Chapter 1: I Think This Fellow Will Do

Wansheng Prefecture, Fangpai Mountain, Hunlong Stronghold.

Great Chieftain Yuan Kuilong walked along the mountain path. Behind him followed Zhao Yingde, the quartermaster, and behind Zhao followed a motley crowd of bandit soldiers, large and small.

Yuan Kuilong stroked his thick beard and licked his lips, feeling a bit parched.

*Snap!*

Zhao Yingde reached behind his own head. With a tug, a twist, and a pull, he plucked an apple right off his scalp and handed it to Yuan Kuilong.

"Try this, Boss!"

Blood was still dripping from the apple's stem. Yuan Kuilong took a bite and nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Yingde asked expectantly, "Is it sweet, Boss?"

"Sweet, truly sweet!" Yuan Kuilong was full of praise. "Old Zhao, to produce such a sweet apple, it's clear you've really been using your head!"

"I’ve quite literally wrung my brain dry for this!" Zhao Yingde pulled out a piece of adhesive tape and slapped it over the back of his head.

"Wrung your brain dry?" Yuan Kuilong looked at Zhao Yingde with pleasant surprise. "That’s the way scholars talk. Who did you learn that from?"

Zhao Yingde puffed out his chest, looking rather proud. "I learned it from the Second Chieftain. Master Song is a man of letters!"

"Is that so?" Yuan Kuilong chuckled. "So Old Song taught you that."

A snowflake landed on the apple and melted.

Yuan Kuilong asked, "What's the date today?"

Zhao Yingde checked with the soldiers nearby and quickly replied, "Today is the first day of the ninth month."

Yuan Kuilong looked around. "This first snow came a bit early."

"Indeed, the weather turned cold early this year. Boss, you’ve just returned today, so you should go up to the stronghold to rest. I’ve had the boys fire up the boilers; the rooms are nice and warm."

Yuan Kuilong pulled his fur cloak tighter, took another bite of the apple, and looked toward the Seedling Room—the hostage cells. "While I was away these past days, how many fools did you catch for me?"

Zhao Yingde held up five fingers. "Five. All locked up in the Seedling Room!"

"Are they all genuine fools? Don't you try to pull one over on me." Yuan Kuilong took off the jade thumb ring from his hand and held it up to the sun.

The jade ring was as delicate as congealed fat, its outer wall smooth as a mirror and its inner circle rounded and polished. Several master appraisers from the jade trade had seen it and declared it a top-tier treasure.

But as beautiful as the ring was, looking at it for more than a few moments made one’s spine go cold, and a faint scent of blood seemed to drift into the nose.

Zhao Yingde didn't dare look any longer. His own fate was thin; he couldn't compare to Chieftain Yuan Kuilong. Looking at such things for too long would surely shorten his life.

"Great Chieftain, those fools are all prime material for Opening the Bowl. In a matter this important, how would we dare be careless? Besides, these fools were all personally brought back by the Second Master."

"Old Song brought them back himself?" Yuan Kuilong tucked the ring away. "It's rare for him to be so thoughtful. I must go have a look."

By the time they reached the door of the Seedling Room, the apple was finished. Yuan Kuilong stuffed the core into his mouth.

Zhao Yingde hastily tried to stop him. "Boss, you can't eat that."

"I can. This is your hard-earned effort, brother; I can't let it go to waste. This apple is just so sweet..." As he spoke, Yuan Kuilong massaged his jaw, his tongue searching around his mouth.

Did he hit something hard?

Zhao Yingde got nervous. "Boss, did you bite into a bone fragment? I’ve been a bit 'feverish' lately, so there might have been something extra in the apple. Spit it out quickly, don't let it get stuck in your throat..."

"It’s not a bone!" Yuan Kuilong spat out an apple seed and looked at Zhao Yingde with a grin. "Brother, your apple has gone to seed. I knew you were a man with 'seeds'!"

Zhao Yingde puffed out his chest and slapped it. "All of us brothers following the Boss are men with seeds!"

Yuan Kuilong looked at the apple seed, reluctant to throw it away. "Such a good apple; I'm afraid I won't get to eat it again in the future."

Zhao Yingde slapped his chest again. "As long as I have a breath left in me, the Boss can have as many as he wants!"

