I Became Famous in the Entertainment Industry with High Martial Arts Skills - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Invitation

Both were exhausted, leaning against the wall to steady their breathing.

“Xie Ci, were you possessed just now?” Having just caught his breath, Mo Li’s eyes were wide as he asked.

Those two moves in the private room had completely overturned his long-standing perception of Xie Ci. Mo Li had known him for six months, but he never imagined the habitually silent Xie Ci had such skills up his sleeve.

“I wasn’t possessed. Those people were simply pushing things too far.” Xie Ci hadn’t expected this body to be even weaker than he thought. Those two strikes had nearly drained all his strength; if they hadn’t left with Mo Li immediately, they likely wouldn’t have been able to get away at all.

“There’s nothing we can do. We are nobodies with no voice; we can only swallow our grievances,” Mo Li said with a bitter laugh, recalling the bullying at the wine party.

“Anyway, I can hold my liquor well. Coming to these parties is just about making those bosses laugh.” He looked toward Xie Ci, who was also leaning against the wall. “I thought you wouldn’t participate this time either. I didn’t expect you to not only show up but also smash Wang the Dog’s rice bowl.”

At the thought of Wang Mingde, who exploited newcomers in every possible way, Mo Li’s teeth itched with hatred. But their contracts were held over them; a breach-of-contract fee of two million was enough to make poor newcomers like them bow their heads and obey.

Although Xie Ci had vented his anger at the party, he had also completely offended Zheng Ping and his group of investors. It took no imagination to guess how Wang Mingde would lose his mind once he got back to the company.

Seeing Mo Li’s face flicker between satisfaction and worry, Xie Ci followed the conversational habits of this world and carefully explained: “Back at the table, that balding man next to you kept staring at you. I took you with me because I was afraid they would play tricks on you.”

“No wonder! I felt like that old bald donkey was leering at me the whole time. He already had someone by his side and still acted so shameless!”

Mo Li’s looks were not outstanding. Although he couldn’t withstand Wang Mingde’s pressure and had attended a few wine parties, he was always treated as a drinking machine. When he was mocked by the man earlier, he thought it was just because the man disliked him for interjecting. He didn’t expect that fellow—not satisfied with the person already sitting with him, to set his sights on Mo Li too!

Mo Li had been worried about Zheng Ping using dirty tactics on Xie Ci, but it turned out he was a “clay Buddha crossing a river”—unable even to save himself.

Seeing his clean face wrinkle in disgust, Xie Ci continued: “Wang Mingde has six people under him. Aside from you and me, the other four have either taken on debt to cancel their contracts or were sent directly to investors.”

During their rest, Xie Ci quickly organized the original host’s memories of entering the company. Of the six people assigned to Wang Mingde at the same time, only Mo Li and the original host remained who hadn’t been “arranged” to a destination.

Hearing Xie Ci’s words, Mo Li felt the night wind grow even more bone-chilling. He had thought he was clever enough to barely protect himself, completely unaware that he had long ago been priced and sold.

“Then what do we do? Our contracts are still stuck with Wang the Dog. We’re both penniless right now; we don’t have the money to break the contract,” Mo Li sighed deeply, thinking of his nearly zero balance.

Xie Ci was physically and mentally exhausted. Thinking of the mess the original host had left behind, he felt at a loss for where to start.

“There’s always a way when the cart reaches the mountain. Let’s go back to the apartment first; staying here won’t solve anything.” Xie Ci’s voice wasn’t loud, but it gave Mo Li a strange sense of security.

Inside the shabby two-bedroom apartment, the plain white walls appeared grey and aged due to their years, and a bit of dust fell as they closed the door.

“Alright, tonight was enough of a toss-up. I have hangover medicine in my room; remember to drink it before you sleep.” Mo Li tossed his jacket onto a sofa piled with clothes, found a packet of medicine for Xie Ci, and entered his room with a yawn.

Xie Ci thanked him, watched him close the door, and then entered the bedroom next door.

The room was small: a bed, a table, and a cabinet in the corner missing a door. The entire room screamed “shabby” from the inside out.

“Phew—” Finally having a peaceful environment to rest, Xie Ci collapsed onto the bed, burying his head in a soft pillow.

