Huayu: I really am a genuine top star.

Chapter 46 onwards, if I find a way to make money, I'll contact you first!

Shen Li's mind raced. Wu Yue's words sounded like a warning to quit, but they were actually a test... to see if he really wanted this job, or if he was just saying it.

"Brother Yue," Shen Li leaned forward, her innocent smile fading slightly, her eyes becoming serious.

"I've known this principle since I was a child: if you want to eat meat, you have to go into the wolf's den. If you stand outside the den, you won't even get the soup."

Wu Yue raised an eyebrow.

"Besides," Shen Li resumed her playful grin, "I may not have many other skills, but I'm thick-skinned, tough, and fast. If I really can't win a fight, can't I at least outrun them?"

Wu Yue stared at him for two seconds, then burst out laughing.

"You little rascal, you've got a silver tongue."

He turned to look at Yao Jia. Yao Jia remained expressionless throughout, twirling an iron skewer in her hand, with a piece of marbled mutton hanging from it.

Yao Jia glanced at Shen Li, her gaze as cold as the winter wind.

"A student from Beijing Film Academy, coming to the film studio to play minor roles?" Yao Jia spoke, her voice cold and disdainful. "Aren't all students from Beijing Film Academy supposed to be arrogant and only take on leading roles? What, are you an exception?"

Those words were barbed and stung painfully.

Shen Li wasn't annoyed, and chuckled, "Sister Yao Jia, what you're saying is true. If I'm arrogant, I still need to have something to look up to. I'm only a freshman, I haven't even figured out where the top is yet. Let's eat our fill first, then talk about ideals. The order can't be reversed."

Yao Jia's lips twitched, as if she wanted to laugh, but she held it back.

Wu Yue slammed the wine bottle on the table with a dull thud.

"Alright, stop trying to prove your loyalty to me. You're a performing arts major, and you've never practiced martial arts, so forget about working in the action genre." He paused, "But..."

Shen Li's ears perked up instantly.

"...Your appearance is alright, and you're a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy. You should be able to find someone to hire you as an extra or a featured actor." Wu Yue took out his phone. "I'll create two groups for you."

Shen Li's heart raced, but her face maintained an expression of gratitude that was not overly exaggerated.

Wu Yue swiped his finger across the screen a few times:

"One is the 'Film City Extras Daily Pay Group 1,' with 487 people, all of whom are assistant directors, extras leaders, and team leaders. They send out notices every day. You have to keep an eye out and grab them. The other is the 'Beijing Featured Actor Exchange Group,' which has a higher threshold; you need to have lines. Whether you can get in depends on your own abilities."

Shen Li's phone vibrated twice. He took it out and saw two group invitations, bright red, like two gold ingots.

He took a deep breath and gripped his phone tightly.

"Brother Yue, I'll remember this favor." He didn't say many nice words, but just looked at Wu Yue seriously and nodded.

Wu Yue waved his hand impatiently: "Don't give me that. I'm only doing this for Xiong Zi's sake. Just be smart and don't embarrass me."

Xiong Rui chuckled beside him, "Senior brother, don't worry, Li'er is reliable! Last time he helped me carry my eyebrow-high staff, which was over two meters long and incredibly heavy, and he didn't utter a sound!"

Yao Jia suddenly spoke up: "You have to be quick to grab the job announcements in the group chat. Once an announcement is posted, it's gone in ten seconds. If you're slow, you won't even get a lunchbox."

Shen Li quickly nodded, "Thank you for the advice, Sister Yao Jia!"

Yao Jia didn't say anything more, and continued to eat her lamb skewers. The way she ate was just like her temperament—clean, efficient, and never fussy.

As she tore at the mutton with her red lips and white teeth, she exuded a fierce energy that contrasted sharply with her cold and aloof face.

Shen Li glanced at it secretly, then quickly looked away.

The atmosphere then became much more relaxed.

Wu Yue began to boast about his "glorious achievements" at the film studio... such as being a stunt double for a kung fu superstar in "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate," being kicked three meters away, and receiving applause from the entire audience after the director yelled "cut"; and fighting with a movie star in "Ip Man," with the movie star's punch grazing his scalp, almost disfiguring him.

Shen Li listened with great interest, occasionally interjecting with a few words of support, striking the perfect balance so as not to appear obsequious while still making Wu Yue feel comfortable.

Yao Jia occasionally added, "That time it was because you weren't standing properly, not because someone kicked you that far."

Wu Yue's face fell: "Junior sister, can you please stop undermining me?"

Yao Jia said expressionlessly, "To tell you the truth."

Shen Li almost burst out laughing.

These two, one bold and rugged, the other cold and sarcastic, together make for a comedic duo.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Shen Li felt like his stomach was about to burst, but Wu Yue was still putting food into his bowl.

"Eat! Eat more! You're as skinny as a bamboo pole. You can't even get a free lunch from other people on set!" Wu Yue put another piece of lamb chop on his plate.

Shen Li finished eating it with tears in her eyes.

After finishing his meal, Shen Li went to pay the bill. The cashier read out the number, and Shen Li felt his heart skip a beat... 640.

He gritted his teeth and scanned the QR code to pay. His balance instantly plummeted from the "subsistence line" to the "poverty line".

But it's worth it... so damn worth it...

Two groups, one with 487+ members and a high-barrier special group, are essentially handing him the key to entry to the film studio. Buying two entry tickets for 640 yuan is a steal.

Stepping out of the barbecue restaurant, the evening breeze felt cool on his face. Wu Yue let out a burp and patted Shen Li's shoulder with such force that it almost knocked him over.

"Kid, I've added you to the group. Whether you make it or not depends on your own abilities." His tone became more serious. "Remember, in the film studio, talk less, work more, and don't offend anyone. Especially don't offend the group leader and the assistant director. If they want to mess with you, they have a million ways to do it."

"Understood, Brother Yue." Shen Li nodded vigorously.

Yao Jia walked over, still with that cold expression. She looked Shen Li up and down, then suddenly reached out and pinched his upper arm.

Shen Li was startled by the pinch.

"Not enough muscle mass." Yao Jia withdrew her hand and said calmly, "Even if you're just an extra, you need to have a presentable physique. Go back and work out."

After saying that, she turned and walked away. Her rounded hips, encased in military green cargo pants, swayed gently with her steps under the streetlights. Her high ponytail bobbed back and forth, and her military boots clicked crisply on the ground.

Shen Li watched her and Wu Yue disappear into the night, then looked down at her arm.

Damn it, I got rejected.

But he wasn't angry; instead, he felt a little amused. Yao Jia, though cold, didn't hide her thoughts or actions.

When people say "try it out," they genuinely believe there's still hope for him. He's infinitely better than those who smile to your face but stab you in the back.

Xiong Rui leaned closer, his breath reeking of alcohol: "How's it going, li'er? My senior brother's a good guy, right? My senior sister's pretty good too, isn't she?"

"That's more than just good." Shen Li put her arm around Xiong Rui's shoulder, her emotions genuine. "Brother Xiong, you're like my own brother. If I ever find a way to make money, you'll be the first person I turn to!"

"Don't mention it!" Xiong Rui waved his hand heartily, then lowered his voice, "By the way, Senior Sister Yao Jia wants you to practice, you really need to. She has a very sharp eye; if she says you can't do it, you really can't. How about you do morning exercises with me tomorrow?"