Chapter 2: Seeking Work

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After analyzing the situation... The most urgent thing is still to make money! Is there any work that brings quick cash without burdens? Maybe a trip to Macau? Back in the day, Chen Daozi won 37 million with just 20 bucks; I, Shen Yan, can do it too! No, forget it—I have a lifelong grudge against gambling and drugs.

It’s 2009 now, and the best investment for the next decade is obviously Bitcoin... Born in 2009, Bitcoin’s price was $0.0025 in 2010; ten years later, it exceeded $21,250 per coin, an increase of over 8.5 million times.

But... this is a long-term investment. I can buy a little when I have money! Just a little. Bitcoin’s total supply is fixed—21 million coins max—and its price is determined by market liquidity. For example, if there are 10 million dollars in the Bitcoin system and 1 million bitcoins in circulation, each bitcoin would be worth $10!

Besides, there’s also hype from crypto big shots...

This plan’s a no-go!

Writing... I carry the legacy of fugu in my mind, so it’s a path worth considering! I could try copying some online novels... definitely online fiction. Contemporary Chinese traditional and serious literature are too exclusive, with the vast majority of resources controlled by a tiny elite and their descendants.

Why do they hold the reins? Because the government provides various funding to literary societies every year. If you get in, you share the pie! Even if I wrote something like “The Human World,” it wouldn’t matter!

So, since the 21st century, only a handful of traditional writers have emerged… most have switched to the internet!

Online fiction targets the masses. If you write well, people praise you; if not, even platinum status won’t help.

But writing online fiction takes time... and requires a computer...

That doesn’t solve my immediate problem...

Becoming a singer...

Well, this is the era when records are dead. Except for talent shows, record companies can hardly produce new stars these years.

Also... although I had some basic music theory training in my past life, it’s just basics...

And there are many rules in the singer’s circle...

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Better call my second uncle!

I found my phone, browsed my contacts, and dialed him...

“Hey, isn’t this our big star, Brother Yan? What’s up? Need something?” Second uncle teased first. After hearing about my six-month experience...

“Uncle, I want to keep joining a troupe…”

Upon hearing this, he sighed and said, “Your personality doesn’t suit behind-the-scenes work. The key is to endure loneliness there... Someone who’s been in front of the camera can’t stand behind it.”

“But, Uncle, I only have about 500 yuan on me…”

“I’ll send you 2,000 first…”

“Uncle,” I continued, “can you ask if any troupes are casting actors?”

“I told you not to go to Beijing, but you insisted... We’re not from Beijing, no connections in that circle!”

“But Uncle, you’re here…”

“I’m nothing…”

I stayed silent, and sure enough, he added, “Alright, I’ll contact some old friends to see if any troupes need actors…”

“Thanks, Uncle…”

“I’m telling you, if you want to be an actor, you have to apply to Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, or Shanghai Theatre Academy... Only if you get in can you be considered part of the circle. The big and small stars in the entertainment industry all come from these three schools!”

“Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing...”

“Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing are exceptions... Do you have their luck or acting skills? Do you look as good as Fan Bingbing?” He scolded me then seemed a bit busy: “...Alright, think it over... Oh, and call your grandpa more often!”

“Got it!”

“You got it my foot... bye!”

Though his tone was harsh, I could feel the deep familial affection.

He’s really good to me, helping me map out my future.

Although unspoken, if I apply to an arts school, it will cost quite a bit, and uncle is ready to support me!

This is something I never experienced in my past life...

After thinking it over, I called grandpa...

...

March in Beijing, though spring has come, the chill lingers...

Early in the morning, I left my rented room.

Several tall trees by the roadside stood bare, their branches starkly pointing to the sky. With a slight haze in the air, it felt lonely.

Walking through this somewhat old alley, the grim tones contrasted sharply with the tall buildings nearby.

I wrapped my coat tighter...

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Honestly, I don’t like Beijing!

Neither in my past life nor this one... I just don’t like big cities!

I don’t have grand dreams or ambitions...

In my past life, when I was young, I dreamed of getting rich, but after a few years in society, I only wanted to escape poverty...

This life, my thoughts are simpler: earn some money, buy a house, marry a good wife, and have time to travel around the country...

I had noodles for breakfast, then headed to the nearest subway station.

Oh, I was going for an audition early in the morning...

Also called looking for work.

For unknown actors, you’re either working or looking for work!

The troupe my uncle recommended was called “National Anthem.” The director was Gong Ruofei, and Cui Weidong served as the photography director...

Cui Weidong and Huang Wei both debuted under Zhang Li, worked as cinematographers on “Towards the Republic,” “Imperial Guards,” “The Right Path Through the World,” and are well acquainted with my uncle.

Basically, family...

Getting a role wouldn’t be difficult.

My goal was simple too—I didn’t need a leading role, just a minor part would do.

Cui Weidong had seen me—he knew I was handsome enough, my acting was so-so, but good enough for a supporting role!

So he recommended me directly to the director...

I went to meet the director. Gong Ruofei, it turns out, is in the same circle as me.

Gong, like Zhang Li, used to work at Xiangxiang Film Studio. After restructuring, both left—Zhang Li went to Changsha TV station, Gong went to Hunan Broadcasting...

Those years, Changsha TV was strong, producing or co-producing classics like “Yongzheng Dynasty,” “Towards the Republic,” “National Action,” “Ming Dynasty 1566,” “The Young Students,” and so on...

Including this “National Anthem,” which was also planned and produced by Changsha TV.

Gong had directed “The Young Students” before, and “National Anthem” is a continuation of that style...

See, my uncle was from Xiangxiang Film Studio, and Gong Ruofei too, so it’s basically the same circle!

Well, I had never actually met Gong Ruofei...

Actually, I had some impression of “National Anthem.” Starring Gu Zhixin and Wen Zhang, it’s a very orthodox series focusing on the creation of “The March of the Volunteers,” set against the grand history of the Anti-Japanese War, reviewing China’s painful journey from decline to self-rescue and strengthening, portraying the spirit and mindset of patriotic intellectuals led by Tian Han in times of crisis.

Unfortunately, its ratings were poor and it didn’t really break out...

Of course, these aren’t my concerns now. What matters is getting into the troupe...

I’m not expecting a lead role, just a small part and the chance to join the group!

At least I’ll have food on the table for the next three months.