My Wandering Swordsman

"Wow, Xiaosong, your cousin is really beautiful, no, she's gorgeous."

Assistant Director Wang suddenly stood up and went straight to Ruan Tang, his face full of enthusiasm: "Ruan Tang, right? It's a nice name. Come, come, don't stand, sit down and let's talk."

Ruan Tang smiled slightly and sat gracefully on the plastic stool next to her, her legs together and her hands gently resting on her knees, looking very well-behaved.

Assistant Director Wang rubbed his hands together like a fly, about to speak, but then he caught a glimpse of me still standing there, and quickly put on a sanctimonious expression:

"Alright, Xiaosong, I've seen the guy. He's pretty clever. You go about your business. I'll talk to your cousin. I'll take care of the scenes for you three brothers. I'll arrange it tomorrow."

I sneered inwardly, "Oh! Then I'll have to trouble you, Director Wang. Tangtang, listen carefully, Director Wang is a senior, learn from him."

Ruan Tang winked at me, indicating that I shouldn't worry.

I decided not to be a third wheel anymore and turned to leave. Just as I stepped out of the shade, I heard Assistant Director Wang behind me trying to get closer to me:

"Tangtang, how old are you this year? Have you acted before? If not, that's okay. I'll personally guide you and make sure you avoid some pitfalls..."

You old lecher, you took the bait pretty quickly.

Back at the tin shack, Monk Hua and Liu Zi were squatting at the door smoking.

Seeing me return, Liu Zi jumped up: "Brother Ji, why did you come back by yourself? Where's the little sister?"

"He's with Assistant Director Wang."

"Damn, she's going to get the short end of the stick."

I lay down on the bed, crossed my legs, and said, "Suffer a loss? Just wait and see, it's not certain who will suffer a loss."

Others may not know about Ruan Tang, but I certainly do.

This girl looks innocent on the surface, but she's actually full of mischief. Her acting skills are amazing; she even fooled the cops at the police station, let alone an assistant director like him.

The afternoon seemed to pass by exceptionally slowly.

The three of us huddled in the room playing cards, our minds mostly on Ruan Tang.

The door to the tin shack wasn't opened until the sun was setting in the west.

Ruan Tang stood at the door, her face expressionless, though her hair was a bit messy.

I sat bolt upright: "How is it?"

She closed the door behind her, chuckled a few times, took a voice recorder out of her skirt pocket, and placed it on the table.

"Listen to yourself."

I pressed the play button.

After a brief period of hissing noise, Assistant Director Wang's voice rang out.

"Tangtang, what's your relationship with that kid Ji Xiaosong? Is he really your cousin? Your accents don't sound like you're from the same place."

Ruan Tang's voice was soft and sweet: "We are really cousins. I was born in Foshan, but later moved to Guangxi. Our two families only visit each other during holidays."

We've exchanged ID cards, so we know exactly where our household registration is.

The recording is still ongoing:

"Oh... I see. Let me tell you, you absolutely mustn't be like your cousin. He's lawless all the time, offending this person and that person. If it weren't for his aunt Yu Weiwei, that kid would have been beaten to death long ago. Why be so reckless as an extra? Just be down-to-earth."

"Yes, yes, Director Wang is absolutely right. My cousin has been a troublemaker since he was a child. He watches couples playing cards on trains, watches pornographic movies in video arcades, and peeps through windows to inquire about other people's privacy. He's gotten beaten up a lot even when he's not being a decent person..."

My face darkened.

Assistant Director Wang's hearty laughter rang out: "Hahaha~ Tangtang, I like your personality. Come on, stand up, let me see your figure."

"Wow, what an amazing figure! And such fair skin, those tiny wrists, that tiny waist... Forget everything else, following me will make you a superstar."

Ruan Tang's sweet, cloying voice came through: "Oh dear, Director Wang, what are you saying? I'm just an extra, my acting skills are far from good enough."

"Hehehe, being an extra is great, being an extra is awesome!"

"Oh, by the way, Director Wang, how much are we paid per day for extras?"

Seeing that Ruan Tang was getting to the point, I quickly sat up straight.

Assistant Director Wang was completely captivated at this point and blurted out:

"It's 25 a day. Our crew's extras pay is considered high in the area. Other crews usually pay around 21 or 22. Lunch is provided, and accommodation... By the way, do you have a place to stay? I have a spare house in the suburbs."

Ruan Tang didn't respond, but focused on the key point: "Wow, our extras are paid so much? I just heard the guy next to me say that they only earn eighteen a day."

"Huh? Eighteen? It shouldn't be twenty-one. Damn it, that damn production assistant!"

My eyes lit up; that was exactly the line I wanted. It completely trapped the assistant director and the production assistant.

Ruan Tang, being quick-witted and clever, immediately changed the subject upon completing the task: "Director Wang, what kind of role do you think I should play?"

Upon hearing this, Assistant Director Wang immediately forgot about the two-yuan difference: "Hehehe, as the old saying goes, acting requires harmony between heaven, earth, and man. Here, let me feel your bones..."

The recording has ended.

There was silence in the tin shack for a few seconds.

The Flower Monk and Liu Zi were both in an uproar.

"No, twenty-five yuan? Everyone's been working from morning till night since we joined the crew, and they've only been getting eighteen!"

"Damn it, that damned Assistant Director Wang even deducts this money?"

Seeing their exasperated expressions, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

That's right. This is how working people should react when they find their hard-earned money being withheld. The bigger the reaction from the extras, the more confident I'll be in threatening Assistant Director Wang.

After venting his anger, Liu Zi turned to me and said, "Brother Ji, you knew all along, didn't you?"

I shrugged: "What's the use of just knowing? You need evidence. Now that the recording is out, we don't have to worry about Assistant Director Wang coughing up his money."

It was only now that the Flower Monk realized what Ruan Tang and I had been busy with today. He took a deep breath and gave us a thumbs up:

"Your Que family is amazing! You accomplished something great without making a sound. I, this humble monk, am truly impressed!"

Ruan Tang puffed out her chest and smiled slightly, turning to look at me and extending a small, fair hand:

"The job's done, but what about the rewards?"

I was taken aback for a moment: "What kind of benefits?"

Ruan Tang retorted confidently, "The work is done, the evidence is obtained, what did you say yesterday? Shouldn't you settle the payment?"

I was both amused and exasperated: "Hey, girl, what's gotten into you? You're so greedy! We haven't even officially closed the net yet, what's the rush?"

Ruan Tang snorted, crossed her arms, and tilted her head to look at me: "Fine, I'll wait. Try and see if you don't give it to me. I heard you have an aunt named Yu Weiwei?"

A chill ran down my spine, and I almost slipped off my chair: "Why...why are you asking about this?"

"As Assistant Director Wang said during the day, your aunt is quite a celebrity. I was thinking, if someone tries to renege on their debt, we need somewhere to seek justice, right?"

I shrank my neck, but then immediately straightened it up again:

"Hehehe..."

When Ruan Tang saw my expression suddenly change, she couldn't help but shudder and stammered, "You lecherous scoundrel, what are you leering about? What kind of bad idea are you up to now?"

I leaned close to her ear and said, "I think it's like someone's bail at the police station... I ended up paying for it myself."

He hadn't finished speaking.

"Hmm~"

Ruan Tang punched me in the stomach with her small fist.

"Ji Xiaosong, if you bring this up again, I'm going to see your aunt."

The door slammed shut, and the footsteps faded into the distance.

My face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

The Flower Monk and Liu Zi were dumbfounded.

"Brother Ji, where did you find this girl?"

"The wife I picked up on the train before I came here."