"No! I can't just rely on you alone; it's too much of a strain on your brain! Scholars have a saying: 'Plant one tree in spring, harvest ten thousand fruits in autumn.' Now that we have a seed, we must branch out and multiply." Yuan Kuilong pulled out a dagger, dug a small hole in the ground, and buried the apple seed.

Zhao Yingde hurried to help. "Boss, don't trouble yourself with such trifles. I’ll do it."

Yuan Kuilong pushed him away. "You don't understand the methods here. Planting apples is a technical skill. You can't just bury it in the dirt; you have to water it and fertilize it."

Having buried the seed, Yuan Kuilong relieved himself right on the spot.

Zhao Yingde gave a thumbs up. "Boss, excellent water, excellent fertilizer!"

Yuan Kuilong pulled up his trousers and shouted, "When the day comes that this bears fruit, we brothers shall eat together!"

The bandit soldiers shouted in unison, "Thank you, Boss!"

The crowd of soldiers stayed outside while Yuan Kuilong entered the inner cells. Zhao Yingde held up a torch, introducing them one by one:

"This one is Zhao Guangping, from Silk City. His family sells fabric. His father is a skilled laborer, a registered worker.

This one is Rong Xiaozhang, from Delicacy Gallery. His family sells steamed buns. His mother is skilled, also a worker.

This one is Feng Qiuling, from Bamboo Blade Forest. Her father is a master weaver.

This one is Pei Binru, from Blue Square Kiln. His family fires bricks, and he has the skills himself."

Yuan Kuilong looked at Pei Binru and turned to Zhao Yingde. "How can a fool have skills?"

Zhao Yingde quickly explained, "I heard the Second Master say this man went mad right when he was entering the trade."

Seeing the man’s vacant stare and the string of drool hanging from the corner of his mouth, he did indeed look like a fool.

There was one more person huddled in the corner of a cell, head bowed.

Yuan Kuilong stepped closer and stared at the person for a long time. "This person is... the third son of the Lin family?"

"Correct!" Zhao Yingde nodded. "This is Lin Shaocong."

Yuan Kuilong’s expression soured. "What did you grab him for?"

Zhao Yingde quickly plucked another apple from the back of his head and offered it to Yuan Kuilong. "Lord Long, these were the Second Master’s orders. He said that for the six fools, we must gather all the categories: clothing, food, housing, and travel. The Lin family are boatmen, which perfectly fits the Lineage of Travel. Without this gate, we can’t light up your Bowl."

Yuan Kuilong pushed the apple aside. "The Lin family has fifth-level craftsmen—they are powerhouses who can hold down a whole region. It's not like you didn't know. There are so many boatmen out there, why did you have to snatch Lin Shaocong? You couldn't find any other fool?"

Zhao Yingde pursed his lips. "The Second Master said the Lin family has been boatmen for generations and their bloodline is pure; this man is the most suitable. He also said that everyone for miles knows the third Lin son is a fool and a cripple. He’s a useless man, neglected even at home; no one will investigate if he dies. He also said that once you open the Bowl and grow your craft, you’ll immediately become a sixth-level Stalwart of the State, so there's no need to fear the Lins. That's why the Second Master said..."

"The Second Master said, the Second Master said! The Second Master says crap!" Yuan Kuilong snarled. "The Second Master this and that—where do you put me, the First Master?"

Zhao Yingde trembled and quickly apologized. "Great Chieftain, I am loyal to you with a heart of red!"

Yuan Kuilong roared, "Is loyalty something you just say with your mouth?"

Zhao Yingde looked sincere. "What I say with my mouth and what I think in my heart are one and the same."

"The mouth and the heart are the same? You think I’m that easy to fool?" Yuan Kuilong questioned him to his face. "Where is your mouth?"

"Under my nose!"

"Where is your heart?"

"Inside my chest!"

Yuan Kuilong shouted, "Then how can they be the same?"

Zhao Yingde got a bit angry too. "How can they not be?"

Yuan Kuilong barked, "I can see what's under your nose, but can I see what's inside your chest?"

Zhao Yingde was a fierce man. Hearing Yuan Kuilong speak this way, he ripped open his shirt. "Great Chieftain, I have followed you for so many years, and yet you don't trust me. Today, I’ll pull my heart out for you to see!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yingde pulled out a dagger, made a swift cut and a scoop, and carved out a heart. He gripped it in his hand and held it out to Yuan Kuilong.

