Are you alone?"

"How about... we invite Fan Shaohuang? I haven't seen him in a while."

"Okay, call him. That kid's been in Hengdian lately, filming a web movie." Chen Desheng paused. "I'll book the place tonight and send it to you on WeChat."

……

After leaving the film set, Ye Mo called Fan Shaohuang.

I answered after it rang three times.

"Feed? Ye Mo?" Fan Shaohuang's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Young Master Huang, busy?"

"Just finished filming a scene, taking a break! Did you go back to Hengdian?"

"You're back. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner with Director Chen."

"Is Director Chen going too?"

"Go ahead, I just made an appointment with him."

"I definitely have to go." Fan Shaohuang smiled. "Where? What time?"

"Director Chen, I'll send it to you at 7 PM tonight."

"Okay, see you tonight."

After hanging up the phone, Ye Mo put his phone in his pocket and looked up at the sky.

The sky over Hengdian was overcast, just like usual.

But he didn't feel so depressed anymore.

This dinner tonight is not only to thank Director Chen.

He hadn't seen Fan Shaohuang for a while, so it was a good opportunity to get together. Besides, more people meant more fun, which was better than him being alone in his rented room counting water stains on the ceiling.

……

At 7 p.m., a private restaurant in Hengdian Town.

Chen Desheng booked a small private room; it wasn't big, but it was very quiet.

When Ye Mo arrived, Fan Shaohuang was already there, sitting inside drinking tea.

"Young Master Huang!" Ye Mo said with a smile as he walked in.

"You're here?" Fan Shaohuang stood up, the two shook hands, and he patted Fan Shaohuang on the shoulder.

"You've lost weight," Fan Shaohuang said.

"No way, I've gained three pounds." Ye Mo sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "How have you been lately?"

"It's just like that, a web movie, not much screen time, just passable." Fan Shaohuang took a sip of tea. "What about you? I heard you played a supporting role in Lu Yang's drama, and your screen time was increased quite a bit?"

"It's alright, Director Lu took good care of me."

After exchanging a few words, Chen Desheng pushed open the door and came in.

"Are you all here?" He took off his coat and hung it on the chair. "There was some traffic on the way, so we're a little late."

"It's not late, it's not late." Ye Mo stood up and poured him tea. "Director Chen, please have a seat."

Chen Desheng sat down and glanced at Fan Shaohuang: "You've gotten quite tanned lately."

"Running around outside every day, how can you not get tanned?" Fan Shaohuang laughed.

Ye Mo picked up his teacup: "Director Chen, Brother Huang, let me toast you first. Director Chen, thank you for taking care of me all this time. Brother Huang, thank you for helping me so much in my first film."

Chen Desheng waved his hand: "Don't say such polite things."

Fan Shaohuang laughed as well: "That's right, it's too formal to say such things."

The three clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The dishes were served one after another, and we ate and chatted.

Chen Desheng asked Ye Mo about his situation on the set of "Brotherhood of Blades," and Ye Mo mentioned some of it.

When the conversation turned to "having to pay extra," Chen Desheng laughed so hard he almost dropped his chopsticks.

"You changed Lu Yang's script, and not only did he not scold you, he even let you add more?" Chen Desheng wiped away the tears of laughter. "Lu Yang is the kind of person who hates actors changing lines the most. You really have the ability to get him to change his mind."

"I was just lucky," Ye Mo said modestly.

"Just lucky?" Fan Shaohuang chimed in from the side. "You're just too modest!"

Ye Mo scratched his head, unsure how to respond.

Chen Desheng looked at him and smiled, "Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Let's eat, let's eat."

The three of them ate and chatted, from movies to people, and from people to their social circles, and before they knew it, two hours had passed.

As the event ended, Chen Desheng patted Ye Mo on the shoulder.

"Xiao Ye, if you ever need any help in the future, just ask. Don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Director Chen," Ye Mo said sincerely.

Fan Shaohuang also came over: "I'll finish filming in a couple of days, let's meet up then."

"it is good."

Ye Mo stood at the restaurant entrance, watching Chen Desheng and Fan Shaohuang's car disappear into the night.

He took out his phone and glanced at it.

There is no news about Liu Yifei.

He typed a few words: "I had dinner with Director Chen and Brother Shao Huang today."

After thinking about it, I deleted it again.

Seeing her current situation makes it even more painful.

He put his phone in his pocket, took a deep breath, and walked towards the rented room.

The night in Hengdian is still so quiet.

......