sovbooks Chapter 50 Comparing yourself to others in this way is just asking for trouble, isn't it?
Chapter 50 Comparing yourself to others in this way is just asking for trouble, isn't it?
Shen Li noticed a detail in particular: several announcements were snapped up in less than ten seconds after they were released.
Those who managed to snag the items were basically the same few "star extras" in the group. And their replies were remarkably consistent: "1. Send the information privately." Clean and concise, not a single word more.
Those who didn't manage to grab a spot either replied too slowly, replied in the wrong format (such as typing "111" or "I want it, I want it"), or were new faces and were selectively ignored by the group leader.
"Interesting..." Shen Li stroked her chin.
"This isn't about 'speed,' it's about 'familiarity.' The group's announcements say 'first come, first served,' but they already have people in mind. Those '1's are just a formality, for show."
He observed for a while longer and discovered more unspoken rules.
For example, after the group leader sends out a notice, if someone immediately asks in the group, "Where to meet?", "What clothes to wear?", or "Is the boxed lunch provided?", that person will basically be blocked.
These questions are clearly stated in the announcement. Asking such questions shows you haven't even read the announcement carefully, and group leaders hate people like that the most.
For example, group leaders prefer to use "familiar faces," even if the familiar faces charge 20 or 30 yuan more than the newcomers.
Because familiar faces are reliable, punctual, not troublesome, and their acting is passable. Newcomers are cheaper, but if they mess things up on set, the group leader will get yelled at by the assistant director.
For example, there's an unwritten rule in the group... If you grab an invitation but can't make it at the last minute, you have to publicly "transfer" it in the group, and the group leader has to approve it.
If you dare to transfer the money privately, or simply stand someone up, your name will appear on the "blacklist" in the group announcement the next day.
As Shen Li continued scrolling down, she discovered another interesting phenomenon.
There's a user in the group with the ID "Sister Hua's Casting" and a peony flower as their profile picture. They post notices for female extras.
The comments under her announcements are always the most enthusiastic, a constant stream of "Sister Hua, look at me!", "Sister Hua, I've sent the materials!", "Sister Hua, I can act in anything!". Their eagerness is like a concubine vying for the emperor's favor.
Shen Li clicked on "Sister Hua's" profile picture and found that her Moments were full of photos from the film set, with a few selfies occasionally interspersed.
The woman in the selfie is in her forties, well-maintained, heavily made up, likes to wear bright red, and has a flamboyant aura.
"The 'queen' among the group leaders," Shen Li labeled her. "This kind of person probably isn't interested in male extras, but if you observe her, she might be able to figure out the ins and outs of the female extras market."
Shen Li wrote these rules down one by one in her memo, titled "Survival Rules of Film and Television City (Continuously Updated)".
Back in her dorm, Shen Li pushed open the door and collapsed onto the bed.
Jing Yang had just woken up and was sitting on the bed in a daze when he saw Shen Li's listless expression. He chuckled, "Holy crap, President Shen, which vixen tormented you, or did you get beaten up?"
"Get lost...that's about right," Shen Li said weakly. "Martial arts morning exercises, five kilometers, core strength, flexibility, the whole set..."
Yang Yi poked his head out of the bathroom, holding a towel in his hand: "Li Zi, you really went? I thought you were just joking."
Dai Xiao floated down from the upper bunk: "Based on your gait analysis, your quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscles all show obvious signs of fatigue. I suggest you stretch and relax immediately, otherwise your muscle soreness will worsen by about 37% tomorrow."
"...Brother Xiao...can you say something nice?"
"If you don't stretch now, you'll be ruined tomorrow."
Shen Li "..."
Struggling to get out of bed, I began to stretch, following Xiong Rui's instructions. Each stretch made me wince in pain.
Jing Yang looked at him, clicking his tongue in amazement: "Li'er, I'm truly impressed. Was it really worth it? Risking your life like that?"
"You don't know anything," Shen Li said, panting as she stretched. "Yao Jia said that with my physique, I can't even compete with other people for boxed lunches at the film studio. I have to train."
"Yao Jia? The cold-blooded female assassin senior you mentioned?"
"Um."
Jing Yang's eyes darted around: "Is she good-looking?"
Shen Li thought about how Yao Jia looked last night in his military green overalls and black tight vest, and the cold fingers she had when she pinched his upper arm.
"Hmm, it's pretty, but... it's the kind of pretty that makes you want to gouge your eyes out if you dare look at it for too long."
Jing Yang gasped, "Hiss!...So ruthless?!..."
"It's definitely more ruthless than you imagine."
Yang Yi asked curiously, "Particle, are you still planning to continue practicing? Are you going again tomorrow?"
Shen Li gritted her teeth, finished the last stretching exercise, and collapsed on the bed.
"Go ahead...why not?" A glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. "If I don't have enough muscle mass, I'll train until I do. The film studio is a dog-eat-dog world, so I'll sharpen my teeth and go eat others!"
Shen Li's lips curled into that signature, slightly calculating smile.
"Besides, the martial arts department is full of Xiong Rui's fellow students. If you get along well with them, you won't have to worry about not having anyone to back you up if you encounter a situation at the film studio that requires 'physical persuasion'."
Jing Yang gave him a thumbs up: "You're so smart! You can even turn working out into networking. You're really something else!"
After stretching, Shen Li lay sprawled on the bed like a dead dog, but her mind was far from idle.
He took out his phone, opened the notes app, flipped to "Grain Run Business Plan (Draft)" and began to ponder it.
"Young Master Jing, how's your short video project about 'Beijing Film Academy's Most Handsome Deliveryman' coming along?" Shen Li asked.
Jingyang got excited when he heard this, and poked his head out from the top bunk with a black face mask on, looking like an African mole:
"Let me tell you, I've got it all planned out! The opening scene will be me wearing this silk robe, posing in front of the Beijing Film Academy in the morning sun. The camera will pan up from my ankles to my jawline, accompanied by that epic 'thump thump thump' background music."
Then I turned to the camera, flashed a charming smile, and even rehearsed my lines: "Your package is more than just a package." How about that? Absolutely brilliant!
Yang Yi poked his head out of the bathroom, holding a mop: "Jingyang, your bathrobe...didn't it get stained with hot pot oil last time and you haven't washed it yet?"
"That's called the vibrancy of life! Don't you understand?!" Jing Yang retorted angrily.
Dai Xiao pushed up his glasses, stared at the computer screen, and his fingers clattered incessantly on the keyboard:
"According to the algorithm recommendation mechanism of short video platforms, the completion rate of content with 'appearance' as its core selling point is crucial within the first 3 seconds. Jingyang, your 'shaking from the ankle' shot was most likely swiped away within the first 1.5 seconds."
Jing Yang: "..."
Shen Li laughed heartily, but the laughter was so intense that it strained her aching abdominal muscles, causing her to grimace in pain.
"Young Master Jing, Brother Xiao is right. We need to take a differentiated approach. Think about it, all those 'most handsome delivery guys' on Douyin have eight-pack abs and V-lines. With your small frame, comparing yourself to them is just asking for trouble, isn't it?"