Yuan Kuilong’s eyes turned red instantly. "Brother, I was just blowing off steam. Why did you have to take it seriously?"

The five fools in the cells were terrified.

They were even more foolishly terrified than before.

Zhao Guangping, the cloth seller, bit his own clothes.

Rong Xiaozhang, the bun seller, bit his own fist.

Feng Qiuling, the weaver, kept gnawing on the bars of the cell.

Pei Binru, the brick maker, wet himself and started mixing the mud with his hands.

Lin Shaocong, the third son of the Lin family, found a clump of mud and quietly stuffed it into his pants.

Holding the heart, Zhao Yingde’s eyes filled with tears. Panting, he said breathlessly, "Boss... this heart I have for you... do you see it now?"

"I see it, my good brother..." Yuan Kuilong sobbed, took the heart, and took a bite.

*Crunch!*

Zhao Yingde asked through his tears, "Is it crisp?"

"Crisp!" Yuan Kuilong nodded repeatedly. "It’s damn crisp. This must be a 'Beauty in the Heart'!"

Zhao Yingde nodded over and over. "It is indeed a 'Beauty in the Heart.' A watermelon radish from the Myriad Fields. The very first boatload of radishes to arrive at Black Sand Port, and I saved it for you, Boss!"

Yuan Kuilong hugged Zhao Yingde's "heart" and took another bite, tears flowing uncontrollably. "Brother, I love eating watermelon radishes most of all. I knew you had me in your heart!"

The watermelon radish was a type of pungent radish. Yuan Kuilong’s tears wouldn't stop because the radish was incredibly spicy.

After finishing the radish, Yuan Kuilong asked about the Second Chieftain. "Where is Song Yongchang? Why haven't I seen him?"

"We're still missing one fool, aren't we? The Second Master went to find one in another province." Zhao Yingde called over his subordinate, Little Zhu, and had him use a needle and thread to sew up the wound on his chest.

Yuan Kuilong felt something wasn't right. "To catch a fool, he had to go to another province?"

The wound on his chest was half-sewn. Zhao Yingde pulled it open to look; the heart had already grown back. While stopping the bleeding, he replied, "The Second Master saw this in a vision while preparing the Bowl. He said among these six fools, one must be from another province. We can't use only Wansheng Prefecture stock."

Yuan Kuilong didn't believe a word of it. "What does that have to do with the stock? What's the difference between blood from another province and Wansheng stock? He clearly just wanted an excuse to go abroad!"

"That’s what the Second Master said, I wouldn't know..." Zhao Yingde watched Yuan Kuilong’s expression, carefully considering what he could say.

Yuan Kuilong looked grim. "Song Yongchang went all the way to another province to catch a fool, taking such pains and risks, just to help me Open the Bowl? Do you think he’d really care that much about my business?"

"About his heart, I really don't know. But for my own loyalty, if you'd like another piece..." Zhao Yingde tried to change the subject. This was a matter between the First and Second Masters; he really didn't want to get involved.

With a dark face, Yuan Kuilong walked out of the Seedling Room. An apple tree had already grown in front of the door, laden with green fruit.

Seeing the tree, Yuan Kuilong’s mood improved slightly. "Brothers, eat apples!"

Zhao Yingde was startled. The Great Chieftain had said it would bear fruit "one day," but he hadn't expected "one day" to be today.

Yuan Kuilong's urine was truly potent; his craft was clearly improving.

Seeing that no one around was moving, Yuan Kuilong said to Zhao Yingde, "Brother, you have one first!"

"No, the Great Chieftain should eat first."

"I’ve already eaten. You go ahead, don't be polite with me."

"Boss, the fruit isn't ripe yet. Maybe wait another two days."

"No need to wait. Half-ripe apples are the best—crisp and sweet!" Yuan Kuilong plucked an apple for Zhao Yingde. "Look how juicy this fruit is. Eat up."

It was indeed juicy, with water droplets still hanging on it.

It was two o'clock in the afternoon. At this hour, there shouldn't have been any dew.

So where did those droplets come from?

Zhao Yingde looked at the apple and whispered, "Boss, can I peel it before I eat it?"

"Why peel it?" Yuan Kuilong disagreed. "The skin has the most flavor!"

"Fine, I’ll eat. The Boss has me in his heart..." Zhao Yingde was moved to tears as he ate the apple.

