Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 45.4 – Uninvited Guest (IV)

But Rong Xin, as if discovering some hidden treasure, became even more animated. “Uncle, have you ever considered acting?”

Everyone froze at his sudden question. Ning Shaoyun’s family had a color TV, so during the prime-time 8 o’clock drama slot, Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu would often watch dramas with Aunt Wei. They knew that professional actors existed.

Mao Huizhu chimed in, “Like Guo Jing and Huang Rong!”

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Rong Xin laughed. “Exactly! If Uncle acts, he might meet people who play Guo Jing and Huang Rong.”

While Mao Huizhu seemed intrigued and Mao Huilan somewhat hopeful, the others found the idea completely absurd.

Xia Wenyue called out, “Young Master Rong—”

“Aunt, don’t call me ‘Young Master.’” Rong Xin interrupted. “Please don’t copy Zhou Qianqian. Just call me Rong Xin, and I will call you Uncle and Aunt.”

Xia Wenyue was amused and went along with it. “Alright, Rong Xin, but as you can see, he’s just a simple farmer. He’s incredibly shy and barely speaks—how could he possibly become an actor?”

“But Uncle has great looks! And a wonderful voice!” Rong Xin said enthusiastically. “In our line of work, we have something called ‘talent scouts.’ They roam the streets looking for good-looking people to train as actors and stars.”

Mao Zhishan was beyond stunned. For years, his appearance and voice had been the subject of ridicule. He had never imagined they could be considered assets by others.

The more Rong Xin examined Mao Zhishan’s looks, the more amazed he became. “The only issue is that you’ve been overworked. With better nutrition, a bit more weight, and some grooming and skincare, you’d look incredibly handsome!”

“Uncle, such good looks shouldn’t go to waste!”

Influenced by their surroundings, Xia Wenyue and Mao Huimei had never seen Mao Zhishan’s appearance as an advantage, but the family’s two youngest had already started fantasizing about their father becoming a superstar.

Rong Xin rubbed his hands together in excitement. “Uncle, the movie I’m investing in has a role that’s been incredibly hard to cast. We’ve auditioned many people but haven’t been satisfied.”

“I never expected to find the perfect match without even looking! Your appearance and voice are tailor-made for this role.”

Xia Mian glanced at the visibly uncomfortable Mao Zhishan and said to Rong Xin, “My second uncle is too shy for something like this. Plus, he just came from a small village and isn’t used to interacting with people. He’s never acted before—wouldn’t this be too much for him?”

“Don’t worry about that!” Rong Xin assured her. “Since I’ve scouted him, I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. This role isn’t very demanding—it’s a mysterious martial arts expert. He needs to be middle-aged but incredibly good-looking, with eyes that convey vicissitudes and a life full of stories.”

“There are plenty of actors who can do the acting parts, but finding someone who fits the image is extremely rare.”

“As for interacting with people, that’s not an issue,” Rong Xin added. “We have assistants and agents to handle those details for actors.”

He turned to Mao Huimei. “Didn’t you mention you were looking for work?”

Hearing about work, Mao Huimei immediately put down her chopsticks, nervous. “Yes, Brother Rong. I have a high school diploma, so I can do basic clerical work. But I’m planning to attend night school…”

Rong Xin said, “My film company just opened, and we’re short on assistants. It requires patience and attention to detail. Would you like to give it a try? You could even be Uncle’s assistant and handle his arrangements.”

Xia Mian asked casually, “What about the pay for both the acting and the assistant job?”

Rong Xin grinned, “The exact pay for acting depends on the director, but actors generally earn a lot. Those playing Guo Jing and Huang Rong make tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands a year…”

Ning Shaobai kicked him lightly. “Talk specifics.”

Rong Xin laughed sheepishly. “Uncle’s role should pay around one or two thousand yuan, and filming could wrap up in one to two weeks if things go smoothly. As for the assistant job, the base salary is six hundred yuan per month, with bonuses during holidays. The details can be negotiated.”

Mao Zhishan was tempted. Not only could he earn money, but his daughter’s job could also be secured…

He glanced at Xia Wenyue, then at Mao Huimei, feeling very conflicted.

Rong Xin didn’t push further. “Well, seems like I have gotten a bit too excited,” he smiled. “We’ve been searching for this role for one or two months now, and the crew has already started filming. If we can’t find the right actor soon, we’ll have to compromise. Seeing Uncle’s fit for the role got me carried away.”

“But I hope you can think it over. Or, if you’re free, come visit the set and meet the director. It’s entirely up to you.”

Mao Zhishan breathed a sigh of relief.

