“An actor’s physical training?” This was the first time Li Xue heard something like that. She found herself getting more intrigued by Han Fei. This man claimed that his dream was to be a comedy actor but he unearthed many clues to an actual case by participating in a horror movie. He looked
gentlemanly, even a little fragile, but his constitution both mentally and physically, was impressive. It was like he had been put through hellish training. In her line of work, Li Xue had encountered many different walks of people but this Han Fei was truly one of his kind.
“Do not use these skills unless absolutely necessary. When you’re in danger, the first thing you should do is to call the police.” Seeing how serious Han Fei was in training, as if he expected to put these skills to use in real life, she quickly added in warning.
“Of course.”
“In any case, you shouldn’t worry too much. The police will add surveillance around your place.” Li Xue decided to leave Han Fei to his training. “I’ll depart for now. If there’s a new update with the case, I’ll inform you.”
“Thank you.” Han Fei kept at his training. He wished to work these movements into his bodily instinct, only then he would be able to survive in that hellish game.
When noon arrived, Han Fei fixed up a casual lunch at home. At the dining table, a book was placed next to his plate. The time that he’d normally spend on gaming and watching videos in the past was now reconfigured into time for hardcore learning. He studied up on sleuthing, surveillance and counter-surveillance. He was bitten by the learning bug due to his need for survival. Submerging in the ocean of knowledge, Han Fei never felt so fulfilled with his life. The joy he earned was different from a temporary rush. The skills and knowledge he gained would benefit him long term, and that brought him elation one would get from achieving life goals. “I have to study hard and surprise all the bastards who want to kill me.”
At 3 pm, Han Fei received a call from Jiang Yi, the latter wanted to have a talk with Han Fei. To be honest, it was extremely rare for a director to call an actor, especially one as unknown as Han Fei. This showed how much Director Jiang valued Han Fei. Han Fei arrived at the set for Flower of Sin at 4 pm. To his surprise, he found the victim’s families gathered outside the building. But this time, there was no argument. They merely stood there with their placards and mounted a silent protest. There were some reporters taking videos of this scene.
“Sir, the police have reopened the human jigsaw case, I’m sure they’ll come out with the result soon. You shouldn’t tire your body like this at your age.” Wei Youfu had helped Han Fei multiple times in the game so Han Fei wished to repay his kindness by looking after his family in real life. Furthermore, Han Fei did admire Wei Youfu’s father. Like father like son, they were both people with a heart of gold.
“Thank you for your concern, but this is the only thing left that I can do for Youfu.” The old man gripped Han Fei’s shoulders. His milky eyes were filled with complicated emotions. He wanted to say something but in the end, he merely sighed. “Young man, thank you so much. I like the Youfu that you portray in the movie.”
Due to everything Han Fei had done for the victims’ families, which included using his body to block one of them from the danger of a flying pail, they treated him like family. “I promise all of you, the real killer will be apprehended soon.” Han Fei was just an actor. He had nothing to do with the case but for some reasons, the families found comfort and assurance in his words. The way they looked at Han Fei softened, it was as if they could see the image of their loved ones on Han Fei.
After he bade the family farewell, the floor manager led Han Fei to a room on the second floor. Once he opened the door, Han Fei was hit by a wall of cigarette smoke. Jiang Yi was seated at the table with two other middle-aged men. Several versions of the script sat on the table.
“Xiao Han, the scriptwriters and I have worked many nights editing the script. Since you have a better relationship with the victim’s family, I hope you can help me to convince them to accept this latest edition of the script.” The ashtray between them was stuffed with cigarette butts.
The troublesome nature of multiple editing was evidenced by the two writers’ greying and balding heads.
“You’re sending me to go persuade them?”
“Yes, and tell them that this is the biggest compromise I can give them. If they still refuse to meet us halfway, I’ll have no choice but to press on with the shoot.” Jiang Yi said with difficulty. “I may be the director but I am not the person who really calls the shots when it comes to the movie production.” Han Fei picked up the script. It started very well and the investigation process matched the one in real life but it gradually became more and more fantastical.
“The victims’ family will not agree to this and I will not persuade them to accept this script either.” Han Fei placed the script on the table. “The human jigsaw case is far more complicated than you think. Instead of running off with absurd fictionalization, why not reference and study the actual case further?”
“How did you know we have not studied the case? Everyone’s a critic nowadays.” The balding scriptwriter pinched his cigarette. “Director Jiang, I’ve worked on more than enough editing. To be honest, I’ve done my best by you. Furthermore, the contract that we’ve signed did not specify that our script needs to be approved by the victim’s families anyway.”
“That’s right, this is the last edit we’d do. Young man, you’re an actor so take the script and do your job.” The other scriptwriter stood up and prepared to leave. “Listen, I agree that movies have societal responsibility but we live in a capitalist society, not an idealistic one. Our most prior responsibility is to turn a profit.”
“Director Jiang, and Mr. writers, I know that you’ve poured a lot of hard work into the script, in fact, another crew would not have gone so far in compromise. They probably would not have cared about the concern of the victims’ families.” Han Fei opened the window next to the door to let air into the room to dissipate the gathered smoke. “But why can’t you wait a little longer? The movie will soon have its real ending.”
“Why must we wait for the real ending? Do you think the market will prefer the real ending? Have you ever studied the market before? Do you know anything about our target audience and our movie’s particularity?” The balding writer grabbed his jacket and headed to the door. He reached out to shove Han Fei out of the way.
“I might not understand the market but I do know justice needs to be served.” Han Fei stood his ground, his eyes landing on the writer’s neck and rib. The chill in his gaze froze the writer’s arm in the air. In the end, the writer coughed awkwardly and pretended to flick an invisible dust from his jacket.
“Director Jiang, if you see the movie as nothing more than a commercial machine, then go ahead and run with this script but I won’t be a part of it.” Han Fei stated matter-of-factly. “Even though I might be a mere extra, I respect my profession as an actor. I will not waste time on a meaningless flick.”
Han Fei then left the room. Studying Han Fei’s retreating shadow, Director Jiang sighed and took out his phone. His eyes wandered between the numbers of the executive producer and Ah Cheng. In the end, he did not make the call to get Ah Cheng to return but instead he called the producer.
“Sister Long, can you give me a few more days?”
“You still need more time? How many extra days I’ve already given you? Your main actor is on strike and the victims’ families are still protesting. The movie has already received so much negative press before it even finishes shooting. And you want me to give you more time?!”
“3 days, just give me 3 more days! I’ve found a new candidate to play the main character. In terms of acting and character, he is a million times better than Ah Cheng, but mainly, he has a natural air of a detective about him! He fits my image of the main character perfectly!”