Yuan Kuilong shouted to the group of bandit soldiers, "Brothers, don't be shy, eat up! Today you follow me in eating apples; tomorrow you follow me in conquering the world!"

The bandit soldiers had watched this apple tree grow.

Anyone with eyes could see that this apple tree had been grown in a "honey pot"—bright yellow "honey."

Was it easy being a bandit?

They didn't really want to eat it.

Yuan Kuilong’s smile suddenly vanished, leaving the soldiers trembling with fear.

"Today, anyone who doesn't eat this apple isn't my brother! Hunlong Stronghold will have no place for him today!"

Everyone at Hunlong Stronghold knew Yuan Kuilong loved to joke, but no one could tell which jokes were real.

Zhao Yingde shouted while eating his apple, "Didn't you hear the Great Chieftain's order? Eat, every damn one of you! No one is allowed to peel them, and no one is allowed to wash them! Anyone who doesn't eat gets their pay docked for the whole month!"

The soldiers gritted their teeth and plucked the fruit to eat.

One soldier sobbed twice. "He won't even let us wash it. This is just bullying."

Watching his brothers eat the apples, Yuan Kuilong was very pleased. He asked Zhao Yingde, "Did Old Song tell you what kind of person he was looking for?"

Zhao Yingde finished his apple through gritted teeth. "The Second Master said it depends on fate. He said you can't just find any fool in another province; you have to find someone who doesn't look like a fool, but is actually a complete idiot."

"Fate? What a load of nonsense." Yuan Kuilong plucked another apple and handed it to Zhao Yingde. "When Old Song returns to the mountain, tell me immediately. I want to see what kind of fool he brings back."

***

"Your name is Zhang Laifu?"

"Yes! 'Fu' as in 'Blessing'!"

The interviewer was very satisfied. The name sounded exactly right for the requirements.

Huan Country, Yuedong Province, Guan City, Nanzhu Film and Television Base.

Next to a construction site stood a two-story prefabricated building with "Myriad Lives Film and Television Company" written on it.

The second floor was a temporary office where Myriad Lives Film and Television was recruiting actors. The flyers had just been sent out, and someone had already come for an interview.

The interviewer, Old Song, held Zhang Laifu’s application form. Together with his assistant, Old Zheng, he scrutinized the young man before them.

"You’re not a professional actor?"

Zhang Laifu shook his head. "I'm a university student studying civil engineering. I do acting on the side."

The interviewer took out an apple, rubbed it against his clothes, and took a bite. "You study civil engineering. Why did you choose a career in acting?"

The real reason was that other part-time jobs were hard to find, but Zhang Laifu felt that answer was too blunt. He chose a more tactful expression: "Both architecture and film can express art; they just differ slightly in form!"

That sentence had some depth. This person didn't seem like a fool. Old Song looked at Old Zheng, feeling a bit uneasy.

Old Zheng blinked slightly, signaling Old Song to observe further.

"You have a very deep understanding of art!" Old Song praised Zhang Laifu. He then carefully observed Zhang Laifu’s appearance.

"Honest face, mediocre features, average build, lifeless eyes. All body parts are intact with no serious defects. You possess the basic conditions an excellent actor should have!"

Hearing this, Zhang Laifu puffed out his chest. "Other crews say the same thing. They say I’m a natural-born background extra."

"You’ve only been an extra before?" The interviewer looked closely at Zhang Laifu’s resume, finding it a bit vague.

He asked Zhang Laifu, "Have you ever properly acted in a play?"

Zhang Laifu nodded vigorously. "I have. I'm very experienced!"

"Have you ever played a role with lines?"

Zhang Laifu answered tactfully, "I have always been waiting for such an opportunity!"

The interviewer put down the application form, picked up a notebook, and gave a brief self-introduction.

"I am the Vice General Manager of Myriad Lives Film and Television and the interviewer for this recruitment. My surname is Song. You can call me Manager Song, or you can call me Old Song."

Zhang Laifu responded earnestly, "Hello, Old Song."

Old Song finished the apple, wiped his hands, and wrote two words in his notebook: *Presumptuous.*

He took another apple from his bag and continued, "No need to be so stiff. I’ll just ask a few simple questions. Have you ever interviewed for a film company before?"

Zhang Laifu shook his head. "No, this is the first time."

"You’ve never been on another film set?"

"I’ve been on sets, but I’ve never interviewed."

