Chapter 184 Victims Alliance

In a mutton hotpot restaurant in the city of the imperial capital.

Although it is summer now, the capital's people's love for hotpot remains unabated.

Especially in the evening, with a bowl of sesame paste and a bottle of cold beer, this cozy feeling... is so authentic!
The small shop was crowded with people, steam was rising, and the sounds of boiling water and clinking glasses were heard continuously.

In this bustling crowd, there were two young men with extraordinary looks and noble demeanor, who were toasting each other and looking very pleasant.

"Yuan, congratulations. I didn't expect that you would get a new role not long after we parted ways."

Wu Jing raised a full cup of Erguotou and handed it to Nie Yuan who was sitting opposite him, with a smile on his face and sincere blessings.

Nie Yuan looked embarrassed, Wu Jing was too much of a drinker.

He drank the second half of the glass with a frown, and despite the other party's mockery of "raising fish", Nie Yuan refused to drink any more.

Although the two did not have much contact on the set of "A Chinese Ghost Story", due to Wu Jing's friendly personality, the two hit it off right away and have a good relationship in private.

Today, Nie Yuan successfully auditioned for a film crew, so he invited Wu Jing to celebrate with good food and drinks.

"By the way, what is the name of your crew?" Wu Jing asked while peeling pickled garlic.

"Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties, directed by Hu Mingkai, I played a supporting role, Luo Cheng, while the main characters Qin Shubao and Li Shiming were Huang Haibin and Zheng Guolin."

Nie Yuan nodded. In those days, Nie Yuan was indeed no match for the two older brothers Huang Haibin and Zheng Guolin.

Huang Haibin played the leading male role in ancient costume dramas such as "The Book and the Sword", "The Swordsman" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". He is chivalrous and very popular.

Zheng Guolin has participated in major works such as "Young Master Fang Shiyu", "The Twins", and "Storm Warriors 2". Although he was always a supporting role, he has a handsome appearance, elegant temperament, and is quite popular.

In fact, if Wu Jing was smarter, he would be able to see from Zheng Guolin the results of mainland actors developing in Hong Kong.

Zheng Guolin had participated in unlimited training classes and was considered a member of the regular army in Hong Kong, but he still could not play the leading role. He was also discriminated against on the set because of his poor Cantonese. In the end, he had no choice but to return to the mainland to develop his career.

"Hu Mingkai is a famous director. The movie 'Young Justice Bao' he filmed two years ago was extremely popular. You will definitely be famous if you film his movie!" Wu Jing said hurriedly.

"As for the protagonist, Brother Huang Haibin is a professional male protagonist in martial arts novels. We can't compare with him."

"There are four great martial arts masters in Hong Kong, King, Koo, Liang and Wen. He filmed the works of three of them, and they were all the leading male roles."

Chen Jialuo in Jin Yong's "The Book and the Sword", Shen Lang in Gu Long's "The Swordsman", Zhang Danfeng in Liang Yusheng's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", Huang Haibin only needs Wen Ruian to bring together the four great masters, which is a rare achievement among actors.

"Think about it, apart from anything else, the man who can play the leading role in Mr. Jin's works is not an ordinary person. It's normal for us to be unable to compare with him."

Nie Yuan knew that the other party was trying to persuade him, so he raised his glass with a smile.

But in fact, he does not have too many resentments about the fact that he cannot compare with Huang Haibin and Zheng Guolin in terms of status. After all, they are more senior and experienced, and he is considered a junior.

"By the way, how have you been lately?" After Nie Yuan finished talking about his own affairs, he began to care about Wu Jing.

"Hehe!" Wu Jingjian smiled and picked up a piece of pink mutton: "I also got a role in a drama, which will start filming at the end of the year."

"Let's chat. You look so happy. The play is pretty good, right?"

"It's called 'The 36 Chambers of Southern Shaolin', and the director is Yuan Xiangren." Wu Jing said proudly: "I'm lucky, I got the leading male role."

"He's the Eighth Master's biological brother, not to mention the male lead. I'm jealous!" Nie Yuan said this, but he didn't feel unhappy at all. He happily called the waiter and ordered a few more servings of meat.

