Trembling At A High Altitude

The director is their direct superior, who controls their fate, and must not be offended.

Just like Liu Huang, who offended the director—boom, ten years later in the plot, he went from being a high and mighty Traitor Leader to a death-row prisoner, and then he was sealed in wax, a clear testimony to this fact.

Heaven is unfair; some people come in as directors, or even as higher-level figures.

But most people can only start as extras, struggling step by step from the bottom, with their lives constantly at risk.

Isn't the real world just the same?

Some are born into families that send them abroad on public funds, while others casually alter their school and identity records through their parents' connections.

Others are born with a golden key and set a "small" goal like making a billion.

But most people are born into poverty, spending over a decade in bitter study, only to still work at the bottom of society, struggling just to earn a living.

Nothing is fair; born at the very bottom of society, you have to be more diligent and harder working than others, seizing those fleeting opportunities, for the slightest chance to climb higher and change your fate and that of your family.

"I'm not any great artist, just a minor director. Relatively speaking, I'm quite idiosyncratic and good at discovering talent. I've nurtured quite a few excellent actors under my guidance, and I believe none of you will disappoint me," Director Liu Shiyuan said a few words.

"Among these people, Li Teng is quite an impressive actor. He has great potential. You should watch him a bit more," the female director recommended Li Teng to Liu Shiyuan.

Li Teng also quickly flashed a smile toward the new director.

"Mm, I saw his performances in the previous scenes before I came here, and he indeed performed well, showing a lot of potential," Liu Shiyuan nodded in approval.

"Brown-nosers really do get everywhere," Huang Xun muttered to himself in his heart. He felt that he had been supporting the wrong people before—he should have followed Li Teng's example and cozied up to the director instead!

"Director Liu, you are really handsome! At first glance, one can tell that you're overflowing with talent. I'm thrilled you're taking over our cast, and it's an honor to be able to follow you," having realized what was going on, Huang Xun hurriedly imitated Li Teng, who had been flattering the female director, and began to suck up to the new director.

Liu Shiyuan didn't utter a word, frowning instead.

"Please don't interrupt," the female director said, glancing at Huang Xun with displeasure.

"I wasn't interrupting. I just wanted to welcome the new director, I...." Huang Xun felt wronged. Wasn't Li Teng doing fine with his flattery? How come it became an interruption when he did the same?

"Alright, she and I still have some handover work to do. Everyone's tired, let's wrap up for today," Liu Shiyuan did not give Huang Xun the chance to finish his sentence.

...

The second act of "Lurking War Wolf" officially wrapped.

It was time for everyone to go their separate ways.

At a street terminal, Li Teng officially confirmed his participation in the promotion performance.

"This is really goodbye then," Anna came over.

"Will you miss me?" Li Teng asked Anna.

"What about you is worth..." Anna began to scorn Li Teng but stopped as her eyes reddened. She quickly turned away.

"If you want to cry, just cry. I'll lend you my shoulder," Li Teng tried to embrace Anna from behind, but she dodged away.

By the time she turned back around, Anna had put on her sunglasses.

"If you want to stay friends, then don't say such annoying things to me again! And don't do those annoying things either! I am very angry, do you understand?" After putting on her sunglasses, Anna seemed like a different person, her tone turning icy.

"I understand," Li Teng sighed.

After a silence, Anna came over, knocked four times on Li Teng's head, and then turned and walked away.

Without looking back.

Li Teng wore the down jacket and warm shoes that Bunny Girl had bought for him onto the bus that would take them to the airport.

"Do I really have to wear everything?" Bunny Girl looked at the down jacket and warm shoes in her bag with a troubled expression.

"If you don't wear them you can't take them with you. Leave a set on the pillar; it's better to be safe than sorry. Trust me, you won't go wrong," Li Teng persuaded Bunny Girl while sweating.

"Alright, I'll put them on when I get to the airport," Bunny Girl agreed.

Li Teng glanced ahead at Anna, who was sitting with her sunglasses on, leaning back in her chair. He wondered if she was asleep.

Forget it, better not bother her.

"I was told I could touch it for free," he whispered to himself, regret apparent. "Looks like that's not going to happen anymore."

And there would be no more chances to do so in the future.

"Women's words can never be taken for granted."

…

Soon, the bus arrived at the airport.

Security check – any items unfit to be taken back to the Pillar were confiscated.

Next, boarding.

Aboard the helicopter, it swiftly ascended into the sky, flying towards their respective Pillars.

There was nothing to do in the dark cabin of the helicopter.

Li Teng could only sleep.

When he was startled awake, the helicopter was already hovering above his Pillar.

Looking at the three broken bed legs on top of the Pillar, Li Teng couldn't help but sigh.

The weather was hot. After standing on top of the Pillar, Li Teng hastily took off his down jacket and tied the pant legs to the broken bed legs to prevent accidentally kicking them off the edge.

The top of the Pillar was sizzling, making it impossible to sit.

A while later, Li Teng unfolded his down jacket and spread it out on top of the Pillar.

Finally, he could sit down.

The advancement competition was held between two performances.

In two days, he would be able to participate in the competition.

If he succeeded in advancing, he would become a Minor Special Contract Extra. But even if he advanced, the registration fee would not be refunded, and the balance of 103 points in his account would drop to just 3.

He wasn't sure what that wristwatch was for, whether it was the same as the one on the director's wrist.

When he was leaving, the female director was still handing over her duties to the new director, so he had no chance to ask her about it.

Just get through it.

Endure these two days, participate in the competition, strive for first place, get that wristwatch, then you'll know its use.

Just thinking about the raffle made Li Teng's head ache.

What if he made it to first place, and the first prize he drew was just a bottle of mineral water?

That would be such bad luck!

Lost in his thoughts, a thunderous rumble suddenly filled the air.

The sound of a helicopter transporting personnel.

Looking up, sure enough, a black helicopter was heading this way.

"Are there other actors passing by here?" Li Teng frowned.

Li Teng was wrong.

The helicopter was coming for his Pillar.

It hovered above.

Then, the helicopter's cabin door opened.

Someone crawled out, preparing to descend the rope ladder, and as she looked down, their eyes met.

It was a woman.

"Director?"

"Li Teng? What are you doing here?"