Chapter 3: The Correct Way to Reach the Pinnacle of Show Business

Standing on the busy street, Ji Yu inhaled the exhaust fumes and raised his middle finger. That unreliable, low-grade wiretap was useless beyond ten meters.

He had managed to overhear one piece of information, though: Chen Kun was heading to a hotel next to the Shanghai Media Group. It was safe to assume he was off to a business dinner with some television executives. If he remembered correctly, Chen Kun had just signed with Rongxinda, becoming Zhou Xun’s junior label-mate. They shared the same bosses, Li Shaohong and Li Xiaowan. It was quite interesting that the two female bosses had come to Shanghai to dine with TV executives but had brought only Chen Kun, leaving behind the company’s leading lady, Zhou Xun.

Ji Yu recalled how Zhao Baogang, the director of *Love in Shanghai*, had described Chen Kun: a man with a wild streak who was difficult to tame. Zhao’s assessments of Chen Kun and Lu Yi were always intriguing. One was like a puppy—soft, delicate, and instantly likable. The other was like a wolf—wild and full of spirit, needing to be broken in before he could be controlled. Perhaps tonight was Chen Kun’s turn to be tamed. After all, if you wanted to survive in the entertainment industry, you had to be obedient. Otherwise, how could he have secured so many resources?

Chen Kun’s resources were truly top-tier. After *Love in Shanghai*, his career had taken off. A consortium of companies was pushing him—or, more accurately, the Beijing-based television circle. Led by Li Shaohong, with strong backing from Zhao Baogang and support from the old Beijing Film Studio directors, he had a constant stream of opportunities from television to film, including Sino-foreign co-productions aimed at winning awards. Chen Kun had it all, both in prestige and substance. By comparison, Lu Yi and Tong Dawei were nowhere near his league.

Comparing the three, Ji Yu arrived at a profound realization: if you’re going to be a kept man, you have to be tough about it! A "puppy" might only satisfy a benefactor for a moment, but a "wolf" makes the benefactor want to conquer him, pouring money into his career again and again. That *Tiger of the Serious Crimes Unit* really was lightyears ahead!

Ji Yu also wanted to be a "kept man with an edge." If only he could find a superstar girlfriend. Suddenly, the image of "Teacher Li" and her legendary assets popped into his head. Teacher Li would definitely be able to keep him well-fed!

Wait, why hadn't he seen Teacher Li today? Ji Yu scanned his surroundings, but she was nowhere to be found. A pity; he’d been hoping for a look. Never mind—time to find the talent scout and get some work.

"Boss! Any gigs?"
"Yeah, we need extras to play gangsters. Ten yuan!"
"I'm in!"
*[Ding~~ Mission incoming~~]*
Ji Yu’s head throbbed whenever he heard the system’s cutesy voice. Since it was the same gangster role, the skill reward would likely be identical, so he didn't even bother checking it.

After putting on a black suit and strutting around with Sun Honglei and Hou Miaoyao for a few scenes, Ji Yu successfully collected his ten yuan. He could have a bowl of shredded pork noodles for dinner, which would cost him three yuan, leaving him with seven.

As he tucked the money into his pocket, Ji Yu couldn't help but sigh. What kind of life was he living? The system was a useless piece of junk, and he couldn't count on it. If he wanted to strike it rich, he had to rely on himself. He pondered whether the news about Chen Kun dining with the executives could be sold to a reporter for some extra cash.

He decided to make a call. Ji Yu opened his small messenger bag and pulled out a notebook containing the numbers of several reporters. Reporters loved cultivating extras as informants; since extras spent their days on set, they were always in the loop. Selling tips was a reliable way to make extra money.

He dialed a reporter he had worked with twice before. "Hello! Reporter Li! It’s Da Ji!"
"Huh? Is the signal bad? Can you hear me?!"
Ji Yu shouted until his throat was raw. Once out of the city center, the reception on his mobile phone was terrible; he had no choice but to yell. The tip was sold, though—not much, just fifty yuan, payable at the end of the month. Chen Kun wasn't a major star yet, so it wasn't exactly breaking news. If it had been Zhou Xun, it would have been worth much more. Still, fifty yuan was nothing to sneeze at; it was two days' wages for an ordinary person, and most people only earned seven or eight hundred a month. If Ji Yu could make fifty a day, he’d be pulling in fifteen hundred a month—a high income by local standards. But compared to the stars, fifteen hundred was peanuts.

Rich people were truly infuriating. He had to become a star and make real money!

He went back to the talent scout to check for night shoots, which paid better.
"No night shoots today. One tomorrow morning. There aren't many productions here in Chedun, so I’m planning to head to Hengdian. You should come with me."
The scout was looking to pull together a group of extras to find work in Hengdian. Even though Ji Yu had a sleazy grin, he was good at filling out the numbers. Hengdian was a tough place to make it; you couldn't survive there without a crew. Ji Yu was tempted—there were more opportunities there, though it was still hard to break out from being a background actor. It really required a stroke of luck.

"Brother, let me think about it. Please save me a spot for tomorrow morning’s shoot, though."
"Fine, but decide quickly. I’m leaving next month."
The scout left. Ji Yu decided to head home; with no night shoot, there was no point in hanging around. Back at his place, he tried to organize the memories in his head and map out his future.

He couldn't recall anything from the distant past. He was just beginning to think about a few entertainment companies that would be opening in Shanghai over the next couple of years, when the thought was interrupted by a ruckus from next door. The young couple next door was at it again! Every day, it was the same routine: fighting, then "doing the deed." It was maddening!

Ji Yu sat up abruptly and slammed his fist against the wall. "Keep it down! You’re wailing like cats in heat!"
Was having a partner supposed to be such a big deal?

There was a few seconds of silence, then they started again, even louder than before.
A provocation! This was a blatant, naked provocation! Don't think just because you're naked you’re something special! He couldn't take it anymore!

Ji Yu stood up, ready to settle the score. He had a low-grade lockpick in the system shop! He’d bust the door open and give them a piece of his mind! Ji Yu exchanged for the lockpick and stormed out in a fury. *I’ll show you, wailing in the middle of the night! I’ll open the door and let everyone hear exactly what you’re doing!*

That night, many neighbors in the alley stood outside their door, listening to the cat-like screeching and peering inside.
"How can these two be so shameless? They don't even close the door!"
"Wailing so loudly, aren't they ashamed?"
"If it were me, I wouldn't have the face to show myself in public!"
"They looked so honest and quiet, who would have thought they were like this?"
"Exactly, and on the floor, too—how filthy!"
"They’re renting, right? We can't have people like this here; they're ruining our reputation."

Ji Yu felt satisfied. If they wanted to make noise, he’d make sure they died of social embarrassment!

Back in bed, Ji Yu hoped for a quiet night’s sleep. Instead, the sound of their arguing started up again. The woman was blaming the man for not locking the door, and the man was blaming the woman for being too loud. There was no sleeping tonight.

Yet, Ji Yu felt an inexplicable thrill. The feeling of lurking in the shadows and causing trouble was incredibly satisfying. The system wasn't completely useless after all. With so many dark secrets in the entertainment industry, having the system’s help meant he could be like a fish in water! From now on, he would be the entertainment industry’s most helpful citizen and the stars’ favorite neighbor.

Reaching the pinnacle of the entertainment industry—it all started with eavesdropping!