Night had fallen.
A dim, yellowish light burned inside the room, casting an eerie glow.
Li Mu sat stiffly on a chair, while Director Jiang sat with his arms crossed, his backside resting against the edge of a long table, looking down at Li Mu from on high like a teacher examining a student.
Feeling uncomfortable under Director Jiang's gaze, Li Mu gave a silly, ingratiating grin like a bumpkin.
Why was nothing turning out the way he had imagined?
He had originally thought his second uncle was just some small-time director.
In his fantasy, relying on his looks and acting chops, he would utterly dazzle his second uncle, who would then be so shocked and impressed that he would forcefully cast him as the male lead.
Well, look at him now—completely wrapped around the other man's finger.
After sizing Li Mu up for a moment, Director Jiang asked indifferently, "How is your mother's health?"
"Oh, pretty good. She can climb five flights of stairs in one go without panting now, her back doesn't ache, her legs don't hurt, and she can eat three bowls of rice in a single meal..." Li Mu stood up, answering Director Jiang as if making an official report.
"No need to be nervous, sit." Director Jiang waved with a smile, gesturing for Li Mu to take a seat, and reminisced, "Your mother and I grew up together, but later she went down south, and we grew distant."
Li Mu sat back down and nodded.
Director Jiang picked up Li Mu's resume and checked the information item by item: "Li Mu, undergraduate in the Department of Performance, Beijing Film Academy, Class of '07. Two and a half years of study, specialties include singing, dancing, rap, and basketball?"
"A smattering of each, a smattering of each," Li Mu replied with a sheepish laugh.
Maintaining his stern expression, Director Jiang casually asked Li Mu a few questions.
"You said you haven't acted in anything before, right?"
"Yes." Li Mu nodded, then added, "I just acted in a short play, a school assignment."
"Then what kind of movies do you like, or what style of directors?"
Li Mu broke into a grin. "Hibiscus Town, Devils on the Doorstep, Midnight Diner—no, The Missing Gun, The Sun Also Rises, In the Heat of the Sun... My favorite directors are directors like you."
Director Jiang slammed his palm on the table and let out a hearty laugh.
Li Mu laughed along.
Then, Jiang Wen suddenly pulled a long face, his eyes bulging like an ox's, and Li Mu's smile vanished instantly.
He had to admit, Director Jiang's face carried a truly formidable presence.
He had always felt this second uncle of his was a bit eccentric, blowing hot and cold, making it impossible to get a read on him.
The two stared at each other for a moment before Jiang Wen continued his questioning: "Let me ask you this: do you think that as an actor, your acting skills are more important to me, or your physical appearance?"
"Acting skills," Li Mu blurted out.
"Wrong, think again." Director Jiang shook his head.
"It couldn't be my face, could it?" Li Mu was shocked. He figured actors didn't make a living off their acting, but off their faces? Wouldn't that make him no different from those trendy young idols of later generations who pandered to the fan circles?
To Li Mu's utter bewilderment, Director Jiang shook his head solemnly once more.
Wasn't this a multiple-choice question? Why was every option wrong?!
Li Mu didn't know how to respond.
He stared into Director Jiang's eyes, trying to find the answer. As they locked eyes like this, a sudden thought struck Li Mu, and he blurted out as if possessed, "Me not being here is important to you?"
Director Jiang's eyes lit up—this was not a bad answer.
Yet remembering that this was his own nephew, Director Jiang immediately reined in his smile and advised earnestly, "Nephew, let your old uncle tell you the truth.
There isn't a role suited for you in this production. The overall investment is massive, and even a few of the supporting roles are tied to heavyweights. I'm the director, but squeezing someone in casually is not as easy as you think.
"However, since your mother sent you to me, I have to save face. How about this: you stay by my side for this production first, and once I have news later, I'll definitely arrange something for you."
A hint of disappointment washed over Li Mu's face.
It was like winning a five-million-yuan lottery jackpot, only to be told that you couldn't cash the ticket just yet and had to wait a while longer.
This was Let the Bullets Fly, an absolute phenomenal masterpiece!
Yet, knowing his own worth, he could only nod and accept Director Jiang's terms. "Don't worry, Second Uncle, I know my own limits. I'll just use this production to learn the ropes first."
Director Jiang nodded in satisfaction. "It's good that you can figure it out."
To be honest, the moment he first laid eyes on Li Mu, he had taken a bit of a liking to him.
Tall, with a high bridge of his nose, a healthy wheat-toned complexion, and strong, stern facial features—he was not one of those pretty-boy types.
At a glance, he gave off a bright, cheerful vibe.
Looking at Li Mu, he issued his command: "Here's what you'll do: first, go work alongside Ma San, starting out as a floor manager. Don't look down on being a floor manager; it's the foundation of a film crew. Do a good job at that, and you can still make a living in this industry."
"Understood," Li Mu said with a bitter smile.
A floor manager was nothing more than on-site labor.
From the crew's rehearsal schedule to every actor's food, lodging, and evaluations—everything fell under their purview.
Did you think that meant immense power? It was actually utterly useless; real power rested with the producers and the director.
Still, with Director Jiang speaking up, he should at least be able to land the position of head floor manager.
Seeing him agree, Director Jiang smiled and patted Li Mu on the shoulder; he had been worried that Li Mu would aim too high and refuse to be a floor manager.
The more he looked at Li Mu now, the more he liked him.
He took out his phone and made a call.
Before long, the middle-aged man known as Third Brother walked in with a beaming smile.
He first nodded at Li Mu, then offered Director Jiang an ingratiating smile. "Director Jiang, you called for me?"
Director Jiang nodded, pointed at Li Mu, and said, "This kid is good raw material. There are no roles for him in the crew right now, so I want him to work under you for a bit. Take him under your wing and get him familiar with the crew as soon as possible."
"Oh? Such a good acting prospect, wouldn't it be a waste to have him do dirty work with me?" Third Brother asked in surprise.
"Just take him with you, why all the nonsense?" Director Jiang said impatiently. "Remember, don't give him any special treatment. Train him just like you would any normal floor manager."
Third Brother chuckled. *You're dropping hints for me, aren't you?*
Since you've put it that way, who wouldn't know how to play along?
Li Mu smiled as well—his second uncle was indeed the best.
The atmosphere in the room turned light and pleasant in that instant.
Glancing at the time, Director Jiang waved his hand to shoo them out. "All right, it's getting late. Take him to the hotel to get settled. Fill him in on some of the crew's rules first, and let him observe and learn the rest at his own pace."
"Don't worry, Director Jiang, I'll take good care of the little brother," Third Brother said with a solemn nod.
Li Mu said goodbye with a "See you later, Director Jiang," and walked out of Director Jiang's office alongside Third Brother.
The moment he stepped out of the administration building, Li Mu felt a wave of relief wash over him, and he smiled ingratiatingly, "Third Brother, from now on, this brother of ours is putting his fate entirely in your hands. You and I are grasshoppers on the same rope now."
Third Brother chuckled, patting Li Mu's shoulder in banter, "Don't play dumb with me, kid. This production has a huge budget, and even Chen Kun is only playing a supporting role. For Director Jiang to personally interview a greenhorn like you—you've got quite a bit of pull, kid."
The two exchanged a knowing smile and walked together toward the hotel outside the production base.