Naming Technique of the Night

Chapter 760: 446. Temporary Replacement

Tuan Zi was a girl who liked to boast.

She didn’t have any bad intentions, just wanted others to think she was impressive.

Just like on the train, she told Qing Chen that she had a good relationship with a big shot in the daytime.

At that moment, Tuan Zi’s face was burning hot.

The praise from Director Zhang and Assistant Director Wang made her a bit embarrassed.

After all, the person who had credited them with hunting the Wilderness people was standing right in front of them.

The one who had switched their equipment was also this person.

So Tuan Zi suddenly became modest, truly because she dared not overstep.

At this time, Liu Liqun said with a smile, “Don’t be shy, everyone. Our crew has plenty of strong stagehands, you can order them around anytime, whether it’s carrying equipment now or in the wilderness later.”

“No need, really no need!” Tuan Zi was almost in tears, and she didn’t dare to look at Qing Chen when she spoke, afraid that Liu Liqun might actually order this big shot to carry equipment for her.

The people around didn’t understand but just felt that these Wilderness Hunters were exceptionally approachable, so impressive yet so humble.

Rare indeed.

Qing Chen said with a smile, “Where is your car? Let’s quickly help you switch the equipment to the crew’s vehicle.”

Liu Liqun glared at him, “Is it your turn to speak? Didn’t I tell you earlier, listen more, watch more, talk less, ask less?”

Sun Chu Ci and the others were stunned; had Liu Liqun always been so bold?

Do you know who you are ordering around? This is the big shot who can still smile while copying someone else’s work.

These past few days, there’s been a rumor in City 10 that Intelligence Department One’s Group Seven had taken down the top levels of Parents’ Meeting and Mechanicus, all done by him.

However, at this time, Qing Chen finally spoke, and Sun Chu Ci and others knew Qing Chen wanted to continue concealing his identity, so they let others carry.

But when carrying the equipment, they couldn’t just watch; Sun Chu Ci and others also stepped forward to help, forcibly creating a scene of harmony and mutual affection.

Director Zhang was moved.

“With such a unified team, the shooting will definitely go smoothly!” Director Zhang remarked.

“By the way, Director Zhang, I saw the weather forecast saying that in four more days it will be the last wave of severe cold air, if you don’t depart now, wouldn’t it be a bit too rushed?” Sun Chu Ci looked toward Director Zhang.

Sun Chu Ci continued, “I planned our itinerary; it will take either 2 or 3 days to arrive. If you miss it, wouldn’t all your money be wasted?”

Director Zhang got angry again at this, “Isn’t it all because of that Qin Peipei. If the whole crew wasn’t searching for a caravan for her, we would have left earlier!”

Assistant Director Wang whispered, “Brought capital into the group.”

“So what if she brought capital into the group, it shouldn’t delay everyone’s schedule, over a hundred people are waiting here!” Director Zhang raised his voice, “You guys start packing up the things, I’ll go talk to Qin Peipei’s agent personally. If she continues like this, then we may have to give up on this trip.”

Assistant Director Wang looked gloomy, if they gave up, just the penalty fees would cost a lot.

Director Zhang left.

Qing Chen continued to help Sun Chu Ci and others move the weapon equipment.

Seeing Sun Chu Ci and others were moving by themselves, the other stagehands were happy to hide on the side and slack off.

“Didn’t you say you had saved enough money for the winter? Why bother going to the wilderness during a good Spring Festival?” Qing Chen chuckled softly.

Sun Chu Ci hesitated and then said, “The money they offered was just too much… several times more than the rewards we got for hunting Wilderness people before.”

“The entertainment industry is really rich,” Qing Chen admired, “On the way following, just act like you don’t know me. Don’t be so tense; I have my own business, which doesn’t involve you. When the time comes, I will quietly leave the group.”

Tuan Zi couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Where are you going?”

Qing Chen said smilingly, “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”

At this time, the stagehands sitting on the ground at the parking lot, hiding and laughing, watched Qing Chen and the others chatting and laughing.

A stagehand said with a laugh, “Look at that, he’s really buttering up. They already said no need for help, but he’s still eager to offer. It looks like our guess was right; he joined the crew just to look for an opportunity.”

Liu Liqun glanced at them, “If you had that look, you could try too. The entertainment industry never lacks people who painstakingly try to climb up. Even without him, there would be others. Look at the extra from ‘Fireworks’, isn’t he up there now?”

A stagehand muttered, “What’s the use of him bootlicking the Wilderness Hunters, they might be impressive, but they can’t give him a role.”

Someone laughed, “He’s casting a wide net, what if it turns out to be useful?”

By this time, in their eyes, Qing Chen had become a utilitarian young man, a youth intent on climbing up the ladder.

And those who lie flat hate nothing more than those who work harder than them, as it makes them seem lazy and mediocre.