"It seems that we have both had good luck since leaving A Chinese Ghost Story."

"Yes, we both got new roles."

The two clinked their glasses and said in unison: "We both have a bright future!"

Both brothers have received new roles, how can they not be happy?

Of course, there are also those who are unhappy.

"Huh!" The two were eating and chatting when Wu Jing turned around and was stunned.

He saw an acquaintance.

"Brother Yue, what a coincidence!" Wu Jing stood up, waved his right hand holding the chopsticks, and greeted the other party with a smile.

But unlike most people in the store, Wu Yue's face was unfriendly at this time, and the gloom between his brows was so dark that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it.

Not only are they colleagues in the entertainment industry, they are also brothers from the same school, and both are students of Teacher Wu Bin. Wu Jing pulled him to his table and added a pair of chopsticks.

Nie Yuan and Wu Yue were not familiar with each other. They only became really familiar with each other when they worked together in Zhang Da Huzi's version of "Journey to the West" in later generations.

But knowing that he was a senior, he greeted him politely.

"I see you two are so excited, is there some good news?" Wu Yue asked after sitting down and drinking a glass of wine.

"We both got new roles, so let's celebrate."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yue's already bad expression quickly fell.

"Brother Yue, what's wrong?" Wu Jing asked with concern.

"Don't mention it. I'm the exact opposite of you two." Wu Yue looked worried: "I just went to a film crew, but it didn't work out."

"Hey, it's not a big deal to me." Wu Jing quickly handed his senior a glass of Erguotou: "It's just an audition. For people in our industry, everyone fails dozens of times a year. It's not a big deal."

"But I'm different this time." Wu Yue was annoyed.

"This crew is not bad. It's a big show to remake Mr. Jin's work."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jing and Nie Yuan looked at each other with expressions of regret.

After all, they had just been talking about Huang Haibin. He was so famous because he had played roles in many works of martial arts masters.

Mr. Jin’s play is definitely a big show!
What’s more, the beginning of the 21st century happened to be the last wave of martial arts fever, and it was a good time for Jin Yong’s works to spring up everywhere like mushrooms after rain.

Male actors in period costumes who have not starred in Mr. Jin's works will be inferior to others when attending award ceremonies.

"And my role was originally scheduled to be the protagonist."

“When it came time for the audition, the director was very satisfied with my performance.”

"From what I've heard from the director and crew, I think this role is a sure thing, but the salary still needs to be discussed."

"But you should understand that at this point, as long as we talk about it, it will eventually work out."

"I think it's a sure thing too." Wu Yue said this, and drank a full cup in one gulp. His cheeks immediately turned red.

"But just a few hours later, the crew suddenly told me that the leading role had been decided."

“I was stunned!”

Hey?
As Nie Yuan listened, he felt that this matter seemed somewhat familiar!
Why is it so similar to the situation when I auditioned for A Chinese Ghost Story?
It was almost certain to happen, and we were waiting to start filming, but then there was a loud "Cuckoo!"
A bolt from the blue told me that the role was gone.

Nie Yuan immediately raised his glass and toasted the other party: "We are both in the same boat."

"I've encountered this situation before."

"No, no, no." Wu Yue immediately retorted: "You have definitely never encountered my situation."

"I turned around and asked around, and it turned out that the guy who took my role not only had a lower academic degree than me, but also had less acting experience than me."

Hey, the more I listen, the more familiar it sounds... A smiling face gradually appeared in front of Nie Yuan.

"Brother Yue, I encountered the same thing as myself."

"No, no, no, it's definitely different." Wu Yue continued to shake his head: "I went to ask around again, and they said that the reason this guy got the role was not because of his acting or kung fu but for other reasons."

Tsk...why do I feel like we met the same person?

Nie Yuan thought that the reason why his role was snatched away by an actor who had less experience and academic qualifications than him was very special.

It can't be such a coincidence.

"Brother Yue, I want to ask, what is the name of the person who stole your role?" Nie Yuan asked cautiously.

"It's a young man named Zhang Yuan." Wu Yue said angrily.

Nie Yuan: ...

