Chapter 21: Opportunities Given, Money Not Refunded

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Outside the Beijing Film Academy, a small tavern.

A dim tungsten bulb swayed overhead, casting the shadows of two men against the mottled brick wall. Jiang Ye and Ou Hao were huddled in a corner booth, the table cluttered with a few bottles of Yanjing beer and half a plate of cold, unfinished peanuts and edamame.

Ou Hao was a loyal friend; he had arrived quite quickly. Jiang Ye, not wanting to disappoint him, was treating him to a welcome meal at the tavern by the school gate.

As the two were drinking happily, Jiang Ye’s phone screen lit up. He glanced at a new WeChat friend request: [Gentle Senior]. He raised an eyebrow with a smirk and casually tapped "Accept."

"Who is it? Messaging you at this hour?" Ou Hao asked, cigarette dangling from his lips, his speech slightly slurred. "Don't tell me it’s the beautiful Miss Chen? Ever since you left, she’s been completely distracted on set. She botched eight takes of a crying scene the other day; Director Su’s face turned green."

Jiang Ye chuckled and flipped his phone facedown on the table. "A senior from the acting department. Probably looking for a role." He tilted his head back to down some beer, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "You have no idea how many people in school are eyeing my project."

Ou Hao blew a smoke ring and teased, "Not bad, Director Jiang. People are already offering themselves up before you’ve even started filming?"

"Get lost!" Jiang Ye laughed, kicking him under the table while typing a reply to the "Gentle Senior": *Which class are you in, Senior? There’s a palace maid role still open, decent screen time!*

He added another message: *Competition is fierce, though. I suggest offering your services for free if you really want it!*

After waiting for a long while, the "Gentle Senior" finally replied: *Sophomore, Class 5!!!*

...Huh?

He frowned, nearly laughing out loud. Since when did the Beijing Film Academy’s acting department have a "Class 5"? Undergraduate classes were labeled by their enrollment year—like the 2013 or 2014 cohorts—and the 2013 acting undergraduate program only had three classes. This scammer wasn’t very professional.

He felt like his luck had taken a turn for the worse ever since he met Tian Xiwei; every freak and monster seemed to be coming after him. It seemed he had been too kind to that girl; next time, he’d have to teach her a lesson.

Jiang Ye sent a casual reply: "2,000 yuan registration fee, industry standard. If you don't need this opportunity, let's delete each other. Thanks!"

He stopped looking at his phone. Seeing the atmosphere was right, he steered the conversation to the main point. He picked up a bottle of beer and filled Ou Hao’s glass. "Brother Ou, you’re the real deal. A runner-up on *Super Boy*, and now a lead actor handpicked by Director Su. You’ve set a great example for us newcomers."

Ou Hao waved his hand dismissively. "A hero shouldn't dwell on past glories. It's been over a year since *Super Boy*, let's not talk about that!" He added, "Though... if it weren't for Hua Chenyu having a gold mine back home, the championship would have been mine. That young master doesn't even know how to use a washing machine. Unlike us grassroots folk, who have to fight for everything ourselves."

Jiang Ye’s eyes lit up. "Speaking of *Super Boy*, are you still in touch with Yu Menglong? I’m a huge fan of his."

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"Of course!" Ou Hao perked up. "We were drinking together just a few months ago. He's my good brother!"

"How is he doing lately?"

"It’s tough. Resources at Tianyu are scarce. He wants to transition into acting, but for us grassroots types, you know how it is..." Ou Hao sighed. "He finally managed to land a small supporting role in *Bringing Love Home* a while back..."

Jiang Ye sighed. "That’s a pity. He has a great screen presence." Suddenly, his tone shifted. "Brother Ou, how about this..." He leaned in closer. "I have a role for a second male lead here. It’s a heavy part with a great character arc. Since he’s your brother, let’s keep the benefits within the family!"