Meanwhile, Qing Chen asked, “Did you manage to gather all the last equipment? I had to leave early last time due to some issues and didn’t get to talk to you, could only send someone to notify you.”

Sun Chu Ci said seriously, “Thank you. We managed to retrieve all the equipment from last time. We sold some surplus on the black market and exchanged it for a bigger house to accommodate all seven of us. It’s a four-bedroom with a living room, where the five guys take three rooms, and the two girls share one.”

In this team, besides Tuan Zi, there was another girl, but she hardly ever spoke.

At this moment, Tuan Zi remembered that she already knew the other’s identity, while they were still unaware that she knew…

So, she deliberately asked Qing Chen, “By the way, you mentioned that you are a student from the Inner World, but we have also heard of someone called Qing Chen in the Outer World, sharing the same name as you.”

Sun Chu Ci glared at her.

Tuan Zi waited for Qing Chen to say things like “It’s just the same name,” “What a coincidence,” or “I’m not a Time Traveler.”

However, Qing Chen laughed. He looked at Tuan Zi and said with a smile, “I’ve heard people say that you claim to be very familiar with me, and with Daylight as well?”

Tuan Zi’s cheeks flushed instantly, “Ah! How did you know!”

The so-called instant social death is exactly this kind of scene…

Tuan Zi had no idea how Qing Chen had come to know about this; she had bragged about it to many people, but those she bragged to barely had any connections with Daylight. Most of them weren’t even Time Travelers, just classmates…

How shameful.

Qing Chen chuckled, “It’s alright. It seems we really are quite familiar now. Being familiar with me is the same as being familiar with Daylight. Anyway, another reminder, keep up the act along the way, and don’t blow my cover.”

His being a Time Traveler could no longer be hidden, so he might as well openly admit it.

“Okay,” Sun Chu Ci agreed.

When everyone finished moving the stuff and returned to the office upstairs, they heard arguing inside before they even entered.

A plump woman was standing in the office, yelling at Director Zhang, “What status does our Peipei have? Going out into the wilderness without even a motorhome, what will people think if this gets out? What if other production teams follow your lead, then what about the rules?”

Director Zhang’s face turned red with humiliation. As a director, although not the most successful, being scolded publicly by an agent was a first.

He said, “Why are you shouting? All the diesel motorhomes were rented out by other crews, what can I do?”

The plump woman said, “Then wait for the motorhome to be returned before starting work! And that poster—how come Li Yu is the male lead, and Peipei the female lead, yet she is one centimeter farther from the center line? What, is Li Yu a bigger star than her?”

Qing Chen was stunned by this scene.

He thought, Is the competition for prominence in the entertainment industry so fierce that they even measure who’s a centimeter closer to the center on a poster with a ruler?

Unbelievable!

At that moment, Director Zhang was at his limit, “Is Qin Peipei joining the team or not? If she doesn’t join soon, she’ll miss the snow scene!”

“What does missing the snow scene have to do with our Peipei?” the plump woman sneered.

“Then she shouldn’t come at all!” Director Zhang yelled. “We don’t need her for this movie!”

The plump woman laughed out of anger, “Without our investment, do you have enough funds? Besides, if you find a temporary female actor now, can you find someone with Peipei’s top-tier status to boost your box office? I advise you to cool down, think it through, and go apologize to Peipei. Once we find a motorhome, let’s consider this matter settled.”

“Find hell! Get out of this office!” Director Zhang said and then returned to his own office.

Qing Chen blankly thought, he might not be able to hitch a ride with the film crew to the wilderness after all…

In the office, the production team members all looked worried. Director Zhang’s temper was truly uncontrollable. Now that Qin Peipei wasn’t coming and the funds were withdrawn, how could they continue filming?

Everyone who was initially busy doing preparation work now sat idly at their stations.

Only Director Zhang was left in the office, incessantly making phone calls.

However, by the afternoon, Director Zhang suddenly came out of the office with a beaming smile. He loudly announced, “Everyone stop for a moment, I have some good news!”

The office quieted down.

Director Zhang continued, “Folks, we managed to find a last-minute replacement actress to join the cast, Song Niannian! Moreover, her studio will also invest in this film! Let’s get busy. We leave tomorrow, and Song Niannian will join us tomorrow to head into the wilderness!”

“Wang Bo, quickly have the photographer and makeup artist get ready. Song Niannian will be coming soon for her make-up photo shoot, and change the poster quickly—I get sick just looking at Qin Peipei!” Director Zhang excitedly said.

Meanwhile, Qing Chen felt like cursing.

He had painstakingly chosen a film crew with no acquaintances, yet why did acquaintances keep coming one after another as soon as he joined? And why was it Song Niannian, the last person he wanted to see?

Could this possibly be a plot set up by Shadow to get back at him for impersonating them?

Qing Chen thought, Shadow should have better things to do, right!

…

Another chapter at 11 p.m.