Xia Mian observed the excited expressions of the three Mao sisters and thought this might actually happen. Taking this step might be hard for Mao Zhishan, but his daughters could give him the courage he needed. Perhaps in a not-so-distant future, he would be able to hold his head high and face life with confidence.

…

When Fan Xiuzhi arrived, Xia Mian’s entire family, along with Ning Shaoyun, was lined up in the courtyard, all doing ‘skincare.’

It was Saturday, a slow day for the food stall, so there wasn’t much preparation needed. When Xia Mian noticed a few limp cucumbers while washing dishes, she sliced them thin and stuck them on her face.

Mao Huilan was curious, “Sister Mian, what are you doing?”

Xia Mian replied, “Skincare! It helps improve your skin, reduces wrinkles, and makes you look brighter and more radiant.”

Xiao Feng and Chenchen, who had been in the courtyard playing a game together, came running over when they heard the commotion. The boys stared at her eagerly, clearly wanting to try it too.

Xia Mian obliged, sticking a few slices on each of them as well.

Mao Huilan, having just heard Rong Xin mention the importance of skincare for her father’s potential stardom, grew interested. “Really? Will it work for Dad, too?”

“Of course,” Xia Mian nodded. “It’ll work even better for your dad and mom. Just stick them on for ten minutes, wash your face, and then apply some moisturizer. You’ll see the results instantly.”

While Xia Mian was explaining, Mao Huizhu had already dragged Mao Zhishan, who had been sweeping the courtyard, over. “Dad, come and do skincare!”

Rong Xin’s remarks from the previous day had left an impression on the entire Mao family. Though the grown-ups were still hesitating, Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu had already started believing that their father could truly become a star.

Mao Huilan quickly sliced some cucumbers, while Mao Huizhu sweet-talked and cajoled Mao Zhishan into washing his face. Unable to resist his daughters, Mao Zhishan soon found himself sitting on a courtyard bench with his face covered in cucumber slices.

Mao Zhishan couldn’t persuade his daughters, so he was pressed on a stool in the yard and had cucumber slices stuck on his face.

“Be careful, Dad,” Mao Huilan reminded him. “These cucumbers cost a few cents each, so don’t waste them!”

Hearing this, Mao Zhishan froze, sitting perfectly still.

Not wanting to leave anyone out, Mao Huilan called out, “Mom, come on! Let’s do it together!”

Xia Wenyue and Mao Huimei emerged from the side room where they had been preparing ingredients for the stall. Seeing the bizarre row of green faces lining in the courtyard, Xia Wenyue couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “What are you all doing?”

Now already experienced, Mao Huilan pushed both Xia Wenyue and Mao Huimei into chairs. “Come on, let’s all do skincare together.”

Ning Shaoyun had originally come over to find her son, but she was stunned by the impressive lineup when she entered. It wasn’t long before she burst into laughter, bending over from amusement. “You all really know how to enjoy life!”

Chenchen and Xiao Feng, each with a cucumber slice on their cheeks and forehead, mimicked Xia Mian by closing their eyes and tilting their heads back, looking utterly content. Hearing his mother’s voice, Chenchen jumped up excitedly and pulled her over. “Mom, come join us!”

For some reason, Ning Shaoyun agreed. She washed her face and sat down beside Xia Mian, joining in the fun.

Xia Mian stifled a laugh. “Sister Ning, is there something you need?”

With her face now covered in cucumber slices, Ning Shaoyun also replied muffledly, “I’m here for inspiration.” She tried to keep her expression neutral as she added, “Your energy is my source of inspiration. Since you moved out, I’ve had trouble adjusting.”

Chenchen and Xiao Feng seemed to find the grown-ups’ stiff tone amusing and began mimicking them.

Chenchen, his face small and stiff, yelled, “Brother Xiao Feng!”

Xiao Feng replied in the same tone, “Brother Chenchen!”

The moment they finished, the two kids burst into laughter, as if someone had pressed their tickle buttons. Their giggles were so infectious that soon the others started laughing, too; their hands instinctively reaching up to hold their cucumber slices in place.

Mao Huilan tried to keep a straight face as she shouted, “These cucumbers cost a few cents each! Chenchen, Xiao Feng, stop making us laugh!”

But Chenchen, seeing everyone’s reactions, only laughed harder. Xiao Feng’s cucumber slice slipped off his face as he laughed uncontrollably.

Mao Huizhu, annoyed, got up to chase Chenchen, who shrieked and ran off. Xiao Feng pressed the remaining slices on his cheeks with both hands and toddled after them.

Just then, the sound of a car horn came from outside.

Moments later, Aunt Wei walked in, her expression uneasy. “Xiao Yun, Fan Xiuzhi is here.”

Guo Jing and Huang Rong are the characters from the popular martial arts drama Condor Heroes series.