Chapter 6: The "Ever Night" Crew

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Chapter 6: The Cast of Nightfall

Hengcheng Actors Guild

“Professor Jiang, these are the statistics for this round of the guild’s acting examination. This year, ten thousand people applied, five hundred passed, and five of them were extras.”

“Hm. Better than last year, especially among the extras.”

“Yes. Quite a few extras are working very hard now, and since we have this platform, it has given them a chance.”

“That was the original purpose of holding the exam in the first place. Still, the pass rate among extras is far too low. It only makes up one percent of the total. This time, pick out some videos and put them out there. Yes, use that Chen Ping video for promotion as well, and give the whole extra community a boost.”

“Wonderful, Professor Jiang. I’ve already edited together some clips of Chen Ping’s video.”

“Oh? Li Bo, you’re interested in Chen Ping too?”

“Of course I’m interested. What interests me even more is how he managed to recite that piece backward.”

“You’re still thinking about that?”

“Professor Jiang, what do you think he did?”

“Don’t ask me. I don’t know either. Maybe he cheated.”

It was rare for Professor Jiang to joke. “Still, leave that backward-recital video out of the release. We wouldn’t want people to misunderstand.”

“Understood, Professor Jiang.”

...

“This is the headquarters of Shengteng Entertainment. From now on, you’ll be living here.”

A few days later, Chen Ping arrived at Shengteng Entertainment’s headquarters.

And there, at the headquarters, he also met two other actors under Wu Yu’s management.

One was a man named Lin Guansen, the other a woman named Ariya.

Neither of them had passed the acting exam, but Wu Yu felt they had some potential, so he signed them.

This gave Chen Ping a much deeper understanding of his own treatment.

A relaxed three-year contract was indeed nice, but clearly the company did not intend to focus on developing him.

As for why they had signed him, it was because they wanted to shape Chen Ping into a small supporting actor.

After all, some film and television productions still needed actors who had a little skill, but were not especially famous.

Chen Ping did not show any dissatisfaction. He had been prepared for this the moment he signed the contract, and this sort of treatment was entirely within expectations.

“Take some time to get familiar with the place. If anything comes up, call me anytime.”

Wu Yu gave the three of them a brief introduction, then left.

“Damn, we actually have to pay rent, utilities, and all that just to live here. That’s ridiculous.”

“Exactly. We’re worse off than those trainees. At least trainees don’t have to pay rent.”

After putting their luggage in the headquarters apartment, Lin Guansen and Ariya both began complaining. “I even thought we’d have assistants. Never imagined the agent would be managing three people at once.”

Chen Ping, however, thought it was actually pretty good.

“I say, you two should stop complaining. The conditions here may be ordinary, but the contract we signed is fairly loose. If you really don’t want to pay rent, then sign an eight-year contract with the company. Problem solved.”

As he spoke, he looked at the two of them.

He was somewhat familiar with them.

Vaguely, he remembered that they had played Old Foreigner and Ling in Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Wrath of the Qing Xiangxi.

He had not expected them to become his coworkers.

But that was not the strangest part.

The strangest part was this.

In this world, it was now 2021, yet this world differed from his original one in many ways.

For example, Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Wrath of the Qing Xiangxi had not been filmed yet.

Still, Chen Ping was not surprised.

In this world’s 2021, even Gu Long was alive and well, in the prime of his life. It made sense that other things would have changed too.

“Eight years? No way. If I signed for eight years, I’d be in my thirties.”

Lin Guansen shivered.

“Don’t look at me. I wouldn’t sign for eight years either.”

Ariya said the same.

But since both of them had come this far from being extras, they were not indecisive people. After grumbling for a while, they quickly adjusted.

After tidying things up, Lin Guansen said, “The main issue now is, how do we get roles in the future?”

“Yeah. I feel like if we want any good roles, it’s basically impossible.”

Ariya frowned.

“Chen Ping, you’re the model for all of us extras. Give us your analysis.”

Lin Guansen turned to Chen Ping.

Chen Ping smiled. “What model am I supposed to be?”

“How are you not? At the very least, you passed the acting exam. Most celebrities can’t even do that.”

“Exactly, exactly. Among the three of us, you’re the most impressive one now. Say something.”

Ariya chimed in supportively.

“Honestly, I don’t have any especially good ideas.”

Chen Ping spread his hands.

“Then why did you sign?”

“Because signing is better than not signing.”

“But from the looks of it now, they may not give us any roles at all.”

“Don’t rush.”

Chen Ping poured each of them a glass of water.

“Since the company signed us, they can’t possibly keep us around for free. Sure, we have to pay rent and water bills, but it’s actually not expensive. Look at this big room—we only have to pay two hundred a month. That’s much better than before. Besides, we do have a guaranteed base salary. It may not be much, but from the capitalists’ point of view, they won’t let anything they don’t want to be free. As long as we’re still drawing a salary, they’ll definitely arrange roles for us.”

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“Worst case, it’s just small roles. The kind without even a name.”

“Even nameless roles are fine. At least we’ve gotten our foot in the door and aren’t wandering aimlessly like before. Even if we don’t get any great roles at first, once we’re inside the circle, we’ll always have a chance.”

“Chen Ping, how are you so confident?”

The two of them looked at him with admiration.

Chen Ping waved a hand. “Not at all, not at all. I’m just trying to encourage everyone, and myself too. Otherwise, what else can we do?”

The moment he finished speaking, a voice came from the doorway.

“Chen Ping, congratulations.”

Wu Yu walked in somewhat excitedly.

“Sister Wu, what’s up?”

Chen Ping was surprised.

He had only just arrived at the company today. What good news could there possibly be?

But Lin Guansen, quick-witted as ever, asked, “Sister Wu, did you get Chen Ping a good role?”

“That’s impossible.”

Wu Yu shook her head. “However, Chen Ping does have an audition opportunity.”

“Oh...”

The three of them perked up with interest, naturally including Chen Ping.

“Sister Wu, Sister Wu, which production is it? Which production?”

Although it had nothing to do with Lin Guansen, he was still extremely excited as he asked.

“Nightfall.”

“Nightfall? Holy crap, isn’t that the show made for Director Chen’s son?”

“Exactly.”

“We’re rich, Chen Ping—no, Brother Ping, I’m calling you Brother Ping now. You’re about to make it.”

Lin Guansen was so excited he almost rushed over to hug Chen Ping.

“Hey, hey, calm down. It’s not like I’m playing the male lead.”

“Even if you’re not the male lead, we still have to celebrate! Do you know what Nightfall is? It’s a drama tailor-made for Director Chen’s son, meant to make him famous. I heard they even invited several veteran actors...”

As he spoke, Lin Guansen wore an envious expression.

“Looks like you’re well informed, Little Lin.”

Wu Yu nodded as well.

“Several of the main roles in this production have already been decided, but there are still a few not yet settled. The company wants you to try for one and see whether you can get it.”

“What role?”

“Chaoxiaoshu.”

The End of Chapter 6

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