The sycophantic Wang Mingde, the lust-filled Zheng Ping, the simple and loyal Mo Li in the next room…

It was quite unlucky; he had kindly jumped into the water to save a child only to end up in this situation. Fortunately, the host’s memories were still there, or Xie Ci wouldn’t even recognize half of the things around him.

Thinking of this, Xie Ci pulled out the host’s smartphone with its cracked screen and began sorting through information about this world. By the time he had thoroughly digested the host’s memories, the time on the phone showed 4:00 AM. Through the thin wall, Mo Li’s snoring had been coming through intermittently since 11:00 PM.

His exhausted body issued a strong protest. Xie Ci set aside his curiosity and fell into a deep sleep after a quick cleanup.

“What did you say? Director Zhang specifically named Little Xie for the Diving Abyss audition!?!” Mo Li gasped, scratching his messy hair. Without even putting on shoes, he rushed straight to Xie Ci’s room next door.

“Alright, I got it. Thank you, Xiao Ya! If you hadn’t told us, Wang the Dog definitely would have hidden this news!” Mo Li thanked the girl on the phone while pounding on the door.

Creak— The old apartment had poor soundproofing. Xie Ci had been woken up when the phone rang next door earlier. Enduring body aches, he struggled out of bed to open the door for the excited Mo Li.

“Stop sleeping, stop sleeping! Xie Ci, do you know what kind of huge ‘pie’ just hit you from the sky?” Mo Li spoke with a face full of pleasant surprise as soon as he hung up.

“I…” Xie Ci started to speak, but was interrupted by the gesticulating Mo Li.

“It’s Zhang Yunjiang! The great Director Zhang, whose every movie produces a Best Actor! He specifically requested you to participate in the audition for Diving Abyss!”

Mo Li hugged the still-dazed Xie Ci. “I heard Director Zhang helped an actor he favored break their contract before. As long as you pass the audition, you won’t have to worry about Wang the Dog causing you trouble!”

Xie Ci was being squeezed so hard he could barely breathe. “Alright, alright, calm down first. I can’t breathe…”

Mo Li finally let go, his round eyes full of excitement. Clearly, the name Zhang Yunjiang carried immense weight in the entertainment industry. The original host had also heard of this director—highly experienced, nearly every film won awards, and he had made many newcomers famous.

“By the way, why didn’t you answer Xiao Ya’s call? She couldn’t reach your number, so she came to find me.” Mo Li finally sobered up from the “sky-pie” and asked why Xie Ci hadn’t answered.

“My phone was on silent last night; I only just saw her message.” Xie Ci found a set of clothes and explained, “Go put on your shoes. We’ll go to the company to ask Xiao Ya for the details first.”

As soon as Xie Ci and Mo Li entered the company doors, Li Yajun, dressed in professional attire, walked over in her high heels.

“Here, I just sneaked a look at the business card and phone number on Wang the Dog’s desk. But the invitation sent by Director Zhang’s assistant was hidden by him.” Thinking of something, Li Yajun curled her lip and rolled her eyes. “Probably taken by Wang the Dog to let his ‘darling’ fish in troubled waters. Even if the audition fails, just being able to wander around Director Zhang’s audition room is enough for him to brag for a year.”

Xie Ci was already proficient with the phone. After noting the number on the paper, he smiled at the kind-hearted Li Yajun. “Thank you, Xiao Ya. You’ve done me a huge favor.”

Being stared at so seriously, Li Yajun’s cheeks instantly turned bright red. Although everyone in the company knew Xie Ci looked good, he always kept his head down and looked gloomy, which diminished his appearance. She never expected that when being looked at earnestly by such a face, her heart would beat this fast.

Li Yajun hurried to turn her face away. “Alright, I can sneak a look at the phone number, but the invitation is likely a lost cause. You should contact Director Zhang’s assistant as soon as possible.” She couldn’t help but turn back to look at those naturally bewitching cat eyes. “Wang the Dog was in a towering rage this morning, saying you were tactless. Be careful if you run into him later.”

After speaking, the woman walked toward the office in her clicking heels, leaving Xie Ci and a fuming Mo Li behind.