"Why haven't you interviewed? Is it because you weren't qualified?"

Zhang Laifu tried to maintain a tactful attitude. "Other places hiring extras don't require interviews. They aren't as 'extra' as you guys."

Old Song nodded slightly and wrote two more words in his notebook: *Rude.*

"You’re very candid. Then why did you choose our company?"

Zhang Laifu pointed to the flyer in his hand. "You pay more. Other places pay a hundred and thirty a day for extras; you pay a hundred and sixty."

"Do you think thirty yuan is that important?"

"It’s very important! With that extra thirty yuan, I can eat a whole chicken tonight without needing rice!"

Old Song nodded repeatedly. "My eyes indeed did not deceive me. You are a person with higher pursuits in art!"

After saying that, he again wrote two words: *Vulgar.*

Old Song continued, "But I must emphasize one point. We are not like those amateur troupes. Our Myriad Lives Company is at the top of the industry and has higher requirements for employees. What we need are not temporary actors with no sense of responsibility, but excellent performing arts workers. We value not just your talent in the art of performance, but more importantly, your understanding and perception of the acting career! First, tell me, what is your dream on the path of art?"

Zhang Laifu’s originally lifeless eyes sparkled with a bit of light. He answered in an extremely firm tone, "To make money and enjoy life!"

Old Song wasn't satisfied with this answer. "Your dream is just to enjoy life?"

Zhang Laifu felt there was nothing wrong with his answer. "Is your dream not to enjoy life?"

Old Song gave a faint smile. "Everyone’s dreams are different."

Zhang Laifu looked surprised. "Is there really someone whose dream isn't to enjoy life?"

Old Song frowned and stared at Zhang Laifu. "Some people have grander dreams; they want to achieve more."

Zhang Laifu agreed. "Achieve more, then enjoy life."

"Achievement isn't just for enjoyment; it’s also to gain the recognition of the world." Old Song was still trying to guide him.

Zhang Laifu still agreed. "Gain recognition, then enjoy life with great fanfare."

"Recognition is for obtaining higher status and position." Old Song’s voice grew slightly louder.

Zhang Laifu agreed completely. "Obtain status and position, then enjoy life steadily."

"A person’s gaze shouldn't always be focused on themselves. Some people struggle their whole lives to benefit more people. That is a truly noble dream!" Old Song’s expression grew more serious, even a bit agitated.

Zhang Laifu looked up and said firmly, "Then that’s leading more people to enjoy life."

"Uh... I, actually... I really admire you."

Old Song wrote two words in his notebook: *Shallow.*

Putting down the notebook, Old Song picked up a sheet of white paper. "This interview originally had two sets of exam papers, but the set is in a hurry for people. Given your ideals and beliefs regarding acting, we’ve decided to skip some trivial details. We’ll focus on the performing arts and discuss key issues in the professional field."

As he spoke, Old Song began drawing on the paper with a pen.

*Thump! Ding ding ding! Thump! Ding ding ding!*

He drew while watching the expression on Zhang Laifu’s face.

Zhang Laifu felt the sound was familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere. The rhythmic tapping gave him an illusion of swirling snowflakes.

However, that kind of sound shouldn't be made by a pen tip.

Old Song pushed the paper in front of Zhang Laifu. "If you were a train driver, what would you choose?"

Seeing this question, Zhang Laifu felt a bit helpless.

It was a cliché question. A train traveling on a split track; ten people were tied to the left track, and one person was tied to the right.

Old Song ate his apple, looking at Zhang Laifu with deep eyes.

To this fool, this question seemed a bit too much.

"The question is hard, isn't it? Never seen it before?" Old Song smiled at Zhang Laifu.

Zhang Laifu replied, "How could I have not seen it? Is this your first day as an interviewer?"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Old Song coughed a few more times.

He picked up the pen, thought for a long time, and wrote three words: *Son of a...*

Zhang Laifu frowned; he hated these kinds of questions.

He was a senior; he was about to graduate and look for a job. Interviewers had asked countless questions like this. In his memory, any answer to this kind of question was wrong.

The key was, what did this have to do with the art of performance? What did this have to do with hiring background extras?

But no matter how much he hated it, for the sake of that chicken tonight, he had to give a decent answer.