Ou Hao was stunned. Was this brother really that loyal? He had traveled thousands of miles to invite him for a cameo on his first film, and now he was offering a role to his friend, too? He felt genuinely moved. Why had he been working so hard to pursue Ma Sichun? Wasn't it just for resources? He’d slept with her so many times, yet he hadn't even secured a single role through her! This brother he’d known for such a short time was far more reliable.

Jiang Ye continued, "Since he’s your brother, he’s my brother too! Looking after our own is only right. As for the pay..."

"Forget the pay!" Ou Hao slapped the table in excitement. "I’ll remember this favor! He’d be grateful just to have a role right now. I’m calling him right now!" He added, "You think I don't know how hard it is for a newcomer to put a cast together? I’m not someone who doesn't know how to show gratitude!"

Jiang Ye held him back. "No rush. I’ll have my assistant director send over the contract tomorrow." He took a sip of beer and added, "Oh, and Brother Ou, for the premiere, I might need you to help me stand on stage..."

"Consider it done!" Ou Hao patted his chest. "Do you want me to call a few other *Super Boy* guys to come sing for you?"

"Brother Ou, your loyalty is as bright as the sun and moon, your courage puts Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to shame..."

"Brother, you're the one who's truly righteous!"

The two exchanged looks, both feeling the other was a stand-up guy.

...

Shancheng, a milk tea shop.

"Your brother says I have to transfer 2,000 yuan, or we delete each other?" Tian Xiwei’s eyes widened, her fingers trembling as she clutched her phone. "What does that even mean? Do you have to pay out of pocket to be an actor these days?!"

Lin Xiaoman chewed on her straw, leaning in with a mysterious air. "I overheard my dad talking about it at home. Some actors, to grab a role, don't just offer money..." She lowered her voice, "...they offer themselves, too."

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"Offer themselves?!" Tian Xiwei slammed the table and stood up, drawing stares from surrounding customers. She quickly shrunk back into her seat, gritting her teeth. "No wonder your brother insisted on studying directing! So that’s the filthy scheme he was hatching! Total scum!"

"So... should we continue with our plan?" Lin Xiaoman asked timidly.

Tian Xiwei pulled at her hair buns, struggling with the thought for a long time, before a lightbulb went off. "Continue! But we’re changing tactics..." She lowered her voice. "We'll pretend to transfer the money, and once you become my sister-in-law, we’ll find a reason to get it back!"

Lin Xiaoman gasped. Could money that went into her brother's pocket ever really come back out? But seeing the expectant look in her best friend's eyes, she steeled herself and patted her chest. "N-no problem! My brother dotes on me the most!"

Tian Xiwei poked her banking app with a pained expression. "This is my New Year's pocket money..."

"You have to lose a calf to catch a cow!" Lin Xiaoman encouraged her. "Once you become my sister-in-law, his money is your money! When you're ready, just find a reason to break up—like saying his feet smell! We split the loot 70/30, isn't that sweet?"

Tian Xiwei’s eyes lit up, then she hugged herself defensively. "Xiaoman, pretending to date is fine, but no physical contact!" She held up a finger sternly. "Not even holding hands! I can't let myself be taken advantage of!"

"Relax, relax!" Lin Xiaoman waved her hand. "A workaholic like my brother probably doesn't even have time for dates."

"I’m just worried you won't be able to handle him!"

"How could that be? This girl is so cute, the line of people chasing me at school goes all the way to the gate!"

"But my brother is different!"

"How is he different? We didn't even know each other when we first met, and didn't I scam a loaf of bread out of him?"

"That’s true... Did you transfer the money?"

"I did!"

"Did he say anything?"

"After he got the money, he told me to come find him for an audition tomorrow, and then he stopped responding. What do I do? I can't actually go to the audition, right?"

"How about this? Since we've already added him on WeChat, let's take it slow. First, let's get him to refund the money!"

"He said the opportunity has been given, so no refunds..."

...Huh?

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