My Wandering Swordsman

I thought what followed would be a hectic life as an extra.

Little did we know that for the next three days, the three of us would just lie in the tin shack and stare blankly at each other.

I still paid the 2.5 yuan daily accommodation fee, and spent all my money on food, drink, and other necessities, but my income was zero.

The Flower Monk and Liu Zi were tossing and turning on the bunk bed, and I wasn't much better off. I stared at the rust on the ceiling, my heart pounding.

This is not right.

Is the crew canceling filming? No way, no one told us to pack up. We've already filmed so many scenes; if the movie doesn't get released, we'll lose a lot of money.

"Monk, something's not right. Go out and ask around." I nudged the person in the lower bunk with my elbow.

The Flower Monk readily agreed and went out wearing slippers.

When he came back from his stroll, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"None of the extras in the crew were there. When I got to the set, wow, everyone except the three of us was filming normally."

Liu Zi sat up abruptly: "Brother Hailong, what does this mean? Are you blacklisting us?"

The Flower Monk was so angry his teeth itched: "That's right, out of all the extras, the three of us don't get any acting roles, or rather, the three of us simply don't get any roles at all."

Haha, I understood as soon as I heard it.

It must be that bastard Wang, the deputy director, making things difficult for the three of us again.

Seriously, this grandson's mind is as small as a pinhole. He's not content with being openly malicious, so now he's resorting to underhanded tricks.

Liu Zi realized what was happening and panicked: "Brother Ji, why don't we confront him? Why is he doing this? Isn't this blatant bullying?"

I waved my hand: "There's no point in talking to him. He's the assistant director, in charge of everything from coordination to scheduling. If you try to reason with him, he'll just brush you off with a 'production schedule.' What are you going to do about it?"

After listening, the Flower Monk scratched his head in frustration: "Shall we retreat? This bastard is clearly not giving us a way out."

I squinted.

Leaving now is exactly what Assistant Director Wang wanted. He couldn't be happier to get rid of the three of us jinxes, out of sight, out of mind.

But am I, Ji Xiaosong, the kind of person who swallows my pride and suffers in silence?

After thinking for a moment, I flipped myself out of bed and said, "Monk, Liu Zi, if you two can't stay idle, go fill in for a few days on other film sets so you don't lose your income. I'll take care of Assistant Director Wang."

The monk Hua quickly grabbed me and said, "No, brother, don't be impulsive. It's not worth going to jail for that bastard. Let's think of another way."

I was speechless. So, the Flower Monk thought that all I, Ji Xiaosong, could do was fight?

"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. I won't do things like murder or arson."

The Flower Monk slowly released his grip, then suddenly slapped his forehead: "That's right, look at my brain! Your aunt is Yu Yang, just find her."

I smiled, didn't say anything more, and went out on my own.

Go find your aunt?

What a joke, how could that be?

That night I boasted to my aunt that I would protect her, and then I turned around and asked her to step in and smooth things over? I can't do that.

However, Assistant Director Wang definitely needs to be dealt with; his level of depravity has reached the point where he absolutely must be dealt with.

As for how to handle it...

To be honest, if this had happened a few days ago, I really wouldn't have had any good solutions. But things are different now; I know all about his shady dealings withholding money from extras...

So I hailed a taxi.

"Master, go to No. 23 Yatang Village."

I memorized this place name when I was at the Yudou Road Police Station.

When I signed the statement that day, I could see clearly that the address filled in by my nominal "wife," Sister Ruan Tang, was No. 23, Ya Tang Village.

......

Yatang Village.

I'm not familiar with Hengdian; this is my first time here.

Yatang Village is less of a village and more of a shantytown, with low-rise houses crammed together, electrical wires tangled overhead, and roads riddled with potholes and puddles.

I frowned; this was practically a gathering place for impoverished people.

Ruan Tang... lives in a place like this?

The taxi stopped after only a few steps. The driver leaned out to look around, then turned back and said, "Brother, the road ahead is really bad. You'll have to walk a bit yourself."

I didn't argue much, paid the fare, got out of the car, and walked into the alley.

The further you go in, the more dilapidated the houses become. Some courtyards don't even have gates; they're just covered by a cloth curtain.

I followed the house number all the way there.

19, 21...and there really is a number 23.

Before me was an inconspicuous farmhouse courtyard, low and cramped, no different from the other bungalows around it.

I stood at the door, raising my hand to knock.

But as soon as I reached my hand halfway through the air, I inexplicably pulled it back.

To be honest, I didn't know what my purpose was at the time. I crouched down and walked a few steps to the window of number 23.

Peek out.

The room was simply furnished, with an old-fashioned wooden table and a stool. Directly opposite the window was a large, old-fashioned color TV.

The screen was still lit.

I glanced at it a few more times, and my neck immediately turned red.

The TV was showing... cough cough... a pornographic film, and at that moment a man and a woman were embracing each other, their actions quite obscene.

I quickly looked away and turned to the other side.

On the wooden bed to the left of the television was a petite figure, with a ponytail, wearing a white T-shirt, legs crossed, staring intently at the screen.

Looking at the person's face again, their cheeks were bulging, and they were cracking sunflower seeds as they looked around, with two shiny little tiger teeth peeking out...

Ruan Tang!

It really is her!

"Well--"

I almost choked to death on my own saliva.

No, is that right? The last time I ran into her was at a pornographic film screening, and this time, she watched it at home?

This girl looks so innocent and pure, but all she does all day is watch porn and nothing else?

Indeed, appearances can be deceiving...

I composed myself and silently retreated back to the doorway.

Putting aside Ruan Tang's hobbies, I have important business to discuss with her right now.

"Knock knock knock"

I raised my hand and knocked on the wooden door three times.

After a brief silence.

"Boom, crash, bang..."

A commotion erupted inside the room: a water glass was overturned, a chair was knocked over, and a remote control fell to the ground...

I stood at the gate with a serious expression, neither speaking nor urging anyone, because you have to give people some time to deal with these kinds of things.

About three or four minutes later.

A sweet voice came from inside the house.

"Who is it? Who is it?"

I cleared my throat and said loudly:

"Tangtang, open the door, it's your husband."