Seeing Zhang Laifu lost in thought made Old Song feel much better. "Laifu, if you don't know, just say you don't know. Don't pretend! Let me give you a hint: you need to project your true emotions into the role. Truly imagine yourself as that train driver. It’s called empathy. Do you understand?"

With this hint, Zhang Laifu immediately had a train of thought. Standing from an actor’s perspective and projecting himself into the role, he gave a very rigorous answer: "I don't know how to drive a train."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Old Song coughed for a while again. An apple seed had gotten stuck in his throat.

"Laifu, let's assume you know how to drive a train."

Zhang Laifu answered very seriously, "It has nothing to do with the driver. The person at the switch—he’s the one who decides where the train goes."

Wait!

This guy knew quite a bit.

Was he really a fool?

Old Song nodded. "You have good common sense. Now assume I’m the one at the switch, and the lever is in my hand."

*Thump! Ding ding ding!*

Old Song used the pen to draw another person at the switch, holding the lever. "If I pull it left, the train goes left. If I pull it right, the train goes right. Which side do you think I should choose?"

He intentionally showed off his "craft" in front of Zhang Laifu, wanting to see his reaction.

Zhang Laifu looked at the drawing of the switchman; it was drawn quite realistically.

Since the interviewer took this question so seriously, Zhang Laifu had to show some real substance if he wanted the job.

He organized his words and replied, "You can choose whichever you want. Anyway, no one will tell you that you're wrong."

Old Song looked at Zhang Laifu askance, not understanding his meaning. "How could no one tell me I’m wrong?"

Zhang Laifu replied, "The train has already passed. Who’s going to tell you you’re wrong?"

Old Song thought for a moment and understood Zhang Laifu’s meaning.

Once the train passed, the survivors would certainly say Old Song was right.

Even if the dead thought Old Song was wrong, they wouldn't be able to speak anymore.

Old Song’s heart skipped a beat, and Old Zheng also frowned.

Was this guy a fool or not?

After a long silence, Old Song said to Zhang Laifu, "I am a good person."

Zhang Laifu looked at Old Song, then at the drawing on the table, and asked seriously, "If you’re a good person, why did you tie people to the tracks?"

That sentence hit the mark again.

Old Song followed up, "You think I tied them there?"

Zhang Laifu asked back, "Then who do you say tied them?"

Old Song was helpless. "I don't know who tied them either!"

Zhang Laifu was also helpless. "You don't know anything, and you’re asking me?"

Old Song kept staring at Zhang Laifu. "Have you ever felt like you had intellectual issues?"

Zhang Laifu shook his head. "I don't have intellectual issues. My teachers and classmates all say my intelligence is very high."

"What did they say to you?"

"They told me, 'Your IQ is terrifying!'" Zhang Laifu looked back at Old Song, waiting for his next question.

Old Song rubbed the drawing paper on the table. "What do you think of my drawing skills?"

"Quite good," Zhang Laifu answered honestly.

"Look closer!"

*Thump-ding-ding-ding! Thump-ding-ding-ding!*

This time Old Song didn't use a pen; he used his fingers to draw directly on the paper.

The original scene only had tracks, a train, and people. Now, mountains, rivers, and a distant city became visible, making it realistic and three-dimensional.

Truly three-dimensional.

The mountains in the picture actually rose up; it was unclear what they were made of.

Old Song picked up the drawing and waved it in front of Zhang Laifu. "Did you see how I drew this?"

He wanted Zhang Laifu to feel fear.

No matter how much a fool tried to act like a normal person, their true nature would be exposed in the face of fear.

Zhang Laifu looked at the drawing, then at Old Song. "Are you asking me to look at the drawing, or at you?"

The two of them locked eyes for nearly a minute without speaking.

Zhang Laifu’s eyes were full of expectation.

A hundred and sixty a day—could he get it?

Old Song opened his notebook and wrote two more words: *Simple.*

Crossing out the "Son of a...", five terms remained.

Presumptuous, Rude, Vulgar, Shallow, Simple.

With so many traits combined, who would think he wasn't a fool?

After looking at those five words twice, Old Song handed the notebook to Old Zheng behind him.

"Old Zheng, it’s rare to find someone who possesses so many excellent qualities at once. Do you think this fellow will do?"

After looking it over, Old Zheng nodded. "I think this fellow will do!"

Old Song pulled a contract from the desk drawer and handed it to Zhang Laifu. "You’re hired. From now on, you are an official actor of Myriad Lives Film and Television."