After hearing these two words, he felt both angry and relieved.

What’s cruel is that this person stole the name of my character.

I feel relaxed because I have found organization.

There is no justice!

Just after I said that those who can get the leading role of Mr. Jin are not ordinary people, and they can all become famous, guess what happened...

I finally got a supporting role, but he ended up getting the leading role in Mr. Jin's TV series.

I hate it so much!

"Brother, it's fate!" Nie Yuan stood up and grabbed Wu Yue's hands and shook them hard.

When the two of them put the matter together, they almost burst into tears on the spot.

Wu Jing, on the other hand, watched the two "victims" of Zhang Yuan getting along so well with each other, feeling mixed emotions.

"Zhang Yuan has received another new role!"

"I'm still the protagonist this time!"

"I haven't seen him for just a month, and he has become the protagonist. My brother is really good."

He and Zhang Yuan had no conflicts and their relationship was pretty good. After hearing this, apart from a slight sadness, he was still happy for Zhang Yuan.

"Brother Yue, tell me quickly, what shameless means did Zhang Yuan use to steal your role this time!" Nie Yuan was filled with indignation. At the same time, he took out a small bottle from his pocket, poured out a few pills, and swallowed them with wine.

"What are you doing?" Wu Yue stared in confusion.

"Take antihypertensive medicine with alcohol. The more you drink, the more you gain." Nie Yuan shook the bottle.

"Give me two pills too. My blood pressure is a little high too."

Wu Jing scratched his head.

"If Zhang Yuan can continue to act in movies for a few more years, I think Harbin Pharmaceutical Group No. 6 will be able to increase its share price by the daily limit, and blood pressure-lowering drugs will be sold like crazy."

After taking the medicine, the two patients continued chatting.

"What tricks did Zhang Yuan use to snatch the role this time?" Nie Yuan gritted his teeth in anger.

"I get angry when I talk about this!" Wu Yue's blood pressure, which had just been suppressed by the medicine, rose again: "He actually relied on a woman!"

"what?"

"You don't know. I asked around and found out that he actually asked the leading actress of this play to lower her salary, using this as a bargaining chip to get the crew to give him the role!"

"What? He actually relies on a woman to snatch a role. How shameless!" Nie Yuan shared the same hatred with him.

Wu Jing: "Yuan, I remember when you were filming "Marrying the Wrong Man", didn't you also rely on Huang Yi..."

Before he could finish, Nie Yuan interrupted, "That's not important!"

"Zhang Yuan, you bastard, you relied on women to get to the top. You really don't even care about your dignity!"

Wu Jing: You TM...

Brother Jing even suspected that Nie Yuan had the bloodline of a lighthouse, because others couldn't do what he had done.

Besides, Wu Jing felt something was wrong.

This doesn't sound like something Zhang Yuan did.

But the two of them became more and more excited as they talked, and he couldn't interrupt them, so he could only respond.

As the two victims became more and more excited and drank more, their tongues became larger.

"Tell me... this guy seduced away our Central Academy of Drama's great beauty Cheng Hao, hiccup!" Wu Yue said in a daze, "He's not satisfied with that. He even laid his hands on a young girl like Shu Chang."

"Isn't this just a scam for money and sex?" Nie Yuan replied confusedly.

"No, as a classmate and friend, I have to tell Cheng Hao about this!"

"Yes, his true face must be exposed!"

As he spoke, Wu Yue took out his cell phone, dialed a number, and received a small report...

At the other end of the imperial capital, in a small courtyard in Pi Tiao Hutong.

In the yard, on the stone table, there was a snow-white 12-inch cream cake with red candles on it, which was extremely bright.

Zhang Yuan took out the lighter he carried with him and lit the candle.

The starlight flickered in the silent courtyard, illuminating the two delicate faces.

"Congratulations!"

Zhang Yuan and Shu Chang, like the other three brothers, clinked their glasses to celebrate.

However, Zhang Yuan was drinking beer, while Shu Chang was drinking Sprite.

Today, Brother Qian went to Sister Qian's house, but she wasn't there, so it was just the two of them in the room.