“How shameless. Not only does he usually exploit us, but he’s also openly stealing your opportunity.” Mo Li’s pale face turned red; he wanted to rush into Wang Mingde’s office, beat him up, and take back the invitation that belonged to Xie Ci. After last night, he and Xie Ci shared a life-and-death bond. Seeing Wang Mingde directly snatching the invitation was an insult he couldn’t swallow.

Speak of the devil: Wang Mingde happened to come out from the second-floor stairwell with several small actors. His previously fawning face was now filled with triumph as he lectured the people behind him.

“None of you should follow the example of that fool who refuses a favor. Just follow my arrangements honestly, and there will be plenty of benefits for you in the future.”

“That’s for sure. We keep Brother Wang’s kindness in our hearts; naturally, we won’t learn from certain tactless people.” As soon as Wang Mingde finished, a man with a slightly flat nose and delicate features immediately chimed in. “Who knows what kind of dumb luck that guy had to be invited by Director Zhang to audition for Diving Abyss. Even if he goes to the audition tomorrow, it’ll probably be a waste of effort, hahahaha…”

The rowdy noise of the group vanished instantly upon seeing Xie Ci in the corner of the lobby.

“Director Zhang sent an invitation for me to audition tomorrow? How come I didn’t know?” Xie Ci deliberately hid his true source of information and questioned them calmly.

Caught in such an embarrassing act, Wang Mingde, with his thick, battle-hardened skin, showed no guilt as he spoke accusingly: “I am your manager. I have the right to decide whether you go to an audition or not.”

Recalling how he was scolded by Zheng Ping last night and drenched in wine, Wang Mingde’s tone became increasingly sarcastic. “Anyway, since you, Xie Ci, are so capable—even without an invitation, can’t you just break in with two chopsticks?”

At this, the group behind him laughed. Hu Quan, who had received the invitation that belonged to Xie Ci, laughed even more triumphantly. Stealing opportunities was common in the circle, especially since Xie Ci was a “wooden block” who just happened to have a good face; even if he went to the audition, he would only dare to shrink in a corner. As long as his performance satisfied Director Zhang, who would care that he stole the invitation?

Thinking of the invitation hidden in the office, Hu Quan stared at Xie Ci’s increasingly superior face with jealousy and gave a contemptuous smile. Pressing down his friend who was about to curse, Xie Ci didn’t bother with nonsense. He took the fuming Mo Li and left the company, not intending to waste any more time on these people. He had just adapted to this body and hadn’t fully recovered his strength; plus, this was Wang Mingde’s territory. Even if his things were being taken unreasonably, he had to find another way first.

The early autumn midday sun was still piercing. The doors of the small company behind him were open, but they offered Xie Ci no place to belong.

“Truly despicable, stealing your invitation.” For some reason, as soon as Mo Li looked at the current Xie Ci, he couldn’t help but treat him as the leader, even though he used to be the one handling social interactions for both of them.

“The invitation is likely gone. They said the audition is tomorrow; we should contact Director Zhang’s assistant first.” Xie Ci patted the huffing Mo Li to comfort him.

Thinking of Wang Mingde’s usual style, no matter how angry Mo Li was, he could only accept the loss for now. “Anyway, we’ve completely offended him now. You must seize such a great opportunity.” Mo Li grumbled as he walked. “When you become successful, don’t forget to pull me out. I’m waiting for you to save me from this fire pit.”

In the past, Mo Li and Xie Ci were just roommates and casual friends. After last night, although he considered Xie Ci a good friend, seeing such a great opportunity fall on Xie Ci while his own future remained bleak, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of envy.

“Don’t worry. If I have the chance, I will definitely pull you out.” Xie Ci turned to look at Mo Li, speaking each word very seriously. Whether for the original host or himself, Mo Li had helped a lot. If a chance arose, he would find a way to save him.

Mo Li had originally spoken offhandedly. Although he hoped Xie Ci could seize the chance, he recalled how Xie Ci used to stutter and freeze when they worked as extras together, and he had no confidence at all.

But Xie Ci’s gaze was so firm it made him instinctively believe his friend would successfully leave this mire and take him along.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s call Director Zhang’s assistant right now!” Mo Li’s throat moved, suppressing his emotions, and his fighting spirit rose again.

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