"Let's cut the cake!" Zhang Yuan originally wanted to use Brother Qian's kitchen knife to cut it, but when he smelled a smell of garlic, he gave up the idea and took out the plastic knife that came with the cake shop.

The two of them were enjoying the cream in their mouths when a cell phone ring interrupted the chirping sounds in the yard.

"Hey, good sister?"

"Are you home?" Cheng Hao asked calmly in his usual tone.

"At home."

"Then I'll come over."

"Okay, Shu Chang and I are celebrating, and we can't even finish a big cake, so it's just right for you to come."

Hearing the word Shu Chang, Cheng Hao paused for a few seconds before speaking calmly: "I'll be right there."

"Your sister Cheng Hao is coming over." Zhang Yuan instructed.

"Oh." Shu Chang agreed with a smile, but a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

Less than an hour later, there was a knock on the door. Zhang Yuan went to open the door, and Shu Chang followed behind him.

After seeing Cheng Hao, Shu Chang took the initiative to step forward and greeted him warmly. Cheng Hao also generously hugged her and walked to the cake together.

"Changchang, can you help me get a set of bowls, chopsticks and cups?" Cheng Hao said after sitting down.

"Okay."

While the other party was leaving, Cheng Hao, who was wearing his signature smile, changed his expression in a second.

"Zhang Yuan, it's not a good idea for you to do this."

"What?"

"It doesn't matter if you snatch roles. In our line of work, we're all about snatching roles. If you can snatch roles from others, that's your ability." Cheng Hao is proud of his ability.

"But you can't take advantage of a little girl. She's only a few years old. You're lying to her like this. How immoral!"

"What did I do?" Zhang Yuan's forehead was full of little question marks.

"Still playing dumb. Tell me, how did you deceive her into reducing her own pay to help you?" Cheng Hao's brows were furrowed into a knot.

She was very angry. She was angry that Zhang Yuan actually took advantage of a girl whose parents were away and who had to rely on herself.

Isn’t this bullying?

After hearing this, Zhang Yuan thought blankly for a few seconds, and then he reacted completely.

"I see!"

"I wonder why the director's attitude suddenly changed!"

Seeing Zhang Yuan lowering his head in deep thought with a serious expression, Cheng Hao also realized something was wrong: "You don't know about this?"

"Ah."

"Then I..." Cheng Hao suddenly felt a little guilty.

I just listened to a few words from others, and without verifying anything, I came over angrily to question them.

I shouldn't have doubted him.

It’s all because of that damn Wu Yue!

Cheng Hao was usually good-tempered and seldom swore, but at this moment he was cursing Wu Yue's ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

"sorry, I do not know……"

"It's okay." Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Let's not talk about it for now. Just finish the cake and don't let it get out."

When Shu Chang returned, the two actors looked normal and celebrated together.

The three of them spent a pleasant evening like this.

Cheng Hao stood up first and said that he wanted to go back to the hospital to take care of his family.

Zhang Yuan wanted to send her off, and Shu Chang also wanted to go with him, but Cheng Hao persuaded them to go back.

"Changchang, I have a few words to say to Zhang Yuan alone, please sit down for a while."

The two men came out of the door, Cheng Hao turned around and helped him straighten his collar with his own hands, as if he was taking care of a family member, and said at the same time.

"It's my fault for what happened today, but you should understand my concerns."

"I understand." Zhang Yuan said quietly.

"You will be filming with her and spending several months together, so I plan to give you a gift." After saying that, Cheng Hao took out a red plastic bag from her bag and handed it to him.

Zhang Yuan took it and squeezed it. It turned out to be a hard square block, neither thick nor thin. For a moment he couldn't tell what it was.

"Is this a gift for me?"

"I guess so." Cheng Hao watched him take off the plastic bag with a wicked smile, saw the contents inside, and then was stunned.

The bag contained a book with black characters on a white cover and the national emblem printed on it.

There were two big words written in the middle of the cover.

"criminal law"

Cheng Hao patted his shoulder and covered his mouth to hold back his laughter.

"She's still a minor. It's up to you whether you two will be sentenced for this drama."

……

(End of this chapter)